Biogas. News and perspectives of renewable gas

The biogas produced, with an estimated available primary energy potential in Spain equivalent to 2.3 million tonnes of petrol a year, is a renewable and flexible fuel capable of covering heat, electricity and vehicular fuel demands. Upgrading to biomethane and natural gas grid injection favours its use wherever and whenever transformation efficiency is highest, even as a resource for the chemical industry, integrating geographically distributed production and consumption. Despite its multiple advantages, its present economy depends largely on energy prices and governmental policies in areas such as regional development, waste management, renewable energy and climate change, which allow economic evaluation of the multiple environmental benefits and favour the development of this new industry.