Biomethane & Biolpg: The Decarbonisation Solution Policy Is Ignoring

As the UK seeks to replace fossil fuels from its domestic energy mix certain decarbonisation solutions risk being marinized in favour of more popular methods of heating and hot water provision. Two of these alternative energies are biomethane and BioLPG, both of which can provide all required power without disruption to daily activities.

Biomethane is produced when methane is captured from natural biological waste and forms during a natural process called ‘anaerobic digestion.’  In the absence of oxygen microorganisms will begin to break down matter yielding a gas - methane. Once impurities are removed the methane gas becomes upgraded and biomethane is created.  

Biomethane is a versatile fuel that can be used in on and off grid applications also. The UK off-grid fuel market is a growing economic entity and is also a hard-to-decarbonise section of society. The UK’s gas grid network extends to 84% of UK households. Of the remaining 16%, 2 million properties are rural off grid homes and require daily fuel and power.

Off and on grid fuels such as biomethane is an area in which growth is expected to rise steadily through the up-and-coming decade. In 2025 the UK biomethane market is valued at £590 million and is expected to be worth £1.85 billion by 2030, representing a 25.6% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate). Marketsandmarkets website

Considering biomethane can be utilised in both domestic and commercial as well as on off grid applications, UK policy architects are in danger of ignoring a fuel source that can be injected into existing infrastructure and be transported in pressurised containers to also meet off grid demand. Biomethane is a flexible fuel source that can reach households and caravan sites whilst lowering emissions.  

Off grid premises make up around 15% of the building stock in the UK and require a clean source of power for both domestic and commercial applications. BioLPG is a sustainable fuel source that can deliver all operational requirements whilst improving local air quality.

BioLPG is a fast-growing energy solution for off grid commercial properties, of which there are around 280,000 – these consist of all manner of archetypes from factories, warehousing space, leisure facilities, farming to hotels and hospitality all of which employ either oil, LPG, or electric heating upon a daily basis.

To add some context to off grid energy supply, according to the website “Rural Energy” off grid domiciles use the following methods of heating and hot water provision: heating oil 55%, electricity 18%, solid fuel 11% and LPG 10%. As LPG is already efficiently serving a sizable percentage of off grid UK domiciles, owners of off grid commercial properties should consider incorporating BioLPG into daily operations. 

Liquid Gas UK – the trade association for the LPG and biopropane industry – has published an industry census revealing over £100 million is currently being invested in BioLPG, with a further £600 million being invested into the LPG industry over the next five years.

As the off grid commercial sector aims to relieve itself of fossil fuels more sustainable and cleaner energies are in line as a replacement. BioLPG is fast becoming an attractive option.

In 2022, the global BioLPG industry was valued at $416 million. Between 2023 and 2031 BioLPG is expected to experience a positive CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 42.3%. By the end of 2031 the global BioLPG industry is expected to be valued at $10 billion. These figures demonstrate the optimism that surrounds the potential of widespread BioLPG usage.

BioLPG contains an almost identical chemical structure to LPG. BioLPG consists of renewable materials derived from a diverse mix of sustainable biological feedstocks and processes. Supported through cleaner sourced chemical ingredients BioLPG

provides huge benefits in carbon reductions and air quality, compared to traditional off-grid fuels such as heating oil.

BioLPG carries identical low NOx, SOx and PM as conventional LPG. NOx and SOx are acronyms relating to Nitrogen (NOx) and sulphur (SOx) oxide emissions which result from energy consumption and production that involves combustion. PM relates to particulate matter – solid matter and liquid droplets released by various chemical fluctuations generated through technology.

Each unit of energy produced for consumption is responsible for releasing a measurement of harmful carbon dioxide.  Coal releases 100 units of carbon dioxide per unit of energy yielded; petrol and diesel produce 70 units - natural gases 50 units. BioLPG can deliver substantial lifecycle carbon reductions compared with conventional fossil fuels while maintaining the low NOx and particulate characteristics associated with LPG.

