01.07.2014 Views

gas for energy European Energy Market (Vorschau)

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

02–2014<br />

www.<strong>gas</strong>-<strong>for</strong>-<strong>energy</strong>.com<br />

ISSN 2192-158X<br />

<strong>energy</strong><br />

<strong>gas</strong><strong>for</strong><br />

Magazine <strong>for</strong> Smart Gas Technologies,<br />

Infrastructure and Utilisation<br />

DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH<br />

<strong>European</strong><br />

<strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Market</strong><br />

Robustness<br />

and finesse<br />

In spite of its robustness and compact appearance,<br />

we can assure you that our RABO ® rotary<br />

<strong>gas</strong> meter has a very refined smart interior.<br />

In addition, it is virtually maintenance-free.<br />

• Customer-oriented maintenance intervals<br />

• Compatible with the Absolute ENCODER<br />

• Compact housing made of spheroidal cast iron<br />

or aluminium<br />

Elster GmbH<br />

Steinern Straße 19–21<br />

55252 Mainz-Kastel, Germany<br />

www.elster-instromet.com<br />

The new RABO ® in spheroidal cast iron<br />

or aluminium with Absolute ENCODER


A CLOSE-UP VIEW OF THE<br />

INTERNATIONAL GAS BUSINESS<br />

This magazine <strong>for</strong> smart <strong>gas</strong> technologies, infrastructure and utilisation<br />

features technical reports on the <strong>European</strong> natural <strong>gas</strong> industry as well as<br />

results of research programmes and innovative technologies. Find out more about<br />

markets, enterprises, associations and products of device manufacturers.<br />

Each edition is completed by interviews with major company leaders and<br />

interesting portraits of key players in the <strong>European</strong> business.<br />

READ MORE ABOUT<br />

Gas applications Grid infrastructure Measurement<br />

Gas quality issues Pipeline construction Regulation<br />

Bio<strong>gas</strong> injection Corrosion protection Smart metering<br />

on the annual<br />

Save 25% subscription<br />

<strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> is published by DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH, Arnulfstr. 124, 80636 München<br />

KNOWLEDGE FOR THE<br />

FUTURE<br />

Order now by fax: +49 931 / 4170-494 or send in by mail<br />

Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH | Arnulfstr. 124 | 80636 München<br />

Yes, I want to read <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> on a regular basis. During the first year I will benefit from a 25%<br />

discount on the annual subscription fees. I subscribe to the technical trade journal <strong>for</strong> at least one<br />

year (4 issues)<br />

as a printed magazine at the annual price<br />

of € 144.00 plus shipping (€ 12.00 within<br />

Germany / € 14.00 outside of Germany)<br />

as an e-paper magazine (single user) at<br />

the annual price of € 144.00.<br />

as a printed plus an e-paper magazine<br />

(single user) at the annual price of € 199.20<br />

(within Germany) / € 201.20 (outside of<br />

Germany) incl. shipping.<br />

Special offer <strong>for</strong> students (proof of entitlement)<br />

as a printed magazine at the annual price of<br />

€ 72.00 plus shipping (€ 12.00 within Germany /<br />

€ 14.00 outside of Germany).<br />

as an e-paper magazine (single user)<br />

at the annual price of € 72.00.<br />

as a printed plus an e-paper magazine<br />

(single user) at the annual price of € 105.60<br />

(within Germany) / € 107.60 (outside of Germany)<br />

incl. shipping.<br />

Company/Institution<br />

First name, surname of recipient (department or person)<br />

Street/P.O. Box, No.<br />

Country, postalcode, town<br />

Reply/Antwort<br />

Readers’ Service <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong><br />

Postfach 91 61<br />

97091 Wurzburg<br />

GERMANY<br />

Phone<br />

E-Mail<br />

Line of business<br />

Fax<br />

Please note: According to German law this request may be withdrawn within 14 days after order date in writing<br />

to Readers’ Service <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong>, P.O. Box 91 61, 97091 Wurzburg, Germany. After the first period the agreement can be<br />

terminated in writing with 2 months notice to the end of each year. In order to accomplish your request and <strong>for</strong> communication<br />

purposes your personal data are being recorded and stored.<br />

In order to accomplish your request and <strong>for</strong> communication purposes your personal data are being recorded and stored.<br />

It is approved that this data may also be used in commercial ways by mail, by phone, by fax, by email, none.<br />

This approval may be withdrawn at any time.<br />

✘<br />

Date, signature<br />

PAGFE2014


EDITORIAL<br />

The way to a<br />

clean <strong>energy</strong> system<br />

Dear Readers,<br />

The costs of <strong>energy</strong>, security of supply and further reduction of<br />

carbon dioxid emissions are among the biggest challenges<br />

within the <strong>European</strong> <strong>energy</strong> market. All players in the market<br />

agree on one point: A clear policy needs to be adopted as soon<br />

as possible otherwise the transition to a low-carbon <strong>energy</strong><br />

system will slow down. An adjustment to more market and less<br />

regulation could help to encourage investors to finance projects<br />

in Europe. For the Euro<strong>gas</strong> association the route is clear:<br />

The only way to go is <strong>for</strong>ward. Read more about this in a report<br />

by the Secretary General, Beate Raabe, from page 14 on.<br />

A new and innovative technology which is debated in the<br />

<strong>energy</strong> industry is Power-to-Gas. It will provide flexibility to the<br />

<strong>energy</strong> system. The article on pages 20ff. discusses the state of<br />

this technology in terms of technology readiness. According to<br />

this report from DNV GL the next step should be the qualification<br />

of integrated power-to-<strong>gas</strong> systems in real-life environments.<br />

Natural <strong>gas</strong> odorisation is an essential <strong>for</strong> safe operating of a<br />

<strong>gas</strong> grid. Usually it is required by national regulations that distributed<br />

<strong>gas</strong>es are odorized. GDF SUEZ CRIGEN has completed<br />

a study about the smell of <strong>gas</strong>. Among the smells which were<br />

presented to 2,000 people were THT, TBM and Gasodor S-Free®.<br />

Their reaction to the smell and its association to <strong>gas</strong> flow into a<br />

detailed paper. The findings are presented on the pages 26ff.<br />

One potential contribution to the trans<strong>for</strong>mation of the <strong>energy</strong><br />

sector are virtual power plants. They enable to merge a number<br />

of decentralized generation units into a significant generation<br />

capacity. One result could be a stronger link between the<br />

electricity and the heating market. This technology is introduced,<br />

especially in combination with micro-CHP systems, in a<br />

report from page 36 on.<br />

Substantial findings from reading wishes you<br />

Yours Sincerely<br />

Volker Trenkle<br />

Editor


TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 – 2014<br />

4 HOT SHOT<br />

Production started on new Gudrun<br />

plat<strong>for</strong>m in the North Sea<br />

6 TRADE & INDUSTRY<br />

Possible increase in Blue<br />

Stream capacity<br />

13 EVENTS<br />

ptc - Europe´s biggest pipeline<br />

conference took place in Berlin<br />

Reports<br />

ENERGY MARKET<br />

14 <strong>Energy</strong> and climate policy to 2030<br />

by B. Raabe<br />

POWER-TO-GAS<br />

20 Power-to-Gas: Climbing the technology readiness ladder<br />

by L. Grond and J. Holstein<br />

GAS QUALITY<br />

26 The <strong>gas</strong> smell: A study of the public perception of <strong>gas</strong><br />

odorants<br />

by F. Cagnon, A. Louvat and V. Vasseur<br />

Columns<br />

1 Editorial<br />

4 Hot Shot<br />

48 Diary<br />

2 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


making a clean future real<br />

LNG can 5 deliver<br />

2 – 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />

SUPPLY<br />

Switching from<br />

coal- and oil-fired<br />

power generation<br />

to best per<strong>for</strong>mance<br />

CCGT plants 2<br />

Europe enjoys varied supplies of <strong>gas</strong>, with a majority<br />

coming from <strong>European</strong> countries (including Norway). Europe<br />

will continue to diversify its <strong>gas</strong> supplies via new significant<br />

sources such as the United States, and in the long term<br />

Azerbaijan, East Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, etc.<br />

Developing untapped domestic <strong>gas</strong> resources will<br />

reduce Europe’s import dependency. Europe’s potential<br />

to diversify its natural <strong>gas</strong> supplies will further be<br />

realised through deliveries of liquefied natural <strong>gas</strong> (LNG)<br />

from all over the world.<br />

DOMESTIC GAS<br />

PRODUCTION<br />

GAS +<br />

SOLAR<br />

COMBINED CYCLE<br />

GAS TURBINE<br />

vs.<br />

1990 levels<br />

CO 2<br />

EMISSIONS<br />

INDUSTRIAL<br />

PLANT<br />

IMPORTS BY PIPE<br />

Re<strong>gas</strong>ification<br />

capacity expected<br />

to rise in Europe 1 .<br />

369 bcm/year<br />

199 bcm/year<br />

LNG<br />

GAS & RENEWABLES<br />

GAS AT THE CENTRE OF OUR<br />

ENERGY SYSTEM IN 2030<br />

Gas-fired power generation is well suited to provide flexible<br />

generation to complement variable renewable <strong>energy</strong><br />

sources as it is capable of rapid response to changes in<br />

demand. If the necessary market conditions and policies<br />

are in place, the increased use of natural <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> power<br />

generation will help the EU achieve considerable<br />

emissions reductions by 2030. In such a scenario, <strong>gas</strong><br />

and renewables will grow together, displacing coal from<br />

the fuel mix <strong>for</strong> power generation.<br />

Bio<strong>gas</strong> can be produced from various<br />

sources (biomass, organic waste) and is<br />

already injected today into the <strong>gas</strong> grid<br />

2013 2022<br />

SHIP<br />

GAS<br />

STORAGE<br />

BIOGAS PLANT<br />

LNG TERMINAL<br />

GAS IN TRANSPORT<br />

In the future, natural <strong>gas</strong> has the potential to play a greater<br />

role in transport, in light of lower CO₂ and other emissions.<br />

According to industry estimates, LNG heavy-duty vehicles<br />

could reach more than 50,000 units per year by 2020. By<br />

then, they could represent 10-15% of the market. 7 Today,<br />

there are however only 38 filling stations <strong>for</strong> LNG <strong>for</strong><br />

heavy-duty vehicles in the EU. 8 Refuelling infrastructure<br />

there<strong>for</strong>e needs to be developed to allow the technology to<br />

grow. There are also interesting prospects <strong>for</strong> LNG in<br />

maritime transport, with a clear environmental case of 25%<br />

lower CO₂ emissions and very substantial reductions in<br />

emissions of sulphur, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. 9<br />

$10<br />

LNG<br />

$17<br />

HEAVY<br />

FUEL OIL<br />

LNG<br />

$20-24<br />

GASOLINE<br />

50% savings <strong>for</strong><br />

the shipping<br />

industry.<br />

February 2013 prices<br />

in USD per mmBtu 6<br />

CNG<br />

INFRASTRUCTURE<br />

The current <strong>gas</strong> infrastructure can be used <strong>for</strong> the future <strong>energy</strong><br />

system without any fundamental modifications beyond 2050.<br />

However, further investments will be needed to safeguard secure<br />

supplies, provide alternative supply routes and integrate growing<br />

variable renewable <strong>energy</strong> sources. Investments needed by 2020<br />

are estimated around €90 billion <strong>for</strong> transmission, storage and<br />

LNG. 3 For comparison purposes, it should be noted that the<br />

transmission of <strong>gas</strong> is up to 20 times cheaper than the<br />

transmission of <strong>energy</strong> in the <strong>for</strong>m of electricity. 4 Gas storage<br />

offers seasonal and short-term flexibility in a fully functioning<br />

<strong>European</strong> <strong>gas</strong> market, as well as security of supply.<br />

INNOVA<br />

The priority use<br />

require a very flex<br />

constant balanc<br />

consumption is t<br />

be Power-to-Ga<br />

renewable electr<br />

can be converte<br />

proven technolo<br />

hydrogen produc<br />

or turned into<br />

beyond, CCS sh<br />

carbon dioxide em<br />

generation or ind<br />

or reinjected into<br />

using Power-to-G<br />

such as con<br />

micro-CHP and<br />

continuously impr<br />

use even more ef<br />

20 R E P O R T<br />

Power-to-Gas: Photo of<br />

methanation process<br />

26 R E P O R T<br />

The <strong>gas</strong> smell: Spontaneous<br />

identification of the smell<br />

42 PROFILE<br />

GasNaturally: The vision <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> in<br />

2030<br />

CHP<br />

36 The regional virtual power plant – a potential<br />

contribution to the <strong>energy</strong> sector trans<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

Pro fil e<br />

by J. Seifert, J. Haupt, F. Glöckner and J. Hartan<br />

42 GasNaturally: A unified voice <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> at EU level<br />

News<br />

6 Trade & Industry<br />

12 Events<br />

44 Associations<br />

47 Products & Services<br />

visit us at our website:<br />

www.<strong>gas</strong>-<strong>for</strong>-<strong>energy</strong>.com<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 3


HOT SHOT<br />

The new Gudrun plat<strong>for</strong>m<br />

Production started on new Gudrun<br />

plat<strong>for</strong>m<br />

Gudrun is an oil and <strong>gas</strong> field in the<br />

middle of the Norwegian sector of<br />

the North Sea. The reservoir is<br />

located at a depth of 4,200-4,700 m,<br />

and originates from the Jurassic Age.<br />

The plat<strong>for</strong>m will produce from<br />

seven production wells.<br />

Source: Harald Pettersen/Statoil


TRADE & INDUSTRY<br />

Gazprom and Turkey to look into possible increase in<br />

Blue Stream capacity<br />

Ankara hosted a working meeting between Alexander<br />

Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom<br />

Management Committee and Taner Yildiz, Minister of<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey.<br />

The meeting participants addressed the cooperation<br />

deepening between Gazprom and Turkey in the <strong>gas</strong> sector.<br />

In particular, they considered the possibility of increasing<br />

the capacity of the Blue Stream <strong>gas</strong> pipeline from 16 to<br />

19 billion m 3 /a. The parties agreed to examine this issue in<br />

detail. It was pointed out that the increase in capacity<br />

would not require laying additional strings of Blue Stream.<br />

Blue Stream conveys over 50 % of all the Russian<br />

natural <strong>gas</strong> purchased by the Republic of Turkey. While<br />

securing uninterrupted <strong>gas</strong> supplies to Turkish consumers,<br />

the <strong>gas</strong> pipeline is also crucially important when<br />

additional <strong>gas</strong> volumes are urgently needed to replenish<br />

<strong>gas</strong> deficiency in case of emergency.<br />

The meeting also addressed the South Stream <strong>gas</strong><br />

pipeline. It was noted that the project was progressing<br />

following the approved route. The <strong>gas</strong> pipeline<br />

will considerably increase the reliability of <strong>gas</strong> supply<br />

to Europe.<br />

Fluxys and Snam sign MoU to combine their<br />

international assets in Europe<br />

Fluxys S.A. and Snam S.p.A. have agreed to assess<br />

and evaluate the set-up of a jointly controlled company<br />

<strong>for</strong> the integrated management of the companies’<br />

international assets across Europe.<br />

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by<br />

the companies further develops the Strategic Alliance<br />

of 2012 aimed at pursuing opportunities in<br />

Europe through projects enhancing the flexibility<br />

and security of supply in the <strong>European</strong> <strong>gas</strong> infrastructure.<br />

The joint company under consideration would<br />

combine Fluxys’ and Snam’s international assets<br />

located on the South-North and East-West corridors<br />

with the exclusion of the Belgian and Italian domestic<br />

markets and would play a key role as facilitator of the<br />

creation of deeper market flexibility and liquidity<br />

through an enhanced interconnection of the <strong>European</strong><br />

<strong>gas</strong> networks and markets.<br />

Snam and Fluxys already work closely together on the<br />

South/North Reverse Flow project in Germany, Switzerland<br />

and Italy which is to enable <strong>gas</strong> landing in Italy to<br />

flow to Northwest Europe and the UK. The companies<br />

also have become co-shareholders in the Interconnector<br />

pipeline linking the UK to Belgium.<br />

6 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


TRADE & INDUSTRY<br />

Large order from France<br />

<strong>for</strong> smart meters from<br />

Diehl Metering<br />

Diehl Metering has been selected by Gaz réseau Distribution<br />

France (GrDF), a company of GDF Suez, as<br />

partner <strong>for</strong> the large-scale <strong>gas</strong> meter project “Gazpar”.<br />

Between 2016 and 2022, the new communicative <strong>gas</strong><br />

meter Gazpar is to be installed in around 11 million<br />

French households and <strong>for</strong> commercial consumers – an<br />

investment of some one billion €. The new system makes<br />

it possible to bill the customer <strong>for</strong> the amount of <strong>gas</strong><br />

actually used and no longer – as previously the case – on<br />

the basis of <strong>for</strong>ecasts.<br />

The Gazpar project was launched by the French government<br />

back in 2009. In a broad-based selection process,<br />

altogether seven companies from France, the USA,<br />

Italy, Great Britain, Romania and Germany were chosen<br />

<strong>for</strong> the development and production of the equipment.<br />

The optimum technical solution <strong>for</strong> the communicative<br />

Gaspar Gasmeter.<br />

<strong>gas</strong> meter of the future and the customers’ expectations<br />

of the new system were then defined in a subsequent<br />

pilot study be<strong>for</strong>e inviting tenders and finally awarding<br />

the contract <strong>for</strong> the project. The selected French company<br />

Sappel, a subsidiary of Diehl Metering, will supply<br />

around 2.5 million radio modules <strong>for</strong> Gazpar.<br />

Rosen is committed to ultrasonic crack inspection<br />

technologies<br />

ROSEN is fully committed to providing state-ofthe-art<br />

in-line inspection tools <strong>for</strong> crack inspection<br />

in oil and <strong>gas</strong> transmission pipelines. This commitment<br />

can be seen in the launch of new tools utilizing<br />

ultrasound technology throughout 2014,<br />

significantly increasing the current crack inspection<br />

tool fleet.<br />

A very strong emphasis is being placed on the detection<br />

and sizing of cracks in liquid as well as <strong>gas</strong> pipelines.<br />

The comprehensive fleet of crack inspection tools available<br />

includes piezo-electric ultrasonic inspection tools <strong>for</strong><br />

liquid pipelines and EMAT tools <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> pipelines. The latter<br />

tools also incorporate the capability to reliably detect<br />

coating faults and areas of disbondment.<br />

GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. decorated with the CSR White Leaf<br />

of POLITYKA<br />

GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. was decorated <strong>for</strong> the first time<br />

with the CSR White Leaf of POLITYKA, an award<br />

that is granted to companies which implement key<br />

solutions recommended by ISO 26000 <strong>for</strong> effective<br />

management of their impact and improve their activity<br />

in this area all the time.<br />

POLITYKA weekly, together with PwC, granted CSR<br />

Golden, Silver and White Leaves to companies that stand<br />

out in terms of corporate social and sustainable development<br />

<strong>for</strong> the third time. Corporate social responsibility<br />

was reviewed at companies on the basis of a questionnaire<br />

prepared in accordance with ISO 26000 guidelines<br />

in seven areas: corporate governance, human rights, attitude<br />

to employees, environmental protection, customer<br />

care, business honesty, and social involvement. The questionnaire<br />

was filled in by 123 companies.<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 7


TRADE & INDUSTRY<br />

Cornerstone ceremony <strong>for</strong> new Norsea <strong>gas</strong> terminal<br />

in Emden<br />

time capsule consisting newspapers and coins<br />

A buried on the site, celebrated the building of a<br />

new receiving terminal <strong>for</strong> Norwegian <strong>gas</strong> in Emden<br />

Germany.<br />

The ceremony took place on Thursday 8 May and<br />

was conducted by Lower Saxony minister Olaf Lies,<br />

Norwegian ambassador to Germany, Sven Erik Svedman<br />

and executive vice president Trond Nordal from Gassco.<br />

The new facility will replace the existing Norsea Gas<br />

Terminal. It will be constructed on an unused site within<br />

the fence surrounding the existing terminal area.<br />

The Norsea Gas Terminal (NGT) became operational<br />

in 1977 and the facility receives a substantial proportion<br />

of Norwegian <strong>gas</strong> deliveries to Germany through<br />

the Norpipe line. The final decision to build a new terminal<br />

to replace the NGT was taken by the Gassled<br />

Joint Venture 30 November 2012, based on recommendation<br />

from the operator Gassco. Safety and regularity<br />

considerations related to the age of the NGT,<br />

were the commercial drivers <strong>for</strong> the conceptual choice<br />

and investment decision.<br />

During the ceremony, Gasscos representative, Trond<br />

Nordal, pointed out that large investment have been<br />

made in the transport system to handle <strong>European</strong><br />

demand <strong>for</strong> Norwegian <strong>gas</strong>. Construction of a new terminal<br />

in Emden is an example.<br />

The new receiving terminal will become operational<br />

in 2016. Norway is the second largest <strong>gas</strong> supplier to the<br />

EU. Compared with Germany's domestic consumption in<br />

2013, the Norwegian <strong>gas</strong> flow to the country covered<br />

nearly 50 % of Germany's demand <strong>for</strong> the fuel.<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> Academy Europe and Gasunie join <strong>for</strong>ces <strong>for</strong><br />

<strong>energy</strong> research and innovation<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> Academy Europe and Gasunie have concluded<br />

an agreement <strong>for</strong> a strategic co-operation in the area<br />

of research, education and innovation in <strong>energy</strong>. The<br />

agreement was <strong>for</strong>mally signed at Gasunie by Bert<br />

Wiersema, director <strong>Energy</strong> Academy Europe, and Hans<br />

Coenen, director Strategy of Gasunie. The company’s current<br />

research activities will be transferred to EnTranCe<br />

(<strong>Energy</strong> Transition Centre), which was launched jointly<br />

with other partners under the lead of the Hanze University<br />

of Applied Sciences (Groningen), within the <strong>for</strong>mal cooperation<br />

with <strong>Energy</strong> Academy Europe. EnTranCe serves as<br />

a testing facility to further develop innovations in (sustainable)<br />

production, distribution and transport of <strong>energy</strong>.<br />

The participation of Gasunie is a boost <strong>for</strong> the contribution<br />

