Network Development Plan 2022
Steps in the work process
With the final Gas Network Development Plan (NEP) 2022-2032 published today, the transmission system operators are presenting their plans for a secure and sustainable gas supply in Germany. The transmission system operators are thus implementing the BNetzA’s change request of December 21, 2023. The process of the Gas NDP 2022-2032 is therefore completed.
Detailed information on the Gas NDP 2022-2032 is provided in the publicly accessible Gas NDP database.
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Federal Network Agency submits amendment request for the NDP Gas 2022-2032
On 21.12.2023, the Federal Network Agency submitted a request for amendments to the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 to the transmission system operators.
The amendment request confirms the majority of the measures proposed by the transmission system operators. Eight measures proposed by the TSOs are to be removed from the NDP, one measure is to be replaced by an alternative and one measure is to be added. The NDP Gas 2022-2032 thus comprises a total of 133 measures with an investment volume of around 4.1 billion euros.
The TSOs must submit the change request in accordance with section 15a para. 3 sentence 5 EnWG within three months.
The amendment request is available on the website of the Federal Network Agency.
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Transmission system operators accelerate switch from L-gas to H-gas in 2028 and 2029
The transmission system operators are once again increasing the pace of the L-H gas changeover and are bringing forward the changeover of around 135,000 appliances from 2029 to 2028.
You can find the entire article under Downloads.
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Gas NDP 2022-2032: A milestone on the way to the diversification of import sources and permanent independence from Russian gas
Today, the German gas transmission system operators (TSOs) presented their draft Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032, which reflects the fundamental shift in Germany’s energy supply. The proposal is designed to facilitate the changes needed for the network to accommodate the new LNG supplies into Germany and Europe and allow greater use of western import routes while also reflecting reduced gas demand as well as efforts to switch to hydrogen with a view to making Germany fully independent of Russian gas.
Gas consumption in Germany is expected to decline by at least 20 percent by 2032. However, this alone will not suffice to restore the supply/demand balance, which is why Russian gas is to be replaced primarily by LNG. These are the main parameters of the draft Gas Network Development Plan 2022- 2032 presented today by the TSOs. According to their calculations, the proposed projects will require some 4.4 billion euros of investment, 1.9 billion of which will be network expansion projects for new LNG facilities.
After the warm weather, the extensive use of redundant infrastructure and a reduction in gas demand helped to ensure security of supply during the last heating season, the task now is to make the transmission network more resilient to the changes facing the gas industry while at the same time gaining independence from Russian gas and increasing the diversification of import sources.
FNB Gas Chairman Dr Thomas Gößmann said: “A reliable energy supply is an absolute must for the people in Germany and for the country’s competitiveness as industrial location. That is why we have been working flat out since the start of Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine to adapt our network to the massive changes in the geopolitical and energy industry landscape.”
After the modelling was originally based on the confirmed Scenario Framework of 20 January 2022, the Federal Network Agency and the gas transmission system operators jointly developed modelling variants to partially replace Russian gas and published the results as an interim status report in July 2022. In a next step, the TSOs then developed modelling variants ensuring permanent independence from Russian gas through LNG. These were confirmed by BNetzA in the partially revisioned 2022 Scenario Framework of 11 November 2022.
A total of 31 comments were received as part of the public consultation from 16 December 2022 to 31 January 2023. These comments are published on the FNB Gas website. However, they provide no clear indication as to possible preferences for a network expansion proposal.
The TSOs have now decided to propose the LNGplus C variant for the envisaged network expansion. The gas infrastructure underlying this variant offers flexibility between LNG capacity expansion projects focussing on the German North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts (as in variant B) and the option to import more gas from neighbouring Western European countries. “At this point in time, it is still open which capacities will actually be built at the German LNG sites,” said Inga Posch, Managing Director of FNB Gas. “At the same time, neighbouring network operators have indicated that they are able to make additional capacities available at the cross-border interconnection points. It makes sense to use these access points to LNG facilities in Western Europe to maximise availability and flexibility as soon as possible.”
