Bio-LNG Must Decarbonise Heavy Transport: Paper

Bio-LNG (BLNG) has a key part to play in decarbonising Europe's heavy transport and maritime industries, according to a new research paper published November 23.

The paper, co-authored by the European Biogas Association (EBA), Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), the Natural & bio Gas Vehicle Association (NGVA Europe) and SEA-LNG. comes out ahead of the European Commission (EC)'s Smart Sustainable Mobility Strategy in December. 

BLNG production captures carbon and so running trucks and ships on 100% BLNG removes CO2 emissions from the atmosphere. It can use existing LNG infrastructure without any modifications.

Mixing BLNG with conventional LNG in a 2:3 ratio will help reduce the CO₂ emissions from trucks by 55%. This can be achieved using only 10% (40 TWh) of Europe's total BLNG production (380 TWh). A 20% BLNG mix in maritime transport would reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 34%.

BLNG can be transported using existing LNG infrastructure with no further technological adaptations or additional costs. For this reason, the support of LNG infrastructure is fundamental to ensure the deployment of BLNG in the coming years. According to the authors, the EU has 53 ports where LNG bunkering is available and over 330 filling LNG stations. The number of LNG stations will expand sixfold to 2,000 by 2030. The use of the current infrastructure also boosts cross-border trade of BLNG in Europe.

EBA said the EU should create a single market for biomethane and BLNG by facilitating trading of volumes and certificates across EU borders free of technological or political barriers, it said.

NGVA Europe said that if the EC recognised the benefits of gas in transport. that would "enable and stimulate the decarbonisation effect of BLNG."