Renewable Natural Gas: What it is and why it matters for the future of energy
As the energy industry works toward a lower-emission future, one solution is gaining ground: renewable natural gas. Also known as RNG or biomethane, this alternative fuel offers a way to reduce waste, cut emissions, and make better use of existing gas infrastructure.
But what is renewable natural gas — and how does it fit into the bigger energy picture? In this article, we explore what RNG is, how it’s produced and applied, and why efficiency and responsible use are essential — for today and for the future.
What is renewable natural gas?
Renewable natural gas is a fuel derived from organic waste. Instead of being extracted from underground reservoirs like fossil gas, RNG is created from:
- Landfill gas
- Agricultural waste (like livestock manure)
- Food and beverage processing residues
- Wastewater treatment facilities
This waste is broken down through anaerobic digestion, producing biogas — a mix of methane and carbon dioxide. The gas is then cleaned and upgraded into biomethane, which is chemically nearly identical to conventional natural gas.
Once upgraded, it can be injected into existing pipelines, used as vehicle fuel, or burned in gas engines for electricity and heat.
How renewable natural gas is used
Because RNG is fully compatible with fossil natural gas, it can be used in the same systems — without needing major infrastructure changes. Common applications include:
- Residential heating and cooking, by blending into the existing gas grid
- Electricity generation, in dedicated or hybrid gas-fired plants
- Industrial use, including process heating and steam production
- Vehicle fuel, particularly in heavy-duty fleets powered by CNG or LNG
- Backup and off-grid energy systems, including gas-powered CHP units
RNG is also increasingly used in decentralized power solutions, where reliability and sustainability are both top priorities.
RNG vs. fossil-Based natural gas: What’s the difference?
While RNG and fossil gas are chemically similar, their environmental impact and origins are very different:
| Feature | Renewable Natural Gas | Fossil Natural Gas |
| Source | Organic waste (landfills, manure, etc.) | Underground fossil reserves |
| Carbon footprint | Low to negative (if managed well) | High (emits CO₂ and methane) |
| Renewability | Renewable, part of a circular system | Non-renewable |
| Compatibility | Fully compatible with existing infrastructure | Already in use |
RNG offers significant environmental benefits — especially when it captures methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. But supply is limited, and production remains more costly than fossil gas.
The benefits and limitations of renewable natural gas
RNG is a meaningful step in the right direction, but not a one-size-fits-all answer. Its impact depends on how it’s produced, transported, and used. In the following, we provide an overview of the most important benefits and limitations of renewable natural gas.
Benefits of renewable natural gas
- Converts waste into usable energy
- Helps reduce methane emissions
- Compatible with pipelines, engines, and power systems
- Supports energy diversification and resilience
- Enables local, decentralized energy production
Limitations of renewable natural gas
- Limited feedstock and geographic availability
- Higher production and upgrade costs
- Methane leakage risk must be carefully managed
- Should be used strategically — not as a universal solution
The future of renewable natural gas
RNG has a growing role in national energy strategies, especially in hard-to-electrify sectors like transport and heavy industry. It’s also valuable as a bridge technology — supporting the energy transition while other renewables scale up.
Looking ahead, we’ll likely see more:
- Policy incentives for RNG production and adoption
- Integration with hydrogen, battery storage, and biomass systems
- Use in carbon-neutral industrial processes
- New opportunities in agriculture, municipal energy, and waste management
But as with all energy sources, success depends on using RNG efficiently and responsibly.
How to use renewable natural gas more efficiently: Different solutions
Even renewable energy needs to be handled wisely. Just because RNG is cleaner doesn’t mean it can be used wastefully. In fact, its environmental benefit hinges on how efficiently it’s converted into power.
Here’s how natural gas — including RNG — can be used more efficiently and with less environmental impact:
- Upgrade engines and systems to ensure high energy conversion rates
- Use Combined Heat and Power (CHP) setups to recover and use waste heat
- Implement predictive maintenance to prevent energy loss and reduce downtime
- Install low-emission parts and filters to reduce air pollutants
- Fine-tune gas engines to the specific properties of RNG, which can differ from fossil gas
Each of these measures extends the value of the fuel and reduces unnecessary emissions. When energy systems run more efficiently, they don’t just perform better — they become more sustainable.
PowerUP — your partner for gas engines
At PowerUP, we specialize in helping our customers get the most out of their gas engines — no matter the fuel. Whether you’re running on fossil gas or transitioning to RNG, we deliver precision-engineered spare parts, custom upgrades, and smart monitoring solutions to keep your engines efficient and reliable.
We support:
- Upgrades that improve combustion, reduce emissions, and increase uptime
- Condition-based overhauls and expert field service
- Reliable performance in over 40 countries — even in critical infrastructure
We believe that repairing is better than replacing — not just for your engine, but for the environment too.
When it comes to renewable natural gas, how you use it matters. We make sure you use it wisely.