Absence of a legal basis delays investment in the transition to hydrogen
The draft document also contains an analysis of which gas transmission pipelines could potentially be repurposed for hydrogen by 2027 and thus become part of the proposed hydrogen network presented in July 2022. According to the analysis, three quarters of the roughly 2,000 km of gas pipelines in question could be converted to hydrogen without natural gas reinforcement measures. Given the continued absence of a legal basis, projects to establish a hydrogen transmission network are neither part of the expansion proposal nor are they included in the capex estimate.
Dr Thomas Gößmann: “The economic potential for hydrogen is huge. Policymakers do not have to reinvent the wheel to enable the decarbonisation of industry right now. Natural gas and hydrogen have so much in common that we can continue to use existing structures and processes easily and efficiently. Time-consuming discussions about the pros and cons of a new network company won’t get us anywhere.”
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On the occasion of the consultation on the Gas NDP 2022-2032, the transmission system operators held a workshop on January 24, 2022, which was attended by representatives of all levels of the value chain. In addition to expert presentations by the transmission system operators, the Federal Network Agency presented its initial assessment of the consultation document. In addition to expert presentations by the transmission system operators, the Federal Network Agency presented its initial assessment of the consultation document.
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The German transmission system operators would like to invite you to a web-based workshop on the occasion of the publication of the consultation document on the Network Development Plan Gas 2022-2032.
The web-based workshop will be held on January 24, 2023 from 10:00 am to approximately 3:00 pm.
All information about the workshop can be found in the pdf document in the downloads. Please confirm your attendance by emailing info@fnb-gas.de by January 19, 2023.
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TSOs launch consultation on Gas NDP 2022-2032: Transmission capacities for LNG facilities help to ensure secure energy supplies
The German gas transmission system operators (TSOs) have today launched their consultation process on the Gas Network Development Plan (Gas NDP) 2022-2032. The new LNGplus security of supply variants reflect the dramatically changed supply situation. The TSOs are therefore pushing ahead with projects to connect LNG facilities and provide the necessary transmission capacities. The first LNG facilities will be connected to the grid by the end of 2022.
Dr Thomas Gößmann, Chairman of the Board of FNB Gas, said: “Security of supply is a precious asset for the people in Germany and for the country as an industrial location. The gas TSOs are doing all they can to adapt the pipeline transmission system as quickly as possible to the changed geopolitical situation and energy industry requirements to continue to ensure secure and, in the future, climateneutral gas transmission.”
The Gas NDP 2022-2032 is based on the Scenario Framework confirmed by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) in January 2022 as well as the BNetzA’s more recent decision of 11 November 2022 on the supplemented Scenario Framework. Market players can now submit their comments on the Gas NDP 2022-2032 consultation document until 31 January 2023. A virtual consultation workshop will be held on 24 January 2023.
The changes in the energy landscape have a major impact on network development planning in Germany. With their LNGplus supply security variants developed in consultation with BNetzA, the TSOs have made appropriate modifications to their Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 to responded to new challenges such as greatly changed load flows.
The two most efficient LNGplus supply security variants differ in terms of their supply routes in Germany. The two most efficient LNGplus supply security variants differ in terms of their supply routes in Germany. The CAPEX requirements for the necessary network expansions are very similar at around 4.1 and 4.2 billion euros. For this reason, the TSOs have decided not to make any specific network expansion proposal at this stage and put the expansion projects for the LNGplus supply security variants up for consultation.
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Publication of interim status of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022 – 2032: “Special times call for special measures”.
In recent weeks and months, the transmission system operators (TSOs) have been working at full speed to provide initial answers to the new gas industry conditions resulting from the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, as part of the current gas network development plan. “
Not only in terms of security policy, but also in terms of energy policy, we must speak of a turning point in time,
says CEO Dr. Thomas Gößmann. “As a result, the TSOs were not able to present the current NEP in the form and content as usual submit The changing situation requires, to a much greater extent, diversifying our energy sources and accelerating the shift from natural gas to green and carbon-neutral gases like hydrogen.”
