GRTgaz is a French company established on 1 January 2005. Along with Teréga, the company is one of the two transmission system operators for natural gas or similar in France. GRTgaz took over the activities previously managed by the transportation department of Gaz de France. It is 61% owned by the Engie group.
Statutes and governance
editGRTgaz is a public limited company. Its board of directors includes representatives from the Engie group, employees, an independent director, and other shareholders. Sandrine Meunier has been the chief executive officer since 25 January 2024, succeeding Thierry Trouvé.[1]
In 2021, GRTgaz introduced a corporate purpose into its statutes: “Together, enabling a safe, affordable, and climate-neutral energy future.“
History
editGRTgaz is a subsidiary of the Engie industrial group, with around 61% ownership (previously 75%), and a public consortium from the Caisse des dépôts et consignations group, named Société d'infrastructures gazières (SIG), holding approximately 39% (previously 25%, following an increase in capital in December 2021). This consortium is composed of:
- CNP Assurances;
- CDC Infrastructure (a subsidiary of the Caisse des dépôts et consignations);
- the Caisse des dépôts et consignations.
The company was created on 1 January 2005 in accordance with European directives on the European electricity and gas market. At its creation, GRTgaz was a subsidiary of the former Gaz de France group, which merged with the former Suez group to become GDF Suez, later renamed Engie in May 2015. A capital opening and increase in GRTgaz up to 25%, involving a public consortium, was completed on July 12, 2011, for €1.1 billion.
GRTgaz operates in the regulated energy sector: the pricing of its services is public and set by the government, and its actions are overseen by the French Energy Regulatory Commission. While GRTgaz operates as a natural monopoly, the company does not manage all of the natural gas transportation in France: Teréga, a subsidiary of a Snam, GIC and EDF consortium, manages the gas transmission network in the southwest quarter of France.
GRTgaz has a subsidiary in Germany, GRTgaz Deutschland (37 employees), which operates the MEGAL pipeline in collaboration with Open Grid Europe. This pipeline connects Czechia, Germany, Austria, and France, and is a key supply line for natural gas to southern Germany and France.In 2017, GRTgaz also acquired the liquefied natural gas terminal company Elengy, which was previously a direct subsidiary of Engie.
In July 2021, Engie announced the sale of an 11.5% stake in GRTgaz to the public SIG consortium, which includes the Caisse des dépôts et consignations group and CNP Assurances, valuing the company at €14.6 billion.[2]
In September 2023, Adeline Duterque, previously chair of the board of directors, was appointed secretary general of GRTgaz, succeeding Catherine Brun, who had held the position since 2018.[3]
Activities
editGRTgaz operates, maintains, and develops a network of gas pipelines that transport natural gas at high pressure, and it markets transportation capacities to its customers, the natural gas shippers operating in the French gas market. The company also provides connection services to the transport network and allows industrial clients to access wholesale natural gas markets by freely choosing their supplier.
GRTgaz ensures the overall balance of the system between gas inputs and outputs and fulfills public service missions to guarantee the continuity of natural gas delivery (transport), even in severe cold weather. French law requires that, even in the event of exceptionally cold weather, the network must be able to meet peak consumer demand.[4] This concept of exceptional cold is defined by law as:
- a cold winter that occurs once every 50 years; in gas sector terminology, this is referred to as the "2% risk"[5];
- extremely low temperatures over a maximum period of three days, which occur once every 50 years.
In early 2018, GRTgaz created a research and development center (called RICE for Research & Innovation Center for Energy).[6] It houses the existing gas quality analysis laboratories.[6] Around 150 people work there across five programs:
- Energy foresight, network management, and optimization;
- Preparing the networks for the arrival of hydrogen;
- Preparing the networks for the arrival of renewable methane;
- Optimizing the functioning, operation, and safety of the gas system;
- Reducing the impact of gas-related activities.
The center is located in Villeneuve-la-Garenne (Hauts-de-Seine) and Alfortville (Val-de-Marne).[7]
GRTgaz's transmission network
editSince its creation, GRTgaz has been the owner of the transmission network, which is its industrial tool and main asset.
GRTgaz's natural gas transmission pipelines
editThe pipeline network managed by GRTgaz covers all of France except for the southwest. It is composed of:
- a main network, 7,904 km long at the end of 2019: the largest arteries (diameters of 400 mm) to 1,200 mm and pressures from 67.7 to 95 bar, and occasionally higher);
- a regional network, 24,623 long at the end of 2019: smaller in diameter (from 80 mm to 300 mm; pressure from 16 to 40 bar), these pipelines are designed to supply industrial customers and public distributions.
