Designing the biomethane supply chain through automated synthesis

The Dutch gas distribution infrastructure faces several significant changes in the near future. One of these major changes is the production and injection of biomethane into the gas distribution grid. The distribution system operators (DSOs) must invest in the gas distribution grid in order to facilitate the injection of biomethane. Therefore, numerous choices need to be made with respect to the design of the biomethane supply chain and gas distribution grid. The choices made throughout the design process largely depend on the local situation and the DSOs’ preferences. In this research, a decision support tool (DST) has been developed that supports the design process of the biomethane supply chain and the gas distribution grid, by creating candidate solutions for a certain region, which consists of biomass locations, gas grids, and gas consumers.
To underline the importance of the DST and to deepen the understanding of the anticipated changes, four scenarios have been developed that describe the role of the gas distribution grid in the Dutch energy system for the year 2050. The scenarios differ from each other in terms of the perceived scarcity of energy resources and the willingness and ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In each future scenario, the gas distribution grid still plays a significant role in the Dutch energy system. In addition, the future gas distribution grid will also perform a few other functions that will become increasingly important: facilitating the injection of biomethane, dealing with gas types other than Groningen gas, as well as balancing supply and demand.