With the three new LNG security of supply variants, the TSOs show how the connection of LNG plants and the transmission of LNG volumes for a partial replacement of Russian natural gas volumes can be taken into account on the network side. Changes in load flows have also played an important role in the network calculations. The BNetzA has asked the TSOs to calculate further LNG variants, especially with a view to fully replacing Russian natural gas volumes. The TSOs intend to publish these in the second part, the consultation document for the NDP Gas 2022-2032. “To meet the political timetable, TSOs are ready to implement LNG measures on an accelerated basis. To this end, the legal requirements must be created in the short term and the measures confirmed in a timely manner.“ explains Inga Posch, FNB Gas Managing Director.
The new gas industry framework also makes the development of the hydrogen infrastructure more urgent than ever. The demand reports from the WEB market survey of spring 2021 (hydrogen demand and generation and green gases) have already increased the Germany-wide hydrogen network in 2032 to up to 8,500 km pipeline length in the hydrogen variant.
“We expect the demand for hydrogen transport to continue to rise sharply in the future in order to achieve the ambitious climate targets and to reduce our dependence on Russian natural gas as quickly as possible,” explains Posch.
Posch explains. In order to make the process of developing the hydrogen network even more transparent and open, the hydrogen variant was modeled for the first time jointly by the TSOs and other potential hydrogen network operators.
“With the new planning processes, the network operators have laid the foundation for future hydrogen network development planning. Now it is up to the politicians to anchor integrated gas and hydrogen network planning in law for the next NEP.”
Posch reminds us in conclusion.
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Postponement of the publication of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022 – 2032
Due to the current geopolitical situation, the transmission system operators intend to take the significant changes in the context of the German gas industry into account in the Gas Network Development Plan 2022 – 2032.
The publication of the consultation document on the Gas Network Development Plan 2022 – 2032 and the subsequent consultation period have therefore been postponed. The transmission system operators are currently in close consultation with the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) regarding the new time table for publication. The public will be informed in a timely manner about the further schedule.
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Pipeline network infrastructures for the development of the potential German hydrogen network within the Gas NDP 2022-2032.
Last year, the transmission system operators (TSOs) called on pipeline infrastructure operators to report existing and specifically planned pipeline systems for the transport of hydrogen for consideration in the hydrogen variant of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 and the Hydrogen Report pursuant to Section 28q EnWG.
With the call, the TSOs wanted to ensure that as many as possible of the transport requirements resulting from the WEB market query could be efficiently provided at an early stage. The feedback, together with the TSOs’ pipeline network components that can be converted to hydrogen, form the basis for modeling the potential hydrogen network.
As of March 18, 2022, the TSOs have received 218 relevant reports for modeling through 2032. The detailed results of the existing and concretely planned pipeline systems for the transport of hydrogen for consideration in the hydrogen variant of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032, are available under Downloads.
Background:
In the consultation document of the scenario framework for the gas network development plan 2022-2032 of June 21, 2021, the TSOs stated that they intend – analogous to the network development plan 2020-2030 – to model a separate hydrogen variant in the gas network development plan 2022-2032. As part of the modeling, a potential hydrogen transport network for the time points 2027 and 2032 is determined based on concrete capacity reports. This will help identify existing gas grid pipelines that can be converted to transport hydrogen.
For this purpose, the hydrogen query Generation and Demand WEB was used to determine the specific capacity requirements for hydrogen in the market up to the year 2032. A total of 500 capacity demand reports have been received by TSOs. The hydrogen network modeling takes into account the projects for which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been concluded with the TSOs by October 2021.
In the second step, the TSOs examine, firstly, which of the TSOs’ existing gas pipelines can be converted in order to determine an efficient hydrogen transport network. On the other hand, already existing hydrogen transport infrastructures as well as concretely planned conversions and network expansion projects for hydrogen of other infrastructure operators shall be considered in the modeling.
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Update of the L-/H-gas conversion planning in the gas network development plan 2022 – 2032
Against the background of the publication of the “Winter Report 2022” of the “Task Force Monitoring L-Gas Market Conversion”, the transmission system operators (TSOs) publish in advance components of the current L-H-Gas conversion planning of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 (Gas NDP 2022).
The main elements of the market area conversion planning remain stable in the Gas NDP 2022. Compared to the previous planning status, however, there is a further optimization of the market area conversion through early conversions, which means that the market area conversion in Germany will already be completed in 2029, as well as an adjustment of the expected L-gas import volumes from the Netherlands.
