Network Management

Biogas upgrading to biomethane is a technological process that converts biogas produced from renewable sources, such as livestock manure or agricultural biomass, into biomethane, suitable for injection into the natural gas distribution network.

It is a complex purification process, which aims to increase the quality of biogas by removing impurities and CO₂ present in it. The resulting methane is then collected, compressed and called biomethane.

The biomethane generated through the upgrading process is chemically comparable to natural gas and can be injected into existing infrastructure and used in conjunction with other sources to meet energy demand.

At present, biogas production and its conversion into biomethane are still much lower than the injection capacity of the NTS offtakes.

Furthermore, this quantity varies depending on the circumstances characterising both the production and conversion processes.

Currently, the gas distribution manager is required to guarantee priority injection to the biomethane producer. Therefore, the system must always feed biomethane into the network when it has biomethane suitable for injection, which has priority over other natural gas plants connected to the same network.

However, there are different scenarios that can occur during the injection process. What can happen?

Possible scenarios during biomethane injection

When biogas is produced and the upgrading plant maintains a regular supply of biomethane in both quantity and quality, ideally there are no obstacles to the normal operation of the injection system.

But situations can also arise that lead to critical issues, such as:

• The pressure measured at the regulator inlet tends to increase progressively due to the increase in biomethane production in the upgrading system. In this case, the risk is that an overpressure phenomenon may occur.
• The flow rate of the upgrading system is higher than the maximum permissible flow rate of biomethane, meaning the producer injects more biomethane than contractually agreed with the gas distributor. This condition does not normally entail risks for the safety of the system but has economic consequences for the producer who incurs sanctions or penalties provided for in the contract for exceeding the emission limits.
• The biomethane coming from the upgrading system does not have sufficient pressure to exceed the network pressure, which in this case is high due to low demand or a backpressure condition. Even if production is regular, network pressure hinders injection, leading to possible system shutdown.
• The network pressure undergoes a temporary increase due to the decrease in consumption. Under these conditions, the network pressure could reach the regulator setpoint, thus causing the injection to block.
• The biomethane coming from the upgrading system does not meet the required quality parameters.There is therefore a problem at the systems/equipment level (safety alarms, prevention alarms, faults, power outages) which forces the plant to stop.

The AUTOMA solution to overcome critical scenarios

To avoid the problems associated with the critical scenarios we have just seen, at AUTOMA we have designed and built a system capable of

optimising the injection of biomethane into the natural gas network and guaranteeing priority injection to the producer, regardless of hourly fluctuations in production, flow rate, pressure and network demand.

This is the GOLEM-ZERO dynamic regulation system, which combines advanced electronics with an electromechanical actuator. GOLEM-ZERO moves the adjustment screw of a standard pneumatic pressure regulator, transforming it into an intelligent regulator.

GOLEM technology is based on a mechanically coupled servomechanism that interacts directly with the pressure regulator pilots, supported by an advanced electronic system. Thanks to the intelligence built into the system, GOLEM-ZERO can operate in autonomous mode and dynamically adjust based on actual boundary conditions, thus reducing the need for manual intervention on site.The system is applicable to any regulator model and can be easily integrated into existing NTS offtakes, thanks to custom-designed adapters.

Power can be supplied via the electricity network, but also via a photovoltaic system. In addition to the safety controls implemented at the logic level, during the development phase — both in the laboratory and in the field — mechanical and electromechanical safety systems were introduced to prevent issues caused by possible jamming of the pilot adjustment screw and, more generally, with the implemented control logics.

The system can be operated manually or remotely via any SCADA software or through WebPressure (a suite developed by AUTOMA specifically for the sector). It operates in fully automatic mode, dynamically adjusting the regulator set-point according to predefined control logics. The GOLEM-ZERO system communicates locally with the GOLIAH5P (G5P), i.e. an AUTOMA RTU, or with any PLC/RTU via Modbus protocol on RS485 port.

Thanks to GOLEM-ZERO, biomethane injection management takes place in real time, remotely and automatically. The system optimises day-to-day operational activities while ensuring a long-term success perspective for the plant.

In the presence of a demand for gas from the network, the downtime during which it is not possible to inject biomethane due to fluctuations on the production side is normally around 10 – 12% of the annual hours. Thanks to GOLEM-ZERO, these interruptions decrease by 70 – 80%, allowing for the injection of up to 6 – 8% more biomethane over the course of the year.

