ACM: production of green natural gas is expected to increase

Green natural gas can greatly help in making the energy supply in the Netherlands more sustainable. However, this green natural gas has to meet certain requirements in order to be allowed to be supplied to the Dutch gas network. Regional network operators that transport green natural gas to consumers and businesses must have the assurance that this natural gas is suitable for safe usage, and that it contains the same amount of energy (calorific value) as the natural gas from the Groningen field (in the north of the Netherlands). That is why rules have been drawn up with which companies that wish to supply green natural gas must comply, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) decided today. Henk Don, Member of the Board, explains: “Now that it is clear what requirements must be met, market participants are able to decide more easily whether or not to produce green natural gas, and to supply that gas to consumers and businesses.”

From compost bins

Green natural gas comes from organic matter, for example, from organic waste found in compost bins that are collected by collection service providers every week. But it can also come from manure and plant material from farmers and growers. In the Netherlands, approximately 25 businesses are active that supply green natural gas to our gas network. These are mostly waste management companies. The quality standards that apply to green natural gas have already been laid down in a ministerial regulation.

Conditions

As proposed by the network operators, ACM has now also established standards for the injection plants and the measuring equipment. As a result, producers, but also the network operators, are guaranteed that the natural gas is of the right quality, and that gas transport is not jeopardized. In addition, financial settlements between network operators and businesses that supply green natural gas have now also been regulated. According to the Heat vision document (in Dutch: Warmtevisie), which the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs released last week, just 3.6% of all heat in 2013 was produced in a sustainable manner. This percentage contains both the heat supply from green natural gas and biomass, as well as the heat supply from, for example, geothermal sources, and thermal energy storage (TES).

Consumers

Since January 1, 2015, energy suppliers are only allowed to supply consumers with green natural gas if they have bought so-called "Guarantees of origin.”