<strong>gas</strong> can make to a sustainable <strong>energy</strong> supply. It<br />

also strengthens the role <strong>Energy</strong> Academy Europe can<br />

play in education, research and innovation in a sustainable<br />

<strong>gas</strong> and <strong>energy</strong> infrastructure. In addition, it will<br />

ensure the further development of the international orientation<br />

of <strong>Energy</strong> Academy Europe.<br />

As a result of the participation of Gasunie <strong>Energy</strong><br />

Academy Europe has the opportunity to initiate and<br />

develop research and innovation with industrial<br />

knowledge partners across the entire <strong>gas</strong> and <strong>energy</strong><br />

value chain, from upstream (production and exploration)<br />

to downstream (distribution and consumption).<br />

8 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


A CLOSE-UP VIEW OF THE<br />

INTERNATIONAL GAS BUSINESS<br />

This magazine <strong>for</strong> smart <strong>gas</strong> technologies, infrastructure and utilisation<br />

features technical reports on the <strong>European</strong> natural <strong>gas</strong> industry as well as<br />

results of research programmes and innovative technologies. Find out more about<br />

markets, enterprises, associations and products of device manufacturers.<br />

Each edition is completed by interviews with major company leaders and<br />

interesting portraits of key players in the <strong>European</strong> business.<br />

READ MORE ABOUT<br />

Gas applications Grid infrastructure Measurement<br />

Gas quality issues Pipeline construction Regulation<br />

Bio<strong>gas</strong> injection Corrosion protection Smart metering<br />

on the annual<br />

Save 25% subscription<br />

<strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> is published by DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH, Arnulfstr. 124, 80636 München<br />

KNOWLEDGE FOR THE<br />

FUTURE<br />

Order now by fax: +49 931 / 4170-494 or send in by mail<br />

Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH | Arnulfstr. 124 | 80636 München<br />

Yes, I want to read <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> on a regular basis. During the first year I will benefit from a 25%<br />

discount on the annual subscription fees. I subscribe to the technical trade journal <strong>for</strong> at least one<br />

year (4 issues)<br />

as a printed magazine at the annual price<br />

of € 144.00 plus shipping (€ 12.00 within<br />

Germany / € 14.00 outside of Germany)<br />

as an e-paper magazine (single user) at<br />

the annual price of € 144.00.<br />

as a printed plus an e-paper magazine<br />

(single user) at the annual price of € 199.20<br />

(within Germany) / € 201.20 (outside of<br />

Germany) incl. shipping.<br />

Special offer <strong>for</strong> students (proof of entitlement)<br />

as a printed magazine at the annual price of<br />

€ 72.00 plus shipping (€ 12.00 within Germany /<br />

€ 14.00 outside of Germany).<br />

as an e-paper magazine (single user)<br />

at the annual price of € 72.00.<br />

as a printed plus an e-paper magazine<br />

(single user) at the annual price of € 105.60<br />

(within Germany) / € 107.60 (outside of Germany)<br />

incl. shipping.<br />

Company/Institution<br />

First name, surname of recipient (department or person)<br />

Street/P.O. Box, No.<br />

Country, postalcode, town<br />

Reply/Antwort<br />

Readers’ Service <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong><br />

Postfach 91 61<br />

97091 Wurzburg<br />

GERMANY<br />

Phone<br />

E-Mail<br />

Line of business<br />

Fax<br />

Please note: According to German law this request may be withdrawn within 14 days after order date in writing<br />

to Readers’ Service <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong>, P.O. Box 91 61, 97091 Wurzburg, Germany. After the first period the agreement can be<br />

terminated in writing with 2 months notice to the end of each year. In order to accomplish your request and <strong>for</strong> communication<br />

purposes your personal data are being recorded and stored.<br />

In order to accomplish your request and <strong>for</strong> communication purposes your personal data are being recorded and stored.<br />

It is approved that this data may also be used in commercial ways by mail, by phone, by fax, by email, none.<br />

This approval may be withdrawn at any time.<br />

✘<br />

Date, signature<br />

PAGFE2014


TRADE & INDUSTRY<br />

Foundation stone ceremony held at joint <strong>energy</strong><br />

storage project Energiepark Mainz<br />

Germany’s Minister of Economics and Technology, Sigmar<br />

Gabriel, together with representatives of power<br />

utility Stadtwerke Mainz AG, Siemens AG, The Linde Group<br />

and RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, gave the<br />

starting signal <strong>for</strong> the construction of the Energiepark Mainz.<br />

From 2015 on the <strong>energy</strong> storage project, which is receiving<br />

financial support from the ministry, could make an important<br />

contribution to the success of the <strong>energy</strong> turnaround in<br />

Germany, said Mr Gabriel during the foundation stone ceremony<br />

in the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate.<br />

Starting next year, the jointly developed pilot plant<br />

will produce major quantities of hydrogen using electricity<br />

from renewable sources, mostly from nearby wind<br />

power stations. This hydrogen can be stored, loaded into<br />

tank trailers or fed directly into the natural <strong>gas</strong> grid, <strong>for</strong><br />

use in generating heat or electricity. This makes it possible<br />

to store electricity from renewable <strong>energy</strong> sources.<br />

The growing network of hydrogen filling stations <strong>for</strong><br />

emission-free fuel cell-powered vehicles can also be supplied<br />

from Mainz by tank trailers.<br />

Harald Pettersen/Statoil.<br />

Production started on new Gudrun plat<strong>for</strong>m in the<br />

Norwegian North Sea<br />

The partners Statoil (operator), OMV and GDF SUEZ<br />

have started oil and <strong>gas</strong> production on the Gudrun<br />

plat<strong>for</strong>m in the North Sea. OMV acquired a 24 % interest<br />

in the Gudrun license in last year’s major deal with<br />

Statoil. The development is an important step <strong>for</strong> OMV<br />

to achieve its strategic targets <strong>for</strong> 2016.<br />

Gudrun (PL025) is a North Sea oil and <strong>gas</strong> field in which<br />

OMV (Norge) AS holds 24 %, with Statoil as the operator (51 %)<br />

and GDF SUEZ E&P Norge as an additional partner with 25 %.<br />

The decision to develop the Gudrun field was taken in 2010<br />

and the production start in 2014 is on time and below the cost<br />

estimate in the PDO (plan <strong>for</strong> development and operation).<br />

10 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


TRADE & INDUSTRY<br />

TAP launches pre-qualification <strong>for</strong> onshore pipeline<br />

construction companies<br />

Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has issued its second<br />

contract notice <strong>for</strong> a major Engineering Procurement<br />

Construction (EPC) contract in the Official Journal<br />

of the EU – the EU Gazette: The scope <strong>for</strong> this contract<br />

will include the Engineering, Procurement and<br />

Construction of the approximately 760 km of 48 inch<br />

(1.2 m) diameter, cross-country onshore pipeline in<br />

Greece and Albania.<br />

The current pre-qualification is the second, following<br />

a contract notice on construction of Albanian roads and<br />

bridges issued on 15 April 2014. In addition to the pipeline<br />

construction, the contract will include the construction<br />

of 32 block valve stations along the route. Construction of<br />

the pipeline is planned to start in 2016 and will be split<br />

into five lots – three in Greece and two in Albania. TAP’s<br />

highest elevation will be 1,800 m in Albania and the pipeline<br />

will on the way, cross many roads and rivers. Companies<br />

interested in being pre-qualified <strong>for</strong> the onshore<br />

pipeline construction contract need to request a prequalification<br />

questionnaire from TAP.<br />

Only a selected number of companies that have completed<br />

the pre-qualification will be invited to participate<br />

in the tendering stages of the TAP’s procurement process<br />

<strong>for</strong> the onshore pipeline construction.<br />

Russia and China signed<br />

the biggest contract in the<br />

entire history of Gazprom<br />

In <strong>for</strong>eground – Alexey Miller and Zhou Jiping,<br />

in background – Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.<br />

Photo: RIA Novosti<br />

Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company's Management<br />

Committee and Zhou Jiping, Chairman<br />

of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed<br />

a contract to supply pipeline <strong>gas</strong> from Russia to China via<br />

the eastern route. The parties signed the document<br />

in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and<br />

Chinese President Xi Jinping in Shanghai.<br />

The 30-year contract stipulates that 38 billion m 3<br />

of Russian <strong>gas</strong> will be annually supplied to China. The<br />

mutually beneficial contract contains such major provisions<br />

as the price <strong>for</strong>mula linked to oil prices and the<br />

'take-or-pay' clause.<br />

The arrangement of Russian pipeline <strong>gas</strong> supplies<br />

is the biggest investment project on a global scale.<br />

USD 55 billion will be invested in the construction of production<br />

and transmission facilities in Russia. An extensive<br />

<strong>gas</strong> infrastructure network will be set up in Russia's East,<br />

which will drive the local economy <strong>for</strong>ward. Great impetus<br />

will be given to entire economic sectors, namely metallurgy,<br />

pipe and machine building.<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 11


EVENTS<br />

29 th International Scientific & Expert Meeting of<br />

Gas Professionals<br />

The already traditional International Scientific & Expert<br />

Meeting of Gas Professionals, organized by the Croatian<br />

Gas Centre Ltd. and Croatian Gas Association was<br />

held sucessfully <strong>for</strong> the twenty-ninth time on 7-09 May,<br />

2014 in a row in the Congress Centre of the Grand Hotel<br />

Adriatic, Opatija, Croatia. International <strong>gas</strong> conference<br />

and exhibition - the largest annual <strong>gas</strong> event in South-<br />

East Europe - gathered about 500 participants from 22<br />

countries. Those were mostly <strong>gas</strong> and <strong>energy</strong> experts and<br />

managers from leading <strong>European</strong> <strong>energy</strong> companies, scientists<br />

from renowned <strong>European</strong> universities, <strong>gas</strong> transmission<br />

representatives, suppliers, producers and distributors<br />

of <strong>gas</strong> from the country and abroad. Totally 198<br />

various <strong>gas</strong> and <strong>energy</strong> companies and organizations<br />

were present, of whom 80 from abroad and about twenty<br />

journalists from 15 media companies.<br />

During the three days of the event a total of 41 scientific<br />

and professional papers (of which 4 invited presentations<br />

and 11 papers in poster session) and 10 technicalcommercial<br />

presentations were presented covering the<br />

current <strong>gas</strong> topics.<br />

As was the case in previous years, this time as well,<br />

due to the extremely large number of registered papers<br />

the poster session was organized. Total of 11 scientific &<br />

professional papers from Croatia and abroad were published<br />

and presented, showing continuous growth of<br />

interest <strong>for</strong> the participation on the Opatija <strong>gas</strong> event.<br />

At the same time in front of the Grand Hotel Adriatic<br />

congress hall premises the largest three-day exhibition<br />

of <strong>gas</strong> equipment in South-East Europe took place where<br />

38 exhibitors (of whom 32 <strong>gas</strong> equipment exhibitors), of<br />

which 13 from abroad, presented their products and services.<br />

The exhibition was attended by representatives of<br />

<strong>gas</strong> equipment manufacturers and traders who have<br />

actively participated as exhibitors at Opatija Meetings of<br />

<strong>gas</strong> professionals <strong>for</strong> a number of years, but also a significant<br />

number of new exhibitors, from Croatia and especially<br />

from abroad, have participated <strong>for</strong> the first time.<br />

At the end of this year´s conference, Prof. Miljenko<br />

Sunic, D.Sc., president of Croatian Gas Association,<br />

thanked all participants who have contributed to the success<br />

and quality of the annual <strong>gas</strong> event which has once<br />

again proved its quality and size despite the challenging<br />

times we are witnessing. Prof. Sunic also announced the<br />

next conference, the jubilee 30 th International Scientific &<br />

Expert Meeting of Gas Professionals, which will take place<br />

again in Opatija on 6 th till 8 th May, 2015.<br />

12 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


EVENTS<br />

International Gas Union Research Conference 2014<br />

IGRC2014 (September 17-19) intends to facilitate a dialogue<br />

between technology and business leaders across<br />

all areas essential to the future <strong>gas</strong> system. IGRC2014 is<br />

held under the auspices of International Gas Union (IGU).<br />

The conference is hosted by Danish Gas Technology Centre<br />

in the new top modern Tivoli Congress Center in the<br />

centre of Copenhagen.<br />

In addition to the technical conference program<br />

IGRC2014 will also feature an exhibition of advanced <strong>gas</strong><br />

technology equipment and services from <strong>gas</strong> companies<br />

and manufacturers around the world. The exhibition will<br />

give the delegates a unique opportunity to obtain a<br />

quick overview of some of the most important <strong>gas</strong> technology<br />

developments conveniently gathered at the same<br />

time under one roof in the Tivoli Congress Center.<br />

As a new feature the IGRC2014 will encompass an<br />

Innovation and Student Forum. This special <strong>for</strong>um is<br />

intended <strong>for</strong> small start-up companies, educational<br />

organisations, human resource departments, etc. that<br />

have a special interest in communicating<br />

with students, venture entrepreneurs<br />

and organisations/individuals<br />

dedicated to R&D. In this area it<br />

is possible <strong>for</strong> exhibitors to acquire a<br />

Meeting Point consisting of two<br />

poster boards and a table. Young professionals/students<br />

may apply <strong>for</strong> an IGU sponsorship covering the conference<br />

fee and accomodation costs.<br />

IGRC2014 offers three alternative technical tours to<br />

places of interest in the Copenhagen area in addition to<br />

the conference programme. (Avedøre Power Station,<br />

<strong>gas</strong>works which produces 30% CO 2-neutral <strong>gas</strong> and<br />

future heating system – <strong>gas</strong>-fired heat pump) All three<br />

tours take place Tuesday September 16, 2014 in the<br />

afternoon. The Technical tours are not included in the<br />

conference fee.<br />

www.igrc2014.com<br />

Europe’s biggest pipeline conference took place<br />

in Berlin <strong>for</strong> the first time<br />

Delegates from 42 different nations travelled to Berlin<br />

<strong>for</strong> the 9 th Pipeline Technology Conference (ptc) from<br />

12-14 May, in order to gather in<strong>for</strong>mation from nearly 70<br />

presentations on the latest trends in design, construction,<br />

operation and maintenance of onshore and offshore pipelines.<br />

A new attendance record was set with over 420 participants.<br />

Current issues in the spotlight like the South<br />

Stream Project and the security of <strong>European</strong> supply in the<br />

wake of the current crisis in Ukraine were included in the<br />

program alongside new developments in the areas of<br />

inline inspection, leak detection, corrosion protection,<br />

compressor stations and pumping stations, construction<br />

procedures, material issues and integrity management.<br />

The ptc is supported in terms of content by 10 trade<br />

associations and published worldwide via 20 media<br />

partners. An exhibition featuring 41 companies which<br />

ran alongside the conference was the most popular<br />

spot at break times. Particularly the many participants<br />

from international operating companies used the<br />

chance to gather in<strong>for</strong>mation and compare the latest<br />

developments from different suppliers. Two evening<br />

events and a number of post-conference workshops<br />

rounded off the 9 th ptc. The 10 th Pipeline Technology<br />

Conference will take place from 8-10 June 2015 in Berlin.<br />

Main topics will include “Challenging Pipelines”<br />

and “Offshore Technologies”. As in previous<br />

years, the papers presented at this year’s pct<br />

will be available online. For more in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

visit www.pipeline-conference.com.<br />

More than 420 participants attended this year‘s 9 th Pipeline Technology<br />

Conference in Berlin.<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 13


REPORTS<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> market<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> and climate policy to 2030<br />

The only way to go is <strong>for</strong>ward – so why hesitate?<br />

by Beate Raabe<br />

In the face of concerns about the costs of <strong>energy</strong>, security of supply and the future trend of carbon dioxide emissions<br />

in the EU, Member States cannot easily agree on the lessons learnt from the 2020 package and the strategy<br />

to adopt <strong>for</strong> 2030. Yet when considering EU <strong>energy</strong> market developments, the answers seem to be quite obvious.<br />

Nationally focused steering of the <strong>energy</strong> market has led to unnecessary costs, security of electricity supply<br />

risks and new obstacles <strong>for</strong> a competitive, low-carbon internal <strong>energy</strong> market. This has been rein<strong>for</strong>ced by the<br />

economic crisis and the changed economics of <strong>gas</strong> and coal as a result of the U.S. shale <strong>gas</strong> revolution. The only<br />

way out seems to be in a <strong>for</strong>ward direction with an EU-wide approach based on competition. This is not new<br />

and actually what the EU had set out to do…<br />

On 22 January 2014, the Commission issued a package of<br />

documents and political proposals related to a policy<br />

framework <strong>for</strong> climate and <strong>energy</strong> in the period 2020 to<br />

2030. At the <strong>European</strong> Council of 20-21 March, the Member<br />

States’ Heads of State and Government concluded<br />

that they will seek to take a final decision on the new<br />

policy framework as quickly as possible and no later than<br />

October 2014. An earlier decision would have been preferable,<br />

but if the <strong>European</strong> Council keeps word, this will<br />

still be beneficial. The promoters of different types of<br />

<strong>energy</strong> may differ on the best route to take to 2030, but<br />

they all agree on one point: A clear policy needs to be<br />

adopted as soon as possible because treading on the<br />

spot will discourage investment - in any type of <strong>energy</strong>.<br />

1. WHERE DO WE STAND IN 2014?<br />

On the positive side, the EU is becoming more <strong>energy</strong>efficient<br />

and less <strong>energy</strong>-intensive. The 20 % target <strong>for</strong><br />

2020, compared with a business-as-usual scenario, may<br />

not quite be reached, but much will depend on the<br />

implementation of the <strong>Energy</strong> Efficiency Directive. Greenhouse<br />

<strong>gas</strong> emissions have been reduced and are on track<br />

<strong>for</strong> the 2020 target of a 20 % reduction, compared with<br />

1990, to be achieved. However, much of this is due to the<br />

economic crisis, which has resulted in lower than<br />

expected <strong>energy</strong> demand. The market share of renewable<br />

<strong>energy</strong> sources is also developing in line with the target<br />

of 20 % of gross final <strong>energy</strong> consumption. However,<br />

subsidies are needed to reach the target. These and other<br />

issues that the targets could raise were largely overlooked<br />

- by all stakeholders – when the targets were adopted in<br />

2007 and the climate and <strong>energy</strong> package was passed in<br />

2009. As a result, the three features of sustainable <strong>energy</strong><br />

– competitive, secure and clean – are in imbalance. Some<br />

of this is related to, or reflected in, <strong>gas</strong> losing out to<br />

renewables and coal (Figure 1). The most dramatic year<br />

<strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> was 2011, when, according to Euro<strong>gas</strong> figures, the<br />

market share of <strong>gas</strong> in primary <strong>energy</strong> consumption<br />

dropped by 10 % and coal increased its market share by<br />

3 %, compared with 2010. The growth of renewables was<br />

less pronounced over this period. In 2012, compared with<br />

2011, <strong>gas</strong> dropped by another 2 %, coal rose by another<br />

2 %, and renewables rose by 10 %. This development is<br />

affecting competitiveness, security of supply and environmental<br />

protection. Let me explain why.<br />

2. COST-EFFICIENCY WENT DOWN<br />

TOGETHER WITH THE EMISSIONS<br />

TRADING SYSTEM<br />

The Emissions Trading System (ETS) was intended to<br />

ensure cost-efficiency by the price of carbon determining<br />

whether it is cheaper in the covered sectors to invest in<br />

<strong>energy</strong>-saving or less carbon dioxide emitting equipment,<br />

or to buy emissions allowances to cover emissions.<br />

The ETS could not play its role because the price of allowances<br />

dropped so low that it has been no incentive <strong>for</strong><br />

investment or behaviour change. This is due to a large<br />

oversupply of allowances in the market. According to the<br />

Commission, the surplus stood at almost two billion<br />

allowances at the beginning of 2013. Several factors had<br />

not been taken into account when the <strong>energy</strong> and climate<br />

package was adopted: the possibility of a major<br />

14 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


<strong>Energy</strong> market<br />

REPORTS<br />

economic crisis decreasing <strong>energy</strong> demand, large use of<br />

international credits, and separate support schemes <strong>for</strong><br />

renewables and <strong>energy</strong> efficiency in ETS sectors. This led<br />

to emissions reductions not being achieved in the most<br />

cost-efficient way and the cost of renewables support<br />

schemes driving up the retail price of electricity.<br />

3. THE ISSUE ABOUT GAS-FIRED<br />

POWER STATIONS<br />

Meanwhile, the U.S. has increasingly produced unconventional<br />

<strong>gas</strong>: shale <strong>gas</strong>, tight <strong>gas</strong> and coal-bed methane. This<br />

did three things: it brought down the price of <strong>gas</strong> in the<br />

U.S., it changed the economics in electricity generation<br />

with <strong>gas</strong> becoming a cheaper fuel than coal, and it reduced<br />

carbon dioxide emissions (Figure 2). U.S. coal supplies<br />

now available to the rest of the world, where <strong>gas</strong> is more<br />

expensive, has risen and the price of coal has dropped.<br />

Paired with a low price <strong>for</strong> carbon dioxide allowances, coal<br />

has become a very cheap fuel <strong>for</strong> power generation in the<br />

EU. As it is cheaper than <strong>gas</strong>, its use went up whilst that of<br />

