Conexus: upgrading gas compressor units reduces emissions by 80%
During the development of the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility, an assessment carried out by Conexus Baltic Grid (Conexus) showed that the modernisation of five gas compressor units enabled the storage facility to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in the exhaust gas by 80%. This improvement contributes to better environmental quality and is also in line with the European Union's sustainable development objectives related to the efficient use of natural resources, as the consumption of natural gas during the operation of the units has also been reduced by 7%.
These and other modernisation works at the Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage Facility are being carried out as part of a European project of common interest, with the aim of improving the operation of the storage facility and contributing to environmental protection measures. As part of the project, Conexus has upgraded five Cooper-Bessemer 12z330 gas compressor units. Repeated flue gas measurements after the upgrades show that all the upgraded units are operating with significantly reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) during the 2023 season, with flue gas concentrations below 190 mg/Nm³. Emissions have been reduced by up to 80% (t/h) and natural gas consumption during operation by up to 7% (m3 /h), with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions.
"Our task is not only to ensure a secure and uninterrupted gas supply, but also to ensure the sustainable operation of the entire system, including minimising the environmental impact. The environmental impact assessment carried out shows that all the measures implemented during the modernisation have had a tangible impact, significantly reducing emissions. At the same time, we have developed a methane emission reduction plan that includes a series of activities until 2027 to effectively mitigate climate impacts and make the storage facilities more environmentally friendly," explains Uldis Bariss, Conexus Chairman of the Board.
According to Mr Bariss, the modernisation of the gas compressor units and future development projects are an important step towards meeting the European Union's climate targets, which include reducing emissions, using renewable energy to maintain the storage and other measures. In addition to these initiatives, this year Conexus has started the development of biomethane entry points in Džūkste with the aim of promoting the use of green energy and ensuring more efficient use of local resources. Conexus is also working with five European gas operators to develop the North-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor project, which will create the infrastructure to transport renewable hydrogen between six countries - Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany - to facilitate the creation of a hydrogen market and the transition to green energy.
Meanwhile, the European project of common European interest is still ongoing until the end of 2025 and includes a series of modernisation measures at the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility, including the upgrade of the surface infrastructure by rebuilding the gas collection point No 3 and wells reconstruction, the modernisation of the existing five gas compressor units and the installation of a new gas compressor unit. The aim of the measures is to improve the security of natural gas supply by increasing the operational capacity of the storage facility and facilitating integration into the international energy market.
