GRIDTech 2024 – Competitiveness and Decarbonisation The Role of Gas Grids

December 13, 2024

Earlier this week, Eurogas and Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), in collaboration with the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG), hosted GRIDTech 2024. This year’s event brought together experts from the European energy sector, including operators from the distribution, transmission, storage, and LNG sectors, as well as high-level representatives from the European Parliament, European Commission and scholars. They gathered to discuss the future of gas infrastructure in Europe.

Over 120 participants attended this 3rd edition of GRIDTech, establishing it as a key event for stakeholders from the distribution, transmission, storage, and LNG sectors. The debate centred on the critical balance between Europe’s competitiveness and decarbonisation, exploring how gas grids enable a clean industrial transition while ensuring energy security.

The day began with a compelling keynote by MEP Prof. Dr. Andrea Wechsler of the ITRE Committee. She emphasised the importance of collaboration between electricity and gas systems in driving decarbonisation, enhancing flexibility, and reducing costs, stating that the future lies in partnership, not competition.

MEP Prof. Dr. Andrea Wechsler, ITRE Committee, said, ‘Energy infrastructure is more than pipelines and networks. It’s the backbone of Europe’s economy. It connects citizens and industries to secure affordable and increasingly sustainable energy. In this era of transition, these connections are a catalyst for new markets and new technologies, and demonstrate that repurposing our existing grids can accelerate decarbonisation while avoiding costly new-builds.

Throughout the event, three engaging panel discussions and three GridTech Talks highlighted key priorities for the energy transition. Discussions ranged from repurposing hydrogen infrastructure to integrating diversified net-zero technologies such as CCUS and leveraging hydrogen and biomethane storage to complement renewables and ensure a reliable, competitive energy system.

Arno Büx, GIE President, highlighted the crucial role of gas infrastructure in the energy transition during his panel at GRIDTech 2024. He emphasized the importance of existing gas infrastructure in facilitating a green and affordable transition.

Arno Büx, GIE President, highlighted that ‘Gas infrastructure is the backbone of Europe’s energy future. It enables the flexibility, security of supply, and optionality necessary for decarbonization. Our system is not just vital for today’s energy needs but is key to ensuring a resilient and competitive energy sector tomorrow. If we didn’t have it, we would need to build it.’

He also stressed the importance of adapting infrastructure to new energy carriers like hydrogen and CCS, underscoring that gas infrastructure will continue to provide essential storage and flexibility to meet future energy demands.

The GridTech Talks featured valuable insights from Christoph von dem Bussche, Luis Ignacio Parada, and Matti Malkamäki, who shared updates on European pioneering projects. The day concluded with remarks from GIE Secretary General Boyana Achovski, who reinforced the vital role of gas infrastructure as the ‘lifeblood’ of the economy. She echoed GIE President’s words from his panel discussion: ‘There is no transition without our system and the system that we are operating.‘

Event moderation was provided by Anne-Sophie Corbeau from the Center on Global Energy Policy, who kept the discussions focused and engaging.

Editorial notes

• The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) was founded in line with Regulation (EC) 715/2009 and has played a key role in facilitating the integration of the European gas markets, ensuring technical interoperability and providing security of supply by gas infrastructure planning. Looking forward, ENTSOG is contributing to net-zero decarbonisation by 2050, in particular, by integrating renewable and low carbon gases via future-proof gas transmission pipelines, in line with the EU energy and climate goals. More information on ENTSOG can be found on our website – entsog.eu or contact info@entsog.eu.

• Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is the association representing the interests of European gas infrastructure operators. GIE members are active in the transmission, storage, and regasification of renewable and low-carbon gases, including natural gas and hydrogen, via LNG terminals. Gathering 68 industry entities from 27 European countries, GIE perfectly embodies the multiple transitional decarbonisation pathways of the EU regions. The association’s vision is that by 2050, the gas infrastructure will be the backbone of the new innovative energy system, allowing European citizens and industries to benefit from a secure, efficient and sustainable energy supply.

• Eurogas is an association of over one hundred members. Our members cover gas wholesale and retail gas markets and the distribution of natural gas, biomethane and hydrogen. Eurogas also works with companies active in the management of gases for vehicles and value chain methane emissions. Eurogas accelerates the transition to carbon neutrality through dialogue and advocacy about optimising the use of gases. https://www.eurogas.org/

Note to editors

Who is GIE?

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is the association representing the interests of European gas infrastructure operators active in gas transmission, gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification. GIE is a trusted partner of European institutions, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. It is based in Brussels, the heart of European policymaking. GIE currently represents 70 member companies from 26 countries. GIE’s vision is that by 2050, the gas infrastructure will be the backbone of the new innovative energy system, allowing European citizens to benefit from a secure, efficient and sustainable energy supply.