Debunking Misconceptions on Biogas, the Renewable Eco-Fuel

Biogas is renowned as a fuel of the future in informed circles, yet lingering misconceptions still trouble its reputation. In reality, biogas is a clean alternative to conventional natural gas derived from fossil fuels.

Compressed and liquefied natural gas (CNG and LNG, respectively) are key fuel sources worldwide. Unfortunately, their long-term use has proven unsustainable. Most of the natural gas used in modern energy systems is welled from ever-depleting underground reserves that took millions of years to form.

By comparison, biogas is renewable, emits fewer greenhouse gases (GHGs), and has all the same use cases as its fossil fuel counterpart.

So, why has it been so slow to gain public acceptance? Below are the common myths surrounding biogas and how this natural super-fuel actually works.

Myth #1 – Biogas Production Is Inefficient

Reality: Modern biogas systems are capable of highly efficient energy production (though there is wide variability).

The kernel of truth in this myth is that efficiency depends on the production system, engineering quality, ambient temperature, and utilization of the energy produced.

The broadest biogas production methods are anaerobic digesters and methane (CH4) capture systems, but there are many varieties of each.

• Digesters can achieve energy conversion efficiencies of 20-70%.
• Collection systems can capture anywhere from 10% to 90% of greenhouse gas emissions.

The mid-to-upper range of these efficiencies is impressive, but there’s room for argument about the systems at the low end. For example, open-air landfill methane collection systems rank the lowest at 10% gas capture and are widely considered financially unfeasible.

However, harnessing energy from fugitive emissions, waste products, or sludge lends to another perspective: that any net positive production from what would otherwise become pollution is worthwhile.

In fact, biogas systems are already used across the U.S. in agricultural, industrial, and municipal sectors. Their raw outputs include heat, electricity, and nutrient-rich fertilizer—with further refinement unlocking biomethane, or renewable natural gas (RNG).

Myth #2 – Biogas Is Not a Sustainable Energy Source

Reality: Biogas is a 100% renewable resource that burns cleaner than its fossil fuel counterparts.

Biogas is renewable because it’s released naturally during organic decomposition. Biowaste is a natural consequence of daily life, so we can confidently expect that more material will always be available to convert into biogas.

Early biogas projects that grew crops for feedstock may have fueled this myth. Like corn-based ethanol fuel, the added agricultural emissions undermined the environmental benefits.

Although this model wasn’t sustainable, waste-to-energy systems are a different story. Converting agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste into usable energy creates a carbon-neutral fuel source and completes circular economies that maximize cost efficiency.

The fact that biogas is mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) may lead to the misconception that it must be “dirty” energy. These gases are indeed both greenhouse pollutants (and so are the byproducts of burning them). However, the emissions are much lower and less harmful than the fossil fuels they supplement or replace.

Myth #3 – Biogas Production Is Expensive and Not Scalable

Reality: Biogas production is more efficient at larger scales and has become more affordable with advancements in policy and technology.

Scientists are constantly discovering new ways to aid the microorganisms that drive anaerobic digestion for even better results. These advancements improve the technology’s availability, affordability, and efficiency.

Because biogas can come from any organic material, its production systems have taken many shapes, sizes, and specialties. Digesters alone come in portable models designed for single organizations or entire facilities that process city-wide biowaste.

The benefits of biogas have piqued government interest worldwide. New policies and tax incentives are driving investors to explore biogas solutions for their waste and energy infrastructures.

One popular biogas solution in the U.S. and abroad is specially designed landfills with fully integrated methane capture systems. Landfills normally contribute major amounts of GHGs as solid waste degrades, but biogas collection turns them into powerhouses. The gas produced can fuel local operations, be sold as a product, or get upgraded and injected into the energy grid.

Support from policies like the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Renewable Fuel Standard” and the California Air Resources Board’s “Low Carbon Fuel Standard” have ensured continued efforts toward expanding biogas systems.

Upgrading systems, the technology that converts raw biogas into refined biomethane, have also seen substantial development in recent years. The European Union (EU) has taken an especially active role in expanding biogas upgrading infrastructure, with advancements expected to continue through 2025.

Myth #4 – Biogas Systems Are Unsafe

Reality: Biogas systems are regulated with safety standards that are on par with those of the natural gas industry.

Though raw biogas can contain unhealthy contaminants, its uses in this form are limited to immediate upgrading, storage, or direct conversion into on-site energy (e.g., combined heat and power systems).

Once biogas is refined into biomethane, it’s indistinguishable from the non-renewable natural gas used for heating, fueling, and cooking daily.

Whether harvested from a well (in the case of natural gas) or from waste sludge (in the case of biogas)—methane is odorless, colorless, and flammable. As such, there are some basic safety measures users should follow.

Methane’s flammability makes the public’s main fear one of fiery explosions. However, methane has a particularly high ignition temperature of over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. By comparison, gasoline ignites at 536 degrees or less, depending on the conditions. Methane also requires a particular air mix to ignite successfully, minimizing the risk of incidents.

Though risks from mismanagement or non-adherence to safety standards will always exist, biogas is safer than most of the fuel sources used in daily life.

Myth #5 – Biogas Has Limited Applications

Reality: Scientists, engineers, and city planners have proven the diverse uses for biogas.

Even in its raw form, biogas can generate heat and electricity or facilitate combined heat and power (CHP) systems. These applications allow biogas to help power the very equipment producing it.

The full potential of biogas is unlocked once refined into renewable natural gas. Though the upgrading process requires more energy consumption, it’s no more intensive than the standard purification process for other natural gas sources.

Like conventional natural gas, RNG can be compressed or liquefied and used in all the same equipment and infrastructure.

RNG—or biomethane—is a drop-in fuel, meaning it can be used in existing systems without specialized equipment. Where RNG is available, it can even be injected directly into existing natural gas infrastructure, diluting the fossil fuel supply with a cleaner alternative.

Its wide array of applications makes biogas a fuel source for heavy-duty transportation, power grids, heating systems, and much more.

In short, the misconception that biogas has limited applications compared to non-renewable natural gas is purely a myth. Both gas sources have similar purification processes and use cases.

The Future of Biogas and Its Role in Clean Energy

Public and private interest and investment in biogas are on an upward trend that shows no signs of slowing. The waste-to-energy potential is proving too economically and environmentally beneficial to ignore.

Addressing myths and misconceptions about biogas is crucial for gaining broader public support and widescale adoption. Innovators and investors around the world have proven the safety and efficiency of biogas solutions. The primary barrier to the spread of these advanced technologies is the lack of infrastructure, resulting from a lack of overall awareness.

The energy experts at FASTECH have taken a leading role in America’s biogas development. The team has built over 200 CNG refueling stations for industry leaders like Shell and Clean Energy.

FASTECH has over 15 years of engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance (EPC+M) expertise. Developers and organizations interested in exploring renewable biogas solutions are encouraged to contact FASTECH for consultation.