The Bureau de Normalisation Gazière, an institution in which RICE plays an active role

The Bureau de Normalisation Gazière has been developing and managing standards for the French gas industry for over 50 years, covering both gas uses and gas infrastructures.

On October 4, the ISO 10715:2022 standard on gas sampling was published. The purpose of this standard is to provide good sampling practices in order to obtain a representative sample of the gas to be analyzed.

This international standardization work was carried out by the "Sampling" working group (WG 20), led by Alice VATIN of RICE, within the ISO/TC 193/SC 1 technical subcommittee "Natural Gas Analysis".

The 2022 version is the second edition of this gas sampling standard, the^1st version dating back to 1997. The new version incorporates the latest developments in sampling technology, explains the phenomena that can degrade sample quality, and broadens the scope to include trace compounds from biomethane.

To carry out this revision work, the WG 20 experts have met a dozen times over the last three years and processed over 350 technical and editorial comments from the various national standards bodies!

This collective effort was made possible thanks to the perseverance of the technical experts and the invaluable help of the Bureau de Normalisation Gazière (BNG), which acted as the working group's secretariat.

The gas sampling standard has a long life ahead of it. Its systematic review will take place in 2027. No doubt it will be revised at that time to incorporate the knowledge acquired in the meantime on the trace compounds of the various renewable gases.

From left to right
- Claudie CANON (Certigaz) - Secretary of WG 20 (2018-2020) "Gas Sampling".
- Alice VATIN (GRTgaz - RICE) - Convenor of WG 20 "Gas Sampling".
- Delfine SALVADOR (Uniclima) - Secretary of WG 20 (2020-2022) "Gas Sampling".

Transforming the gas network into a hydrogen network

European TSOs Enagás, GRTgaz, REN and Teréga have signed an agreement to accelerate the transformation of the gas grid into a hydrogen network.

This initiative, called "Green2TSO", is being carried out by Spanish, French and Portuguese transmission system operators (TSOs) through open innovation.
This project aims to integrate new technologies to promote the development of hydrogen in the transport network.
It is aligned with the European Commission's objective of strengthening the role of European TSOs as carriers of a clean, safe and efficient energy carrier through their large-scale infrastructures.

The transmission system operators Enagás (Spain), GRTgaz and Teréga (France) and REN (Portugal) have signed the "Green2TSO" initiative, aimed at transforming the gas network into a hydrogen network through open innovation.

The project "Green2TSO is aligned with Green Pact initiatives, "Fit for 55 and REPowerEU from the European Commission, which underline the role that European TSOs will play in transporting the clean, safe and efficient energy carrier that hydrogen represents, thanks to their large-scale infrastructure.

According to Enagás CEO Arturo Gonzalo, "The collaboration of TSOs (Transmission System Operators) in the field of innovation is also essential for the development of renewable gas infrastructures in Europe" , adding that "This agreement is perfectly in line with the common objective of decarbonizing industry and ensuring the European Union's energy independence, as set out in the European REPowerEU strategy". He added that "initiatives such as this will build the capacity needed to develop the activities of hydrogen network operators (HNOs)".

According to Thierry Trouvé, Managing Director of GRTgaz, "Close collaboration in research and development between gas TSOs is essential to accelerate the deployment of a safe, flexible and cost-effective hydrogen network. Through our Research and Innovation Center for Energy (RICE), GRTgaz will provide the high-level expertise and dedicated hydrogen facilities needed to guide and support the Green2TSO initiative towards building the future European hydrogen backbone".

Rodrigo Costa, REN CEO, emphasized that "this agreement is a major step towards Europe's energy transition. This joint effort is essential for the widespread use of green hydrogen in the fight against climate change and the decarbonization of the economy".

In this respect, Dominique Mockly, CEO of Teréga, observed that "This Green2TSO initiative between four gas TSOs is undoubtedly essential to stimulate research and innovation in the field of hydrogen. It is an important step towards the establishment of the future European hydrogen backbone in a context of decarbonization of industry and means of transport".
With this in mind, the European Commission also supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and open innovation as drivers of technological change, by encouraging cooperation between member states.

As part of "Green2TSO", this consortium will carry out pilot projects, technology trials and other activities, with a view to accelerating the transformation of the natural gas network.

Priority will be given to the development of hydrogen leak detection, measurement and compression systems, above-ground storage infrastructures and pipeline coating and cleaning solutions.

A project in the field of hydrogen detection and measurement led by the Green2TSO promoters, called "Green2TSO OPHTYCS", has already been selected by the European Commission for co-financing.