As Ireland commits to ambitious climate targets, including a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050, the gas industry faces both challenges and opportunities. Traditional natural gas, while cleaner than coal or oil, still produces carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
However, the gas network itself—the pipes, storage facilities, and distribution systems—represents valuable infrastructure that can potentially be repurposed for renewable alternatives. At Preacsemiq, we're closely following and participating in the transition toward renewable gas options that could help Ireland achieve its climate goals while maintaining energy security and affordability.
This article explores the most promising renewable gas technologies for Ireland, their current status, and their potential to transform our energy landscape.
Biomethane: Turning Waste into Energy
Biomethane, sometimes called renewable natural gas (RNG), is chemically identical to fossil natural gas but is produced from organic materials such as agricultural waste, food waste, sewage, or purpose-grown energy crops. The production process typically involves anaerobic digestion, where microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas that can be upgraded to biomethane.
Current Status in Ireland
Ireland has particularly strong potential for biomethane production due to our large agricultural sector. According to Gas Networks Ireland, the country has the potential to produce enough biomethane to replace approximately 20% of our current natural gas demand.
Several significant developments are already underway:
- Gas Networks Ireland has set a target of 20% renewable gas in the network by 2030
- The first gas injection point for biomethane was opened in Cush, Co. Kildare, in 2019
- Additional injection points are planned in Mitchelstown, Tipperary, and other locations
- The government's Climate Action Plan includes support for biomethane development
Advantages of Biomethane for Ireland
- Circular Economy: Converts waste materials that might otherwise create emissions into valuable energy
- Carbon Neutrality: The carbon released when biomethane is burned was recently absorbed from the atmosphere by the organic matter used to produce it, making it carbon-neutral when produced sustainably
- Rural Development: Creates new income streams for farmers and rural communities
- Infrastructure Compatibility: Can use existing gas infrastructure and appliances without modification
- Digestate By-product: The process produces digestate that can be used as a natural fertilizer, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers
Challenges to Overcome
Despite its promise, biomethane faces several hurdles in Ireland:
- Cost: Currently more expensive to produce than natural gas, though this gap is narrowing with carbon pricing
- Scale: Requires many production facilities to make a significant impact
- Policy Framework: Needs consistent, long-term support policies to attract investment
- Feedstock Competition: Careful management needed to avoid competition with food production
Hydrogen: The Versatile Energy Carrier
Hydrogen is increasingly seen as a crucial component of future energy systems worldwide. While not naturally occurring in its pure form, hydrogen can be produced through various methods and used as a clean-burning fuel that produces only water vapor when combusted.
Hydrogen is typically categorized by production method:
- Green Hydrogen: Produced using renewable electricity to split water through electrolysis
- Blue Hydrogen: Produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to minimize emissions
- Grey Hydrogen: Produced from natural gas without capturing the resulting carbon emissions
For truly renewable gas, green hydrogen is the gold standard, though blue hydrogen can serve as a transitional solution.
Current Status in Ireland
Hydrogen is at an earlier stage of development than biomethane in Ireland, but momentum is building:
- The government has committed to developing a national hydrogen strategy
- Several pilot projects are underway, including Gas Networks Ireland's hydrogen injection trials
- ESB and dCarbonX are developing green hydrogen production and storage facilities
- Research initiatives like GenComm are exploring hydrogen applications for Ireland
Hydrogen Applications in Ireland
Hydrogen offers several potential applications in the Irish context:
Blending with Natural Gas
Initial studies indicate that up to 20% hydrogen can be blended into the existing gas network without requiring significant modifications to infrastructure or appliances. This represents a potential early pathway for hydrogen adoption.
Pure Hydrogen Networks
In the longer term, sections of the gas network could be converted to carry 100% hydrogen, particularly for industrial clusters or hydrogen-ready residential areas. This would require both infrastructure modifications and appliance replacements.
Transport Applications
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer zero-emission transport with faster refueling and longer ranges than battery electric vehicles. They could be particularly valuable for heavy transport, buses, and fleet vehicles.
Energy Storage
One of hydrogen's most promising applications is as a form of energy storage for excess renewable electricity. When wind and solar generation exceeds demand, the surplus could be used to produce green hydrogen, which can be stored and later used when renewable generation is low.
Challenges for Hydrogen Development
- Cost: Green hydrogen production remains expensive, though costs are expected to fall significantly as technology improves and scales
- Efficiency: The production process involves energy losses, meaning more renewable electricity is needed compared to direct electrification
- Infrastructure: Widespread adoption would require substantial investment in production, storage, and distribution infrastructure
- Safety Considerations: Hydrogen has different properties than natural gas, requiring appropriate safety measures and standards
Synthetic Methane: Combining Technologies
Synthetic methane (sometimes called e-methane or power-to-gas) represents another pathway for renewable gas. This involves combining hydrogen (produced from renewable electricity) with captured carbon dioxide to create methane that is chemically identical to natural gas but carbon-neutral when viewed over its full lifecycle.
