MONITORING & METERING
HOW MHHS COULD INFLUENCE GAS METERING AND MONITORING
The rollout of market wide half-hourly settlement
underscores the vital role of data for billing accuracy and for creating a flexible energy system. Orlando Minervino, decarbonisation lead at
Xoserve, explores lessons from the programme for metering and monitoring gas
R
eaching the UK’s Net Zero targets by 2050 is not just about changing fuels, but about
creating a balanced mix. To do that, the future energy system must combine renewable electricity with low-carbon gases like hydrogen and biomethane. For energy and sustainability managers, meeting
emission targets will involve carefully evaluating energy consumption and fuel sources, which may prove difficult for energy-intensive or hard-to- abate sectors. Having a data-driven approach to managing and consuming energy will help businesses, energy suppliers and policymakers navigate decarbonisation challenges. Accurate data is crucial for a reliable energy supply and fair pricing, especially with newly introduced fuels. The electricity sector already plans to increase data collection as part of the market-wide half-hourly settlement (MHHS) rollout, which aims to improve billing accuracy and provide a detailed view of domestic and commercial energy consumption. In the gas industry, having detailed data can help
us manage a blend of gases if the UK decides to increase the percentage of biomethane, and add hydrogen or a hydrogen blend, to its energy mix.
BILLING FOR THE CHANGING ENERGY LANDSCAPE
The Future Energy Scenarios from ESO predict that the UK will have a mix of gases in its gas network. This could create hurdles for billing, as different gases have different calorific values (CV) – the measurement of energy contained in a gas. For example, hydrogen has a much higher CV
compared to natural gas. If a meter point receives natural gas blended with hydrogen for part of the day, and then pure natural gas during peak demand, we would need to make sure consumers are billed based on the energy used rather than the calorific value of each gas.
www.essmag.co.uk Reviews of the current gas billing method and
data collection are underway. This will help the gas industry better manage the challenges of a mixed gas network. It will also ensure consumers pay only for the energy they use, fostering greater trust between consumers and suppliers.
BENEFITS OF MORE FREQUENT GAS SETTLEMENT One lesson we can learn from the MHHS initiative is that data is fundamental to driving the energy transition. In the gas sector, using more detailed data on usage and gas content can help with accurate settlement and optimised gas procurement. This approach will help integrate renewable gases like hydrogen where needed and support the UK’s Net Zero goals. Similarly, the gas industry can benefit from using more frequent settlement periods. With increased consumption data, gas suppliers can better predict demand, helping them buy gas more efficiently in the wholesale market. Improved forecasting could also lead to reduced energy wastage and optimised procurement strategies. The shift to more frequent energy readings
and regulatory and code frameworks should be adjusted to accommodate more frequent data collection. Energy suppliers would also need to complete the installation of smart meters that can provide increased readings for customers. This would ensure widespread data availability and accuracy, underpinning the effectiveness of the new settlement system. Furthermore, the energy industry must
“In
consider security as a factor when maximising data collection. Suppliers and data providers need to ensure their data management systems can handle detailed information safely and reduce the risk of data breaches.
the gas sector,
using more detailed data on usage and content can help with accurate settlement and optimised gas procurement”
EMBRACING LESSONS FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE For now, the shift to MHHS will not necessarily change how consumers use energy.
However, understanding what happens behind the meter can help energy users and the energy industry meet future emission targets.
At the heart of this transformation
lies accurate and frequent data. By using strong data collection and
is also crucial for policymakers. For example, tracking energy consumption could support targeted investments in energy storage. It could also monitor the growth of renewable energy and identify production gaps.
NAVIGATING AN INCREASE IN GAS SETTLEMENTS To allow for more frequent settlements, the gas network’s current systems should be upgraded,
management systems, the gas industry can gain valuable insights into customer consumption. This will help make informed decisions, improve operations, and ensure fair billing practices for customers. It will also assist businesses to adapt to changes in the energy landscape and help the UK fast-track progress to reach Net Zero goals.
Xoserve
www.xoserve.com
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Winter 2024 21
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