Green gas certificate

What is green gas?

Green Gas is a sustainable alternative to natural gas. Green gas is biogas that, for example after fermentation, is upgraded to natural gas quality. This is done by extracting CO2 from the biogas, so that it obtains a higher methane content and as such is suitable for things like being fed into the regional or national gas transport network. To prevent the release of harmful substances during use, the gas is cleaned prior to feeding. To make the Green Gas smell just like natural gas, the characteristic odorant THT (tetrahydrothiophene) is added. The end user does not notice the difference in functionality with the gas equipment. Green Gas can act as a replacement gas in virtually all applications for which natural gas is currently used.

Why a green gas certificate?

A green gas certificate proves that a certain amount of gas has been produced in a 'green' manner in a known, recognised installation, from known raw materials and on a known date. The certificate is a guarantee of origin. One certificate represents an energy value of 1 MWh of Green Gas, which is comparable to a volume of around 100 Nm3 of natural gas.

Who controls the issuance and registration of Green Gas certificates?

The issue and registration of Green Gas certificates is the responsibility of Vertogas in the Netherlands. Vertogas is the organisation that certifies Green Gas production in the Netherlands. They keep a close eye on how much Green Gas is produced and by whom, and issues certificates for it. Vertogas also keeps track of how much Green Gas is debited (used) and by whom. This allows Vertogas to ensures a transparent and accurate Green Gas balance and provide a system in which the green value of the gas can be traded and used separately from the physical gas flow. The certificate system of Vertogas relates to gas from renewable sources, so to Renewable Gas. Strictly speaking, Green Gas is Renewable Gas that has been brought to grid quality. This system only applies in the Netherlands.

Green grass certificate inspection

As part of the Vertogas certification system, new Green Gas production installations must be inspected by a certified Green Gas installations inspector. After that they are periodically inspected (once every 5 years). The purpose of the inspection is to demonstrate that the production installation is adequate, effective and efficient in producing Green Gas. This guarantees the quality and reliability of the gas to be certified. An approved production installation is a condition for the certification of Green Gas and the granting of subsidies.

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