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Barrow Green Gas is the only green gas/biomethane shipping business that ships biomethane for the producer, supplies biomethane to the gas buyer, and manages the green gas certificates to make the gas green.

BGG News Releases

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NEWS RELEASE

Ceres Energy Limited acquires stake in Barrow Shipping Limited

Ceres Energy Limited has acquired a stake in Barrow Shipping Limited.  The move is in line with Ceres’ intention to enhance its standing in the renewable energy arena.  Barrow is a major shipper of biomethane from anaerobic digestion in GB.

Ceres will contribute its knowledge and experience of gas market operations, trading and marketing acquired in the conventional gas market to Barrow, strengthening Barrow’s position as a green gas shipper and supplier.  Barrow, with Ceres, will be well placed to compete effectively against the larger fossil-fuel based companies that are moving into the nascent green gas market.

John Baldwin, a founder of Barrow who has been instrumental in the development of green gas in GB, will retain a significant ownership through his company, CNG Services Limited.

John says, “Barrow secured the first green gas supply in GB, establishing the green gas market, and will benefit greatly from Ceres’ broader gas industry experience.  I am delighted that we will now work together to provide a wider range of options and more flexibility for producers bringing renewable gas to the grid and to gas users looking to switch to green gas”.

Helen Edwards, CEO and co-founder of Ceres, says, “Ceres has a strong reputation for providing bespoke services for its clients and we are looking forward to ensuring Barrow maintains and enhances its position as an attractive choice for biomethane producers.  The move will consolidate Ceres’ position as an innovative gas shipping, trading, and marketing company and will strengthen our independent voices in the green gas market.”

Tim Davis, the CEO of Barrow will remain on the board.  Tim says, “This represents a significant opportunity for Barrow. The support of Ceres and CNG Services, two companies who are committed to delivering a sustainable energy future, will enhance Barrow’s ability to support customers in the green gas market.”

Ceres will support the day-to-day operations of Barrow from their base in Hexham, Northumberland.  Helen Edwards says, “This move will help secure the long-term viability and growth of Ceres gas trading and operations and may result in further job opportunities in the green gas market in the north east.”

Notes for Editors

1         Ceres Energy Limited is an independent gas shipping, trading and marketing company based in Hexham, Northumberland.  It offers services to smaller gas producers in Britain and Ireland and is ISCC accredited and is the largest supplier of natural gas to the public transport sector. https://ceresenergy.co.uk/

2         Barrow Shipping Limited is an independent gas shipper and supplier focussed on providing services to producers of biomethane from anaerobic digestion. It only ships renewable gas produced from anaerobic digestion.  It is ISCC accredited.  It trades as Barrow Green Gas. https://www.barrowgreengas.co.uk/

3         Biomethane is methane produced by anaerobic digestion (and other renewable methods) that has been processed to meet the gas grid entry requirements.

4         Green Gas Market is the market for renewable gas using certificates of origin.

5         CNG Services Limited, based in Solihull, provides consultancy, design and build services to the renewable gas industry including injection of biomethane into the gas grid and its compressed biomethane as fuel for trucks. https://www.cngservices.co.uk/

 For any further information, please contact Jean Harper on 07808966928.

Barrow Green Gas confirmed as Great Britain’s largest supplier of Green Gas


Use of green gas hits  1 TWh  of gas & over half shipped by Barrow Green Gas

The UK’s first anaerobic digestion plant to inject biomethane into the national gas network

The UK’s first anaerobic digestion plant to inject biomethane into the national gas network

Barrow Green Gas (BGG) has been confirmed as the UK’s biggest shipper and supplier of green gas, as the Green Gas Certification Scheme has revealed that sales of Green Gas Certificates have hit a total of 1 TWh of green gas.  That’s enough gas to power 83,000 UK homes for a year. Over half of this green gas has been supplied by Barrow Green Gas, via its producers throughout Great Britain.

Barrow Green Gas is the not only the biggest green gas shipper, but the only gas business in Great Britain that is focused solely on the biomethane market.  BGG supports biomethane producers, supplies biomethane to gas buyers and trades Green Gas Certificates from producers to buyers.

Using Green Gas Certificates, consumers and businesses can buy renewable energy from producers across Great Britain who are injecting biomethane into the gas grid.  What’s more, green gas is often made from food waste or sewage sludge, so is a growing part of the circular economy.

