Todays Latest Updates: 05 August 2026

Biogas: United Kingdom. The National Energy System Operator, UK,   published further analysis on the potential role of biomethane and an independent AFRY study on the potential system impacts of hydrogen infrastructure in Great Britain. The biomethane insight explores how sustainable biomethane could be scaled up through to 2050, and the potential value this could deliver across the energy system. The report sets out findings on the benefits biomethane could deliver in areas including low-carbon dispatchable power, hard-to-electrify industry and transport, and greenhouse gas removals. The independent AFRY study was commissioned to strengthen the evidence base on the potential role of an interregional hydrogen backbone in Great Britain’s future energy system. It explores the possible system impacts, benefits, risks and trade-offs of developing hydrogen network infrastructure across regions. Link 05/08/2026

Ethanol: United Kingdom. A new analysis from the Climate Ethanol Alliance comparing marine fuel prices in the first half of 2026 finds ethanol became increasingly competitive with conventional marine fuels on an energy-equivalent basis, particularly during oil market disruptions caused by the Iran conflict. While very low sulfur fuel oil remained the lowest-cost option, ethanol reached or approached price parity with marine gas oil in Houston, Santos, and Rotterdam. The report says ethanol’s sulfur-free profile, lower lifecycle emissions, and expanding bunkering demonstrations position it as a promising marine fuel. Link 05/08/2026.

Hydrogen: Germany. The first volumes of green hydrogen have been produced at German energy firm RWE’s 300MW project in Lingen during commissioning, marking a key milestone for what will become one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen plants. UK electrolyser maker ITM Power said first volumes were produced by 100MW of the 200MW capacity it is supplying, with the hydrogen delivered to chemical firm Evonik’s facility in Marl via a 120km pipeline. Link 05/08/2026.

Plastic recycling: The Netherlands. BioBTX  announced that it has taken a positive Final Investment Decision (FID) for its PETRA project: the world’s first commercial-scale plant converting plastic waste directly into renewable aromatics. PETRA is the first commercial-scale application of BioBTX’ proprietary ICCP (Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process) technology. The plant will produce approximately 10,000 tonnes of renewable aromatic oil peryear, consisting of benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX), along with 8,000 tonnes of sustainable by-products. Reaching this milestone concludes a 14-year journey from BioBTX’ initial idea in 2012, through lab and pilot scale, to commercial execution and will accelerate the commercialization of renewable aromatics worldwide. The plant will strengthen the green chemistry cluster at the Chemical Park in Delfzijl, developed by Groningen Seaports and the Province of Groningen. Link 05/08/2026.