Biomethane is a renewable energy source that has become increasingly important in the global energy transition. It is produced from biogas, but thanks to specific treatment processes it can be used as a direct alternative to natural gas, while maintaining high efficiency and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Understanding what is biomethane, how a biomethane plant or biomethanation plant works, and what its main benefits and limitations are helps industry professionals, farmers, and project teams evaluate this technology more effectively, also for transport applications.
What is biomethane?
Biomethane is a renewable gas obtained by purifying biogas. After biogas is produced, it undergoes an upgrading process that removes carbon dioxide (CO₂), moisture, and other impurities, raising the methane concentration.
The result is a fuel with characteristics very similar to natural gas, suitable for multiple energy uses: industry, mobility, and, in many countries, injection into the gas grid.
How a biomethane plant (biomethanation plant) works
A biomethane plant is built on an initial biogas production stage, obtained through the anaerobic digestion of biomass, in some countries referred to as biomethanation. This process is the core of biogas plants and forms the technological foundation on which biomethane production is developed.
Once biogas is produced, the next step is gas upgrading, which separates methane from CO₂ and other unwanted components. The resulting biomethane is then compressed, checked for quality, and conditioned for final use or injection into the gas grid.
Biomethane plant design
From a design perspective, biomethane plants (sometimes called biomethanation plants) bring specific challenges related to integration with existing networks and process-data management, making dedicated engineering tools essential.
That’s why defining process flows, ensuring consistency between diagrams and layout (starting from P&IDs), and managing piping are key elements for developing an efficient and safe plant.
In this context, solutions such as the ESAPRO suite for industrial plant design support engineers in coordinating different aspects of the project, from the conceptual phase through detailed engineering.
Biomethane plants and applications
Biomethane plants are used in agriculture, industrial sites, and organic-waste treatment. In all these scenarios, the goal is to turn waste materials into an energy resource, reduce environmental impact, and improve overall process efficiency.
Biomethane applications are already a reality, and ESAPRO solutions are used in real-world projects, as shown by selected case histories related to biomethane plant design.
Biogas vs biomethane: what’s the difference?
The difference between biogas and biomethane is important: they are closely related, but not the same.
Biogas is the gas produced directly by anaerobic digestion (often called biomethanation) and is typically used on-site to generate electricity and heat.
Biomethane, instead, comes from a subsequent purification (upgrading) stage and reaches a purity level that enables wider uses.
In this sense, biomethane can be seen as an “evolution” of biogas, expanding how renewable gas can be used across industry, mobility, and gas networks.
Biomethane: pros and cons
Among the main advantages of biomethane is the ability to produce renewable energy continuously, valorizing waste and by-products and reducing climate-altering emissions. Compatibility with existing infrastructure is another major strength, especially for integration with gas grids.
At the same time, building a biomethane plant requires significant investment and strong technical expertise. Upgrading and plant operation must be carefully designed to ensure reliability and efficiency over time.
