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47 min ago 2 min read
The Greek state-owned natural gas company DEPA Commercial is lining up the trial operation phase of the country’s first compressed biomethane production unit.
Having obtained an installation permit issued from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the company plans to build the unit at the existing Farma Chitas biogas plant in western Greece.
The plant, which uses the fuel to generate electricity, is licensed for 3 MW. However, the maximum biogas production capacity is equivalent to 3.6 MW, leaving a surplus 609 KW.
The new biomethane unit will be licensed to produce up to 2.28 tonnes per day from the surplus. The biomethane will then be compressed into 17 cubic metres of bio-compressed natural gas.
According to DEPA, the fuel is intended for sale at its service station chain.
The company can apply for an operation license after the trial is complete. It aims to reach full operation early next year, according to Kyriaki Karakitsou, Head of DEPA Commercial’s Subsidiaries’ Division.
The announcement was published during the European Biomethane Week in Brussels, Belgium.
Speaking at the event, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen called for of homegrown biomethane to strengthen Europe’s energy security.
“There is nothing more relevant than security. We need to look at prices and at flexibility, but independence needs to be the priority,” he said.
He also touched upon the role that clean energy can play in fighting climate change.
“Renewables play a big part to transition away from polluting electrons, but we will still need molecules and biogas (and) biomethane are a part of those solutions.”
Earlier this year, clean energy firm Metacon for biogas-to-hydrogen and biomethane-to-hydrogen pilots in Crete and northern Greece.
