Natural gas resources are declining and the EU depends increasingly on the import of biomethane for use in the natural gas grid. At the same time, the Renewable Energy Directive and EC targets specify that 20 % of energy consumption should come from renewable sources by 2020 and biofuels, such as biomethane, should account for at least 10 % of transport fuel consumption by 2020. There is now an urgent need to significantly increase the amount of biomethane used across Europe.

This project will use results from EMRP projects ENG01 Gas and ENG54 Biogas to develop standardised test methods for key parameters, including impurities, to be monitored when biomethane is injected into the natural gas grid and used as a transport fuel. Measurement standards for these parameters will also enable SI traceable calibration and measurement results. The project will liaise closely with the biogas industry, regulators and biomethane testing laboratories to ensure that the developed test methods are robust, efficient in use and can readily be implemented.