UCC Study Highlights Viability of Conversion of Common Grass into Biogas

A joint study conducted by UCC along with Ernst and Young has studied the viability of producing heating gas from common grass. The study has also concluded that this source of alternative energy could be providing sufficient heat for 300,000 homes in Ireland annually.

This new report, conducted on Bord Gais’ behalf, has found that a minimum 7.5% of natural gas in Ireland can be supplied by making use of grass and waste. The study, officially named “The Future of Renewable Gas in Ireland”, observes that there could be a considerable contribution made by the biomethane industry towards Ireland’s ‘green tech’ sector.

Biogas is generated when feedstocks including energy crops and organic wastes get converted by making use of anaerobic digestion technology. Raw biogas could then be upgraded and cleaned to renewable gas (biomethane) and then supplied to the national gas grid.