The solution for your business

Transcription

1 gasnetworks.ie Choosing natural gas makes sense The solution for your business

2 Natural gas is: A colourless and odourless gas in its pure form (although an odour is added for detection and identification purposes). Lighter than air and non-toxic, natural gas is a combustible fossil fuel that produces energy when burned. The energy created by natural gas can be used in a many ways, such as heating, drying, chilling, catering, air conditioning and power generation.

3 Natural gas has revolutionised the energy industry, playing an increasingly important role in our world today. In Ireland, natural gas accounts for almost a quarter of primary energy demand; fuelling power plants, businesses and homes efficiently, cleanly and reliably. 1 Natural gas is the fuel of choice for over 650,000 businesses and homes throughout the country. It is currently available in over 160 population centres across 19 counties. Demand for natural gas has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years, with the number of natural gas users growing by almost 300,000 over the past ten years. More and more people are recognising the benefits of natural gas, in business, at home and, of course, for the environment. Natural gas makes sense.

4 Natural gas makes sense for the environment 2 Our need for energy combined with heightened awareness of environmental responsibilities has undoubtedly elevated the significance of natural gas in our lives. Natural gas is the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel available and requires minimum processing before use. Comprising of more than 95% pure methane, natural gas emits significantly less carbon dioxide than other fuels: up to 30% less than oil and 50% less than coal for the same energy input. Natural gas also produces negligible levels of nitric oxide and sulphur oxide compared to oil or coal. Today, customers expect businesses to operate in an environmentally responsible and proactive way. One effective way a business can reduce its carbon footprint is by switching to natural gas or by converting more of their existing load to natural gas and away from other fossil fuels. Natural gas in many instances can complement renewable fuels such as solar and wind energy. A number of organisations use a combination of natural gas with renewable fuels to meet their energy needs. There is no doubt that natural gas, as the cleanest fossil fuel, can make a significant contribution in reducing carbon footprints. It is a clean efficient bridge to a sustainable future for all of us.

5 Natural gas makes good business sense Natural gas has a proven track record in energy delivery to Irish businesses. Whether you manage a high powered industrial plant or run your own small business, natural gas makes good business sense for you. 3 Natural gas has a fully developed versatile suite of complementing technology solutions to meet industrial and commercial requirements, such as: Industrial Process and Production Steam, Hot Water and Space Heating Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Heating, Chilling and Cooling Catering and Cooking Decorative Fires and Lighting The variety of high efficiency condensing and modulating natural gas boilers and direct fired appliances available provide almost 90% usable energy. On-site natural gas monitoring allows industrial and commercial users to monitor and maintain energy saving initiatives. This allows businesses greater control over the management of energy costs and conservation of energy use. Natural gas is a clean fuel and produces low levels of residue thereby increasing plant and equipment durability and lowering maintenance costs Natural gas provides full instant heat when turned on and stops instantly when turned off, with no warming up or cooling down periods required. Natural gas appliances can also be instantly controlled by simple or elaborate programmes. Irish natural gas is sourced at internationally competitive wholesale prices. These sources of wholesale gas, including Irish sources, will continue to grow providing security and choice to suppliers of gas in Ireland. Based on these markets, larger users can negotiate price agreements with natural gas suppliers to suit their individual budgeting needs. For smaller users tariffs tend to be fixed for periods of twelve months, which delivers price stability and aids budgeting for consumers. Natural gas remains competitively priced when compared to other fuels like oil, electricity, LPG and biomass. The cost effectiveness of natural gas is even more apparent when you consider the high efficiency of gas appliances combined with relatively low installation and maintenance costs.

6 4 Natural gas has a wide variety of applications for commercial and industrial customers. Industrial Process and Production Specialist industrial processes and manufacturing companies use natural gas as their primary fuel for a number of precision applications such as electricity generation, glass and medical instrument manufacture, surface drying processes and sterilisation. The controllability of the natural gas flame, the extremely low nitric oxide and sulphur oxide byproducts of the combustion process and security of energy supply are important factors in choosing natural gas as the fuel for industrial process and production. Steam, Hot Water and Space Heating Steam Large quantities of steam can be generated through a range of natural gas powered steam boilers that meet the requirements of industrial, pharmaceutical, medical, food and drinks producers. Sterilisers and autoclaves steam requirements can also be met where there is a peak demand over a relatively short period. High operating efficiency natural gas steam boilers are available with typical 90% net Calorific Value (CV), with the option of dual fuel backup capability. Dry cleaning and steam pressing of clothes are common applications for natural gas produced steam. A range of equipment exists to meet the needs of industrial, highstreet and hotel dry cleaners. Natural gas tumble-drying is another laundry application, which is significantly more economical than electricity to use.

7 Natural gas applications 5 Hot Water For commercial customers, hot water is most commonly used for cleaning, whether it is for the cleaning of on-site facilities, process equipment or used to supply changing room showers or laundries. The range of natural gas hot water heaters available are particularly suited to heating large quantities of hot water that can be stored centrally or local to use. Additionally, there are gas-powered water heaters, which have high recovery rates and can reduce the need for large storage of hot water on site. Natural gas direct fired instantaneous water heaters are ideal for local small quantities of hot water: they can heat several litres of water per minute. Space Heating Natural gas is highly flexible in meeting the space heating requirements of any business customer including offices, surgeries, nursing homes, hotels, hospitals and restaurants. Central heating boilers are available in a wide range of sizes and heat outputs and can provide both the required hot water and space heating through radiators or underfloor. A number of small boilers in series can be an ideal configuration providing substantial space heating, controlled and ready on demand, while also providing back-up if a single boiler requires maintenance. The most energy efficient boilers are condensing and modulating types with interlinked weather compensation. Convector heaters are compact, convenient and ideal for spaces requiring intermittent heating. Common applications include retail outlets, offices, assembly halls and churches. These are local heaters which combust natural gas, releasing heat into the desired area and releasing products of combustion to the outside air. Gas fired radiant heaters have particularly useful applications within large open spaces like factories, maintenance and servicing workshops, warehouses and assembly halls, as well as the outdoor areas of restaurants, pubs and clubs where direct heat is required for a specific area. Warm air heaters are available in multiple formats such as freestanding, wall or ceiling mounted, all of which have different heat output ranges. They are most commonly employed to provide warm air curtains above shop doors, loading bays, warehouses and in large sports arenas.

