DECENTRALIZED GAS NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of Energy. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method for operating gas network with considerably high levels of intermittent gas input, with on-demand requirement for gas output.

Background

[0002] There is an increasing need for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and therefore an increasing need to a massive decarbonization.

[0003] The largest human source of carbon dioxide emissions is the combustion of fossil fuels. Around 90% of all human-produced carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil.

[0004] Commonly used processes which produce CO2 emissions, such as industrial processes in glass industry, steel, fertilizers, ammoniac, chemical industry, ceramics, cement or crystal, urgently need an alternative to electrification in order to reduce their CO2 emissions.

[0005] The present invention discloses a solution with the aim of overcoming the previous drawbacks. The main goal of the present invention is to obtain renewable gas, namely green Hydrogen (H2), which is, for the purpose of the present disclosure, the H2 obtained from dissociation of water (H2O) when the electricity needed to break the water molecule comes from a renewable source (sun, wind, tidal, oceanic and any other source). Green hydrogen is a hydrogen obtained from electrolysis of water with electricity generated by low-carbon power sources, which are often intermittent.

[0006] One way to assure that the H2 obtained by a process is completely green is to connect directly the H2 electrolyzer to a renewable energy source, which is usually intermittent, creating the problem of not being constantly available, depending on the natural frequency of each source.

[0007] Another way to assure that the H2 obtained by a process is completely green is to connect the electrolyser to an electrical network and consume the electricity when it is renewable.

[0008] The problem arises when the source of renewable energy for the production of H2 is intermittent, as is the case of the sun, wind and other renewable sources. H2 production peak is reached when natural sources are the most available such as sunny days, consistent wind, and on the opposite, reaches low levels when these sources are scarce, for example when there is no sun or no wind.

[0009] Another problem arises when connected to the electric grid, and the electrolyser is operated intermittently in order to consume renewable electricity and/or to optimize the price of that electricity.

[0010] Because of intermittent H2 production, assuring constant delivery of gas to the consumers requires the possibility to store it during high production periods and to supply it during low/no production periods.

[0011] The most common solution for storing any gas is to pressurize it. The effect is typically achieved by providing an external pressurized gas storage in order to maintain constant delivery pressure. However, this pressurized storage can be very costly and demanding from the technical point of view.

[0012] So far, the need for on-demand gas can be fulfilled with fossil natural gas, but the present disclosure provides a solution to deliver on-demand green gases while using intermittent renewable sources.

[0013] Gas networks, such as natural gas, biomethane, oxygen, nitrogen, CO2, hydrogen, steam, among others, have operated for centuries as the most efficient manner to distribute energy and gas to end consumers.

[0014] All previously known gas networks operate at a fairly constant pressure, with a dispatchable gas input, such as liquefied natural gas terminal, gas fields, oxygen or nitrogen plants, CO2 plants, among others, which production can be adjusted to match the demand level, hence keeping a fairly stable pressure level inside the network. [0015] Typically, high pressure transportation networks, such as gas transmission system operators are operated at a fairly constant high pressure, while low pressure networks are operated at a fairly constant low pressure.

[0016] Usually, the production in the network is adapted to the needs for consumption, based on constant pressure.

[0017] As the need for decarbonization increases, it has become mandatory to inject renewable gases (green gases) both in pre-existing and also new gas networks. This production units, often based on intermittent renewable energy such as wind and solar, has a very limited margin to be operated on demand.

[0018] On the other end of the gas network, consumers still need on demand delivery of gas to ensure a reliable and continuous operation matching their need.

[0019] One aspect of the invention is that the gas is preferably as much pressurized as possible to optimize the volume of gas stored as much as possible.

[0020] In a particularly relevant embodiment of the present invention the gas, particularly H2, in a pipeline is used as a gas storage itself. It uses the pressure of the pipeline as storage for the gas, the pressure being controlled depending on the supply and demand chain.

[0021] In an embodiment, a pipeline is operating under variable pressure instead of a fixed operating pressure. This provides the technical advantage of adjusting the pressure both to the volume of gas existing in the pipeline and to the relation between the supply and demand of the same gas.

