en.Wedoany.com Reported - The French energy startup SUBLIME Energie has launched the "Charlie" demonstration project in Plélan-le-Petit, Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany. This project is the world's first system capable of directly liquefying biogas on farms, enabling farm-based anaerobic digestion to produce renewable fuel for the first time without relying on natural gas network infrastructure. This innovation adopts a centralized model similar to milk collection, transporting liquefied biogas to promote decentralized industrial development. The system converts biomethane into bio-liquefied natural gas (bioLNG) for heavy transport, while the by-product bio-carbon dioxide (bioCO₂) replaces fossil-based CO₂ for use in agriculture and industry.
The project aims to overcome structural barriers in the biogas industry. Many farms are excluded from biomethane production due to limited output, distance from the gas grid, or high capital expenditure. SUBLIME Energie's introduced "hub-and-spoke 'milk-run' model" involves liquefying farm biogas and transporting it to a central hub for processing, allowing small-scale or remote farms to participate in production without relying on existing infrastructure. This model also provides a transition pathway for combined heat and power (CHP) anaerobic digestion units whose contracts are expiring, helping to extend asset life and increase revenue.
The technological core is a patented process that enables direct on-farm biogas liquefaction, increasing energy density and enabling off-grid transportation. After the liquefied biogas is transported to a central facility, it is separated into bioLNG and liquid bioCO₂ via cryogenic distillation. The Charlie demonstration project integrates all technical components and operates under real-world conditions. It is installed at the Gazéa farm with an annual production capacity of approximately 180 tons of bioLNG and 330 tons of liquid bioCO₂, with initial production slated to begin this year.
The project supports the energy transition. Upstream, anaerobic digestion reduces livestock waste emissions and replaces some fertilizers. Downstream, bioLNG serves as a low-carbon alternative for heavy transport, potentially cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85%. The solution is also applicable to sectors where electrification is difficult, such as agriculture and maritime transport. The valorization of bioCO₂ replaces fossil-based CO₂ in agriculture and the food industry.
Regarding energy sovereignty and farm income, France estimates an untapped biomethane potential of 26 TWh by 2050. SUBLIME Energie aims to harness this resource through local production of renewable gas. The model is based on purchasing raw biogas from farmers, providing stable additional income without upfront investment. Farmers can also choose to participate in project ownership. The company has completed technical validation and is advancing industrial deployment. The next project, "Delta," will connect around ten farms in Côtes-d'Armor, with the first commercial unit expected to be operational by 2028. The goal is to rapidly build a decentralized renewable gas industry in France and Europe.
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