Fossil energy sources, such as coal and petroleum, remain the primary means of meeting today’s energy needs. However, relying on these sources has serious consequences, such as increased greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change.
The good news is, we have a more environmentally friendly alternative: biogas. This energy, produced from organic waste, not only generates lower emissions but also helps save energy and reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Curious why biogas offers so many advantages? Let’s dive into the explanation in this article.
What is Biogas?
Biogas is a renewable energy source derived from natural gas produced through the decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms in anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions.
This fermentation process produces gases such as methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), along with small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, and water vapor.
Organic waste materials that can be used to produce biogas include:
- Animal manure
- Agricultural waste (such as straw, leaves, and food scraps)
- Organic household waste
- Sludge from wastewater treatment plants
To convert these materials into biogas, a technology called a digester is used. A digester is a sealed, airtight container that allows microorganisms to break down organic matter and produce methane gas.
Read More: Why Cutting Carbon Emissions Is Critical for the Planet’s Future?
Why Does Biogas Help Save Energy?
Biogas allows us to turn organic waste into a local, environmentally friendly energy source. It’s not only easy to source but also offers significant cost savings.
Here are several reasons why biogas is an effective solution to reduce energy consumption now and in the future:
Reducing Dependence on Fossil Fuels
One of the main reasons biogas saves energy is its ability to replace fossil fuels such as LPG and even coal. Using biogas for cooking, lighting, or power generation reduces the demand for fossil fuels.
In households, especially in rural areas where access to conventional fuels is limited or expensive, biogas can significantly reduce fuel costs.
Read More: LNG and Other Energy Alternatives: The Ideal Coal Replacements?
Energy Efficiency from Waste
Biogas enables energy production from organic waste that would otherwise be discarded. With a simple digester system, kitchen waste, livestock manure, and crop residues can be turned into usable energy.
This creates a self-sufficient local energy cycle. Waste that once caused environmental problems has now become a source of clean, low-cost energy.
The energy output can be scaled according to need, from household to small industry applications.
Lower Energy Costs
Although an initial investment is needed to build a biogas installation (such as a digester and gas distribution system), costs can be minimized by using local materials and simple technologies.
Once operational, the system requires minimal upkeep, as it only needs a steady supply of organic waste. In the long run, this translates to significant cost savings.
Read More: Is Transportation Truly the Biggest Energy Consumer? Let’s Break It Down
Biogas: An Environmentally Friendly Energy Solution
Biogas has many advantages that make it one of the most eco-friendly renewable energy options available. Compared to fossil fuels, both its production and usage are far cleaner and more sustainable.
Here’s why biogas is considered an environmentally friendly energy alternative:
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions: Biogas captures methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, a gas with a much higher global warming potential than CO₂.
- Productive use of organic waste: Food scraps, animal waste, and agricultural residues, which are major pollutants, can now be transformed into useful energy.
- Ideal for remote areas: Biogas can be produced locally, even on a small scale, making it ideal for communities with limited access to LPG or centralized energy infrastructure.
Proper management of organic waste can turn it into a reliable renewable energy source. To support the government’s energy transition efforts, PGN LNG Indonesia is developing technology to refine biogas into bioLNG (biomethane liquefied natural gas).
This process involves purifying the methane and removing other contaminants to produce high-quality gas that can then be liquefied into bioLNG.
As a liquid, bioLNG is easier to store and transport, especially to areas not yet connected to pipeline infrastructure.