[0022] In particular, the present invention manages the intermittent input of renewable gases, characteristic from renewable energy sources, in such a way that it eliminates the dependency on the frequency of the renewable source. This invention is especially relevant to decentralize renewable energy production, allowing local use of renewable energy in the form of renewable gases without requiring the structure of a dedicated interconnected grid, assuring local demand in a self-managed way. It integrates the flexibility of highly intermittent renewable gas production to ensure a constant supply of these gases to end users, being particularly needed for decentralized green gases supply. The present disclosure provides a solution to optimize intermittency management, consequently unlocking on demand delivery of renewable gases, paving the way for reliable decentralized green gases networks.

[0023] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a reliable, on demand, supply of green H2 produced from intermittent solar, wind or any renewable source of electricity.

[0024] The present invention overcomes the reliability issue faced by the renewable gases industry as the pipeline network system will build up the required pressure and volume during the production periods to maintain the continuity of supply during the periods with low or no production.

[0025] These facts are disclosed in order to illustrate the technical problem addressed by the present disclosure.

General Description

[0026] The present invention discloses the following approach: a large pipeline system is provided, the volume of the pipeline having a storage capacity ready to face the demand of gas, particularly H2, as it builds up.

[0027] In an embodiment, a pipeline of green gas, particularly H2, is connected to a natural gas grid to inject the excess of a gas, particularly H2, when pressure inside the pipeline reaches its maximum.

[0028] The present invention discloses a novel approach comprising the following concepts: a gas network is designed for high pressure, high pressure in the context of the present application being from 90 bar to a maximum of 700 bar; the gas in is usually non dispatchable (for example, green hydrogen produced from wind or solar in an embodiment); the gas obtained is usually on demand at low pressure, such as <1 bar; the strategic integration of a high pressure natural gas network allows an additional stabilisation upon reaching a limit value of pressure inside the pipeline; The present disclosure is designed with a very high volume, and low flow, using the network volume as storage, with preferred dimensions of 10-inch (around 25 cm) diameter and 20 km length pipeline which operates from 1 to 90 bar.

[0029] The present invention allows to manage significantly the intermittency of renewable energy, and significantly reducing the investment in dedicated storage, hence increasing the competitiveness of the gas, while showing an environmental benefit.

[0030] In an embodiment, storage gas is supplied at the production site and/or at the consumer site, in order to increase the storage capacity of the network as the demand increases.

[0031] In an embodiment, the excess of gas produced is injected in a grid of natural gas network, in order not to waste any gas produced, when the pipeline reaches its maximum pressure (dotted line with triangle markers at Fig. 1 for an example of maximum pressure of 80 bar).

[0032] A particular embodiment is scaling up the present invention. It is encompassed in the present application providing a pipeline with increased dimensions and respective increased systems of gas production.

[0033] In an embodiment, once before an increase of the access to the gas, particularly green hydrogen, transiting through the TSO pipeline, the network becomes a natural extension of the TSO network.

[0034] In an embodiment, the present disclosure is scaled up to pan European Transmission system Operator (TSO) operating at variable pressure to help manage low wind and low sun periods at European level. These teachings are not restricted to any geographic region, being within the scope of the present disclosure its application to any TSO.

[0035] In an embodiment, contrary to the usual gas networks that operate at constant pressure or close to constant, the present network operates from minimum pressure from 1 bar up to 90 bar, and therefore acts as a buffer or storage in order to manage green gas, particularly H2, production intermittency and industrial energy demand requirements. [0036] In an embodiment, the instrumentation required in orderto manage the network of the present invention is presented in Table 1.

Table 1 - Instrumentation required to manage the network of the present disclosure

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a gas network system for decentralized management of the network comprising a common control system, a renewable energy source, means for producing a green gas, an injection point of the green gas produced in a gas grid, a pipeline gas network and means for storing the excess of green gas produced, wherein the means for storing are enclosed in the gas network system.

[0038] For "decentralized management" it is intended the ability to operate and manage the full network partially or totally independently of the national electric and gas grids. [0039] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system wherein the green gas is H2, O2, natural gas, biomethane, oxygen, nitrogen and/or CO2.

[0040] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system wherein the pipeline comprises motorized valves and/or flow meters and combinations thereof.

[0041] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system further comprising a motorized operated valve, a motorized flow control valve, a pressure indicator transmitter, a temperature indicator transmitter a pressure safety valve, a check valve and a flow transmitter.

