CNG Services get Wessex Water gas into the grid

Specialists in the injection of biomethane to the UK gas grid, CNG Services, has played a key role in the design, project management and commissioning of a new ‘gas to grid’ plant at Bristol sewage treatment works run by GENeco, a subsidiary of Wessex Water.

This week GENeco became the first company in the UK to start injecting gas generated from food waste and sewage into the national gas grid network and at the same time install a gas refuelling plant for a compressed natural gas (CNG) bus.

Seventeen mi llion cubic metres of biomethane is generated a year at the Bristol plant and the ‘Bio – Bus’ will be able to travel 300km on a full tank of renewable gas.

GENeco general manager Mohammed Saddiq said: “Through treating sewage and food that’s unfit for huma n consumption we’re able to produce enough biomethane to provide a significant supply of gas to the national gas network that’s capable of powering almost 8,500 homes as well as fuelling the Bio – Bus.”

“Gas powered vehicles have an important role to play in improving air quality in UK cities, but the Bio – Bus goes further than that and is actually powered by people living in the local area, including quite possibly those on the bus itself.

“Using biomethane in this way not only provides a sustainable fuel, but also reduces our reliance on traditional fossil fuels.”

John Baldwin, managing director at CNG Services said: “To start a project of this size and complete it within 14 months is remarkable – we are very pleased to be part of extended GENeco team.”

“This project is highly efficient and sustainable and a major CO2 win for UK plc on the path to 2020 renewable energy targets and better local air quality. Wessex is leading the way both in reducing CO2, producing green gas that can be both used for heating h omes and for fuelling buses”