The Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) has endorsed a report from Carbon Connect and Policy Connect – Next steps for the Gas Grid- Part One. The report explores the next steps for the UK’s gas grid, and how this extensive infrastructure can be used, effectively, for years to come.
Focusing on the future of the gas distribution network and considering, in detail, its role in the transition to a low carbon economy, this report explores how we can utilise the existing infrastructure in the UK to enable us to meet the emission reduction targets.
Gas has been a key component of the UK’s energy mix for over 200 years and currently serves to meet the heating needs of over 85% of domestic properties. In 2010, the Coalition Government announced plans to move the UK’s heating supply to all electric – meaning that our extensive gas grid runs the risk of being, at best, severely underutilised and, at worst, abandoned and decommissioned (at a huge cost to the taxpayer!) So what is the future of a network which already ensures the safe and reliable transportation of gas to over 2.3 million households?
The research project, which will be broken up into three separate but linked inquires, each culminating in a published report, focuses on different challenges and opportunities associated with modernising the UK’s gas grid – from low carbon gas storage to creating gas compatible appliances. By drawing on recent work which has demonstrated the potential for low carbon gas to enable the UK to decarbonise heat, at an affordable cost, this research will show how gas can go some way to address the energy trilemma that we face.
Isaac Occhipinti, Head of External Affairs at EUA said: “The gas network is already carrying low carbon bio methane and is physically able to carry huge quantities of other gases, including hydrogen, meaning it can play a key role in enabling us to meet our carbon reduction goals. Making efficient use of the gas network available to us would allow for an affordable and practical solution to the issue of heat decarbonisation.”
Isaac added: “The gas network is a key national asset, invested in for decades to serve customers, providing a secure, flexible source of energy and this report provides a useful addition to the evidence base, supporting what we have been saying for a long time regarding the capability of gas to meet future energy supply and tackle the energy trilemma.”
The Policy Connect report can be found here
