Use of natural gas

75.77 billion cubic meters of natural gas was injected into the national gas pipeline network in 2021

A gas-powered combined cycle with an output of 56-58%, makes it possible to reduce CO₂ emissions by 62% compared with a coalpowered plant.

For the same energy input, the carbon dioxide produced by the combustion of natural gas is 25-30% less than oil products

Natural gas, based on the same energy used, has a lower polluting impact compared to other fossil fuels.

Natural gas helps to reduce atmospheric emissions by replacing polluting fossil fuels and reducing problems of air quality, acid rain and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Natural gas is mainly composed of methane (CH4) and the main products resulting from its combustion are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour, the same components that are produced by breathing.

For the same energy input, the carbon dioxide produced by the combustion of natural gas is:

25-30% less than oil products
40-50% less than coal.

Coal and fuel oil are composed of very complex molecules with high carbon, nitrogen and sulphur content. This means that, during combustion, coal and oil release higher levels of harmful emissions (carbon, nitrogen oxides – NOx – and sulphur dioxide – SO2) and unburnt particles compared to natural gas.

The combustion of natural gas, on the other hand, releases small amounts of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, does not generate ash emissions or particulates, and emits low levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other reactive hydrocarbons.
The decrease in emissions per unit of energy produced is further accentuated by the possibility of using natural gas in high-performance applications and technologies, such as condensation boilers, co-generation plants and combined cycles for producing electricity. A gas-powered combined cycle with an output of 56-58%, compared with an output of about 40% from traditional steam-powered cycles, makes it possible to
reduce CO2 emissions by 52% compared with a traditional fuel oil-powered plant and by 62% compared with a coalpowered plant.

The electrification of consumption and the development of renewables accentuate some critical issues in terms of load: the entire gas system will therefore be called upon to provide ever greater flexibility to ensure the stability of the electricity grid with a sector coupling perspective.

Actually, the gas system can count on existing transportation, storage and distribution systems and is capable of supporting Italian and European decarbonisation guaranteeing the energy system flexibility, programmability and cost effectiveness.

GAS AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION FOR FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

Power to Gas
The natural gas network can play an essential part in managing the ever-increasing volumes obtained from renewable sources. The excess electricity produced by solar power stations or wind farms can actually be converted into hydrogen through an electrolysis process and then enriched with CO2, making it possible to produce a syngas to be injected into the network. This avoids investment costs in new infrastructures for the transmission, distribution and storage of electricity.

In Italy, for over 70 years so-called town gas, made up of mixtures with 50% hydrogen content has been distributed in cities without problems.

Europe is keeping a careful eye on the new technology, which has already been included in the German national energy programme.

Gas-powered Heat Pumps
This is a technology that makes it possible to combine the many advantages of natural gas with the operating principle of heat pumps. Thanks to the exploitation of ambient heat, which is renewable and free, it is actually possible to improve output compared with normal condenser gas boilers. Output indicates the useful energy produced with the gas energy used.

The optimum output of a condenser boiler is equal to approximately 110%, but with gas-powered heat pumps it is possible to achieve a figure of up to 170%.

Hydrogen
To shape the results of studies and research conducted at national and international level in the hydrogen field, Snam has created a new business unit dedicated to hydrogen, with the aim of evaluating possible pilot projects and contributing to the development of the supply chain. In parallel, studies will continue on the adaptation of compression and storage infrastructures and on the role of hydrogen in the future energy system also with a view to collaboration between different sectors (sector coupling), such as the electricity and gas sectors.
To date, the existing infrastructure can already transport natural gas and biomethane without distinction and about 99% of the network is already capable of transporting up to 100% hydrogen (according to ASME regulation B31.12). To further support the diffusion and use of green gas, Snam has decided to promote the creation of a backbone to transport hydrogen from Italy to the areas of Northern Europe with the highest demand, with approximately 2,700 km of network from Mazara del Vallo to Passo Gries and Tarvisio.

The national gas pipeline network helps meet the country’s energy demand.

The gas injected into the network in 2021 totaled 75.77 billion cubic meters, increasing compared to 2020 (+7.2%).

Total storage capacity as at 31 December 2021, including strategic storage, was 16.5 billion cubic metres (-2.8% respect to 2020), of which 12.0 billion cubic metres related to available capacity and 4.5 billion cubic metres related to strategic storage.
Volumes of gas moved through the storage system in 2021 amounted to 18.41 billion cubic metres, down by 1.19 billion cubic metres, or 6.1%, compared with 2020, as a result of fewer injections into
storage in addition to fewer withdrawals, against an increase in the volumes of gas injected into the
network in line with the growth in demand for natural gas in Italy.

During 2021, 1.05 billion cubic metres of LNG were regasified at the LNG terminal in Panigaglia (SP) (2.52 billion cubic metres in 2020; -58.8%) with 25 methane tankers unloaded (-35 with respect to 2020; -58.3%).

Biomethane nowadays and in the future

Biomethane is a renewable, flexible, efficient and programmable source, also thanks to existing transport and storage infrastructures, which are perfectly and totally integrated with other renewable sources like solar and wind energy.
Dedicated plants produce both agricultural and agro-industrial by-products from anaerobic digestion and organic fraction of waste through a biogas upgrading process.
Bio methane can already be injected into the network and used in all sectors where the gas is present. Because it is a renewable energy, on March the 2nd 2018 the Italian government issued a Ministerial Decree which promotes the use of bio methane as a fuel for road transportation.

Discover Snam's initiatives on biomethane