The potential role of biomethane in the transition towards low-carbon large-scale buildings: the case study of the Torino airport

Biomethane represents an interesting solution for the growing pool of energy-intensive companies that are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Biomethane may help in the transition from fossil natural gas. Nonetheless, its inclusion in decarbonisation strategies is hindered by uncertainties around its future availability, price, and net environmental impact. This study aims to assess how these uncertainties affect the potential role of biomethane in the energy transition, investigating the specific case of Torino Airport. To explore the dynamics related to the use of biomethane, an energy system optimisation model is employed, to simulate cost-optimal development pathways under alternative prices and emission factors scenario. The results show that the potential availability of biomethane at an affordable price would significantly accelerate the energy transition of the airport. In particular, biomethane is key for strategies based on fuel cells, smoothing the transition from natural gas to an hydrogen supplied system. Nevertheless, price uncertainties still remain, for mid-terms projections, and these were found to significantly affect the operational expenditures, while the potential unavailability of the supplies could significantly jeopardise the airport environmental commitments. In this regard, pathways relying on a combination of different measures, such as electrification, proved to be more resilient to future potential discontinuities in green energy supplies.