Biogas Sector

The GMI Biogas Subcommittee focuses on building capacity within Partner Countries to leverage common interests across the areas of agriculture, municipal solid waste, and municipal wastewater. These interests include biogas energy use, the types of wastes managed, waste treatment technologies, and the potential for synergistic projects involving input streams from multiple sources. Efforts include developing and promoting tools, policy guidance, and project development resources at the national, state, and city level within Partner Countries.

GMI Technical Groups

Within the Biogas Sector, GMI maintains active technical groups in the areas of agriculture, municipal solid waste (MSW), and municipal wastewater. These groups provide international leadership to mitigate global methane emissions through the abatement, recovery, and use of methane. They promote collaboration between delegates from Partner Countries and Project Network members to build capacity, develop strategies, and expand opportunities for using methane as a renewable energy resource.

Agriculture

Methane emissions come from livestock enteric fermentation, livestock waste management, rice cultivation, and agricultural waste burning.

Municipal Solid Waste

Municipal solid waste management and treatment activities such as landfilling and anaerobic digestion are sources of methane emissions worldwide.

Municipal Wastewater

Methane is produced when the organic material in municipal wastewater decomposes anaerobically.

Recent Resources

For a complete list of available biogas resources, including technical documents, presentations, and tools, please visit the resources page.

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Methane Mitigation from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (2023)

This fact sheet provides an overview of methane emissions generated in both wastewater collection systems and at wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Topics include wastewater collection systems, conventional activated sludge (CAS) treatment systems, aerobic/aerated lagoon treatment systems, and anaerobic lagoon treatment systems. Biosolids management and opportunities for methane mitigation and use are also described.

Establishing Biogas-Powered Cold Storage in Rural India for Methane Mitigation and Sustainable Food Systems (2023)

Mitigating post-harvest food loss can result in economic benefits for farmers, increase food security, and reduce methane emissions from organic waste. An estimated 30 percent of food produced in India is lost or wasted, despite the country ranking 94th out of 100 on the 2020 Global Hunger Index (Bagai, 2020). Almost half of post-harvest food losses in India are attributed to the lack of a reliable cold chain, the integrated network of refrigerated storage facilities, transportation, and merchandising technologies that maintain food quality moving from harvest to the consumer (Peters et al., 2019). Cold-chain technologies are energy intensive and typically powered by fossil fuels. In recent years, there has been a focus on clean energy powered cold-chain solutions, including renewable energy powered cold storage facilities that store commodities immediately after harvest.

Biogas and Gasification Matchmaking Platform (2022)

The Biogas and Gasification Matchmaking Platform facilitates networking among international providers and users of biogas and bio-methane technologies. Developed by the Digital Global Biogas Cooperation (DiBiCoo), the online platform acts as a database of biogas and gasification related stakeholders.

Policy Maker’s Handbook for Measurement, Reporting, and Verification in the Biogas Sector (2022)

The Policy Maker’s Handbook for Measurement, Reporting, and Verification in the Biogas Sector can help government decision-makers overcome barriers in accounting for emissions and emissions reductions from biogas projects. The handbook serves as a high-level resource, intended primarily for national governments, on how applying best practices for project-level Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) in the biogas sector can support national-level objectives.

Market Opportunities for Anaerobic Digestion of Livestock and Agro-Industrial Wastes in India (2020)

The report on the Market Opportunities for Anaerobic Digestion of Livestock and Agro-Industrial Wastes in India will help inform project developers, policymakers, and other interested stakeholders about the potential for biogas capture and use in India. The report estimates biogas production and emission reduction potential from India’s largest agricultural sectors, and it includes an overview of the uses of biogas and digestate, current biogas policies, technology options, and business models relevant for India.

Naucalpan, Mexico Waste Characterization Study (2019)

In March 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – as a lead partner in the Waste Initiative – conducted a waste characterization study at the municipality’s transfer station. The study indicated that approximately 69% of the waste handled at the transfer station could be recycled or otherwise diverted from the landfill, and that more than half of the waste could be used as feedstock in composting or anaerobic digestion projects. The municipality is using the results of the study to inform decision making about the project design and procurement options.

Featured Tools

Check out these featured tools.

