Future Horizons for Biomethane in the Context of the Energy Transition
Biomethane is increasingly regarded as a renewable fuel with a pivotal role in sustainable energy transitions, largely produced through the anaerobic fermentation of organic feedstocks. This work offers a comprehensive overview of its development, addressing the current status of production, management, and utilization within a broad energy context. Technological progress in fermentation-based biogas generation, upgrading, and purification is reviewed, with particular attention to innovations that enhance process efficiency and fuel quality. The analysis also highlights the importance of policy frameworks, incentives, and infrastructure in fostering large-scale deployment, alongside international cooperation to harmonize standards. Emerging trends such as decentralized fermentation units, integration with agricultural systems, and synergies with Power-to-Gas and carbon capture strategies are emphasized as promising pathways. Results underline that innovation, investment, and process optimization are key to improving competitiveness. In conclusion, biomethane derived from fermentation processes is poised to become a cornerstone of low-carbon energy systems, provided that technological advances and supportive policies align with sustainability objectives.
Authors
- Rudolphus Antonius Timmers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8934-3868)
- Dolores Hidalgo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0846-6924)
- Jesús M. Martín-Marroquín (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2725-2067)
- Miguel Ángel Sánchez Gatón (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0700-5031)
- Enrique Pérez-Zapatero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8714-5806)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Fermentation
- Published
- 2025-11-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11110653
- Primary Topic
- Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Production
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00