The new guideline G B210 “Gas composition” by the Austrian Technical Association for the Gas and Water Industry (ÖVGW) paves the way for more hydrogen in the Austrian gas grid.
The European Committee for Standardisation has been mandated by mandate M/400 by the European Commission to develop standards for gas quality parameters for natural gas with high calorific value (Group H). Result of this mandate is the standard ÖNORM EN 16726 “Gas infrastructure – Quality of gas – Group H”. In parallel, CEN was mandated by mandate M/475 to elaborate technical standards for the use of biomethane in transportation and for injection into the natural gas grid. Standard ÖNORM EN 16723-1 “Natural gas and biomethane for use in transport and biomethane for injection in the natural gas network – Part 1: Specifications for biomethane for injection in the natural gas network” and standard ÖNORM EN 16723-2 “Natural gas and biomethane for use in transport and biomethane for injection in the natural gas network ― Part 2: Automotive fuel specifications” were developed in accordance with the mandate.
The present guideline G B210 is based on the European standards ÖNORM EN 16726 (“Gas infrastructure – Quality of gas – Group H”), ÖNORM EN 16723-1 (“Natural gas and biomethane for use in transport and biomethane for injection in the natural gas network – Part 1: Specifications for biomethane for injection in the natural gas network”). The present version of the ÖVGW guideline G B210 summarises additional requirements which were previously contained in the ÖVGW guidelines G 31 “Natural gas in Austria” and G B220 “Regenerative gases”. This guideline applies in addition to the European standards ÖNORM EN 16726 and EN 16723-1.
ÖVGW guideline G B210 defines the requirements for gas quality for the injection, transport, storage and withdrawal as well as distribution of gases in gas pipeline systems that are subject to the Gas Industry Act (GWG).
The integration of biomethane and hydrogen into the gas grid is facilitated by the technical guideline G B210. The new guideline G B210 “Gas composition” by the Austrian Technical Association for the Gas and Water Industry (ÖVGW) paves the way for more hydrogen in the gas grid. Whereas previously four percent hydrogen was allowed to be fed into the gas grid, from now on it will be ten percent. This is an important prerequisite for hydrogen production as well as an elementary contribution to achieving the climate goals in Austria.
The Austrian Technical Association for the Gas and Water Industry is the voluntary representation of Austrian gas network operators and water supply companies. It counts all gas network operators and about 260 companies in the water sector among its members. Through cooperation with regional associations, ÖVGW represents more than 1,500 water suppliers. These supply around 80 percent of the population with drinking water.
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