Pipelines in France are almost always buried. They are mostly located in rural areas (90%) and can be identified by yellow markers and beacons on the surface indicating their proximity. A right-of-way strip, between 5 and 20 meters wide, where no tall vegetation or construction is allowed, also hints at their presence in wooded areas. Thus, the passage of pipelines is most visible in forests, where their path creates a strip devoid of tall trees.[8]
Some of these pipelines may be used to transport hydrogen. GRTgaz has announced the development of a hydrogen transport infrastructure spanning 1,200 km in France by 2030. Launched in 2022 by GRTgaz, Teréga, Enagás, and REN, the H2med project corresponds to a European hydrogen corridor linking Portugal, Spain, and France to the European Union's energy network.[9]
Other industrial installations of GRTgaz
editAs gas travels through these pipelines, it loses speed and pressure, requiring re-compression at regular intervals. Every 150 to 200km or so, compressors are grouped in compressor stations (GRTgaz had 26 by the end of 2019) to restore kinetic energy to the gas. Additionally, interconnection stations direct the gas into specific pipelines, similar to how a water distribution network operates.
Gas pipelines and compressor stations are the main components of the natural gas transmission network. They are supplemented by interconnection stations, sectioning or cut-off points (4,812 at the end of 2019), and pressure-reducing delivery stations (4,368 at the end of 2019). Odorization stations (31 at the end of 2019) inject an odorant, tetrahydrothiophene (THT), into the transport network to help detect potential leaks, particularly in downstream distribution networks.
Since 2015, GRTgaz has been injecting biomethane into its network. The French biomethane sector has been experiencing strong growth, with a 64% increase in annual production capacity (6.4 TWh at the end of 2021).
Since 2019, GRTgaz has commissioned reverse-flow stations, which allow gas to be compressed and flow from the distribution network to the transmission network, in reverse of the usual direction.[10] When locally produced biomethane exceeds local consumption, the reverse-flow stations operate.[10] The excess biomethane is then injected into the transmission network and transported to neighboring regions for consumption or to underground storage for future use.[11]
GRTgaz is developing transportation projects to deliver CO2 captured by industries for geological storage.[12]
Investments in the industrial infrastructure
edit
GRTgaz has a ten-year investment program to develop and optimize its industrial infrastructure. The objectives of this program are:
- network development: reducing congestion at network entry and exit points, increasing transport capacity;
- compliance with public service obligations: particularly the sizing of the regional network to meet peak demand in the event of a very cold winter;
- network safety: implementing updated safety standards for gas transmission infrastructure introduced in 2006, for future infrastructure like pipelines and existing compression stations, ensuring optimal protection for the population and the environment;
- environmental compliance: applying updated environmental regulations to the infrastructure, ISO 14001 certification of compression stations;
- ensuring the reliability and maintenance of installations;
- connecting new consumers to the transmission network: particularly power generation plants.
In 2015, the company invested 624 million euros in maintaining and developing its facilities, with 16.7% of that dedicated to renewable gases and carbon reduction initiatives.
Between 2013 and 2015, GRTgaz invested around two billion euros, notably in the development of the "Hauts de France II" and "Arc de Dierrey" projects (180 km) to connect the new Dunkirk LNG terminal or to develop interconnections with Belgium, Germany, and Spain.
GRTgaz is responsible for the regular maintenance of signage associated with its network.
New energy solutions
editGRTgaz is involved in the renewable natural gas sector, mainly biomethane and hydrogen.
Biomethane
editGRTgaz enables the injection of biomethane into the transmission network, which is produced from biogas through the methanation of household waste, biomass, or sewage sludge.[10] The biomethane produced is injected into the distribution network or directly into the transmission network.[10] It supplies customers with renewable gas.[10]
The first biomethane connection station to the French transmission network was commissioned in Chagny, Saône-et-Loire in 2015.[13] By 2022, 63 methanation sites were connected to the GRTgaz network, and 12 reverse-flow stations were in operation.
Hydrothermal Gasification
editHydrothermal gasification allows the treatment of waste and residues from wet biomass sources, such as sewage sludge, numerous industrial effluents (paper, chemical industries), agricultural effluents including livestock waste, and digestates from methanation units.[14] Hydrothermal gasification involves compressing this biomass (between 210 and 350 bar) and heating it (between 360 and 700°C) in a reactor to convert it into renewable gas rich in methane, which also contains hydrogen.
This technology reduces importantly (up to 99%) the volume of waste, separates and recovers mineral salts (such as phosphorus or potassium), nitrogen, and water. It eliminates all traces of pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and can convert microplastics into gas.
Pyrogasification
editPyrogasification transforms poorly or underutilized solid waste, such as biomass residues, tires, and plastics, into gas that can be injected into the networks by heating them to very high temperatures (between 800 and 1,500°C) with little or no oxygen.
Pyrogasification for injection will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by one million tons per year by 2030.