[0042] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for decentralizing a gas network production system according to the present invention comprising the steps of: i) compressing of the green gas into a pipeline network at pressures from 0 to 700 bar, preferably O to 100 bar, even more preferably I to 90 bar, in particular 80 bar; ii) monitoring and controlling the pipeline network through means for monitoring and controlling, preferably a plurality of motorized valves, flow meters, pressure and temperature gauges and transmitters, level gauges and transmitters, pressure safety valves, gas chromatographs, among others.

[0043] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method wherein when the production rate equals the demand for consumption of the green gas, the system will work at constant pressure, i.e., the system will deliver the green gas at the same rate of the demand.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method wherein when the production rate is higher than the demand for consumption of the green gas, the system will build up the pressure until maximum pressure.

[0045] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method wherein after the point where maximum pressure allowed is reached the system will inject the gas excess in the public natural gas grid to maintain the maximum working pressure.

[0046] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method wherein when the production rate is lower than the demand for consumption of green gas, the system will decrease the pressure until the minimum pressure, moment when delivery of green gas to industry is reduced and then interrupted.

[0047] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method further comprising the step of building up the pressure until its maximum when production of the green gas restarts.

[0048] In another embodiment the present disclosure relates to the use of the system or the method of the present invention in data management, particularly by integrating production power market data and meteorological data to anticipate renewable production.

[0049] In another embodiment the present disclosure relates to the use of the system or the method of the present invention in renewable gas tracking.

[0050] In another embodiment the present disclosure relates to the use of the system or the method of the present invention in prediction and optimization of data management and interface across the value chain.

[0051] In another embodiment the present disclosure relates to the use of the system or the method of the present invention for heat intensive industries or water treatment stations.

[0052] Additionally, the pipe diameter is today limited by the property of the pipe materials and the nature of the green gas, in particular H2, damages are common within the pipe material by processes such as hydrogen embrittlement and hydrogen-induced cracking. As a consequence, pipes comprising carbon steel or specific coated steel are exposed to these risks.

[0053] In an embodiment, the development of new materials is encompassed in the present invention and improves the resistance of pipes to the aforementioned processes, leading to larger pipes and thus increasing flow and storage capacity.

[0054] In a further embodiment, stacking of the pipelines according to the present invention is disclosed. The ability to stack pipes side by side in the same trench is an effective way to multiply flow and storage capacity of the green gas, in particular H2, within the network while working with medium size pipes. Medium size pipes (from 25cm-50cm diameter, as an example) are reliable, easily supplied and maintained, at reasonable costs.

[0055] In a further embodiment, a pipe according to the system of the present invention is enclosed into another pipe, being a system of two pipes of different diameters, enabling the system of the present invention to allow two different flows being handled separately within the same grid.

[0056] In a further embodiment, several tubes are coupled one after another on its longitudinal ends, then forming a pipeline according to the present invention. As a consequence, this modular configuration of the pipeline has the advantage of a very resistant design of this storage equipment, providing a reliable high pressure hydrogen grid.

[0057] In a further embodiment, extending the length of the green gas pipe network with non-straight sections such as curves and turns would increase the overall volume of the green gas grid and provide more storage capacity.

[0058] In a further embodiment, a hybrid solution to reduce the portion of the grid at high pressure is to design the green gas pipe network as a two levels network: one central high pressure green gas pipe, the "spine", going from the green gas production plant to the Natural Gas Grid injection point. In an embodiment, branching out from this spine, secondary sections at lower operating pressure deliver the green gas to off-takers and low-pressure consumption points.

[0059] In a further embodiment, if the green gas grid is unable to evacuate the green gas through its normal outputs (direct offtakes delivery and natural gas grid injection), the green gas production is assured using an alternative way of delivery to offtakes: road tube trailers. This solution offers a flexible way of handling the green gas grid, especially when its delivery capacity is limited.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0060] The following figures provide preferred embodiments for illustrating the disclosure and should not be seen as limiting the scope of invention. [0061] For purposes of interpreting the Figures, the following reference numbers are given in Table 2.

Table 2 - Legend of the Figures

[0062] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the network management showing how the network operates with one intermittent green H2 source, namely a hybrid solar/wind electricity plant connected to a H2 plant, some "on demand consumers" aggregated as one overall industrial consumer and H2 injection in the NG.

