EU Grid Operators Eye 270bn m³/yr Green Gas
To keep Europe's network of high-pressure pipelines running sustainably and still meet environmental objectives, renewable gas will have to be scaled up to 270bn m³/yr by 2050. This will enable a decarbonised and renewables-based energy system at lowest cost, according to a study published March 18.
To put in in perspective, continental Europe – excluding Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Russia – used 548bn m³ of natural gas in 2017, according to the Oxford Institute of Energy Studies. .
The seven European transmission system operators (TSOs) and two biogas orgnisations that set up the Gas for Climate group said the study shows that gas and its infrastructure will play an indispensable role in the future decarbonised energy system together with electricity infrastructures. "We support the transition to a fully renewable energy system in which biomethane and green hydrogen will play a major role in a smart combination with renewable electricity while recognising that blue hydrogen can accelerate decarbonisation efforts in the coming decades,” they said, unveiling the study by Navigant.
"A smart combination of hydrogen and biomethane with electricity is the optimal way to decarbonise the energy system, with all energy ultimately becoming renewable." runs their summary of the study.
Using around 270bn m³/yr of green hydrogen and renewable methane through existing gas infrastructure across the EU saves society €217bn/yr by 2050 compared with an energy system using a minimal amount of gas, they said.
While achieving 100% greenhouse gas reduction requires large quantities of renewable electricity, the lowest-cost route to decarbonisation is to combine electricity with renewable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane. Renewable gas adds value in the heating of buildings, for high temperature industrial heat, providing flexibility in electricity production alongside wind and solar and in heavy transport.
Existing gas infrastructure is indispensable in transporting this renewable and low carbon gas to the various demand sectors and will be able to transport both hydrogen and biomethane in 2050. The Navigant experts foresee an initial important role for blue hydrogen – carbon-neutral hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage – to grow the developing hydrogen market including in new applications.
The TSOs are Snam, Gasunie, GRTGaz, Terega, Fluxys, Open Grid Europe and Enagas; EBA and CIB are the biogas organisations.