Biomethane in Europe: Challenges, Standards and Innovative Solutions

Biomethane is emerging as a key pillar of Europe’s energy transition. The number of injection stations connected to gas networks is steadily increasing, driven by strong policies to upgrade biogas into biomethane across countries such as France, Spain, and Italy. While the primary application remains injection into gas networks, biomethane also opens the door to new uses, including local energy supply and mobility solutions.

What Does an Injection Station Include?

Each biomethane injection station is designed to meet strict safety and quality requirements. It typically comprises 3 main elements :

Gas skid for connection and metering
Ensures safe integration with the network and accurate flow measurement.
Gas analysers for quality control and odorant monitoring
Chromatographic gas systems verify gas composition and monitor odorant levels such as THT (tetrahydrothiophene) or mercaptans, depending on national regulations.
Odorisation system for secure injection and distribution
Guarantees compliance with safety standards by maintaining odorant concentration within a few milligrams per cubic metre.

These stations operate under varying conditions:

Agricultural installations: flow rates from a few dozen to several hundred Nm³/h.
Industrial installations: typically a few hundred up to 3,000 Nm³/h in general.
Pressure ranges: from low-pressure networks (a few bar up to 25 bar) to high-pressure systems approaching 70 bar.

Maintaining a stable odorant concentration across these ranges is critical for operational safety and regulatory compliance.

Innovative Odorisation Solutions

ODOROY

ODOROY skid combines performance and compact design with advanced features for remote monitoring, alarm management, and telemaintenance—meeting the stringent expectations of gas network operators.

LVO (Low Volume Odorizer)

A 100% autonomous pneumatic system for low-flow injection, operating with compressed air or nitrogen at 2 bar. Proven over decades, these systems deliver precise micro-litre dosing per pump stroke in ATEX zones.

ZEO (Zero Emission Odorizer)

The ZEO is a "total systems approach" designed to be an incredibly versatile system for low, mid, and high flow rates. This makes it ideal for scalability.

Beyond Network Injection: Emerging Applications

While network injection remains the primary application, biomethane is increasingly used for:

On-farm energy autonomy
Agricultural mobility: manufacturers such as New Holland now offer tractors powered by biomethane.

These developments highlight biomethane’s versatility and its role in decarbonising multiple sectors.

Why Partner with Milton Roy?

Proven expertise in gas odorisation and injection systems.
Solutions tailored for low and high flow rates, across diverse pressure ranges.
Commitment to safety, compliance, and operational excellence.