GAS INDUSTRY’S TRANSITION PATHWAY
PLAN DEVELOPED BY PHOENIX NATURAL GAS AND THE OTHER NI GAS NETWORK OPERATORS CHARTERS THE TRANSITION OF NATURAL GAS TO BIOMETHANE AND GREEN HYDROGEN TO HELP REACH DECARBONISATION GOALS… NI Gas Network Pathway to Net Zero
S ince 1996, Northern Ireland’s structure in place across the country will soon be distributing renewable gases such as biomethane and green hydrogen to meet the challenge of decarbonisation. Phoenix Natural Gas and the other NI Gas Network Operators (GNOs) – firmus energy, GNI (UK), Mutual Energy and modern gas network has delivered significant carbon savings, and the SGN Natural Gas – have developed a Pathway to Net-Zero plan to detail the switchover and ensure a smooth transition. The Pathway to Net-Zero aims at an affordable and non-disruptive change to renewable gases, in which consumers can continue to enjoy all the convenience and benefits of a gas heating system while helping the country reach the zero emissions goal by 2050. GREENER ALTERNATIVES NI’s £1 billion modern plastic pipe gas network is suitable for re-purposing to
renewable gases biomethane and green hydrogen. As you can see on page 8, the boilers used for natural gas are perfectly suitable for biomethane, and consumers won’t have to make any changes. Existing boilers can safely handle a 20% hydrogen blend in the existing gas supply but will need to be upgraded to accommodate a 100% hydrogen gas supply. The NI GNOs will also manage the conversion process in a phased manner to ensure consumers enjoy a seamless switch. The good news is that, unlike the case with fossil fuels, there is no need to go too far to source both renewable gases. Biomethane is a non-fossil source of energy produced from biogas derived from organic waste, which can come from landfill, food waste, livestock waste or underutilised grassland. A collaborative research project has revealed that NI can produce more biomethane from agricultural waste and underutilised grassland than previously
thought possible, amounting to 82% of the 2021 regional distribution network demand. Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, using the electric current from renewable electricity generation to separate Hydrogen and Oxygen from water. Its availability depends on the country’s capacity to produce renewable electricity to power the electrolysis, and NI can rely on its excellent wind resources to generate energy and potential large capacity underground renewable gas storage at Islandmagee, in Co. Antrim. PRICE MAKER With the conflict in Ukraine and fuel prices and electricity bills going up, biomethane and green hydrogen supplies also mean financial security for the country. “With the indigenous production of renewable gases, Northern Ireland could become a price maker rather a price taker, as the region could also export the energy produced here,” explained Iain Hoy,
“Reaching the hydrogen production targets could generate 12,000 jobs.”
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