BGG puts more biomethane in the gas grid than any other shipper, supporting a record 33 biomethane producers throughout Great Britain.  The green gas shipped by BGG is not only being used by UK companies such as Sainsburys and Good Energy, but BBG also exports green gas from the UK to Essent, the largest energy company in the Netherlands.

Tim Davis, managing director of Barrow Green Gas said:


“Green gas usage has grown rapidly over the last few years as companies and consumers see the potential of green gas to reduce emissions. As BGG only support biomethane producers and ship green gas, we have been the first port of call for producers looking for the right company to support them injecting biomethane into the gas grid. Suppliers and consumers also come to us as they know we can give them a stable supply of green gas. We expect demand to continue growing rapidly as green gas becomes an established part of the circular economy.”

Graph showing cumulative GGC sales at Barrow Green Gas 

Graph showing cumulative GGC sales at Barrow Green Gas 

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Picture caption:  The UK’s first anaerobic digestion plant to inject biomethane into the national gas network, Rainbarrow Farm AD Plant near Poundbury in Dorset, owned and run by J V Energen LLP
For more information, contact:
Suzanne Orsler, SOPR, email Suzanne@sopr.co, tel – 07813 131350
Barrow Green Gas
Barrow Green Gas (BGG) is the trading name of Barrow Shipping Limited (BSL). BGG holds GB Gas Shipper and Supplier Licences.
For producers, Barrow Green Gas purchases biomethane, markets Green Gas Certificates (GGC) collectively to maximise their value and operates a Biomethane Producers Club – a forum to share technical, operational and commercial information to optimise plant efficiency and financial return for biomethane producers.
For buyers, Barrow Green Gas supplies biomethane via the natural gas network and facilitates Green Gas Certificate (GGC) purchases.
Biomethane is supplied at prices linked to Natural Gas ‘daily system clearing price’ –and prices are driven by real supply and real demand on the day.
 

Barrow Green Gas exports green gas to Europe for the first time from the UK

Netherlands largest energy company, Essent, becomes only energy company in Europe to import green gas from UK

 

For the first time biomethane, also known as green gas, is being exported from the UK to Europe via the interconnector pipeline to Essent in the Netherlands.  The green gas is being sent from the UK by Great Britain’s leading green gas shipper, Barrow Green Gas.

Essent, the largest energy company in the Netherlands, is importing green gas to meet growing demand in the Netherlands which cannot all be met locally.

Tim Wijnen, manager developing markets at Essent said:

“Simply put, over time there will not be enough raw materials in the Netherlands to produce sufficient green gas from. It is anticipated that the number of green gas production sites will not be in step with the future demand. As the largest green gas supplier in the Netherlands, we have therefore given thought to how we will be able to continue to supply sufficient green gas in the Netherlands in the future too and that is to import green gas from neighbouring trusted countries.”

The green gas is produced by JV Energen of Dorchester, which was the first commercial plant to inject green gas into the existing UK gas network. Barrow Green Gas delivers the green gas to RWE, Essent’s parent company, for delivery to the Netherlands via a pipeline that connects the UK to continental Europe.

Tim Davis, managing director at Barrow Green Gas said:

“We have worked closely with JV Energen, Essent and RWE to put in place the arrangements which mean that not only Green Gas Certificates but also green gas is being delivered from the UK to the Netherlands. All the parties involved have been ISCC certified to demonstrate compliance with sustainability requirements, another first for the UK biomethane industry."

For more information, contact:

Suzanne Orsler, SOPR, email Suzanne@sopr.co, tel – 07813 131350

Going Carbon Neutral

BARROW GREEN GAS DELIGHTED TO BE SUPPLYING GREEN GAS FOR USE IN WAITROSE’S NEW GAS FUELLED TRUCKS

Barrow Green Gas welcomes the introduction by Waitrose of Europe’s most advanced fleet of CNG (compressed natural gas)-powered trucks.

Barrow Green Gas, the UK’s dedicated biomethane gas shipper, supplies green gas to CNG Fuels filling station at Leyland in Lancashire.  The is where Waitrose’ ten Scania-built trucks are refuelled, with green gas filling twin carbon fibre tanks. These store gas at 250 bar of pressure, increasing the previously achievable range from 300 to up to 500 miles.  Using biomethane CNG (Bio-CNG) the trucks offers the most cost-effective and lowest carbon alternative to diesel for heavy goods vehicle.

