Benchmark gas distribution network for cross-sectoral applications

Cross-sectoral coupling of energy systems could provide the necessary flexibility for future energy systems with a high share of renewable energies. The gas grid implies large storage capacities and thus promises an economically attractive balance for fluctuating energy sources. A benchmark gas distribution network, coupled to the CIGRE benchmark network for electricity is presented within this paper, to universally investigate the impacts on gas grid infrastructure. The network includes interconnected meshed and radial topologies for both low and medium pressure gas networks. They have been synthesized from existing real networks in cooperation with the Rheinische NETZGesellschaft mbH. Applications range from analyzing network impacts of widespread CHP or fuel cell implementation, over comparing the cost-effectiveness of different future pathways between expansion and decommissioning of the gas grid network, to analyzing the impacts of distributed injection of renewable gas. The overall aim is to build a complete network benchmark for an integral cross-sectoral energy system including also heat.