- National Grid Gas Distribution helps fund world’s first commercially operating BioSNG plant making gas from waste
- Plant will produce affordable sustainable source of fuel for homes and trucks
- Technology could provide fuel for all of Britain’s HGVs or meet a third of domestic heating demand
National Grid Gas Distribution is helping to cross a bold new frontier in green gas development to provide a clean, affordable and sustainable source of energy.
This week the company signed a £6.3m deal to help fund the world’s first commercially operating BioSNG (bio-substitute natural gas) plant in Swindon, which will make gas from household waste.
The deal completes financing for the project and will enable construction of the £25m plant to begin.
Once operational the plant will provide fuel for a fleet of 40 trucks belonging to Howard Tenens, a local logistics company. This will result in an 80 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions for the fleet.
By the first half of 2018 the plant will also be able to supply gas to homes, businesses and community facilities.
When fully operational the plant will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 5000 tonnes per year. The technology has the potential to provide 100TWh (terawatt hours) of green gas a year – enough to fuel all of Britain’s heavy good vehicles or meet one third of its domestic heating demand.
Another benefit is that no adaptations of domestic appliances are required to use BioSNG.
National Grid Gas Distribution Chief Executive Chris Train, OBE, said: “National Grid Gas Distribution is delighted to invest in this important project.
“Developing green technologies such as BioSNG means our customers can keep on using our network and their existing household appliances for affordable energy which will also be more sustainable and eco-friendly. Green gas fuelled vehicles also cause much less pollution than diesel and are particularly suitable for inner cities.”
He added: “Making gas from household waste also reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill.
“As a long established player in the gas industry we’re delighted to be at the forefront of this exciting new frontier in the sector.”
Additional backing for the plant is being provided by the Department for Transport’s Advanced Biofuel Competition, Network Innovation Competition, (run by energy regulator Ofgem), Advanced Plasma Power, Wales & West Utilities and Progressive Energy