Philip Fjeld, CEO of CNG Fuels explains: “High pressure carbon-fibre fuel tanks demolish the ‘range anxiety’ concerns that have made many hauliers reluctant to move away from diesel to CNG. Renewable biomethane is far cheaper and cleaner than diesel, and, with a range of up to 500 miles, it is a game-changer for road transport operators.”

Tim Davis, Managing Director of Barrow Green Gas says: “We are delighted to be supplying biomethane to CNG Fuels filling stations. Biomethane for CNG trucks delivers major benefits for distribution, offering a pathway to decarbonise HGVs in the UK.  Trucks using Bio-CNG offer CO2 savings of at least 70%, ultra-low particle emissions and ultra-low NOx emissions, which people are increasingly becoming aware of as air quality is becoming a big concern in cities and alongside our major roads. We look forward to continuing to support CNG Fuels as more and more CNG filling stations open in the future.”

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For more information, contact: Suzanne Orsler, SOPR, email Suzanne@sopr.co, tel – 07813 131350

Note to editors:

For further information go to – CNG Fuels press release link here

Barrow Green Gas

Barrow Green Gas (BGG) is the trading name of Barrow Shipping Limited (BSL). BGG holds GB Gas Shipper and Supplier Licences.

Barrow Green Gas was set up to provide biomethane producers with a dedicated service which is focused on all the benefits that green gas can offer. BGG is also the UK’s premier green gas supplier, supplying the most green gas into the GB’s natural gas network.

Biomethane is supplied at prices linked to Natural Gas ‘daily system clearing price’ –and prices are driven by real supply and real demand on the day.

Biomethane is a renewable gas, produced from biodegradable matter such as food waste, sewage or energy crops.   As well as being used to for heat, biomethane is increasingly being used as a road fuel by trucks and buses, replacing diesel, both here and across Europe.

CNG Fuels

Headquartered in Solihull, West Midlands, CNG Fuels was established in 2014, and is today the UK market leader for the supply of CNG (compressed natural gas) for commercial vehicles. Its gas is sourced entirely from renewable biomethane, which is cheaper and emits less carbon well-to-wheel than any other HGV fuel. The biomethane is made from food production waste, approved under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation RTFO), and generates Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFC).

CNG Fuels is also the country’s only dedicated provider of public access CNG (compressed natural gas) refuelling infrastructure. It operates the UK’s two highest capacity CNG stations, in Leyland (Lancashire), and Crewe (Cheshire), and is able to supply fleet operators within a hundred miles. It is developing a nationwide refuelling network.  For more information on CNG Fuels, visit www.cngfuels.com.

Green gas ‘takes off’ says GB’s leading green gas shipper, Barrow Green Gas

Barrow Green Gas (BGG) has put biomethane into the national gas network for a record 33 biomethane producers, more than any other gas shipper in Great Britain.  Every month more green gas comes available via BGG as new biomethane producers connect to the grid and existing ones produce increasing amounts.  BGG managing director, Tim Davis says:

“2016 is the year where we have seen green gas really take off with increasing numbers of producers injecting green gas into the existing gas grid. This year we saw our gas being supplied to some of the UK’s leading renewable energy suppliers, with Good Energy and Green Energy UK offering green gas to customers. We are also supplying CNG Fuels with green gas as a transport fuel that is being used by Waitrose, John Lewis, Argos and Brit European – a great alternative to diesel.”

In September, changes to the greenhouse gas reporting protocol meant, that by switching to green gas, companies can radically reduce their reported carbon emissions.  Davis continues:

“The fact that companies can now use green gas to reduce their reported carbon emissions to almost zero has been a big factor in rising demand.  We are now seeing industrial and commercial companies make enquiries about switching to green gas.  Companies can see that green gas is a simple way to demonstrate their sustainability credentials and support development of the green gas industry.”

The UK has the fastest growing green gas market in the world and dedicated biomethane shipper, BGG, is the largest shipper of biomethane. In addition, BGG markets green gas certificates (GGCs), the value of which is now considerably increased for companies when reporting their emissions.

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For more information, contact:
Suzanne Orsler, SOPR, email Suzanne@sopr.co, tel – 07813 131350

Barrow Green Gas

Barrow Green Gas (BGG) is the trading name of Barrow Shipping Limited (BSL). BGG holds GB Gas Shipper and Supplier Licences.
For producers Barrow Green Gas purchases biomethane, markets Green Gas Certificates (GGC) collectively to maximise their value and operates a Biomethane Producers Club – a forum to share technical, operational and commercial information to optimise plant efficiency and financial return for biomethane producers.
For buyers Barrow Green Gas supplies biomethane via the natural gas network and facilitates Green Gas Certificates (GGC) purchases.
Biomethane is supplied at prices linked to Natural Gas ‘daily system clearing price’ –and prices are driven by real supply and real demand on the day.

