The REA Biogas Forum has been representing the biogas industry in the UK since 2004, and currently has over 200 member companies. It has been working incessantly over the years to address barriers to the development of the anaerobic digestion industry in the UK and to biomethane injection, often using specialist sub-groups and working closely with government, regulators, the ENA, and other trade associations such as the NFU.
Over the past few years, the Forum has closely engaged with members on the development and policy to support other green gases, such as biomethane from thermal gasification of biomass, bio-propane and, more recently, clean hydrogen.
On 4th March 2021 the REA Board took a decision to formalise the inclusion of other green gases within the scope of the Forum and rename it to REA Green Gas Forum.
This change will make it clearer to members that all green gases are within scope. These include but are not limited to:
- Biogas and biomethane from anaerobic digestion
- Biogas and biomethane from thermal gasification and pyrolysis
- Green, bio-and blue hydrogen (as a transitional option to green and bio hydrogen where all carbon is measured, monitored and used or securely stored)
- Carbon dioxide (where used in or produced by renewable energy)
- Bio-propane / bio-LPG
The REA Green Gas Forum will continue to meet at least once a quarter, in the same way as the former REA Biogas Forum.
The Forum will continue to interact very closely with other Forums or Working Groups of the REA such as:
Going forward we also anticipate close liaison with other Forums of the REA such as the Energy Storage Forum which are particularly relevant to hydrogen.
The Forum will also continue to work closely with the Green Gas Certification Scheme, run by REA’s subsidiary REAL.
The Green Gas Forum has a newly elected Steering Group ie a group of members that will help support the REA Green Gas forum chair and the REA policy team in the coming years, as well as direct REA Strategy for the green gas sector to reflect members’ needs and ensure the progress of the association’s plans and work throughout the year. You can see the Steering Group members here.
Hydrogen working group
The REA is also planning to set up a working group within the Green Gas Forum especially dedicated to hydrogen, its production and uses, aimed at moving the hydrogen agenda forward within Government. The group will help gauge our member’s feedback on the key barriers and challenges of hydrogen adoption as well as inform our key policy recommendations to unlock the potential for hydrogen across heat, power and transport. It will also help co-ordinate and inform REA’s lobbying activities across a number of other Forums, including Renewable Transport Fuels, Energy Storage, Energy from Waste, Markets and Innovation.
The REA’s Offer on Hydrogen is detailed below.
For further information on the name and scope change and to join our future Hydrogen working group, please get in touch with us.