TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Method: The methanogenic microorganisms are impregnated into the reticulated carbon foam. The culture comprises Archaea adapted to nearly stationary growth conditions. The culture comprises Archaea of the subkingdom Euryarchaeota. The culture is a monoculture of Euryarchaeota. The Archaea consist of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The reactor has an operating state, where the culture is maintained in the first chamber at 55 degrees C or higher, preferably 60 degrees C or higher. (I) further comprises a proton permeable, at least gas semipermeable barrier separating the first and second chambers. The barrier comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The cathode comprises a porous electrically conductive material, which comprises reticulated carbon foam. The source of electricity comprises at least one of a coal-fired power plant, natural-gas fired power plant, biomass-fired power plant, nuclear power plant, wind-powered turbine, water-powered turbine, fuel cell, geothermal power source, solar thermal system or photovoltaic system. In (I): oxygen is the only gaseous byproduct; and water is a primary net electron donor for the methanogenic microorganisms. The electromethanogenic reactor comprises an anode chamber and a cathode chamber. The electromethanogenic reactor further comprises a power source in electrical communication with the reactor to add a voltage to the cathode. Preferred Method: The biological reactor has the operating state and a dormant state, where the reactor changes from the dormant state to the operating state without addition of methanogenic microorganisms. The dormant state exists when the biological reactor is decoupled from the source of electricity or the source of carbon dioxide. The biological reactor operates at an electrical current density above 6 mA/cm2. The method further comprises: generating electricity from carbon-free, renewable sources comprising wind, water, geothermal or solar sources; collecting oxygen from the second chamber; and storing and transporting the methane. In the method: supplying electricity comprises supplying electricity during a non-peak demand period; and supplying carbon dioxide comprises recycling carbon dioxide from at least a concentrated industrial source or atmospheric carbon dioxide. In the process: a power source is in electrical communication with the reactor to enhance a potential between the anode and the cathode, where the power source is wind-generated power, solar power, microbial fuel cell, direct current power source and/or electrochemical cell. The process further comprises increasing methane gas production rate by adding an additional voltage to the cathode. In the process: no organic carbon source is added to the cathode chamber; no hydrogen is added to the cathode chamber; substantially no organic carbon source is available to the methanogenic microorganisms; metal catalysts are substantially excluded from the cathode; and providing electrons comprises applying a voltage to the cathode.