BARROW GREEN GAS WELCOMES THE RECOGNITION OF GREEN GAS CERTIFICATES UNDER THE GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) PROTOCOL

COMPANIES CAN USE BIOMETHANE TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS

The UK’s leading biomethane shipper, Barrow Green Gas (BGG), has enthusiastically welcomed changes to the greenhouse gas reporting regulations, which mean that the use of green gas now allows for near-zero GHG emission reporting.

Green gas certificates are now recognised under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) protocol. This offers companies an opportunity to reduce their reported carbon emissions by using green gas from the gas grid, backed by Green Gas Certificates.

The UK has the fastest growing biomethane market in the world and dedicated biomethane shipper, BGG is the largest shipper of biomethane. In addition, BGG markets green gas certificates (GGCs), the value of which is now considerably increased for companies required to report on emissions.

Tim Davis, Barrow Green Gas’s Managing Director, said:

“Now that green gas certificates have been officially recognised, companies using green gas can report near-zero GHG emission for green gas used onsite. We would be delighted to supply green gas to any businesses that are looking to reduce their reported emissions.”

“With public disclosure and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions becoming standard practice in industry, this will be a valuable option for many companies looking to demonstrate their commitment to operating sustainably.”

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For more information, contact:

Suzanne Orsler, SOPR, email Suzanne@sopr.co, tel – 07813 131350

Note to editors:

The use of green gas certificates has been recognised under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, the global standard for organisations on how to measure, manage, and report greenhouse gas emissions.  Green gas certificates linked to the production of grid-injected biomethane, can now support an organisation’s reporting of onsite CO2 emissions.  http://www.ghgprotocol.org/

The use of green gas supplies follows changes to reporting mechanisms by the GHG Protocol, and the CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), which monitors and ranks companies according to greenhouse gas reductions. The use of green gas certificates, sourcing grid injected biomethane produced in anaerobic digestion plants, now allows for near-zero GHG emission reporting for gas combusted used onsite due to the biogenic nature of the biomethane being use.

The CDP (formerly the "Carbon Disclosure Project") is an organisation based in the United Kingdom which works with shareholders and corporations to disclose the greenhouse gas emissions of major corporations.  https://www.cdp.net/en

The use of certified green gas contracts to be used as a reporting tool under the GHG Protocol parallels changes made by the GHG Protocol and the CDP around the purchase of renewable electricity. The CDP’s latest UK annual report states that the number of members of the FTSE 350 equity index disclosing emissions output to CDP now stands at 232 organisations.

Barrow Green Gas

Barrow Green Gas (BGG) is the trading name of Barrow Shipping Limited (BSL). BGG holds GB Gas Shipper and Supplier Licences.

For producers Barrow Green Gas purchases biomethane, markets Green Gas Certificates (GGC) collectively to maximise their value and operates a Biomethane Producers Club – a forum to share technical, operational and commercial information to optimise plant efficiency and financial return for biomethane producers.

For buyers Barrow Green Gas supplies biomethane via the natural gas network and facilitates Green Gas Certificates (GGC) purchases.

Biomethane is supplied at prices linked to Natural Gas ‘daily system clearing price’ –and prices are driven by real supply and real demand on the day.

Green Gas Certification Scheme

The Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) works with biomethane producers to provide a route for the sale of green gas injected into the grid, tracking the gas through the supply chain to provide certainty for those that buy it.

Biomethane to Grid (BtG) projects are supported through the Government’s non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), and the sector has seen significant growth since the first scheme came into operation in 2012, with over 70 projects now in operation in the UK. BtG projects are now producing over 3TWh of renewable gas, with the government and National Grid both forecasting significant scope for future expansion.   http://www.greengas.org.uk/


      Barrow Green Gas signs up         Good Energy

Green energy company Good Energy is now offering ‘Green Gas’, thanks to dedicated biomethane shipper, Barrow Green Gas.  Its new gas offering – which is now 6% biomethane - is designed to make it easy for energy customers to take action against climate change.  The carbon neutral gas tariff was launched to coincide with the recent signing of the UN Climate Change Agreement.  


