Overview of biomethane markets and regulations ... - Green Gas Grids
Overview of biomethane markets and regulations ... - Green Gas Grids
Overview of biomethane markets and regulations ... - Green Gas Grids
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e.g. primarily the KEV scheme, were put in place. However, if it appears that this<br />
goal cannot be met, the Energy Act provides an option to introduce a renewable<br />
obligation by the year 2016.<br />
In autumn 2011 the Parliament decided to step out <strong>of</strong> nuclear energy <strong>and</strong> not<br />
replacing existing nuclear power plants until 2030. The result <strong>of</strong> this decision will<br />
see some change in policies. The Swiss <strong>Gas</strong> Industry considers biogas as an<br />
essential element <strong>of</strong> the Swiss energy supply <strong>and</strong> supports <strong>biomethane</strong> with a<br />
biogas fund to increase <strong>biomethane</strong> production by a factor <strong>of</strong> six within the coming<br />
six years.<br />
Natural gas consumption, suppliers, infrastructure<br />
After the decision to exit nuclear power, Switzerl<strong>and</strong> may increase natural gas<br />
consumption. At present 12 % <strong>of</strong> the Swiss final energy consumption is based on<br />
natural gas but compared to other European countries the gas utilisation is rather<br />
underdeveloped. Only 0.7 % <strong>of</strong> the European natural gas consumed accounts for<br />
Switzerl<strong>and</strong>. This is the result <strong>of</strong> little inl<strong>and</strong> resources <strong>and</strong> the dependence on gas<br />
imports. Switzerl<strong>and</strong> receives 41 % <strong>of</strong> its natural gas from the European Union.<br />
Moreover, Norway (23 %) <strong>and</strong> Russia (24 %) are major suppliers. Liquid natural<br />
gas is not significant since country's geographical position provides limited access<br />
to LNG.<br />
The Swiss grid has a total length <strong>of</strong> 17,500 km there<strong>of</strong> about 2,150 km belonging<br />
to the transmission network (> 5 bar) <strong>and</strong> 15,800 km to the distribution network<br />
(< 5 bar). The grid is well established in the North, whereas in the mountainous<br />
areas the expansion <strong>of</strong> the network is very limited. In the southern part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
country the gas grid has started developing.<br />
Historically, the Swiss gas industry is organised locally <strong>and</strong> federally with four<br />
regional gas suppliers (Erdgas Ostschweiz, <strong>Gas</strong>verbund Mittell<strong>and</strong>, Gaznat und<br />
Erdgas Zentralschweiz) <strong>and</strong> more than 100 local gas suppliers serving the Swiss<br />
consumers. Most <strong>of</strong> the needed gas is procured by Swissgas AG as commissioned<br />
by the regional gas suppliers. Minor gas quantities are bought from foreign gas<br />
suppliers. Swissgas is fully owned by its shareholders who are the four regional gas<br />
suppliers <strong>and</strong> the Association <strong>of</strong> the Swiss <strong>Gas</strong> Industry <strong>and</strong> sells at cost price.<br />
Switzerl<strong>and</strong> has one <strong>of</strong> the most developed infrastructures for gas vehicles <strong>and</strong><br />
takes a leading position in the CNG utilisation within the transport sector. According<br />
to gasmobil AG there are 130 public filling stations <strong>and</strong> about 10,000 CNG cars such<br />
as passenger cars, commercial <strong>and</strong> light duty vehicles. The Swiss government is<br />
aware <strong>of</strong> the environmental benefits <strong>of</strong> gas as a vehicle fuel <strong>and</strong> supports both CNG<br />
<strong>and</strong> LPG by a beneficial tax policy. The Federal Office <strong>of</strong> Import <strong>and</strong> Trade is in<br />
charge <strong>of</strong> supervising the natural gas market. In terms <strong>of</strong> technical supervision the<br />
SVGW (Schweizer Verein für <strong>Gas</strong> und Wasser / Swiss <strong>Gas</strong> <strong>and</strong> Water Association) is<br />
in the authority to provide technical rules <strong>and</strong> advice.<br />
Technical st<strong>and</strong>ards for <strong>biomethane</strong> <strong>and</strong> natural gas<br />
The Swiss <strong>Gas</strong> Industry grants a non-discriminatory but not priority grid access for<br />
biogenic gases. There are no restrictions regarding the sources <strong>of</strong> biogenic gases<br />
apart from ecological points. The SVGW st<strong>and</strong>ard G13-09 determines the gas<br />
quality requirements in order to protect the pipeline system, the measuring devices<br />
<strong>and</strong> the gas customers from inappropriate gases entering the public grid. Moreover,<br />
the technical st<strong>and</strong>ards SVGW G11 on odorization <strong>and</strong> SVGW G209 on the technical<br />
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