REN Portgás partners with DNV to automate gas network model building

Changing energy market spurs Portuguese company to upgrade its systems

REN Portgás, one of Portugal’s leading natural gas distributors, has upgraded to DNV’s Synergi Gas Automated Model Builder to boost quicker and better-informed decision-making as they prepare for the new energy mix. With the upgrade, REN Portgás can now build gas network models in a matter of days instead of weeks, reducing the time spent on the task by over 60%.  

The organisation, which serves over 400,000 Portuguese customers, has relied on Synergi Gas for a long time for network planning, network assessments, operational efficiency, budget planning and reporting. To keep with the demands of the changing energy landscape, they upgraded to Synergi Gas’ Automated Model Builder solution to save time and reduce the risk of model errors and data inconsistencies as they model major scenarios for the energy transition. 

Glória Gonçalves, Engineer at REN Portgás, said: "The key to decarbonising at scale is providing safety, ensuring energy security and optimising gas networks efficiently. Today, as we prepare for a future transition that is still in the early stages, the ability to make better-informed decisions based on robust, accurate models is essential.” 

“With Synergi Gas Automated Model Builder, we can now build gas network models in a fraction of the time it used to take us. What would have taken us three weeks and a lot of manual iterations, we now achieve within two to five days.,” she adds. REN Portgás aims to use automated network models for daily maintenance monitoring of its medium and low-pressure distribution network. 

Synergi Gas Automated Model Builder (AMB) is a web-based application that uses available SCADA and system data to automatically build gas network models. With the enhanced tool, the engineers at REN Portgás can access accurate, validated models based on near real-time data, providing more accurate results. Decisions can now be based on near-live information, giving additional insights and enabling improved reporting. The system automatically updates every model and runs checks to ensure the models are accurate and valid based on correct data. 

Tony Alfano, Pipeline Product Line Director at DNV Digital Solutions, said: “Pipeline operators require new technologies and smarter ways to ensure safety as the enormous task of transforming the energy system gains momentum. There will be an increasing demand for fit-for-purpose pipeline infrastructure in the energy transition, and the software provides more accurate results and better support for critical decisions to be made.”  

The energy conversation in Portugal picked up in 2020, and the government and network operators are preparing to transport hydrogen and biomethane blends over the next few years.  

Investing in Synergi Gas Automated Model Builder (AMB) was the first step towards Gas Quality Tracking for REN Portgás. With the correct database and robust network models from AMB, REN Portgás aims to leverage Gas Quality Tracking to take the onus of monitoring and controlling gas quality across their distribution network.

 

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About DNV 

DNV is the independent expert in risk management and quality assurance, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and inspires and invents solutions.    

Whether assessing a new ship design, optimizing the performance of a wind farm, analysing sensor data from a gas pipeline or certifying a food company’s supply chain, DNV enables its customers and their stakeholders to manage technological and regulatory complexity with confidence.      

Driven by its purpose to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.   

Digital Solutions  

DNV is a world-leading provider of digital solutions and software applications with focus on the energy, maritime and healthcare markets. DNVs solutions are used worldwide to manage risk and performance for wind turbines, electric grids, pipelines, processing plants, offshore structures, ships, and more. Supported by its domain knowledge and Veracity assurance platform, DNV enables companies to digitize and manage business-critical activities in a sustainable, cost-efficient, safe and secure way.  

About REN Portgás  

REN Portgás distributes natural gas in 29 municipalities in the districts of Porto Braga and Viana do Castelo on the north coast of Portugal. The company has been wholly owned by Portugal's electricity and gas transmission system operator, Redes Energéticas Nacionais, since 2017. REN Portgás has the country's largest natural gas distribution network, with over 5,000 kilometres serving 400,000 customers. Since 2018, the company has connected an average of 12,000 customers per year to its network. REN Portgás is the first Portuguese natural gas distributor to receive certification in research, development, and innovation and has official recognition in the areas of quality, environment, safety and business continuity. The company has entered partnerships with universities, companies, and institutions in projects to decarbonise and digitise the distribution network, including defining requirements and specifications for a future hydrogen infrastructure. 

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