ASSESSMENT OF THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY POTENTIAL IN GAS GRIDS

UNDERSTANDING ENERGY LOSSES IN GAS NETWORKS

The natural gas transmission and distribution system consists of a complex network of
pipelines. these network of pipelines forms the component of the Gas Grid Network, as
detailed in the table below, which shows length of gas transmission and distribution
pipelines in Europe, it represents more than 2150 thousand kilometers of pipelines.

In order to ensure that natural gas remains pressurized during its transmission and more
rarely during its distribution, compression, by means of compressor stations, is required
periodically along the pipelines.
The following simplified diagram shows a typical natural gas transmission and distribution
network

Typical natural gas transmission and distribution network

Energy losses due to gas transmission and distribution have been considered in this study to
be natural gas shrinkage (gas losses and own consumption) and own electricity
consumption.
Figure 11 reports the losses level among representative Member States.

Compressor stations are the largest sources of gas use on a gas distribution and transmission
network. Electricity consumption can be important as well on compressor stations, when
electricity is used to run compressors.
Gas losses can arise from multiple causes. They have been grouped in three categories:

a) Vented emissions: Direct gas releases to the atmosphere of natural gas resulting
from equipment design, regular process operations, maintenance activities, or
emergency releases
(e.g. process designed flow to the atmosphere through seals or vent pipes, equipment
blowdown for maintenance or an emergency, and direct venting of gas used to power
equipment (such as pneumatic devices)).
 b) Fugitive emissions: Unintentional leaks of gas from piping and associated equipment
components (e.g. leaks from valve seals, packing or leaks resulting from corrosion, faulty
connections). Such emissions can occur on many different parts of the network and are very
difficult to estimate.

c) Emissions due to incidents: Inadvertent damages to pipelines may also cause gas
emissions. A mapping of energy losses due to gas distribution and transmission is
presented in the three following sections.

MAPPING OF LOSSES IN GAS TRANSMISSION NETWORK

Gas transmission is achieved by means of high pressure underground pipelines. These pipelines
are usually made of steel that is coated and cathodically protected20.
Figure 12 reports the mapping of mechanisms leading to losses in gas transmission network.
These losses can be either natural gas emissions from pipelines (vented, fugitive or caused by
incidents), electricity used for pipeline cathodic protection or gas to fuel heaters at regulation
stations.
Figure

MAPPING OF LOSSES IN COMPRESSION STATIONS

Along the transmission (and sometimes the distribution) networks, compressor stations are
placed at regular interval. When gas enters the compressor station, it is compressed by
either natural gas fuelled engines or turbines, or electric motors.
Figure 13 reports the mapping of mechanisms leading to losses in gas compressor stations.
Fuel used to compress gas is the most important source of gas and electricity consumption.
Gas losses can be due to vented emissions from compressors, valves and pneumatic-driven
devices or fugitive emissions.
MAPPING OF LOSSES IN GAS DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
Natural gas is distributed to residential and small industrial customers through medium to
low pressure underground pipelines (distribution mains and service lines). Pipeline
materials can be very different depending on the localization, the pressure and the age of the
network. For example, oldest distribution mains were constructed from cast iron pipes and
yarn/lead joints or unprotected steel. New materials are mainly cathodically protected steel
and plastic (e.g.