Green gas
It’s the eco-friendly alternative to natural gas
Green gas is kinder, cleaner, and fossil fuel-free.
What is green gas?
Green gas is the climate-friendly cousin of natural gas.
You might sometimes hear it called “biomethane” or “biogas”. It’s released when food or other natural waste, like manure or crops, biodegrades. This process is called anaerobic digestion.
Just like natural gas, biogas is sent to the national gas grid, where it’s then pumped into homes across the UK. It works just the same as regular, ‘non-green’ gas, powering your heating, hot water, and cooking.
What is green gas?
Green gas is the climate-friendly cousin of natural gas.
You might sometimes hear it called “biomethane” or “biogas”. It’s released when food or other natural waste, like manure or crops, biodegrades. This process is called anaerobic digestion.
Just like natural gas, biogas is sent to the national gas grid, where it’s then pumped into homes across the UK. It works just the same as regular, ‘non-green’ gas, powering your heating, hot water, and cooking.
What is natural gas?
Natural gas is a type of nasty fossil fuel. It’s non-renewable and burning it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – making climate change worse.
It’s mostly made up of methane, and comes from the fossilised remains of ancient animals and plants underground. It’s been down there for millions of years, and is released by drilling or fracking.
What is natural gas?
Natural gas is a type of nasty fossil fuel. It’s non-renewable and burning it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – making climate change worse.
It’s mostly made up of methane, and comes from the fossilised remains of ancient animals and plants underground. It’s been down there for millions of years, and is released by drilling or fracking.
Where does green gas come from?
Green gas is a much newer (and cleaner) source of energy! It’s the result of an organic process called anaerobic digestion. This is where bacteria are used to break down food waste, manure, crops, and other naturally-occurring things.
Because the process of making green gas only uses organic things, the carbon released into the atmosphere is equal to the carbon those things absorbed as they grew. This means that green gas is close to carbon neutral!
Both types of gas – natural and green – are supplied to homes from the same gas grid. So we can’t guarantee that the gas that reaches our members’ homes is green gas – no supplier can.
But to prove that the grid is being topped up with as much green gas as you’re paying for, we buy Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin (RGGO) certificates.
Where does green gas come from?
Green gas is a much newer (and cleaner) source of energy! It’s the result of an organic process called anaerobic digestion. This is where bacteria are used to break down food waste, manure, crops, and other naturally-occurring things.
Because the process of making green gas only uses organic things, the carbon released into the atmosphere is equal to the carbon those things absorbed as they grew. This means that green gas is close to carbon neutral!
Both types of gas – natural and green – are supplied to homes from the same gas grid. So we can’t guarantee that the gas that reaches our members’ homes is green gas – no supplier can.
But to prove that the grid is being topped up with as much green gas as you’re paying for, we buy Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin (RGGO) certificates.
Benefits of green gas
It's nearly carbon neutral
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which makes the climate crisis worse. But biogas is nearly carbon neutral!
It's renewable
We can get more food and farm waste to make biogas - but we can’t get more natural gas once we’ve run out.
It's a good use for waste
We can make use of materials we'd otherwise send to landfill!
Join OVO and upgrade to green gas
How does green gas work?
Green gas works in exactly the same way as natural gas!
After it’s created in an anaerobic digestion plant, it gets sent to the national gas grid. From there, gas travels to your home, where it fires up your central heating and lights your hob.
Just a few years ago, there was no green gas produced in the UK. Even now, it’s more expensive than natural gas, as there’s not as much of it to go around. But as more and more homes go green, the good news is that it should get cheaper and more readily available.
How does green gas work?
Green gas works in exactly the same way as natural gas!
After it’s created in an anaerobic digestion plant, it gets sent to the national gas grid. From there, gas travels to your home, where it fires up your central heating and lights your hob.
Just a few years ago, there was no green gas produced in the UK. Even now, it’s more expensive than natural gas, as there’s not as much of it to go around. But as more and more homes go green, the good news is that it should get cheaper and more readily available.
What is carbon neutral gas?
Carbon offsetting is all about taking responsibility for your carbon footprint. By supporting projects that reduce emissions and fight climate change.
Here at OVO, we support brilliant tree-planting and conservation efforts around the world. Find out more about our carbon offsetting.
What is carbon neutral gas?
Carbon offsetting is all about taking responsibility for your carbon footprint. By supporting projects that reduce emissions and fight climate change.
Here at OVO, we support brilliant tree-planting and conservation efforts around the world. Find out more about our carbon offsetting.
Learn more about renewable energy
How to reduce your carbon footprint
Here’s some simple steps to be more planet-friendly and cut down your carbon footprint from home.
Cut your carbonWhat is green energy?
Find out everything you need to know about where renewable energy comes from and how it works.
Electricity: how much does your home really use?
Have you ever wondered how much electricity the average UK home uses?
See the numbersFrequently asked questions
Green gas is much better than natural gas for the environment, for 3 key reasons:
- Burning natural gas releases carbon emissions, but green gas is nearly carbon-neutral
- Natural gas is a non-renewable fossil fuel, which means it will run out – but green gas is renewable
- Producing green gas via anaerobic digestion creates a use for waste that would otherwise go to landfill
It’s all in the way they’re made. Natural gas comes from material that decomposed naturally millions of years ago, while green gas comes from material that’s been produced and decomposed more recently.
This means green gas can be renewed over and over again. And, unlike natural gas, it’ll never run out. Plus, it’s almost carbon neutral.
Wherever gas comes from, it gets pooled in the national gas network, so we can’t guarantee that the gas you’re using in your home is green – no energy supplier can.
So like most energy suppliers, we buy Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin (RGGO) certificates, which are handed out by the Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) for each unit of green gas that goes into the grid. So you can be sure that the grid is being topped up with just as much green gas as you’re paying for. Go here to find out more.