BioLPG is conceptually renewable and sustainable, as it is made from a blend of waste, residues, and sustainably sourced materials. BioLPG, can be described as an eco-propane, the chemical makeup of this gas is identical to LPG and is therefore compatible with existing in situ LPG products from a combustion perspective.

In the BioLPG manufacturing process, feedstocks undergo a series of complex treatments. They are combined with hydrogen in a process called hydrogenolysis which separates and purifies their energy content.

During the refining procedure, a variety of waste gases are produced that contain BioLPG. For every tonne of biodiesel, around 50 kg of BioLPG is produced from this gas stream. This co-product is then purified to make it identical to conventional propane.

LPG and BioLPG is the ideal solution for rural or off-grid commercial business use. An adaptation towards BioLPG is simple and swift. New BioLPG units can be “dropped in.” A drop-in BioLPG is transmissible with existing LPG infrastructure, such as LPG storage tanks, water heating systems or any other existing LPG appliance. No expensive or intricate upgrades on current off grid gas outlets are required to use BioLPG.

The transition to BioLPG will ensure businesses can continue to operate normally and efficiently with limited disruption ensuring minimum stress as no technical adjustments are required to your heating and hot water system. BioLPG can be considered a convenient and non-intrusive solution for off-grid businesses and homes.

Biomethane and BioLPG are both legitimate low carbon solutions that can be applied towards UK decarbonisation aims. Biomethane can be accessed through existing infrastructure and can be used for off grid premisses, whilst BioLPG can satisfy hard to reach off grid demand. Both forms of energy reduce emissions and are expected to demonstrate significant growth soon.

Rinnai aim to provide UK customers with a wide perspective of energy information. Doing so will support the customer with knowledge that could be beneficial when you decide to invest in a heating and hot water system for a domestic or commercial property.    

RINNAI OFFERS CLEAR PATHWAYS TO LOWER CARBON AND DECARBONISATION PLUS CUSTOMER COST REDUCTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL, DOMESTIC AND OFF-GRID HEATING & HOT WATER DELIVERY

www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/about us/H3

 

• Rinnai’s range of decarbonising products - H1/H2/H3 - consists of hot water heating units in gas/BioLPG/DME, hydrogen ready units, electric instantaneous hot water heaters, electric storage cylinders and buffer vessels, a comprehensive range of heat pumps, solar, hydrogen-ready or natural gas in any configuration of hybrid formats for either residential or commercial applications. Rinnai’s H1/2/3 range of products and systems offer contractors, consultants and end users a range of efficient, robust and affordable low carbon/decarbonising appliances which create practical, economic and technically feasible solutions.
• Rinnai is a world leading manufacturer of hot water heaters and produces over two million units a year, operating on each of the five continents. The brand has gained an established reputation for producing products that offer high performance, cost efficiency and extended working lives.
• Rinnai products are UKCA certified, A-rated water efficiency, accessed through multiple fuel options and are available for purchase 24/7, 365 days a year. Any unit can be delivered to any UK site within 24 hours.
• Rinnai offer carbon and cost comparison services that will calculate financial, and carbon savings made when investing in a Rinnai system. Rinnai also provide a system design service that will suggest an appropriate system for the property in question.
• Rinnai offer comprehensive training courses and technical support in all aspects of the water heating industry including detailed CPD’s.
• The Rinnai range covers all forms of fuels and appliances currently available - electric, gas, hydrogen, BioLPG, DME solar thermal, low GWP heat pumps and electric water heaters More information can be found on Rinnai’s website and its “Help Me Choose” webpage.

 

 

RINNAI FULL PRODUCT AVAILABILITY 24/7 FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY of ALL HOT WATER HEATING UNIT MODELS INCLUDING 48-58kW UNITS-

SAVINGS OF

20% REDUCTION of Opex Cost,

30% REDUCTION of initial cost

15% REDUCTION in carbon

75% REDUCTION of space

 

Visit www.rinnai-uk.co.uk  

Or email engineer@rinaiuk.com  

 

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit

www.rinnaiuk.com

Rinnai is an Industrial Associate of CIPHE, to see the full list of associates check out the CIPHE industrial associates directory