<strong>gas</strong> went down dramatically because its environmental<br />

characteristics (half the carbon dioxide emissions of coal,<br />

less nitrogen oxide, less sulphur oxide and less particles)<br />

are not sufficiently valued. Nor is the flexibility of <strong>gas</strong>-fired<br />

power stations to be switched on and off as needed to<br />

back up electricity from variable renewable sources. The<br />

increasing market share of electricity from renewables, of<br />

course, also reduces the demand left <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong>. Moreover,<br />

lower <strong>gas</strong> demand led to some pipelines being underused,<br />

thus increasing the costs to be distributed and further<br />

reducing the competitiveness of <strong>gas</strong>.<br />

Gas-fired power stations are turning into stranded<br />

assets. They were built against the background of an<br />

average growth rate of <strong>gas</strong> of 3 % per annum in the EU<br />

between 1995 and 2005. Euro<strong>gas</strong>’ expectation at the<br />

beginning of 2011 was that there would be a growth rate<br />

of up to 1.2 % per annum through to 2030. Instead, <strong>gas</strong>fired<br />

power stations are now increasingly mothballed or<br />

closed unless they are required by law to remain on<br />

standby when needed. As the market share of renewables<br />

is rising further, so is the need <strong>for</strong> backup capacity.<br />

Discussions about capacity remuneration mechanisms<br />

have there<strong>for</strong>e arisen at EU level. Such mechanisms are<br />

already applied in some Member States and remunerate<br />

the availability of power generation capacity rather than<br />

the electricity itself. Some argue that better electricity<br />

interconnections between the Member States, demandside<br />

response (certain customers using less electricity at<br />

peak times), and electricity storage could avoid the need<br />

<strong>for</strong> capacity remuneration mechanisms, but changing<br />

negative public opinion on high-voltage power cables,<br />

adapting customers and appliances to new consumption<br />

patterns, and developing electricity storage technology<br />

1200<br />

1000<br />

800<br />

600<br />

400<br />

200<br />

0<br />

Figure 1. EU 27 Electricity generation from renewables, <strong>gas</strong> and coal<br />

2005-2012, in TWh.<br />

Source: IEA, Enerdata, Global <strong>Energy</strong> & CO2 data, Euro<strong>gas</strong><br />

MtCO2 <br />

800 <br />

600 <br />

400 <br />

200 <br />

0 <br />

-­‐200 <br />

-­‐400 <br />

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012<br />

Figure 2. Changes in <strong>energy</strong>-related CO2 emissions 2012.<br />

Source: BP Statistical Review of World <strong>Energy</strong> 2013<br />

are likely to take more time than is available to avoid<br />

blackouts. At the same time, the increased use of coal is<br />

driving carbon dioxide emissions back up in some EU<br />

Member States.<br />

4. ENERGY PRICES HAVE BECOME A<br />

POLITICAL ISSUE<br />

The low <strong>energy</strong> demand in the EU contrasts with the<br />

high <strong>energy</strong> prices that the Commission has recently<br />

examined in its Communication of 22 January, entitled<br />

“<strong>Energy</strong> prices and costs in Europe”. If wholesale prices<br />

are considered, the Commission notes that electricity<br />

prices declined by 35-45% on the major <strong>European</strong> wholesale<br />

electricity benchmarks in the period 2008-2012. This<br />

is mainly due to the low price of coal and the low operational<br />

costs of electricity from renewable sources. According<br />

to the Commission, wholesale <strong>gas</strong> prices have fluctuated,<br />

falling and then returning to earlier levels so that no<br />

Renewables<br />

Gas<br />

Coal<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 15


REPORTS<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> market<br />

price increases are evident when the period as a whole is<br />

considered. The Commission further identifies high taxes<br />

and, in the electricity sector, heavy levies <strong>for</strong> renewable<br />

support schemes as the drivers <strong>for</strong> high retail prices. As<br />

Europe is only just hoping to come out of the economic<br />

crisis, there is a limit to what industry and households are<br />

able or prepared to pay <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong>. <strong>Energy</strong> prices have<br />

become a political issue.<br />

Citizens are complaining to their governments about<br />

the high costs of <strong>energy</strong>. Moreover, by spending more on<br />

<strong>energy</strong> they are spending less on other goods and services,<br />

thus causing an additional impact on the economy.<br />

Industry is sounding the alarm on its competitiveness.<br />

<strong>Energy</strong>-intensive sectors do, or threaten to, leave Europe<br />

because <strong>energy</strong> is much cheaper in the U.S. The finger is<br />

pointed at the fact that shale <strong>gas</strong> exploration is banned in<br />

many EU Member States and at subsidies <strong>for</strong> renewables.<br />

5. SHALE GAS IN THE U.S.<br />

Indeed, the price that industry has to pay <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> in<br />

Europe is higher than in the U.S. This is thanks to the large<br />

volumes of shale <strong>gas</strong> that have been produced in the U.S.<br />

and exports being limited to countries with which the U.S.<br />

has trade agreements. This has led to ample supplies and<br />

low prices in North America, beating the price of coal.<br />

However, <strong>gas</strong> is achieving even higher prices in East Asia,<br />

where demand is high, so that this is the region where it is<br />

currently most interesting to send tankers with liquid natural<br />

<strong>gas</strong> (LNG). The U.S. has worked out that it is economically<br />

beneficial overall to export <strong>gas</strong> even if this means that<br />

the price of <strong>gas</strong> in the U.S. may go up again. In fact, they<br />

have gone up again already (Figure 3). According to data<br />

provided by the U.S. <strong>Energy</strong> In<strong>for</strong>mation Agency, natural<br />

<strong>gas</strong> spot prices at Henry Hub went as low as $182 per million<br />

Btu in September 2009 and again in April 2012 and<br />

have been moving above $4 since December 2013. Permits<br />

to export LNG to more countries are being considered.<br />

LNG from the U.S. may come to Europe if the right<br />

price can be achieved. The necessary agreement may be<br />

part of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership<br />

(TTIP), which is currently being negotiated between the<br />

U.S. and the EU. The envisaged time horizon <strong>for</strong> the signing<br />

of this agreement is 2015, but many hurdles still need to be<br />

overcome. There are also other sources of LNG that will<br />

become available in the medium term, such as Mozambique,<br />

but, again, supplies will first go where the highest<br />

price is paid. Hurdles in public and political opinion are to<br />

overcome if the ban on shale <strong>gas</strong> exploration in EU Member<br />

States concerned is to be lifted although nobody can<br />

deny the excellent safety and environmental record of <strong>gas</strong><br />

production in Europe over decades and the fact that maintaining<br />

the currently decreasing levels of EU <strong>gas</strong> production<br />

would be beneficial to maintain a diverse supply base,<br />

thus increasing security of supply and also technology<br />

development, growth and jobs in Europe.<br />

6. RENEWABLES STILL NEED TO PROVE<br />

THEIR COMPETITIVENESS<br />

At the end of 2012, the share of renewable <strong>energy</strong> in gross<br />

final EU <strong>energy</strong> consumption was on average 14.4 %, according<br />

to the Commission. When the sun is shining and the<br />

wind is blowing, Germany’s 65 GW of renewables capacity<br />

can provide 100 % of its power needs. However, this can<br />

only be achieved by subsidies and priority access to the grid.<br />

Industry, if not exempted, and household customers<br />

are no longer prepared to foot the bill, and State coffers<br />

are empty. The renewables sector retaliates by pointing to<br />

the cost of fossil fuel imports, and says that this money<br />

would be better spent on renewable <strong>energy</strong> generated<br />

within the EU. But would it really? Coal and oil imports are<br />

subject to global competition, and <strong>gas</strong> imports are<br />

increasingly so. It is still much less expensive to reduce<br />

greenhouse <strong>gas</strong> emissions with <strong>gas</strong> than with renewables.<br />

As the trade war between the EU and China on solar<br />

equipment has shown, renewable equipment made in<br />

Europe is – and should be - subject to global competition.<br />

Moreover, biomass <strong>for</strong> power generation and home heating<br />

with pellets is increasingly imported from outside<br />

Europe where its sustainable growth is put into question.<br />

For the balancing of electricity from variable renewable<br />

sources without backup from thermal power stations,<br />

interconnections are missing, the potential of demandside-response<br />

is uncertain, and technology <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong><br />

storage still needs to be developed further.<br />

7. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERNAL<br />

ENERGY MARKET<br />

The implementation of the internal <strong>energy</strong> market is an<br />

important tool to increase choice and competition and to<br />

come to competitive prices, and it is there<strong>for</strong>e an important<br />

element <strong>for</strong> the EU’s 2030 strategy. The internal<br />

<strong>energy</strong> market is well advanced in Northwest Europe, but<br />

cross-border interconnections and trade – both in <strong>gas</strong><br />

and electricity - are still missing in many Member States,<br />

largely because of nationally focused policies and lack of<br />

investment, which is strongly due to regulatory intervention<br />

and uncertainty. Governments are capping retail<br />

prices and grid tariffs to protect consumers or to win the<br />

next elections and a number of Member States have<br />

insisted that they will continue to do so. Tampering with<br />

the market means disturbing and distorting the market.<br />

EU legislation has made one step <strong>for</strong>ward and one<br />

step back. Whilst the Third Package aims to achieve the<br />

mentioned cross-border interconnection and trade, the<br />

Renewable <strong>Energy</strong> Directive does the exact opposite.<br />

16 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


<strong>Energy</strong> market<br />

REPORTS<br />

Figure 3. U.S. Natural <strong>gas</strong> prices.<br />

Source: Short-Term <strong>Energy</strong> Outlook, April 2014<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> In<strong>for</strong>mation Administration, U.S.<br />

The <strong>European</strong> Court of Justice is currently examining<br />

whether that Directive is compatible with the Treaty by<br />

preventing companies established in other Member<br />

States from supplying electricity from renewable <strong>energy</strong><br />

sources across the border from benefiting of the subsidies<br />

handed out in the Member State of consumption.<br />

Member States have to subsidise the development of<br />

renewables heavily to achieve their EU or nationally<br />

agreed targets; wind and solar installations are not always<br />

placed in optimal locations; and bad interconnection or<br />

lack of cross-border exchange either creates surplus<br />

power or <strong>for</strong>ces the electricity into countries that cannot<br />

cope with it, and creates ultralow or even negative prices<br />

at certain times when off-takers need to be paid to<br />

accept the surplus electricity.<br />

8. INTERCONNECTIONS ARE STILL<br />

MISSING<br />

A number of <strong>gas</strong> pipelines and electricity grid connections<br />

have been developed, but, particularly on the <strong>gas</strong><br />

side, more towards the EU than within the EU: Nord<br />

Stream has been added, TAP will be added, and South<br />

Stream is at an advanced development stage.<br />

The construction of LNG terminals, too, is positive to<br />

increase the diversification of supplies. However, they<br />

should pass a cost-benefit analysis, which is not the case<br />

<strong>for</strong> some of the LNG terminals that are under construction<br />

or planned around the Baltic Sea.<br />

There are still important bottlenecks, missing links<br />

and missing reverse flow possibilities <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong>. The infrastructure<br />

package and the funding options that have<br />

been created are helpful. However, companies point out<br />

that permitting procedures are still long and complex<br />

even in the case of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) <strong>for</strong><br />

which the idea was to streamline their permitting. Moreover,<br />

we should not <strong>for</strong>get that in a well-functioning<br />

<strong>energy</strong> market, public funding would not be necessary<br />

and that, there<strong>for</strong>e, the EU and Member States should<br />

continue to improve the regulatory framework <strong>for</strong> the<br />

market in such a way that private funding is attracted. In<br />

particular, if existing or planned projects are fully commercial,<br />

they should not have to compete with EU funded<br />

projects. <strong>Market</strong> rules must be clear, coordinated and fair,<br />

but right now, the market is uncertain about what future<br />

policy will be.<br />

9. WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD TO A<br />

COMPETITIVE, SECURE AND CLEAN<br />

ENERGY SYSTEM?<br />

Above all, more market and less regulation will be beneficial<br />

because regulatory risk is amongst the most difficult<br />

to calculate and has <strong>for</strong> years been mentioned by investors<br />

who would principally be happy to finance projects<br />

in Europe. The transition to a low-carbon <strong>energy</strong> system,<br />

even the German “Energiewende”, can be achieved at a<br />

much lower cost, with more market and less political<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 17


REPORTS<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> market<br />

intervention. With the price of carbon dioxide as the main<br />

driver, renewables and <strong>energy</strong> efficiency can thrive and<br />

hybrid systems will develop naturally.<br />

The main changes needed in the short and medium<br />

term are as follows:<br />

■ One target: This should relate to greenhouse <strong>gas</strong> emissions<br />

reductions. The Commission’s proposal of 40 % is in<br />

line with the EU target of an 80-95 % reduction by 2050.<br />

Of course, <strong>for</strong> EU climate action to be successful it should<br />

be part of a global ef<strong>for</strong>t. The 2030 framework should<br />

determine the negotiating position of the EU <strong>for</strong> a 2015<br />

global climate agreement. Until an equitable global<br />

agreement has been reached, the competitiveness of<br />

the EU economy should be appropriately addressed.<br />

■ Re<strong>for</strong>m of the ETS: if the right ef<strong>for</strong>t is made, it will<br />

remain the ideal instrument to reduce greenhouse<br />

<strong>gas</strong> emissions cost-efficiently. It will ensure a balanced<br />

and diverse <strong>energy</strong> mix and enable <strong>gas</strong> to compete<br />

with coal. Renewables that are market-ready will naturally<br />

phase in without requiring subsidies, <strong>energy</strong> efficiency<br />

measures are encouraged, and <strong>energy</strong> prices<br />

can be competitive. The renewables sector is pessimistic<br />

that the ETS will ever be made to work <strong>for</strong> a true<br />

<strong>energy</strong> transition. It is there<strong>for</strong>e high time to demonstrate<br />

political willingness to do so. The Commission<br />

has presented the various options available. They now<br />

need to be put together in an effective amendment<br />

package that is adopted as soon as possible to provide<br />

investors with a mechanism on which they can<br />

rely. Needless to say that the ETS should be complemented<br />

with cost-efficient measures to reduce emissions<br />

in non-ETS sectors.<br />

■<br />

■<br />

■<br />

Full and speedy implementation of the third legislative<br />

package on the internal <strong>energy</strong> market, abandoning<br />

nationally oriented regulation, including price<br />

caps - If market distortions cannot be removed or not<br />

quickly enough, capacity remuneration mechanisms<br />

can be an effective means to address security of electricity<br />

supply. But any market distortion by such<br />

mechanisms must be kept to a minimum.<br />

Gradual but non-retroactive phase-out of existing support<br />

schemes <strong>for</strong> mature renewables – The proposed<br />

EU State aid guidelines are a step in the right direction,<br />

but they will allow a purely national approach to continue<br />

<strong>for</strong> some time, differing across the Member States<br />

and impacting the internal <strong>energy</strong> market.<br />

Continued support <strong>for</strong> all non-mature low-carbon<br />

options under the aspect of research, development and<br />

demonstration – CCS and power-to-<strong>gas</strong> should be part<br />

of this, as well as nanotechnology in solar panels etc.<br />

AUTHOR<br />

Beate Raabe<br />

Secretary General |<br />

Euro<strong>gas</strong> |<br />

Brussels |Belgium<br />

Phone: +32 2 894 48 02 |<br />

E-mail: Beate.Raabe@euro<strong>gas</strong>.org<br />

18 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


The Gas Engineer’s<br />

Dictionary<br />

Supply Infrastructure from A to Z<br />

The Gas Engineer’s Dictionary will be a standard work <strong>for</strong> all aspects of construction,<br />

operation and maintenance of <strong>gas</strong> grids.<br />

This dictionary is an entirely new designed reference book <strong>for</strong> both engineers with<br />

professional experience and students of supply engineering. The opus contains the world<br />

of supply infrastructure in a series of detailed professional articles dealing with main<br />

points like the following:<br />

• bio<strong>gas</strong> • compressor stations • conditioning<br />

• corrosion protection • dispatching • <strong>gas</strong> properties<br />

• grid layout • LNG • odorization<br />

• metering • pressure regulation • safety devices<br />

• storages<br />

Editors: Klaus Homann, Rainer Reimert, Bernhard Klocke<br />

1 st edition 2013<br />

452 pages, 165 x 230 mm<br />

hardcover with interactive eBook (read-online access)<br />

ISBN: 978-3-8356-3214-1<br />

Price: € 160,–<br />

DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH, Arnulfstr. 124, 80636 München<br />

www.di-verlag.de<br />

Order now!<br />

KNOWLEDGE FOR THE<br />

FUTURE<br />

Order now by fax: +49 201 / 820 02-34 or send in a letter<br />

Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH | Arnulfstr. 124 | 80636 München<br />

Yes, I place a firm order <strong>for</strong> the technical book. Please send<br />

— copies of The Gas Engineer’s Dictionary<br />

1st edition 2013 – ISBN: 978-3-8356-3214-1<br />

at the price of € 160,- (plus postage and packing extra)<br />

Company/Institution<br />

First name, surname of recipient (department or person)<br />

Street/P.O. Box, No.<br />

Country, Postalcode, Town<br />

reply / Antwort<br />

Vulkan-Verlag GmbH<br />

Versandbuchhandlung<br />

Postfach 10 39 62<br />

45039 Essen<br />

GERMANY<br />

Phone<br />

E-Mail<br />

Line of business<br />

Fax<br />

Please note: According to German law this request may be withdrawn within 14 days after order date in writing<br />

to Vulkan Verlag GmbH, Versandbuchhandlung, Postfach 10 39 62, 45039 essen, Germany.<br />

In order to accomplish your request and <strong>for</strong> communication purposes your personal data are being recorded and stored.<br />

It is approved that this data may also be used in commercial ways by mail, by phone, by fax, by email, none.<br />

this approval may be withdrawn at any time.<br />

Date, signature<br />

PATGED2014


REPORTS<br />

Power-to-<strong>gas</strong><br />

Power-to-<strong>gas</strong>: Climbing the<br />

technology readiness ladder<br />

Qualification of integrated power-to-<strong>gas</strong> systems in<br />

real-life environments is the next step<br />

by Lukas Grond and Johan Holstein<br />

Power-to-<strong>gas</strong> as a technology to provide flexibility to the <strong>energy</strong> system or to generate low carbon or carbon<br />

free <strong>gas</strong> is currently heavily debated in relation to the <strong>energy</strong> transition and is considered to be a new and innovative<br />

technology. New technology in general introduces uncertainties that imply risks <strong>for</strong> developers, manufacturers,<br />

vendors, operators and end-users. This article discusses the state of power-to-<strong>gas</strong> in terms of technology<br />

readiness and provides insight in recent developments and proposed near-future activities. The current technology<br />

readiness level of power-to-<strong>gas</strong> equipment varies between the technology readiness level (TRL) 5 and 8,<br />

depending on the specific processes considered. In order to abate investors’ and policy-makers’ risks and uncertainties<br />

in adopting power-to-<strong>gas</strong> as an <strong>energy</strong> transition enabler, qualification and verification of integrated<br />

power-to-<strong>gas</strong> systems in operational, real life environments is required to improve on the technology readiness<br />

ladder and is crucial <strong>for</strong> facilitating possible further market penetration.<br />

1. INTRODUCTION<br />

The EU is facing unprecedented <strong>energy</strong> challenges until<br />

2020. As part of the ‘20-20-20 goals’, 20 % of EU’s <strong>energy</strong><br />

consumption should be generated by renewable <strong>energy</strong><br />

sources (RES) in 2020, a 20 % greenhouse <strong>gas</strong> emissions<br />

reduction (relative to 1990 levels) should be realized and<br />

EU’s <strong>energy</strong> efficiency should be improved by 20 % [1].<br />

Such a boost <strong>for</strong> the implementation of renewables will<br />

encourage technological innovation, development and<br />

increased employment in Europe. Adoption of enabling<br />

technologies by industrial companies is inevitable <strong>for</strong> realizing<br />

