Converting gas volume into energy. Gas transmission volumes and sales billing in the distribution network are based on measuring volume and the gas’s calorific value. The gas meter measures how many normal cubic metres [m3n] have passed through it. This normalised gas volume is multiplied by the gas’s calorific value to determine the amount of energy delivered to the consumption site.
Until now, a fixed gas calorific value of 36.00 MJ/m3n has been used because all gas supplied to distribution networks came from a single gas supplier’s source. This allowed the same fixed calorific value to be used across all distribution networks.
Biogas producers’ plants have been connected to the gas transmission network and some distribution networks, feeding biogas into them. The system operator, Gasum, has set conditions and limits for producers supplying biogas to the network. However, these conditions allow small differences in the calorific values of gas from different suppliers.
The Natural Gas Market Act is also being revised, and a new act is expected to enter into force this summer. It is expected to open distribution networks to all gas sellers, potentially bringing other gas importers to Finland. Gas could then arrive via central Europe or different LNG terminals, for example. Gas from different sources may no longer have the same calorific value as gas currently imported into Finland. The most tangible example of this change is Baltic Connector Oy, which has begun building a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia, connecting Finnish gas networks to European ones. According to the company’s schedule, the interconnector will be ready for commissioning in late 2019.
Gasum, the gas wholesaler and transmission network owner, also bills distribution network companies for gas sold on an energy basis. For its different distribution networks, Auris Kaasunjakelu Oy will adopt the same calorific value used by the system operator, Gasum.
- This change ensures that exactly the same factors affect the distribution company’s gas procurement and sales: the same calorific value is used for both purchases and sales.
- It eliminates the financial risk to customers and the service provider arising from gas with different calorific values.
- It prepares for the potential impact of a new importer on gas calorific values.
Natural gas currently imported into Finland from Russia is of very high quality and has a very high calorific value. Introducing a monthly variable calorific value is essential to ensure that gas trading continues to be based on the correct quantities of energy.