The underground gas networks at Axel in Zeeland and Ossendrecht in North Brabant were connected at the end of July. Grid operator Gasunie reports that the connection provides additional transport capacity for green gas, giving existing and new producers more room to supply sustainable gas to the network. According to the company, this makes more domestically produced sustainable energy available for households, industry, and transport.
Green gas is produced from residual streams such as food waste and sewage sludge, which are converted into sustainable gas through fermentation or gasification. According to Gasunie, the product can be transported via the existing gas infrastructure and used without modifications.
Existing management is given a new role
For the connection in the regional network, Gasunie used an existing natural gas pipeline that is no longer needed for the transport of natural gas. As a result, a new pipeline did not have to be laid. According to the grid operator, the reuse of existing infrastructure limited the amount of work, prevented the use of additional materials, and kept the impact on local residents minimal. The work took place exclusively at Gasunie locations outside built-up areas and was completed recently.
Summer surplus in production areas
Green gas production runs year-round, while demand for gas varies significantly by season. As a result, a local surplus regularly arises, particularly in the summer. According to Gasunie, the connection between the Zeeland and Brabant networks makes it easier to transport green gas to areas where there is demand, thereby improving network utilization and creating room for further production growth.
That extra capacity is sorely needed, states the grid operator. Domestic production of green gas grew by fourteen percent last year, and the number of producers increased from 92 to 108. In the coming years, the focus is on a further increase to two billion cubic meters per year.
According to Gasunie, North Brabant has significant potential for green gas production, given the availability of residual streams from agriculture and livestock farming. The company is therefore investing in infrastructure expansion at multiple locations in the province. In addition to the connection between Axel and Ossendrecht, green gas boosters will soon be connected in Tilburg and Mill. These installations increase the pressure of the gas so that it can be fed from the Enexis network into Gasunie's transmission network.
Source and photo: Gasunie
