On 23 November 2020, a gas consortium released a joint white paper on bio Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), demonstrating concrete benefits of the fuel for achieving eventual zero emissions in hard to abate sectors.
The paper, authorised by the consortium consisting of the European Biogas Association (EBA), Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), the Natural and bio Gas Vehicle Association (NGVA Europe) and LNG coalition SEA-LNG, highlights the potential of BioLNG to decarbonise heavy-duty transport and shipping, particularly in light of 2030 EU carbon targets.
The growth supply chains for BioLNG, the liquified form of biomethane, is also highlighted with production set to increase 10-fold by 2030 compared to current levels. The ability of the renewable fuel to use existing LNG infrastructure is noted as a strong advantage, with continued support and development of this backbone key to the BioLNG sector flourishing.
The policy recommendations are:
- Adopt an approach based on technology openness and guarantee a true level playing field between different mobility solutions under a well-to-wheel/well-to-wake thinking.
- Integrate the bio dimension of LNG in the revision of the CO2 emissions standard regulation for HD vehicles and in GHG reduction targets for shipping to stimulate a quick take off of the decarbonisation effect.
- Extend the scope of Annex IX of the Renewable Energy Directive to integrate more feedstocks such as residues that cannot be used for other purposes or secondary crops.
- Create a single market for biomethane and bioLNG by facilitating trading of volumes and certificates across borders free of technical or political barriers.
- Recognise the role of LNG infrastructure as an enabler for integrating higher shares of bioLNG, in particular by supporting the development of refuelling infrastructure for road and maritime transport along with SSLNG, under the revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive.
- Acknowledge the benefits of LNG/bioLNG in maritime and road transport to reduce local pollutant emissions.
Source
European Biogas Association
