Vier Gas Transport GmbH (VGT) plans to invest a double-digit million figure in a liquefaction plant for bio-LNG. The plant will be built in Röthenbach an der Pegnitz (Bavaria) and is scheduled to go into operation at the end of 2024. It will be designed to produce 50,000 tonnes of bio-LNG per year, which will later be used by trucks.
"This project is a perfect match for our strategic ambitions," said Christine Wilinski, Managing Director of VGT, "as it allows us to help shape the path towards an environmentally friendly energy industry and mobility sector by promoting the use of green gases." Dr Jörg Bergmann, CEO of OGE, added: "The biomethane liquefaction plant in Röthenbach will make an important contribution to the decarbonisation of the transport sector and help us in our efforts to achieve Germany’s and the EU’s ambitious climate targets. Bio-LNG is an important building block here."
Bio-LNG will help diversify the fuel market. The biomethane liquified at the site will be sourced exclusively in Germany and it will be produced mainly from residues and waste. This also contributes to environmentally friendly land and waste management while at the same time reducing nitrate pollution of groundwater sources.
Signing of the liquefaction contract between bioplus LNG represented by its Board members Christine Wilinski and Michael Kranich and GasCom represented by Norbert Scholz Managing Partner and Matthias Hoffmann Deputy Technical Managing Director.
VGT has established bioplus LNG to deliver the project. Gas transmission system operator OGE, a VGT subsidiary, will provide the technical expertise required to design and then operate the plant. It will also use its pipeline system to transport the biomethane to the plant.
Following VGT's investment decision to go ahead with the project, a long-term contract was signed with GasCom Equipment GmbH, which allows GasCom to expand its business along the LNG value chain and ensure the supply of climate-neutral fuel to its LNG filling stations.
The liquefaction of biomethane into bio-LNG increases the fuel’s volume-based energy density 600 times, making it a powerful energy carrier. The bio-LNG liquefied at the site will provide enough fuel for about 180 million truck kilometres, which equates to about 4,500 trips around the equator. Thanks to its excellent carbon footprint, the bio-LNG will help save more than 400,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents annually compared to conventional diesel fuel. Using bio-LNG also significantly reduces noise pollution (-50%), nitrogen oxide levels (-70%) and emissions of particulate matter (-95%).
Bio-LNG is liquid and non-toxic. The production process is based on the condensation of biomethane at a temperature of -162 degrees Celsius. Biomethane is produced, for example, by the fermentation of biogenic waste. Following treatment, it can be fed into the gas grid or liquefied into bio-LNG.
Signing of the liquefaction contract between bioplus LNG represented by its Board members Christine Wilinski and Michael Kranich and GasCom represented by Norbert Scholz Managing Partner and Matthias… Hoffmann Deputy Technical Managing Director.
