Natural Resources Canada is investing $800,000 in a G4 Insights Inc. project that aims to convert forestry waste into renewable natural gas (RNG) that can be distributed through existing natural gas pipelines in Canada.

G4 Insights has partnered with Enbridge Gas Distribution, FortisBC, Gaz Metro, Union Gas, utility host ATCO, the Natural Gas Innovation Fund, Alberta Innovates, and FPInnovations to build a demonstration plant in Edmonton. The partners are contributing $1.35 million to the project.

“The support from Natural Resources Canada for renewable natural gas is essential to creating a pathway to greenhouse gas reductions that are affordable, reliable and sustainable. This project will advance G4 technology toward commercialization through field trials of enhanced subsystems for robust continuous operation and grid injection,” said Edson Ng, principal at G4 Insights.

“Improving the technology to convert biomass to RNG will support the industry’s aspirational target of blending 10% RNG in the Canadian natural gas distribution system by 2030,” added Timothy Egan, president and CEO at the Canadian Gas Association.

Renewable natural gas produced from sustainably managed forest residue can emit up to 85% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional fossil fuels. Forest residue, which includes all parts of the tree, can be converted into solid, liquid or gaseous biofuels such as RNG that can then be burned for energy or used as fuel substitutes for transportation or industrial processes.