Adding gas from biomass to the gas grid - SGC

The current prospect for adding gas from biomass to the gas grid is rather low. In 2000 only 0.1% ofthe gas is from renewable sources, versus 3.2% for renewable electricity. Relatively high prices forelectricity, the low cost of the electrification units and the limited availability of biomass and organicwaste obstruct the addition of gas from biomass to the gas grid. In the long term Gastec expects abetter prospect for sustainable gas options.Key elements in this development are:• demonstration of lower cost technologies for production of gas from biomass and waste• the higher energy efficiency of the gas grid route• the higher flexibility of the gas grid route• large-scale gasification of biomass, either in third countries or of imported biomass.7.3.7 SwedenThe Swedish energy sector is experiencing a period of restructuring and deregulation. Thecomprehensive development of the energy market include fields such as transmission technology,gas power generation, biofuels and renewable energy, and environmental know-how.Oil, hydro power, and nuclear power are the main sources of energy in Sweden. Sweden has nocommercially exploitable oil, gas or coal reserves; therefore, Sweden imports 70% of its energy rawmaterial needs. Most of the imports are in the form of oil, 65% of which comes from the North Sea.Significant changes have occurred in the Swedish energy sector since 1970. Most importantly, theproportion of the country's energy supplied by oil has fallen substantially, from 77% in 1970 to 45%in 1996. In contrast, the proportion of the country's total energy supply accounted for by electricityhas risen from 14% to 30% over the period.The area of energy conservation will gain in importance. The conflicting environmental goals - thephasing out of nuclear power, the Parliament's decision to restrict further development of rivers forthe generation of hydroelectric power, and its commitment to prohibit increases in CO 2 emissionshas created an energy policy dilemma. Replacing the reactors by natural gas or other fossil fuelswould mean a significant increase in Sweden's CO 2 emissions.Biofuels have come to play an increasingly important role in the Swedish energy system since the1970s. Research is being conducted for the future use of biofuels, which looks more promising thanwind or solar power. Since 1991 a total of € 118 million has been allocated for the support ofbiofuel-based combined heat and power. In 1996, use of biofuels, peat etc. amounted to about 300PJ. The use of wood fuels within district heating has trippled since 1991 and in 1996 totalled 80 PJ.11 PJ of biofuels were used for electricity production in 1996.page: 111