Knowledge
Energy classes: how I judge a feedstock at first sight
Before I look at price or logistics, I look at how much biogas a tonne of the material can produce. I use three classes. They are rough, but they quickly show whether a stream is worth a closer look.
| Class | Biogas per tonne | Typical examples | Does long-distance transport make sense? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 20–100 m³ | Manure, grass, diluted process water | Rarely. Better used locally. |
| Medium | 100–450 m³ | Vinasse, many food residues, starch slurries | Sometimes, with the right price and route. |
| High | 450–1,100 m³ | Fats and oils, crude glycerine with a good glycerol content | Often, this is where the value is. |
Why the class matters
A road tanker costs about the same per tonne whether it carries rich syrup or mostly water. The less energy per tonne, the bigger the share of the price that disappears into transport. Over a few hundred kilometres a low-class stream rarely pays for its own trip, while a high-class stream can.
That is why JOE Green focuses on the high class and selects carefully in the medium class. Low-yield bulk is left to local players.
What the class does not tell you
The figures are indicative. The real yield depends on the exact composition, the plant and how the material is dosed. Gas yield is also not the only factor: salts, sulphur, nitrogen, pH, consistency and documentation can make or break a deal.
For a firm number, a lab analysis or a biogas potential test (BMP) is needed. The classes help decide whether that test is worth doing.
The calculation behind every deal
Purchase price ex works, plus transport, plus handling, has to be lower than what the material is worth to the receiving plant. I express that per tonne and per cubic metre of methane, so different streams can be compared fairly.
Talk to Joey directly
Phone and WhatsApp work best for a first conversation. I speak Dutch and English. Writing in your own language is fine.