A trial project adding fumes from decomposing* wastewater* into our gas supply* is about to commence operations* in Sydney – with the potential for the technology to be used across the country.
The taps are about to be turned on at the Malabar Biomethane Plant in southeastern Sydney, a facility which traps the biogas* created as organic waste* streams – including agricultural* and industrial waste*, as well as sewerage* – break down.
Gas supplier* Jemena will take the resulting biogas, convert it to pipeline-quality* biomethane*, and blend it in to the natural gas currently pumped to homes via the Sydney network.
Jemena’s Managing Director Frank Tudor said it was a “potential game-changer for Australian energy users”, but consumers would not notice any difference to the little blue flame: home gas will smell and function exactly the same as always.
“We’re forming part of the circular economy*,” Mr Tudor said.
“The gas [from wastewater] that was otherwise just being produced and going to atmosphere without doing any useful work, is now doing useful work.”
The facility has a modest initial target, with a production target of 95 terajoules* of energy per annum* – roughly equivalent to the annual gas consumption* of 6300 Sydney households.
Mr Tudor said using biomethane for cooking and heating would help lower Australia’s overall carbon emissions*, although the reduction would be small at first.
But similar facilities in Europe, China and the USA have shown gas networks can reduce their emissions significantly by blending in biomethane.
One European study suggested the use of biogas rather than natural gas could cut emissions by 85 per cent, Mr Tudor said.
The start of operations at Malabar comes as the gas industry scrambles* to respond to increasing calls* for Australian homes to go all-electric as a way to cut down on total greenhouse gas emissions*.
The ACT now prohibits gas connections for new home builds.
Mr Tudor said the challenge of electrifying* Australian homes was “under appreciated”.
“There’s a lot of work to be done by households if they choose to migrate* from gas to electricity. If we can offer them a choice that (they) can retain gas and it is renewable gas*, we believe that there’s a multitude* of benefits that come from that,” he said.
GLOSSARY
- decomposing: breaking down or rotting
- wastewater: dirty water that comes from homes, businesses, or industries
- gas supply: the source of gas used for cooking or heating
- commence operations: to start working
- biogas: gas produced from organic waste materials
- organic waste: waste that comes from plants or animals
- agricultural waste: waste materials from farming or agriculture
- industrial waste: waste materials from factories or industries
- sewerage: waste materials from toilets and drains
- gas supplier: a company that provides gas to homes or businesses
- pipeline-quality: gas that meets the standard required for use in pipelines
- biomethane: a type of gas produced from the breakdown of organic waste materials, such as agricultural and industrial waste, as well as sewerage
- circular economy: a system where waste is reused or recycled to reduce waste and protect the environment
- terajoules: a unit of energy measurement
- annum: each year or annually
- consumption: the amount of something that is used or eaten
- carbon emissions: gases released into the air that contribute to climate change
- scrambles: hurries or rushes
- increasing calls: growing demands or requests
- greenhouse gas emissions: gases released into the air that contribute to global warming
- prohibits: does not allow or forbid
- electrifying: changing from using gas to using electricity
- migrate: move or switch
- renewable gas: gas that can be produced or obtained again and again
- multitude: a large number or variety
EXTRA READING
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Meet the greenhouse gas makers
Greenhouse gas levels hit record high
QUICK QUIZ
- What is the purpose of the trial project in Sydney involving decomposing wastewater and our gas supply?
- How does the Malabar Biomethane Plant capture biogas? What types of waste does it use?
- What does Jemena do with the resulting biogas from the Sydney facility?
- According to Mr Tudor, what are some potential benefits of using biomethane for cooking and heating?
- Why is the gas industry facing challenges and calls for Australian homes to go all-electric?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. How does it work?
Your task is to create a poster that will help other kids to understand how the Biomethane Plant works. The only rule is that you cannot use any words.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Science; Visual Communication Design
2. Extension
“Biogas is disgusting, I wouldn’t use it!” What would you say to convince someone that this statement is wrong? Write at least two convincing paragraphs. Use information from the story to help you.
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Science
VCOP ACTIVITY
Wow word recycle
There are plenty of wow words (ambitious pieces of vocabulary) being used in the article. Some are in the glossary, but there might be extra ones from the article that you think are exceptional as well.
- Identify all the words in the article that you think are not common words, and particularly good choices for the writer to have chosen.
- Select three words you have highlighted to recycle into your own sentences.
- If any of the words you identified are not in the glossary, write up your own glossary for them.
Extension
Find a bland sentence from the article to up-level. Can you add more detail and description? Can you replace any base words with more specific synonyms?
Down-level for a younger audience. Find a sentence in the article that is high level. Now re-write it for a younger audience so they can understand the words without using the glossary.