Client: Biomethane Purchaser
Date: March 2025
Project Team: Dr Andrew Dyer, Consultant & David Turley, Director
Background:
Anaerobic digestion can be used to produce biomethane using a wide range of wastes, residues and crops products. These feedstocks are increasingly being traded to produce biomethane traded domestically or across connected European gas infrastructure leading to challenges arising due to variations in how feedstocks are treated and rewarded under different policy landscapes.
Objective:
Alder was commissioned to review the way in which different feedstocks are treated under various sustainability systems – RTFO, ISCC, RED (NTA/NABISY) – to enable the risks and opportunities for using specific feedstocks to be quickly and clearly understood. Where feedstock treatment was unclear or would benefit from recognition under RTFO, Alder would support the process of applying for feedstock recognition.
Our Approach:
Initial work focused around creating a wide ranging feedstock list detailing the treatment of each feedstock under ISCC, RTFO, NTA and NABISY. Each feedstock was assessed under a RAG scale regarding whether it would be considered an advanced feedstock or considered for double counting under the RTFO. Commentary was provided to highlight the reasoning for the consideration.
In addition, a decision support tool was produced to assist the client to determine the likely treatment of a feedstock based on key parameters.
Feedstocks from the list which could benefit from inclusion as a named double counted feedstock on the RTFO feedstock list were identified for applications to the Department for Transport (DfT). Applications for recognition as double counting feedstocks were considered and undertaken.
Outcomes and benefits:
The client was well informed on feedstock classification and able to make more rapid and robust feedstock procurement decisions based on the collated list. Wastewater derived from papermaking was accepted as a double counted feedstock through an application from this project 1i https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rtfo-and-saf-mandate-feedstock-materials-used-for-creating-low-carbon-fuels/rtfo-and-saf-mandate-list-of-feedstocks-including-wastes-and-residues#:~:text=Wastewaters%20derived%20from,No