Towards a smarter gas distribution grid Active grid pressure management

摘要

Natural gas plays a major role in the energy transition as it is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, can be stored and is renewable. Nevertheless, when leaking unburnt into the atmosphere, the global warming effect is a lot higher than CO2. Typically, gas distribution grids were designed based on principles dating back to the early 1970s and were built with high safety margins based on peak winter demands which only rarely occur. As a result, in many cases, the pressure across the distribution grid is higher than statutory pressures required at critical low pressure points. While gas leakage is dependent on the pipe material, it is also directly proportional to the gas pressure inside the pipe, and thus by optimizing the pressure, losses can be reduced. Smart technology can be used to reduce pressure and, proportionally, leakage for a much smaller investment than traditional solutions. An active grid pressure management solution collects pressure and flow data from the network, creates algorithmic models that anticipate changes in pressure based on consumer demand and then manages the pressure accordingly. Similar active grid pressure management solutions have been used successfully in the water industry for many years and it is time to apply these on a larger scale to the gas industry in order to further reduce methane leaks worldwide.