EU’s renewable <strong>energy</strong> targets. A common industryaccepted<br />

methodology <strong>for</strong> qualifying the development<br />

state of technology is by classification of the technology<br />

readiness level (TRL) of technological systems or system<br />

components. This methodology is suitable <strong>for</strong> comparing<br />

similar or competitive technologies and <strong>for</strong> indicating progress<br />

in the technology development [2]. Furthermore it<br />

helps to structure and prioritize development and<br />

improvement activities. The following technology readiness<br />

levels have been defined by US DoD [3]:<br />

TRL1. Basic principles observed and reported<br />

TRL2. Technology concept and/or application <strong>for</strong>mulated<br />

TRL3. Analytical and experimental critical function and/<br />

or characteristic proof of concept<br />

TRL4. Component and/or breadboard validation in a<br />

laboratory environment<br />

TRL5. Component and/or breadboard validation in a<br />

relevant environment<br />

TRL6. System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration<br />

in a relevant environment<br />

TRL7. System prototype demonstration in an operational<br />

environment<br />

TRL8. Actual system completed and qualified through<br />

test and demonstration<br />

TRL9. Actual system proven through successful mission<br />

operations<br />

This article discusses the state of power-to-<strong>gas</strong> in terms of<br />

technology readiness and provides insight in recent<br />

developments and proposed near-future activities.<br />

20 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


Power-to-<strong>gas</strong><br />

REPORTS<br />

2. POWER-TO-GAS IN SHORT<br />

Power-to-<strong>gas</strong> is the functional description of the conversion<br />

of electrical power into a <strong>gas</strong>eous <strong>energy</strong> carrier like<br />

e. g. hydrogen and/or methane. With the technology currently<br />

available, the production chain of power-to-<strong>gas</strong><br />

consists of electrolysis and optionally methanation can<br />

be included. Electrolysis relates to the conversion of electricity<br />

into hydrogen by splitting the water molecule<br />

(Equation 1). Methanation is the process of generating<br />

methane (and water) from a synthesis process of hydrogen<br />

and carbon dioxide (Equation 2).<br />

2H 2O(l) → 2H 2(g) + O 2(g) [1]<br />

CO 2(g) + 4H 2(g) ←<br />

→ CH4(g) + 2H 2O(l) [2]<br />

The main purposes <strong>for</strong> the development and implementation<br />

of power-to-<strong>gas</strong> are (I) to deliver flexibility to the <strong>energy</strong><br />

system by offering a controllable power load to facilitate<br />

the implementation of intermittent renew able <strong>energy</strong><br />

sources into the existing <strong>energy</strong> system and (II) to enhance<br />

decarbonisation of the <strong>gas</strong> sector, mobility sector or chemical<br />

industry by establishing the conversion of renewable<br />

power to natural <strong>gas</strong> substitute, hydrogen fuel/feedstock or<br />

carbon recycling via methanation. However, solely based<br />

on the rationale of exergetic efficiency, electricity should<br />

always be directly used as electricity whenever possible,<br />

namely every conversion step imposes <strong>energy</strong> losses.<br />

3. POWER-TO-GAS READINESS<br />

Until recently electrolysis (mostly alkaline electrolysis) has<br />

generally been applied <strong>for</strong> continuous industrial processes<br />

like the production of fine chemicals or <strong>for</strong> vehicle<br />

Power production and demand (MW)<br />

900<br />

800<br />

700<br />

600<br />

500<br />

400<br />

300<br />

200<br />

100<br />

0<br />

Electricity balance in June in 2020 in Dutch region<br />

1<br />

25<br />

49<br />

73<br />

97<br />

121<br />

145<br />

169<br />

193<br />

217<br />

241<br />

265<br />

289<br />

313<br />

337<br />

361<br />

385<br />

409<br />

433<br />

457<br />

481<br />

505<br />

529<br />

553<br />

577<br />

601<br />

625<br />

649<br />

673<br />

697<br />

Figure 1. Power production and demand profiles [4].<br />

fuel and can be characterized by TRL 9. Both these applications<br />

however did not require the electrolysis process<br />

to be very flexible <strong>for</strong> its application in terms of ramping<br />

up or down. With the increasing penetration of intermittent<br />

power resources the need <strong>for</strong> more controllable load<br />

in the power system increases (see Figure 1). This has<br />

been a direct motivation <strong>for</strong> electrolyser manufacturers<br />

to adapt their technologies to this market demand. So<br />

even though the electrolyser process is already known<br />

<strong>for</strong> decades and widely applied, the demand <strong>for</strong> flexible<br />

operation drives the innovation of the technology<br />

towards a system that is able to quickly and adequately<br />

respond to power production fluctuations. This means<br />

that this new application <strong>for</strong> the electrolyser technology<br />

<strong>for</strong>ces it to be considered in TRL level 5 to 7 again.<br />

-100<br />

-200<br />

-300<br />

-400<br />

-500<br />

-600<br />

-700<br />

Hours<br />

Conv. must run Solar PV Wind onshore Power demand Surplus electricity<br />

400<br />

300<br />

200<br />

100<br />

0<br />

Surplus electricity (MW)<br />

Capital requirement & investment risk<br />

Methane & methanol synthesis with CO2<br />

H2 injection natural <strong>gas</strong> grid<br />

Steam water electrolysis (SOEC)<br />

Steam water electrolysis (HT PEM)<br />

Photochemical hydrogen production<br />

PEM electrolysis<br />

Laboratory work Bench scale Pilot scale<br />

Solid storage<br />

Fuel cells (Large scale, high temp.)<br />

Fuel cells (mobility, low temp.)<br />

Compressors, H2 refuelling compressors & tanks<br />

Alkaline electrolysis<br />

Commercial-scale, process proved,<br />

substantial optimization potential<br />

Gas turbines <strong>for</strong> H2 rich fuel <strong>gas</strong>es<br />

H 2 production<br />

H 2 storage<br />

H 2 application / accommodation<br />

H 2 processing<br />

H2 compressors, H2 refuelling compressors<br />

Steam re<strong>for</strong>ming (hydrocarbons)<br />

Commercial-scale, process proved, widely<br />

deployed, limited optimization potential<br />

Research Development Demonstration Deployment Mature technology<br />

Technology maturity<br />

Liquefaction & cryogenic storage<br />

Liquefaction & cryogenic storage<br />

Various use of H2 in refineries<br />

H2 infrastructure<br />

Figure 2. Development<br />

curve of<br />

power-to-<strong>gas</strong><br />

technologies<br />

and hydrogen<br />

application [5].<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 21


REPORTS<br />

Power-to-<strong>gas</strong><br />

Table 1. Advantages and disadvantages of the predominantly considered electrolysis technologies [5][6]<br />

Advantage<br />

Commercial technology (high technology readiness level)<br />

Low investment electrolyser<br />

Alkaline Electrolysis<br />

Disadvantage<br />

Limited cost reduction and efficiency improvement potential<br />

High maintenance intensity<br />

Large stack size Modest reactivity, ramp rates and flexibility (minimal load 20 %)<br />

Extremely low hydrogen impurity (0,001 %)<br />

Advantage<br />

Reliable technology (no kinetics) and simple, compact design<br />

Very fast response time<br />

Cost reduction potential (modular design)<br />

Advantage<br />

Highest electrolysis efficiency<br />

Low capital costs<br />

Possibilities <strong>for</strong> integration with chemical methanation<br />

(heat recycling)<br />

Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis (PEME)<br />

Stacks < 250 kW require unusual AC/DC converters<br />

Corrosive electrolyte deteriorates when not operating nominally<br />

Disadvantage<br />

High investment costs (noble metals, membrane)<br />

Limited lifetime of membranes<br />

Requires high water purity<br />

Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC)<br />

Disadvantage<br />

Very low technology readiness level (proof of concept)<br />

Poor lifetime because of high temperature and affected material<br />

stability<br />

Limited flexibility; constant load required<br />

Today, alkaline electrolysis is being optimized to meet<br />

the flexibility requirements resulting from the market<br />

demand. Proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEME)<br />

is based on a different chemical process and characteristically<br />

better capable of meeting the technical flexibility<br />

requirements. See Table 1 <strong>for</strong> the advantages and disadvantages<br />

of the three predominantly considered electrolysis<br />

technologies today (alkaline, PEM and SOEC). The<br />

PEME technology currently is close to commercial deployment,<br />

meaning that the technology is about ready <strong>for</strong><br />

large scale market penetration. In addition to Table 1,<br />

Figure 2 shows the development curve <strong>for</strong> power-to-<strong>gas</strong><br />

technologies in terms of maturity levels.<br />

Diving into the pool of hydrogen accommodation or<br />

processing opportunities, we can extract from Figure 2<br />

that methanation currently is in demonstration phase<br />

representing a TRL level 5–7. Remarkably, both methanation<br />

and methanol synthesis are mature technologies<br />

and have already been widely applied in industrial processes.<br />

Again, the requirement of being able to follow<br />

intermittent hydrogen production as a result of intermittent<br />

power production requires adaptation of the technology<br />

to its purpose, explaining the place of methanation<br />

on the maturity curve.<br />

Manufacturers of both the electrolysis and methanation<br />

(or methanol synthesis) technologies are currently<br />

deploying extensive innovation activities in order to<br />

make the standard and mature technologies fit <strong>for</strong> this<br />

new purpose. Integrating technology components or<br />

systems often requires adaptation or optimization and<br />

renewed interest in testing, validating and demonstrating<br />

new system configurations.<br />

4. MARKET PENETRATION AND SYSTEM<br />

INTEGRATION LEAD TO COST<br />

REDUCTION<br />

Investment costs <strong>for</strong> power-to-<strong>gas</strong> plants today are substantial.<br />

Electrolysis units face strong economies of scale<br />

up to 1 MWe of electrical capacity. For larger capacities<br />

the investment cost line is nearly horizontal (see<br />

Figure 3). Since the commercially available electrolyser<br />

systems today have maximum capacity of 3 MWe per<br />

unit, installation of a plant with a larger capacity than 3<br />

MWe means that electrolyser units need to be stacked in<br />

order to realize the desired capacity (very limited economies<br />

of scale). However, Siemens is currently developing a<br />

high capacity (90 MW) PEM electrolysis unit that is capable<br />

of overshooting its nominal capacity by up to 300 %<br />

<strong>for</strong> several minutes. The economies of scale of that electrolysis<br />

unit are expected to be substantial in a large<br />

range of capacities. Chemical methanation technology is<br />

subject to very strong economies of scale. The power-tomethane<br />

demo’s operational today consist of small scale<br />

methanation units, putting pressure on the investment<br />

costs. However, when large plants are envisioned<br />

( > 100 MWe) methanation becomes relatively cheap considering<br />

the total costs of the plant. The share of metha-<br />

22 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


Power-to-<strong>gas</strong><br />

REPORTS<br />

nation capital expenditures in the total investment of<br />

such plants is relatively small. Regarding operational<br />

expenditures, chemical methanation has high potential<br />

to increase efficiency by utilizing the heat (200–500 °C).<br />

System integration of components or processes and valorization<br />

of all process products (including heat and oxygen)<br />

will result in improved business cases.<br />

5. CERTIFICATION OF HYDROGEN AND<br />

METHANE<br />

The products from the power-to-<strong>gas</strong> process need to be<br />

valued properly in order to realize a viable business case<br />

<strong>for</strong> the owner or investor. In most <strong>European</strong> countries<br />

(except Germany) the hydrogen and methane from<br />

power-to-<strong>gas</strong> are not yet fully integrated in national subsidy<br />

schemes or stimulation programs. Neither can<br />

power-to-<strong>gas</strong> plants currently be exempted from regular<br />

taxes nor grid fees. It can be considered legitimate<br />

though to introduce supporting financial or legal measures<br />

<strong>for</strong> power-to-<strong>gas</strong> because the technology is implemented<br />

to relieve pressure on the power grid and to<br />

enhance the <strong>energy</strong> transition.<br />

For the purpose of producing low carbon or CO 2-<br />

neutral methane <strong>for</strong> fuelling Audi’s g-tron vehicles, certification<br />

of methane is essential <strong>for</strong> Audi in order to comply<br />

with the recent (Euro 5), the future (Euro 6) and national<br />

vehicle emission standards.<br />

Similar discussions can be introduced <strong>for</strong> the use of<br />

power-to-<strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> storage or flexibility purposes. In<br />

that case its real value is in storing <strong>energy</strong> to provide flexibility<br />

to the <strong>energy</strong> system. However, valuing only the<br />

caloric value of the hydrogen or methane produced does<br />

not address its service benefit properly. As with any development<br />

process, it is irrefutable to have a positive balance<br />

between the power-to-<strong>gas</strong> system costs and its benefits.<br />

6. CURRENT STATUS: DEMONSTRATION<br />

OF DIFFERENT SYSTEM<br />

CONFIGURATIONS<br />

Most of the investments in power-to-<strong>gas</strong> have until now<br />

been in macro-level research such as techno-economic<br />

technology assessments, <strong>energy</strong> systems analysis studies,<br />

feasibility studies and business case assessments, road<br />

maps and fact books. Results from these works are essential<br />

<strong>for</strong> companies and institutions to determine the<br />

appropriate approach towards further development of<br />

the technology. Two striking examples of <strong>European</strong> initiatives<br />

having the main objective to investigate the viability<br />

of the concept in this stage of the development by<br />

exploiting these a<strong>for</strong>ementioned activities are the North<br />

Sea Power to Gas Plat<strong>for</strong>m (initiated and chaired by DNV<br />

GL) and the Strategieplatt<strong>for</strong>m Power-to-Gas (initiated<br />

Capital costs ( /kW H2 )<br />

Capital costs ( /kW CH4 )<br />

4.000<br />

3.500<br />

3.000<br />

2.500<br />

2.000<br />

1.500<br />

1.000<br />

500<br />

6.000<br />

5.000<br />

4.000<br />

3.000<br />

2.000<br />

1.000<br />

0<br />

0 200 400 600 800 1.000 1.200 1.400 1.600 1.800 2.000<br />

Capacity (kW H2 )<br />

Figure 3. Capital cost curves of electrolysis (PEM curve is a<br />

prediction of future costs) and methanation [6].<br />

and chaired by DVGW). The North Sea Power to Gas Plat<strong>for</strong>m<br />

is a joint body, based on an integrated network of<br />

stakeholders, which aims to explore the viability of<br />

power-to-<strong>gas</strong> in the countries surrounding the North Sea<br />

Proton Exchange Membrane<br />

0<br />

0 200 400 600 800 1.000 1.200 1.400 1.600 1.800 2.000<br />

Capacity (kW CH4 )<br />

Alkaline electrolysis<br />

Chemical methanation<br />

Biological methanation<br />

Figure 4. Life cycle analysis<br />

results of the Audi<br />

A3 g-tron (obtained<br />

from [7]).<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 23


REPORTS<br />

Power-to-<strong>gas</strong><br />

DNV GL has technologically supported the Dutch distribution<br />

grid operator Stedin in realizing the first Dutch<br />

power-to-methane plant, by defining engineering guidelines,<br />

validating the selected technology and ensuring<br />

<strong>gas</strong> grid injection compliance. This project has the objective<br />

to show the value of power-to-<strong>gas</strong> as a smart <strong>gas</strong> grid<br />

technology that enables wind and solar power accommodation<br />

as methane, which is used by households in the<br />

city of Rotterdam (Figure 5).<br />

The world famous power-to-methane full-scale<br />

demon stration plant of Audi in Werlte, Germany, is<br />

remarkable since it kick-starts the large scale deployment<br />

of the industrial produced methane vehicle fuel<br />

from wind power as a tool <strong>for</strong> Audi to comply with new<br />

<strong>European</strong> vehicle emission legislation. Another remarkable<br />

pilot project is the proof of concept of a biological<br />

methanation technology, which turns out to be a highly<br />

efficient process and capable of very rapid response to<br />

fluctuating input [10][11].<br />

7. INCREASING NEED FOR TECHNOLOGY<br />

QUALIFICATION<br />

Figure 5. Methanation reactors (above) and IR<br />

photo (below) of the methanation process<br />

in the Netherlands, a project of Stedin,<br />

Ressort Wonen, Agentschap NL,<br />

Gemeente Rotterdam and DNV GL [12].<br />

area [8]. The Strategieplatt<strong>for</strong>m Power-to-Gas is politically<br />

oriented and aims to develop strategy <strong>for</strong> large scale<br />

implementation of power-to-<strong>gas</strong> [9].<br />

Since 2012 there has been a steep increase in the<br />

number of demonstration plants, with Germany as a<br />

leading nation in Europe. Currently over thirty power-to<strong>gas</strong><br />

plants have been realized or are about to be commissioned<br />

in Europe, all having a strong research or demonstration<br />

character [8]. Referring to the a<strong>for</strong>ementioned<br />

TRL’s, most of the power-to-<strong>gas</strong> realization projects today<br />

fit in TRL 6 and 7. None of the demonstration plants is<br />

identical to another, all demonstrating different system<br />

configurations, providing different service applications or<br />

fulfilling different market needs.<br />

Implementation of new technology introduces uncertainties<br />

that imply risk <strong>for</strong> its developers, manufacturers,<br />

vendors, operators and end-users. Concepts with wellknown<br />

and proven technology are often preferred over<br />

solutions with elements of non-proven technology,<br />

even if the latter provides significant operational<br />

improvement or cost-efficiency [2].<br />

With the current status of power-to-<strong>gas</strong> technologies<br />

(TRL 5–8), investors take a risk that their investment might<br />

not return within the envisioned period, due to e. g.<br />

design errors, technological failure, underestimated<br />

maintenance intensity or operational faults. Technology<br />

qualification and verification enables the TRL upgrade to<br />

TRL 9, needed to facilitate the implementation of powerto-<strong>gas</strong><br />

and enhancing the creation of new business<br />

opportunities and/or improved profitability. Verification<br />

of the technology or project gives investors and potential<br />

operators reliable in<strong>for</strong>mation about the technology of<br />

interest and helps them mitigating investment and technology<br />

related risks. Successful deployment of plants initiated<br />

by the pioneers in the <strong>energy</strong> transition is crucial.<br />

There is a need to set technical engineering guidelines<br />

and recommended practices <strong>for</strong> power-to-<strong>gas</strong> projects<br />

in order to enable technology qualification and provide<br />

transparency <strong>for</strong> vendors, investors and operators. Also<br />

other stakeholders, like public policy-makers and regulators<br />

have an interest in clear indications of the per<strong>for</strong>mance<br />

achievable by such technologies. This, subsequently,<br />

enables verification of projects to well-accepted<br />

standards and accelerates realization of projects and<br />

technology and market developments.<br />

24 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


Power-to-<strong>gas</strong><br />

REPORTS<br />

8. ENHANCING THE ENERGY<br />

TRANSITION<br />

Developments of new power-to-<strong>gas</strong> technologies such as<br />

solid oxide electrolysis and biological methanation and the<br />

further adaptation and optimization of well-known technologies<br />

such as alkaline electrolysis, proton exchange<br />

membrane electrolysis and chemical methanation offer<br />

opportunities <strong>for</strong> enhancing the <strong>energy</strong> transition, by<br />

offering flexibility as well as decarbonisation. The technology<br />

readiness of power-to-<strong>gas</strong> technologies today varies<br />

between TRL 5 and 8, depending on the specific processes<br />

considered. In order to abate investors’ and policy-makers’<br />

risks and uncertainties in adopting power-to-<strong>gas</strong> as an<br />

<strong>energy</strong> transition enabler, qualification and verification of<br />

integrated power-to-<strong>gas</strong> systems in operational, real life<br />

environments is the first next step that needs to be taken.<br />

DNV GL acknowledges that qualification, standardization<br />

and verification is crucial <strong>for</strong> further improvement of<br />

power-to-<strong>gas</strong> on the technology’s TRL and thus <strong>for</strong> harvesting<br />

the technology’s potential to enhance the <strong>energy</strong><br />

transition and realize EU’s RES ambitions.<br />

REFERENCES<br />

[1] <strong>European</strong> Commission; the climate and <strong>energy</strong><br />

package. Online: http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/<br />

package/12-5-2014.<br />

[2] DNV (2011) Qualification of New Technology, Recommended<br />

Practice DNV-RP-A203, July 2011.<br />

[3] US DoD (2009) Technology Readiness Assessment<br />

(TRA) desk book.<br />

[4] DNV GL (2014) Meso-level considerations in exploring<br />

power-to-<strong>gas</strong>. International Conference on<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> Storage, 3 rd Conference on Power to Gas.<br />

March 27 th 2014, Dusseldorf, Germany. L. J. Grond.<br />

[5] SBC <strong>Energy</strong> Institute (2014) Fact book - Hydrogen based<br />

<strong>energy</strong> conversion. More than storage: system flexibility.<br />

[6] Grond, L. J.; Holstein, J. and Schulze, P.: DNV KEMA (2013)<br />

Systems analysis power-to-<strong>gas</strong>; Technology Review.<br />

[7] Otten, R.: Power to Gas in operation: Experiences with<br />

the Audi 6 MW plant in Werlte. OTTI – 4 th Storage<br />

Day, Düsseldorf, 27 th of March 2014.<br />

[8] North Sea Power to Gas Plat<strong>for</strong>m website:<br />

www.northseapowerto<strong>gas</strong>.com (31.4.2014).<br />

[9] Strategieplatt<strong>for</strong>m Power to Gas website:<br />

www.powerto<strong>gas</strong>.info (31.4.2014).<br />

[10] Krassowski, J.: Power-to-<strong>gas</strong>-Technologien als Baustein<br />

in einem regenerativen Energiesystem - Ansätze zur<br />

Systemintegration in der Altmark, 30 May 2012.<br />

[11] Electrochaea (2012) Power-to-<strong>gas</strong> via biological<br />

cataly sis. Personal communication with D. Hofstetter<br />

of Electrochaea and product in<strong>for</strong>mation. September,<br />

14. 2012.<br />

[12] Stedin & DNV GL (2014) Power-to-<strong>gas</strong> demonstration<br />

plant Rotterdam (NL).<br />

AUTHORS<br />

Lukas Grond<br />

Engineer<br />

Asset Risk Management<br />

DNV GL<br />

Groningen | Netherland<br />

Phone: +31 50 700 9893<br />

E-Mail: Lukas.Grond@dnvgl.com<br />

Johan Holstein<br />

Engineer<br />

Gas Quality and Transition<br />

DNV GL<br />

Groningen | Netherland<br />

Phone: +31 50 700 9849<br />

E-Mail: Johan.Holstein@dnvgl.com<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 25


REPORTS<br />

Gas quality<br />

The <strong>gas</strong> smell: A study<br />

of the public perception of<br />

<strong>gas</strong> odorants<br />

by François Cagnon, Amélie Louvat and Véronique Vasseur<br />

In 2010 GDF SUEZ CRIGEN completed a study about the smell of <strong>gas</strong>. Small focus groups constructed an ID card<br />

of the smell of <strong>gas</strong> by working with 10 unpleasant smells, including THT, TBM and Gasodor S-Free®. The three<br />

product's smells and two other “bad” smells were then presented to 2,000 people (400 per smell) to evaluate<br />

their reaction to the smell and its association to <strong>gas</strong>. The results detailed in the paper bring a new perspective<br />

about the use of these <strong>gas</strong> odorants when compared with previous studies once the hedonistic bias is taken out.<br />

In every country odorisation of distributed <strong>gas</strong>es is<br />

required <strong>for</strong> safety reason. Although the <strong>for</strong>mulation may<br />

vary the basis of the requirements are that the smell shall<br />

be perceived be<strong>for</strong>e a given concentration of <strong>gas</strong> in air,<br />

generally 20 % LEL, and that it shall be characteristic. The<br />

first requirement means that the odour intensity of the<br />

smell is sufficient. This can be evaluated through an olfactometric<br />

evaluation as proposed <strong>for</strong> instance in the Italian<br />

standard UNI 7133 or the French specification AFG 87-1.<br />

The last requirement means that the smell is not easily<br />

mistaken <strong>for</strong> a smell normally present in the ambiance. It<br />

is not easily verified as the smell perception, <strong>for</strong> untrained<br />

people, is based on the individual history but may also<br />

depend on some cultural or environmental factors.<br />

Since the beginning of <strong>gas</strong> distribution odorisation has<br />

generally been done by adding reduced sulphur compounds<br />

to the <strong>gas</strong> such as sulphides (THT <strong>for</strong> instance) or<br />

mercaptans. These products smells are quite similar and<br />

are generally recognised as characteristic, leading to their<br />

identification with the "<strong>gas</strong> smell". Recently new odorants<br />

have been proposed in Europe based on acrylates compounds<br />

having a very different smell. Thus the question of<br />

the character of the smell, its perception and association<br />

with <strong>gas</strong> by the public is raised again.<br />

GDF SUEZ investigated this question in a two steps<br />

study. With the collaboration of a French survey company,<br />

CSA, small focus groups were used to screen ten<br />

different smells. The ten smells were recognised as bad<br />

smells in order to avoid any hedonistic bias and included<br />

THT, TBM and acrylates. After a free discussion about the<br />

smells perception the focus groups were interviewed<br />

about the feelings that each smell generated. Finally<br />

they were invited to discuss about the <strong>gas</strong> smell, both in<br />

term of what it should be and about which smell would<br />

most closely fit with it.<br />

At the end of this first step an identity card of what the<br />

<strong>gas</strong> smell should be was drawn and each of the ten<br />

smells that has been used were put on this map. Then<br />

five of these smells were selected, including THT and TBM<br />

as traditional odorants, an acrylate based odorant and<br />

two others as control smells.<br />

These five smells were integrated in "scratch and<br />

sniff" cards that were used in interviews with individuals<br />

during a one week survey conducted by CSA. Four hundred<br />

persons were interviewed <strong>for</strong> each smell thus leading<br />

to a two thousand people panel. The interviews<br />

lasted about half an hour and covered many topics <strong>for</strong><br />

different sponsor, with only five minutes <strong>for</strong> GDF SUEZ<br />

about odour. During these five minutes interviews the<br />

person had to give its spontaneous identification of the<br />

smell and then was asked several question in order to<br />

evaluate how its perception of the smell would fit the<br />

identity card of the <strong>gas</strong> smell. The word <strong>gas</strong> was introduced<br />

only at the end of the interview in a list of proposals<br />

about what the smell could be. Thus <strong>for</strong> each<br />

smell was obtained the spontaneous and assisted identification<br />

with <strong>gas</strong> or other products, but also how the<br />

smell would fit with the idea of a <strong>gas</strong> smell.<br />

This communication is detailing the methodology<br />

that has been used in both focus groups and interviews.<br />

It will present how the <strong>gas</strong> smell "ID card" has been<br />

drawn and how the different smells are fitting that ID<br />

26 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


Gas quality<br />

REPORTS<br />

card. Then the analysis of the quantitative panel results<br />

will be detailed. The differences in perception will be<br />

presented taking into account the possible bias coming<br />

from age, sex, use of <strong>gas</strong> etc 1 .<br />

1. INTRODUCTION<br />

Natural <strong>gas</strong> odorisation is a necessity <strong>for</strong> safety as it allows<br />

anyone with a sense of smell to perceive the odour of <strong>gas</strong><br />

and thus be warned of its presence in the atmosphere. It<br />

is usually required by national regulations that distributed<br />

<strong>gas</strong>es are odorised. This can be done by using different<br />

products and techniques [1]. In general the requirements<br />

ask that the smell is detectable be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>gas</strong> concentration<br />

in air reaches 20 % of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL).<br />

