The joint declaration underlines the commitment of the three companies to make their gas systems instrumental in developing a European low carbon economy.
The common goal will be realised by working on a number of different options. The precise mix of options may vary as the specific energy situation differs for each country, but the companies work towards a shared objective of establishing a 100% carbon-neutral gas supply.
Promote a sustainable gas sector
Energinet.dk, Fluxys Belgium and Gasunie will exchange know-how, explore options for joint demonstration projects, and work to facilitate the establishment of a well-functioning renewable gas certificate market in Northern Europe. The companies encourage other parties to join their initiative in order to promote a sustainable gas sector.
Peder Østermark Andreasen CEO of Energinet,dk said: “As unbundled gas infrastructure companies we have a key role in ensuring that the European energy system is developed in a way that leads towards a low carbon economy. We have a long strategic planning scope, in which the green vision of Denmark and Europe in 2050 is a key target. That requires cooperation with like-minded partners.
Walter Peeraer, CEO of Fluxys Belgium said: “In the coming decades gas systems have a key role to play in developing a low-carbon economy towards 2050 in the European Union. They offer excellent opportunities to secure an affordable energy supply to European citizens and companies and, at the same time, facilitate the increase of the share of renewable energy.”
Paul van Gelder, CEO of Gasunie, stated: “The ultimate challenge is to carry out the urgently required transition without unacceptable financial burdens for EU citizens and without jeopardising EU energy security. The availability of well-developed gas networks in Europe will help to accommodate the increasing share of renewable energy.”
Increasing share of sustainable "green gas"
The companies point out that increasing the share of sustainable ‘green gas’ (biogas processed into natural gas quality) in the gas infrastructure is one of the main routes towards a carbon-neutral gas supply. This green gas will for instance come from fermentation of biological waste residues and from gasification of solid biomass. In addition the companies mention the possibility of enhancing the potential of gas as an efficient storage medium in case of sustainable energy surplus.
For example, by converting excess electricity from sustainable solar or wind production into hydrogen, electricity can actually be stored in gas networks and storage installations. This will help the electricity networks to accommodate the large future amounts of sustainable energy supply. Another way of significantly reducing carbon emissions is facilitating the switch from oil to natural gas in the transportation sector, using compressed natural gas in cars and liquefied natural gas for ships and heavy duty trucks. This requires investment in filling stations and bunkering infrastructure.
As additional options towards a sustainable gas system the declaration mentions the potential use of internationally accepted green certificates as defined by the Clean Development Mechanism agreed under the Kyoto protocol. In the long run CO2 storage could also be used for producing Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) from excess electricity from variable renewable energy sources. In addition it can be expected that over the next 40 years new technologies will emerge that will help to further reduce CO2 emissions from use of natural gas.
Information:
Energinet.dk: Hans Mogensen, +45 76 22 48 00; hmo@energinet.dk
Fluxys Belgium: Rudy Van Beurden, +32 282 77 54; rudy.vanbeurden@fluxys.com
Gasunie: Chris Glerum, +31 50 521 27 89; press@gasunie.nl
Profiles of companies:
Gasunie
Gasunie is a European gas infrastructure company. Its network ranks among the largest high pressure gas pipeline grids in Europe, consisting of over 15,000 kilometres of pipeline in the Netherlands and northern Germany. Annually we transport about 125 bcm of natural gas. Gasunie serves the public interest in the markets in which it is active and works to create value for its stakeholders.
Gasunie is the first independent gas transport provider with a cross-border network in Europe. The company offers transport services via its subsidiaries Gas Transport Services B.V. (GTS) in the Netherlands and Gasunie Deutschland GmbH in Germany. Gasunie aims for the highest standards in safety, reliability, efficiency and sustainability.
We also offer services related to gas infrastructure, such as underground gas storage, LNG storage and the certification of green gas by subsidiary Vertogas. Gasunie seeks apply its infrastructure and knowledge for the further development and integration of renewable energy sources, particularly green gas.
Because of its geographical location the Gasunie transport network plays a key role in the European gas market. (www.gasunie.nl)
Fluxys Belgium
Fluxys Belgium is the independent operator of the natural gas transmission and storage infrastructure in Belgium. Through its subsidiary Fluxys LNG the company also operates the Zeebrugge liquefied natural gas terminal. As part of the Fluxys group, it is the company’s mission to contribute to security of supply and market liquidity in North-Western Europe by promoting cross-border flows and transfers between gas trading places.
Driven by its first mover approach Fluxys Belgium has developed its infrastructure into a central crossroads for international gas flows in North-Western Europe. The Zeebrugge area plays a key role in this pivotal function: the infrastructure in the area has a throughput capacity of some 50 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year, approximately 10% of the border capacity needed for Europe's natural gas supply. (www.fluxys.com)
Energinet.dk
Energinet.dk is the transmission system operator for both electricity and gas in Denmark. We own the the Danish natural gas transmission system and a gas storage facility as well as the electricity transmission system with shares in the electrical interconnections to Norway, Sweden and Germany.
Due to our geographical location Energinet.dk’s network is linking the Swedish gasmarket to the gas fields in the North Sea and the wider European market. The total Danish and Swedish markets demand almost 6 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year.
Our aim is to ensure reliable energy supply and create the framework for well-functioning energy markets and effective integration of renewable energy.
Using international and preferably market-based solutions, we facilitate the increased use of renewable energy and help to solve the global energy and climate challenges.
We are a non-profit enterprise and serve the interests of society.