How Methane Gas Can Be Converted to Electricity

Methane is a powerful, underutilized energy source with significant potential for the construction and industrial sectors. The need for sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective power solutions on jobsites is growing as regulations tighten and sustainability goals become more important.

This guide explores how natural gas is converted into electricity, its benefits, and why it’s relevant for contractors, engineers, and decision-makers seeking to future-proof their operations.

Understanding Methane Gas and Its Potential

Methane gas is a clean-burning fuel that can be captured from waste at landfills, farms, or wastewater plants. On jobsites, it can power generators, providing reliable electricity while reducing costs and environmental impact.

What Is Methane Gas?

Methane (CH₄) consists of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.  It is a colorless, odorless, and highly combustible gas, the primary component of natural gas.

It is a powerful greenhouse gas, trapping heat in the environment and contributing to climate change. Methane gas combustion is accepted as a more sustainable fuel because it has a shorter atmospheric lifespan than carbon dioxide (CO2) and is much better at trapping heat.

Sources of Methane in Industrial and Construction Contexts

When captured and used as fuel, methane becomes a valuable energy resource. The main sources of methane are:

• Landfills: Decomposition of organic waste produces landfill gas, rich in methane.
• Wastewater treatment plants: Anaerobic digestion of organic matter releases methane.
• Agricultural operations: Manure management and food waste generate biogas.
• Oil and gas operations: Methane is often flared or vented, but can be captured for energy use.

Potential

Methane is abundant and can be harnessed to turn many environmental liabilities into power assets. Annually, the United States produces about:

• 120 million dry tons of farm animal manure.
• 12 million dry tons of municipal wastewater biosolids (sludge).
• Sends more than 24 million tons of inedible food waste to landfills.
• 470 landfills flare gas.

It’s estimated that 17,000 new biogas projects could be built to produce around 29 gigawatts of electricity 24/7. This would create about a million short-term construction jobs, 45,000 permanent operations jobs, and thousands of indirect supply chain jobs.

How Is Natural Gas Converted Into Electricity?

Methane gas is often a by-product of construction site activities like wastewater treatment or organic waste decomposition. It can be converted to electricity through various methods. These include combustion in engines or turbines to generate power, or potentially through microbial fuel cells for direct natural gas electricity generation.

Conversion Technologies

Electricity is produced from natural gas using:

• Combustion engines: Internal combustion engines (ICEs) can be adapted to run on methane, generating electricity efficiently for on-site or grid use.
• Gas turbines: Gas turbines use methane to produce electricity at larger scales, suitable for industrial and utility applications. It is burned to produce heat, which drives a turbine hooked up to a generator. Industrial gas turbines can achieve high energy conversion, sometimes reaching 64% efficiency.
• Microbial fuel cells (MFC): These advanced systems convert methane directly into electricity through electrochemical reactions. Still under development, they can potentially offer more efficiency and lower emissions when generating power from methane.

Benefits of Using Methane for Power Generation

The construction and industrial sectors are looking for cleaner, more cost-effective ways to power their operations. Methane gas stands out as a smart solution. Companies are capturing methane from waste or existing sources and converting it into electricity using on-site natural gas electricity generators. This is an efficient way to unlock a range of benefits.

Environmental Impact

Capturing and using methane reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping meet regulatory and corporate sustainability targets. Methane-to-electricity projects turn waste into energy, supporting circular economy principles.

Economic Advantages

Methane is often available at low or negative cost, from waste streams, for example. This reduces fuel expenses. On-site methane-powered electric generators can lower grid dependency and avoid peak electricity charges. These projects can also generate revenue through renewable energy credits or carbon offset programs.

Regulatory Compliance and Future-Proofing

Many regions now require methane capture and utilization to reduce emissions, like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program and California’s Low Carbon Fuels Standard (LCFS).

Driven by new federal and state-level policy support, the U.S. has accelerated its production of biomethane, aiming to double its supplies by 2026.

Early adoption of methane gas as a power source positions companies as leaders in sustainability and compliance, reducing future regulatory risks.

Applications in Construction and Industrial Projects

Methane-powered generators are transforming how construction and industrial teams access reliable electricity. Here’s how these solutions are making a difference on the ground.

Mobile and Towable Methane Generators

Mobile and towable methane-powered electric generators offer flexible power wherever it’s needed most, including:

• Powering construction sites in remote or undeveloped areas where grid access is limited or unavailable.
• Providing backup power for critical infrastructure, like hospitals, data centers, and emergency response facilities, often using landfill emergency generators.
• Supporting temporary or mobile operations for disaster relief, large events, or seasonal projects.

Off-Grid, Emergency, and Remote Site Solutions

For projects far from the grid or in urgent situations, methane generators deliver dependable energy in a few ways. These generators can be rapidly deployed and relocated as project needs change. They also offer a reliable alternative to diesel, often with lower emissions and operating costs.

Integrating Methane Generators With Cat^® Equipment

Pairing methane fuel with Cat^® generators brings powerful, practical benefits to construction and industrial operations. Here’s what makes this integration stand out.

Cat generators are built for versatility and performance:

• Many models are designed or can be configured to run on biogas or methane, offering flexibility for diverse fuel sources.
• The brand’s engineering ensures robust performance, even with variable gas quality.

Cat equipment delivers the reliability and innovation today’s projects need, including:

• High reliability and durability, essential for demanding construction and industrial environments.
• Advanced controls and remote monitoring for real-time performance tracking and maintenance alerts.
• Modular and scalable solutions, from small portable units to large stationary systems.

Maintenance and Monitoring Best Practices

Proper care and smart monitoring keep methane-powered Cat generators running at their best. Prioritize regular inspection and cleaning of fuel delivery systems to handle impurities in biogas. Use remote monitoring platforms to optimize uptime and schedule preventive maintenance.

Turn to Thompson Power Systems for expert support regarding installation, troubleshooting, and ongoing service to ensure your generator is ready when you need it.

Why Choose Thompson Power Systems for Methane Power Solutions?

Thompson Power Systems combines industry-leading Cat equipment with deep expertise in alternative fuel integration. We have decades of experience serving construction, industrial, and emergency power needs. We offer full-service support, from project planning and equipment selection to installation, monitoring, and maintenance.

Contact Thompson Power Systems for Sustainable Power Solutions

Ready to power your next project with reliable, sustainable energy? Our experts will help you design a solution that meets your operational, regulatory, and sustainability goals.

Contact us today for a consultation or quote on methane-compatible Cat generators.