E.ON Introduces Digital Monitoring to Cut Methane Emissions

The E.ON Hungária Group has implemented a digital monitoring system at all pressure regulating stations. The goal of this measure is to reduce methane emissions, increase supply reliability, and ensure safe grid operation, the company announced on Monday.

The investment totaled 600 million HUF (1.64 million EUR), which E.ON Hungária financed from its own funds.

E.ON supplies natural gas to its customers in six counties in Transdanubia: Baranya, Tolna, Fejér, Veszprém, Zala, and Somogy. “Using the digital testing method deployed throughout the network, the amount of methane released into the atmosphere during inspections of the pressure regulating stations can be reduced by up to 90 percent compared to conventional testing methods.

Natural gas is fed into the network under high pressure but can only be used safely in homes and facilities at a low, precisely set pressure.

This is regulated by pressure-regulating stations, of which there are approximately 900 in the E.ON network. In the past, the gas required for testing as part of the annual inspections inevitably escaped into the environment.

Thanks to the new digital technology, the tests now take place without significant amounts of gas being released into the atmosphere.

Precisely calibrated pressure regulators help minimize errors and reduce the risk of malfunctions. Computer-controlled testing, which eliminates human error, along with digital analysis of measurement results, contributes to the early detection of deviations that could lead to malfunctions. Supply reliability is enhanced by the remote monitoring system, which immediately triggers an alarm should pressure fluctuations in the gas network—exceeding the permissible limit—occur for unforeseen reasons.

The new system provides a real-time snapshot of the systems’ condition.

Previously, the facilities were required to undergo refurbishment every 10 to 15 years regardless of their technical condition; now, the pressure gauges used during inspections make it possible to determine precise operating values. By analyzing the data, the service life of the facilities can be significantly extended, reducing unnecessary refurbishments and potentially extending the service life by years or even decades.

According to E.ON, the company’s gas network is 18,271 kilometers long, and its service area covers 24,000 square kilometers. The company ensures the gas supply for 620,000 customers.

Via MTI; Featured photo: E.ON Hungária Csoport LinkedIn