• Analysing estimations of diffuse emissions from the gas grid (see MEEM project) and GHG emission reduction possibilities (see reference [4])
• Collection, preparation and plausibility check of data (see reference [5], [6], [7])
• Assessment and development of methods for a consistent emission estimation of the gas infrastructure (see MEEM project)
• LCA (carbon footprint) for gases of different origin taking into account the transportation as well as the usage of these gases (see project “GHG Emissions of Natural Gas”)

"Analysing the Methods for Determination of Methane Emissions of the Gas Distribution Grid"

01-10-2014 until 31-10-2015

Motivation and Goal

The goal of the project was the analysis of existing methods for the methane emission estimation of the gas distribution grid and the identification of best practices und potentials for optimisation.

• Methods for emission estimation very different in Europe
• Transparency is insufficient and thus the reliability is limited
• Promoting natural gas as partner for the energy transition needs reliable information on its emissions
• Identification of chances to enhance the sustainability
  

Partner

Supported by:                                 Conducted by:

Publications

Große, C.; Wehling, A.; Müller-Syring, G.: Methanemissionen des Gasverteilnetzes

In: Aqua & Gas, N° 9 2016, S. 52 - 57.

In: energie | wasser-praxis, 11/2016, S. 60 - 64.

"Development of an Accurate and Consistent Method for Methane Emission Estimation from the Gas Distribution Grid"

                                             01-10-2016 until 31-05-2018

Motivation and Goal

Development of a consistent, transparent, reliable and accurate method for methane emission estimation, preferably used as pan-European method in the future and hereby enhancing the comparability of the emission estimations. An information about the project could also be found on the GERG website.

• Development of a pan-European estimation method is crucial regarding the current situation of discussion on the environmental friendliness of natural gas
• Unique method will provide consistent data
• Comparison between the countries within Europe would be possible
• A consistent updated method would unveil the positive developments already achieved as well as future reductions regarding methane emissions from the gas infrastructure 

Partner

Supported by:                                 Conducted by:

"Critical Evaluation of Default Values for the GHG Emissions of the Natural Gas Supply Chain"

Principal: Zukunft ERDGAS GmbH

Duration: 30-05-2016 until 15-12-2016

Project Description

This project was motivated by a study carried out by the consulting firm EXERGIA on behalf of the European Commission entitled “Study on Actual GHG Data for Diesel, Petrol, Kerosene, and Natural Gas” – hereafter referred to as the EXERGIA study. The EXERGIA study concluded that emissions for the production, processing, transport, storage and distribution of natural gas had been underestimated.

The goal of the study was to determine the carbon footprint (CF) of natural gas distributed in Germany and in Central EU. The carbon footprint determines CO₂ emissions, which emerge during the life cycle of a product. For the comparability, all occurring emissions are converted into CO₂ equivalents.

Emissions resulting from the production, processing, transport, storage, and distribution of natural gas were considered. The utilization of the best data available and the transparency of the calculations was of paramount importance to the project.

In order to make the results comparable with the EXERGIA study, the model GHGenius in the version 4.03 was used to determine the carbon footprint - the same version of the model as was used by the EXERGIA study.
For further information, you may download the management summary and the report below.

Releated Projects

"Greenhouse gas intensity study in natural gas", Thinkstep on behalf of NGVA

(Expected publication in the first quarter of 2017.)