IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i10p2660-d1660983.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

State and Perspectives of Biomethane Production and Use—A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Małgorzata Pawłowska

    (Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 40B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland)

  • Magdalena Zdeb

    (Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 40B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland)

  • Marta Bis

    (Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 40B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland)

  • Lucjan Pawłowski

    (Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 40B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland)

Abstract

In the face of increasingly frequent natural disasters resulting from climate change and disruptions in the supply chains of energy resources, the demand for energy carriers based on locally sourced renewable resources is growing. Biomethane, derived from biomass and having multiple uses in the energy sector, fully meets these conditions. Analyses of the development and spatial distribution of biomethane production plants, the prevalence of methods of its production, and directions of applications, made on the basis of the data gained from official databases and research papers, are the main subjects of the paper. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of biomethane production, taking into account the results of the life cycle assessments, and the prospects for development of the biomethane market, facing regulatory and policy challenges, are considered. The results of the review indicate that biomethane production is currently concentrated in Europe and North America, which together generate over 80% of the globally produced biomethane. An exponential growth of the number of biomethane plants and their production capacities has been observed over the last decade. Assuming that the global strategies currently adopted and the resulting regional and national regulations on environmental and socio-economic policies are maintained, the further intensive development of the biomethane market will be expected in the near future.

Suggested Citation

  • Małgorzata Pawłowska & Magdalena Zdeb & Marta Bis & Lucjan Pawłowski, 2025. "State and Perspectives of Biomethane Production and Use—A Systematic Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-43, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2660-:d:1660983
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2660/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2660/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Matteo Galloni & Gioele Di Marcoberardino, 2024. "Biogas Upgrading Technology: Conventional Processes and Emerging Solutions Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-29, June.
    2. Christopher Schmid & Thomas Horschig & Alexandra Pfeiffer & Nora Szarka & Daniela Thrän, 2019. "Biogas Upgrading: A Review of National Biomethane Strategies and Support Policies in Selected Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-24, October.
    3. Piotr Sulewski & Wiktor Ignaciuk & Magdalena Szymańska & Adam Wąs, 2023. "Development of the Biomethane Market in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-34, February.
    4. Mirzokhid Abdirakhimov & Mohsen H. Al-Rashed & Janusz Wójcik, 2022. "Recent Attempts on the Removal of H 2 S from Various Gas Mixtures Using Zeolites and Waste-Based Adsorbents," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-20, July.
    5. Cavaignac, Renata S. & Ferreira, Newton L. & Guardani, Roberto, 2021. "Techno-economic and environmental process evaluation of biogas upgrading via amine scrubbing," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 868-880.
    6. Francesco Calise & Francesco Liberato Cappiello & Luca Cimmino & Massimo Dentice d’Accadia & Maria Vicidomini, 2021. "A Review of the State of the Art of Biomethane Production: Recent Advancements and Integration of Renewable Energies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-43, August.
    7. Pellegrini, Laura Annamaria & De Guido, Giorgia & Langé, Stefano, 2018. "Biogas to liquefied biomethane via cryogenic upgrading technologies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 75-83.
    8. Wantz, Eliot & Benizri, David & Dietrich, Nicolas & Hébrard, Gilles, 2022. "Rate-based modeling approach for High Pressure Water Scrubbing with unsteady gas flowrate and multicomponent absorption applied to biogas upgrading," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    9. George Mallouppas & Elias Ar. Yfantis & Constantina Ioannou & Andreas Paradeisiotis & Angelos Ktoris, 2023. "Application of Biogas and Biomethane as Maritime Fuels: A Review of Research, Technology Development, Innovation Proposals, and Market Potentials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-25, February.