Furthermore, unplanned but necessary field balancing interventions to ensure injection priority decrease by up to 35%, which translates into lower operating costs.

AUTOMA designs and produces innovative, Made in Italy hardware and software solutions for remote monitoring and control in the Oil, Gas and Water sectors.

We were born in 1987 in Italy, and today over 50,000 AUTOMA devices are installed in more than 40 countries around the world.

Do you want to ensure a priority and uninterrupted biomethane injection into the network, with maximised uptime?

Contact our team without obligation and we will tell you what we can do to optimise infrastructure operations and control.

With the valuable collaboration of Lluís Castaño, Product Manager at Kromschroeder, S.A. (Automa’s partner in Spain)

Biomethane represents a key resource for the energy transition, but its injection into distribution networks poses operational and technological challenges related to pressure and service continuity. In fact, before being injected, biomethane must meet strict quality standards regarding gas quality, measurement, treatment, pressure regulation, and odorization.

These challenges require innovative solutions. AUTOMA has therefore developed specific algorithms for its GOLEM system for dynamic gas pressure regulation in networks. The main application field of GOLEM was indeed the management of natural gas networks, but thanks to newly developed algorithms, now the system can also be applied to the biomethane sector with the aim of injecting biomethane into distribution networks while dynamically regulating the pressure of natural gas in the network.

Biomethane and distribution networks

The production of biomethane starts from waste produced by human activities, such as solid waste, sewage, livestock, and forestry residues. When biogas remains in the waste treatment plant, it is not advisable to release it into the atmosphere because it produces very harmful effects, such as the greenhouse effect.

This combustible gas can be treated in the plant itself through electricity generators to produce electricity, and if we have an electricity grid nearby, we can inject the electricity into the grid.

And what if there is no electricity grid nearby? What we can do with the excess gas is reach an agreement with gas distribution companies to inject biogas into their gas distribution networks.

This can only be done on the condition that such gas is treated to be interchangeable with the methane present in the network, thanks to a process called upgrading: biogas can be considered biomethane and thus injected into the gas distribution network.

A gas distribution network has a certain constant volume. At any point in the network, there can be consumption, while gas is injected at one or more points in the network to try to maintain a pressure defined by the set point of the pressure regulators at the injection points. In steady-state conditions, there is an equilibrium between the flows at the injection points and the flows at the consumption points. The result is a constant pressure.

The critical issues of biomethane networks

Most biomethane injection points are characterized by small diameter pipes and a not very high available gas volume dependent on production capacity, subject to daily and seasonal fluctuations. Since at low-capacity biomethane production points the flow is very limited, anomalous operations of traditional pneumatic pressure regulators can occur.

Essentially, the main identified critical issues are four:

1. Reduction in production: a decrease in production can lower pressure, compromising the continuous injection of biomethane into the network.
2. Service interruption: sometimes, the interruption of service is caused by failures in the upgrading system, which is unable to maintain sufficient pressure or provide consistent quality gas.
3. Overproduction of biomethane: an increase in production beyond operational limits can compromise the safety of the network and/or the contractual terms between producer and operator.
4. Overpressure in the network: a temporary and spontaneous increase in network pressure can cause the interruption of injection.

The normal operation of a pressure regulator consists of opening when it is necessary to reach a certain pressure point based on its set point. If this value is not reached, the regulator opens fully, consuming the available amount of biomethane in a very short time, if limited by the capacity of the biogas plant. As the available amount of biomethane is consumed, a rapid depressurization of the production system occurs. The immediate effect can be the suspension of biomethane injection.

The cause of all these problems is the way static pressure regulators operate. In this context, the ability to dynamically regulate the pressure upstream of the regulator becomes a strategic function to ensure continuity and quality of service.

The Automa solution: the GOLEM technology for dynamic management of biomethane injection

In this specific case we are illustrating, we have made an adaptation of GOLEM to the operational needs of a gas distribution company that requested a solution for the regulation of biomethane injection in a distribution network. GOLEM by AUTOMA allows for dynamic management of biomethane injection, improving service continuity and reducing operational risks.

Golem technology is based on a mechanical servomechanism that interacts directly with the pilot of the pressure regulators, supported by an advanced electronic system. Thanks to the intelligence incorporated in the system, Golem can operate in autonomous mode, reducing the need for manual interventions. The system is applicable to any controller model and can be easily integrated into existing networks thanks to custom-designed adapters.

