European Biogas Injection Moves on as GrDF Selects Elster to Provide Biogas Stations

We are pleased to be able to provide news on the further development of biogas use in national natural gas supply systems with the following posting.

ESSEN, Germany, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Elster /quotes/zigman/616990/quotes/nls/elt ELT -2.51% announced today that Gaz reseau Distribution France (GrDF), the main gas utility in France and wholly-owned subsidiary of GrDF Suez that manages the longest natural gas distribution network in Europe, has selected Elster as the sole supplier to establish at least five biogas injection stations throughout the country. The first station will be delivered in the first quarter of 2012. 

(Above video creator and GrDF have no connection.)

The two-year agreement calls for the stations to measure the quality of biogas and inject it into GrDF's natural gas grid after it is processed by the producer through purification stations. Each station will be equipped with two Elster EnCal 3000 high-end process gas chromatographs, Elster rotary or turbine gas meters, electronic volume correctors and odorizing devices. All of the stations will be assembled in France by Elster.
Following the first tests of injections into GrDF's gas grid in Lille last July, this initiative marks the starting point of a new era for GrDF's natural gas grid. To enable use of this renewable energy source, the source biogas first needs to be cleaned and transformed into biomethane, which has the same quality and energy characteristics as natural gas.
The Elster stations will allow GrDF to assure the precise volume and quality of biomethane it injects into the grid.
"Biomethane is an important strategic priority for France and a real stake for GrDF as part of the overall effort to develop cleaner, renewable energy sources," said Cedric Aubry, head of biogas projects at GrDF. (Blog master Note: biogas is produced from the Anaerobic digestion process.)
"Elster has worked with GrDF for more than 60 years, deploying both residential and commercial and industrial measurement applications, and recently piloted its residential automated meter reading system," said Michael Calovini, executive vice president of Elster's international gas business.
"We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with GrDF as the utility continues developing its innovative approach to managing natural resources and integrating renewable energy sources," Calovini added.

View the original article here

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