Gaseous biofuels activities

Bioenergy Association is committed to reducing its own carbon footprint and to avoid travel related emissions undertakes most meetings by video conferencing.

Bio Energy Association LogoThis website is a portal to all information on waste-to-energy and gaseous biofuels in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific and is managed by the Gaseous Biofuels Interest Group of the Bioenergy Association. (often shortened to be referred to as the Biogas Interest Group BIG).

The Bioenergy Association represents the New Zealand bioenergy industry and is the only bioenergy-specific sector association in New Zealand.  We provide assistance and a wealth of bioenergy information to support members' business and promote their expertise and capabilities in the New Zealand, Australian and South Pacific bioenergy sectors.

Bioenergy Association membership is open to anyone with a commercial interest in bioenergy and biofuels.  Our members include land and forestry owners, wood processors, feedstock suppliers, fuel and energy suppliers, equipment supplies, manufacturers, consultants, contractors, energy researchers, educators, regulators and investors.

The Association advocates to Government on bioenergy related policy, develops best practice Technical Guides for New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific, hosts workshops and webinars and assists potential investors in bioenergy based solutions to assess technologies, market opportunities and market risks.

Gaseous Biofuels Interest Group (BIG)

Bioenergy Association activities in the waste to energy and gaseous biofuels areas are lead by the Gaseous Biofuels Interest Group (BIG) which is working to ensure biogas and biomethane becomes a sustainable alternative to natural gas, there is a biomass derived renewable LPG (rLPG) to replace fossil fuel derived LPG,  and that the industry develops efficient, safe and socially and environmentally acceptable practices for all aspects of recycling waste to produce energy.  The interest Group's members include anyone with a commercial interest in the recycling of waste into energy (biogas) and biofertiliser, including consultants and advisors, equipment suppliers and plant design engineers, facility owners and operators and researchers.

Major projects undertaken by the BIG is the revision of the New Zealand standard for farm scale biogas production to bring it up-to-date with more recent regulations and practices, certification of biofertiliser derived from digestate, and advocacy for a renewable gas manadate.  Within the Association wood energy activities are specifically managed by the Solid Biofuels Interest Group. The Liquid Biofuels and Co-products Interest Group has responsibility for liquid biofuel activities and activities contributing to the emerging buioeconomy.

The relevant staff of a member company who are interested in the gaseous biofuels sector are automatically a member of the Gaseous Biofuels Interest Group. The Group activities are managed by a BIG Steering Group which is made up of those Interest Group members who wish to have a say in policy development, advocacy, and best practice guidance. (The Steering Group is where the action is so if you want to influence policy development, advocacy and best practice then members should participate in this group). The members of the BIG Steering group meet by video link every second month. A newsletter and summary of gaseous biofuel activities is provided to the full Gaseous Biofuels Interest Group at least quarterly.

BIG Update

The Biogas Interest Group (BIG) is currently revising and updating the Waste-to-Energy via Biogas Strategy which was developed in 2010.  

The revised Strategy will be based on scenarios for the next few years that were developed for the 2016 "Yes We Can!" Symposium and currently being updated.  These scenarios set out what GHG mitigation could be achieved by increased collection and processing of methane from waste water treatment plant and landfills.  Works has also been undertaken on the development of a new Plan of Action for the gaseous biofuels sector and recommendations on policies and support which Government could provide which would make a difference to the speed of growth in the reduction of methane discharge.  The information is included in Information Sheet 31: GHG reduction using biogas technologies.

Contact the Executive Officer if you would be to be involved in development of the Waste-to-Energy via Biogas Strategy and are not on the Biogas Interest Group Committee list.

The revised Waste-to-Energy via Biogas Strategy will be included in the options being put to Government.

Become a member

Joining the Bioenergy Association is quick and easy. The sooner you join, the sooner you’ll begin to enjoy member benefits. Download a membership application form (includes fees) or contact the Executive Officer to discuss how you can benefit from membership.  As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to become a Bioenergy Association-Registered Biogas Advisor or to advertise in the Biogas Equipment Catalogue.

Members have access to the Association library of reports, conference proceedings and best practice Technical Guides. To access waste to energy and biogas published material access the members area on the Association website www.bioenergy.org.nz

Pacific waste-to-energy Working Group

Interested in waste-to-energy in the Pacific? If you are a consultant or from a Pacific Island country, a member of the Bioenergy Association,  and interested in shareing knowledge and experiences then the Working Group is a place for networking and sharing, while developing collective waste to energy activities. If you wish to join the Working Group or obtain further information contact executive@bioenergy.org.nz

Contacts