Germany’s energy landscape is shifting, and biogas has become a major piece of the puzzle. What was once an industry focused on electricity production is now helping to fill the country’s gas grid. But before this homegrown energy source can be injected into the national gas grid, it requires a crucial enhancement: Propane enrichment.
The Germany biogas sector has for years been dedicated to generating electricity. Amid changing energy policies and economic incentives, many biogas producers are moving away from producing electricity and towards generating gas for the national grid. However, there is a problem: the biogas produced in its raw form lacks the calorific value required by Germany’s strict gas grid standards. To meet these benchmarks, biogas must be enriched with propane (a key component of LPG) before it can be accepted into the grid. And that requires the right equipment.
FAS’ turnkey solution
To solve this challenge, FAS has developed a reliable, ready-to-install equipment package designed specifically for propane enrichment in biogas plants. This package includes everything from LPG tanks and piping to vaporizers, with different sizes corresponding to the specific desired capacity of the biogas plant in question.
By integrating these systems, network operators can effectively elevate the calorific value of their gas, making sure that it lives up to the grid standards and unlocking new revenue opportunities. FAS’ decades of expertise in LPG technology gives them a unique ability to address the specific needs of biogas enrichment, reinforcing our commitment to supporting renewable energy initiatives.
A market on the rise
The rising demand for propane enrichment solutions has been foreseeable for quite some time, as Germany was facing a transition away from fossil fuels. It has accelerated in recent years due to global instability and shifts on the energy market, highlighting the need for stable and independent energy infrastructure.
Due to the expected rising prices and interesting sales opportunities, biogas is enjoying increasing popularity. As a result, demand for propane enrichment systems has surged. Many biogas producers quickly realised that upgrading their plants with these systems was a way to increase their profits. The trend is growing every year. In 2023, FAS completed 3 such biogas projects. This number grew to 8 in 2024, and we are looking at up to 15 projects in 2025 – and more are already in the pipeline for the years beyond!
The power of partnerships
FAS’ collaboration with major gas network operators has been instrumental in this success story. In 2017, FAS partnered with EWE-Netz GmbH to develop and implement standardised LPG supply solutions for biogas feed-in systems, as well as a maintenance plan for these systems. This engineering phase led to EWE-Netz GmbH selecting FAS as its preferred supplier for future plants, and the first 5 systems (each with a 62 m3 propane tank) were installed in the years after.
The culmination came when FAS was tasked with delivering the largest propane enrichment system in Europe, with two storage tanks of 162 m3 each. This system went into operation in March 2025, marking a significant milestone in the German biogas sector.
Biogas is here to stay
Germany’s push for energy independence isn’t slowing down, and biogas is set to play an even bigger role in the years ahead. FAS and MAKEEN Energy are proud to contribute to this movement by providing solutions that enhance the viability and integration of biogas into the national energy framework.
We look forward to future projects and partnerships in this exciting transition. As the industry evolves, we will keep refining our approach, working alongside customers to make gas grid integration as efficient and accessible as possible.
