Page 33 - European Energy Innovation - Autumn 2015 publication
P. 33
Autumn 2015 European Energy Innovation 33
GAS
January than in August. With
over 2.2 million kilometres
of pipelines, Europe has an
extensive network to deliver
gas to the home. In addition,
some 150 facilities can store
approximately 97 bcm of gas,
ensuring that about 20% of
annual demand can be at hand.
Increasingly, gas is being used Figure 2. A smart gas grid, contributing to a smart energy system
with other energy carriers,
another innovation that benefits makes financial sense; in most reduce the volume of energy
consumers. Power-to-gas cases, gas bill savings will “pay that needs to be generated,
(P2G) technology, for example, back” the cost within seven years. stored and converted to deliver
converts electricity generated by Higher efficiency also helps heat comfort, innovation in
renewables to gas, which can be meet national and EU objectives heating control can go a step
stored for much longer periods to reduce energy demand and further. Increasingly, appliances
(i.e. seasonally, rather than for a associated emissions. and technologies are being
few hours or days). P2G could connected in ways that integrate
offer a long-term solution to using Gas heat-pumps, which capture gas into “smart” energy systems.
intermittent renewable energy for renewable heat from the air, For example, customers can
heating homes. Several Eurogas ground or groundwater, reach control their home heating
members are investing in P2G conversion efficiencies of up to remotely, through applications on
and advancing its technological 165%. Combined heat and power their smart phones.
development. For example, a (CHP) units, which produce both
recent installation in Germany heating and electricity, are now A smart gas grid
features an impressive system available in smaller units suitable
efficiency of 86% with heat for individual homes. Considering all these innovations
recovery. occurred in just one generation,
An emerging trend is to install it’s safe to assume that more
Conversion of energy to complete heating and cooling dramatic changes are in store.
heat solutions in homes, which allow Eurogas will help ensure that the
different energy carriers to work gas industry continues to evolve
The efficiency of heating together to meet the consumer’s to meet both consumer needs
appliances – that is, the rate at needs. Such a system might and environmental challenges,
which they transform the energy combine, for example, a gas and to collaborate across energy
supply (gas) into the energy condensing boiler and solar sectors to create smarter energy
service (heat) – influences the cost thermal panels, or a hybrid unit of systems – as shown in the Eurogas
of heat and the GHG emissions a gas condensing boiler with an vision of a smart gas grid. l
created during conversion, as low electric heat-pump.
efficiency requires more supply Contact details:
to be converted for the desired Controlling the heat
comfort. Approximately 85% of Av. de Cortenbergh, 172
European households are using While each of the above steps B-1000 Brussels
old, inefficient boilers. show substantial potential to www.eurogas.org
Switching to efficient, condensing
boilers boosts energy efficiency,
in some cases by more than
20%. While it requires an upfront
investment, replacing old boilers
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
GAS
January than in August. With
over 2.2 million kilometres
of pipelines, Europe has an
extensive network to deliver
gas to the home. In addition,
some 150 facilities can store
approximately 97 bcm of gas,
ensuring that about 20% of
annual demand can be at hand.
Increasingly, gas is being used Figure 2. A smart gas grid, contributing to a smart energy system
with other energy carriers,
another innovation that benefits makes financial sense; in most reduce the volume of energy
consumers. Power-to-gas cases, gas bill savings will “pay that needs to be generated,
(P2G) technology, for example, back” the cost within seven years. stored and converted to deliver
converts electricity generated by Higher efficiency also helps heat comfort, innovation in
renewables to gas, which can be meet national and EU objectives heating control can go a step
stored for much longer periods to reduce energy demand and further. Increasingly, appliances
(i.e. seasonally, rather than for a associated emissions. and technologies are being
few hours or days). P2G could connected in ways that integrate
offer a long-term solution to using Gas heat-pumps, which capture gas into “smart” energy systems.
intermittent renewable energy for renewable heat from the air, For example, customers can
heating homes. Several Eurogas ground or groundwater, reach control their home heating
members are investing in P2G conversion efficiencies of up to remotely, through applications on
and advancing its technological 165%. Combined heat and power their smart phones.
development. For example, a (CHP) units, which produce both
recent installation in Germany heating and electricity, are now A smart gas grid
features an impressive system available in smaller units suitable
efficiency of 86% with heat for individual homes. Considering all these innovations
recovery. occurred in just one generation,
An emerging trend is to install it’s safe to assume that more
Conversion of energy to complete heating and cooling dramatic changes are in store.
heat solutions in homes, which allow Eurogas will help ensure that the
different energy carriers to work gas industry continues to evolve
The efficiency of heating together to meet the consumer’s to meet both consumer needs
appliances – that is, the rate at needs. Such a system might and environmental challenges,
which they transform the energy combine, for example, a gas and to collaborate across energy
supply (gas) into the energy condensing boiler and solar sectors to create smarter energy
service (heat) – influences the cost thermal panels, or a hybrid unit of systems – as shown in the Eurogas
of heat and the GHG emissions a gas condensing boiler with an vision of a smart gas grid. l
created during conversion, as low electric heat-pump.
efficiency requires more supply Contact details:
to be converted for the desired Controlling the heat
comfort. Approximately 85% of Av. de Cortenbergh, 172
European households are using While each of the above steps B-1000 Brussels
old, inefficient boilers. show substantial potential to www.eurogas.org
Switching to efficient, condensing
boilers boosts energy efficiency,
in some cases by more than
20%. While it requires an upfront
investment, replacing old boilers
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
