In the context of the strong momentum gained by biomethane as a key lever to decarbonize the economy and improve their security of supply, Emerton has been supporting several European energy players to define their strategic positioning in the biomethane market and value chain.

Emerton combines strategic, regulatory and techno-economic experience of the biomethane sector. We bring distinctive expertise across the full value chain, including biogas production, biomethane upgrading, injection into the grid, management of the digestate, valuation of certificates.

‍

Examples of realized analyses across the biomethane value chain:

- Analysis and benchmark of technological scape: in-depth knowledge of the various technologies of biogas production (e.g., anaerobic digestion, pyro-gasification…), upgrading (e.g. membrane separation, water scrubbing, chemical scrubbing, cryogenic separation…)

- Cost analysis: detailed analysis of the cost components (CAPEX, OPEX, feedstock costs), drivers (equipment, connection, labor costs, potential tension on the local feedstock market…) and their variability across the main European markets

- Regulatory analysis and market design of injection and grid connection rules and tariffs: injection specifications in the main European markets, potential technical barriers to the injection, including gas quality

- Competitive analysis and benchmark of support and/or incentive mechanisms and value implications: feed-in-tariffs, call for tenders, incorporation obligations (e.g., CPB certificates in France, GGE in the Netherlands), incorporation obligations in the transport sector (e.g., GHG quotas, TIRUERT)

- In-depth analysis and benchmark of European regulatory framework and implications of energy players: sustainability criteria, list of eligible feedstocks, Proof of Sustainability (PoS), management of byproducts (CO2 and digestate): CO2 valorization options (e-fuels production, industrial merchant market such as food and beverage, pharma…), management of digestate (direct spread as fertilizer, liquid separation, nutrients separation…).

‍

Emerton has performed several projects in the biomethane sector in various European geographies (France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Romania…). Examples include:

- Strategic support to a major Eastern European energy player in the definition of its positioning in the biogas/biomethane value chain

- Definition of the investment strategy and screening of relevant investment targets for a major gas player willing to invest in biomethane production assets in Europe

- Construction of a development plan for biogas/biomethane as fuel for heavy vehicles in France by 2033 and elaboration of a support package for the public authorities

- EU benchmark and economic analysis of public support schemes related to biogas, biomethane, NGV and bioNGV development schemes

- Forecast of GHG quota price in the German transportation sector for 2030 and beyond based on a merit order modeling approach

- European benchmark of injection rules of biomethane into the gas grids. Strategic and regulatory support in the definition of injection and grid connection rules (and related subsidies) for gas TSO and DSO

- Analysis of the small-scale (bio)LNG market in NWE and implications on the requirements for truck loading infrastructure by 2040

‍