Energy Policy · 2013 · 118 citations · 11 references
ManagementEnvironmental EngineeringEnvironmental PolicyEnergy EconomicsEnergy PolicyEnergy SystemsBuilding Energy SystemsBuildings DecarbonizationDecarbonization PathwaysDecarbonization PlanningLow-carbon Energy TransitionDecarbonization Of Gas NetworksDecarbonization ScenariosEnergy DecarbonizationGas DistributionGas Network IntegrationHydrogen Fuel InjectionHydrogen InfrastructurePipes
The UK’s extensive natural‑gas pipeline network supplies 84 % of homes, yet decarbonisation studies predict low‑pressure networks should be abandoned by 2050 while iron mains near buildings are being replaced early for safety. The study investigates future uses of the gas network by applying an enhanced UK MARKAL model that incorporates bio‑methane, hydrogen injection, and hydrogen‑conversion options. Using this improved MARKAL framework, the authors evaluate the feasibility and cost of each decarbonisation pathway for the UK gas distribution system. The analysis indicates that early iron‑pipe replacement will not lock in gas use, that hydrogen conversion is the sole cost‑optimal option to keep the network supplying most buildings long term, and that a government strategy to curb or adapt the replacement programme could substantially reduce future heating costs.
The UK has an extensive natural gas pipeline network supplying 84% of homes. Previous studies of decarbonisation pathways using the UK MARKAL energy system model have concluded that the low-pressure gas networks should be mostly abandoned by 2050, yet most of the iron pipes near buildings are currently being replaced early for safety reasons. Our study suggests that this programme will not lock-in the use of gas in the long-term. We examine potential future uses of the gas network in the UK energy system using an improved version of UK MARKAL that introduces a number of decarbonisation options for the gas network including bio-methane, hydrogen injection to the natural gas and conversion of the network to deliver hydrogen. We conclude that hydrogen conversion is the only gas decarbonisation option that might enable the gas networks to continue supplying energy to most buildings in the long-term, from a cost-optimal perspective. There is an opportunity for the government to adopt a long-term strategy for the gas distribution networks that either curtails the iron mains replacement programme or alters it to prepare the network for hydrogen conversion; both options could substantially reduce the long-term cost of supplying heat to UK buildings.
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Gregory C. Unruh · Energy Policy · 2000 · 3.1K citations
Post-Medieval Archaeology · 2011 · 66 citations
Business, Accountancy, Accounting +12