Gas-guzzling crematoriums form major obstacle in Bristol’s net zero ambitions
Two gas-guzzling crematoriums form a major obstacle in Bristol City Council’s ambitions to reach net zero carbon emissions. The two crematoriums, in Bedminster Down and Westbury-on-Trym, used up over six per cent of the council’s total natural gas demand last year.
The council is now considering switching more of its gas demand to “green gas”, instead of normal natural gas. Alternative energy sources are also being explored for fuelling the crematoriums, although it’s unclear so far what these would include.
Councillors on the environment policy committee will decide whether to expand the usage of green gas on Thursday, September 26. Green gas still emits methane and carbon dioxide, both greenhouse gases, but is considered less harmful to the climate than natural gas.
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A committee report said: “The council has significantly reduced the use of gas through energy efficiency measures, and has a programme to replace gas heating with heat pumps and district heating. However, the council expects to continue to use gas as a heating fuel for some years.
“Green gas is a very low carbon fuel, but it is not a zero-carbon option. It should be seen as a transition measure, to enable the council to reduce its gas-related carbon emissions, pending long-term measures including the electrification of heat and expanding the district heat network.”
Using natural gas to heat buildings is one of the largest sources of the council’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the equivalent 7,388 tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted last year. For a few years the council has been using green gas to cover about 10 per cent of its demand. Green gas is used in City Hall and the two crematoriums, which use the most gas across the council’s estate.
Purchasing green gas comes with a premium, currently around £46,000 extra a year. The council spends a total of £2.8 million on gas annually. If the usage of green gas was increased, that would reduce the council’s greenhouse gas emissions, but increase the premium costs.
Green gas is produced by organic material breaking down in the absence of oxygen. This includes farm waste, food waste, or fuel crops, which absorb carbon dioxide when grown. Last year, the council bought 45 gigawatt-hours of gas, equivalent to the demand of 3,845 houses.