The Transformation of Gasunie within the Energy Transition

Annabelle Waldus
15 May 2024

nlmtd prepares Gasunie to become 'business ready'

Gasunie and the Energy Transition

On the path to a CO₂-neutral future, Gasunie’s knowledge, experience, and expertise remain critically important. To contribute to the energy transition from this unique position, Gasunie faces an enormous challenge: transforming from a traditional natural gas transport company into an energy infrastructure company. Heading towards 2050, Gasunie is focusing on realizing the transport and/or storage of hydrogen, heat, and CO2. An ambition that nlmtd is eager to contribute to and roll up its sleeves for.

Collaborating on Gasunie's Challenges

The future operation of these new energy services brought Gasunie to nlmtd two years ago.

How do we jointly establish a ‘Business Readiness’ department/team that is successful in integrating the new energy services within Gasunie?
Can you also help us prepare the people, processes, and systems for operation within these projects?

The first question led to the creation of a new ‘Business Readiness’ department. The people in this department work on the new energy services and develop and share knowledge and expertise on ‘how we do this’. Synergy across the integration of the new energy services. Jeroen briefly explains nlmtd’s contribution:

"In developing new energy services at Gasunie, besides new pipes, installations, and commercial contracts, we also need to develop new skills, processes, and systems. People from nlmtd work as part of our teams to conceptualize and realize these changes in our organization. Our experience is that our path to a more sustainable energy supply can be traveled in a faster, more structured, and at the same time more human way together with nlmtd people. We now have skills that we ourselves don't have enough of and an infectious drive."

Jeroen Fidder

New Business Integration Manager Gasunie

Working on the Energy Mix of the Future

The second question has led us to work daily on preparing for operations within the following four energy services.

Heat

We aim for less CO2 emissions and less natural gas. That’s why Gasunie is constructing WarmtelinQ. This is an underground main transport pipeline that can use residual heat from the Port of Rotterdam to heat houses and businesses in South Holland.

Hydrogen

Gasunie is building a national network that connects the demand for and supply of CO2-free hydrogen, known as ‘hydrogen network Netherlands’. Five industrial clusters are being connected with each other, with foreign countries, and with hydrogen storage facilities. This is largely done through reusable gas infrastructure and partly through newly constructed hydrogen infrastructure.

CO2

Porthos is the name of a CO2 transport and storage project in the Port of Rotterdam. From 2026, Gasunie, together with partners, wants to enable the storage of CO2 – originating from industry in the Port of Rotterdam – in empty gas fields deep under the North Sea bed.

LNG

The LNG terminal is a factory that converts liquid natural gas, which arrives by ship to Eemshaven, into gaseous natural gas. In a record time of 6 months, the terminal went from plan to realization. Since September 15, 2022, EemsEnergyTerminal has been operational.

Truly Making a Positive Contribution Together

Within Gasunie, there is an enormous amount of knowledge and skill present, and you can feel that the organization truly embraces innovation. Resources are being made available to really make a positive difference. Nlmtd and the people who work at nlmtd are both intrinsically motivated to do work that makes a positive contribution to people, the environment, and society.” This collaboration with Gasunie is therefore a unique opportunity to accelerate the energy transition. Together, we will ensure that the plans are actually realized!