With escalating global concern regarding the unsustainability of conventional energy sources, interest in the large-scale usage of renewable alternatives has increased significantly during recent years. In the case of gaseous fuels, biomethane highlights as an optimum prospect to replace fossil natural gas owing to the physiochemical and energetical resemblance between the two gases. Acknowledging that the private sector is a major actor in energy grids worldwide, this chapter investigates the parameters that influence the economic viability of renewable natural gas production, emphasizing biogas upgradation from anaerobic digestion. Capital and operating costs, as well as different sources of revenue, are explored as determining agents for case-specific project profitability. Tipping fees and government grants are also investigated as methods to increase economical returns. Looking at extraneous influential parameters, legislative measures are studied as tools to directly or indirectly promote biomethane development. Policy instruments are mentioned and characterized, using existing initiatives to exemplify their impact in renewable energy deployment. Lastly, concluding remarks are reported on the current situation of the biomethane industry, and thoughts regarding its future are presented.
Suarez et al. (Thu,) studied this question.