Some regulations or technical guidelines may give precision<br />

about odour intensity or the normal sense of smell.<br />

Furthermore the <strong>gas</strong> industry can rely on methods and<br />

results to evaluate the odour intensity of <strong>gas</strong>es or samples<br />

of <strong>gas</strong>es ([2], [3], [4]).<br />

Regulations may also introduce a requirement that<br />

the smell shall be characteristic. This is generally understood<br />

as a typical smell <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> or at least different from<br />

everyday odours in order not to be confused with them.<br />

Obviously this requirement is very difficult to validate.<br />

Natural <strong>gas</strong> has generally no odour as such and the typical<br />

smell of <strong>gas</strong> has <strong>for</strong> decades been given by the addition<br />

of sulphur compounds such as sulfides, Tetrahydrothiophene<br />

(THT) being the most common, or mercaptans,<br />

Tertio ButylMercaptan (TBM) being the most<br />

common <strong>for</strong> natural <strong>gas</strong> odorisation.<br />

These sulphur compounds, although they have a<br />

slightly different odour, are generally considered as giving<br />

similar and distinct from usual smells. Thus if those products<br />

are used as odorants, the resulting smell of the <strong>gas</strong> is<br />

deemed characteristic, in the absence of odour fading<br />

resulting from the presence of contaminants in the <strong>gas</strong> or<br />

interaction with pipeline walls.<br />

In the last years a new product has been qualified in<br />

Germany as a <strong>gas</strong> odorant, the GASODOR S-Free®. This<br />

product is a mixture of ethyl and methyl acrylates with<br />

traces of methylethylpyrazine [5]. Although its smell is<br />

clearly dissimilar to that of current sulphur products used<br />

as <strong>gas</strong> odorant, it was deemed acceptable <strong>for</strong> such use as<br />

it was evaluated as an alert smell [6]. This evaluation was<br />

done by a sample of 113 people that was submitted to six<br />

different smell, three of them being respectively THT,<br />

TBM and S-Free® and the others being jasmine, fish and<br />

roast meat. The interpretation of the results showed that<br />

THT and TBM were close together on one side, jasmine<br />

1 Acknowledgement: This study has been sponsored by the French companies<br />

GRTgaz and GrDF.<br />

and roast meat on the other side with fish and S-Free® in<br />

intermediate positions, S-Free® being the closer to traditional<br />

sulphured odorants. This repartition is close to a<br />

hedonistic evaluation as jasmine and roast meat were<br />

defined as good smell, whereas THT and TBM are generally<br />

qualified as unpleasant.<br />

As other acrylate based odorants are being proposed<br />

by manufacturers, GDF SUEZ decided to organise<br />

an evaluation of the perception of the <strong>gas</strong> smell as<br />

given by traditional odorants and S-Free®. The test was<br />

conducted in 2009 in two phases, one qualitative with<br />

about 40 people and the other quantitative with 2000<br />

people with the collaboration of a French marketing<br />

and opinion research company CSA. The objective of<br />

the first phase was to screen a number of smells that<br />

could be used as reference to compare with the three<br />

odorants and to identify descriptors <strong>for</strong> the quantitative<br />

phase. Then the second phase aimed at evaluating the<br />

perception of five different odours, including the three<br />

odorants. This paper will detail the organisation of each<br />

phase and the results that were obtained.<br />

2. QUALITATIVE PHASE<br />

2.1 Methodology<br />

2.1.1 Odours used<br />

Ten smells were selected <strong>for</strong> the qualitative phase. Every<br />

smell was bad, ranging from mildly to highly offensive to<br />

avoid any hedonistic bias. They were presented in small<br />

vials filled with paraffin impregnated by the odoriferous<br />

solution or molecule in the case of THT and TBM. Thus all<br />

vials were identical save a label coded with a number and<br />

contained a white solid to avoid spillage. The vials were<br />

prepared by the French company EURACLI who also prepared<br />

the scratch and sniff cards used in the quantitative<br />

phase. Three contained THT, TBM and S-Free®, all three<br />

products being supplied by their manufacturers. The <strong>for</strong>mulas<br />

of the other odours were not known, they were<br />

available at EURACLI laboratories as they had been used<br />

<strong>for</strong> some other operation. They were identified as:<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

Rotten egg,<br />

Gasoline,<br />

Skunk,<br />

Goat urine,<br />

Horse dung,<br />

Old shoes,<br />

Tar.<br />

All odours were strong, and the participants were free to<br />

sniff the vials at varying distances in order to adjust the<br />

perceived odour intensity.<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 27


REPORTS<br />

Gas quality<br />

Figure 1. Natural <strong>gas</strong> smell ID card.<br />

2.1.2 Focus groups<br />

The qualitative phase was conducted with 10 focus<br />

groups each numbering four people, two men and two<br />

women. In five groups the participants were between<br />

25 and 50 years old, in the five other groups between 51<br />

and 70. Each session took place in CSA's Paris offices in a<br />

large room where the focus group was invited to sit<br />

around a table. One CSA's employee was moderating<br />

the session, one other taking notes. All participants<br />

were living in Paris or around but their personal profiles<br />

were mixed according to social criteria, housing type,<br />

etc. Each session lasted <strong>for</strong> about two hours during<br />

which four odours were studied out of the ten that have<br />

been chosen. Each focus group had one of the three<br />

<strong>gas</strong> odorant within the four odours studied.<br />

2.1.3 Organisation of one session<br />

The focus groups were organised as brain storming sessions<br />

to find out the evocations related to each odour.<br />

After a brief introduction about the rules of the session<br />

(no food, smoke or drink other than water, etc), an exercise<br />

about the different rooms of the house and an evocation<br />

of good and bad smells was conducted in order to<br />

warm up the participants. Then the four odours were<br />

studied successively in 20 minutes sessions. Each session<br />

followed the same protocol:<br />

■ Sniff of the odour followed by five minutes during<br />

which the participant had to write its spontaneous<br />

evocations coming from the smell.<br />

■ Then the group started discussing to present their<br />

spontaneous feelings, then the moderator proposed<br />

associations with images or words <strong>for</strong> the<br />

participant to agree or reject. Exercises were suggested<br />

to reproduce the <strong>for</strong>mula of the smell or<br />

the emotions (fear, pleasure, anger, ...) associated<br />

with the smell.<br />

■ Then a second sniff of the vial was taken and the<br />

moderator asked the participant to dream from the<br />

smell. This exercise allowed the participants to summarise<br />

the session.<br />

■ Then a 3 minutes break was allowed.<br />

After the four sessions, the participants were invited to<br />

sniff again all four smells and had to answer a questionnaire<br />

in which they had to:<br />

■ Give a key word <strong>for</strong> each smell.<br />

■ Rank all smells from the least to the most alerting and<br />

from the least to the most inconspicuous.<br />

■ Indicate which smell was the more "hinting of a danger",<br />

"Frightening", "adapted to natural <strong>gas</strong>".<br />

28 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


Gas quality<br />

REPORTS<br />

Figure 2. Relative position of the ten odours in the danger vs. action domain.<br />

This was the first direct indication of natural <strong>gas</strong> although<br />

<strong>gas</strong>, <strong>gas</strong> smell and such words had generally been spontaneously<br />

stated be<strong>for</strong>e during the sessions. Then the moderator<br />

launched a general discussion around the smell of natural<br />

<strong>gas</strong>, the participants being invited to explain their choice<br />

<strong>for</strong> the smell they associated to natural <strong>gas</strong> and to describe<br />

what qualities they would expect <strong>for</strong> the smell of <strong>gas</strong>.<br />

2.2 Results<br />

2.2.1 Interpretation of results<br />

The analysis first focused on the vision the participants had of<br />

the <strong>gas</strong> smell. The descriptions where synthesised to achieve<br />

an ID card of the <strong>gas</strong> smell and two criteria were identified<br />

that relates the adequacy of a smell with the <strong>gas</strong> smell.<br />

Then the evocations of the ten odours were analysed in view<br />

of this ID card and a lexicon of descriptors that do and don't<br />

apply to the <strong>gas</strong> smell was built in order to prepare the questionnaires<br />

<strong>for</strong> the quantitative phase. Finally all odours were placed<br />

on a map summarising their position as regards the two criteria.<br />

2.2.2 Natural <strong>gas</strong> smell ID card<br />

The first result from this qualitative phase was an ID card. For<br />

the participants of this focus group the <strong>gas</strong> smell shall be:<br />

■<br />

■<br />

■<br />

■<br />

■<br />

Unique, so that one can't confused it with other smell,<br />

Persistent, so that it won't disappear in a moment,<br />

Encompassing, so that the people will be oppressed<br />

and have to react,<br />

Disagreeable but not incapacitating, so that one<br />

can still act on it,<br />

Aggressive, so that people will be alert with a feeling<br />

of danger,<br />

Its perception shall lead to action but no panic. This is<br />

summarised in Figure 1.<br />

From this ID card, two criteria have been identified <strong>for</strong><br />

a good "<strong>gas</strong>" odour:<br />

■ It shall induce a danger<br />

■ It shall prompt action.<br />

Thus the ten different odours have been positioned on<br />

a graph built against these two axes as presented in<br />

Figure 2. THT and TBM are in the best position as <strong>for</strong><br />

the "would be" <strong>gas</strong> smell as being the smells raising<br />

more danger and need <strong>for</strong> action. On the opposite sits<br />

old shoes and rotten egg as perceived by the oldest<br />

focus groups. Rotten egg is quite peculiar as there is a<br />

dichotomy in its perception between old and young<br />

focus groups, the younger ones being more prone to<br />

action when smelling this product.<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 29


REPORTS<br />

Gas quality<br />

As <strong>for</strong> the S-Free® odour it led to a surprisingly high<br />

number of references to the kitchen smells as garlic, onions,<br />

leek, etc. Goat urine induces a lot of action responses as<br />

being very disagreeable but no real sense of danger.<br />

Thus the quantitative phase included THT and TBM as<br />

traditional <strong>gas</strong> odorants, S-Free® as the alternative. For the<br />

control smell, tar was chosen as it seems close to the traditional<br />

odorants and goat urine as a smell with a very<br />

different perception from all the others.<br />

3. QUANTITATIVE PHASE<br />

3.1 Methodology<br />

3.1.1 General<br />

The quantitative phase was conducted in all regions of<br />

France through face to face interviews at the home of the<br />

people surveyed by CSA's investigators during the course<br />

of an all purpose survey. The investigators were equipped<br />

with "scratch and sniff" cards prepared by the French<br />

company EURACLI specialised in microencapsulation.<br />

During the course of the all purpose survey, several<br />

themes were discussed <strong>for</strong> different customers (<strong>for</strong><br />

instance food preferences, TV shows, ...) and one set of<br />

questions were relevant <strong>for</strong> GDF SUEZ's enquiry. This<br />

sequence about odours lasted about 6 minutes out of the<br />

half an hour of the general survey and was placed at random<br />

within all the sequences. Each person interviewed<br />

was presented with only one card supporting one of the 5<br />

odours that were selected <strong>for</strong> the quantitative phase. The<br />

cards have been prepared in order that they can generate<br />

a moderate to strong smell. People were free to adjust<br />

their perception by moving the card closer to their nose.<br />

For each odour 400 persons were interviewed, leading<br />

to a total of 2 000 interviewed in all regions of<br />

France. Each 400 people sample was built according to<br />

the quotas methodology by taking into account sex,<br />

age, profession, region and population of the place the<br />

interviewed is living. Although this was not taken into<br />

account in the constitution of the samples, the fact that<br />

the interviewed was using <strong>gas</strong> at home was checked at<br />

the end of the interview. For each odour, about 42 % of<br />

the interviewed were using natural <strong>gas</strong>, 33 % LPG in cylinders<br />

and 25 % were not using <strong>gas</strong>.<br />

3.1.2 The interviews<br />

The interviews were divided in three blocks. First the<br />

interviewed was asked to scratch and sniff the card given<br />

by the investigator and to express spontaneously what<br />

the odour was. They were asked to give their first and<br />

second guess if any but also to state on a 1 to 10 scale the<br />

degree of certainty about their recognition of the odour.<br />

Then a list of propositions was presented <strong>for</strong> which<br />

people had to express their agreement in a four degree<br />

scale (Yes certainly, probably yes, probably no, certainly<br />

no). The first two proposals were to know if the odour<br />

was easily recognisable, and if it was pleasant. Then followed<br />

a list of nine proposals about what the perception<br />

of such smell would prompt. Four of them would be<br />

positive actions would the smell be <strong>gas</strong> ("Open the windows",<br />

"Call the emergency services", ...), three of them<br />

negative ("Don't do anything", "Spray deodorant", ...) and<br />

two were relative of the perception of danger <strong>for</strong> health<br />

or explosion. Then the interviewed had to state on a 1 to<br />

10 scale how dangerous he was thinking the odour was.<br />

The third block of the interview was an assisted recognition<br />

of the odour. Seven propositions were made (Gasoline,<br />

Paint, Burned, Rotten egg, Gas, Garlic and Tar) and<br />

the interviewed had to state how close from the proposal<br />

was the smell using the same four degree scale as be<strong>for</strong>e.<br />

The last question was about the use of <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> cooking,<br />

and if so, from network <strong>gas</strong> or cylinders. Then<br />

another sequence would start about a different topic, <strong>for</strong><br />

a different customer's than GDF SUEZ.<br />

Thus the sequence about smell was only making reference<br />

to <strong>gas</strong> in the last question and in one proposal of<br />

the last block of question. No other mention of <strong>gas</strong> was<br />

made during this sequence or the whole interview.<br />

3.2 Results<br />

3.2.1 Data treatment<br />

The data were interpreted to evaluate three aspects of<br />

each odour:<br />

■■<br />

Its recognition as <strong>gas</strong> smell, the possibility that it could<br />

be recognised as something else and its ability to<br />

draw attention.<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

The degree and nature of danger it was evoking<br />

The way people would react to the odour.<br />

For the questions asking an evaluation on a 1 to 10 scale the<br />

arithmetic average was built <strong>for</strong> each answer. For the questions<br />

where an adhesion to a proposal on a four degree<br />

scale was asked a synthetic indicator was built as follows:<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

A weight from 100 (yes certainly) to 0 (Certainly not)<br />

with 66 and 33 as intermediate was attributed to<br />

each degree.<br />

The percentage of answers (%A i) <strong>for</strong> each degree<br />

was weighted and summed up to calculate the synthetic<br />

indicator.<br />

Thus SI = ∑ 4 1 (Weight × %Ai). Thus SI can rate from 0 to 100,<br />

a value above 50 would mean that people are agreeing<br />

30 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


Gas quality<br />

REPORTS<br />

with the proposal, the more agreement the higher the<br />

value. Below 50 means a rejection of the proposal the<br />

more rejection the lower the value.<br />

As natural <strong>gas</strong> is odorised in France with THT, a special<br />

attention has been given to potential bias in the identification<br />

of the smell of <strong>gas</strong>. This was done by looking <strong>for</strong><br />

higher or lower than average association of a smell with<br />

the <strong>gas</strong> smell in one sub segment when compared with<br />

others. Segments were built per region (4), size of city (5<br />

segments, Paris being one segment), sex, age (5 groups)....<br />

The distinction between <strong>gas</strong> users and non <strong>gas</strong> users was<br />

also made. Although some age group, region and city size<br />

segments did respond differently than average to one or<br />

the other smell, no pattern was identified. In some cases<br />

THT was better associated with the smell of <strong>gas</strong> in other it<br />

was TBM, but no rationale could be found to explain that.<br />

The important in<strong>for</strong>mation was that no difference was<br />

apparent between those using <strong>gas</strong> and those not using<br />

<strong>gas</strong> when associating one of the smell with the <strong>gas</strong> smell.<br />

3.2.2 Spontaneous identification<br />

Descriptors used <strong>for</strong> the spontaneous identification of<br />

the odours were closely related to that used during the<br />

qualitative work with the focus groups. They were gathered<br />

into five categories:<br />

■ Gas,<br />

■ Fuel or burned materials,<br />

■ Chemicals as cleaning materials, antiseptic (hospital<br />

smell), ammonia, etc.<br />

■ Kitchen smells such as garlic, onions, leek, shallots,...<br />

■ Repulsive, <strong>for</strong> descriptors around rotten material,<br />

including rotten egg, sewage, excrement,...<br />

For each odour about 11 to 17% of the people were unable<br />

to <strong>for</strong>mulate any guess. Figure 3 present the percentage<br />

of first answers in each category associated with the<br />

different odours. For all the odours, and whatever the<br />

answer was, people were quite sure that they had made a<br />

correct identification of the smell which was confirmed<br />

by the fact that the synthetic indicators <strong>for</strong> the question<br />

"Is this odour very characteristic?" were above around 60,<br />

with higher values <strong>for</strong> THT and TBM (70 and 69). Consequently<br />

second guesses were not numerous and were<br />

often giving descriptors close to that of the first guesses.<br />

Except <strong>for</strong> TBM <strong>for</strong> which a bimodal pattern applies (<strong>gas</strong><br />

and repulsive <strong>for</strong> 30 %) all other odours have one main axis.<br />

THT is spontaneously associated with <strong>gas</strong> and tar with fuel/<br />

burned material by about 43 % of the sample. Goat urine is<br />

mainly associated with chemicals and S-Free® with kitchen<br />

smells but to a lesser extend as it concerns around 30 % of<br />

the sample. For people associating one of the odours with<br />

<strong>gas</strong> there is a high certainty level as shown in Figure 4.<br />

Figure 3. Spontaneous identification of the smell (1 st guess)<br />

Figure 4. Spontaneous identification of the smell as Gas.<br />

Gas was quoted as a second guess by 6 % of the sample<br />

<strong>for</strong> THT and TBM, 4 % <strong>for</strong> S-Free®, 2 % <strong>for</strong> tar and 1% <strong>for</strong><br />

goat urine.<br />

The synthetic indicators of the answers about the<br />

pleasantness of the odours were low from 4 <strong>for</strong> TBM<br />

to 18/19 <strong>for</strong> goat urine and tar. THT and S-Free®<br />

ranked 10 and 11. Thus it can be considered that all<br />

odours were unpleasant and no hedonistic bias<br />

should be observed.<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 31


REPORTS<br />

Gas quality<br />

Table 1. Level of danger <strong>for</strong> the odours (1 to 10)<br />

Odour All Gas as first Other guesses<br />

guess<br />

THT 7.3 8.7 5.9<br />

TBM 6.4 8.5 5.2<br />

S-Free® 5.3 7.9 4.6<br />

Tar 5.3 8.0 5.1<br />

Goat urine 4.5 6.9 4.3<br />

Average 5.76 8.02 5.48<br />

Figure 5. Position of the odours in a danger vs. action domain.<br />

3.2.3 Perception of danger and action<br />

The appreciation of the danger associated with the odour<br />

was very dependent upon its original identification as<br />

shown in Table 1.<br />

In general THT was the odour recognised as the more<br />

dangerous, goat urine being the least dangerous. However,<br />

the sense of danger is much higher, whatever the<br />

odour, when it is associated with <strong>gas</strong> as first guess than<br />

when it is not spontaneously identified as <strong>gas</strong>.<br />

This dichotomy is also seen when analysing what type<br />

of action is prompted by the odour. The answers of the<br />

seven questions about "What would you do if you smell<br />

this odour?" have been interpreted by:<br />

■ Adding their synthetic indicators <strong>for</strong> the actions that<br />

would be advisable in case of a <strong>gas</strong> smell (Open the<br />

■<br />

windows/Call the emergency services/Exit the premises/Try<br />

to find the origin).<br />

Subtracting them <strong>for</strong> the ones that would be detrimental<br />

(Don't do anything/Spray deodorant/Wait<br />

and see).<br />

Thus the higher the resulting figure is, the more<br />

adequate the actions would have been if the odour<br />

was the indication of a <strong>gas</strong> leak. Figure 5 is drawn<br />

to place the different odour in a similar representation<br />

as that of Figure 2. The filled circles correspond<br />

to the answers of those having spontaneously<br />

identified the odour as <strong>gas</strong> at their first guess.<br />

The empty circles correspond to those that haven't<br />

spontaneously recognised the smell as that of <strong>gas</strong>.<br />

The size of the circles represents the percentage of<br />

the sample in each case.<br />

The answers are clearly distributed in two groups. If<br />

the smell has been identified as <strong>gas</strong>, then the people<br />

are feeling that is dangerous and will take action more<br />

adapted than when the odour is not identified as <strong>gas</strong>.<br />

For people associating THT or TBM with <strong>gas</strong>, both<br />

odours are giving similar results with the highest level<br />

of danger and adequate response to their perception.<br />

If S-Free® is associated with <strong>gas</strong>, the feeling of danger<br />

and the adequacy of the actions is slightly less. As <strong>for</strong><br />

the other smells the number of people having associated<br />

goat urine or tar with <strong>gas</strong> is very small so the<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation is not very relevant.<br />