The chart covers 4 days (96 hours) of normal operation of the pipeline network system.

The continuous line represents intermittent hydrogen production in % of nominal production capacity. The production mainly occurs during the day time following the solar cycle pattern, and wind electricity comes additionally both during day and night.

The dotted line with round makers represents the industry consumption demand requirement in % nominal production capacity of the H2 plant.

The dotted line with triangle markers represents the flow quantity injected into the Natural Gas National System network (grid) in Nm ³ /h.

The dotted line with no markers represents the pipeline network system pressure in bar.

Day 1: Until 6am, the industry consumes hydrogen stored in the pipeline. Because during that period there is limited hydrogen production because of no solar electricity, the pipeline network system releases the stored hydrogen at suffix rate decreasing the overall pressure in the system. Immediately after 6am the production of hydrogen starts building up the pressure as the production rate becomes higher than the industry demand. When the pressure and volume stored in the pipeline network reaches the maximum of its capability, injection into the grid initiates, from after 9pm the hydrogen production decreases and injection into the grid stops. Immediately after 10pm hydrogen production reaches a low because of the night period and the industry consumes the stored hydrogen accumulated during the day, then the overall pipeline network pressure and volume decrease. Days 2, 3 and 4: The overall process is repeated in the following days.

[0063] Figure 2 illustrates a possible configuration of a European H2 backbone. This figure represents the EU H2 backbone and its connection with various countries. Green Gases produced in each country and not consumed domestically will be injected into the EU H2 backbone to be transported and distributed to countries that do not produce Green Gases enough to supply internal needs.

[0064] Figure 3 illustrates a possible configuration of a pipeline gas network per location.

[0065] Figure 4 illustrates a possible configuration of the means for production of H2 - Detail A.

[0066] Figure 5 illustrates a possible configuration of means for offtakes consumption - Detail B.

[0067] Figure 6 illustrates a possible configuration of the injection point in a gas grid.

[0068] Figure 7 illustrates one central high pressure H2 pipe, the "spine", going from the H2 production plant to the Natural Gas Grid injection point. From this spine, secondary sections at lower operating pressure would deliver H2 to off-takers and low-pressure consumption points.

Detailed Description

[0069] The present invention discloses a gas network system for monitoring and controlling the operation of an entire gas network, from the renewable energy source (solar, wind, among others) until the end users.

[0070] In an embodiment, a control system is provided to monitor, control and operate the full network, comprising a control panel with the respective control system. In an embodiment, the control system is supported by a software which comprises a management system and a network data management system. [0071] In an embodiment, the management system describes how the network shall work, what are the interlocks' management procedure, what are the actions when certain alarms are triggered, how to manage the flow per end user, how to arbitrate certain actions against the current reads, among others. The management system definitions when integrated with dedicated software will allow, with the support of Programmable Logic Controller 's and SCADA to operate the network of the present disclosure.

[0072] In an embodiment, the management system integrates data coming from the system input and output constraints: consumption patterns from the industrial consumers, renewable electricity production estimates coming from weather forecast and production models - allowing anticipation- and real time data from these sources to allow live control of the network. In addition, in a further embodiment, internal information from the H2 production and pipeline system combines with the rest of the information in order to solve the network optimal functioning, with anticipative behaviours analysis and real-time correction of the afore-mentioned predictions.

[0073] The present invention discloses a system comprising a common control system, a renewable energy source, means for producing a green gas, particularly H2, an injection point in a gas grid and a pipeline gas network.

[0074] In an embodiment the common control system is provided to fully monitor and operate the entire network, from the renewable source unit - green gas production - pipelines to the consumer and national gas grid, and has the following technical configuration: it is supported by a software which contains the system definitions and the network data management system using artificial intelligence; the definitions do not change as the pipeline length or section diameter increases or decreases; the definitions are to be escalated, i.e., to be able to monitor and control additional pipelines, renewable gases producers and consumers, from local and international levels (Fig. 4, EU hydrogen backbone for example).

[0075] In an embodiment the renewable energy source has the following features: to produce green gas it is required to feed the gas, particularly H2, unit with green renewable energy such as from photovoltaic units, wind units, and the like; this type of renewable energy source is intermittent. The intermittency behaviour curve is observed and varies throughout the day, night, climate conditions and season of the year; this intermittency is especially strong when renewable electricity production unit is directly connected to renewable gases production unit.

