Canadian Biomass • Fall 2024 • Exploring the benefits of RNG in Canada

Biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG) landscape in Canada has enormous potential

The biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG) landscape in Canada has enormous potential and an experienced, accomplished suite of companies developing and operating projects. Today, there are close to 300 operating biogas projects, which provide 198 megawatts of clean electricity capacity, 6 petajoules of RNG, and 130 million cubic metres of biogas for heat and direct use.

Thanks to a growing global awareness of climate change, an urgency to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the demand for more sustainable waste management practices and energy systems, biogas production is a growing industry in Canada. Development is primarily provincially driven where favourable regulations, programs, and funding exist.

Ontario, for example, has the highest number of biogas facilities due in part to its Feed-In Tariff Program for electricity from 2006 to 2016.

Still, only 14% of the potential feedstock for biogas is used in Canada. More needs to be done to raise awareness about its benefits and the role it plays in Canada’s low-carbon economy.

Implications of Policy Driven Electrification in Canada, a 2019 study by U.S.- based consultancy ICF, says it’s not currently feasible for the country to switch entirely to electricity in the near-term. RNG can play a vital role in helping Canada reach its climate goals and has a double benefit for emissions reductions.

More than 80% of Canadian residential GHG emissions coming from heating. Injecting RNG into the natural gas grid can directly reduce those emissions and captures methane from waste materials such as food scraps, animal manure, and landfills to turn it into energy. RNG is one of the few potentially carbon-negative fuels in the world because it captures methane which would otherwise enter the atmosphere.

A Canadian Biogas Association (CBA) report estimates RNG could reduce GHG emissions by 26.7 megatonnes by 2030. These reductions could help fulfill 55% of Canada’s methane pledge and play a major role in meeting Canada’s climate targets.

Canada is sitting on a huge opportunity to transform organic waste into clean energy. Some of the largest underutilized sources include agricultural waste, such as manure and crop residues, food waste from households, restaurants, supermarkets and food processing facilities, and methane already being emitted from landfills.

Organic waste is ever present in our society and will continue to be generated. With the right policies, incentives, and investments, Canada can capture energy from this waste and position RNG as a key player in Canada’s renewable energy landscape.

More than 40 RNG projects are under development in Canada. The market is projected to grow four-fold in the next few years compared to 2021.

By converting organic waste into clean energy, RNG creates a circular loop that brings multiple benefits to our environment and economy. The process not only produces clean energy, but also the nutrient- rich by-product, digestate which enriches soil and boosts crop growth, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Plus, RNG supports job growth across multiple sectors, from construction and engineering to agriculture, logistics, and research.

Canadian biogas and RNG projects, are developed by farmers, municipalities and the commercial private sector, varying in size and type and predominately located in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Québec.

Building, maintaining, and operating RNG facilities creates local jobs and new revenue streams while farmers benefit from innovation, diversified income and the increased demand for feedstock.

The exciting news about RNG is that it isn’t just a concept, it’s a here and now solution.

This proven technology is already making a difference in our communities. As of today, Canada boasts 33 facilities actively producing RNG, and, as mentioned before, more than 40 projects on the way and about 300 biogas plants already operational.

It is easy to blend RNG with natural gas. No new equipment is needed. The country has the technology, infrastructure and workforce in place to significantly scale up RNG production.

RNG delivers more value than just energy, it reduces methane emissions from growing waste sources in society, that would otherwise be sent into the atmosphere, and creates energy.

RNG leverages existing natural gas pipelines and storage capacity, providing a way to deliver renewable energy without building new infrastructure. It can also be used directly with equipment that uses natural gas, such as home appliances or industrial boilers, without a need for costly upgrades.

The CBA is raising awareness about the value of RNG, hoping to foster understanding and empower stakeholders to confidently talk about the benefits of RNG.

There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the benefits of RNG, but it’s more than just gas. It’s a part of the climate solution and provides many inherent benefits.