More natural gas. Less fossil fuel.
Renewable Natural Gas—often referred to as RNG or biomethane—is a used to describe biogas that has been upgraded for use in place of conventional fossil natural gas. The biogas used to produce RNG comes from methane capture, and is sourced from:
- livestock farms
- solid waste landfills
- wastewater treatment plants
- waste products from food/beverage production
- organic waste management operations
To fully qualify as RNG, the cleaned and conditioned biogas undergoes methane content enhancement . Water vapor, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and other impurities are removed and the RNG is then ready to be used for electricity generation, bio-plastic feedstock, vehicle fuel or thermal applications.
A carbon-neutral future starts with a carbon-neutral gas.
RNG is considered a carbon-neutral fuel because it comes from organic sources that once absorbed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Its benefits are even greater when it can be produced from organic waste that would otherwise decay and emit methane into the atmosphere.
After the RNG is produced, it can be injected and transported through the natural gas pipeline system, and used to displace conventional natural gas. RNG molecules are indistinguishable from their fossil-based cousins; the only difference is that RNG is derived from biological materials rather than from fossil fuel deposits.
The Benefits of RNG
Renewable natural gas offers several advantages—for companies, for consumers and for the climate.
Minimize the need for drilling and fracking of fossil gas.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG)—but unlike other GHGs, it can be converted into usable energy. Capturing and repurposing methane generates new sources of clean energy and can help mitigate global climate change.
Reduce the amount of methane in the atmosphere. Methane has a 12-year lifetime in the atmosphere, and traps 28 – 36x more heat than carbon dioxide over a 100-year span.
Rely on RNG more than other renewables.
Unlike solar and wind-powered energy—both of which are weather-dependent—RNG is available 24/7/365 to be generated and deployed.
Decarbonize Your Backup Power
Related Resources
WHITE PAPER
RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS (RNG)
INSIGHTS
Renewable Natural Gas 101: How Harmful Waste Becomes Clean Energy
SUCCESS STORIES
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