When the odours are not associated with <strong>gas</strong>, the<br />

level of danger with THT is slightly higher than that of<br />

the other odours. TBM and THT are inducing more adequate<br />

actions with the three other odours being in a<br />

similar position. Clearly S-Free® is giving a similar<br />

response than the other bad smells.<br />

3.2.4 Assisted identification<br />

The assisted identification results are presented by plotting<br />

<strong>for</strong> each odour the synthetic indicator reflecting<br />

the degree of agreement adhesion with the smell proposed<br />

(see Figure 6).<br />

THT is strongly associated with <strong>gas</strong> and nothing<br />

else. For TBM a strong association with <strong>gas</strong> exists<br />

but the possibility of rotten egg is not totally<br />

rejected (SI ≈ 45). For S-Free®, people are loosely<br />

associated the smell with <strong>gas</strong> (SI ≈ 50) but not<br />

strongly rejecting the possibility of garlic. Tar is not<br />

very much associated with tar and more with<br />

burned material. As <strong>for</strong> goat urine, no positive association<br />

has been made.<br />

A focus on the answers <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> is given in Figure 7.<br />

The positive values correspond to yes probably and<br />

32 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


Gas quality<br />

REPORTS<br />

yes certainly. The yes responses <strong>for</strong> THT or TBM are<br />

significantly higher than that <strong>for</strong> S-Free® in turn significantly<br />

higher than that of tar of goat urine.<br />

Furthermore, only 16% <strong>for</strong> THT and 29 % <strong>for</strong> TBM<br />

are rejecting the association of these odour with <strong>gas</strong><br />

whereas 45 % are rejecting the association of S-Free®<br />

with <strong>gas</strong>, to be compared with the 53% that are<br />

accepting it. Goat urine and tar are much more<br />

rejected as <strong>gas</strong> smell. A comparison of the answers to<br />

this question <strong>for</strong> people using <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> cooking and<br />

the others has shown no significant difference <strong>for</strong> the<br />

two populations.<br />

4. CONCLUSIONS<br />

The spontaneous association of THT with <strong>gas</strong> is high<br />

but still is not an evidence <strong>for</strong> a majority of the people.<br />

Although TBM is also readily associated with <strong>gas</strong> it may<br />

be identified with other products with a repulsive<br />

smell. S-Free® even if it is more associated with <strong>gas</strong><br />

than the control smells is also leading to association<br />

with several other odours a number of them being in<br />

the kitchen universe.<br />

The assisted association of THT with <strong>gas</strong> is very<br />

high and a majority of the people are sure of this. A<br />

significantly lower majority of people are associating<br />

TBM with <strong>gas</strong> and one person out of three is rejecting<br />

this association. This is probably related to the bimodal<br />

response to TBM, a fair number of people relating this<br />

smell with rotten egg or sewage smell. S-Free® is raising<br />

ambivalent answers. Although a short majority<br />

agrees that it is or could be <strong>gas</strong>, 30 % of the people are<br />

sure that it can't be.<br />

The perception of danger and actions elicited by<br />

the perception of the different odours are clearly defined<br />

by the identification of the smell to <strong>gas</strong>. Nevertheless,<br />

THT and TBM are both leading to a slightly higher perception<br />

of danger and elicit better reaction even if there is no<br />

association with <strong>gas</strong>.<br />

Thus it can be concluded that THT and to a lesser<br />

extend TBM are quite adequate to give the characteristic<br />

odour that people are expecting <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong>.<br />

Although S-Free® is slightly more efficient than the<br />

control odour as <strong>for</strong> being associated with <strong>gas</strong> it is<br />

often confused with other odours and does not give<br />

much more sense of danger nor lead to adequate<br />

actions than the control odour.<br />

As the identification of the different smells to the<br />

<strong>gas</strong> smell are not different <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> users and non <strong>gas</strong><br />

users it seems that no bias has been introduced unless<br />

one assumes that all French people have the same<br />

proximity with THT as the <strong>gas</strong> smell regardless of the<br />

fact that there are using natural <strong>gas</strong> or not. To test that<br />

Figure 6. Assisted identification of the odours<br />

Figure 7. Assisted association of the odours with <strong>gas</strong>.<br />

hypothesis it would be useful to conduct a similar<br />

study in other countries where <strong>gas</strong> could be odorised<br />

with different odorants.<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 33


REPORTS<br />

Gas quality<br />

REFERENCES<br />

[1] ISO TS 16922 "Natural <strong>gas</strong> — Guidelines <strong>for</strong> odorizing<br />

<strong>gas</strong>es"<br />

[2] UNI 7133, "Gas odorisation <strong>for</strong> domestic and similar uses<br />

– Procedures, characteristics and tests", Italian standard.<br />

[3] Cagnon F.; Hagge E.; Heimlich F.; Kaesler H.; Kuiper<br />

Van Loo E.; Lopez Zurita J. M.; Rijnaarts S.; Robinson<br />

C.; Salati E. and Vinck H.: “New testing method<br />

helps optimize odorization levels”, IGT Symposium,<br />

Chicago 2000.<br />

[4] Cagnon F.; Louvat A.; Coffinet-Laguerre D. and Maxeiner<br />

B.: "Olfactory evaluation of the smell of a <strong>gas</strong>: A round<br />

Robin test based on the AFG Specification", Natural<br />

<strong>gas</strong> odorisation conference, Houston 2010.<br />

[5] Graf F.; Kröger K. and Reimert R.: " Sulfur-Free Odorization<br />

with Gasodor S-Free: A Review of the Accompanying<br />

Research and Development Activities ", <strong>Energy</strong><br />

& Fuels 2007, 21, 3322–3333.<br />

[6] Schunk C.; Bernhart M. and Reimert R.: "Schwefelfreies<br />

Odoriermittel – Steigerung der Umweltfreundlichkeit<br />

unter Wahrung des Sicherheitsniveaus", Gas-<br />

Erd<strong>gas</strong>, 140 (1999) Nr. 10.<br />

AUTHORS<br />

François CAGNON<br />

GDF SUEZ<br />

DRI CRIGEN<br />

St Denis La Plaine | France<br />

Phone: 33 1 49 22 52 06<br />

Email: francois.cagnon@gdfsuez.com<br />

Amélie Louvat<br />

GDF SUEZ<br />

DRI CRIGEN<br />

St Denis La Plaine | France<br />

Phone: 33 1 49 22 56 45<br />

Email: amelie.louvat@gdfsuez.com<br />

Véronique Vasseur<br />

GrDF<br />

Direction réseaux Ile de France<br />

Paris | France<br />

Phone : 01 53 25 41 42<br />

Email: veronique-v.vasseur@erdf-grdf.fr<br />

MEDIA<br />

Book review<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> Technology Perspectives 2014 –<br />

Harnessing Electricity's Potential<br />

Starting from the premise that electricity will be an<br />

increasingly important vector in <strong>energy</strong> systems of<br />

the future, <strong>Energy</strong> Technology Perspectives 2014 (ETP<br />

2014) takes a deep dive into actions needed to support<br />

deployment of sustainable options <strong>for</strong> generation,<br />

distribution and consumption. In addition to<br />

modelling the global outlook to 2050 under different<br />

scenarios <strong>for</strong> more than 500 technology options, ETP<br />

2014 explores the possibility of “pushing the limits” in<br />

six key areas:<br />

■ Solar Power: Possibly the Dominant Source by 2050<br />

■ Natural Gas in Low-Carbon Electricity Systems<br />

■ Electrifying Transport: How Can E-mobility Replace Oil?<br />

■ Electricity Storage: Costs, Value and Competitiveness<br />

■ Attracting Finance <strong>for</strong> Low-Carbon Generation<br />

■ Power Generation in India<br />

Since it was first published in 2006, ETP has evolved into a<br />

suite of publications that sets out pathways to a sustainable<br />

<strong>energy</strong> future in which optimal policy support and<br />

technology choices are driven by economics, <strong>energy</strong><br />

security and environmental factors.<br />

■ Topic-specific books and papers explore particularly<br />

timely subjects or cross-cutting challenges.<br />

■ Tracking Clean <strong>Energy</strong> Progress provides a yearly<br />

snapshot of advances in diverse areas, while also<br />

showing the interplay among technologies.<br />

■ Supported by the ETP analysis, IEA Technology Roadmaps<br />

assess the potential <strong>for</strong> trans<strong>for</strong>mation across<br />

various technology areas, and outline actions and<br />

milestones <strong>for</strong> deployment.<br />

IEA Studies<br />

Subject: <strong>Energy</strong> Projections,<br />

Natural Gas, Sustainable<br />

Development, Technology;<br />

382 pages, ISBN 978-92-64-<br />

20800-1, paper 150,– €, PDF<br />

120,– €, 2014<br />

34 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


The international magazine<br />

<strong>for</strong> industrial furnaces,<br />

heat treatment plants<br />

and equipment<br />

The technical journal <strong>for</strong> the entire field of industrial furnace<br />

and heat treatment engineering, thermal plants, systems<br />

and processes.<br />

The publication delivers comprehensive in<strong>for</strong>mation,<br />

in full technical detail, on developments and solutions<br />

in thermal process engineering <strong>for</strong> industrial applications.<br />

Select the subscription offer that you prefer:<br />

• print<br />

• e-paper<br />

• print + e-paper<br />

on the annual<br />

Save 25% subscription<br />

www.heatprocessing-online.com<br />

heat processing is published by Vulkan-Verlag GmbH, Huyssenallee 52-56, 45128 Essen, Germany<br />

KNOWLEDGE FOR THE<br />

FUTURE<br />

Order now by fax: +49 931 / 4170-494 or send in a letter<br />

Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH | Arnulfstr. 124 | 80636 München<br />

Yes, I want to read heat processing on a regular basis. During the first year I will benefit from a 25%<br />

discount on the annual subscription fees. I subscribe to the technical trade journal <strong>for</strong> at least one<br />

year (4 issues)<br />

as a printed magazine at the annual price<br />

of € 127.50 plus shipping (€ 12.00 within<br />

Germany / € 14.00 outside of Germany)<br />

as an e-paper magazine (single user) at<br />

the annual price of € 127.50.<br />

as a printed plus an e-paper magazine<br />

(single user) at the annual price of € 177.75<br />

(within Germany) / € 179.75 (outside of<br />

Germany) incl. shipping.<br />

Special offer <strong>for</strong> students (proof of entitlement)<br />

as a printed magazine at the annual price of<br />

€ 63.75 plus shipping (€ 12.00 within Germany /<br />

€ 14.00 outside of Germany).<br />

as an e-paper magazine (single user)<br />

at the annual price of € 63.75.<br />

as a printed plus an e-paper magazine<br />

(single user) at the annual price of € 94.88<br />

(within Germany) / € 96.88 (outside of Germany)<br />

incl. shipping.<br />

Company/Institution<br />

First name, surname of recipient (department or person)<br />

Street/P.O. Box, No.<br />

Country, postalcode, town<br />

Reply / Antwort<br />

Readers’ Service heat processing<br />

P.O. Box 91 61<br />

97091 Wurzburg<br />

GERMANY<br />

Phone<br />

E-Mail<br />

Line of business<br />

Fax<br />

Please note: According to German law this request may be withdrawn within 14 days after order date in writing<br />

to Readers’ Service heat processing, P.O. Box 91 61, 97091 Wurzburg, Germany. After the first period the agreement can<br />

be terminated in writing with 2 months notice to the end of each year. In order to accomplish your request and <strong>for</strong> communication<br />

purposes your personal data are being recorded and stored.<br />

In order to accomplish your request and <strong>for</strong> communication purposes your personal data are being recorded and stored.<br />

It is approved that this data may also be used in commercial ways by mail, by phone, by fax, by email, none.<br />

This approval may be withdrawn at any time.<br />

✘<br />

Date, signature<br />

PAHEAT2014


REPORTS<br />

CHP<br />

The regional virtual power plant<br />

- a potential contribution to the<br />

<strong>energy</strong> sector trans<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

<strong>Energy</strong> analysis of CHP systems in buildings<br />

by Joachim Seifert, Jens Haupt, Felix Glöckner and Jörg Hartan<br />

Virtual power plants provide a way to merge a number of decentralized generation units into a significant<br />

generation capacity. Regional, Virtual power plants are taking this idea further and account <strong>for</strong> additional<br />

requirements from the electrical distribution network. In the following paper, this technology will be introduced<br />

especially in combination with micro-CHP systems.<br />

1. INTRODUCTION<br />

With the <strong>energy</strong> transition introduced by the German<br />

federal government fundamental changes are occurring<br />

within <strong>energy</strong> provision in Germany. This primarily affects<br />

the electricity market, which in future will be organised in<br />

a way that is much more decentralised. Decentralisation<br />

arises first and <strong>for</strong>emost as a result of the different locations<br />

of renewable electricity generation through solar,<br />

wind and biomass facilities.<br />

Figure 1. Costs <strong>for</strong> power and natural <strong>gas</strong> in Germany [2].<br />

The heating market is currently not yet the immediate<br />

focus of consideration. This is rather surprising as most of<br />

the primary <strong>energy</strong> is consumed in Germany by the housing<br />

sector. For this reason it would be advantageous <strong>for</strong><br />

the success of the <strong>energy</strong> transition to have a stronger<br />

link between the electricity and the heating markets. One<br />

way of doing this is through virtual power plants based<br />

on mini- and micro-CHP technology, which is to be the<br />

particular focus of the following publication.<br />

2. INITIAL SITUATION<br />

The housing sector in the Federal Republic of Germany is<br />

largely made up of existing housing stock. New builds<br />

account <strong>for</strong> a tiny percentage of the housing stock (less<br />

than 1%). If we look at residential buildings, then these<br />

can be broken down into about 3.1 million blocks of flats<br />

with an average <strong>energy</strong> consumption of 145 kWh/m²a<br />

and about 15 million one-family houses and duplexes<br />

with a current average <strong>energy</strong> consumption of 172 kWh/<br />

m² [1/2]. One family houses and duplexes are particularly<br />

likely to experience redevelopment in the next few years<br />

due to the high <strong>energy</strong> consumption and the high costs<br />

resulting from the same. Typical in this context is a modernisation<br />

of the cladding as well as a modernisation of<br />

the systems technology. There is a great deal of freedom,<br />

particularly in the case of systems technology. In terms of<br />

heat generation<br />

36 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


CHP<br />

REPORTS<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

<strong>gas</strong> condensing and low temperature boilers (also in<br />

combination with solar heating systems),<br />

heat pumps,<br />

and different types of CHP system<br />

are available. The last-named generation units also offer the<br />

advantage that, in addition to supplying the building with<br />

heating they are also able to provide electricity. This is an<br />

advantage given that the end-user prices <strong>for</strong> electricity have<br />

risen sharply in recent years compared with natural <strong>gas</strong> and,<br />

according to current <strong>for</strong>ecasts, will continue to rise 1 . Figure 1<br />

shows this on the basis of German Ministry of Economic<br />

Affairs and <strong>Energy</strong> figures [3] <strong>for</strong> the years 2005 to 2013.<br />

Other technologies exist to combat the documented<br />

cost increases <strong>for</strong> electricity, in particular where one-family<br />

houses and duplexes are concerned. Notable here are first<br />

and <strong>for</strong>emost small PV solar power systems which nevertheless<br />

demonstrate the drawback of fluctuating electricity<br />

generation. Also conceivable are small wind turbines<br />

which, however, similarly demonstrate the drawback of<br />

unmanaged fluctuations cited above. It would be possible<br />

using an electricity storage system to uncouple electricity<br />

generation and electricity consumption. However, currently<br />

this is not yet possible to demonstrate commercially.<br />

Hence this particular class within the housing sector<br />

possesses enormous potential <strong>for</strong> the use of CHP systems.<br />

Technically, CHP systems are available based on<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

Stirling and combustion engines<br />

as well as fuel cells.<br />

As a matter of principle, one needs to bear in mind that, in<br />

regard to the electricity grid, from a certain level of transmission<br />

the facilities should be coordinated so as to avoid operating<br />

conditions becoming critical [4]. This type of coordinated<br />

operation can be achieved within a virtual power plant.<br />

3. VIRTUAL POWER PLANT<br />

What is meant by a virtual power plant (VPP) in the context<br />

described is the pooling of decentralised electricity<br />

generation units in such a way that the total output of<br />

electricity achieved is considerable, reaching megawatt<br />

figures at different voltage levels. The decentralised generation<br />

units may at the same time be installed in different<br />

distribution grids also at large distances from each other.<br />

A particular <strong>for</strong>m of the virtual power plant is represented<br />

by the regional virtual power plants (RVPPs) which<br />

are an attempt to concentrate the decentralised generation<br />

units in one place and where possible to organise them<br />

within a single electricity grid [4]. Since mini- and micro-<br />

CHP systems are located exclusively within low voltage<br />

1 A reduction in the power consumption by the end-user would result<br />

directly in a commercial advantage here.<br />

Figure 2. Concept of a regional virtual power plant.<br />

electricity distribution grids, these generation units are particularly<br />

suitable <strong>for</strong> a RVPP (cf. Figure 2). For the IT interconnection<br />

of the different micro CHP systems efficient internet<br />

technologies have recently become available.<br />

In relation to Figure 2, Level 0 describes the local housing<br />

level in which, e.g. the CHP system is located. Level 1 encapsulates<br />

the individual outflows of a low voltage grid whereas<br />

Level 2 contains an overview of multiple regional low voltage<br />

grids and sets out the regional virtual power plant.<br />

The allocation of the individual levels within this hierarchical<br />

approach is not chosen arbitrarily but is guided by the<br />

substantive constraints. Thus at the local level the supply of<br />

thermal <strong>energy</strong> is significant which on the other hand plays<br />

no role at the next level up. Here, the electricity grid restrictions<br />

are important which in case of non-compliance could<br />

lead to various generators being disconnected. Necessary<br />

<strong>for</strong> the coordinated operation of a RVPP is the provision of<br />

different status in<strong>for</strong>mation at the individual levels. Figure 3<br />

sets out a corresponding signals flow chart in this respect.<br />

Figure 4 documents the fundamental connection of<br />

the decentralised generating units to the primary <strong>energy</strong><br />

network (e.g. natural <strong>gas</strong>, bio<strong>gas</strong>, hydrogen) as well as to<br />

the electricity grid. The IT connection (in both directions)<br />

to the RVPP HQ is documented in addition.<br />

In order to be able to offer electricity that is predictable<br />

and marketable, the in<strong>for</strong>mation from Level 0 on the<br />

minimum and maximum potential electricity production<br />

must be available over a pre-defined period of time. It is<br />

crucial that, in so doing, the immediate connection to the<br />

relevant building’s heating requirement is taken into<br />

account since ultimately this is key. This requirement can<br />

be determined sufficiently exactly by means of a predictive<br />

analysis taking into account meteorological conditions<br />

and, by using thermal storage tanks installed in the<br />

building, this may - within certain parameters - be decou-<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 37


REPORTS<br />

CHP<br />

Figure 3. In<strong>for</strong>mation flow between the individual<br />

levels of a regional virtual power plant.<br />

Figure 4. Connection and flow<br />

of in<strong>for</strong>mation within a<br />

regional virtual power<br />

plant.<br />

pled from the demand <strong>for</strong> electricity. Furthermore, the<br />

status of the technical device (on/off) at Level 1 needs to<br />

be communicated. A further pre-condition to the physical<br />

functionality of the RVPP is that sufficient primary<br />

<strong>energy</strong> e.g. in the <strong>for</strong>m of natural <strong>gas</strong> is available under<br />

real time conditions. This may generally be provided by<br />

the existing natural <strong>gas</strong> infrastructure, such as transmission<br />

and distribution grids as well as natural <strong>gas</strong> storage facilities.<br />

This data is summarised at Level 1 and, combined<br />

with the electricity grid figures, <strong>for</strong>warded to Level 2. At<br />

Level 2 the data is then again bundled and prepared <strong>for</strong><br />

marketing. By implication the trans<strong>for</strong>mation back i.e. the<br />

drawing up of the schedule <strong>for</strong> each device at Level 0 is of<br />

key importance. Here too, a per<strong>for</strong>mance specification is<br />

given in each case from one level to the level below. The<br />

relevant devices at Level 0 must then comply promptly<br />

with this per<strong>for</strong>mance specification. To this end the RVPP<br />

represents the global balancing group. It is responsible<br />

<strong>for</strong> allocating individual schedules to the subordinate<br />

levels and <strong>for</strong> guaranteeing the greatest possible efficiency.<br />

Based on the data delivered to the levels below the<br />

RVPP must properly market the available service and with<br />

it the electricity which may be generated. Thus, it<br />

amounts to direct competition with established market<br />

participants. Figure 5 demonstrates this schematically.<br />

The marketing strategies of a regional virtual power<br />

plant may at the same time vary greatly. Fundamentally,<br />

the option exists of<br />

38 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


CHP<br />

REPORTS<br />

■<br />

■<br />

■<br />

■<br />

maximising the degree of RVPP system’s level of selfsufficiency<br />

in terms of electricity (minimal <strong>energy</strong><br />

procurement/association of electricity users)<br />

supplying electricity <strong>for</strong> sale to the EEX,<br />

offering electricity <strong>for</strong> sale in the control <strong>energy</strong> sector or<br />

generating electricity <strong>for</strong> direct sales.<br />

Above and beyond this, other target functions may be<br />

present from the point of view of the electricity grid<br />

operator, which are unrelated to the monetary marketing<br />

strategies listed. Worthy of mention here are e.g. as consistent<br />

as possible a level of transmission via the grid, creation<br />

of transport capacity <strong>for</strong> electricity from PV solar<br />

systems (in the course of the day) or safeguarding of a<br />

balancing group with even levels of electricity, which can<br />

be per<strong>for</strong>med as system services. At the same time the<br />

commitment to a corresponding target criterion is largely<br />

dependent on the local constraints, on the (framework)<br />

political constraints and on the RVPP operator itself.<br />

4. SYSTEM CONSIDERATIONS<br />

FOR A RVPP<br />

Following the introductory explanations and the theoretical<br />

observations the next section should look at the<br />

effect of a RVPP in a specific example. The starting point<br />

<strong>for</strong> the examination is a RVPP system constructed as follows:<br />

