Decarbonisation
Evolve are at the forefront of decarbonising Northern Ireland's gas networks. In late 2023, we made history as the first distribution network operator to inject biomethane directly into the grid on the island of Ireland. Discover more about this groundbreaking launch below.
Green Loop System
Our Green Loop System serves as a beacon representing both sustainability and strategic use of existing resources. The process illustrated below goes beyond being a mere product; it acts as a transformative catalyst that has far-reaching effects across various industries and communities.
Homes and businesses
Homes and businesses create waste which has the potential to be utilised as feedstock for AD plants, e.g. out of date food.
Livestock manure, food waste and grass silage
Crops, livestock manure and food waste can be transported to an AD Plant as a feedstock to produce biomethane.
Gas grid
Biomethane is injected into the Northern Ireland gas grid where it displaces natural gas to supply homes and businesses as well as fuelling cars and trucks.
Fuelling cars and trucks
Biomethane can fuel our cars and lorries, as well as tractors used in farming our crops and livestock.
Transportation
Biomethane-fuelled lorries can transport feedstock to the AD plants for processing.
Farming
Farmers can potentially utilise digestate instead of imported fertilisers for their crops. Farming in Northern Ireland is a vital pillar of the economy.
Biomethane
The biogas is upgraded to become biomethane which is similar to natural gas and can therefore be injected into the gas grid.
Processing
The transported feedstock goes through a series of steps involved in converting the organic material into biogas.
Digestate
This is the residual material left over after organic matter undergoes digestion.
Homes and businesses
Homes and businesses create waste which has the potential to be utilised as feedstock for AD plants, e.g. out of date food.
Fuelling cars and trucks
Biomethane can fuel our cars and lorries, as well as tractors used in farming our crops and livestock.
Livestock manure, food waste and grass silage
Crops, livestock manure and food waste can be transported to an AD Plant as a feedstock to produce biomethane.
Gas grid
Biomethane is injected into the Northern Ireland gas grid where it displaces natural gas to supply homes and businesses as well as fuelling cars and trucks.
Transportation
Biomethane-fuelled lorries can transport feedstock to the AD plants for processing.
Biomethane
The biogas is upgraded to become biomethane which is similar to natural gas and can therefore be injected into the gas grid.
Processing
The transported feedstock goes through a series of steps involved in converting the organic material into biogas.
Digestate
This is the residual material left over after organic matter undergoes digestion.
Farming
Farmers can potentially utilise digestate instead of imported fertilisers for their crops. Farming in Northern Ireland is a vital pillar of the economy.
Biomethane: Northern Ireland's Potential
In March 2024, Northern Ireland’s gas network operators – Mutual Energy, GNI (UK), Phoenix Energy, firmus energy and Evolve issued a Request for Information to prospective biomethane producers. The document below is a summary of the results.
Roadmap for biomethane integration
We believe that the Evolve network has the potential to decarbonise our network with 100% biomethane by 2030. See the rollout of this strategy across our key network towns below.
Biomethane producers
If you’re a biomethane producer or considering building a facility, we’re keen to speak with you. Please complete the form below and a member of our decarbonisation team will be in touch.
External articles
MOL Looks to Cow Manure to Supply Biomethane Fuel
A group of Japanese companies is researching cow manure as a source to produce biomethane to fuel th...
Biomethane: Growth in Capacity and Equipment Revenues by 2033 - energynews
The biomethane market is forecasting a major expansion in production capacity and equipment revenues...
Building a Greener Future: Annette Kroll discusses ENGIE’s Renewable Gas Strategy | European Biogas Association
Currently operating 38 biomethane plants across France, the UK, and the Netherlands, ENGIE aims to r...