Confirmation of quality characteristics and mass balance for transferred biomethane volumes
Biomethane quantities from the European Union and from European third countries – such as the United Kingdom – can be recorded in the dena biogas register via the European Renewable Energy Gas Registry (ERGaR). The quantity and quality of the biomethane to be transferred are checked by an environmental verifier as part of a test procedure and then confirmed in the dena biogas register. Based on these confirmed quantities, certificates of quality are issued which prove that the eligibility requirements for marketing the biomethane on the German market have been met.
The use of biomethane produced abroad is not permitted under the Erneuerbaren-Energien-Gesetz (EEG). Nevertheless, foreign biomethane can be marketed and credited in Germany in the context of other legal regulations: in particular the Gebäude-Energie-Gesetz (GEG), Treibhausgas-Emissionshandels-Gesetz (TEHG) and Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz (BEHG).
GUTcert certifies certain characteristics and the mass balance of your biomethane transferred to Germany – please feel free to contact us.
Your benefits with verified biomethane
Market access
Only verified biomethane can be traded within the GEG, BEHG and TEHG, enabling your company to fully participate in the German biomethane market.
Portfolio diversification
Verification in the German Biogas Register allows biomethane to be marketed in multiple sectors and schemes, reducing dependency, and improving long-term revenue security.
Transparency
The origin, quantity, and use of biomethane are documented in a manner that is traceable and relevant for marketing.
The audit procedure can usually be carried out as a remote audit. This is based on a comprehensive document review and supplemented by an online appointment, in which further questions and, if necessary, technical details are clarified.
Meeting the following criteria is necessary to comply with the GEG: 1; 6; 7; 9; 10; 27; 38; 51.
Experience shows that meeting the following criteria can be challenging in practice:
Criterion 1 – Biomass within the meaning of the Biomass Ordinance Feedstock must fulfil the definition of biomass as defined in the Biomass Ordinance.
Criterion 10 – Renewable process heat The process heat required for the production and processing of raw gas was provided entirely without the use of fossil fuels.
Criterion 38 – Maximum methane emissions Methane emissions during the upgrading of raw biogas are less than 0.2%. The upgrading technology has a major influence on this criterion. An annual measurement is required to verify compliance.
Criterion 51 – Maize cover / maize use in per cent by mass The proportion of maize (whole plant) and cereal grain in the substrate used is limited by law for certain plants.
Meeting the following criteria is necessary to comply with the BEHG and TEHG: 1; 4; 6; 27
