Gas Infrastructure Europe commissioned Artelys and Compass Lexecon to assess the role of underground gas storage in European security of supply.
This study analyses how underground gas storage contributes to the resilience of the future European energy system in a context of evolving methane demand and increasing interactions between methane, electricity and hydrogen systems. This work provides a robust analytical basis for understanding the value of storage in future European energy pathways and under security-of-supply stress situations.
The modelling analysis carried out by Artelys focuses on the interdependencies between methane, electricity and hydrogen systems, the role of cross-vector flexibility options, and the contribution of storage to system resilience. The analysis relies on the Artelys Crystal Super Grid platform and models the European energy system at hourly resolution over full gas years, with a national geographical (gas) or bidding-zone (electricity) granularity. The analysis focuses on 2030 and 2040 horizons based on the TYNDP 2024 NT+ scenario, together with a deviation scenario designed to stress-test the system. Artelys also evaluated resilience under three security-of-supply stress conditions: a harsh winter, a LNG supply reduction, and a Norwegian supply reduction.
The study notably presents the evolution of the drivers of methane system flexibility needs (in particular methane final demand and gas-fired power generation profiles) and how this impacts UGS operation. Seasonal and short-term flexibility needs are quantified. The capacity role of UGS is analysed, taking into account the impact of storage level on withdrawal capacity.
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