Framework to benchmark sustainability of biomethane supply chains: Facilitating sustainability decision making in adopting biomethane as a public transportation fuel in Western Europe

Among various strategies nurtured to triumph energy and climate issues, adoption of cleaner sources for energy production lead in the way. In this article a framework has been presented from a systems perspective to benchmark biomethane supply chains consisting of biogas upgrading, biomethane distribution and refilling. The framework is mostly applicable in the context of Western Europe as far as biogas upgrading technologies and costs are concerned. Even though compressed biomethane has been widely adopted as a vehicle fuel, promoting liquefied biomethane appears to be viable in many aspects. However the upgrading technologies for the latter is still in infancy stages and therefore the accuracy of performance is still not proven solidly. In contrast, venturing into the former guarantees a more secure investment with proven accuracy of results and widespread availability of technological knowhow. Distribution of compressed biomethane through gas grids appears to be a feasible option only in short distances and large scale whereas using trucks with composite swap bodies is the preferable alternative for biomethane distribution otherwise. As a whole, nurturing liquefied biomethane supply chains manifests better performance from both climate and cost perspectives while adopting compressed biomethane supply chains based on gas grids would lead to better energy intensity.