biomethane connections – current developments biomaster network meeting norwich 11 th november...
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Biomethane connections – current developments
Biomaster Network MeetingNorwich
11th November 2011
David Pickering
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Typical biomethane entry facility
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Getting connected – key issues
Location of gas grid compared to Anaerobic Digestion plant?
Does the gas grid have capacity?
The GDN will provide an indication free of charge but to confirm this, a chargeable Feasibility Study will be required
What grid pressure?
Will the gas meet the grid specification?
Key issue is Oxygen concentration – requirement is <0.2%
Design and Build Agreement
Network Entry Agreement
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Initial Enquiries
Email : [email protected]
Telephone : 01926 655798 or 01455 231 615
All we need is a postcode and a flow rate of biomethane
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What will you receive from an Initial enquiry?
Details of the nearest connecting pipe to your site.
Pressure tier of connecting pipe. Often multiple options available
Volume of gas that can be accepted onto the network and duration of time
Scale map of your site and nearest connection
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Face to face discussion
Review of site
Review of nearest connecting pipe work
Advice on costs
Advice on injection equipment
Gas specification requirements for grid entry
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Feasibility Study
Network connection options
Detailed network modelling and demand forecasting
Cost of providing these connections
Plant and equipment required to be provided by the customer
Major environmental issues and risks
Foreseen major engineering difficulties
Programme of work required to deliver a connection
Other issues relevant to providing a connection
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Connection issues
Responsibility for providing grid connection equipment
Provision of capacity
Oxygen concentration <0.2%
Requirement for propane
Gas quality monitoring and energy measurement
A number of barriers to entry have been identified, and these are being addressed by a joint industry group convened by Ofgem. See:
http://www.gasgovernance.co.uk/emib
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Responsibility for grid connection equipment
The problem
Uncertainty around responsibility for and level of costs of connection
The solution
GDNs to offer choice over who builds and operates (GDN or biomethane producer)
GDNs to develop standard “plug and play” facilities
Next steps
GDNs to develop specifications for BM connection equipment and interfaces
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Provision of capacity
The problem
Low summer demand may mean that the gas grid cannot accept the biomethane on a 365 day basis
The solution
Install compressor within the grid, to export gas from one pressure tier to the higher pressure one that feeds it, to access remote demand
Next steps
Field trial to prove concept
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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
scm
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Expected Minimum Hourly Injection Rate (Overnight) Expected in the Driffield Area Based on Standard Load Duration Curves
Cold Profile Average Profile Warm Profile Required Input
Anaerobic Digestion Facility
Grid Injection Equipment
Biomethane Producer’s Site
Pressure Reduction
Station
National GridSite
Medium Pressure Network
Local Transmission System
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Oxygen
The problem
Current Regulations prescribe less than 0.2% oxygen in grid gas – difficult to achieve for BM
The solution
Short term – individual exemptions for BM plants, combined with blending to achieve 0.2%
Longer term – class exemption for BM if HSE can be convinced that there are no material additional risks
Next steps
GDNs sponsoring work to demonstrate no material risk of pipe corrosion
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Requirement for propane
The problem
Biomethane CV is low relative to grid CV, therefore addition of propane is required to avoid triggering CV “cap” (which would affect consumer bills) -but propane is expensive (capex and opex)
The solution
Where local conditions allow, BM can be blended with grid gas and CV measured downstream of the blending point – minimise propane input
Next steps
Needs approval of low-cost CV measuring instruments
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Remote CV monitoring at Adnams
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Gas quality monitoring and energy measurement
The problem
Currently monitoring and metering is very expensive (around £150k) as approved devices relate to large (North Sea scale) flows of gas
The solution
Revise measuring specs to be more appropriate for small volumes and for less complex gas compositions
Next steps
EMIB expert group to make recommendations for change in these areas by the end of 2011
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Conclusions
No material technical issues with biomethane grid entry
DECC targets for gas to grid and RHI levels have incentivised solutions to be found to remaining barriers to entry
Ofgem-convened Energy Market Issues for Biomethane (EMIB) group is currently meeting, with the aim of making recommendations by the end of 2011 for changes to address barriers