The characteristics of the GOLEM system are represented by four types of pressure and flow modulation:

• Pressure modulation is the ability to vary and maintain pressure, based on the set point.
• Flow limitation is the ability to keep the flow below a certain maximum value, while always providing the maximum possible pressure value.
• A weekly programming of pressure values for time slots is possible, for example, at night the pressure is lower than during the day.
• It is possible to compensate the flow by applying pressure values to a portion of a given maximum flow.

When a target pressure is assigned to the system that is higher or lower than the initial pressure read by the system, an algorithm with a condition analysis time is initiated. When it is necessary to increase or decrease the pressure, a motor movement is initiated. The period during which the engine moves is strictly controlled to ensure the amount of movement actually required, observing and analysing the variations in pressure and flow rate. A necessary, positive or negative movement is then appliedto increase or decrease the pressure and achieve the set target for the system.

This gradual approach will eventually lead to reaching or even exceeding the target pressure. If the target pressure is exceeded in the subsequent analysis, a countermeasure is decided upon for a time equal to half of the previous time. This progressive correction of the control screw movement ends when the target is reached within a given tolerance. The same logic of the algorithm is applied to maintain a flow restriction below a maximum value while always trying to maintain the highest possible pressure.

The GOLEM system examines the flow rate and pressure. If the flow rate is sufficiently high, but still within the safety range, the system will decide to open the regulator and deliver that amount of gas. In this way, the flow rate we had will tend to decrease, as will the inlet pressure. When the GOLEM system, continuously analysing these parameters, verifies that the pressure is approaching a value very close to the network pressure, it will close the gas transport to avoid the risk of gas flow interruption and thus redirect the biomethane to the storage tank of the upgrading system (overpressure condition).

As soon as the flow rate becomes dangerously low and approaches the lower limit, the GOLEM system reduces the gas flow to recover both the flow rate and the pressure. At some point, a constant flow should be reached.

The results of the Automa solution

Thanks to the implementation of GOLEM for the regulation of biomethane injection into the distribution network managed by our client, the dynamic flow management has kept pressures within the operating range even in the event of sudden production fluctuations, improving the overall stability of the network.

 Important results have therefore been achieved:

• Reduction of injection interruptions caused by pressure drops.
• Optimised management of biomethane overproduction.
• Greater resilience of the network in biomethane supply operations.

This paves the way for a safer, more efficient and sustainable management of the biomethane resource.

How was it possible to achieve these results? AUTOMA has been active since 1987 in the development of hardware and software solutions for the remote monitoring and control of gas transport and distribution networks, functional to their operational management.

Research and development of increasingly high-performance and innovative solutions is our daily commitment. To date, over 50,000 Automa devices are installed in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Do you want to manage the injection of biomethane in a more dynamic, flexible, and safe way?

Contact our team without obligation and we’ll tell you how we can optimise the control and management of your infrastructure.

European regulations have set the target of zero greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane, by 2050. To comply with these guidelines and therefore achieve the established sustainability goals, it is absolutely necessary to concretely pursue the energy transition objectives using technologically advanced solutions to progressively minimise gas losses in transport and distribution network.Leaks are normal (coming from pipes and joints, for example), but they still have a big impact: just think that we’re talking about leaks that can reach pressures of 4 or even 5 bar for 365 days a year.

Reducing natural gas emissions into the atmosphere and optimising the management of operating pressures in gas networks: this is the clear and ambitious objective, from which the Project 404 was born, which the Automa team is carrying out in synergy with 2i Rete Gas, a company of the Italgas Group.

Launched in 2024 and promoted by the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment (ARERA), Project 404 is part of Resolution 404/2023/R/gas of ARERA, ‘Initiation of a procedure for defining measures aimed at reducing fugitive methane emissions in the natural gas distribution sector’.

In summary, Resolution 404/2023/R/gas aims to:

• Define tools and measures to reduce fugitive methane emissions in natural gas distribution networks;
• Establish monitoring, accounting, and reporting methods for such emissions;
• Promote the adoption of innovative technologies and practices aimed at environmental sustainability and the safety of infrastructures.

