Renewable natural gas

Énergir has been actively promoting the development of municipal biomethanation projects since the very beginnings of the renewable natural gas (RNG) industry in Québec. RNG, also known as biomethane, is a future-forward choice to help municipalities ban organic waste from landfills by 2022, in addition to being a true lever for achieving Québec’s climate change goals. Indeed, it is a 100% renewable and carbon-neutral energy source, which is crucial to a circular economy for municipalities!

How is RNG produced?

  1. Inputs: RNG is produced by the degradation of organic materials from domestic, and especially agricultural and industrial waste. For example, it can be produced from table scraps, food processing residues, manure, slurries, as well as sludge from wastewater treatment plants.
  2. RNG production: The organic materials are routed to a biodigester to be transformed into biogas. This biogas is purified to produce a gas – RNG - that is perfectly interchangeable with conventional natural gas. The process also produces a digestate that can be used as a fertilizer.
  3. Injection: The RNG is measured, odorized, controlled, and then injected into the Énergir network to be distributed all over Québec.
  4. Energy recovery: Once injected into the Énergir network, the RNG can be used for the same purposes as conventional natural gas: transportation, heating, cooking, hot water, etc. Also, since it is produced locally, the RNG helps in developing a circular economy in the regions.

RNG production: Who can do it?

  • Regions and municipalities

    • Residential organic residues
    • Sludge from wastewater treatment plants

  • Farmers

    • Manure and slurries
    • Agricultural residues

  • Landfill sites

    • Biogas captured on-site
    • Organic residual materials

  • Insdustries

    • Organic materials
    • Mud from treatment

How to generate revenues?

The market is currently favourable to the development of RNG production projects and Énergir* offers you advantageous conditions for the purchase of RNG:
  • Take advantage of a long-term contract (5-20 years) so revenues are more predictable;
  • Benefit from a feed-in tariff of up to $22/GJ (equivalent to $50/tonne of treated residual organic material)

We can help you at every step of your project

  • Help the start-up of your project
  • Choose a potential site
  • Answer technical questions
  • Share best practices and actual case studies
  • Put your teams in contact with partners
  • Facilitate networking between the project’s stakeholders
* Subject to approval by the Régie de l’énergie of the terms and conditions outlined in Dossier R-4008-2017 of the measures related to the purchase and sale of RNG.