Biomethane Plants

Gas produced from renewable sources such as biomethane can be fed into existing infrastructures and used like other sources to support growing energy needs.

What is biomethane and why it’s a renewable energy source for the sustainable transition

Biomethane is a renewable fuel of biological origin, it is essential for decarbonization and ecological transition. The production process of biomethane originates from the transformation of biomass (e.g., organic waste from civil sources, agricultural and livestock by-products, food industry processing residues) into biogas. Through purification and upgrading processes, the latter is refined until it reaches chemical-physical characteristics suitable for injection into the natural gas grid, thus offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and playing a key role in reducing CO2 emissions in Europe.

According to the Gas for Climate consortium, the Italian Biogas Consortium, and the European Biogas Association, an annual production of over 120 billion cubic meters can be achieved, with savings of approximately 140 billion euros.

Quality specifications for biomethane to be injected into the grid

The quality specifications to be referred to for biomethane to be injected into the grid are defined by Resolution 27/2019/R/GAS and subsequent amendments. In particular, for the definition and publication of quality specifications, the network operator refers to the current provisions of:

Decreto Ministeriale 18 maggio 2018 regarding the common components of natural gas;
standard UNI EN 16726regarding the common components of natural gas not included in the aforementioned decree;
technical specification UNI/TS 11537, regarding the common components of natural gas not included in the decree, particularly hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine;
standard UNI EN 16723-1 for the specific components of biomethane to be injected into the natural gas grids.

Regarding odorization, the injection of biomethane is allowed if it can be odorized according to the standard UNI 7133-2 and does not present chemical/physical conditions that would nullify or cover the effect of characteristic odorizing substances.

Connection of biomethane plants to the grid

Anyone with a biomethane plant has the opportunity to request connection to the transport grid or the distribution grid. At Italgas, we believe in the tangible opportunities of biomethane plants and their benefits for a zero-emission economy by 2050.

For this reason, as distribution network operators, we handle the connection of biomethane plants for those who request it, provided that the injection operation into the distribution system does not pose technical issues or general safety risks. In order to be injected into the grid, biomethane must have certain chemical and physical characteristics established by European and national legislation, as well as applicable technical reference standards. We are committed to offering biomethane producers maximum transparency by facilitating access to our networks, while ensuring the quality and safety of the service.

How to connect a biomethane production plant to the grid

Identification of the optimal connection solution

Starting from June 1, 2024, every connection request must be submitted to the main transport company, SNAM Rete Gas S.p.A.. The methods for submitting the request are detailed in the “Biomethane Plants Connections” section of the SNAM Rete Gas S.p.A. website.
Based on the criteria outlined in the Optimization Procedure, SNAM will send the Applicant the verification results, indicating the network operator (transporter or distributor) to whom the connection request must be submitted.

Connection request to the distributor

If Italgas Reti has been selected by SNAM as the distributor, to request the connection it is necessary to fill out the form “Connection Request Form”, downloadable in the Biogas Forms section and send it via PEC to the address allacciamenti-biometano@pec.italgasreti.it, complete with all documentation and mandatory information as per paragraph 8.1 of Annex A to Resolution 27/2019/R/GAS ARERA and subsequent amendments.

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Response to the connection request

Within 85 working days* from the request complete with all documentation, including proof of deposit payment, we will send the applicant a communication containing the outcome of the eligibility assessment:

In case of inadmissibility, with a written explanation;
In case of admissibility, with the estimated costs and the connection and operation regulation for the injection of biomethane into the distribution networks.

* In the event that, within the “Procedura per l’individuazione delle soluzioni atte a ottimizzare le connessioni degli impianti di biometano alle reti del gas” the analysis is based on the economic criteria of the same procedure, the aforementioned timeframe is reduced by a number of working days equal to the lesser of 15 working days and the difference, if positive, between the working days dedicated to completing the aforementioned analysis and 15.

Acceptance of the quote and signing of the Operation Regulation for the injection of biomethane into the network

The quote is valid for 270 calendar days from its issuance; after this period, the offer will be considered expired. Together with the acceptance of the estimate, the ‘Operation Regulation for the injection of biomethane into the network‘, provided to the Applicant with the commercial offer, must be signed. The estimate will be considered accepted when all the required attachments are present and complete in every part, and the authenticity of the bank guarantee is verified within 30 calendar days.

Execution of the works

The Grid Manager carries out the Connection installations to the distribution network unless expressly requested by the Applicant to be indicated on the Connection Request Form.

Technical standards for the construction of the connection facility to the network

For the construction of the connection facility to the network, reference will be made to the technical standards contained in the Technical Specification UNI/TS 11537, while for the gas quality parameter verification system, reference will be made to the standard UNI EN 16723-1 2016.

Running of the plant

The commissioning, management, and maintenance for the Reception and Injection facility and for the connection network to the existing grid are, in any case, carried out by Italgas, to which they are made available free of charge.

Italgas will immediately interrupt the injection of biomethane if it verifies that the biomethane to be injected into the network does not meet the quality specifications, pressure constraints, or capacity limits set for the injection points and other required technical conditions.

In the event of inability to access the measurement systems or if the measurement instruments are not properly maintained or preserved, Italgas will immediately interrupt the injection of biomethane into the network until access is granted or the compliance of the measurement system is restored.

Contacts

For clarifications regarding connection requests for the injection of biomethane into our distribution grid, contact us at the PEC address: allacciamenti-biometano@pec.italgasreti.it