In 2014 Wärtsilä Biogas Solutions were instrumental in the development of the UKs first virtual biomethane network. Mark Storey, of Wärtsilä Biogas Solutions explains;
“Around 2,000Nm³/h of biogas from the anaerobic digestion of manure and crop residues is upgraded to biomethane, the gas is then compressed to 250bar prior to transportation to a remote grid injection site. Here the biomethane is blended into a high pressure transmission line with yearlong capacity to accommodate the gas, and without the need for the addition of propane. In the absence of a local grid connection, exporting the gas was the perfect solution. Subsequently, other sites now also inject biomethane into the same injection point, reducing the costs associated with expensive Network Entry Facilities (NEF) which meter, monitor and regulate the gas prior to grid injection."