What is LBG?
If organic matter breaks down in an oxygen-free environment, we get biogas. It is virtually identical to natural gas, but more sustainable since we do not need to extract fossil resources to create it. Even better, if we turn this biogas into a liquid, it becomes LBG, or liquefied biogas – a highly compact, highly effective energy source that burns cleanly and helps protect our climate.
For the transport sector, LBG has the potential to greatly reduce harmful emissions from trucks and ships. Biogas comes from resources that are already part of the carbon circulation – such as manure. If we develop our capacity to use these resources, we move towards a more sustainable future.
Here is an example of how LBG production is a responsible solution that can lead to immediate gains for both people and planet:
1. Plants absorb CO2 and get eaten by livestock
All green things need carbon dioxide (CO2) in order to perform photosynthesis. They absorb this CO2 from the air, binding it in the process. When plants get eaten by livestock, this carbon becomes part of the animal – and some of it gets expelled as manure.
2. Manure from animal agriculture is collected
Most of Denmark’s biogas production – about 75% – comes from animal manure. This manure is rich in methane (a greenhouse gas that is 25 times stronger than CO2) that seeps into the atmosphere if the manure is spread directly on the farmer’s field.
3. Degassing separates the methane
Degassing manure in a biogas plant collects the methane in tanks. We can then convert it into fuel for trucks and ships by turning it into LBG – Liquefied Biogas. This can be done directly at the biogas plant, or the biogas can be transferred via the gas grid to a remote liquefaction plant.
4. LBG can be used for refuelling and bunkering
The degassed and liquefied biogas is an efficient and highly compact source of energy that is easy to transport. It is therefore ideal for trucks and ships that have previously been reliant on diesel – and it saves our atmosphere from large amounts of CO2 and other harmful pollutants.
5. Biogas reduces CO2 emissions
One kilogram of methane is equivalent to approx. 25 kg of CO2 – but when that same amount of methane burns in a truck or ship engine, it only emits 2.5 kg CO2. In other words, the amount of methane equal to 25 kg of CO2 decreases to only 2.5 kg CO2. As a result, the process reduces the manure’s impact on the climate by 90%. The small amount of CO2 that ends up in the atmosphere gets re-absorbed by plants – and the cycle can start anew, indefinitely.
6. The climate pay-off is immediate
Trucks that run on biogas already exist. Truck companies can transition to this greener fuel immediately. Other green technologies for trucks and ships are still potentially many years away from being viable.
When viewed across the entire production cycle, biogas leads to a 179-202% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to diesel.*
*According to a study by the European Parliament
7. Plants benefit from degassed manure
When the degassed manure returns to the farmer, it can still be used as a fertiliser. In fact, it is now even better: it is less smelly than before, and plants can more easily absorb its nutrients.
What is LBG?
Biogas comes from resources that are already part of the carbon circulation, such as animal manure. When cooled down, the biogas turns into a liquid, and the result is liquefied biogas (LBG) – a highly compact and effective energy source that burns cleanly and helps protect our climate.
From manure to responsible fuel - download the 7-step journey here