[0076] In an embodiment the means for producing green gas, for example H2, have the following technical configuration (Detail A): the H2 is produced in the stacks and compressed into the pipeline network through the compression unit; buffers / storage tanks are installed, preferably in parallel, in accordance with the storage and production requirements over the time; the flow meter will measure the volumes of H2 produced and compressed into the pipeline network and two flow meters are installed in parallel for redundancy, testing and operation with respective isolation valves; a pressure reduction system is required to decrease from the mainline pressure (30 bar result of the electrolyser outlet pressure) to the optimal required pressure of the Gas Chromatograph / Calorimeter (20 to 100 mbar); the gas Chromatograph / Calorimeter reads the purity of H2 produced and creates the required reports; the entire unit is equipped with motorized operated valves allowing local and remote control.

[0077] In an embodiment the means for offtakes consumption, preferably located in offtakes premises, have the following technical configuration (Figure 7):

The management system of the present invention monitors and operates until the battery limit on the end user's side. From that point, the end users will have full control of their process heat requirements;

A primary pressure reduction system is provided to decrease the mainline pressure (90 bar) to the optimal required pressure of the consumer process, preferably O to 300 mbar); Buffers / storage tanks are installed, preferably in parallel, in accordance with the storage and production requirements over the time. This reinforces the storage capacity and the reliability of supply;

A secondary pressure reduction system is provided to decrease the pressure further to the optimal required pressure of the Gas Chromatograph / Calorimeter, preferably 20 to 100 mbar;

The gas chromatograph / calorimeter reads the composition of the mixed gas (in this particular embodiment, H2 with natural gas) and changes and stores the data via a specific ad hoc software. If the concentration of the two gases is not as per the requirements, the software communicates with SCADA and automatically rebalances the composition by operating the flow control valves and adjusting the gas flow;

The gas chromatograph / calorimeter reads the mixed gas composition, whose results are integrated to provide a analytical report;

Buffers / storage tanks are installed, preferably in parallel, in accordance with the storage and consumption requirements over the time;

The entire system comprises motorized operated valves allowing local and remote control.

[0078] In an embodiment the injection point in a regional gas grid covering a particular territory and has the following technical configuration:

The natural gas is extracted from the main pipeline via a bypass and sent to the dedicated primary pressure reduction system where the pressure will be decreased from 84 bar to 100-300mbar;

The green gas, particularly H2, from the pipeline gas network, is sent to the primary pressure reduction system where the pressure is decreased from 90 bar to 100- 300mbar;

Both gases will be metered and mixed inside the mix & injection station. The resulting mixed gas is reinjected into the national gas grid by a compressor at a desired pressure; A secondary pressure reduction system is provided to decrease the pressure further to the optimal required pressure of the Gas Chromatograph / Calorimeter, preferably 20 to 100 mbar;

The gas chromatograph / calorimeter reads the composition of the mixed gas (in this particular embodiment, H2 with natural gas) and changes and stores the data via a specific ad hoc software. If the concentration of the two gases is not as per the requirements, the software communicates with SCADA and automatically rebalances the composition by operating the flow control valves and adjusting the gas flow;

The gas chromatograph / calorimeter reads the mixed gas composition, whose results are integrated to provide a analytical report;

The entire system comprises motorized operated valves allowing local and remote control.

In an embodiment, the percentage of the gas, particularly H2, present in the mixed composition (in volume) does not overcome a defined percentage of the total natural gas. This limitation is variable and ir dependenton current limitations on the burners at residential and industrial levels to burn more than a certain percentage of H2.

[0079] In an embodiment, the necessary adaptations of the overall gas installations on Consumer's side, from pipes to burners and furnaces in order to be compatible with the system of the present system, are also encompassed in the scope of the present invention.

