Activities

Methanization of organic matter

The resulting gas, known as biogas or biomethane, comes from the decomposition of organic matter (agricultural, industrial and household waste). This waste is digested by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen. The biogas produced is then purified, odorized and injected into the grid as a substitute for natural gas.

Methanization has a dual advantage: it produces renewable energy and recycles organic waste locally, reducing its volume and environmental impact. It's a solution particularly suited to rural areas with agricultural resources.

Once injected into the network, biomethane offers the same uses as natural gas: heating, cooking, mobility or industrial applications. It makes an active contribution to the energy transition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reinforcing regional energy autonomy.

Wood gasification

This technique is based on the transformation of carbon-rich materials (such as wood) into a so-called "lean" gas, via high-temperature partial combustion. This gas is then purified and transformed into methane by methanation, in order to be compatible with natural gas networks.

Gasification makes it possible to valorize lignocellulosic residues that cannot otherwise be used, such as forestry waste or untreated wood. This process paves the way for the production of renewable gas from dry biomass, as a complement to methanization.

The methane produced can be stored or injected into existing gas infrastructures. By promoting a local, sustainable energy supply chain, gasification helps to diversify sources of supply, while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Methanation

In Switzerland, the production of synthetic methane using the Power-to-Gas method represents a promising solution for storing renewable electricity and securing energy supplies. This technology involves converting electricity into hydrogen by electrolysis, then combining it with CO₂ to produce methane. This methane can then be injected into existing gas networks.

Power-to-Gas makes it possible to meet two major challenges:
- storing excess electricity produced by solar or wind power, often in summer
- reusing it during peaks in demand, particularly in winter.

Since 2020, Gaznat has been testing this technology at the Sion pressure-reducing and metering station (PDC). This pilot project, conducted in partnership with EPFL Valais-Wallis and Innosuisse, uses a catalytic methanation reactor combined with graphene membranes to capture CO₂. Initial results are very encouraging: over 99% of CO₂ is converted, annual production of 79,000 kWh of synthesis gas, savings of around 140,000 kWh in preheating energy.

Building on this success, Gaznat is preparing a 225 kW reactor (20 times more powerful), with the aim of moving to industrial-scale production. This development is in line with the company's carbon neutrality strategy, and benefits from the expertise of GRZ Technologies, a partner specialized in hydrogen.
Gaznat is also deploying this technology as part of its GreenGas project in Aigle, in partnership with EPFL.

Key figures

A trusted player at the heart of the Swiss energy system.

Gaznat is a strategic partner in the energy transition. By combining the development of high-performance infrastructures, research into technological innovations, and recognized expertise in international trading, we are helping to secure a reliable, sustainable and interconnected energy future for Western Switzerland.

Since 2010, Gaznat has been supporting applied research through a partnership with EPFL. This program has already funded 17 projects related to CO₂ capture, storage and synthetic gas production.

In 2024, a new agreement extends this commitment until 2031, with a budget of CHF 5 million. Each project is designed to implement the Net Zero 2050 strategy and have a real impact on the Swiss gas network.