Natural gas complements renewable energies

Hildegard Müller was appointed Chair of the Executive Board of the German Energy and Water Association (BDEW) in Berlin in October 2008. The BDEW represents more than 1800 companies of various sizes.

Ms Müller, what challenges does the gas sector face in 2010?

The market has changed. The heating requirements of new buildings, for example, are much lower than for older buildings. In addition, natural gas is facing considerable competition in the form of alternative fuels and new technologies. The greatest potential for the sector lies in combining natural gas and renewable energies – for example the combination of natural gas condensing boilers and solar power – and in decentralized electricity generation from CHP based on natural gas or micro-CHP systems.

And what can utilities expect?

New fields of business and applications will change the industry. Energy efficiency consultation, financing, installation, maintenance and quality assurance are all elements of a value creation chain which will make utilities all-round service providers for heat and energy.

What important investments have to be made this year?

One of the current projects is the expansion of the subterranean natural gas storage facilities: in 2009 we are anticipating investments of around 300 million euros; in 2010 we even expect this figure to be 350 million euros.

What role will natural gas play in the European energy mix in future?

Natural gas is an environmentally sound technology and will thus continue to play an important role in the coming years – especially in the heating market. Natural gas builds a bridge between fossil fuels and the renewable energies era.

Green light for North Stream

The construction of the Baltic Sea pipeline is fast approaching. The Baltic Sea states have approved the construction of the 1223-kilometer-long route of the Russian-European consortium Nord Stream. more