Rossella Mimmi

Smart Gas Grid Solutions for Biomethane Integration – Emerson

As biomethane injection into Europe’s natural gas grid accelerates, new challenges arise in balancing multiple injection points, variable production, and fluctuating demand. Emerson’s Remote Automated Flow (RAF) system addresses these challenges with a digitalization and automation solution that modernizes Pressure Reduction and Metering Stations (PRMS) for smarter grid management.

RAF enables real-time remote control and modulation of gas pressure and flow, allowing operators to dynamically prioritize biomethane injection over fossil natural gas. By continuously adapting to variable supply and shifting demand profiles, the system maximizes renewable gas utilization while maintaining operational safety and grid stability.

A key advantage of RAF is its seamless integration with existing pilot-operated pressure regulators, requiring minimal infrastructure modifications and avoiding costly rebuilds. This transforms conventional PRMS into intelligent nodes capable of managing multiple injection sources simultaneously, remotely, and efficiently.

The system is already proven in practice: in the Bordeaux region, multiple biomethane plants are managed remotely through RAF, demonstrating its ability to enhance grid flexibility and resilience. By enabling greater biomethane integration at scale, Emerson’s solution supports Europe’s decarbonization targets and offers a cost-effective pathway to a more sustainable energy future.