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In a publication dated December 17, 2021, FNB Gas e.V. called on current and potential hydrogen network operators to participate in the development of the process for a common hydrogen network in Germany. The invitation of the transmission system operators was accepted by 12 potential hydrogen network operators and together with the transmission system operators they developed, intensively discussed and approved the process.
On March 21, the modeling for the hydrogen variant will be started by potential hydrogen network operators who have participated in the process development of the positive planning and/or have reported pipeline infrastructure for hydrogen transport as well as the transmission system operators. Until the modeling of the hydrogen variant of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 is completed in May 2022, regular workshops will be held among stakeholders to develop the hydrogen variant.
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Extension of the call for data on existing and concrete planned pipeline network infrastructures and invitation to develop a process for the joint development of the future hydrogen network within the Gas NDP 2022-2032.
On October 5, 2021, the transmission system operators (TSOs) called on pipeline infrastructure operators to report existing and specifically planned pipeline systems for the transport of hydrogen for consideration in the hydrogen variant of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 and the Hydrogen Report pursuant to Section 28q EnWG.
As of October 29, TSOs have received 22 relevant notifications for modeling through 2032, including 8 new-build projects (about 50 km) and 14 notifications of lines that can be converted (about 320 km). There were 17 notifications from distribution system operators and 5 notifications from other infrastructure managers. The detailed results of this first call are available for download on the FNB Gas website.
With the call, the TSOs wanted to ensure that as many as possible of the transport requirements resulting from the WEB market query could be efficiently provided at an early stage. The feedback, together with the TSOs’ pipeline network components that can be converted to hydrogen, will form the basis for modeling the potential hydrogen network. Due to queries and additional expressions of interest from the market, the TSOs are extending their call for infrastructure notifications for consideration in the hydrogen variant of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 until March 18, 2022 (second call). Interested parties are asked to report their entries using this form.
Please send your completed form by the deadline to info@fnb-gas.de.
In addition, with this extended call, the TSOs invite current and potential hydrogen network operators to work together with the TSOs to develop a transparent process for the joint development of the future hydrogen network by mid-March 2022. Current and potential hydrogen network operators are invited to contact FNB Gas at info@fnb-gas.de by January 31, 2022. A kick-off workshop with interested hydrogen grid operators is scheduled for February 7, 2022.
Background:
In the consultation document of the scenario framework for the gas network development plan 2022-2032 of June 21, 2021, the TSOs stated that they intend – analogous to the network development plan 2020-2030 – to model a separate hydrogen variant in the gas network development plan 2022-2032. As part of the modeling, a potential hydrogen transport network for the time points 2027 and 2032 is determined based on concrete capacity reports. This will help identify existing gas grid pipelines that can be converted to transport hydrogen.
For this purpose, the hydrogen query Generation and Demand WEB was used to determine the specific capacity requirements for hydrogen in the market up to the year 2032. A total of 500 capacity demand reports have been received by TSOs. The hydrogen network modeling takes into account the projects for which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been concluded with the TSOs by October 2021.
In the second step, the TSOs examine, firstly, which of the TSOs’ existing gas pipelines can be converted in order to determine an efficient hydrogen transport network. On the other hand, already existing hydrogen transport infrastructures as well as concretely planned conversions and network expansion projects for hydrogen of other infrastructure operators shall be considered in the modeling.
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The transmission system operators (TSOs) intend to publish the draft gas network development plan for 2022-2032 on July 1, 2022, and submit it to the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA).
The TSOs have started work on the preparation of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032. The publication of the consultation document and the additional public workshop offered by the TSOs are expected to take place in May 2022.
As part of the preparation of the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032, the TSOs are currently carrying out extensive evaluations and specific network calculations. Furthermore, in parallel to the NDP, the TSOs perform additional tasks required by law, such as processing the coal phase-out scenario according to the NDP. § Section 54 KVBG and of supply security scenarios. The gratifyingly high participation in the Hydrogen Generation and Demand (WEB) market survey is also leading to extensive modeling of the future hydrogen network. The development of the hydrogen network will also be carried out for the first time by the TSOs together with interested pipeline network infrastructure operators in a process that has yet to be worked out.
The TSOs will inform the market in good time of the relevant dates and deadlines.