Commenting on the launch of the new tariff, climate change pioneer and Good Energy founder Juliet Davenport OBE, said:

“World leaders made a huge promise in New York to take action against climate change. Emissions from energy are one of the biggest causes of global warming, and the simplest way to cut your footprint is switching to renewable electricity and carbon neutral gas. We can all do something to drastically cut our reliance on fossil fuels right now.”

Tim Davis, Barrow Green Gas managing director, added:

“It’s wonderful news that Good Energy is now offering people the option to use green gas in their homes. Many of us have a big investment in our home’s gas central heating system, and nationally we’ve got a big investment in the gas grid. Biomethane provides a green option while continuing to use gas to heat our homes, using existing technology. We’re now helping more and more biomethane producers who have connected to the grid, find a market for their gas. Growing demand, from the general public and industry, will ensure that green gas maintains its position as the UK’s leading renewable heat technology.”

Today the UK is the fastest growing producer of biomethane with 65 plants injecting green gas into the national grid. A survey conducted by the Renewable Energy Association in April 2016 has shown that 84% of people in the UK would like to switch to using green gas in their homes. 
[Ends]

Contact
Suzanne Orsler
T – 07813 131350
E – suzanne@sopr.co


Notes to editors:

  • Dedicated biomethane shipper, Barrow Green Gas (BGG) is the largest shipper of biomethane in the UK

  • Biomethane is a renewable, or green gas, produced from biodegradable matter such as food waste, sewage or energy crops. When it is injected into the existing gas grid, biomethane provides a sustainable, flexible and economic solution that is predicted to make a significant contribution to GB’s heat demand.

  • National Grid estimate biomethane can supply 5-18% of GB’s gas demand by 2020. It is also increasingly being used as a road fuel by trucks and buses both here and the rest of Europe.

  • BGG is the only GB gas business that is focussed solely on the biomethane market, supporting biomethane producers, supplying biomethane to gas buyers, and trading Green Gas Certificates (GGCs) from producers to buyers.

  • GGCs track the flow of biomethane through the gas grid providing transparency for gas buyers who want to buy green energy. BGG have transacted in excess of 100GWh of GGCs since the start of the scheme.

  • Good Energy ‘Green Gas’ – the new gas offering will include 6% biomethane.

  • In addition, the emissions from the gas customers use will be neutralised through verified carbon-reduction schemes that support local communities in Malawi, Vietnam and Nepal.

  • Good Energy calculates that the electricity used at home accounts for around 24% of your carbon footprint and gas 26% - and electricity consumption accounts for around 45% of the energy carbon footprint of the average home, whilst gas accounts for 46%.

About Barrow Green Gas
Barrow Green Gas (BGG) holds GB Gas Shipper & Supplier Licences, so can utilise the existing natural gas network to deliver green gas.  From a commercial point of view, BGG offers flexible contracts, tailored Individual support and transparency.  Green gas is supplied at prices linked to the natural gas ‘daily system clearing price’ – where prices are driven by real supply and real demand on the day.


About Good Energy
Good Energy is a fast-growing green energy company, generating and selling 100% renewable electricity and green gas to homes and businesses across the UK, all wrapped up in great customer service.  Our mission is to support change in the energy market, tackle climate change and boost energy security. Good Energy is consistently highly rated for customer service by Which? and MoneySavingExpert users. Good Energy invests in renewable energy including wind, solar, biofuel, hydro and tidal. 


20 Energy World | April 2016 Gas BIOMETHANE

First published in the April 2016 issue of Energy World by the UK Energy Institute, www.energyinst.org

Gas-to-grid coming of age?

The potential role of the cleanest fossil fuel – natural gas – in Britain’s energy future is much debated. So how about the potential for non-fossil fuel gas, produced from organic wastes, as a feedstock for the gas grid? Tim Davis looks at the emergence of the biomethane.

 

Whilst we are all familiar with the idea of green electricity, biomethane, or ‘green gas’, is a relatively new entrant into the energy marketplace. But today, green gas is helping decarbonise gas supply in just the same way as renewable electricity helps decarbonise power generation. Here, I am going to sketch the history of this new fuel, plus look at a few companies that are using green gas as a key part of their environmental strategy.

There are now over 50 biomethane-to-grid connections (BtG) in Great Britain, producing green gas and injecting it into the existing gas grid. With a total of 47 new projects in the last two years, Britain has seen the highest level of BtG growth in the world.

