Sydney, Australia will soon be powered by poo. A project is underway to convert waste matter, including sewage and agricultural waste, into biogas. Biogas is composed of methane which can be used as a substitute for natural gas. The Malabar Biomethane Plant in southeastern Sydney will soon commence operations.
The resulting biogas will blend in with the natural gas supply and make its way into homes via the Sydney Network. The Managing DIrector of Jemena, a natural gas supplier in Australia, said it was a “potential game changer for Australian energy users”. He added, “The gas [from wastewater] that was otherwise just being produced and going to the atmosphere without doing any useful work, is now doing useful work.”
Consumers will not notice a difference. The gas will operate identically to natural gas. The initial target is to produce enough biogas to power 6,300 Sydney households.
This technology has been utilized in Europe, China, and the USA. A European study has shown 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with increasing use of biogas. Across many countries, there is a move away from natural gas towards the total electrification of homes. Gas stoves at home release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Mr Tudor, managing director of Jemena says “There’s a lot of work to be done by households if they choose to migrate from gas to electricity. If we can offer them a choice that (they) can retain gas and it is renewable gas, we believe that there’s a multitude of benefits that come from that,”
On our journey towards energy independence, we must look for renewable and sustainable sources of energy. There are numerous creative possibilities to address climate change and every little step gets us closer to our goal. If successful, Jemena hopes to extend across the country.
The resulting biogas will blend in with the natural gas supply and make its way into homes via the Sydney Network. The Managing DIrector of Jemena, a natural gas supplier in Australia, said it was a “potential game changer for Australian energy users”. He added, “The gas [from wastewater] that was otherwise just being produced and going to the atmosphere without doing any useful work, is now doing useful work.”
Consumers will not notice a difference. The gas will operate identically to natural gas. The initial target is to produce enough biogas to power 6,300 Sydney households.
This technology has been utilized in Europe, China, and the USA. A European study has shown 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with increasing use of biogas. Across many countries, there is a move away from natural gas towards the total electrification of homes. Gas stoves at home release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Mr Tudor, managing director of Jemena says “There’s a lot of work to be done by households if they choose to migrate from gas to electricity. If we can offer them a choice that (they) can retain gas and it is renewable gas, we believe that there’s a multitude of benefits that come from that,”
On our journey towards energy independence, we must look for renewable and sustainable sources of energy. There are numerous creative possibilities to address climate change and every little step gets us closer to our goal. If successful, Jemena hopes to extend across the country.
