MEMBER NEWS: The Net Zero Technology Centre and TNO launch flagship database to share North Sea resources

September 14, 2021
MEMBER NEWS: The Net Zero Technology Centre and TNO launch flagship database to share North Sea resources

The Net Zero Technology Centre and TNO have today launched a flagship report which analyses the significant opportunity that closer collaboration in the North Sea can bring.

The ‘One North Sea’ report highlights how the North Sea and its existing oil and gas infrastructure offer an ideal basis for developing a Net Zero Emission basin.

It recommends a range of potential opportunities in which collaboration between the oil and gas and renewable sector can accelerate the energy transition including:

  • Electrification of ongoing oil and gas production to reduce emissions (CO2, CH4, NOx).
  • CO2 transport through existing repurposed gas pipelines and/or storage of CO2 in depleted gas reservoirs.
  • Production of hydrogen on or around existing gas assets and transport of hydrogen through repurposed gas pipelines (including blending of hydrogen in the existing natural gas stream).

Cross-border collaboration, alignment and joint planning in the North Sea region is fundamental for a successful energy transition. The report’s publication coincides with the launch of the www.onenorthsea.com database. The publicly available database maps out close to 90 integration projects already underway in the Netherlands, UK and Norway that demonstrate a component of re-use of existing infrastructure.

Luca Corradi, Innovation Network Director at the Net Zero Technology Centre, said: “Creating an integrated offshore energy system is essential to deliver net zero targets. To achieve this goal, we need to have closer international collaboration. This report, and its resulting database, provides an early blueprint of exactly how we can drive closer working relationships across the energy sector.

“The North Sea energy system does not stop at borders. International collaboration on oil, gas, and renewables can bring forth synergies and opportunities to share experiences and knowledge that will accelerate the energy transition to net zero.

“With an increasingly complex energy landscape and vast potential for the deployment of low-carbon energy, the North Sea can play a fundamental role in accelerating Europe’s energy transition, developing skills for the future and creating new jobs.”

René Peters, Business Director Gas Technology at TNO, said: “We are just at the start of our transition path from oil and gas to renewable energy production at the North Sea. The North Sea will remain a major source of low carbon energy for Northwest Europe and of key importance to enable a net zero energy system. CO2 storage, Power to Gas and platform electrification will be key enablers to develop zero emission energy production from the North Sea, and facilitate the development of blue and green hydrogen.’’

‘’A closer collaboration between North Sea countries is required to grasp the opportunities of system integration. In addition, the database of One North Sea provides a great overview of initiatives to maximise the benefits from collaboration and integration in the North Sea.’’

The project aims to kick-start the development of a Europe-wide database, providing a hub to collaborate and skill-share to help reach net zero energy faster.

Get in touch

AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy

Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise