SummaryThe Dutch gas distribution infrastructure faces several significant changes in the near future. One of these major changes is the production and injection of biomethane into the gas distribution grid. The distribution system operators (DSOs) must invest in the gas distribution grid in order to facilitate the injection of biomethane. Therefore, numerous choices need to be made with respect to the design of the biomethane supply chain and gas distribution grid. The choices made throughout the design process largely depend on the local situation and the DSOs' preferences. In this research, a decision support tool (DST) has been developed that supports the design process of the biomethane supply chain and the gas distribution grid, by creating candidate solutions for a certain region, which consists of biomass locations, gas grids, and gas consumers.To underline the importance of the DST and to deepen the understanding of the anticipated changes, four scenarios have been developed that describe the role of the gas distribution grid in the Dutch energy system for the year . The scenarios differ from each other in terms of the perceived scarcity of energy resources and the willingness and ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In each future scenario, the gas distribution grid still plays a significant role in the Dutch energy system. In addition, the future gas distribution grid will also perform a few other functions that will become increasingly important: facilitating the injection of biomethane, dealing with gas types other than Groningen gas, as well as balancing supply and demand.The DST supports the design process for the biomethane supply chain and gas distribution grid by automating the synthesis and analysis task. The DST consists of a design engineering model and a design procedure. The design engineering model that has been developed, is used to create and analyze designs for the biomethane supply chain. The model contains all elements of the biomethane supply chain, ranging from biomass supply to the injection of biomethane into the gas grid, including measures to deal with a temporary surplus of biomethane. The model determines the economic performance, the CO 2 emis-V Summary sion reduction, and the net energy production of each design. Furthermore, the model contains discrete components of the elements and is spatially explicit. In addition, the model allows for different configurations of the biomethane supply chain. Among others, multiple biomass locations can supply biomass to one digester, and multiple digesters can supply biogas to one upgrading plant.The developed design procedure generates candidate solutions for the design of the biomethane supply chain, with the aid of the design engineering model. The design procedure determines, among others, whether the biomass of a biomass location is digested on-site or at a central location, and into which gas grid the biomethane is injected. By exploring broadly the solution space, a large number of candidate solutions is generated. As ...

The Dutch gas distribution grid faces several changes in the near future. Among others, the share of green gas will grow, the interaction with the electricity distribution grid and local heat grids will increase, and the grid will transform from a mono-gas system to a multi-gas system. The gas distribution grid is likely to be expanded with novel components, e.g. blending stations, gas storage sites, and gas compressor stations. Furthermore, these changes require the currently passive gas distribution grid to become a smart gas grid that monitors and controls the gas pressure, gas flow, and gas quality. Therefore, the distribution service operators need to make investments in the gas distribution grid. When looking at for example the introduction of green gas, a decision tree on the optimal green gas supply configuration can be identified. Decisions in this respect consider, among others, the location of several process steps (perform the process step locally at a small scale or centrally at a larger scale) and the addition of components like a gas storage site or a compressor station. Due to the multitude of development options for the gas distribution grid and the fact that the best solution is largely dependent on the local situation and performance criteria (e.g. CO2 emission minimization or cost minimization), a tool is required that can generate situation specific solutions. Each solution generated by the tool should have its own advantages and disadvantages. Generating multiple options and showing the advantage and disadvantage of them provides the distribution service operators insight in the available options and eases the decision making on investments of the gas distribution grid.