Once a discarded by-product of cheese making, whey has evolved into a high-value product powering a global nutrition market. Its transformation from waste to commodity provides a glimpse of the opportunity that exists for biomethane.
Organic waste streams, from agriculture, food production and households, can be converted into biogas and upgraded into biomethane, a renewable gas that can be used in place of natural gas.
“Just as whey waste was transformed into a valuable product, biomethane closes the loop in energy, converting organic waste into gas which flows through existing networks,” Jemena’s Executive General Manager of Gas Networks, Nerise Cook, said.
Cook said biomethane is produced by removing impurities such as carbon dioxide, water and other contaminants from biogas – with the end result being a drop-in fuel (biomethane) which can be used in the gas infrastructure we already have.
From food and garden organics to agricultural residues and wastewater, Australia already has a diverse and reliable pipeline of biomethane feedstocks.
“For local councils, that’s a significant opportunity, because they sit at the frontline of waste management. It gives them the chance to lower disposal costs, generate local economic activity and play a direct role in decarbonising the energy system,” Cook said.
The Malabar biomethane demonstration project in Sydney is Australia’s first facility to inject biomethane into the NSW gas distribution network.
The Malabar Biomethane Injection Plant has successfully shown existing infrastructure can be used to deliver renewable gas, while turning urban waste into a valuable energy source.
“Biomethane is emerging as a credible and important part of the gas decarbonisation journey, both in Australia and internationally, and could play a key role in the circular economy,” Cook said.
When biomethane is used, it doesn’t add any additional carbon to the atmosphere that wasn’t already there as part of the natural carbon cycle.
Australia’s bioenergy roadmap produced by ARENA found that a fully functioning biomethane industry could reduce Australia’s emissions footprint by 12 per cent by 2050.
This “waste-to-value” process is a practical example of the circular economy in action, turning everyday waste into a drop-in energy source.
Internationally, biomethane is offering customers and industry a practical pathway to reduce emissions.
“In markets across Europe and North America, biogas is captured from waste streams like food and agricultural residues, upgraded to biomethane, and delivered through existing gas networks,” Cook said.
“That same approach can provide a practical decarbonisation pathway for commercial and industrial customers that rely on gas in Australia.”
As the energy transition accelerates, biomethane is increasingly recognised as a scalable solution that can support emissions reduction using existing infrastructure.
Just as whey protein evolved from waste into a valuable commodity, today’s organic waste has the potential to become tomorrow’s renewable gas.
To find out more, visit partofthebigpicture.com.au