The central idea behind Project 404 is strongly innovative and ambitious: to implement the adoption of advanced technologies to dynamically modulate pressure in gas networks, automatically reducing it in real-time during periods of lower consumption.

For the implementation of the Project, Automa has employed the GOLEM system, a cutting-edge technological solution for intelligent pressure control.

This application of the GOLEM system introduces an approach to dynamic pressure management that is still little used not only in Italy but also internationally.

The Automa solution: the GOLEM technology applied to pressure control systems on off-take stations.

Automa’s GOLEM system, applied to pressure control systems in off-take stations, revolutionises the traditional static approach to pressure regulation. Unlike conventional methods that maintain a constant pressure based on the maximum annual demand of the plant, GOLEM dynamically modulates pressure based on the actual demand of the network. This allows to reach the highest pressure levels only when actually necessary, significantly lowering the average operating pressure and, consequently, reducing fugitive emissions.

Moreover, it should be noted that the installation of GOLEM is of the Plug&Play type, indeed, it does not require significant interventions on the mechanical and pneumatic part of the system. Meaning that it is not necessary to modify the existing mechanical and pneumatic part of the pressure regulator, it is sufficient to install the GOLEM on the pilot using the specially designed support brackets. The installation process of GOLEM is therefore quick, simple, and low operational impact.

This ease of integration has allowed the adoption of the system within Project 404, where, after an initial phase of laboratory testing, GOLEM has been implemented in the field, demonstrating its effectiveness without compromising service continuity.

The Project provided for the installation of the GOLEM system on a complex configuration represented by 2 interconnected off-take stations serving the same plant.

In this context, the system operates through two algorithms that act in parallel to ensure intelligent and stable management of the stations.

The ultimate goal is the complete automation of the system, with the aid of predictive software capable of anticipating the gas demand of the network.

This will lead to optimal and safe gas distribution management.

How dynamic regulation applied to project 404 works

The uniqueness of the project lies in the ability to make two stations ‘talk’ to each other without the need for any physical connection between them. Indeed, the stations communicate with each other and operate autonomously.

To better understand the operational context, it is useful to distinguish between the different types of off-take stations: the so called ‘antenna’ networks, typically intended to supply confined areas such as a neighbourhood or small municipalities, and those ‘meshed’, integrated into more complex networks, capable of serving larger and more articulated urban areas.

In Project 404, dynamic pressure regulation is implemented on two ‘meshed’ stations, respectively:

• Primary Station: represents the main station that sets and controls the pressure of the network. In meshed networks, there is a Primary Station, while in antenna networks, each station operates as Primary.
• Secondary Station: represents the support station that modulates the gas flow rate delivered based on the parameters detected. In a meshed network, multiple Secondary Stations can coexist.

Both types of stations independently analyse the parameters detected by the network, such as pressure and flow rate, and act independently. Although the two stations follow two different algorithms, both read the same network parameters and this allows them to collaborate and create a single ‘regulation organism’.

As can be seen from the graph, before installing the Smart Regulator, a static condition occurs. The pressure remains constant, maintaining the level corresponding to the maximum demand of the plant.

Project 404 develops through three main phases:

Phase 1

The first phase (already completed) provided for the application of dynamic regulation in defined time slots, modulating the pressure based on the actual gas demand. The aim was to validate the concept of pressure reduction during low consumption periods, such as during the night.  The following graph shows the trend of pressure over 24 hours, varying from 4 bar maintained during the day to 2 bar at night.

Phase 2

The second phase involves two stations in a meshed network and requires them to be able to operate adapting in real-time to the variations of the network, thanks to an intelligent algorithm capable of responding quickly to different operating conditions. This phase has already been tested and is currently operational in several stations across Italy, demonstrating the reliability and robustness of the solution. The following graph shows how the pressure is maintained between 2 and 2.5 bar for most of the day, only increasing around 8:00 PM, corresponding to the peak demand from users.

A particularly significant element in the operation of the system is the way in which the secondary station, while operating with autonomous control logic, actively contributes to maintaining the overall balance of the network. Its ability to adapt to the pressure set by the primary station and to dynamically modulate the flow rate according to configurable time slots makes it possible to avoid critical situations, such as the reversal of roles between the two stations.

This collaborative behaviour translates into a continuous balance between the flows delivered: when the primary station reduces its contribution, the secondary station increases in a complementary manner, and vice versa. The result is an almost instantaneous response to changes in the network, ensuring system stability and intelligent, distributed flow management.

The following graph clearly shows how the two stations interact: the curve of the secondary station rises exactly when that of the primary station falls, demonstrating effective compensation between the two nodes. An additional graph, showing only the secondary station, allows us to appreciate the specific behaviour of the individual element within the system.

Phase 3

The third phase involves the integration of a predictive algorithm based on artificial intelligence, capable of estimating the demand and flow rate of gas for the following days, further optimising the efficiency of the system.

What can we expect once all three steps of Project 404 are implemented?

To significantly reduce gas losses, actively contributing to the reduction of emissions into the atmosphere. Although the Project is still in the testing phase, the initial results are extremely promising.

With the approval of the competent authorities, this methodology could become a new regulatory standard. Thanks to this innovation, Automa and 2i Rete Gas, a company of the Italgas Group, are charting a path towards a more efficient and sustainable management of gas networks, demonstrating that ecological transition is possible through intelligent and cutting-edge technological solutions.

AUTOMA has been active since 1987 in the development of hardware and software solutions for the remote monitoring and control of gas transport and distribution networks, functional to their operational management. To date, over 50,000 Automa devices are installed in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Do you need to optimise the pressure regulation of gas networks, making it safe and efficient?

Contact our team without obligation and we will tell you how we can intervene.

Ensuring gas flow rates always within the meter rangeability acting on the automatic regulation pressure value: in this article we tell you about the challenge won by AUTOMA’s GOLEM technology with the installation on an off-take station serving an antenna gas distribution network.

A project that ensures compliance with resolution 512/2021/R/gas, issued by the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment (ARERA), which requires the gas flow to be maintained within the limits allowed by the meter’s measurement range and, consequently, requires accurate monitoring and adequate flow control.

The Automa solution: GOLEM technology applied to flow control

The GOLEM technology, which is characterised by the ability to make the regulation of gas pressure dynamic and automatic without requiring substantial changes to existing systems, is based on a mechanically coupled servo mechanism which manages the adjustment screw of the regulator and makes it controllable.

Thanks to this innovative adaptation technology, the System can be applied to any pressure regulator, piloted or direct-acting, with a simple retrofit intervention. A solution that can be readily adapted and implemented, and which contributed to our client’s choice of GOLEM.

In this specific case, the operating logic of the GOLEM System has been modified to enable it to keep operating flow rates within the correct rangeability for which the meter was designed.

Considering that it cannot directly influence the plant’s gas demand – since this is determined by the downstream collection –, the System intervenes directly on the network pressure, modifying it to adapt the flow rate in cubic meters to the rangeability of the meter. Specifically, lowering the pressure lowers the flow rate in cubic meters and vice versa. This ability to directly regulate the pressure in the off-take station allows, actually, a direct control over flow rate in cubic meters to the meter.

In addition, the GOLEM operating logic has been optimised to allow flow rate control simultaneously with the management of an hourly pressure profile. Specifically, the pressure is lowered during the night and then brought back up to the desired range during the day, with a consequent significant reduction in fugitive emissions. 

Furthermore, to guarantee the safety and continuity of the System’s service, in addition to GOLEM’s internal algorithmic logic, there are mechanical limit switches that constantly monitor the pressure, ensuring that it does not exceed the set thresholds. Mechanical limit switches offer additional safety compared to algorithmic logic alone, protecting against any system anomalies. Indeed, when a limit switch is reached, the system stops and returns the pressure to its origin.

The results obtained thanks to GOLEM by AUTOMA

The implementation of GOLEM can be defined Plug&Play, as it does not require significant interventions on the mechanical and pneumatic part of the system. It is not necessary to modify the motorisation pressures or review existing connections, which considerably simplifies the installation process, and therefore the subsequent management and maintenance of the plant. This was a first, very important advantage for our customer.

From the very first months of activity, following the tuning phase in which the System was calibrated, the implementation of GOLEM on the off-take stations has allowed us to:

•  get a significant reduction in out-of-threshold measurements
•  make the measurement system more efficient
•  significantly reduce the economic sanctions for measures outside the threshold
•  significantly reduce fugitive emissions

Even the maintenance of the system proved to be extremely simple for our client to manage. In fact, with a simple action on a screw, it is possible to manually regulate the controller pilot or remove the servo motor and restore the reduction system to its original configuration in about 10 seconds. This greatly facilitates the work of maintenance technicians, allowing them to intervene on the pressure regulator, pilots, monitors and other components of the off-take station to carry out maintenance work in full compliance to current regulations.

