Research, Development and Innovation Consultation

GRTgaz and Teréga are consulting gas transmission stakeholders on the key themes of research, development and innovation.

On 22 June, GRTgaz and Teréga held a gas market stakeholders’ consultation to share information about upcoming developments relating to research, development and innovation. The goal was to bolster collaboration between gas transmission network stakeholders to support its transformation under optimal conditions.

Since 2008, GRTgaz and Teréga have led a joint coordination initiative with all gas transmission market stakeholders (transporters, traders, shipper customers, industrial customers, producers of electricity from gas, adjacent infrastructure operators, and public authorities). 

This process, with its emphasis on listening, improves dialogue and cooperation with customers. It allows stakeholders to get involved in market changes and lend their ideas to future planning. It also contributes to a better service and enables cross-border exchanges. A working group dedicated to research, development and innovation (R&D&I) was set up with these elements in mind. 

This R&D&I is partially funded by transmission fees, and its budget is growing (€31 million per year for 2020-21 and €33 million per year for 2022-23). The working group organised a consultation on 22 June addressing the R&D&I challenges facing industry stakeholders. R&D&I is an indispensable aspect of the gas transmission industry. Its work facilitates both the management and the optimisation of gas transmission under the unique conditions of the energy transition, and in the face of multiple technical challenges.

Three key themes that map the future of the gas transmission network

In practical terms, the consultation involved a 1.5 hour conference in which the main research, development and innovation developments for the coming four years were presented. 

  • Industrial safety is a major R&D topic for gas transporters. Historically, it has been their core mission. Here, the goal is to maintain the safety, viability, long-term sustainability and availability of transmission infrastructures to guarantee the continuity of service and the security of supply for all.
  • Faced with significant environmental challenges, transporters are also involving themselves in the energy transition. They are seeking to promote the integration of new types of methane and hydrogen, as well as ensuring a high level of service for the transmission of both gas and gas mixtures.
  • Finally, a portion of their work is focussed on performance and operational excellence. They strive to improve the economic performance of gas transmission while reducing the environmental impact of their operations. Following this presentation, attending stakeholders were able to ask questions and offer their comments.

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