    10. Wantz, Eliot & Lemonnier, Mathis & Benizri, David & Dietrich, Nicolas & Hébrard, Gilles, 2023. "Innovative high-pressure water scrubber for biogas upgrading at farm-scale using vacuum for water regeneration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    11. Abd, Ammar Ali & Othman, Mohd Roslee & Helwani, Zuchra & Kim, Jinsoo, 2023. "Waste to wheels: Performance comparison between pressure swing adsorption and amine-absorption technologies for upgrading biogas containing hydrogen sulfide to fuel grade standards," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    12. Naquash, Ahmad & Agarwal, Neha & Nizami, Muhammad & Nga, Nguyen Nhu & Aziz, Muhammad & Lee, Moonyong, 2024. "Unlocking the potential of cryogenic biogas upgrading technologies integrated with bio-LNG production: A comparative assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 371(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Khan, Muhammad Usman & Lee, Jonathan Tian En & Bashir, Muhammad Aamir & Dissanayake, Pavani Dulanja & Ok, Yong Sik & Tong, Yen Wah & Shariati, Mohammad Ali & Wu, Sarah & Ahring, Birgitte Kiaer, 2021. "Current status of biogas upgrading for direct biomethane use: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    2. Apoorva Upadhyay & Andrey A. Kovalev & Elena A. Zhuravleva & Dmitriy A. Kovalev & Yuriy V. Litti & Shyam Kumar Masakapalli & Nidhi Pareek & Vivekanand Vivekanand, 2022. "Recent Development in Physical, Chemical, Biological and Hybrid Biogas Upgradation Techniques," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-30, December.
    3. Han, Siyu & Meng, Yuan & Aihemaiti, Aikelaimu & Gao, Yuchen & Ju, Tongyao & Xiang, Honglin & Jiang, Jianguo, 2022. "Biogas upgrading with various single and blended amines solutions: Capacities and kinetics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    4. Abd, Ammar Ali & Othman, Mohd Roslee & Helwani, Zuchra & Kim, Jinsoo, 2023. "Waste to wheels: Performance comparison between pressure swing adsorption and amine-absorption technologies for upgrading biogas containing hydrogen sulfide to fuel grade standards," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    5. Orlando Corigliano & Marco Iannuzzi & Crescenzo Pellegrino & Francesco D’Amico & Leonardo Pagnotta & Petronilla Fragiacomo, 2023. "Enhancing Energy Processes and Facilities Redesign in an Anaerobic Digestion Plant for Biomethane Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-29, August.
    6. Krystian Butlewski, 2022. "Concept for Biomass and Organic Waste Refinery Plants Based on the Locally Available Organic Materials in Rural Areas of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-19, May.
    7. Joanna Kazimierowicz & Marcin Dębowski & Marcin Zieliński, 2025. "Innovative Method for Biomethane Production Based on a Closed Cycle of Biogas Upgrading and Organic Substrate Pretreatment—Technical, Economic, and Technological Fundamentals," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-26, February.
    8. Frank K. Radosits & Amela Ajanovic & Michael Harasek, 2024. "The relevance of biomass‐based gases as energy carriers: A review," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(4), July.
    9. Abd, Ammar Ali & Othman, Mohd Roslee & Majdi, Hasan Sh & Helwani, Zuchra, 2023. "Green route for biomethane and hydrogen production via integration of biogas upgrading using pressure swing adsorption and steam-methane reforming process," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 64-78.
    10. Matteo Galloni & Gioele Di Marcoberardino, 2024. "Biogas Upgrading Technology: Conventional Processes and Emerging Solutions Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-29, June.
    11. Francesco Liberato Cappiello & Luca Cimmino & Marialuisa Napolitano & Maria Vicidomini, 2022. "Thermoeconomic Analysis of Biomethane Production Plants: A Dynamic Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-23, May.
    12. Piotr Sulewski & Wiktor Ignaciuk & Magdalena Szymańska & Adam Wąs, 2023. "Development of the Biomethane Market in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-34, February.
    13. Jepleting, Anceita & Mecha, Achisa C. & Sombei, Dorcas & Moraa, Doricah & Chollom, Martha N., 2025. "Potential of low-cost materials for biogas purification, a review of recent developments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    14. Johannes Full & Mathias Trauner & Robert Miehe & Alexander Sauer, 2021. "Carbon-Negative Hydrogen Production (HyBECCS) from Organic Waste Materials in Germany: How to Estimate Bioenergy and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-22, November.
    15. Padi, Richard Kingsley & Douglas, Sean & Murphy, Fionnuala, 2023. "Techno-economic potentials of integrating decentralised biomethane production systems into existing natural gas grids," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    16. Juan Félix González & Carmen María Álvez-Medina & Sergio Nogales-Delgado, 2023. "Biogas Steam Reforming in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Opportunities and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-35, September.
    17. Qing Guo & Wenlan You, 2023. "Assessing the competitiveness of solar photovoltaic products in comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-pacific partnership countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(7), pages 1-35, July.
    18. Alberto Benato & Chiara D’Alpaos & Alarico Macor, 2022. "Possible Ways of Extending the Biogas Plants Lifespan after the Feed-In Tariff Expiration," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-23, October.
    19. Yusuf, Noor & Almomani, Fares, 2023. "Recent advances in biogas purifying technologies: Process design and economic considerations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    20. Duma, Daniel & Pollitt, Michael G. & Covatariu, Andrei & Giulietti, Monica, 2024. "Defining and measuring active distribution system operators for the electricity and natural gas sectors," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2660-:d:1660983. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.