A Greener Gas Grid: What Are the Options?
File(s)A Greener Gas Grid - Spiral paper.docx (780.97 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
There is an ongoing debate over future decarbonisation of gas networks using biomethane, and increasingly hydrogen, in gas network infrastructure. Some emerging research presents gas network decarbonisation options as a tractable alternative to ‘all-electric’ scenarios that use electric appliances to deliver the traditional gas services such as heating and cooking. However, there is some uncertainty as to the technical feasibility, cost and carbon emissions of gas network decarbonisation options. In response to this debate the Sustainable Gas Institute at Imperial College London has conducted a rigorous systematic review of the evidence surrounding gas network decarbonisation options. The study focuses on the technologies used to generate biomethane and hydrogen, and examines the technical potentials, economic costs and emissions associated with the full supply chains involved. The following summarises the main findings of this research. The report concludes that there are a number of options that could significantly decarbonise the gas network, and doing so would provide energy system flexibility utilising existing assets. However, these options will be more expensive than the existing gas system, and the GHG intensity of these options may vary significantly. In addition, more research is required, particularly in relation to the capabilities of existing pipework to transport hydrogen safely.
Date Issued
2018-04-10
Date Acceptance
2018-03-28
Citation
Energy Policy, 2018, 118, pp.291-297
ISSN
0301-4215
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
291
End Page
297
Journal / Book Title
Energy Policy
Volume
118
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Shell Global Solutions International BV
Grant Number
PO 4550156770
Subjects
MD Multidisciplinary
Energy
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-04-10