The composition of natural gas and renewable gases strongly depends on the production method. The origin of gas can have a significant impact on its calorific value (energy), on its Wobbe Index (quality indicator of the combustion) and on the presence of additional components like CO₂, hydrocarbon, H₂O, sulphur, etc.

Gas quality is characterised by a large set of parameters allowing the safe and efficient transmission, storage, distribution and utilisation of gas in Europe. Gas system operators are responsible for the gas delivery to the consumer within the agreed quality range.

Gas quality standards must constantly be ensured, in particular, to guarantee that the gas delivered to the customer never deviates from the agreed ranges. Off-spec gases are not accepted in the grid. For this reason, standards have to specify the widest quality range possible in order to accept as much gas as possible in the European network, but always ensuring that there is no impact for the end users on the efficiency and the safe use of their appliances.

As part of environmental efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, biomethane is gaining prominence in the gas market and it is set to become an important renewable indigenous source of energy in many European countries. Gas decarbonisation triggers gas quality changes and it is important to ensure the compatibility in quality of the new gases and the natural gas.

The industry is working towards defining what are the acceptable ranges for the injections/blending of other renewable gases, like hydrogen or synthetic gases. In particular, when blending the natural gas with new gases, a quality control must be conducted to determine the different mixtures used and the level of quantities acceptable throughout the process.

MARCOGAZ is working towards operational solutions to monitor the gas quality. Once the gas arrives into the European market, its quality must be properly analysed and adapted, if needed, to be in full compliance with European standards (EN 16726).

The industry works side-by-side with the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) on the development of gas quality standards to ensure good coordination and acceptance among industry stakeholders.

MARCOGAZ is strongly committed to ensuring sustainable standards by limiting the exposure of workers and customers to health hazards.