The energy systems in Denmark are facing an enormous conversion to renewable energy. But does this mean that thousands of kilometres of natural gas pipelines will be dug up and scrapped when Denmark in about 40 years' time receives all its energy from renewable energy sources?
Not necessarily. Gas may become an important element in converting the energy system to renewable energy. A month ago, Denmark's first biogas plant was inaugurated, capable of injecting upgraded biogas into the Danish natural gas system.
In future, other renewable energy gases (RE gases) may be generated from sources such as 'yellow' biogas (eg straw, wood chips), 'green biogas' (eg energy willow, clover), and 'blue biogas' (eg seaweed, algae), and waste. In the long term, electrolysis may also make it possible to store electricity as biogas in the gas system for subsequent use as gas or electricity.
- Gas is an important bridge builder in the transition to renewable energy, and biogas will gradually take up more and more space in the Danish gas pipelines in the period leading up to 2050 at which time we have to be independent of fossil fuels. Our vision is for gas based on renewable energy to have completely displaced natural gas in the Danish gas system by 2050, says Peder Ø. Andresen, President and CEO of Energinet.dk.
Buffer required
Denmark needs a buffer in the energy system so that energy is available when the wind is not blowing.
- In an energy system with a high degree of fluctuating wind power generation gas can help to strike a balance when the wind is not blowing. As opposed to electricity, gas can be stored - cheaply and over long periods. At the same time, gas is a very flexible and efficient form of energy for power generation, industrial processes and in the transport sector. Furthermore, a well-developed gas infrastructure, the lifetime of which should extend well beyond 2050, constitutes a huge asset for Denmark, says Mr Andreasen..
- Gas has a very large potential both before and after 2050. As fossil fuels are phased out, the entire energy system must be re-configured in a new and different way. The coming years will be an incredibly exciting time where the greatest challenge will be to strike a balance, also when the wind is not blowing, states Mr Andreasen.
Energinet.dk has just published an electronic theme magazine on RE gas.
Read the theme magazine on RE gas
Subscribe free of charge to the magazine OmEnergi here
Additional information
Peder Ø. Andreasen, President and CEO, Energinet.dk, pqa@energinet.dk, mob. +45 2013 1400
Peter A. Hodal, Senior Vice President, Energinet.dk, pah@energinet.dk, mob. +45 2333 8700