Currently gas supports around 80% of the energy requirements to heat UK homes, which accounts for nearly half of all energy consumed. In recent years there has been a focus towards more environmentally friendly fuels, and a shift towards energy preservation. This trend towards energy conservation will only get more pronounced in the coming years.
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But how will the UK source gas in the future?
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One idea being bounced around at the moment is the concept of biomethane – a naturally occurring gas, which is produced by the digestion of organic matter. Biomethane is identical to natural gas, which is found deep underground.
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Biomethane vs Natural Gas….
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Natural gas is considered a fossil fuel where biomethane is considered a green fuel. Furthermore natural gas is created from fossil remains of organic matter over millions of years. Whereas biomethane is created from live organic matter, which makes it a renewable energy with generally a limitless supply available.
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Severn Trent Water operate the UK’s largest biogas-to-grid plant, which is able to convert 1,200 cubic metres of biogas an hour into 750 cubic feet of biomethane, which will be injected into the National Gas Grid.
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Gas will continue to be a key energy source in the UK for hopefully a long time in the future. We see the largest change occurring in how gas is produced, more than looking at ways to shift away from such a valuable, versatile fuel. We feel biomethane is an exciting, realistic and very positive move in sustainable green energy for the future.