The Future of Gas: Renewable Energy Solutions in Ireland

As Ireland commits to ambitious climate goals and a sustainable energy future, the gas industry faces both challenges and opportunities. This article explores how the gas sector is evolving to incorporate renewable alternatives, the policies shaping this transition, and what it all means for Irish consumers and businesses.

The Current Landscape of Gas in Ireland

Natural gas currently plays a significant role in Ireland's energy mix. According to Gas Networks Ireland, approximately 700,000 Irish homes and 25,000 businesses rely on natural gas for heating, cooking, and industrial processes. It also accounts for around 52% of Ireland's electricity generation, providing essential flexibility to support intermittent renewable electricity sources like wind.

However, as Ireland aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the gas industry must adapt and transform. This transition involves not just changing the types of gas we use but also how we use them.

Renewable Gas Options for Ireland

1. Biomethane

Biomethane represents one of the most promising renewable gas options for Ireland's immediate future. It's produced through a process called anaerobic digestion, which converts organic materials like agricultural waste, food waste, and dedicated energy crops into biogas, which is then upgraded to biomethane.

Ireland's Potential: With its strong agricultural sector, Ireland has significant biomethane production potential. According to research by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Ireland could produce up to 13 TWh of biomethane annually—enough to replace approximately 28% of current natural gas demand.

Current Developments: Several biomethane injection facilities have been established in Ireland, with Gas Networks Ireland targeting 20% renewable gas in the network by 2030. The Green Gas Certification Scheme has also been established to enable traceability and trading of biomethane certificates.

2. Hydrogen

Hydrogen is increasingly viewed as a critical component of future clean energy systems. When produced using renewable electricity (green hydrogen) or with carbon capture technology (blue hydrogen), it offers a zero or low-carbon alternative to natural gas.

Applications: Hydrogen can be used in various ways:

• Blended with natural gas in existing networks (up to certain percentages)
• As a pure fuel in dedicated hydrogen networks
• For electricity generation
• In transport, particularly for heavy vehicles
• As a feedstock for industrial processes

Irish Initiatives: Several hydrogen projects are underway in Ireland:

• The Dublin Hydrogen Hub, exploring hydrogen applications for transport
• The Hydrogen Valley concept in the Shannon region
• Research into hydrogen production from offshore wind energy

Gas Networks Ireland is also assessing the technical feasibility of transporting hydrogen in parts of the existing gas network.

3. Synthetic Methane

Synthetic methane, produced by combining hydrogen with captured CO2 in a process called methanation, offers another pathway to decarbonize gas supplies. While it's in earlier development stages than biomethane or hydrogen, it has the advantage of being chemically identical to natural gas, making it fully compatible with existing infrastructure and appliances.

Policy and Regulatory Framework

The transition to renewable gas in Ireland is being shaped by several key policies and initiatives:

Climate Action Plan

Ireland's Climate Action Plan sets out targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors. For the gas industry, this includes:

• Increasing the proportion of renewable gas in the network
• Reducing reliance on gas in home heating through electrification and energy efficiency
• Supporting innovation in low-carbon gas technologies

Support Schemes

The government has introduced or is developing several support mechanisms:

• Renewable Heat Obligation: Will require suppliers to include a certain percentage of renewable energy in their heat sales
• Support Scheme for Renewable Heat: Provides grants and ongoing operational support for renewable heating systems in commercial, industrial, and public sectors
• Biomethane Support Scheme: Under development to support biomethane production and injection into the gas grid

EU Hydrogen Strategy

As part of the European Union, Ireland is also influenced by the EU Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to:

• Install at least 6 GW of renewable hydrogen electrolyzers in the EU by 2024
• Increase this to 40 GW by 2030
• Establish hydrogen as an intrinsic part of the EU's integrated energy system

Implications for Gas Infrastructure

The transition to renewable gas requires adaptations to existing infrastructure:

Gas Networks

Ireland's gas network, managed by Gas Networks Ireland, is being prepared for renewable gases:

• Biomethane can be injected directly into the existing network without modifications
• Technical assessments for hydrogen blending are underway, with potential for up to 20% hydrogen in parts of the network
• Long-term planning for dedicated hydrogen pipelines in certain industrial clusters

End-User Equipment

Changes to domestic and commercial gas appliances will also be necessary:

• Most modern gas appliances can handle biomethane without modifications
• Many can accept hydrogen blends of up to 20%
• Pure hydrogen would require new "hydrogen-ready" appliances

Manufacturers are already developing and testing hydrogen-compatible boilers and appliances in anticipation of this transition.

Economic Opportunities

The shift to renewable gas creates significant economic opportunities for Ireland:

Rural Development

Biomethane production, in particular, offers new income streams for farmers and rural communities:

• Diversification of farm income through feedstock production or hosting anaerobic digestion facilities
• Creation of rural jobs in construction, operation, and maintenance of facilities
• Potential for improved waste management and nutrient recycling

Energy Security

Domestically produced renewable gases reduce Ireland's dependence on imported energy:

• Currently, approximately 60% of Ireland's natural gas comes from the Corrib gas field, with the remainder imported via interconnectors with the UK
• As the Corrib field depletes, renewable gases can help maintain energy security
• Diversification of supply sources enhances resilience against international market volatility

Green Economy Growth

The renewable gas sector can contribute to Ireland's green economy:

• Development of expertise in renewable gas technologies
• Manufacturing opportunities for components and equipment
• Research and innovation in gas purification, storage, and utilization

Challenges and Considerations

Despite its promise, the transition to renewable gas faces several challenges:

Cost

Currently, renewable gases are more expensive to produce than natural gas:

• Biomethane costs approximately 2-3 times more than natural gas
• Green hydrogen production costs are higher still, though expected to decline significantly by 2030
• Financial support mechanisms will be necessary to bridge the cost gap during the transition period

Scale and Pace

Achieving meaningful levels of renewable gas requires rapid scaling:

• Building enough anaerobic digestion facilities for biomethane
• Developing sufficient renewable electricity capacity for green hydrogen
• Balancing the pace of infrastructure changes with consumer needs

Competing Priorities

Energy policy involves balancing multiple objectives:

• Trade-offs between land use for energy crops versus food production
• Decisions about electrification versus renewable gas for different applications
• Ensuring energy affordability while funding the transition

What This Means for Consumers

Irish consumers can expect several changes as the gas sector evolves:

Gradual Transition

The shift to renewable gas will likely be gradual and largely invisible to end-users:

• Biomethane is chemically identical to natural gas, requiring no appliance changes
• Initial hydrogen blending (up to 20%) will be compatible with most existing appliances
• Eventually, new hydrogen-ready appliances may be required, likely with government support for the transition

Pricing Impacts

Energy costs will be affected in various ways:

• Short to medium term: Potential for modest increases as renewable gases are blended into the supply
• Long term: Greater price stability as dependence on volatile international fossil fuel markets decreases
• Support mechanisms may be introduced to protect vulnerable consumers during the transition

Choices and Options

Consumers will likely have more energy choices:

• Options to purchase certified renewable gas
• New hybrid heating systems combining gas with electric heat pumps
• Improved energy efficiency programs to reduce overall gas consumption

Conclusion

The future of gas in Ireland is undoubtedly renewable. While natural gas will continue to play an important role in the transition period, biomethane, hydrogen, and synthetic methane will gradually reshape the industry. This evolution offers significant environmental benefits while creating new economic opportunities and enhancing energy security.

For consumers, the changes will be implemented in ways that maintain reliability and affordability. For the gas industry, including companies like EmeraldGas, the transition represents both a challenge and an opportunity to develop new services and expertise.

By embracing renewable gas solutions alongside energy efficiency and strategic electrification, Ireland can achieve its climate goals while maintaining the flexibility and reliability that gas brings to the energy system.