■ 100 one-family homes<br />

■ Method of construction of the one-family homes: 80%<br />

in line with German Thermal Insulation Order (“GTIO”) 77;<br />

10% in line with GTIO 82, 8% in line with GTIO 95,<br />

2% in line with passive house construction methods,<br />

■ Thermal storage tanks: Buildings in line with GTIO 77<br />

have 800 litre capacity, all other buildings with CHP<br />

systems have a capacity of 500 litres<br />

For the CHP systems motorised cogeneration-type power<br />

plants were used, the per<strong>for</strong>mance of which is geared<br />

towards the individual housing types [5/6]. The electrical load<br />

profiles <strong>for</strong> the buildings are based on the specifications in<br />

[7]. Figure 6 shows significant parameters <strong>for</strong> the cited constraints<br />

2 on a winter’s day. The assessments are based on an<br />

uncoordinated or strictly heating-based mode of operation.<br />

If one looks at the red curve in Figure 6, then one initially<br />

identifies a sharp increase in per<strong>for</strong>mance after midnight.<br />

That is explained by the activation of appliances. Just<br />

as the electrical power increases, the available thermal storage<br />

potential (blue curve) falls or the stored thermal <strong>energy</strong><br />

increases (green curve). This occurs until the storage tanks<br />

reach their maximum capacity. In terms of time, that is the<br />

same in the case of all co-generation systems used due to<br />

the underlying meteorological conditions. Thereafter the<br />

RVPP’s electrical power falls sharply. After the stored thermal<br />

<strong>energy</strong> is discharged, the given cycle begins anew.<br />

Figure 7, on the other hand, shows a coordinated<br />

operation on the same day in which the storage load<br />

status has been deliberately varied. The RVPP’s entire<br />

thermal <strong>energy</strong> storage capacity is by turn discharged or<br />

loaded. What is significant about this is that the devices<br />

with a variable per<strong>for</strong>mance category were nevertheless<br />

not altered i.e. the devices’ thermal and electrical power<br />

was set at constant. The curves allow us to see that upon<br />

the “Empty storage” signal clear breaks are evident in the<br />

electrical power delivered, and particularly in morning<br />

hours this can lead to circumstances where the RVPP<br />

electricity is no longer able to cover power consumption<br />

(RVPP balance limit). Nevertheless, it is also evident that<br />

the detection of the storage load status alone is not<br />

2 Shown here is a winter’s day in February on which heating is also required<br />

at night.<br />

Figure 5. <strong>Market</strong> participants in the environment of a virtual power plant.<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 39


REPORTS<br />

CHP<br />

Figure 6. Daily results <strong>for</strong> significant curves of a regional virtual power<br />

plant - uncoordinated operation.<br />

Figure 7. Daily results, significant curves <strong>for</strong> a regional virtual power plant<br />

- coordinated operation (charging state).<br />

enough to explain the courses of the electricity parameters.<br />

Rather, the level of demand in the building <strong>for</strong> thermal<br />

power must also be taken into consideration 3 .<br />

To conclude, a further coordinated operation <strong>for</strong> the<br />

said day should be discussed, where the focus of consideration<br />

was not just the storage load status but the electricity<br />

generated. Figure 8 shows the representative diurnal variation<br />

<strong>for</strong> this operation. To understand Figure 8, it is important<br />

to note that in the case of RVPP min the control instructions<br />

are set in such a way that there is the minimum possible<br />

output from the RVPP system without endangering the<br />

building’s heating supply (matches the “Empty storage”<br />

instruction under Figure 7). In the case of RVPP max the regulation<br />

occurs in such a way that a maximum level of<br />

<strong>energy</strong> generation is demanded from RVPP. Taking account<br />

of the courses of the parameters, the minimum power output<br />

in the early hours of the morning is particularly easy to<br />

identify. Here the individual co-generation systems are virtually<br />

entirely on standby. In the warm-up phase that follows<br />

a minimum level of per<strong>for</strong>mance by the RVPP system<br />

is still required centrally. However, this instruction is overridden<br />

by local requirements, since in the morning hours<br />

there is a great need <strong>for</strong> heating. It can be clearly seen that<br />

in the following phase of maximum electrical power there<br />

is still thermal storage capacity available. The micro CHP<br />

systems are able to produce more electricity once again.<br />

Within the framework of this publication the courses<br />

of all documented curves have not yet been optimised to<br />

specific operating scenarios. As set out at the start, the<br />

target functions can be very different and vary from one<br />

operator to the next. In [4] different operating strategies<br />

and the optimisation thereby achieved are described in<br />

detail, as a result of which they do not need to be discussed<br />

again in the context of this publication.<br />

5. CONCLUSION<br />

Figure 8. Daily results, significant curves <strong>for</strong> a regional virtual power plant<br />

- coordinated operation (power control).<br />

The present publication examined virtual power plants and<br />

in particular regional virtual power plants based on miniand<br />

micro-CHP technology within the low voltage grid. A<br />

fundamental clarification of the technology and of potential<br />

marketing strategies was given in the first section. In the<br />

second section a fictitious regional virtual power plant was<br />

analysed. As a result of these analyses it can initially be<br />

determined that algorithms are now available using which<br />

it becomes possible to achieve coordinated operation of<br />

small decentralised units. The greatest advantage of a coordinated<br />

mode of operation consists of the deferment of the<br />

electricity load/adjustment of demand. At the same time,<br />

the deferment potential lies in the case of typical one-family<br />

homes in the area of 0.5 hours ≤ τ ≤ 2.5 hours. Along<br />

3 Underlying the analyses is the constraint that the building’s demand <strong>for</strong><br />

thermal power must always be covered.<br />

40 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


CHP<br />

REPORTS<br />

with the meteorological conditions this deferment potential<br />

is significantly influenced by the size and capacity of the<br />

thermal storage. This deferment potential in the case of<br />

one-family homes and duplexes is generally sufficient to<br />

combat peaks in electricity demand in a targeted fashion.<br />

LITERATURE<br />

[1] Federal Statistical Office: Bautätigkeit und Wohnungen<br />

– Bestand an Wohnungen, 2014 [Construction<br />

and housing - housing stock, 2014]<br />

[2] BDEW [German Association of <strong>Energy</strong> and Water<br />

Industries] 2013: Set of slides on the heating market,<br />

Bundesverband der energie- und Wasserwirtschaft<br />

e.V. [German Association of <strong>Energy</strong> and Water Industries]<br />

[3] BMWi [Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and <strong>Energy</strong>]<br />

2014: Zahlen und Fakten Energiedaten – Nationale und<br />

Internationale Entwicklung, [<strong>Energy</strong> data Facts and<br />

Figures - National and International Development],<br />

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie, [Federal<br />

Ministry of Economic Affairs and <strong>Energy</strong>] 26/02/2014<br />

[4] Seifert, J.; Schegner, P.; Meinzenbach, A.; Haupt, J.; Seidel,<br />

P.; Schinke, L.; Hess, T. and Werner, J.: Regionales Virtuelles<br />

Kraftwerk auf Basis der Mini- und Mikro-KWK-<br />

Technologie - Intelligente Vernetzung von thermischen<br />

und elektrischen Verbrauchersystemen; Technische<br />

Universität Dresden, Forschungsvorhaben<br />

- dritter Zwischenbericht 2014 [Regional Virtual<br />

power Plant based on mini and micro CHP technology<br />

- intelligent interconnection of heating and electricity<br />

consumer systems; Technical University, Dresden,<br />

research project - third interim report 2014]<br />

[5] Seifert, J.: Mikro-BHKW-Systeme für den Gebäudebereich<br />

[Micro co-generation systems <strong>for</strong> the housing<br />

sector], VDE-Verlag 2013, ISBN 978-3-8007-3475-7<br />

[6] Hartan, J. and Seifert, J.: Erfahrungen mit Mikro-BHKW,<br />

insbesondere dem L 4.12, im Feldtest für Einfamilienhäuser<br />

[Experiences with micro co-generation, in particular<br />

L 4.12 in a field experiment <strong>for</strong> one-family<br />

homes]; gwf-Gas-Erd<strong>gas</strong>; Volume 7-8, Page 530–538, 2012<br />

[7] Dickert, J. and Schegner, P.: A Time Series Probabilistic<br />

Synthetic Load Curve Model <strong>for</strong> Residential Customers,<br />

IEEE Power Tech, Trondheim, Norway 2011<br />

SYMBOLS / ABBREVIATIONS<br />

τ time h<br />

P el electrical power W<br />

P el,akt current electrical power W<br />

P el,ver,akt current electricity consumption<br />

W<br />

Q th,akt current stored heating kWh<br />

Q th,akt,pot Potential <strong>for</strong> thermal <strong>energy</strong> storage kWh<br />

S Facility Status of the facility (on / off)<br />

Status of the electricity grid (e.g. utilisation)<br />

S Grid<br />

W el,max,A maximum electricity to be supplied<br />

from the facility<br />

W el,min,A minimum electricity to be supplied<br />

from the facility<br />

W el,max,N maximum electricity to be supplied<br />

from the grid<br />

W el,min,N minimum electricity to be supplied<br />

from the grid<br />

φ min load factor<br />

RVPP regional virtual power plant<br />

VPP virtual power plant<br />

NOTE OF THANKS<br />

kWh<br />

kWh<br />

kWh<br />

kWh<br />

VNG AG Leipzig initiated the research project and supports<br />

this financially. More extensive support will be provided by<br />

the Federal Ministry of Economy and <strong>Energy</strong> under the number<br />

03ET1042A.<br />

AUTHORS<br />

Dr.-Ing. habil. Joachim Seifert<br />

Technische Universität Dresden<br />

Institut für Energietechnik, Professur für<br />

Gebäudeenergietechnik und Wärmeversorgung<br />

Dresden | Germany<br />

Phone: + 49 351 463-34909<br />

E-Mail: Joachim.Seifert@tu-dresden.de<br />

Dipl.-Ing. Jens Haupt<br />

Technische Universität Dresden<br />

Institut für Energietechnik, Professur für<br />

Gebäudeenergietechnik und Wärmeversorgung<br />

Dresden | Germany<br />

Phone: + 49 351 463-35177<br />

E-Mail: Jens.Haupt@tu-dresden.de<br />

Felix Glöckner<br />

Student des Maschinenbaus der technischen<br />

Universität Dresden<br />

Dresden | Germany<br />

Dr.-Ing. Jörg Hartan<br />

VNG Gasspeicher GmbH<br />

Leipzig | Germany<br />

Phone: + 49 341 443-2477<br />

E-Mail: joerg.hartan@vng-<strong>gas</strong>speicher.de<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 41


PROFILE<br />

GasNaturally: A unified<br />

voice <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> at EU level<br />

WHAT IS GASNATURALLY?<br />

GasNaturally was founded by seven <strong>gas</strong> associations representing<br />

the entire <strong>gas</strong> value chain, from research and<br />

innovation to exploration, production, transportation<br />

and trans<strong>for</strong>mation, and finally distribution. As such, it<br />

brings together the knowledge of more than 130 <strong>European</strong><br />

companies to showcase the role that <strong>gas</strong> can play in<br />

making a clean future <strong>for</strong> Europe a reality.<br />

The issue of climate change is a global one, and everyone<br />

has to rise to the challenge by thinking of new<br />

ways to reduce the carbon footprint of human activities.<br />

The <strong>European</strong> Union has set <strong>for</strong> itself an ambitious<br />

greenhouse <strong>gas</strong> (GHG) emission reduction target of<br />

20 % <strong>for</strong> 2020, and is looking to double this by 2030.<br />

GasNaturally fully supports this objective and is convinced<br />

that natural <strong>gas</strong> can greatly help in reducing<br />

emissions across different economic sectors (buildings,<br />

transport, industry, power generation).<br />

Now in its third year of activities, the organisation has<br />

developed into a respected reference point <strong>for</strong> the provision<br />

of in<strong>for</strong>mation on <strong>gas</strong> and the different parts of the<br />

<strong>gas</strong> value chain. It has also played a key role in promoting<br />

the benefits of natural <strong>gas</strong> in the current and future <strong>European</strong><br />

<strong>energy</strong> mix towards <strong>European</strong> Union policymakers.<br />

GasNaturally’s ef<strong>for</strong>ts are taking place at a very relevant<br />

time, as the <strong>gas</strong> industry is faced with a major challenge<br />

– and an opportunity to address it.<br />

THE CHALLENGE<br />

Un<strong>for</strong>tunately, the 20 % GHG emission reduction target was<br />

accompanied at the end of the last decade by a set of overlapping<br />

policies which have produced unintended consequences.<br />

Renewable <strong>energy</strong> capacity has increased at a fast<br />

pace in the past few years, but this was only made possible<br />

by spending billions in subsidies, the cost of which have<br />

been passed on to end-users. As a result, <strong>European</strong> consumers<br />

have seen their electricity bills rise to record levels<br />

while the price of gross electricity has remained the same.<br />

The arrival of this huge load of low-carbon <strong>energy</strong> and its<br />

priority dispatch on the power market have resulted in an<br />

excess of emission quotas in the Emissions Trading Scheme,<br />

provoking a drop in the carbon price which has led <strong>European</strong><br />

utilities to turn to coal <strong>for</strong> their power generation!<br />

In other words, not only has Europe not been able to<br />

give its citizens access to a more af<strong>for</strong>dable <strong>energy</strong>, but its<br />

CO₂ emission reductions are decreasing much slower than<br />

what was initially predicted. Germany, one of the EU’s leaders<br />

in the fight against climate change, has actually seen its<br />

GHG emissions rise by 2 % over the past two years.<br />

THE OPPORTUNITY<br />

In this context, GasNaturally’s goal is to provide EU policymakers<br />

with a solution to get out of this ‘Coal +<br />

Renewables’ paradox in which Europe seems to be<br />

trapped. Upcoming decisions on the design and content<br />

of the ‘2030 Climate and <strong>Energy</strong> Framework’ offer a<br />

unique opportunity to move away from this inefficient<br />

<strong>energy</strong> paradigm. It is there<strong>for</strong>e GasNaturally’s role to<br />

show policymakers how natural <strong>gas</strong>, an abundant<br />

source of <strong>energy</strong> of which 56 % is produced in Europe,<br />

can in fact help the EU reach its objective of a sustainable,<br />

af<strong>for</strong>dable, and reliable <strong>energy</strong> system by providing<br />

the necessary flexibility to integrate renewable <strong>energy</strong><br />

into the market in a cost-efficient manner.<br />

For power generation, renewables are a fantastic<br />

source of carbon-free <strong>energy</strong>, but they are also highly variable<br />

and can lead to power drops when they don’t produce<br />

at all. Unlike coal plants which take around ten hours<br />

to start producing electricity, a CCGT plant can be up and<br />

running in less than an hour while emitting 50% less CO₂<br />

and no fine particles, avoiding severe air quality issues.<br />

This makes CCGTs extremely reactive to power drops,<br />

there<strong>for</strong>e reducing the risk of blackouts and brownouts,<br />

while drastically reducing the pollution and carbon intensity<br />

of power generation. And finally, power-to-<strong>gas</strong> technology<br />

provides a unique way of storing the excess electricity<br />

produced by renewables by trans<strong>for</strong>ming it into<br />

synthetic methane and injecting it in the <strong>gas</strong> network.<br />

But the role of <strong>gas</strong> is not only limited to that of power<br />

generation; it can also help the EU achieve its objectives of<br />

<strong>energy</strong> efficiency in the residential sector. The <strong>gas</strong> industry<br />

continues to work with appliance manufacturers to<br />

increase the "market roll out" of <strong>gas</strong> heat pumps, fuel cells,<br />

and micro CHP. The technology is ready; we just need the<br />

will and the support to spread it. In the transportation sector,<br />

<strong>gas</strong> can be used in the <strong>for</strong>m of LNG <strong>for</strong> trucks and ships<br />

to reduce their environmental impact, but also in the <strong>for</strong>m<br />

42 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


PROFILE<br />

making a clean future real<br />

SUPPLY<br />

Europe enjoys varied supplies of <strong>gas</strong>, with a majority<br />

coming from <strong>European</strong> countries (including Norway). Europe<br />

will continue to diversify its <strong>gas</strong> supplies via new significant<br />

sources such as the United States, and in the long term<br />

Azerbaijan, East Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, etc.<br />

Developing untapped domestic <strong>gas</strong> resources will<br />

reduce Europe’s import dependency. Europe’s potential<br />

to diversify its natural <strong>gas</strong> supplies will further be<br />

realised through deliveries of liquefied natural <strong>gas</strong> (LNG)<br />

from all over the world.<br />

DOMESTIC GAS<br />

PRODUCTION<br />

GAS +<br />

SOLAR<br />

COMBINED CYCLE<br />

GAS TURBINE<br />

Switching from<br />

coal- and oil-fired<br />

power generation<br />

to best per<strong>for</strong>mance<br />

CCGT plants 2<br />

vs.<br />

1990 levels<br />

CO 2<br />

EMISSIONS<br />

INDUSTRIAL<br />

PLANT<br />

GAS & RENEWABLES<br />

Gas-fired power generation is well suited to provide flexible<br />

generation to complement variable renewable <strong>energy</strong><br />

sources as it is capable of rapid response to changes in<br />

demand. If the necessary market conditions and policies<br />

are in place, the increased use of natural <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> power<br />

generation will help the EU achieve considerable<br />

emissions reductions by 2030. In such a scenario, <strong>gas</strong><br />

and renewables will grow together, displacing coal from<br />

the fuel mix <strong>for</strong> power generation.<br />

CARBON<br />

CAPTURE<br />

& STORAGE<br />

IMPORTS BY PIPE<br />

Re<strong>gas</strong>ification<br />

capacity expected<br />

to rise in Europe 1 .<br />

199 bcm/year<br />

369 bcm/year<br />

LNG<br />

GAS AT THE CENTRE OF OUR<br />

ENERGY SYSTEM IN 2030<br />

sources (biomass, organic waste) and is<br />

already injected today into the <strong>gas</strong> grid<br />

2013 2022<br />

LNG TERMINAL<br />

GAS IN TRANSPORT<br />

In the future, natural <strong>gas</strong> has the potential to play a greater<br />

role in transport, in light of lower CO₂ and other emissions.<br />

According to industry estimates, LNG heavy-duty vehicles<br />

could reach more than 50,000 units per year by 2020. By<br />

then, they could represent 10-15% of the market. 7 Today,<br />

there are however only 38 filling stations <strong>for</strong> LNG <strong>for</strong><br />

heavy-duty vehicles in the EU. 8 Refuelling infrastructure<br />

there<strong>for</strong>e needs to be developed to allow the technology to<br />

grow. There are also interesting prospects <strong>for</strong> LNG in<br />

maritime transport, with a clear environmental case of 25%<br />

lower CO₂ emissions and very substantial reductions in<br />

emissions of sulphur, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. 9<br />

$10<br />

LNG<br />

$17<br />

SHIP<br />

HEAVY<br />

FUEL OIL GASOLINE<br />

LNG<br />

$20-24<br />

Bio<strong>gas</strong> can be produced from various<br />

GAS<br />

STORAGE<br />

BIOGAS PLANT<br />

LNG can deliver<br />

50% savings <strong>for</strong><br />

the shipping<br />

INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION<br />

industry.<br />

February 2013 prices<br />

CNG<br />

The current <strong>gas</strong> infrastructure can be used <strong>for</strong> the future <strong>energy</strong><br />

system without any fundamental modifications beyond 2050.<br />

However, further investments will be needed to safeguard secure<br />

supplies, provide alternative supply routes and integrate growing<br />

variable renewable <strong>energy</strong> sources. Investments needed by 2020<br />

are estimated around €90 billion <strong>for</strong> transmission, storage and<br />

LNG. 3 For comparison purposes, it should be noted that the<br />

transmission of <strong>gas</strong> is up to 20 times cheaper than the<br />

transmission of <strong>energy</strong> in the <strong>for</strong>m of electricity. 4 Gas storage<br />

offers seasonal and short-term flexibility in a fully functioning<br />

<strong>European</strong> <strong>gas</strong> market, as well as security of supply.<br />

5<br />

The priority use of renewable energies in the future will<br />

require a very flexible storage of excess electricity since a<br />

constant balance between electricity production and<br />

consumption is technically needed. The ideal way could<br />

be Power-to-Gas, which allows <strong>for</strong> the storage of<br />

renewable electricity in the natural <strong>gas</strong> grid. Electricity<br />

can be converted to hydrogen (H2) via electrolysis, a<br />

proven technology in the chemical industry. The<br />

hydrogen produced is either fed directly into the <strong>gas</strong> grid<br />

or turned into methane (CH4). Finally, by 2030 and<br />

beyond, CCS should be an important option to reduce<br />

carbon dioxide emissions. The CO₂ captured from power<br />

generation or industry can either be stored underground<br />

or reinjected into the <strong>gas</strong> system as synthetic methane,<br />

using Power-to-Gas facilities. End-user technologies<br />

such as condensing boilers, <strong>gas</strong> heat pumps,<br />

micro-CHP and fuel cells in space heating & cooling are<br />

continuously improved by the industry and will make <strong>gas</strong><br />

use even more efficient in the future.<br />

Figure 1. Infographics developed by GasNaturally on the vision <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> in 2030.<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 43


