Deciphering methanization

As a crowdfunding platform dedicated to sustainable projects, Enerfip offers fundraising opportunities related to methanization. To shed light on this topic, learn more about the methanization process, and its benefits, Enerfip offers an analysis of methanization!

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What is methanization?

Before telling you about it To learn more about the process, benefits, and investment opportunities, let us explain what methanization is and how it works.

Methanization is the natural process that produces biogas from the degradation and fermentation of animal or plant organic matter, livestock waste, crop by-products and residues, and biowaste. To be transformed into energy, the waste must be in an oxygen-free environment, also known as an anaerobic environment. But that's not all! It is also recommended that they benefit from an optimal temperature of 38 degrees so that microorganisms can develop. This process produces both digestate and biogas. One is a residue used as a soil fertilizer after composting, and the other is composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Biogas can be used to produce electricity, heat, or biofuel (bioNGV, bioCNG, bioLNG, etc.), or it can be injected directly into the grid.

The stages of the methanization process

A diagram often speaks louder than words, doesn't it? To briefly return to this illustration, you can see that methanization is the result of a complex process. The inputs undergo the stages of:

• hydrolysis: the macromolecules of organic matter are broken down into simpler molecules via hydrolytic enzymes produced by bacteria;
• acidogenesis: the products of hydrolysis are converted into volatile organic acids, alcohol, hydrogen and carbon dioxide by acidogenic bacteria;
• acetogenesis: The volatile organic acids produced during acidogenesis are converted into acetate, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide by acetogenic bacteria;
• methanogenesis: Methanogenic bacteria convert acetate, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide into methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Once this final step is complete, there are many uses for biogas. Let us introduce them to you, along with their benefits.

The advantages of methanization

Using methanization has many advantages. What are they? It represents a positive approach, promoting a sustainable and circular economy. As you saw during the process, methanization fits perfectly into a circular economy by transforming waste into resources (such as energy or fertilizers).

On the one hand, the biogas extracted by this process then becomes a renewable energy source. It can be used to generate electricity, produce heat, or be purified to obtain biomethane, which can be used as fuel. On the other hand, methanization leads to better waste management. Indeed, this process makes it possible to treat various types of organic waste such as agricultural, industrial, and domestic waste, etc. As a result, it reduces the amount of waste sent to the landfill.

Methanization therefore allows farmers to develop the rural economy. Indeed, individually or collectively, they can generate additional income through the sale of biogas and digestate. In short, farms are becoming more energy self-sufficient!

France's objectives for methanization

Key figures

🌱 Production target set by the Multiannual Energy Program (PEE): 24 to 32 TWh/year of biogas consumed.
🌱 2028 target for electricity produced from methanization: 340 to 410 MW.
🌱 CO2 emissions during the operating phase: between 23 and 44 g eqCO2/kWh..
🌱 2021 biogas production: 11 TWh, or 4.4% of the renewable energy production mix.
🌱 Cost of MWh of biomethane produced: 90 – 125 € hT/MWh in 2022 (estimated between 60 and 80 € hT/MWh in 2028).

In France, methanization is one of the major levers considered to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. What does that mean? You are probably aware that the French government has committed to increasing the share of renewable energy (RE) in final energy consumption to 40% by 2030.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the use of biogas as a renewable gas is the perfect alternative to reduce dependence on carbon-based energy sources (particularly Russian gas). Ademe, the ecological transition agency, estimates that this would require injecting a quantity of biomethane into the natural gas network every year equivalent to 10% of national gas consumption, or 40,000 GWh. But don't panic, France is on the right track! As the leading European country in terms of agricultural biomass production, France should easily reach the 5,000 methanization units planned for 2030 (1,000 methanization units were recorded as of January 1, 2021). We must continue the efforts already underway!

Invest in biogas with Enerfip!

Enerfip, as a crowdfunding platform dedicated to the energy transition, stands out for its commitment and its vision of tomorrow's world. Investing in biomethane plants using our solution offers you a real opportunity to combine decarbonization of the investment and financial profitability. By contributing to the development of biogas projects, you are participating in the transition to cleaner energy. In short, trusting Enerfip means supporting sustainable initiatives while enhancing your financial portfolio.