The implementation of GOLEM in this project has produced extremely satisfactory results for our customer, while also improving operational efficiency.

With the AUTOMA solution it is possible to benefit from an immediate increase in efficiency and precision of pressure regulation, resulting in reduced gas leaks and operating costs. In addition, thanks to GOLEM, the system is able to reduce inefficiencies linked to changes in gas supply and demand. With a view to a possible integration of renewable sources, GOLEM is designed to also manage the injection of biomethane within natural gas networks, unlike many other solutions on the market.

AUTOMA has been active since 1987 in the development of hardware and software solutions for the monitoring and the remote control of gas transportation and distribution networks, functional to their operational management. As yet over 50,000 Automa devices are installed in more than 40 countries in the world.

Do you want to ensure that you regulate the gas network pressure safely and efficiently?

Contact our team without obligation and we’ll tell you how we can optimise the control and management of your infrastructure.

By Cristiano Fiameni, Technical Director Italian Gas Committee
From the presentation ‘Methane emissions: regulatory updates’
SMART GRID DAYS 2024, 18 – 19 September 2024.

What are the new regulations regarding Methane Emissions that have been finalised and are becoming operational?
In the spring of 2024, Regulation 2024/1787 on the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector was approved first by the Parliament, then by the Council, and finally published in the Official Journal on 15 July 2024, entering into force on 4 August 2024.

This Regulation has a huge impact: it is directly applicable and does not require national transposition.

The whole gas supply chain is covered, because the Regulation deals with very different industry sectors (just think, for example, of the storage or regasification system and how completely different it is from a city distribution system) and this leads us to foresee some elements of difficulty from the application point of view, because it is difficult to have a single rule that works for all situations.

Let us look in detail at some highlights to better understand the state of affairs.

Enforcement of the Regulation on Methane Emissions

Regulation 2024/1787 lays down standards for accurately measuring, quantifying, monitoring, reporting and verifying methane emissions in the EU energy sector, as well as for reducing them.

The reduction can be achieved through investigations to detect and repair leaks, repair obligations and restrictions on venting and flaring. The Regulation also establishes standards on tools that ensure transparency with regard to methane emissions.

The Regulation apply:

• the exploration and production of oil and gas, as well as the collection and processing of gas;
• the transport and distribution of natural gas, except for measurement systems at the points of final consumption and the parts of the service lines between the distribution network and the measurement system located on the property of the final customers, as well as to underground storage and operations in LNG terminals and plants.

This applies to the entire supply chain concerning the distribution sector, therefore to the pipelines on public land, while measurement stations at the final customer are excluded.

With regard to utility connections, there are critical issues from an application point of view, because the Regulation apply to connections, butfrom the property boundary to the meter are excluded, whereas on public land they are included.

Applications: Article 15

With regard to Article 15 – Restrictions on Venting and Flaring, the Regulation remains structured as before: there is a substantial ban except for emergency or safety reasons.

This approach may be correct in an industrial environment, but in a city network the situation becomes more complicated. So, in this case, it will be necessary to pay the utmost attention to safety and, in some routine activities, it will be necessary to do a flaring instead of a venting.

The competent authorities: appointments and critical issues

One or more competent authorities must be appointed by the Member State six months after the entry into force of the Regulation (i.e. by 5 February 2025). The competent authority will have to monitor and ensure compliance with the Regulation. In some cases, it may also intervene in inspection programmes and may impose sanctions with respect to compliance or non-compliance with the requirements of the Regulation.

On the other hand, operators must submit the report containing the first quantification of emissions to the competent authorities within one year.

The situation becomes more complicated because Article 12 of the Regulation talks about how this quantification activity should be carried out with respect to the technical standards currently being developed and to the provisions of Article 32, stating that ‘Until the date of application of these technical standards or regulations, operators and companies shall follow the most advanced industrial practices and use the best available technologies for measuring and quantifying methane emissions’. It goes on to state that ‘operators and companies established in the Union may use for these purposes the latest OGMP 2.0 technical guidance documents approved by 4 August 2024’.

Harmonised standards: drafting and approval

In Article 32 of the Regulation, the Commission asks CEN (European Standardisation Organisation) to work towards harmonised standards for:

• the measurement and quantification of methane emissions referred to in Article 12(5);
• the Leak Detection and Repair investigations referred to in Article 14(1);
• the necessary equipment, as referred to in Article 15(3) and (5);
• the quantification of methane emissions referred to in Article 18(3);

Once CEN has completed its task, the Commission assesses whether or not the draft standard it has received complies with its request and, if so, the standards are published in the Official Journal. However, the Commission may still adopt delegated acts to establish further standards or parts thereof. The deadline for drafting these standards is spring 2027.

Leaks detection and repair: critical issues (and positive aspects)

By 5 May 2025 for existing sites (and within 6 months from the date of entry into operation for new sites) operators must submit a leak detection and repair programme (LDAR programme) to the competent authorities.

The timeframe is therefore a bit tight, because the authority must be appointed by February 2025, then in May operators must present the programme and by August they must have carried out the first inspection.

How does detection work? After carrying out a leaks search (reference is made to Annex I and II of the Regulation), operators shall repair or replace all components in which there is an emission at or above the specified levels. To understand better: in the worst cases we can be at levels that are 500 or 1000 ppm, which is a very low value.

Once leaks have been detected, repairs should be made immediately if possible. This requirement applies more easily to an industrial site than, for example, the gas network of a large city. The Regulation further state that ‘If it cannot be carried out immediately after detection, the repair shall be attempted again as soon as possible and in any case within 5 days of detection and shall be completed within 30 days of detection‘.

Any delay in the repair must be justified with a report, resulting in a major administrative burden, even disproportionate to the operational intervention required.

The Regulation does, however, leave a small window of opportunity if it can be shown that the leaks are small and difficult to repair, so that continued monitoring and repair could cause environmental damage that outweighs the benefit of repair.

Marcogaz pre-normative activity

Marcogaz, the international non-profit association that represents the European gas industry, has drawn up pre-normative documents on the best techniques to be implemented to carry out specific activities. The relative documents are available on the website https://www.marcogaz.org and can be downloaded free of charge: it’s a series of 9 BATs (Best Available Techniques) regarding ‘Venting and Flaring’.

In 2024, BAT 0 was published, ‘Introductory document to the Best Available Techniques to Reduce Methane Emissions from Venting and Flaring Activities in the Mid-downstream Gas Sector‘.

The other BATs will be:

• BAT 1 – Reduce pressure before venting
• BAT 2 – Mobile recompression
• BAT 3 – Stationary recompression
• BAT 4 – Flaring as replacement of venting
• BAT 5 – High bleed continuous pneumatics mitigation
• BAT 6 – Electrical or pneumatic air starters
• BAT 7 – Use of nitrogen to purge LNG pipes
• BAT 8 – LNG truck loading – dry coupling connectors
• BAT 9 – Excess flow valves in new service lines

In addition, a ‘Guidance for enhancing methane emission reduction and the application of the EU regulation on methane emission’ is being prepared.

At the regulatory level, an activity that started a few years ago on the emission quantification project is coming to an end, with three focuses:

1. Gas infrastructure (the quantification and reporting part), regulated in Article 12 of the Regulation.
2. Leak Detection and Repair, that is, how to carry out investigations and repair programmes, Article 14.
3. Gas Infrastructure, that is, everything related to Venting and Flaring, Article 15.

As we have seen, the technical part supporting the operational articles of the Regulation is the subject of draft standards currently being developed at CEN level. The timeframe is not immediate, as these topics present two difficulties: an objective-technical one, because not everything is already available and consolidated, and an operational one, because at European level countries have different sensitivities.

Agreeing on the content of standards when there are varying national operational practices or regulations makes it even more difficult to conclude the task.

It should be noted, however, that there are many Italian experts who participate in these activities and try to make their own contribution.

The Italian Gas Committee, established in 1953, aims to improve safety and efficiency in the use of combustible gases. In 1960, it joined UNI, the Italian national standardisation body, thus becoming the official Italian body for standardisation in the fuel gas sector.

As an association comprising institutional and non-institutional members, the IGC covers with its members the entire supply chain, from gas import to transport, distribution, storage, utilisation, equipment, devices and installations.

The Global Methane Tracker 2024 report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals discouraging data: in 2023, methane emissions in the energy sector rose by 3 million tonnes compared to the previous year. This brought their total to 120 million tonnes.

Despite the efforts made by the sector to reduce losses, methane emissions in the energy sector remain a significant challenge. Drastically limiting these losses is essential not only to improve the efficiency of energy networks but also to combat the climate emergency.

The problem of overpressure

An important part of gas losses is related to overpressure in plants and networks: this term refers to a condition in which the operating pressure within gas distribution networks is often higher than optimal levels while still complying with safety standards and operational management for proper functioning, creating risks for safety, the environment, and the infrastructures themselves.

Fugitive emissions, that is, the uncontrolled release of gas (such as methane) into the environment, are proportional to the operating pressure, so optimising and reducing the latter leads to an immediate reduction in emissions.

In addition to this, overpressure can accelerate the deterioration of pipes and network components, increasing the risk of structural failures and reducing overall operational efficiency.

How is it possible to reduce the issues related to gas network pressure without compromising the supply? A concrete and effective response comes from dynamic regulation.

What does dynamic regulation mean

Dynamic regulation allows for real-time adjustment of pressure in gas distribution networks to actual demand. In practice, the system based on the principle of dynamic regulation automatically adjusts the pressure according to variations in consumption:

• During periods of low demand (for example, during the night), the pressure is reduced to avoid overpressure and minimise gas losses.
• During peak consumption times, the pressure is increased to ensure that the gas flow meets the demand, always within safe limits.

In summary, adopting a dynamic pressure regulation on networks means:

1) an exponential decrease in the volume of gas lost

2) more efficient operation of the network, subjecting it to less stress, thus also reducing the frequency of failures in the long term.

Dynamic regulation occurs through data-driven technology. This, indeed, allows for the collection of real-time data that is then analysed with intelligent algorithms that calculate the necessary corrective actions to maintain the pressure at an optimal value. In the case of particularly complex systems, the system is able to anticipate changes in demand or network conditions by leveraging predictive analysis and artificial intelligence.

A system of this kind must therefore combine monitoring capabilities on one side and control capabilities on the other.

The ideal solution must consequently integrate:

– Edge Computing features, which allow for faster responses and make the system more robust and reliable.

– Artificial Intelligence for big data management, capable of finding a model to classify information, make decisions or predict the future trend of events.

– Cybersecurity, essential for the protection of this type of data.

– Ability to reduce inefficiencies related to fluctuations in gas demand and supply, to ensure service continuity.

With these characteristics, the system is able to estimate the demand required by users in each execution cycle, and to adjust the network management parameters when necessary to keep the pressure to a minimum during hours of lower demand and to increase it when user demand also rises.

The result? An optimal compensation that limits leaks while ensuring efficient network management.

The Automa solution: the GOLEM technology

The GOLEM technology of AUTOMA, developed to dynamically control regulators, also adjusts the pressure on demand in order to reduce emissions and optimise flow rates.

Simplifying to the maximum, we can say that GOLEM transforms any existing pressure regulator into an element that can be controlled remotely. In this way, it is possible to remotely control the gas pressure based on a desired value, whether it is a measurement coming from the termination point or a local measurement in the pressure reducing station (PRI).

The system allows, for example, to set daily pressure profiles, that is, to pursue target flow rates or pressures. Thanks to the built-in protections, such as mechanical limits and energy reserves, GOLEM ensures continuous and reliable operation.

GOLEM also stands out for its ability to make the regulation of gas pressure dynamic and automatic without requiring substantial modifications to existing plants, easily integrating with already present regulators, both direct and pilot-operated. Another significant advantage is that GOLEM does not require the use of venting, a noteworthy aspect especially after the new European Regulation on emissions has prohibited its use in industrial processes.

Unlike other similar solutions available on the market, the GOLEM application is not limited to the remote control of gas in natural gas distribution networks; indeed, it has been designed to also manage the injection of biomethane into natural gas networks, thus addressing the growing need to integrate renewable sources into distribution networks.

AUTOMA develops hardware and software solutions for the monitoring and remote control of gas transport and distribution networks, functional to their operational management.

We were born in 1987 in Italy, and today over 50,000 Automa devices are installed in more than 40 countries around the world.

Do you want to ensure that you regulate the gas network pressure safely and efficiently?

Contact our team without obligation and we will tell you what we can do to help you limit losses and always maintain an adequate level of service.