[0080] In an embodiment the pipeline gas network has the following technical configuration:

The pipeline network follows a tree structure where it comprises sections with common pipeline to several users and sections with dedicated pipelines to each user;

Motorized Operated Valves are installed in every intersection and tees to allow (where possible) full isolation of one line without the need to isolate unnecessary lines. For example, as per shown in the diagram, it is possible to shut down the consumer A and continue to supply the national grid and the consumer B; Each dedicated line at end user is equipped with flow meters to measure the volume of supply. Also, if the total sum of volumes of each meter differs from the total volume of the meter in the production unit, it allows to detect where leakages occur;

Each line is equipped with flow control valves that allows to dynamically vary the flow volume of supply to each end user accordingly to the specific need at certain point in time;

Each section between isolation valves is equipped with pressure and temperature transmitters to allow individual monitor. For safety reasons, each section is also equipped with pressure safety valves and vent lines in case the pressure goes above maximum allowed pressure;

Each section is equipped with pig's inlets and outlets to allow inspections and cleaning activities without shut down the full network;

Check valves are installed prior flow meters to prevent back flow and misleading reads in the flow meters.

[0081] In an embodiment, the software based on the system definitions itself, allows minimal operation autonomy based on the current reads. A HMI (Human Machine Interface) is required for human supervision and auxiliary operation.

[0082] In an embodiment, to step up in the level of autonomy of the system, the software is incorporated with the data management system. The data management system comprehends a strong component of artificial intelligence that when integrated with the system definitions performs data collection and data analysis over time, leading to a prediction of specific/group consumption/production patterns. For example, the system anticipates the curve of required energy supply for a consumer and predicts the periods when the consumer needs more or less volume of supply. This embodiment allows to allocate more volume of supply from one consumer to another, and to manage stocks and production of H2 accordingly, in a very fluid manner.

[0083] In an embodiment, the software of the present disclosure is based on the network physical limits: gas/Hz intermittent production capacity, pipeline storage capacity and reactivity, end-users max and min acceptable volumes of gas/Hz, grid max injection capacity, as an example. These constraints will be set as the results of agreements with the different stakeholders of the network: end-users, gas/Hz producer, grid operator. Then, the integration of real-time data as well as predictive data will allow the software to anticipate the optimal functioning of the network, within the constraints of its functioning. It solves the optimal case to allocate gas/Hz volumes (input) using the several outputs solutions available. Afterwards, real-time adjustment of the optimal solution is conducted on a live basis by the software.

[0084] In an embodiment, the software of the present disclosure is in the field of artificial intelligence comprising machine learning technical features. Its prediction capacities and optimization skills are trained on large sets of data in order to reach very high performances matching industrial and safety requirements.

[0085] In an embodiment, when the total required volume by the end users is the same than the production capacity during a period of time, the system is balanced and two scenarios can occur:

If all end users consume exactly the same volume at the same time, then the system will only take actions if any alarm occur or the pipeline network pressure remains the same.

[0086] In an embodiment, when the required volume by end users is less than the production capacity during a period of time, the following scenarios can occur:

If the total consumer A and B volume of supply demand is less than the production capacity, then the system will build up the pressure in the pipeline network to store unused energy.

If the pipeline network storage capacity reaches the maximum pressure and volume, then the system will open the MOV 7 and MOV 8 and inject into the grid at suffix rate to maintain the volume capacity in the pipeline network at maximum.

As explained, the volume of H2 injected into the grid is a percentage of the total volume of natural gas. If that percentage is met and still the production capacity is higher than the required volume of supply, then the system will decrease the production rate up to optimal required levels. In that case the electricity not required by the electrolyzer can be injected in the HV electrical grid, or electricity production capacity can be disconnected. All this process is monitored and operated by the system without human intervention.

[0087] In an embodiment, when the required volume by end users is more than the production capacity during a period of time, the volume of supply requirements is higher than the production capacity and the following scenario occurs:

A priority supply order is be set up accordingly with contractual agreements, 'take as produced' or 'on demand'. For example:

- Consumer A Energy Supply is 80% of contractual green hydrogen, the other 20% being supplied with fossil natural gas. then;

- Consumer B Energy Supply is 60% of contractual green hydrogen, the other 40% being supplied with fossil natural gas. then;

- Consumer C Energy Supply 70% of contractual green hydrogen, the other 30% being supplied with fossil natural gas.

Then the system will decrease the pressure in the pipeline network to use the energy stored.

Once the pressure reaches its minimum operating level, then the delivery of Green Hydrogen will be cut off: 100% of gas requirement will be covered by fossil natural gas.

