Gasum, a leading Nordic energy company, is recognized for its biogas production, which transforms organic waste into renewable energy. As the world intensifies its focus on sustainable energy solutions, biogas production by companies like Gasum plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions, managing waste, and promoting a circular economy.
1. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
One of the primary environmental benefits of Gasum’s biogas production is its role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By processing organic waste in anaerobic digesters, Gasum captures methane—a potent greenhouse gas—that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere from decomposing organic matter in landfills, agricultural waste, and food waste. Instead of allowing methane emissions, Gasum converts it into biogas, which is then used as a renewable energy source.
Moreover, when biogas is used as fuel, it displaces fossil fuels, reducing the overall carbon footprint of energy consumption. Biogas combustion emits significantly lower amounts of CO₂ than traditional fossil fuels, supporting national and international goals to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.
2. Promoting Waste-to-Energy Solutions
Gasum’s biogas production relies heavily on organic waste materials, including agricultural residues, food waste, and wastewater sludge. By collecting these materials for biogas production, Gasum actively promotes a circular economy, where waste is no longer a byproduct but a valuable resource for energy production. This waste-to-energy approach diverts organic waste from landfills and other disposal methods that contribute to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Through biogas production, Gasum not only generates renewable energy but also reduces the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills. This process is essential in countries where landfill space is limited and environmental regulations are strict. By integrating waste management with energy production, Gasum helps reduce the environmental footprint of waste disposal, supporting more sustainable resource use across the region.
3. Production of Digestate: An Organic Fertilizer
An often-overlooked environmental benefit of biogas production is the creation of digestate, a nutrient-rich byproduct that can be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Digestate is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it an ideal soil amendment for crops. By recycling nutrients back into the soil, Gasum’s biogas production reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which are resource-intensive to produce and contribute to soil and water pollution.
Using digestate as a fertilizer helps improve soil structure, increases soil biodiversity, and reduces chemical runoff into water bodies. This sustainable agricultural practice also supports healthier ecosystems and promotes a regenerative approach to farming, benefiting both food production and environmental health.
4. Enhancing Air and Water Quality
Biogas production has a positive impact on air and water quality by reducing pollution sources associated with waste management. Traditional organic waste disposal methods, such as open-pit storage and landfills, can generate odors and release harmful gases, negatively impacting air quality in surrounding areas. By collecting and processing organic waste in anaerobic digesters, Gasum reduces odor emissions and prevents the release of harmful pollutants.
Furthermore, when biogas production facilities process wastewater sludge, they contribute to cleaner waterways by minimizing pollutants that would otherwise be discharged into rivers, lakes, or oceans. Digestate application, when managed carefully, also reduces the risk of nutrient runoff, which can lead to eutrophication—a process where excessive nutrients in water bodies cause algal blooms and reduce oxygen levels, harming aquatic life.
5. Supporting Renewable Energy Goals
Gasum’s biogas production supports the renewable energy goals of Nordic and European countries by contributing to a cleaner energy mix. Biogas is a versatile energy source that can be used for electricity, heating, and even as a transport fuel in the form of bio-LNG (liquefied natural gas) or bio-CNG (compressed natural gas). By expanding the availability of renewable energy, Gasum helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels, paving the way toward a more sustainable and resilient energy system.
Biogas as a transport fuel is particularly impactful in reducing emissions from the transportation sector, which remains a significant source of pollution in Europe and beyond. Bio-LNG, produced by Gasum, can be used in heavy-duty trucks and marine vessels, providing an alternative to diesel and other conventional fuels, which are associated with high levels of CO₂ and air pollutants.
Environmental Challenges of Biogas Production
Methane Leakage: Methane, the main component of biogas, is a powerful greenhouse gas. If not properly contained, small leaks during production, storage, or transport can diminish the climate benefits of biogas. During the biogas production process, a biogas analyzer is needed to monitor the composition of the biogas. For example, the OLGA2000 biogas online monitoring system uses advanced photoelectric sensing principles to detect and analyze methane (CH4), oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other gases.
biogas online monitoring system OLGA2000
Nutrient Management: While digestate is a valuable fertilizer, its application must be carefully managed to prevent nutrient runoff, which can lead to water pollution. Gasum and other biogas producers need to work closely with agricultural partners to promote responsible and environmentally safe use of digestate.
Energy Inputs: The biogas production process requires energy for digestion, purification, and storage. Gasum continues to innovate in reducing the energy inputs of its production processes, integrating renewable electricity sources to further reduce the environmental footprint of its biogas operations.
Conclusion
The environmental impact of Gasum’s biogas production is largely positive, contributing to cleaner energy, better waste management, and improved air and water quality. By capturing methane emissions, converting waste to energy, and providing organic fertilizer, Gasum is helping to build a more sustainable, circular economy that supports renewable energy goals and reduces the environmental footprint of waste management.
Manufacturer of biogas analyzer, landfill gas analyzer and extraction monitor, anaerobic digester gas analyzer 