Status and Potential Role of Biomethane in the Way Towards Gas Sector Decarbonization: Case study of Latvia
2024 IEEE 65th Annual International Scientific Conference on Power and Electrical Engineering of Riga Technical University, RTUCON 2024 - Proceedings 2024
Ance Ansone, Līga Rozentāle, Uldis Bariss, Dagnija Blumberga

In 2020, the EU produced approximately 32 TWh of biomethane, underscoring the need for a significant increase in gas production capacities - by 11.6 times in 2030, which provides a relatively short period of time. In Latvia, there is a considerable untapped potential for biomethane production, with no officially recorded production or grid injection into the interconnected gas system until 2024. Looking ahead to 2033, there is an opportunity to replace some natural gas consumption with biomethane, depending on national demand. While biogas plants are well-distributed across Latvia's natural gas system, increase in biomethane production is necessary. This study aims to examine the political and regulatory conditions in Latvia, the current status of biomethane development, and potential opportunities to reduce barriers to market growth through regulatory analysis. The study explores general rules, quality requirements, and the connection types for biomethane production plants (off-grid and distinguishing between direct connections and virtual connections where gas is transported to system by using vehicle). Biomethane can substitute natural gas in electricity production, heating and transport sectors. Additionally, this research highlights the importance of a long-term vision and strategic support to accelerate biomethane production in the future. © 2024 IEEE.


Keywords
Baltic Region; bioCNG; biomethane; gas quality; gas transmission; infrastructure; regulatory framework; REPowerEU; sustainability; virtual pipeline
DOI
10.1109/RTUCON62997.2024.10830916
Hyperlink
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10830916

Ansone, A., Rozentāle, L., Bariss, U., Blumberga, D. Status and Potential Role of Biomethane in the Way Towards Gas Sector Decarbonization: Case study of Latvia. In: 2024 IEEE 65th Annual International Scientific Conference on Power and Electrical Engineering of Riga Technical University, RTUCON 2024 - Proceedings, Latvia, Rīga, 10-12 October, 2024. ASV: IEEE, 2024, pp.1-7. ISBN 979-8-3503-6578-8. e-ISBN 979-8-3503-6577-1. Available from: doi:10.1109/RTUCON62997.2024.10830916

Publication language
English (en)
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