BtG is the process whereby renewable gas is injected into the gas grid, giving Britain an efficient source of green, sustainable energy made from organic material, including food waste. Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion (AD) plants. This biogas is often burned on-site to generate heat, power or both. But biogas can also be cleaned and upgraded to natural gas standards so that it can enter the gas grid, becoming biomethane.

AD plants are generating biogas from many different sources – such as manures, commercial and industrial waste, slurries, crops and crop residues. Most recently, water companies have started building AD plants which produce biogas from sewage. By using waste, crop residues and sewage to generate energy, we are creating a circular economy, extracting the maximum value from resources and recovering and regenerating products and materials.

Historically, the first wave of AD plants was focused on producing biogas to generate electricity, for which there was a government subsidy. To move to BtG a number of technical issues around injecting biomethane into the gas grid had to be addressed and the producers also needed financial support to make connecting to the grid as attractive as producing electricity.

Incentives for injection

To that end, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) persuaded the government to introduce an incentive for green gas injected into the grid. After much lobbying, in 2011 the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published details of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which included payment for biomethane injected into the grid.

The RHI for biomethane was one part of the jigsaw which created an attractive regime to allow BtG innovation to flourish. Biomethane engineering specialist, CNG Services, also worked with gas distribution network companies to find practical ways to connect small producers to the gas grid, and these efforts culminated in the first commercial connection at Poundbury in 2012.

Rainbarrow Farm near Poundbury, owned and run by J V Energen, a joint venture between local farmers and the Duchy of Cornwall, was Britain’s first AD plant to inject biomethane into the gas grid. Biogas production began in March 2012, with commissioning of a 400 kW CHP plant, with injection to the gas grid commencing in October 2012. The annual raw gas production is around 7.5mn m3 (mcm).

Following that there were two further connections in 2013, at Future Biogas’ plant in Doncaster and Vale Green Energy at Springhill Farm in Evesham, Worcestershire. Vale Green Energy was developed, when one of the Photo; An anaerobic digestion plant Energy World | April 2016 21 Gas region’s main producers, Evesham Vale Growers, needed to find a solution to a mounting waste problem and to reduce the cost of heating and power. EU and UK regulations mean that waste generated from its 12 Ha of glasshouses and 800 Ha of outdoor salad vegetables is categorised as industrial waste and, as such, could not be returned to the land as fertiliser.

Vale Green Energy developed an AD plant which went live in August 2013, with a second phase following in 2014. The AD plant turns green waste into energy to heat and light the tomato greenhouses, with the excess being injected into the grid. A by-product of this process is the production of food grade carbon dioxide, which is put back into the greenhouses to aid the photosynthesis process.

Taking off from 2014

It was in 2014 that the new BtG sector really took off, with 22 plants going live. One notable project was Saria’s Refood operation in Widnes, which was the largest BtG development of its kind in Great Britain, generating enough power to heat 12,000 homes. The plant can recycle 120,000 tonnes of commercial and domestic waste food and liquid to generate up to 180 GWh of biomethane every year. Waste food is collected from supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, shops, bars and schools within a 50-mile radius.

Also in December 2014, Wyke Farms, one of the UK’s largest independent cheese producers and milk processors, commissioned the second phase of its biogas project which sees it send up to 7 mcm per year of its upgraded biogas back to the gas grid.

Finally, 2014 saw two water companies starting to produce biogas from sewage. First, Severn Trent opened a BtG plant at Minworth, near Birmingham, which has 16 anaerobic digesters, producing about 80,000 m3 per day of biogas from its sewage treatment processes.

In November 2014 a BtG plant at Bristol sewage treatment works run by GENeco, a subsidiary of Wessex Water, started injecting green gas generated from food waste and sewage into the gas grid. At the same time it installed a gas refuelling plant for a compressed natural gas (CNG) bus. The plant produces 17 mcm of green gas a year. The gas refuelling plant now fuels a ‘Bio-Bus’ that is able to travel 300 km on a full tank of green gas.

In 2015 there were a further 23 BtG connections and by mid-2016, when all the completed projects are at full capacity, there could be around 120mn therms/annum going into the gas grid - equivalent to annual green gas production of 3.5 TWh per year.

The green gas market

The one thing all these green gas producers have in common is that they are not energy companies. There are farmers, waste and recycling experts and water companies producing biomethane, so energy isn’t their core activity. Barrow Green Gas helps them sell their green gas. We hold GB gas shipping and supply licences, so can move the green gas across Britain’s gas network from producers to end customers. We are focussed solely on the biomethane market, helping producers apply for the RHI, which can be a complex process, and trading Green Gas Certificates from producers to buyers.

