Bio-LNG Takes France Toward Greener Mobility
ENGIE, a French energy supplier with a major focus on sustainable energy, through its wholly
owned subsidiaries GNVert and LNGeneration is contributing to the development of a new “green
gas” sector in France. Bio-LNG (Liquefied Biomethane) offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly fuel
solution for the transport sector.
The SIAAP1 wastewater treatment plant in Valenton (Val-de-Marne region), is the site of a pilot
project known as “BioGNVAL” involving several partners under the coordination of SUEZ. The first of
its kind in France, the initiative uses the plant’s wastewater sludge generated by millions of
Parisiennes to produce Bio-LNG and liquefied CO2. A 100% renewable energy source, Bio-LNG is
bringing added flexibility to the use of biomethane: in addition to injection into the natural gas grid,
significant new growth opportunities are opening up for green mobility and off-grid power generation.
LNG (liquefied natural gas) offers real advantages:
Environmental: LNG reduces nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) by up to 85%2 and emits virtually
no fine particulates, compared to gasoline and other traditional fuels. As a renewable energy
source, Bio-LNG reduces CO2 by 90%.
Energy density: Liquefaction reduces the volume per cubic meter of natural gas by a factor of
600. LNG is the solution for compact storage of large amounts of energy. For this reason, LNG-
powered vehicles have a longer autonomous range—up to 1,000 km—than gasoline-powered
vehicles.
Economical: Historically, natural gas has been the least expensive energy source. Savings
generated by conversion to natural gas, either as a vehicle fuel or for power generation, can be
on the order of 25% of an annual budget.
Speed of implementation: In less than 6 months, ENGIE subsidiaries have the capacity to
install LNG for any use (vehicle fuel, electricity generation, etc.).
Finally, as fuel, natural gas (LNG, CNG – compressed natural gas) also cuts engine noise nearly in
half. Bio-LNG has the added attractiveness of being a 100% renewable energy source.
ENGIE is contributing to the development of retail LNG and natural gas mobility
As a specialist in the distribution of alternative fuels, GNVert’s role in the “BioGNVAL” project is to
convert the liquefied biomethane produced at the site into bio-fuel. In particular, GNVert has conducted
tests using Bio-LNG to power LNG engines. The tests were performed in Val- de-Marne, France, at its
Rungis LNG/CLNG (compressed liquefied natural gas) filling station, the first of three GNVert liquefied
natural gas filling stations built within the framework of the European LNG “Blue Corridors”3 project.
LNGeneration, which specializes in supplying LNG and Bio-LNG to end users, is positioned downstream
in the BioGNVAL project; its role is to recover the liquefied biomethane produced. LNGeneration offers
its customers a full range of “turnkey” solutions, from delivery of LNG by tanker truck from a LNG
terminal to end site, to construction and maintenance of LNG storage and regasification facilities, to
sales of LNG and Bio-LNG to end users.
The potential for biomethane production that is not injected into the grid is calculated at 18 TWh by
2030, according to the trend scenario in the ADEME roadmap (French Environmental and Energy
Management Agency).
In March 2016, ENGIE announced that it will invest nearly €100 million between now and 2020 in new
CNG and LNG filling stations in Europe. The Group has also invested in LNG marine fuel, partnering with
NYK and Mitsubishi on the construction of an LNG bunkering vessel and establishing an LNG supply
platform in Antwerp for both trucks and ships. ENGIE is leveraging its recognized expertise and, in
particular, its 15 years of experience operating 140 CNG filling stations, primarily in France, and
commissioning the first four LNG filling stations in France and the Netherlands, to accelerate the
development of green gas mobility.
https://www.ngvglobal.com/blog/bio-lng-takes-france-toward-greener-mobility-0513
