Active Flow Control in Low-Pressure Gas Distribution Networks to Enable Increased Biomethane Integration

The integration of biomethane into existing gas distribution networks is a key component of the energy transition, but its implementation is often limited by local network constraints. This study investigates the impact of local pressure losses on biomethane injection capacity in a real-world low-pressure (100 mbar(g)) gas distribution network and evaluates the potential of active flow control (AFC) as a solution.
Using the simulation software IRENE Pro, a detailed model of an operational 100 mbar(g) distribution network was developed. Steady-state simulations were performed under low-demand conditions, representing a conservative scenario for injection capacity. The results show that local hydraulic bottlenecks, caused by frictional pressure losses in specific pipeline sections, can significantly limit the transport of biomethane, even when overall network capacity is sufficient.
To address this limitation, a gas blower was introduced as an AFC measure to locally increase pressure and compensate for pressure losses. This intervention increased the maximum biomethane injection capacity from 57 m³/h to 100 m³/h, demonstrating that targeted pressure control can unlock substantial additional capacity within existing infrastructure.
The findings highlight the importance of considering local network behavior in biomethane injection capacity assessments and demonstrate that AFC provides a flexible and effective alternative to traditional network reinforcement strategies. While the analysis is based on steady-state conditions, the results underline the significant technical potential of AFC for enhancing biomethane integration in low-pressure gas distribution networks.
This study contributes to the development of practical solutions for increasing renewable gas integration and supports the transition towards more sustainable and flexible energy systems.