The Green Gas Certificate Scheme was set up by the REA as a not-for-profit scheme that allows biomethane to be tracked from an AD site to the customer burning gas. Each unit of green gas injected into the grid displaces a unit of conventional gas, and Green Gas Certificates track the contractual rather than physical flows to ensure there is no double-counting from production to end use.

These certificates give buyers the ability to buy green gas across the country and so have helped create an attractive market for biomethane and encourage more gas producers to invest in connecting to the gas grid.

Aside from injecting green gas into the grid for heating, another significant use for green gas is transport. Transport fleets, particularly HGV operators, throughout the country are switching fuels from diesel to CNG. Today, natural gas vehicles (NGVs) offer a 72% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, ultra-low particulate and NOx emissions as well as big noise reductions. There are also significant economic benefits for fleet owners switching to natural gas vehicles, with savings of between 40% and 50% over diesel.

Biomethane as a vehicle fuel delivers all the benefits of natural gas, but with a clear advantage – it is renewable and sustainable.

One of Barrow Green’s customers for green gas, CNG Fuels, is dedicated to building and operating CNG filling stations. CNG Fuels owns what was the UK’s largest public access CNG filling station in Crewe until it opened an even bigger filling station at Leyland in Lancashire. Waitrose has already switched to vehicles that are fuelled on Bio-CNG to reduce their carbon footprint and are operating trucks from the Leyland CNG station, supported by Green Gas Certificates from AD plants that use waste feedstock, such as ReFood in Widnes.  

Each unit of green gas injected into the grid displaces a unit of conventional gas, and Green Gas Certificates track the contractual rather than physical flows to ensure there is no doublecounting from production to end use

The demand for renewable gas for heating is also rising as gas buyers realise the benefits of switching to green gas. In January this year Wyke Farms announced a partnership with Sainsbury’s to supply green gas for its stores. Wyke Farms will supply a large proportion of the supermarket’s green gas, which makes up 6% of Sainsbury’s total gas use. This will save over 16 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per day, or 24,000 tonnes over the length of the supply partnership.

Maintaining the gas grid

Looking at the big picture, Britain is relatively cold and relies on gas, especially for domestic heating. It is beneficial from an economic point of view to maintain the usefulness of both our gas grid and our domestic central heating systems. As biomethane is a renewable gas, it is helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Further development of biomethane is an efficient way to start to decarbonise the gas grid.

National Grid has estimated that biomethane can supply 5%–18% of Britain’s gas demand by 2020, so biomethane could make a significant contribution to the Climate Change Act target of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050. Also, having an additional domestic gas supply helps our energy security as we are not as dependent on gas from overseas.

With Barrow Green Gas now shipping green gas for 26 gas producers, 2015 was a record year for the company as well as the biomethane-to-grid sector. There is every indication that growth will continue as producers and suppliers realise that green gas is the best choice for industry; for heating our homes; and for fuelling trucks and buses.

Tim Davis is the Managing Director with Barrow Green Gas, www.barrowgreengas.co.uk


BARROW GREEN GAS GETS ‘GREEN GAS’ TO THE UK’S FIRST HIGH-PRESSURE GRID CONNECTED CNG FILLING STATION

14th March 2016 - Barrow Green Gas today welcomes the opening of CNG Fuels’ new high-pressure grid connected compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station, off junction 28 of the M6, near Leyland, Lancashire.  Barrow Green Gas is supplying the biomethane which is on offer at the new station.

BBC Covering the Opening of Leyland CNG Station.

Today’s unveiling saw the station’s first major customer, Waitrose, part of the John Lewis Partnership, fill up at the new facility, as a fleet of branded HGVs rolled onto the forecourt. 
The new state-of-the-art filling station is the first of its kind in the UK and boasts a high-pressure connection, delivered by National Grid. This key piece of transport infrastructure is capable of refuelling more than five hundred HGVs per day.

The facility supplies 100% renewable biomethane (Bio-CNG), which is often called green gas.  The biomethane is tracked through the system using the Green Gas Certification Scheme, and the process is facilitated by Barrow Green Gas who can provide proof-of-origin via Green Gas Certificate title transfers.  This gives confidence to customers who can then be sure they are buying green gas.

