Gas storage tanks in the harbour area in Hamburg, Germany. Credit: calado / Shutterstock
Credit: calado / Shutterstock
A study published recently by Navigant on behalf of the Gas for Climate consortium has found that renewable gas has a huge part to play in the EU's future plans to decarbonise. The study serves as an expanded version of a previous study published last year with added scope and analysis.
Achieving 100% greenhouse gas reduction requires massive amounts of renewable electricity. The study found that the most cost-effective way of decarbonising is to combine electricity with renewable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane. Renewable gas adds value in the heating of buildings, for high temperature industrial heat, providing flexibility in electricity production alongside wind and solar and in heavy transport.
A press release from Gas for Climate said: "Using around 2900 TWh or approximately 270 billion cubic meters of renewable methane and hydrogen in a smart combination with renewable electricity saves society €217-billion across the energy system compared to reducing gas to an absolute minimum. Existing gas infrastructure is indispensable in transporting this renewable and low carbon gas to the various demand sectors. Gas infrastructure can be used to transport both hydrogen and biomethane in 2050."
Experts at Navigant foresee an important role for blue hydrogen (carbon-neutral hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage) initially, in order to grow the still developing hydrogen market. Approaching 2050 as renewable energy levels are increased and costs have fallen, renewable green hydrogen will replace blue hydrogen, resulting in a fully renewable energy system.
In a joint statement, the CEOs of the nine Gas for Climate members said: "The new Gas for Climate study shows that gas and its infrastructure will play an indispensable role in the future decarbonised energy system together with electricity infrastructures. We support the transition to a fully renewable energy system in which biomethane and green hydrogen will play a major role in a smart combination with renewable electricity while recognising that blue hydrogen can accelerate decarbonisation efforts in the coming decades."
Gas for Climate was set up in 2017 to create awareness about the role of renewable and low carbon gas in future energy systems. The Gas for Climate group consists of seven leading European gas transport companies: Enagás, Fluxys Belgium, Gasunie, GRTgaz, Open Grid Europe, Snam and Teréga, and two renewable gas industry associations: European Biogas Association and Consorzio Italiano Biogas.
The full Navigant study can be found here.
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