Power-to-gas
edit
GRTgaz is also investing in power-to-gas, a process that allows the use of surplus renewable electricity (wind and solar) and the recycling of industrial CO2 emissions. The synthetic methane produced through methanation can then be injected into the gas transmission network. Decided in 2015, the first industrial pilot of this type, Jupiter 1000, coordinated by GRTgaz, has been operational since early 2020 in Fos-sur-Mer, in collaboration with the Marseille-Fos Port.
Gas mobility
editIn terms of mobility, GRTgaz is contributing to the development of the refueling network for vehicles running on natural gas for vehicles (NGV), a fuel that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions (-25% CO2 compared to gasoline and -10% CO2 compared to diesel). When produced from biomethane (bioNGV), NGV is 100% renewable. In 2022, 253 compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas filling stations were open to the public, with 81 more planned.
Technological innovations
editIn the field of innovation, GRTgaz uses drones for the surveillance of its network[15] and the maintenance of its public easement zones, enhancing the prevention of natural and human risks in addition to traditional systems (such as overflights by airplane or helicopter, ground inspections, and control centers).
The recovery of thermal energy from pressure-reducing stations to generate electricity is the subject of a project with turbine manufacturer Enertime.
In addition, virtual reality is used by the company for the professional training of maintenance technicians: an immersive headset allows them to simulate infrequent maintenance operations without disrupting the normal operation of the network.[16]
An open data platform, ODRE, provides free access to multi-energy digital data. This enables local authorities to better understand the energy dynamics of their territories and allows businesses to develop new services based on the use of this data.
Connected sensors are used at isolated stations to transmit all the necessary data for operating and managing the transmission network.
In 2022, GRTgaz launched Ecogaz, in partnership with the French Agency for Ecological Transition and Teréga.[17] It is a tool designed to keep consumers informed about network stress in the context of the war in Ukraine[17]. It provides visibility into the gas situation, thanks to consumption forecasts for the coming days and the balance between gas inputs and outputs on the network.[17]
References
edit- ^ Barbaux, Aurélie (23 March 2024). "At 52, Sandrine Meunier is appointed CEO of GRTgaz". L'Usine nouvelle (in French). Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ Mallet, Benjamin (30 July 2021). "Utility ENGIE strikes deal to sell 11.5% in GRTGgaz and raises its 2021 outlook". Reuters.
- ^ "Adeline Duterque becomes the Secretary General of GRTgaz". Actu-Environnement (in French). 7 September 2023.
- ^ "Décret n° 2015-1823 du 30 décembre 2015 relatif à la codification de la partie réglementaire du code de l'énergie". Légifrance (in French). 30 December 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Volet relatif à la sécurité d'approvisionnement et au développement des infrastructures et de la flexibilité du système énergétique" (PDF). French Ministry of Ecological Transition (in French). Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ a b Bandelier, Pauline (8 March 2023). "Leak detection, new gases… GRTgaz's research to reduce the environmental impact of its network". L'Usine nouvelle. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Gomez, Eva (4 January 2018). "GRTgaz creates a new R&D center". Environnement-Magazine (in French). Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ When public or private works are planned near these buried pipelines, the markers and right-of-way strips should not be solely relied upon to determine the precise location of the buried pipelines. For safety reasons, regulations require that the intention to begin excavation must be declared to the managers of nearby utilities. These managers, including GRTgaz, will then provide guidance and conduct surveys to ensure the work can be carried out without risking damage to the buried pipelines and causing a gas leak.
- ^ "H2Med: the hydrogen pipeline between Barcelona and Marseille will be extended to Germany". La Tribune (in French). 23 January 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Huaumé, Hugo (27 June 2019). "Energy: Brittany will soon export green gas". Ouest-France (in French). Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ Fabrégat, Sophie (18 November 2019). "Biomethane: commissioning of the first reverse-flow station to accommodate more projects". Actu-Environnement (in French). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ Barbaux, Aurélie (12 July 2023). "How the Pays de la Loire plan to reduce their industrial CO2 emissions by 75%". L'Usine Nouvelle (in French). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ Jacob, Grégory (27 February 2014). "The methanation plant will send methane into the GRTgaz network". Le Journal de Saône-et-Loire (in French). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ Marin, Jérôme (11 October 2019). "Converting manure into gas: the potential of hydrothermal gasification". La Tribune (in French). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ James, Olivier (29 January 2014). "GRTgaz puts drones to the test". L'Usine nouvelle (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ Dèbes, Florian (13 April 2016). "GRTgaz prefers virtual reality over augmented reality". Les Échos (in French). Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Maoudj, Karim (1 November 2022). "Ecogaz: how this new GRTgaz service works, very useful in case of cuts this winter". Midi Libre (in French). Retrieved 1 October 2024.