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It is not directly compatible, but there is the possibility of combining it with other carrier molecules that would make it compatible through a process of methanation. As an example, the use of biogenic CO₂ from the biomethane upgrading process is being considered since, as a transport element for green hydrogen, it can be used throughout the current logistics chain of the natural gas network, transported and distributed through the network, stored underground and consumed by existing equipment without having to make additional investments. In this case, it becomes 100% compatible with natural gas.

Hydrogen is already used today in the refining and fertiliser industry. It is produced by fossil fuel reforming processes, in what is called grey hydrogen. Grey hydrogen can be replaced by green hydrogen. In addition, its use will be important for electricity demand flexibility as a means of harnessing electricity generated at times when there are discharges due to excess unmanageable renewable generation in the system.

Everything points to it being the most abundant element in the universe and, after oxygen, the most abundant element on Earth. It also produces water vapour during combustion. It is not considered a primary energy source, such as fossil fuels, solar and wind, as it is mainly in the form of water. Hydrogen is considered a means of storing, transporting and consuming energy, i.e. an energy carrier, like electricity.

Spain has the third largest renewable gas production potential in Europe. If all available waste were utilised, enough biomethane could be generated to meet 45% of national gas demand. By Autonomous Communities, Castile and León, Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha have the greatest potential. These three communities together account for 50% of the national potential.

Biomethane is generated from organic waste from urban sources (municipal solid waste landfills, water treatment plants) or from agricultural and livestock waste. Therefore, biomethane production:

• Promotes the circular economy, providing a solution to the problem of waste management and the CO₂ emissions it generates;
• Fosters energy independence, because the raw material is indigenous, and does not have to be imported from outside the country;
• Contributes to job creation and population fixing in rural areas;
• It is the only renewable energy that can be stored seasonally.

In addition, another important advantage is that it is one of the few current renewable sources of continuous production (24/7). If we feed the production plants with waste, they will produce biomethane, which can be stored underground and used, for example, in winter.

No, gas appliances work in the same way as natural gas, with no need for any adaptations. This means that biomethane can be used wherever natural gas is present. And this is beneficial for everyone because we can take advantage of the infrastructure already in place, both the existing gas network and end-consumer equipment. Customers will not have to make any additional outlays and will be able to continue using the same boilers as before. In short, both households and heat-intensive industries will be able to decarbonise without any investment and the transition from natural gas to renewable gas/biomethane will be transparent for the end consumer.

Yes, it can be used in the same energy applications at domestic, industrial and commercial levels, and also for mobility uses.

Yes, it has the same characteristics as natural gas and is fully interchangeable, because they are in fact the same molecule (CH₄).

In line with the "Roadmap for biogas" set by the IDAE for 2030, which aims to multiply biogas production almost fourfold, at Nedgia we have 7 plants that are already injecting biogas into the gas grid. The Elena plant in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona) was the first to inject renewable gas from a landfill site. This initiative was followed by Biogasnalia in Burgos, with agri-industrial waste. Lleida is connected to the Torre Santamaría farm and the Vila-sana plant, which are injecting biomethane from livestock waste. In A Coruña, the Bens WWTP injects biomethane from wastewater. The company has also started to inject biomethane into the network at Els Hostalets de Pierola, which comes from urban waste from Barcelona, and Granollers WWTP, in Granollers, which uses wastewater and organic waste.

Spain has a very high potential for biogas production and therefore for biomethane distribution. According to SEDIGAS, the Spanish Gas Association, Spain has a total accessible potential of 163 TWh/year of biomethane, which implies the construction of some 2,300 plants around the country. In economic terms, a total investment of around 40.5 billion euros is estimated, which represents 3.61% of the national GDP, and would generate some 62,000 direct and indirect jobs associated with operation and maintenance.

Nedgia aims to be the leading company in promoting renewable gases in Spain, both in the production and distribution of biomethane in Spain in the short term, and in the development of hydrogen as an energy vector that will have a significant impact on the energy mix in the medium term.

Renewable gases can be distributed through the same gas infrastructures that exist today. GHGs are therefore a key energy source for decarbonising gas networks.