The project was designed to create biomethane by extracting it from the biogas generated by waste water at the plant. The goal is to blend this biomethane into Sydney’s gas network by the end of the year.
The biomethane will be a carbon neutral addition, and can be added into the city’s existing gas infrastructure for heating, cooking and manufacturing.
The project constructed at the Malabar plant is intended as a demonstration for the feasibility of similar projects in the future. The $16 million project could pave the way for a new biomethane sector.
This is the first trial of its kind and could remove 5000 tonnes of carbon emissions initially, with potential for 11,000 tonnes removed if scaled up to its full potential.
The initial capacity for the project will be approximately 95 TJ per year, enough to supply gas to about 6300 homes in the area. If scaled up, this number could rise to 13,300 homes.
According to Jemena’s general manager renewable gas Peter Harcus Jemena has already identified other potential sources of biomethane.
“We’ve identified the potential for about 30 petajoules per annum of biomethane to come from sources like agriculture, landfill and other wastewater plants close by our gas network – if utilised, these sources would produce enough biomethane to supply all of our current residential customers,” said Harcus.
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