What if our table scraps could be used to heat our homes?

Through a process of biomethanation, organic matter (food waste, slurry, manure, wastewater, etc.) is transformed into biogas, which once purified becomes renewable natural gas. This product reduces greenhouse gas emissions in two ways: first, by replacing fossil energy with renewable energy, and second, by avoiding methane emissions associated with the disposal of organic waste at landfill sites. Renewable natural gas is recognized by Natural Resources Canada as a renewable energy and clean fuel that will help Canada achieve its new net-zero emission targets. In addition, according to the Government of Québec’s Regulation respecting mandatory reporting of certain emissions of contaminants into the atmosphere, greenhouse gas emissions for RNG are very low and comparable to hydroelectricity emissions (0.30 kg CO₂-eq/GJ for RNG vs. 0.44 kg CO₂-eq/GJ for hydro).

Yes, if it is produced from a renewable source. There are five main sources of renewable energy: the sun, the earth (geothermal energy), wind, water and organic matter. In the case of RNG, the raw material is residual organic matter. Be it table scraps, wastewater, slurry or farm manure, these materials all have very short renewal cycles.

Énergir is working hard to reduce the carbon footprint of the natural gas it distributes, and it believes that RNG is one of the ways to get there. Its aim is to have RNG represent 5% of the gas injected into its existing network by 2025, replacing traditional natural gas. The cities of Saint-Hyacinthe and Québec already have production projects underway. And the province has the potential to do so much more! This is why our teams are hard at work mobilizing all actors involved in developing these promising projects throughout Quebec.

Our wish is to get the full value out of every item of food. However, we are aware that no matter how much we try to reduce food waste, certain organic materials such as pits, skins and peels will never be eaten. With RNG, we want to reuse the organic materials that end up in brown bins to give them a powerful second life.

Énergir firmly believes that making complementary use of a variety of energy sources is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gases. As we always say, you need the right energy in the right place!

That’s why we rely on RNG as a greener energy source in cases where using electrical power would be too complicated, such as heating a large building or when a flame is required for an industrial process