The potential advantages of synthetic methane include:
- Complete compatibility with existing gas infrastructure and appliances
- Carbon utilization (using CO₂ that would otherwise enter the atmosphere)
- Energy storage potential similar to hydrogen
However, synthetic methane faces even higher cost hurdles than other renewable gas options and involves additional efficiency losses in the production process. It may be most valuable in specific contexts where complete compatibility with existing systems is essential.
Policy and Regulatory Framework
The development of renewable gas in Ireland will depend significantly on supportive policy and regulatory frameworks. Key elements that would accelerate progress include:
Support Mechanisms
Similar to the successful development of wind and solar power, renewable gas will likely require initial financial support to reach scale and cost competitiveness. This could take the form of feed-in tariffs, contracts for difference, or other mechanisms that provide certainty for investors.
Renewable Gas Certificates
A system of guarantees of origin or renewable gas certificates would allow producers to verify the renewable nature of their gas and potentially access premium markets. The EU's proposed certification system could provide a framework for this.
Carbon Pricing
As carbon prices increase through mechanisms like the EU Emissions Trading System, the relative economics of renewable gas compared to fossil natural gas will improve. This "polluter pays" approach can help level the playing field.
Grid Access Rules
Clear, streamlined processes for connecting renewable gas production to the network are essential for project development.
The Role of Gas Networks
Ireland's gas network represents a valuable national asset that can play a crucial role in our energy transition. Rather than being stranded as we move away from fossil fuels, the network can be repurposed for renewable gas transport.
Gas Networks Ireland's Vision 2050 outlines a pathway to a net-zero carbon gas network by mid-century, with increasing proportions of renewable gas gradually replacing natural gas. This approach would preserve the value of existing infrastructure while supporting climate goals.
The gas network also offers significant energy storage capacity and flexibility that will be increasingly valuable in an electricity system dominated by variable renewable sources like wind and solar.
Implications for Consumers and Businesses
For Irish gas users, the transition to renewable gas will bring both challenges and opportunities:
For Residential Consumers
Most existing gas appliances can accept biomethane without modification and hydrogen blends up to certain percentages. However, higher hydrogen concentrations would eventually require appliance replacements or modifications.
In the near term, consumers may see some increase in gas costs as renewable options are integrated, though these could be offset by energy efficiency improvements. Longer-term, renewable gas offers protection against volatile fossil fuel prices and carbon taxes.
For Businesses
Commercial and industrial gas users face similar technical considerations but may also see strategic advantages in transitioning to renewable gas:
- Meeting corporate sustainability targets and reporting requirements
- Satisfying the expectations of customers, investors, and other stakeholders
- Preparing for increasingly stringent carbon regulations
- Marketing advantages from reduced carbon footprint
Some forward-thinking businesses are already entering into agreements to purchase renewable gas or investing directly in production projects.
Preacsemiq's Approach to Renewable Gas
At Preacsemiq, we're actively preparing for the renewable gas transition in several ways:
- Training our engineers on hydrogen-ready installations and equipment
- Advising customers on future-proof gas system choices
- Participating in industry working groups on renewable gas standards
- Monitoring technology developments to offer the most current solutions
We believe that gas will continue to play a vital role in Ireland's energy mix, particularly for heating and certain industrial processes, but its source will increasingly shift from fossil to renewable origins.
Conclusion: A Balanced Pathway Forward
The transition to renewable gas in Ireland represents a significant opportunity to decarbonize sectors that are challenging to electrify while maintaining the benefits of gaseous fuels: high energy density, excellent storage capabilities, and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
A pragmatic approach would include:
- Scaling up biomethane production in the near term
- Developing hydrogen capabilities and infrastructure for medium to long-term deployment
- Continuing to improve energy efficiency to reduce overall gas demand
- Providing clear policy signals and support mechanisms to encourage investment
- Ensuring a just transition that considers affordability and energy security
By pursuing this balanced pathway, Ireland can transform its gas network from a fossil fuel delivery system to a key component of a renewable, circular energy economy. This transition will require coordination between industry, government, and consumers, but offers substantial environmental and economic benefits.
If you're interested in learning more about renewable gas options for your home or business, please contact our team at Preacsemiq. We're committed to helping our customers navigate the evolving energy landscape and make informed choices for a sustainable future.