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Solid Waste Emissions Estimation Tool (SWEET) (2022)

SWEET is a free Excel tool created by the Waste Initiative. SWEET helps users scope emissions sources such as waste collection and transportation, open burning, landfill gas collection systems, organic waste management projects, waste handling equipment (e.g., bulldozers), and waste incineration facilities. It estimates waste sector emissions including methane, black carbon, and several other pollutants. It also evaluates emissions reduction benefits of multiple alternative waste management scenarios.

Landfill Gas Screening Tool (LFG-ST) (2021)

The Landfill Gas Screening Tool’s goal is to assist cities in assessing the potential feasibility of a landfill gas energy (LFGE) project. It provides a preliminary estimate of how much landfill gas (LFG) a site could collect, and whether that fuel supply is likely sufficient to support a modest-sized LFGE project. LFGE project types include combusting LFG directly to produce heat (e.g., for industrial applications), using LFG to generate electricity, and - in some cases - converting LFG into a compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel vehicles.

Biogas Toolkit (U.S. EPA) (2020)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Biogas Toolkit serves as a centralized knowledge hub for biogas project stakeholders. The toolkit is designed to allow stakeholders to search and browse for information and resources that meet their specific project needs. The toolkit includes information and resources compiled from across several EPA programs, including AgSTAR, the Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP), and GMI.

OrganEcs Version 3.1

OrganEcs is a tool for estimating the costs associated with an organic waste management project. It provides planning-level assistance to local governments, waste professionals, policymakers, facility operators, and project developers to help them make financial decisions about their potential organic waste management projects.

Anaerobic Digestion Screening Tool, Version 2.2

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on behalf of the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), developed the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Screening Tool to assist stakeholders in assessing the potential feasibility of an AD project.

The AD Screening Tool enables users to conduct pre-feasibility analyses to evaluate AD opportunities for a variety of feedstocks, including organic municipal solid waste, livestock manure, agricultural residues, and wastewater. The tool generates the following outputs:

  • Annual biogas and digestate production
  • Project methane emission reductions
  • Potential end uses of biogas, including estimates for electricity production, natural gas production, cooking gas potential, and home heating potential

This tool is intended to help project developers, government agencies, financial institutions, and other stakeholders conduct an initial screening assessment of the technical and financial feasibility of proposed AD projects.

Biogas Wastewater Assessment Technology Tool (BioWATT) (2016)

The Biogas Wastewater Assessment Technology Tool (BioWATT) provides a quick and preliminary assessment of wastewater-to-energy projects. Through BioWATT, users can receive a specific summary of their biogas production estimates for various wastewater-to-energy technologies, electricity generation potential from the produced biogas, greenhouse gas savings associated with biogas-generated electricity, and more.

International Best Practices Guide for Landfill Gas Energy Projects (2012)

Global Methane Initiative’s (GMI) International Best Practices Guide for Landfill Gas Energy Projects provides a broad overview of the development process for LFGE projects in international settings and presents the technological, economic and political considerations that typically affect the success of LFGE projects. The goal of the guide is to encourage environmentally and economically sound LFGE projects by connecting stakeholders with available information, tools and services. The guide is not intended to provide a step-by-step protocol for project development.

Central and Eastern Europe Landfill Gas Model

The Model can be used to estimate landfill gas generation rates from SWD sites, and potential landfill gas recovery rates for disposal sites that have, or plan to have, gas collection and control systems and are located in Central or Eastern European countries. The Model also may be used for SWD sites in other countries which experience similar site conditions and climate, and have waste composition data.

User Manual

Colombia Landfill Gas Model

The Model can be used to estimate landfill gas generation rates from landfills, and potential landfill gas recovery rates for landfills that have, or plan to have, gas collection and control systems in Colombia.

User Manual

Spanish Version: Colombia Landfill Gas Model and User Manual

Upcoming Events

2024 Value of Biogas East Conference

15–17 April 2024, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The annual Value of Biogas East Conference is recognized as a leading event in Canada's biogas and renewable natural gas sectors. The event will serve as a hub for networking opportunities among industry peers and professionals. Featuring a range of presentations from dynamic speakers, attendees benefit from valuable insights, information exchange, and enhanced understanding of biogas and renewable natural gas.


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Biogas Americas 2024

13–16 May 2024, Savannah, Georgia, United States

Biogas Americas is the largest gathering of the United States biogas industry as well as the annual conference of the American Biogas Council. This event brings together stakeholders in the biogas sector, including professionals and decision makers across the industry. With a focus on growing the biogas market through informing, training, and networking, the conference offers many opportunities to learn about the biogas industry.


