Green gas can deliver the province of Utrecht an emission reduction of 300 kton CO₂-eq per year by 2030. The potential is based on studies by RVO and CE Delft, translated to the Utrecht context.
What it is
Green gas from biomass is a bridging solution between the present and the intended energy future. Because sun and wind are not always available, green gas can supply electricity on demand. It involves short, cyclical CO₂: biomass captures carbon as it grows, releases it when burned, and new planting reabsorbs it. Replanting is therefore crucial. Origin is decisive: residual streams from, say, livestock farming are preferred, whereas wood from forests is not a genuine climate solution.
Potential in Utrecht
The potential was determined with the Renewable Gas Roadmap (RVO, 2014) and a CE Delft study, translated to Utrecht based on the number of households (7.24% of gas use, equal to 159 million m³). The plausible scenario replaces 25.6 million m³ of grey gas and yields 50 kton CO₂-eq reduction; the ambitious scenario replaces 159 million m³, reaching 300 kton.
Co-benefits
Green gas uses residual streams that would otherwise go to waste, such as mowing residue and pruning wood, and can flexibly step in when sun and wind fall short — bridging the way to a fully renewable energy system.
Provincial policy
The provincial executive wants to minimise large-scale use of biomass for energy over time, permitting it only where no alternative sustainable source is available for heat demand. Low-grade use of wood is being phased out: no wood from forests, but biomass from residual streams such as mowing residue and pruning wood from verges and nature areas is allowed.
In practice
Within the ARBOR project, the province of Utrecht worked with businesses to convert surplus verge grass into green gas through fermentation — finding a useful and financially viable use for verge grass.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ can green gas save in Utrecht?
According to this assessment, up to 300 kton CO₂-eq per year by 2030 (ambitious scenario), or 50 kton in the plausible scenario, provided it is made from residual streams.
Why is green gas a bridging solution?
Because sun and wind are not always available, green gas can step in on demand on the way to a fully renewable system.
When is green gas actually a climate solution?
Only when made from residual streams (such as mowing residue and pruning wood) with replanting; wood from forests does not count as a genuine climate solution.
Source: Preliminary Climate Solutions Assessment for the province of Utrecht (Drawdown Europe & New Economy, 2021), based on the Project Drawdown methodology. Part of the sector-based climate action plan for the province of Utrecht.