Immediate action must be taken to reduce carbon emissions in the energy sector to meet net-zero targets. While many studies focus on decarbonization through electrification, using the existing gas network to help decarbonize can have numerous advantages. In this study we build a sector coupled PyPSA model of Vancouver Island to investigate decarbonization efforts through linking the electrical and gas networks. Results from a detailed combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) study are incorporated. Moreover, the use of hydrogen as a fuel source is explored. We find that with increasing electrical demand, the island will quickly be unable to meet its own load. Introducing CCHPs and blending large amounts of hydrogen into the natural gas supply will result in a cheaper, less emitting, and more independent system. However, this does come at the cost of needing to install new facilities to generate clean hydrogen.
Researchers: Trevor Barnes, Taco Niet, Brad Reinholz, Malcolm Metcalfe
Funders: Mitacs and Generac Grid Services
Award: https://www.mitacs.ca/en/projects/integrating-gas-and-electrical-grids-net-zero-future
Date: Feb 2022 – July 2022 (but work still ongoing before being released)
