RNG is natural gas produced from organic waste from farms, forests, landfills, and water treatment plants. The gas is captured, cleaned, and injected into pipelines to be used in the same way as natural gas from any other source.
RNG Production
The RNG production potential for Canada is significant. Estimates in a 2013 report completed by the Alberta Research Council suggest Canadian potential is equivalent to 1,200 billion cubic feet per year – equal to 36% of Canada’s 2017 natural gas consumption.
RNG’s Potential
By the end of 2019, utilities brought online over a dozen RNG projects and the number is consistently growing. With these alone, enough renewable fuel is produced to meet the energy needs of more than 55,000 homes.
The Future of RNG
Canada’s natural gas utilities have set an aspirational target of 5% RNG blended into natural gas streams by 2025 and 10% by 2030. Nationally, the increased RNG content would result in 14 MT of GHG emission reductions per year by 2030, equivalent to removing 3.1 million passenger cars from the road.