Biomethane production trial begins in Sydney

A trial of a biomethane project has begun at Sydney Water’s Malabar Wastewater Recovery Plant. The pilot program will use renewable biomethane to help up to 13,000 homes with their energy needs.

Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the provision of the renewable gas that has been produced from wastewater will help households reduce their carbon footprint in a more sustainable way.

“The Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility will create approximately 95,000 gigajoules of biomethane, from organic material in wastewater, to supply gas to around 6300 homes by the end of the year, with the capacity to double production by 2030,” Anderson said.

“This five-year pilot will put gas directly into the supply network and will also help industries across NSW meet their net-zero emissions targets, with the facility able to turn waste material into a new clean energy source.”

Sydney Water’s General Manager of Asset Lifecycle Paul Plowman said the project is expected to remove 5000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

“As Greater Sydney grows and the volume through our network increases, innovation-based partnerships will be crucial to unlocking the potential of wastewater to help power Greater Sydney,” Plowman said.

The $16 million project is a joint partnership between the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) — which has provided a $5.9 million grant — and the NSW Government, Sydney Water and energy infrastructure company Jemena.

It is expected that the entire system will be completed by the year’s end, with the gas supplied to the network soon after.