PROFILE<br />

Figure 2. Annual Member States Gas Forum.<br />

Figure 3. GasNaturally members.<br />

of CNG in cars, providing them with a sustainable and<br />

practical fuel compared to electric vehicles which take<br />

longer to charge and have very limited autonomy. Finally,<br />

bio<strong>gas</strong> is another clean way of converting organic waste<br />

into <strong>gas</strong> and injecting it into the grid.<br />

GasNaturally has recently summarised this vision <strong>for</strong><br />

<strong>gas</strong> in 2030 in an infographics (Figure 1) and an animation<br />

available on its website. It has also alerted Heads of<br />

State and Government about the urgency of the situation<br />

in an open letter. 1<br />

GASNATURALLY ACTIVITIES, TODAY<br />

AND TOMORROW<br />

GasNaturally has actively promoted the role of <strong>gas</strong> in a<br />

clean <strong>European</strong> <strong>energy</strong> system over the past few years.<br />

1 For more in<strong>for</strong>mation on GasNaturally’s 2030 vision, visit www.<strong>gas</strong>naturally.<br />

eu/<strong>gas</strong>-at-the-centre-of-the-<strong>energy</strong>-system-in-2030.<br />

First of all through its website, www.<strong>gas</strong>naturally.eu,<br />

hosting relevant materials and in<strong>for</strong>mation about the<br />

benefits of natural <strong>gas</strong>, and placing them in the context<br />

of current policy discussions. It is also present on Twitter<br />

(@GasNaturally) to further disseminate its messages.<br />

The association also organises various events throughout<br />

the year to showcase the benefits which could result<br />

if <strong>European</strong> policymakers were to recognise the merits of<br />

<strong>gas</strong>. Just a few weeks ago, it held its annual Member<br />

States’ Gas Forum which brought together representatives<br />

of more than 20 <strong>European</strong> Member States, highlevel<br />

EU officials, as well as academics, experts, and major<br />

industry actors (Figure 2).<br />

In November this year, GasNaturally will also hold<br />

its annual Gas Week, an event held in the <strong>European</strong><br />

Parliament which will give the opportunity to showcase<br />

the industry’s ef<strong>for</strong>ts in research and innovation<br />

in order to make <strong>gas</strong> an ever cleaner fuel, as well as<br />

the solutions offered to renewables in order to help<br />

achieve a truly low-carbon <strong>energy</strong> system. The organisation<br />

also launched last year ‘GasPractically’ visits to<br />

key <strong>European</strong> <strong>gas</strong> infrastructure sites such as the Zeebrugge<br />

LNG terminal, where policymakers can get a<br />

concrete idea of how <strong>gas</strong> is brought to Europe be<strong>for</strong>e<br />

being dispatched throughout the continent - and into<br />

their homes.<br />

The organisation also believes it is part of its role to<br />

undertake dialogue with the renewable <strong>energy</strong> sector. In<br />

2014 GasNaturally wishes to demonstrate that a fruitful<br />

collaboration between <strong>gas</strong> and renewables will not only<br />

be mutually beneficial but also help Europe become<br />

more competitive and sustainable.<br />

Policymakers are starting to realise that <strong>energy</strong> and<br />

climate measures of the past few years were filled with<br />

good intentions but produced un<strong>for</strong>tunate results. Gas-<br />

Naturally has recently noticed a shift in opinions in the<br />

<strong>European</strong> Commission, where there is a growing understanding<br />

of the benefits of <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> security of supply and<br />

<strong>European</strong> competitiveness. GasNaturally still has a lot of<br />

work to do but is confident that natural <strong>gas</strong> will soon be<br />

recognised as one of the keys to solve Europe’s <strong>energy</strong><br />

problems and spark the renaissance of its industry by<br />

providing it with a competitive, sustainable and reliable<br />

source of <strong>energy</strong>.<br />

Contact:<br />

GasNaturally Secretariat,<br />

François-Régis Mouton, Chairman of GasNaturally,<br />

Square de Meeûs 35, Brussels 1000, Belgium<br />

Phone : +32 (0)2 234 68 97,<br />

E-mail: info@<strong>gas</strong>naturally.eu<br />

www.<strong>gas</strong>naturally.eu<br />

44 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


ASSOCIATIONS<br />

CEE publish their Gas Regional Investment<br />

Plan 2014-2023<br />

The Transmission System Operators (TSOs) of the<br />

CEE region are pleased to release the second edition<br />

of the Gas Regional Investment Plan (GRIP) which<br />

was prepared following the requirements of Article<br />

12(1) of the Regulation (EC) 715/2009. The aim of the<br />

CEE GRIP is to provide a detailed insight into the natural<br />

<strong>gas</strong> infrastructure in the CEE region and it serves to<br />

promote transparency by delivering updated in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

on technical characteristics of infrastructure currently<br />

under operation and investments <strong>for</strong>eseen in<br />

the upcoming decade. Additionally, it is aimed at sharing<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation and in doing so providing further<br />

decision-making in the investment processes.<br />

Furthermore, another goal of the CEE GRIP is to provide<br />

a focused view on security of supply and market<br />

integration on a regional level. For these purposes,<br />

demand, supply and capacity developments are assessed<br />

and current and future investment needs in the CEE<br />

region identified. The plan also endeavours to capture<br />

wider <strong>gas</strong> market dynamics by looking at various supply<br />

scenarios. The CEE GRIP 2014-2023 was jointly coordinated<br />

by the Polish TSO – GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. and the Austrian TSO<br />

– Baumgarten-Oberkappel-Gasleitung GmbH (BOG).<br />

The CEE GRIP 2014-2023 with the Annexes can be<br />

downloaded from the ENTSOG website and the websites<br />

of the involved TSOs.<br />

ConferenCe - exhibition - networking<br />

2nd european Shale gaS and oil Summit 2014<br />

29 th - 30 th September, london<br />

“implementing SuCCeSSful Shale gaS projeCtS”<br />

+44 (0) 203 131 0048 enquirieS@CharleSmaxell.Co.uk www.eSgoS.eu<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 45


ASSOCIATIONS<br />

ENTSOG launches consultation on capacity<br />

booking plat<strong>for</strong>ms<br />

Under article 27 (3) of the Regulation (EU) No 984/2013<br />

establishing a Network Code on Capacity Allocation<br />

Mechanisms (NC CAM) the <strong>European</strong> Network of Transmission<br />

System Operators <strong>for</strong> <strong>gas</strong> (ENTSOG) has the task to<br />

carry out a public consultation to<br />

identify the market needs with<br />

regards to capacity booking plat<strong>for</strong>ms.<br />

After analysis, the results of the<br />

public consultation will be published<br />

by ENTSOG in a report. The targeted<br />

audience <strong>for</strong> this public consultation<br />

are network users who book capacity<br />

at interconnection points.<br />

ENTSOG launched the public consultation on booking<br />

plat<strong>for</strong>ms in accordance with article 27 (3) of the<br />

CAM NC. The questionnaire of this public consultation<br />

consists of two parts. The initial consultation questions<br />

one on temporal characteristics and the second on<br />

regional characteristics of booking capacity on IPs will<br />

allow ENTSOG to group the respondent’s views. The<br />

second part consists of open questions. Based on the<br />

grouping of respondents views, ENTSOG will analyse<br />

whether or not there are differentiated market needs<br />

that arise from the responses<br />

received on the open questions.<br />

This analysis will be published<br />

together with the public consultation<br />

results in the ENTSOG booking<br />

plat<strong>for</strong>m report. The consultations<br />

start 19 May 2014 and will be open<br />

until 30 June 2014. The <strong>for</strong>eseen<br />

publication date of the ENTSOG<br />

booking plat<strong>for</strong>m report is 4 November 2014.<br />

The consultation questionnaire on capacity booking<br />

plat<strong>for</strong>ms can be found on: https://www.surveymonkey.<br />

com/s/RPDTVJC<br />

ENTSOG also encourages all network users to participate<br />

in this consultation.<br />

Naftogaz of Ukraine joins Gas<br />

Storage Inventory (AGSI+)<br />

Gas Storage Europe (GSE) in<strong>for</strong>ms that the GSE Transparency<br />

Plat<strong>for</strong>m (AGSI+) has been extended to<br />

include storage data <strong>for</strong> Naftogaz of Ukraine. With the<br />

data from Naftogaz AGSI+ <strong>for</strong> the first time expands its<br />

coverage beyond EU 28. For Ukraine in total 13 storage<br />

facilities representing a working <strong>gas</strong> volume of 32 BCM<br />

will be reported disaggregated on a weekly basis.<br />

The GSE AGSI+ plat<strong>for</strong>m is accessible at: http://<br />

transparency.gie.eu<br />

GSE is continuously working on improving and extending<br />

the AGSI+ plat<strong>for</strong>m following the positive feedback<br />

from stakeholders who deem it a useful tool allowing to<br />

keep track on storage use across Europe. During the recent<br />

weeks GSE has invested a lot in its transparency work:<br />

■■<br />

AGSI+ delivers <strong>for</strong> almost all member states disaggregated<br />

data per storage facility or group of storages<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

■■<br />

The coverage within the EU has increased with several<br />

new contributors; even non-GSE members increasingly<br />

use AGSI+ to provide transparency<br />

Several features were developed to allow interested<br />

parties to extract data or create individual graphs<br />

AGSI+ provides <strong>for</strong> the first time an <strong>European</strong> overview<br />

of operational availability of storage<br />

Access to AGSI+ is still free of charge<br />

As on 5 May 2014 the GSE Aggregated Gas Storage Inventory<br />

has reported the total volume of <strong>gas</strong> in stock at<br />

around 50 BCM. Out of this 41 BCM are stored in EU 28.<br />

The current storage level is above recent years mainly<br />

due to mild winter and lower underlying demand but is<br />

also a result of the positions taken by storage users.<br />

46 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


PRODUCTS & SERVICES<br />

Gas leak monitoring<br />

at natural <strong>gas</strong> plants<br />

The GasCam SG model, from Esders, offers<br />

methane emissions inspection at natural<br />

<strong>gas</strong> and bio<strong>gas</strong> plants. The GasCam SG, a<br />

mobile infrared detector measuring unit, offers<br />

a far quicker solution than conventional detection<br />

techniques by diagnosing <strong>gas</strong> leaks at<br />

plants in real time and providing the user with<br />

moving images of the escaping methane cloud;<br />

leaks, and the associated point of escape, are<br />

there<strong>for</strong>e discovered immediately. GasCam SG<br />

can be up to 100 m away from the object being<br />

measured.<br />

Measurement results are provided as an infrared<br />

image which is superimposed with an<br />

enhanced colour image of the detected <strong>gas</strong><br />

cloud. The cloud can thus be visualised against<br />

different backgrounds, even on non reflecting<br />

areas, such as the sky. The detection limit depends<br />

on temperature difference between the <strong>gas</strong> and<br />

the area in which it has leaked.<br />

A <strong>gas</strong> outlet in a freestanding line or storage<br />

system can be discovered at a great distance<br />

just as quickly as, <strong>for</strong> example, a leak in the fermenter<br />

of a bio<strong>gas</strong> plant. Trials have now<br />

proven that very small <strong>gas</strong> releases can be discovered<br />

reliably by GasCam SG, at locations<br />

where it was previously very difficult to determine<br />

methane emissions. The GasCam provides<br />

a visual illustration of the <strong>gas</strong> leaks, which<br />

allows a reliable assessment to be made.<br />

It is often desirable to be able to measure how<br />

much <strong>gas</strong> is escaping – to quantify the detected<br />

leak. Although this is not easy, even with the Gas-<br />

Cam, the visual representation of the <strong>gas</strong> emissions<br />

has the advantage of providing an immediate<br />

estimate of the amount of <strong>gas</strong> released. Concentration<br />

measurements made using suitable<br />

monitoring devices can be taken to provide further<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation regarding the magnitude of the<br />

<strong>gas</strong> leaks.<br />

Contact:<br />

Esders<br />

www.esders.de<br />

New basic course "Electromagnetic Flow Meters" available on the learning<br />

plat<strong>for</strong>m KROHNE Academy online.<br />

New eLearning course<br />

"Electromagnetic<br />

flowmeters"<br />

new basic course on flow measurement is available<br />

A on the KROHNE Academy online learning plat<strong>for</strong>m:<br />

Participants of the course "Electromagnetic flowmeters"<br />

will find a broad range of topics related to this flow measuring<br />

principle in three modules.<br />

The first module deals with the history and the<br />

general areas of application, the measuring principle<br />

itself and the construction of an electromagnetic<br />

flowmeter. It is followed by the second module with<br />

the material selection and special types of electromagnetic<br />

flowmeters, the sizing, the measuring<br />

accuracy as well as the calibration of an electromagnetic<br />

flowmeter.<br />

The third module covers the topics installation<br />

and grounding, limitations and advantages, and the<br />

industries and applications in which electromagnetic<br />

flowmeters can be used. The course is available in<br />

English, German and Russian, a French version will be<br />

soon available.<br />

Contact:<br />

KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH<br />

www.krohne.com<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 47


DIARY<br />

• NGVA Europe International<br />

7.–10.7.2014, Brussels, Belgium<br />

www.igrc2014.com<br />

• IGRC International Gas Union Research Conference<br />

17.–19.9.2014, Copenhagen, Denmark<br />

www.igrc2014.com<br />

• gat/wat 2014<br />

29.9.–1.10.2014, Karlsruhe, Germany<br />

www.dvgw.de<br />

• KIOGE 2014<br />

30.9.–3.10.2014, Almaty, Kazakstan<br />

www.kioge.com<br />

• InOGE<br />

7.–9.10.2014<br />

www.inoge-expo.com<br />

• Renexpo<br />

9.–12.10.2014, Augsburg<br />

www.renexpo.de<br />

• EAGC <strong>European</strong> Autumn Gas Conference<br />

28.–30.10.2014, London, U.K.<br />

www.theeagc.com<br />

• 3rd Annual Small Scale LNG Forum<br />

5.–6.11.2014, Rotterdam, Netherlands<br />

http://oil<strong>gas</strong>.flemingeurope.com/small-scale-lng-<strong>for</strong>um<br />

• <strong>European</strong> Gas Conference<br />

27.–29.1.2015, Vienna, Austria<br />

www.european<strong>gas</strong>-conference.com<br />

• E-world of <strong>energy</strong> &water<br />

10.–12.2.2015, Essen, Germany<br />

www.e-world-essen.com<br />

• The 26th World Gas Conference<br />

1.–5.6.2015, Paris, France<br />

www.igu.com<br />

48 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


uyer’s guide<br />

A close-up view of the<br />

international <strong>gas</strong> business<br />

Gas transmission and distribution<br />

Gas-pressure control and <strong>gas</strong><br />

measurement<br />

Gas quality and <strong>gas</strong> use<br />

Gas suppliers<br />

Trade and in<strong>for</strong>mation technology<br />

DVGW-certified companies<br />

Please contact<br />

Andrea Schröder<br />

Phone: +49 89 2035366-77<br />

Fax: +49 89 2035366-99<br />

E-mail: schroeder@di-verlag.de<br />

www.<strong>gas</strong>-<strong>for</strong>-<strong>energy</strong>.com


2014<br />

Gas transmission and distribution<br />

Buyer’s Guide<br />

Pipe penetrations<br />

Pipelines and pipeline accessories<br />

Valves<br />

Please contact<br />

Andrea Schröder<br />

Phone +49 89 2035366-77<br />

Fax +49 89 2035366-99<br />

schroeder@di-verlag.de<br />

50 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


Gas transmission and distribution<br />

2014<br />

Active corrosion protection<br />

Corrosion protection<br />

Buyer’s Guide<br />

Passive corrosion protection<br />

Issue 2/2014 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> 51


2014<br />

Gas quality and Gas use<br />

Buyer’s Guide<br />

Filtration<br />

Gas preparation<br />

dVGW-certified comPanies<br />

Pipe and pipeline engineering<br />

Filters<br />

52 <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> Issue 2/2014


IMPRINT AND INDEX OF ADVERTISERS<br />

IMPRINT<br />

<strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong><br />

Magazine <strong>for</strong> Smart Gas Technologies, Infrastructure and Utilisation<br />

Publication of<br />

Farecogaz – Association of <strong>European</strong><br />

Manufacturers of Gas Meters, Gas<br />

Pressure Regulators, Safety Devices<br />

and Stations<br />

GERG – Group Europeen de<br />

Recherches Gazieres<br />

GIE – Gas Infrastructure Europe<br />

Marcogaz – Technical Association of<br />

the <strong>European</strong> Natural Gas Industry<br />

Editorial team:<br />

Managing Editor: Volker Trenkle<br />

DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH<br />

Arnulfstraße 124<br />

80636 München<br />

Phone +49 89 203 53 66-56<br />

Fax: +49 89 203 53 66-99<br />

E-Mail: trenkle@di-verlag.de<br />

Editor: Elisabeth Terplan<br />

Phone +49 89 203 53 66-43<br />

Fax: +49 89 203 53 66-99<br />

E-Mail: terplan@di-verlag.de<br />

Office: Birgit Lenz<br />

Phone +49 89 203 53 66-23<br />

Fax: +49 89 203 53 66-99<br />

E-Mail: lenz@di-verlag.de<br />

Publishing House:<br />

DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH<br />

Arnulfstraße 124<br />

80636 München<br />

Phone +49 89 203 53 66-0<br />

Fax: +49 89 203 53 66-99<br />

E-Mail: info@di-verlag.de<br />

Internet: www.<strong>gas</strong>-<strong>for</strong>-<strong>energy</strong>.com<br />

Head of Division:<br />

Stephan Schalm<br />

Managing Directors:<br />

Carsten Augsburger,<br />

Jürgen Franke<br />

Advertising:<br />

Advertising Sales: Andrea Schröder<br />

Phone +49 89 203 53 66-77<br />

Fax: +49 89 203 53 66-99<br />

E-Mail: schroeder@di-verlag.de<br />

Advertising Administration:<br />

Eva Feil<br />

Phone +49 89 203 53 66-11<br />

Fax: +49 89 203 53 66-99<br />

E-Mail: feil@di-verlag.de<br />

Layout:<br />

Carolin Sehnem<br />

DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH<br />

Production:<br />

Dipl.-Ing. Annika Böning<br />

DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH<br />

Rates:<br />

<strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> is published four<br />

times a year.<br />

• Subscription printed magazine<br />

inside Germany: € 204.00<br />

(€ 192.00 + € 12.00 shipping)<br />

• Subscription printed magazine<br />

outside Germany: € 206.00<br />

(€ 192.00 + € 14.00 shipping)<br />

• Subscription e-paper magazine:<br />

€ 192.00<br />

As a subscriber of the periodical<br />

gwf Gas | Erd<strong>gas</strong>, or as a member of<br />

Farecogaz, GERG, GIE or Marcogaz,<br />

<strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong> is being delivered at a<br />

prize of € 153.60 (e-paper) or at a<br />

price of € 153.60 plus shipping (print).<br />

Subscriptions/Single Copy Sales:<br />

Readers’ Service <strong>gas</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>energy</strong><br />

DataM-Services GmbH<br />

Marcus Zepmeisel<br />

Franz-Horn-Str. 2<br />

97082 Würzburg, Germany<br />

E-Mail: leserservice@di-verlag.de<br />

Phone: +49 931 4170-459<br />

Fax: +49 931 4170-494<br />

The magazine and all the contributions<br />

and illustrations contained<br />

therein are secured by copyright. With<br />

the exception of the legally permitted<br />

instances, any utilisation without the<br />

express permission of the publisher<br />

will be punished at law. The opinions<br />

contained in signed articles do not<br />

necessarily reflect the opinion of the<br />

publisher.<br />

Printed by<br />

Druckerei Chmielorz GmbH<br />

Ostring 13<br />

65205 Wiesbaden-Nordenstadt<br />

Germany<br />

DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH,<br />

München<br />

Printed in Germany<br />

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS<br />

Company<br />

Page<br />

Charles Maxwell, Liverpool 45<br />

Elster GmbH, Mainz<br />

Cover<br />

Buyers Guide 49 - 52


The Gas Engineer’s<br />

Dictionary<br />

Supply Infrastructure from A to Z<br />

The Gas Engineer’s Dictionary will be a standard work <strong>for</strong> all aspects of construction,<br />

operation and maintenance of <strong>gas</strong> grids.<br />

This dictionary is an entirely new designed reference book <strong>for</strong> both engineers with<br />

professional experience and students of supply engineering. The opus contains the world<br />

of supply infrastructure in a series of detailed professional articles dealing with main<br />

points like the following:<br />

• bio<strong>gas</strong> • compressor stations • conditioning<br />

• corrosion protection • dispatching • <strong>gas</strong> properties<br />

• grid layout • LNG • odorization<br />

• metering • pressure regulation • safety devices<br />

• storages<br />

Editors: Klaus Homann, Rainer Reimert, Bernhard Klocke<br />

1 st edition 2013<br />

452 pages, 165 x 230 mm<br />

hardcover with interactive eBook (read-online access)<br />

ISBN: 978-3-8356-3214-1<br />

Price: € 160,–<br />

DIV Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH, Arnulfstr. 124, 80636 München<br />

www.di-verlag.de<br />

Order now!<br />

KNOWLEDGE FOR THE<br />

FUTURE<br />

Order now by fax: +49 201 / 820 02-34 or send in a letter<br />

Deutscher Industrieverlag GmbH | Arnulfstr. 124 | 80636 München<br />

Yes, I place a firm order <strong>for</strong> the technical book. Please send<br />

— copies of The Gas Engineer’s Dictionary<br />

1st edition 2013 – ISBN: 978-3-8356-3214-1<br />

at the price of € 160,- (plus postage and packing extra)<br />

Company/Institution<br />

First name, surname of recipient (department or person)<br />

Street/P.O. Box, No.<br />

Country, Postalcode, Town<br />

reply / Antwort<br />

Vulkan-Verlag GmbH<br />

Versandbuchhandlung<br />

Postfach 10 39 62<br />

45039 Essen<br />

GERMANY<br />

Phone<br />

E-Mail<br />

Line of business<br />

Fax<br />

Please note: According to German law this request may be withdrawn within 14 days after order date in writing<br />

to Vulkan Verlag GmbH, Versandbuchhandlung, Postfach 10 39 62, 45039 essen, Germany.<br />

In order to accomplish your request and <strong>for</strong> communication purposes your personal data are being recorded and stored.<br />

It is approved that this data may also be used in commercial ways by mail, by phone, by fax, by email, none.<br />

this approval may be withdrawn at any time.<br />

Date, signature<br />

PATGED2014

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!