Austria Adopts EAG: Biomethane Blending Requirement in Gas Networks by 2030
The Austrian federal government has introduced a draft law mandating that all natural gas network operators in Austria must ensure their networks contain a specific minimum proportion of biomethane by 2030. This opens up considerable opportunities for operators of existing biogas plants in Austria and should even lead to a significant increase in demand for newly constructed biogas plants, which are then likely to be planned directly as biomethane feed-in plants.
Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz (EAG)
The “Renewable Gas Act”, or Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz (EAG) , stipulates that operators of gas grids must provide 0.35% in 2024, 0.95% in 2025, 1.7% in 2026, 3.05% in 2027, 4.84% in 2028, 7.10% in 2029 and 9.75% in 2030, but at least 7.5TWh. By 2035, the quota is to increase further to 15TWh, which would then correspond to around 20% of renewable gases in the gas grid.
In addition, biogas plant operators have a legal right to purchase their biomethane and gas network operators who are unable to meet the blending requirement must pay 15 cents/kWh as compensation. This represents the upper limit, so to speak, of the achievable price for the biomethane produced. Market prices in Germany are currently around 9.5 to 12.5 ct/kWh of biomethane. With production costs of approx. 6-9 ct/kWh of biomethane, this results in a profit margin of 0.5 to 3.5 ct/kWh or 5 to 30%.
Biogas utilization technology
For grid operators to comply to the new Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz (EAG), Bright can equip existing biogas plants with customized systems for biogas upgrading and CO2 liquefaction as well as offer such systems for completely new biogas plants. Our systems have been developed by Bright in-house and (with the exception of special components, which we source from reputable suppliers) are manufactured in our own production facility. A fully integrated system of perfectly matched plant components that enables you to start your biomethane and CO2 production quickly and with very few interfaces and help your gas grid operator to meet its obligations.
Bright offers biogas upgrading plants in the capacity range of 100 to 12,000 Nm³/h (and higher) and CO2 liquefaction plants in the range from 300 to 8,000 kg/h. In the field of biomethane upgrading plants, Bright offers systems with extremely low power consumption from 0.17 kWh/Nm³. For CO2 liquefaction, our systems easily reach 0.22 kWh/kg.
In-house & quick delivery
With delivery times of 6-9 months for biogas upgrading plants and 11-13 months for CO2 liquefaction plants from order placement to commissioning of the plants, Bright is a powerful, experienced partner for the realization of your biomethane project, who will also actively support you in obtaining the necessary permits, marketing the products biomethane and liquid CO2 (in industrial standard or food quality) and, last but not least, during the operation of your plant.
Biogas upgrading as a Service
A special feature that definitely sets Bright apart from most of its competitors is the possibility of the so-called “own-to-operate” model: or “Biogas Upgrading as a Service“. In this model, Bright not only builds the plants, but also invests in the plants at its own expense, operates them independently and concludes a raw gas purchase agreement with you with extremely attractive conditions. You can then concentrate on producing the raw gas and Bright, as your partner, takes care of the rest for you.
Get in touch with our team to find out more about how Bright can help you with your project and shape the future of biogas in Austria.
You are also welcome to visit us at our stand at IFAT Munich: Hall A4, stand 240 or at other events Bright is attending the upcomings months.