Gasum Highlights Potential of Synthetic Methane Production

Energy company Gasum identifies synthetic methane, or e-methane, produced from green hydrogen as having greater potential than current biogas solutions.

E-methane is manufactured from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Although hydrogen poses storage and transport challenges, e-methane is easily handled and utilizes existing infrastructure and technology for methane-based fuels. Gasum aims to deliver seven terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable biogas annually to the market by 2027.

Mikko Syrjänen, Gasum's Director of Business Development, emphasizes that e-methane is suitable for the green transition in industry, shipping, and heavy road transport. He notes its technical compatibility with biogas and natural gas allows for broad adoption with current systems.

The production potential for e-methane in the Nordics is estimated at 207 TWh per year, utilizing renewable carbon dioxide from sources like forest industry and waste incineration side streams. Syrjänen specifically points to the maritime sector, which faces EU emission reduction mandates but where electrification is not widely feasible with current technology.

Marika Kokko, an associate professor at Tampere University, adds that storing and transferring electrical energy as fuel, such as e-methane, enables efficient utilization of large energy quantities, especially given the variability of renewable electricity production. Gasum is participating in Business Finland's HYGCEL project, which develops value chains for electric fuels.