Natural gas is a clean, reliable, and affordable fuel source that can power homes, vehicles, and even businesses. But unlike most of its other fossil fuel cousins, natural gas is actually renewable. Renewable natural gas (RNG) is essentially biogas, a waste-derived fuel obtained from decomposing organic materials. It can supplement conventional natural gas in areas with inconsistent supply.
RNG works like conventional natural gas, providing a practical, reliable, and cost-effective energy solution. Thousands of homeowners, farmers, and business owners use renewable natural gas since it is readily available, replenishable, and storable. It is an effective way to address America’s environmental challenges.
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What is Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)?
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) refers to the pipeline-quality biomethane generated from biomass. Since RNG is exceptionally versatile, carbon-neutral, and compatible with the U.S. pipeline infrastructure, it can be used interchangeably with conventional natural gas. It can also be useful in manufacturing plants, the transportation industry, and homes.
Advantages of RNG
RNG offers a variety of benefits that conventional natural gas can’t fully replicate, including:
- Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: RNG production aims at capturing the methane in animal waste and other biomass sources that would have found its way into the earth. That reduces the greenhouse gases emitted in the atmosphere.
- Improved Waste Management: When you collect and process animal waste from agricultural practices for RNG production, you reduce run-offs into local water bodies. That also helps to reduce contamination of groundwater.
- Enhanced Domestic Energy Production: RNG is readily available as it can be produced domestically. It is a non-fossil fuel energy source that can supplement foreign-generated transportation fuels like oil.
- Diversified Energy Sources: RNG production helps to diversify fuel supplies, increasing fuel security. It’s a great alternative fuel source that can supplement conventional natural gas.
The Future of RNG
Natural gas, renewable or nonrenewable, has proven to be one of the biggest economic drivers in the United States. As the demand for RNG increases, its production also tends to increase, creating more job opportunities in the industry. In the next few years, RNG is expected to become far more common and accessible to businesses that rely on natural gas.
Contact us to learn more about RNG production and applications in the U.S.