Your Biomethane Development Pathway, VIC

Action plan

Confidence 0%

First: Complete a feedstock audit to confirm the actual tonnage of manure available for digestion beyond the herd count.

Next: Screen the site against VIC-4 requirements to see if it qualifies as a small-scale organic waste processor.

Then: Request a desktop connection enquiry from the local gas network to see if 441 Nm³/day injection is technically supported.

Decision gate: Commercial viability not established; proceed to CAPEX/OPEX estimation only after feedstock and network access are confirmed.

Developing this pathway in VIC

Confidence 0%

The Victorian market includes 133 public registry records in the bioenergy sector, with 7 specific to renewable gas. Significant operators such as Nova Power and Yarra Valley Water indicate an active but competitive landscape for organic waste. However, network injection for a project of this scale requires specific Victorian gas infrastructure assessment.

Determine EPA permission pathway

• Why it matters for you: Processing organic waste in Victoria triggers specific environmental duties under the Environment Protection Act.
• Evidence needed: Confirmation of whether the project falls under A07a (large) or A07b (small) organic waste processing categories.
• Next action: Submit a pre-lodgement enquiry to EPA Victoria regarding manure digestion permissions [VIC-2].
• Who confirms it: EPA Victoria.

Evaluate gas network connection feasibility

• Why it matters for you: Electricity and gas connections are different infrastructure; a biomethane output of 441 Nm³/day may be below typical commercial injection thresholds.
• Evidence needed: Proximity to the nearest gas distribution or transmission pipeline and the operator’s specific connection requirements [VIC-6].
• Next action: Identify the local gas distribution network operator and request a desktop capacity assessment.
• Who confirms it: Gas Network Operator (e.g., AGIG or AusNet).

Project Objective and Scenario

Confidence 0%

The declared objective is to investigate the conversion of manure from 500 fully housed dairy cows into renewable gas. Under the ecosystem-1.0.0 model (346.75 operating days/year), the selected scenario generates a biomethane output of 441 Nm³/day. Alternatives identified for this gas pool include 313 kg/day of BioLNG or 1,208 kWh/day of electricity. While these figures provide a deterministic baseline for gas volume, commercial viability is not established as CAPEX, OPEX, and offtake terms remain unknown. The project is currently classified as a candidate route because comparison between onsite use and network injection is insufficient without verified network proximity or heat demand data. All recommendations assume the manure is collected at the volume implied by the herd size, though actual collection rates are not yet verified.

Commercialisation screen

Confidence 0%

Commercial viability not established. The next task is to conduct a preliminary CAPEX and OPEX estimation. Currently, there is no verified evidence for the sale of recovered biogenic CO₂ (modelled at 534 kg/day) or hydrogen (78.9 kg/day), as Shelby does not verify these buyer prices. Furthermore, certificates and government funding are excluded from this base case, meaning the project must eventually demonstrate a return on gas or electricity sales alone.

Define offtake and local use terms

• Why it matters for you: Without a buyer or internal thermal load, the 441 Nm³/day output remains a cost rather than a revenue stream.
• Evidence needed: Letters of intent or internal utility bills showing a displacement value for gas or electricity.
• Next action: Map onsite heat and power demand to assess the benefit of 'behind-the-meter' use.
• Who confirms it: Site owner and Shelby development analyst.

Your next pathway decisions

Confidence 0%

The primary pathway decision involves choosing between local gas delivery via injection and onsite conversion to electricity. While 1,208 kWh/day is modelled, the net electricity available after parasitic load is unknown. The transition to biomethane (441 Nm³/day) requires specific infrastructure that differs significantly from electricity connections.

Verify net feedstock availability

• Why it matters for you: Herd size alone does not establish available feedstock; actual manure recovery depends on housing management and washwater volumes.
• Evidence needed: A physical audit of manure collection systems and dry matter content tests.
• Next action: Conduct a feedstock collection rate study over seven days.
• Who confirms it: Operations manager or agricultural engineer.

Assess conversion technology suitabilty

• Why it matters for you: The chosen route (Biomethane vs BioLNG) dictates the complexity of the processing plant and the required capital.
• Evidence needed: A comparison of energy density requirements for local use versus transport needs.
• Next action: Screen conversion technology providers for anaerobic digestion modules scaled to 441 Nm³/day.
• Who confirms it: Shelby development analyst.

Frequently asked questions

Does the modelled 441 Nm³/day guarantee project income?

No, modelled output is not verified production. Commercial viability is not established until CAPEX, OPEX, and offtake terms are secured.

Can I sell the 534 kg/day of CO2 mentioned in the alternatives?

Recoverable mass does not equal saleable CO2. Commercial evidence for biogenic CO2 buyers in this region is currently missing.

Is a gas connection the same as an electricity connection?

No, they involve different infrastructure and network operators. A biomethane pathway requires gas-specific injection hardware.

How do Victorian EPA rules affect my farm manure management?

Converting manure via anaerobic digestion changes its classification. You must assess permissions under VIC-2 and manage digestate according to VIC-5.

Sources & References

www.energy.vic.gov.au

www.epa.vic.gov.au

www.epa.vic.gov.au

www.epa.vic.gov.au

www.epa.vic.gov.au

www.agig.com.au