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10th International Conference on Renewable Energy Gas Technology, REGATEC 2024

15–16 May 2024, Lund, Sweden

The 10th International Conference on Renewable Energy Gas Technology, REGATEC 2024, will be held as a hybrid event from 15-16 May in Lund, Sweden. In collaboration with the national Syn Ferm project and the Horizon Europe project, Carbon Neutral LNG, the conference will feature sessions on methanation and syngas fermentation on the first day, and a biomass gasification symposium on the second day.


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Deep Dive: Manure and Methane - What should we do with it?

16 May 2024, Bristol, United Kingdom

This event will offer an exploration of new perspectives, expansion of knowledge, and networking with fellow enthusiasts on the topic of manure and methane. Confirmed speakers include George Eustice, former Defra Minister, Andy Atkins from IFEAA, Dr. Laura Cardenas from Rothamsted, and Dr. David Lowry from Royal Holloway College. They are joined by Caroline Carroll from Cornwall LEP, Neil Ward from AFN network, James Rundell from Qube Renewables, Chris Mann from Bennamann, Penny Atkins from IFEAA, and Richard Gueterbock from Food Chains. This event will offer both in-person and online participation options.


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International Biogas Congress and Expo

18–19 June 2024, Brussels, Belgium

The International Biogas Congress and Expo brings together leading producers, suppliers, regulators, and other engaged organizations in the biogas sector over a two-day period. High-level speakers, experts in their field, will address a range of topical issues relating to the biogas sector.


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The World Biogas Expo

10–11 July 2024, Birmingham, United Kingdom

The World Biogas Expo, hosted by the World Biogas Association and the Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association, is the global trade show for the biogas sector, where visitors can discover the latest innovations, network, share best practices, and develop business relationships. Held annually, the World Biogas Expo offers thought-leadership and insights into the anaerobic digestion and biogas industry's potential to deliver the circular economy of organic wastes, delivering 50% of the Global Methane Pledge, and a 10% cut in global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.


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International Conference on Biogas Science and Technologies

12 July–9 August 2024, Ottawa, Canada

The International Conference on Biogas Science and Technologies aims to bring together leading academic scientists and researchers to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of biogas science and technologies. This event provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of the biogas science and technology. 


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International Conference on Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas

22–23 July 2024, Berlin, Germany

The International Conference on Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas aims to bring together leading academic scientists and researchers to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of anaerobic digestion and biogas. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns, as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of anaerobic digestion and biogas.

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International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) 2024 Waste to Wealth: Solutions for a Sustainable Future

15–18 September 2024, Cape Town, South Africa

The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) invites you to join them for the ISWA2024 Conference in Cape Town, South Africa from 15 to 18 September 2024 taking place for the first time on African soil.  Come and experience Cape Town, South Africa’s beauty, culture, and vibrance. The conference's aim is to establish a lasting legacy by catalyzing the transformation of Africa's abundant resources from waste to wealth, paving the way for sustainable solutions.


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Biogas PowerON 2024

25–26 September 2024, Copenhagen, Denmark

The 6th European Biogas PowerON 2024 Conference will bring together top-level experts from the biogas sector, including end-users across the entire value chain, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, project representatives, market analysts, consultants, research experts, government representatives, business analysts, and others. This two-day event will feature presentations by industry experts and will highlight case studies, providing a comprehensive overview of the biogas sector, new regulations, changing market dynamics, and more.


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6th International Conference on Renewable Energy, Resources and Sustainable Technologies

26–27 September 2024, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Coalesce Research Group is hosting the 6th International Conference on Renewable Energy, Resources and Sustainable Technologies, a two-day extravaganza that will be taking place from September 26-27, 2024. This event brings together a diverse array of professionals, researchers, and industry leaders from the energy and technology sectors to explore and discuss the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the ever-evolving landscape of energy technology with the theme “Shaping the Future: Sustainable Energy and Developments with New Technologies.” 


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Biogas Subcommittee

Subcommittee Co-chairs

Godfred Fiifi Boadi, Co-Chair
Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources
Ghana

Matt Hamilton, Co-Chair
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Canada

Monica Shimamura, Co-Chair
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
United States

Subcommittee Members

Representatives from 29 countries participate in the Biogas Subcommittee.

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Project Network

Hundreds of Project Network members support methane abatement projects in the biogas sector.

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Biogas Subcommittee Statement of Purpose
Biogas Subcommittee Statement of Purpose

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