Designing the biomethane supply chain through automated synthesis

Abstract

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 ...

Line‐pack storage in biogas infrastructures at regional scale, a model approach

“…The storage volume is by approximation proportional to the extra pressure, 18 but the costs for increasing the pressure are lower if the absolute pressure is higher. The storage volume is by approximation proportional to the extra pressure, 18 but the costs for increasing the pressure are lower if the absolute pressure is higher.…”

“…18 Investment costs of pressureless gas storage are estimated to be 168, 119, 100, and 85 €m -3 for storage sizes of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 m 3 , respectively, with O&M costs of 1.5 k€ a. 18 Investment costs of pressureless gas storage are estimated to be 168, 119, 100, and 85 €m -3 for storage sizes of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 m 3 , respectively, with O&M costs of 1.5 k€ a.…”

“…T n and P n are the standard conditions of temperature and pressure; T is assumed to be 288.15 K. 7 The formula shows that the line-pack storage volume depends roughly on the volume V 0 of the pipeline segments in the grid and on the difference in mean absolute pressure, P storage = P m_lp − P m¯t , between the transport-and-storage conditions and the transport-only conditions for each pipeline segment as K m¯lp ≈ K m¯t . 18 Total line-pack storage is calculated by summation of line-pack storage of each pipeline segment. Costs of maximum line-pack storage (€ct h -1 m -3 ), ie, per m 3 stored biogas, can be deduced.…”

“…It was concluded that the volume of the line-pack storage in case of a small grid is very limited. 18 His model addresses the volume of line-pack storage in natural gas distribution grids. Weidenaar T. discusses the biomethane supply chain in his thesis and explains line-pack storage.…”

“…Weidenaar T. discusses the biomethane supply chain in his thesis and explains line-pack storage. 18 His model addresses the volume of line-pack storage in natural gas distribution grids. This storage can be used if the capacity of a gas grid is insufficient for the injected biomethane.…”