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FIGURE 1 BEACH TO METER FIGURE 2 VARIETY OF THE MODERN GAS SUPPLY
HYDROGEN SHALE LNG BIOMETHANE NORTH SEA GAS
Heat demand is directly linked to
the weather, and as such, it inherently
has an intra-seasonal mismatch.
Heat demand in winter months is
significantly greater than summer
months. This is in stark contrast to
annual electricity demand².
Heat demand is highly compatible
with natural gas, due to its high energy
density, low price and storability. Peak
heat demand can be five times that
of electricity, and can ramp up to ten
times that number. The challenge is
delivering energy that is clean, secure
and affordable to fit that demand, which
is difficult to change. Natural gas is a
fossil fuel, and its continued use is not
compliant with our drive to decarbonise.
Electricity is an energy vector capable
of transporting renewable energy, and
the emergence of hydrogen will bring
another to the market.
The drive to decarbonise heat
has encouraged the emergence of
downstream renewable technologies.
The status quo of using natural gas
combusted in boilers is beginning to
investments, compared to the estimate changes now and in the future. change, as heat pumps and hybrid
delivered by the current approach to Achieving net zero decarbonisation in units gain some market penetration.
demand modelling. line with government targets presents This will have an inherent impact on
Our supply of gas and how we use it a significant challenge to the industry. gas demand. A heat pump operates
has changed and will continue to do so. Heat is a particularly challenging sector by transferring heat energy from the
This project will transform the way we of our energy system to decarbonise and outside of a property inside through
view our network, and bring the way we the vast majority of our heat is delivered a vapour refrigeration cycle. Heat is
model it up-to-date to deal with these by natural gas. absorbed through a heat exchanger
FIGURE 3 GAS DEMAND APRIL 2017 TO MARCH 2018
214 GW 2018.03.01 18:00:00
200 GW GAS - LOCAL DISTRIBUTION
ZONE DEMAND
ELECTRICITY - ELEXON SUPPLY
PLUS EMBEDDED GENERATION
150 GW
100 GW
50 GW
GW
APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR
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