Philip Fjeld from CNG Fuels says: “There is a growing demand for biomethane because our customers want to take advantage of the big environmental benefits it brings and we depend on Barrow Green Gas to manage the process of shipping the gas to us.”

Tim Davis, managing director, Barrow Green Gas added:
“We now have 28 biomethane producers signed up. This is a great example of a circular economy, turning waste into vehicle fuel to transport our food. There is now a clear pathway to decarbonise heavy goods vehicles in the UK and we are delighted to be supplying CNG Fuels with green gas.”

Biomethane is a renewable gas, produced from biodegradable matter such as food waste, sewage or energy crops.   As well as being used to for heat, biomethane is increasingly being used as a road fuel by trucks and buses, replacing diesel, both here and across Europe.

Barrow Green Gas was set up to provide biomethane producers with a dedicated service which is focused on all the benefits that green gas can offer. BGG is the UK’s premier green gas supplier, supplying the most green gas into Britain’s natural gas network.

BGG is focussed solely on the biomethane market, supporting biomethane producers, supplying green gas to gas buyers, and trading Green Gas Certificates from producers to buyers.

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For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Orsler, T – 07813 131350, E – suzanne@sopr.co

Note to editors

Barrow Green Gas

Barrow Green Gas (BGG) holds GB Gas Shipper & Supplier Licences, so can utilise the existing natural gas network to deliver green gas.  From a commercial point of view, BGG offers flexible contracts, tailored Individual support and transparency.  Green gas is supplied at prices linked to the natural gas ‘daily system clearing price’ – where prices are driven by real supply and real demand on the day.

Green Gas Certification Scheme

The Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) tracks biomethane, or 'green gas' through the supply chain to provide certainty for those buying it. Each unit of green gas injected into the grid displaces a unit of conventional gas. So the GGCS tracks each unit of green gas from its injection into the distribution grid, to any trades, to its sale to a consumer, or group of consumers. It tracks the contractual rather than physical flows to ensure there is no double-counting from production to end use.

The GGCS is run by the Renewable Energy Association’s subsidiary, Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd. GGCS participants oversee the way it is run, on a not-for-profit basis.

www.greengas.org.uk

CNG Fuels Ltd

CNG Fuels Ltd owns and operates the UK’s largest public access CNG filling stations, located in Crewe, Cheshire and Leyland, Lancashire. The Company has opened the UK’s first high pressure (LTS) grid connected CNG station in Leyland, which supplies HGV fleets with low cost and low emissions fuel. The Company is dedicated to building a network of CNG refuelling infrastructure throughout the UK, and fostering the adoption of CNG into HGV fleets.

www.cngfuels.com


Barrow Green Gas signs up a record 26 green gas producers.

Dedicated biomethane shipper, Barrow Green Gas (BGG), signed up a record 26 green gas producers. 

When fully up and running, the 26 sites can put 1.4 TWh of green gas into the existing gas pipes.
Tim Davis, Barrow Green Gas’s managing director says: “2015 was a record year for us and the biomethane to grid sector, which has experienced spectacular growth in the last two years.   There is every indication that this growth will continue as producers and suppliers realise that renewable gas is the best choice for heating our homes and also fuelling trucks and buses.”

Biomethane is a renewable, or green gas, produced from biodegradable matter such as food waste, sewage or energy crops.  When it is injected into the existing gas grid, biomethane provides a sustainable, flexible and economic solution that is predicted to make a significant contribution to GB’s heat demand.  National Grid estimate biomethane can supply 5-18% of GB’s gas demand by 2020.  It is also increasingly being used as a road fuel by trucks and buses both here and in Europe.
Barrow Green Gas was set up to provide biomethane producers with a dedicated service which is focused on all the benefits that green gas can offer. BGG is also the UK’s premier green gas supplier, supplying the most green gas into the GB’s natural gas network.

BGG is the only GB business that is focussed solely on the biomethane market, supporting biomethane producers, supplying biomethane to gas buyers, and trading Green Gas Certificates (GGCs) from producers to buyers.

GGCs track the flow of biomethane through the gas grid providing transparency for gas buyers who want to buy green energy.  BGG have transacted now in excess of 100GWh of GGCs since the start off the scheme

The UK's first commercial biomethane to grid producer, Rainbarrow Farm, Poundbury, was commissioned in October 2012, followed by Vale Green in Evesham in 2013. 

Ends

For more information please contact:
Suzanne Orsler, T – 07813 131350, E – suzanne@sopr.co