What if our organic waste could be used to heat buildings?

Énergir is working hard to reduce the carbon footprint of the natural gas it distributes, and believes that RNG is one of the ways to get there. Energir’s regulatory target is to distribute 5% of RNG to its network in fiscal 2025–2026 as a replacement for fossil natural gas. To ensure the distribution of growing volumes, Énergir is sourcing from various North American producers, including a growing number in Quebec. Quebec’s RNG industry has the potential to go much further, and our teams are working hard to mobilize all the players involved in its development.

Our wish is to get the full value out of every food item. However, we are aware that no matter how hard we try to reduce food waste, certain organic materials such as pits, scales and some skins and peels will never be eaten. With renewable natural gas, we want to reuse the organic matter that ends up brown bins to give it a second life bursting with energy.

Énergir firmly believes that making complementary use of a variety of energy sources is an effective way of reducing greenhouse gases from fossil sources. As we always say, you need the right energy in the right place!

That’s why we’re using renewable natural gas to decarbonize energy uses that are difficult to electrify. This is particularly the case when a flame is required in an industrial process, or to heat buildings in areas where electrical capacity is saturated.

The combustion of RNG is not without emissions; it leads to GHG emissions (CO2, CH4, and N2O) just like the combustion of fossil natural gas. CO2 is the main GHG emitted (more than 99% of combustion emissions). However, CO2 emissions from RNG combustion are not targeted by climate change objectives, unlike those from fossil natural gas. Indeed, the CO2 emitted by fossil natural gas releases CO2 that has been sequestered for millions of years in geological formations. On the other hand, the combustion of RNG releases CO2 into the atmosphere (biogenic CO2) that was sequestered in organic residues (food waste, manure, wastewater, etc.), which renew much more quickly. Biogenic CO2 was present in the atmosphere not so long ago, was absorbed by organic residues, and will be absorbed again. The effect of biogenic CO2 on the climate depends on various factors, including the source of organic residues.

Although they are also biogenic, the combustion emissions of N2O and CH4 (less than 1% of combustion emissions) from RNG must be reported in the direct emissions (known as scope 1 emissions) of the person using RNG in its GHG inventory. Biogenic CO2 emitted during combustion must also be quantified but reported separately from scope 1 emissions in the GHG inventory. The regulations governing the greenhouse gas emissions cap-and-trade system in Quebec stipulate that these CO2 emissions must be reported but do not need to be covered by emission allowances under the cap-and-trade system.

In contrast, all GHG emissions (CO2, CH4, and N2O) emitted during the combustion of fossil natural gas must be reported in the direct emissions (scope 1 emissions) of the person using fossil natural gas in its GHG inventory.

The production phases of RNG emit GHGs. GHGs are also emitted during its transmission and distribution.

Énergir has a regulatory obligation to deliver a minimum quantity of RNG during its fiscal year (2% in 2023-2024, 5% in 2025-2026, and 10% in 2030-31). When part of this RNG is not voluntarily purchased by its customers, Énergir must socialize the cost of the remaining volumes among customers who do not purchase the minimum quantity required by the regulation. Thus, if the demand from voluntary customers does not exceed the regulatory threshold regarding the quantity of RNG to be delivered, voluntary purchases will not impact the reduction of GHG emissions in Quebec attributable to RNG. If voluntary purchases exceed this regulatory threshold, they will further reduce GHG emissions in Quebec attributable to RNG.

Customers can include their RNG purchases in their GHG inventories. For more details on how to include GHG emissions from RNG combustion in a GHG inventory, see the question above “How are GHG emissions from RNG combustion accounted for?” 

It is a tarif that allows the distribution of the costs associated with the volume of RNG required to meet its regulatory obligation and unsold to voluntarily customers. Under a regulatory obligation, Énergir is required to deliver a certain quantity of RNG in its network. When part of this RNG is not voluntarily purchased by its customers, Énergir must socialize the cost of the remaining volumes among customers who do not purchase the minimum quantity required by regulation.

We've put together a best practice guide for anyone interested in renewable natural gas (RNG) projects.

• Project sponsors
• Manufacturers with organic materials
• Agricultural producers who wish to participate in or carry out an RNG project
  

Consult the guide (in french only)