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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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
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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
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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
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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Phone +49 89 203 53 66-23<br />
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E-Mail: lenz@di-verlag.de<br />
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Arnulfstraße 124<br />
80636 München<br />
Phone +49 89 203 53 66-0<br />
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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 />
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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS<br />
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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 />
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