LIFE Project: Improved small- and medium-scale production of vehicular biomethane using lignocellulosic agro-food waste in rural areas

Advanced biofuels, such as biomethane, are considered technically, economically, and sustainably viable alternatives to fossil fuels in a wide range of sectors, within the context of significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and meeting EU environmental commitments. Biomethane can replace compressed natural gas (BioCNG) or liquefied natural gas (BioLNG) and offers competitive performance, particularly in long-haul heavy-duty freight vehicles.

The revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II CE), as part of the Fit for 55 package (part of the European Green Deal), established binding targets and standards to ensure the uptake of renewable energy, including biomethane, in the transport sector. The RED II EC stipulates that fuel suppliers must provide at least 14% of road transport fuel as renewable energy by 2030. Within this 14% transport target, advanced biofuels made from animal manure, straw, nutshells, forest industry waste and wood products (known as lignocellulosic material), or from industrial waste unsuitable for food or feed chains, must account for at least 0.2% by 2022, 1% by 2025, and 3.5% by 2030. These targets ensure that biofuels from waste streams deliver genuine carbon reductions, rather than those from specific energy crops.

There are two main ways to produce biogas from agri-food waste: anaerobic digestion and biomass gasification. Anaerobic digestion is generally highly energy-efficient, relies on advanced biotechnologies, is more environmentally friendly, and helps reduce the problems caused by the leaching of nitrate-rich manure into soil and water.