Page 33 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2019 publication
P. 33
Winter 2019 European Energy Innovation 33
GAS & ELECTRICITY INTERCONNECTION
Eurelectric continues to emphasize transport capacity (line pack) or
the key role of clean and firm power storage (withdrawal and injection
generation and transition-enabling capacity) are able to provide flexibility
solutions to reach a carbon-neutral on a wide range of timeframes, from
power supply by 2050. In this daily to seasonal and pluri-annual
context, it identified that highly- flexibility. Europe’s gas infrastructure
efficient gas-fired power plants fulfil comprises an annual energy delivery
security, balancing and flexibility capacity of nearly 1 000 bcm (i.e.
functions that are not easily 10 000 TWh/y).
replicated by a renewables-based
power system. By 2045, gas-fired Part of the flexibility of the gas
power plants will account for 15% system relates to storages. For
of the installed capacity to secure instance, the EU 28 gas storage
system reliability and the firmness for capacity represents 100 bcm,
power adequacy. equalling 900 GW of instantaneous
flow, which is around 150 % of the
The power sector will contribute peak electricity demand on an
to both direct (up to 60%) and energy-equivalent basis.
indirect electrification through the
development of renewable hydrogen The decarbonisation objective
produced from electrolysis, but its depends more on such coupling
integration into the energy system initiatives and their smooth
also requires deployment of other coordination than on an “energy
decarbonised gases (ex: biomethane, carriers contest” to identify who will
other types of hydrogen) to reach the win the lion’s share. The purpose is
collective “zero-carbon” goal by 2050. to decarbonise, leveraging on the
This is part of the coupling initiatives advantages and patterns of each
which will enable not only greening decarbonised energy vector. l
of gas-fired power generation but
also greening of energy-usages which
cannot be easily electrified.
SECTOR COUPLING THROUGH
LEVERAGING ON THE GAS SYSTEM
FLEXIBILITY
Together with new sources of system
reliability and flexibility (demand-
side response, batteries, etc.), the
gas system can provide, from a
sector coupling view, an unmatched
flexibility capacity. Gas assets,
whether we refer to LNG terminals,
About the author Contact Information
Cyril Harry, Head of Gas Asset Regulation & Analysis, ENGIE Ioana PETCU
Advisor, Press & Media Relations
Cyril is currently Head of Gas Asset Regulation & Analysis, within the Eurelectric aisbl,
Global Energy Management Business Unit of ENGIE in charge of the Boulevard de l’Impératrice,
midstream business and market activities. He is responsible for the 66, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
regulatory files related to gas supply & assets management at Central Tel: +32 470 45 35 89
Western Europe level. Email: ipetcu@eurelectric.org
He is also combining his current role for ENGIE with his position
of Chairman “Gas to Power” within Eurelectric association, which
represents the interests of the electricity industry at pan-European level.
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu