Juan M. Jaurequi Becker

Bio: Juan M. Jaurequi Becker is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Energy market. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 6 citations.

Finding robust investments for the Dutch gas distribution infrastructure in 2050 by a scenario study

Abstract: In the changing Dutch energy market, the ageing gas distribution grid needs investments. There is, however, a large uncertainty regarding certain aspects that affect the future role of this gas distribution grid, such as the eventual share of biomethane in the gas mix, whether power-to-gas will take-off and the expected lifetime of the grid. Hence, it is currently unclear what investments need to be made for the gas distribution infrastructure in order to cope with future changes. To find out how the future may unfold for the Dutch gas distribution infrastructure in 2050, four scenarios have been developed. Two key forces – a key force is a factor that has a large impact on the gas distribution grid but great uncertainty exists regarding its outcome – were chosen, namely “perceived energy resource scarcity” and “willingness and ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions”. Each scenario sketches the future Dutch gas infrastructure by defining, among others, the extent to which biomass will be used to produce biomethane, whether fossil fuel is allowed to be burned locally, and what types of gas will flow through the gas grid. With these scenarios at our disposal, in the next research step, we will establish the impact of the scenarios on the gas distribution grid – i.e. what the layout will be and the corresponding costs – and the accompanying biomethane infrastructure. For this, 3 typical locations were chosen: a rural region, an urban region, and an intermediate region. Through a multi-objective optimization – with maximizing net present value, maximizing biomethane production, and maximizing CO2 emission reduction as objectives – the possible layout of the gas distribution grid and the biomethane infrastructure will be determined for each region. The study’s aim is to find similarities in investments among the different layouts, to come to robust investments for the gas distribution infrastructure.

Economic Assessment of Biomethane Supply System Based on Natural Gas Infrastructure

Abstract: Upgraded biogas injected into a natural gas grid may provide considerable increase of renewable energy share within the natural gas-fired systems. The goal of the study is to determine the costs of biomethane produced in distributed biogas plants and injected into the natural gas grid. The analyzed system includes biogas upgrading and transport to the natural gas pipeline including the infrastructure. The total costs of biomethane production for 3 different scenarios and 5 biogas upgrading methods are determined. The results show that under the most favourable scenario the injected biomethane is approximately 19% more expensive than the natural gas. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Designing the biomethane supply chain through automated synthesis

Abstract: 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.