Page 56 - European Energy Innovation - autumn 2017 publication
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56 Autumn 2017 European Energy Innovation
BIOMETHANE
Removing technical barriers
to biomethane injection in the
natural gas grid
A GERG initiative to support the development of the biomethane industry in Europe
By Robert Judd (GERG), Mailys Pale, Helene Morin, Zacaria Reddad (Engie lab Crigen)
BIOMETHANE AND ITS Yet, they are only of voluntary to follow and the definition of
INTRODUCTION INTO THE GAS application, and some thresholds threshold values, the aim of the GERG
NETWORK values are either missing, or were set biomethane project is to gather
Renewably derived gases, whether through stakeholder agreement but robust technical information regarding
biomethane or hydrogen, have the are not always based on real technical the impacts of biomethane trace
potential to make an enormous data, which has been lacking at a components on the gas infrastructures
contribution to the long-term European level. and on the end-users’ equipment to
development of a low carbon energy propose revision of the standards
system in Europe and beyond. Therefore to ensure and secure the using strong technical arguments.
Although volumes injected into our future of the whole biomethane
gas networks are currently small, they industry, we need to define threshold The first step, completed this year, is a
are showing rapid growth in some values which ensure gas infrastructure literature and operational data review
European countries. integrity, and end-users’ equipment to identify the gaps of knowledge. It
integrity, without being unnecessarily focuses on two aspects:
In the case of biomethane a pan stringent and therefore imposing
European understanding of the steps unnecessary extra costs on producers. • Corrosion: impact of the
needed to remove any technical barriers This will allow the gas industry and its biomethane trace components
will greatly support the development of vast existing infrastructure to play a in terms of corrosion: CO, HCN,
a viable and sustainable growth industry. major role in meeting Europe's H2S, NH3, HCl, HF, organo-halides,
To approach the removal of these climate goals. micro-organisms;
barriers in a consistent and effective
manner requires close cooperation THE GERG BIOMETHANE PROJECT • Siloxanes: impact of silica
with those developing the standards In 2016, a GERG project was set up compounds found in biogas
for use of biomethane. and launched at the initiative of several sources both on the gas
European gas grid and gas storage infrastructure (pipes, compressors,
Discussions on biomethane quality operators. This project was led by valves) and on end-users (boilers,
standard definition for network Engie Lab CRIGEN (representing the engines).
injection have been ongoing for French gas infrastructure operators
several years now. However, a lack of GRTgaz, GRDF, STORENGY). Partners A UNIQUE SET OF DATA
scientific and tangible network data included the Danish Gas Technology REGARDING REAL BIOMETHANE
has held back a full understanding of Centre, DGC (representing Danish gas QUALITY
the real impact of biomethane trace operators) , DNVGL UK (representing The phase 1 of the GERG biomethane
compounds on gas infrastructure as the four UK gas distribution project has allowed us to collect a
well as end-users. companies, National Grid/Cadent, unique set of data regarding real
SGN, NGN and Wales and the West), biomethane quality. These data were
Two European standards on biomethane Gasum, Gaz System, Innogy, Snam collected by partners who need
have been published in 2016 / 2017: Rete Gaz, and TIGF. Kiwa and DNVGL to perform biomethane analysis
Netherlands provided additional prior to its injection into their gas
• EN16723-1: Specifications for technical input and delivery based on networks. As there is very little public
biomethane for injection in the existing Dutch industry knowledge and documentation on trace compounds
natural gas network; their known expertise in this area. concentrations in biomethane, this set
of data is highly valuable.
• EN16723-2: Automotive fuel Since there is no precise knowledge
specifications about the choice of trace components These data are very helpful to aid
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