Translations

GRDF: Key player in the biomethane sector

4. Environment

Energy / Greenhouse Gases (GHG)

Sector Energy / Water

Year 2018

Country France

Transmitter

Context

Created on 31st December 2007, the GrDF company comprises all natural gas distribution activities taking place in France. As a recent organization in the midst of restructuring, GrDF can actually draw upon a rich 60-year track record. A strategic actor in the energy sector, GrDF enjoys close relations with suppliers, industry partners, local authorities and its customers.

GrDF is heavily involved in France's energy transition via the development of green gas, i.e. biomethane. The country's northwestern zone should benefit from 4 new biomethane injection sites up and running by the end of the year, with 3 being located in the Nord-Pas de Calais Region to complement the two existing sites. The objective of this operation: make the Nord-Pas de Calais Europe's number one producer of injected biomethane. As sponsors of this strategy, GrDF has partnered with the local Chambers of Commerce and Agriculture in co-hosting a working group that assembles leading actors knowledgeable about biomethane injection, for the purpose of expanding production and streamlining new projects.

Objectives

By 2050, GrDF predicts that 75% of all injected gas in the network will stem from methanation.

APPROACH

GrDF is heavily involved in France's energy transition through developing green gas: biomethane. The country's northwestern zone (Nord-Pas de Calais, Picardy, Normandy) is currently equipped with 4 biomethane injection sites (2 from ground sources and 2 from farms) in its natural gas network.

The very first injection in France took place in 2011 at Sequedin, overseen by the Lille Metropolitan Center for the Organic Reuse of Municipal Waste. 2015 has been a very good year since 3 new injection units have come online: SARL Biogaz Pévèle in Wannehain (for the Nord Department), and Le Pré du Loup Energie in Cucq and the TVME unit in Hénin-Beaumont (Pas de Calais) are all now operational. The objective behind this program is for the Nord-Pas de Calais Region to lead Europe in injected biomethane production. As sponsors of this endeavor, GrDF has been partnering with the local Chambers of Commerce and Agriculture as well as the ADEME Energy Agency to co-host a working group that assembles the biomethane injection community for the dual purpose of developing this sector and helping project sponsors realize their ambitions.

Best Practice spotted in 2015 by the World Forum for a Sustainable Economy.

CONTRIBUTION TO COMPANY PERFORMANCE

Creation of new market segments.

Benefits

Promotion of local employment.
Support provided to the circular economy.
This solution effectively addresses concerns over waste treatment and resource depletion.
Development of a biofuel: BIO-GNV.