8 6 Combined Heat and Power (CHP) With Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology, natural gas is used to provide both heat and electrical power for a site. The CHP unit burns gas to power a generator which in turn creates electricity. This electricity is then fed into the main fuse board for the site, reducing the electricity demand from the national grid. The heat from gas combustion is also used to heat water in a similar way to a normal heating system. The CHP process therefore results in very high efficiencies and can reduce the overall fuel cost for the property. An added advantage is that as the site is generating part or all of its power, if there is a failure on the electricity grid, power will still be available to maintain essential operations. Larger CHP users can sell excess electricity back to their electricity supplier and so reduce their electricity bills even further. Suitable applications for CHP are customer installations that have near constant electricity and heating demand, such as hospitals, leisure centres, hotels, nursing homes, crèches and certain industrial and commercial sites. As technology advances, it is now possible for smaller CHP units to become a more viable option for a greater range of applications. CHP can provide considerable annual fuel bill savings, as well as reductions in CO 2 emissions, where grid electricity is displaced with on-site generation by natural gas. Heating, Chilling and Cooling Gas Heat Pump Cooling or Heating of Spaces Heat pumps extract heat from natural sources such as air, soil or water source and assist in delivering the heat to a property. The heat pump can also work in reverse, taking heat from a building and expelling it into the air, soil or water source. Heat pumps are considered to be a renewable source of energy as they utilise, in part, renewable natural resources to provide a constant low level of heating and/or cooling. Gas and/or electricity is required to boost the heating and cooling capabilities of the renewable energy source through a heat exchanger, as well as to pump and compress the heat-transfer fluid in the circuit. Gas Heat Pumps providing heating, air conditioning or cooling/chilling have low running costs and high efficiencies which lead to substantial savings over the life of the system. Absorption Chilling Absorption Chillers gain their primary energy directly from consuming natural gas or indirectly from excess heat from a CHP unit. Gas-powered absorption chillers have a very low level of noise and vibration. The majority of units are available as chillers/heaters which provide cooling and heating operations from the one unit. This dual functionality ensures efficient and economic operation. Common applications include food stores and data centres where the contents need to be kept at a cool temperature.

9 7 Catering and Cooking Natural gas is the fuel of choice for professional caterers: its flexibility and instant response make it ideal for cooking. There is a range of gas cooking appliances available to meet the needs of a small restaurant as well as large hotel kitchens or fast food outlets. The natural gas appliances available include convection ovens, deep fat fryers, grills and griddles, combination ovens, hobs, bain-maries, conveyor boilers and fryers etc. Gas heated dishwashing machines are also available for cleaning of cutlery, glassware and crockery Decorative Gas Fires and Lighting Decorative gas fires and lighting enhance any large space and can certainly add to the ambience of hotel lobbies or office reception areas. They form a great addition to any modern environment and can be manufactured to meet specific requirements. Decorative fires are becoming more efficient, and many are capable of being operated remotely. Natural gas is the fuel of choice for professional caterers: its flexibility and instant response make it ideal for cooking.

10 8 With natural gas there is a constant supply of energy, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is no need for storage facilities and there is no need to order or arrange delivery of your fuel. How to get connected to Natural gas 1. Call Businesslink on and we will verify natural gas availability in your area or the possibility of a connection to the natural gas network. 2. A Gas Networks Ireland representative will contact you to discuss your requirements and provide advice on what information you will need to supply. 3. Submit this information, including any required plans, to Gas Networks Ireland (plans@gasnetworks.ie). 4. Gas Networks Ireland will develop a pipeline networks design for your development and a quotation will be issued to you along with connection terms and conditions. For larger developments, there may be a pre-payable charge for this work, which will be set against chargable costs if the connection to the natural gas network goes ahead. 5. If you wish to go ahead with the natural gas connection(s), the quoted fee must be paid and a Connection Agreement signed prior to work commencing. 6. Once payment is made, you will receive a receipt with connection details and you will be contacted by Gas Networks Ireland local personnel to arrange dates for the natural gas connection(s). 7. To get a meter installed and an actual supply of gas, you must sign up with a natural gas supplier who will make arrangements with Gas Networks Ireland for the installation work. A list of natural gas suppliers operating in the Irish market will be attached to your receipt letter or may be obtained from 8. Your Registered Gas Installer/ Competent Person must issue you with a conformance certificate confirming that your installation is completed and tested to the Irish Gas Standards. 9. Gas Networks Ireland will collect the certificate from site and fit the required meter(s). Please note that only when steps 7 and 8 have been completed correctly will the required meter be fitted on the agreed date.

11 9 Customer technical support and advice If you would like to request a copy of our technical manual, call Gas Networks Ireland provides excellent technical support and advice to prospective business users and the construction industry in relation to installing and using natural gas and also connecting to the gas network. Gas Networks Ireland has published a comprehensive Technical Manual and CD for business users, developers, architects, and engineers. This manual provides invaluable information and clearly outlines the technical requirements for connecting to natural gas.

12 The main contact details for Gas Networks Ireland are: Businesslink General Enquiries hr Emergency Service gasnetworks.ie 35852/12/14