A European perspective on sustainable and safe energy supply
Europe’s energy supply is to be independent, diversified and climate neutral. While the climate goals of the European Union should be accomplished speedily to minimise the consequences of climate change, it is at the same time necessary to take into consideration the social impacts as well as geopolitical risks resulting from a dependence on energy imports. This complex situation makes it necessary to view energy supply through a broad lens. However, the resulting inevitable transformation of the energy system can only be successful if all relevant technologies and options that will rapidly lower greenhouse gas emissions are used – at bearable costs and risks.
It is essential that we ramp-up climate-friendly gases such as climate-neutral or low-carbon hydrogen or biomethane to substitute the enormous amounts of energy that are today still being generated from fossil resources. As the German competence network for all questions related to gas and water supply, DVGW (German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water) supports its members, ranging from Transmission and Distribution System Operators, municipalities, and other actors of the German gas industry, in their swift and safe transition towards renewable gases.
Joining Eurogas to push renewable gases and gas infrastructure
Becoming a member of Eurogas means becoming a member of a huge network of enterprises and associations aiming for a future for climate neutral molecules and a highly ambitious team with deep knowledge of EU policies. In light of the upcoming European elections, the ramp-up of renewable gases, esp. hydrogen could and should face another push. Gaseous energy carriers play a decisive role in achieving climate neutrality and a sustainably secured energy supply. Especially renewable gas production and gas infrastructure should be given more attention in policy frameworks, funding, research and development on EU level. To contribute to this goal, the DVGW aims to provide technical and scientific expertise within Eurogas in order to advocate for a smooth transition of the European gas system towards climate neutrality.
Highest safety standards in the German gas infrastructure by the DVGW
In Germany, approx. 4/5 of the final energy consumption is currently still covered by molecules and only 1/5 by electrons. Although almost 50% of the electricity generated in Germany comes from renewable sources, this only corresponds to merely 10% of the entire final energy consumption. Conversely, this means: In the coming two decades, fossil molecules must be swiftly replaced by climate-friendly molecules.
The gas supply in Germany is one of the safest in the world and has occupied a top position in international comparison for decades. Strict regulations apply along the entire gas supply chain from the source to the consumer. The DVGW has been specifically appointed by the legislator for the concrete design of these regulations – an appointment, which also comprises hydrogen infrastructure (in accordance with the Energy Industry Act, EnWG). As an independent technical and scientific regulator, we are responsible for the technical safety of the public gas supply. To maintain these high standards, DVGW supports and gives technical assistance based on scientific findings in the transitioning process from a natural gas infrastructure into climate– neutral gases.
DVGW – the research center and standardization body for the German gas industry
The central mission of DVGW is to advance the gas and water industry in both the technical and technical-scientific context. In pursuing this objective, DVGW is supported by its research institutes EBI (Engler Bunte Institute, Karlsruhe), DBI (Deutsches Brennstoffinstitut, Leipzig,) and GWI (Gas Wärme-Institut, Essen) which perform groundbreaking research such as demonstrated in the steel study 2024 showing H2 readiness of all materials used in pipeline-based infrastructure. DVGW has been working as an independent and unbiased technical-scientific association since 1859 and has 14,000 members, including 2,000 utilities and 1,400 companies.
