In this study, LBST, together with Trinomics and Artelys, examined the future use of renewable and low-carbon gases in the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) region, i.e. mainly in the eight BEMIP member states (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden). The analyses cover the status quo as well as the projected development up to 2050.

The overall aim of the study was to estimate the infrastructure requirements in terms of transportation and storage for the integration of hydrogen and biomethane in a future energy system.

The report initially assesses existing economic scenarios for the market ramp-up of renewable and carbon-based gases in the BEMIP region and then turns to an evaluation of current measures and strategies regarding production, sales, and infrastructure.

In addition to documenting existing technical, security-related and economic barriers, the need for expanding infrastructure for the integration of biomethane and hydrogen, as well as the increase of renewable and low-carbon gases in the region, is discussed.

This is followed by recommendations for addressing the identified challenges.

The focus of LBST’s work was on the already existing market ramp-up scenarios in the BEMIP countries and the discussion of the technical challenges associated with the integration of renewable and low-carbon gases into the energy system. Methodological approaches included literature analyses, market ramp-up scenarios for hydrogen and biomethane, stakeholder interviews and questionnaires, country profiles, technology assessments, and a case study on the integration of biomethane into the gas grid in Denmark.

The study can be downloaded here: LINK.

A summary of the major results can be found reading the Factsheet.