Biogas to pipeline project secures compressor
Design concept of the First Renewables/Eneraque Compressor
Firstgas Group company, First Renewables Limited, and Ecogas have reached another milestone towards making and supplying pipeline-ready biomethane, in commissioning Australian company, Eneraque, to supply a new compressor for the project.
The compressor will form an essential part of the biogas to biomethane upgrading facility at the Ecogas Organics Processing Facility in Reporoa.
The compressor enables the company to take Ecogas’ biogas from the anaerobic digesters and send it through the upgrading process, turning it into biomethane, a type of renewable gas. The pressure generated by the compressor then allows the biomethane to be transported through Firstgas’ transmission pipeline to customers on its network.
James Irvine, Future Fuels General Manager at Firstgas Group says the technology is a first of its kind for New Zealand. “Once up and running we estimate initial production will supply enough renewable gas, equivalent to supplying up to 7,200 homes* to enjoy the benefits of gas in their existing appliances, avoiding about 11,000 tonnes of CO2 per year”.
The compressor is on track to arrive in New Zealand by September 2023, which will take us a step closer to securing some renewable gas generation in New Zealand.
The project is an example of the potential of a circular economy and the wide range of benefits it brings.
“Anaerobic digestion is the most environmentally responsible way to recycle organic waste and works in tandem with cities and towns facing waste challenges and companies trying to reduce their emissions,” says Ecogas General Manager, Alzbeta Bouskova.
“At its full capacity, the Ecogas facility produces renewable energy, biofertiliser and soon renewable gas from 75,000 tonnes of inedible food scraps and other organic residues”
First Renewables are planning to blend and pipe biomethane and natural gas from the second quarter of 2024.
* Calculation based on 22GJ p.a. average for a residential consumer. Estimated max production is 160TJ = 7,200 houses.