Background: The Network Development Plan Gas 2022-2032 is based on the scenario framework, which has to be confirmed by the BNetzA according to § 15 a EnWG. The scenario framework for the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032 was published by the TSOs on 21.06.2021 and made available for consultation until 16.07.2021. The TSOs submitted the revised scenario framework to the BNetzA for confirmation on August 16, 2021. The BNetzA published the scenario framework submitted by the TSOs on the authority’s website on December 1, 2021. The TSOs expect the scenario framework to be confirmed at the beginning of 2022.
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By 1 October, the promoters of more than 250 projects with a total demand of 165 TWh had concluded memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the corresponding transmission system operators (TSOs).
“We are impressed by the high response rate. This shows that the demand for transport until 2032 is real and that we need to start building the hydrogen infrastructure in Germany as soon as possible so that the transport infrastructure is also available in time,” says FNB Gas Chairman of the board, Dr. Thomas Gößmann.
For the Gas Network Development Plan 2022-2032, the transmission system operators carried out the Hydrogen Generation and Demand (WEB) market survey in spring 2021. The reports on the WEB show the concrete capacity requirements for the transport of hydrogen in the market up to the year 2032.
“Now that a large number of project sponsors have concretely demonstrated an intention to implement, we can specify the necessary conversions of natural gas pipelines to hydrogen, the need for new construction of hydrogen pipelines as well as necessary reinforcement measures in the natural gas network,” said Inga Posch, FNB Gas Managing Director. The signing of a MoU is foreseen as a prerequisite for projects to be considered as input in the 2022-2032 Gas Network Development Plan. The MoUs contain, among other things, information on the specific capacity requirements and the planned commissioning.
On the basis of the MoU concluded, the transmission system operators have revised Annex 2 published as part of the scenario framework.
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Call for data on existing and concrete planned pipeline network infrastructures for the development of the potential German hydrogen network within the Gas NDP 2022-2032.
The transmission system operators (TSOs) call on pipeline infrastructure operators to report existing and specifically planned pipeline systems for the transport of hydrogen for consideration in the hydrogen variant of the Gas Network Development Plan (Gas NDP) 2022-2032 and the hydrogen report pursuant to Section 28q EnWG.
In the consultation document of the scenario framework for the gas network development plan 2022-2032 of June 21, 2021, the TSOs stated that they intend – analogous to the network development plan gas 2020-2030 – to model a separate hydrogen variant in the gas network development plan 2022-2032. As part of the modeling, a potential hydrogen transport network for the time points 2027 and 2032 is determined based on concrete capacity reports. This will help identify existing gas grid pipelines that can be converted to transport hydrogen.
For this purpose, the hydrogen query Generation and Demand WEB was used to determine the specific capacity requirements for hydrogen in the market up to the year 2032. A total of 500 capacity demand reports have been received by TSOs. The hydrogen network modeling takes into account the projects for which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been concluded with the TSOs by October 2021.
In the second step, the TSOs examine which existing gas pipelines of the TSOs can be converted in order to determine an efficient hydrogen transport network. On the other hand, already existing hydrogen transport infrastructures as well as concretely planned conversions and network expansion projects for hydrogen of other pipeline network infrastructure operators shall also be considered in the modeling.
With this call, the TSOs want to ensure that as many as possible of the transport requirements resulting from the WEB market query can be efficiently provided at an early stage. The call is addressed to operators of pipeline infrastructures. Interested parties are requested to submit their reports within the next four weeks using the form provided on the FNB Gas website. Consideration of the reports in the hydrogen variant of the Gas NDP 2022-2032 can take place, provided that a fully completed form is submitted to the TSOs by 29.10.2021 on the relevant pipeline network infrastructure. The basic prerequisite for consideration is transparent, non-discriminatory network access for all network users.
These reports are then integrated into the network development planning process. Subsequently, the TSOs will coordinate the further procedure with the operators of these pipeline network infrastructures until the publication of the NDP Gas 2022-2032.
The results of the hydrogen modeling will be published transparently in the NEP Gas and the NEP Gas database as well as used for the preparation of the hydrogen report according to § 28q EnWG.
Please send your form by 29.10.2021 to: info@fnb-gas.de