Example

Using a typical day of production, production can be lower than required supply during a certain period, whereas during some hours of the day production sets higher than demand. Let's consider the below example for a green H2 production unit connected to a PV plant (solar energy).

Table 3 - Example of 24h of the pipeline network system operation [0088] In this example it is considered a PV plant and a common production load capacity of industry during day/night.

[0089] Considering the process flow diagrams and its integration with the proposed network system definitions and network data management, we overcome the issue of the intermittency faced by the industry. The renewable energy source and the H2 unit need to be designed based on simulation to achieve higher rates of production during some periods of the day then enabling storage while supplying end users.

[0090] In this example, from 8am to 5pm the production rate is higher than the required volume of supply. The system will understand this, balance the volumes of supply to end users and build up the pressure and volume inside the pipeline network.

[0091] From 6am to 7am and 6pm to 7pm the production rate equals the required volume of supply, the system will automatically stop building the pressure inside the pipeline network and supply end users as per their requirements. The pressure inside the pipeline network will be kept to the maximum capacity as the production rate equals the supply requirements.

[0092] At 5am and from 7pm to 9pm, the production rate is lower than the required volume of supply. In this case the pipeline network system will release pipeline pressure and volume at suitable rate in order to meet the end user requirements of supply.

[0093] From 9pm to 4am, the production rate is zero. In this case the pipeline network system will release pipeline pressure at suitable rate to meet the end user requirements of supply.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment the present invention further discloses an Intelligent Production and Demand Forecast with the following technical configuration:

If different end users have different needs of supply (over the day and night for example), the system will collect the data and identify the consumption pattern of each consumer. After acquiring these patterns of consumption, the system will be able to predict and, on priori basis, allocate the required volumes of supply where required.

Similar prediction capabilities are developed for the Green Hydrogen production based on wind and solar pattern If the pattern punctually changes, the system will adapt quickly.

[0095] The present invention is not limited to H2. In an embodiment it is applicable to all gases, such as natural gas, biomethane, oxygen, nitrogen, CO2, steam, among others.

[0096] In an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to renewable sources, any network with intermittency management requirement, or demand side constraint being foreseen.

[0097] In an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to renewable solar or wind-based production, but other renewable and fossil production processes are encompassed.

[0098] In an embodiment, the network operating pressure range is from to 1 bar to 90 bar.

[0099] In another embodiment, the network operating pressure ranges from 0 bar to 700 bar, typically wherein the gas is H2.

[00100] In an embodiment, the network size is of 25 inches.

[00101] In another embodiment, the network size is from 24 to 48 inches.

[00102] In another embodiment, the network volume is 80-95% and is extended to centralized and decentralized scenarios and respective capacities allowing a bigger intermittency management.

[00103] In a particular embodiment, the present invention discloses a process for the production of gas, particularly for energy flow optimization from a source in order to deliver on demand gas to an end user.

[00104] The process of the present invention is not limited to a specific pressure value or range, being foreseen its optimization to adjust the flow, the purity of the gas and possibly the mix level with natural gas depending on end customer energy requirements.

[00105] The present decentralized network approach allows a refined network management solution and optimization. [00106] The innovation is not limited to simple network data, but also considers end user process data input to manage and anticipate the consumption needs, also taking into account the production data, and meteorological data to anticipate renewable production.

[00107] It is within the scope of the invention to provide a decentralized gas comprising the injection of green gas in the natural gas network of a determined location.

[00108] In a further object of the invention, the use of green O2 from electrolysis is provided for glass furnace industry, water treatment or any other O2 consuming industry.

[00109] For the purposes of the invention, other gases are included.

[00110] In a particular embodiment of the invention, new pipe materials, new systems of injection of gases in excess, a bi-directional injection system, new means for pressurizing/depressurizing, new means for gas flow and speed management, new end usage applications based on pressure management, or mixture management are provided.

[00111] In yet another embodiment of the invention, new algorithms for prediction and optimization of data management and interface across the value chain are provided.

[00112] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a new green gas tracking system is provided.

[00113] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a new pressure management storage integrated in the network is also provided.

[00114] The disclosure should not be seen in any way restricted to the embodiments described and a person with ordinary skill in the art will foresee many possibilities to modifications thereof.

[00115] The above-described embodiments are combinable.

[00116] The following claims further set out particular embodiments of the disclosure.