Your Biomethane Development Pathway, VIC
Published 2026-10-25
This assessment evaluates the feasibility of converting manure from a 1,000 head housed dairy herd into 1,200 Nm³/day of biomethane. The preferred next investigation is a comparison between gas injection and on-site electricity generation (3,900 kWh/day) to identify the most efficient connection route. This could change if local gas grid proximity is unfavourable or parasitic loads exceed generation. The immediate next action is to confirm the actual manure collection rate to verify feedstock volumes.
Action plan
Confidence 0%
First / Verify manure collection volumes and moisture content through a 14-day weighing trial.
Next / Map site coordinates against VIC gas and electricity network assets to determine connection feasibility.
Then / Select between biomethane, electricity, or hydrogen pathways based on connection cost estimates.
Decision gate / Review EPA permission requirements (A07a/b) against the proposed facility design to confirm planning viability.
Developing this pathway in VIC
Confidence 0%
Victoria presents a mature organic waste sector, with 7 existing anaerobic digestion or biomethane records, including Nova Power at Traralgon and Yarra Valley Water at Lilydale. However, these are largely utility or network-scale operations.
Why it matters for you / Regulatory compliance determines your operational license. Small versus large scale organic processing has different EPA triggers. / Evidence needed / Finalised throughput tonnage to determine if category A07a or A07b applies. / Next action / Initiate a pre-referral meeting with EPA Victoria. / Who confirms it / EPA Victoria (VIC-2, VIC-3, VIC-4).
Why it matters for you / The management of digestate is a critical post-processing cost and regulatory factor in Victoria. / Evidence needed / A nutrient management plan compliant with Victorian standards. / Next action / Define the digestate application area or third-party removal contract. / Who confirms it / EPA Victoria (VIC-5).
Why it matters for you / Biomethane injection is not an automatic right and requires specific gas quality and pressure standards. / Evidence needed / A preliminary enquiry response from the gas network operator. / Next action / Submit a formal connection enquiry. / Who confirms it / The relevant gas network operator (VIC-6).
Project Status and Objectives
Confidence 0%
The project objective is to investigate the development of a biomethane plant in Victoria using manure from a 1,000 head housed dairy herd as the primary feedstock. The model ecosystem-1.0.0 indicates a potential output of 1,200 Nm³/day of biomethane over 346.75 operating days per year. Alternatively, the resource could support 3,900 kWh/day of electricity or 158 kg/day of hydrogen. Currently, the plant location and network connection points remain unresolved. While the housed nature of the herd suggests high manure recovery, the actual tonnage available for digestion is assumed rather than verified. Commercial viability not established; the next task is the completion of a feedstock and logistics audit to confirm volume.
Commercialisation screen
Confidence 0%
Commercial viability not established. The current model provides volumetric outputs but lacks the financial inputs required for a final investment decision. The next task is the development of a CAPEX and OPEX budget based on the selected conversion technology.
Known factors include the modelled 1,200 Nm³/day gas output and 3,900 kWh/day electricity potential. Unknown factors include offtake terms, net electricity after parasitic loads, and the market value of biogenic CO2. Biogenic CO2 sales cannot be inferred from the recoverable mass at this stage. Additionally, certificates and funding incentives have been excluded from this base case per instructions. While east-coast wholesale gas prices provide context, specific renewable gas premiums are not verified for this project. The 'candidate route' remains biomethane injection until infrastructure costs for gas versus electricity connection are compared.
Your next pathway decisions
Confidence 0%
The primary choice is between the 1,200 Nm³/day biomethane pathway and the 3,900 kWh/day electricity candidate route.
Why it matters for you / Converting to biomethane for grid injection requires proximity to gas infrastructure, whereas electricity may serve on-farm loads. / Evidence needed / A site-specific map showing the distance to the nearest gas distribution or transmission pipe. / Next action / Request a network capability assessment for both gas and electricity. / Who confirms it / Australian Gas Infrastructure Group or the local Distribution Network Service Provider.
Why it matters for you / Feedstock yield is the project foundation. 1,000 cows only provide the modelled 1,200 Nm³/day if collection efficiency is near 100 percent. / Evidence needed / Historical manure weight logs or bedding management plans. / Next action / Conduct a feedstock characterisation study. / Who confirms it / Third-party agronomist or bioenergy consultant.
Why it matters for you / Hydrogen production at 158 kg/day is a secondary candidate route with different market entry barriers. / Evidence needed / Local industrial demand for hydrogen within a viable transport radius. / Next action / Identify regional hydrogen hubs or industrial users. / Who confirms it / Regional development authorities (VIC-1).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1,200 Nm3/day output guaranteed?
No, this is a modelled output based on the ecosystem-1.0.0 engine; actual production depends on feedstock quality and collection rates.
Can I sell the CO2 captured during biogas upgrading?
Commercial viability for CO2 sales is not established; recoverable mass does not equate to a saleable product without a verified buyer.
How does the electricity alternative compare?
The resource can produce 3,900 kWh/day; this is a candidate route that may be more viable if gas grid connection costs are prohibitive.
What Victorian regulations apply to the leftover material?
Digestate management must comply with EPA Victoria guidelines (VIC-5) regarding nutrient application and storage.
Sources & References
Pre-feasibility research only, not engineering, financial or legal advice or a guarantee of supply, demand or price.
Scan an Opportunity