IGU Global Gas Award 2015-2018 By Lee Gale
Established in 2008, the IGU Global Gas
objectives that a winning project must demon
Award is a hotly contested competition that
strate. These include a contribution to the
takes place over a three-year period. The winner
progress of the gas industry that promotes
is announced at the World Gas Conference
innovation and sustainability, a furthering of
(WGC). It recognises a groundbreaking project
technical know-how that can be transfered to
that best demonstrates an understanding of
other regions, and the raising of IGU’s profile
the many in-depth challenges facing the natural
on the global stage through media coverage.
gas sector. IGU considers that research must
How natural gas benefits society while over
work towards a more sustainable energy
coming challenges are key ingredients of a
future, reducing greenhouse gas emissions
successful submission.
and increasing security of supply. In the run up to a WGC, an IGU Judging
The winner for the 2012-2015 triennium was SGN, a UK operator of 74,000km of gas mains
Panel studies entrants’ projects and after
in Scotland and the south of England. Its
much deliberation, finds a submission that
Opening up the Gas Market paper was written
best displays innovation while contributing
by Angus McIntosh, Jamie McAinsh, Richard
to the gas industry on both a regional and
Mason and Caroline Geddes. SGN’s Opening up
global basis. The Judging Panel includes:
the Gas Market project demonstrated that gas
the IGU President, IGU Secretary General,
which meets the European Association for the
IGU Coordination Committee Chair, IGU
Streamlining of Energy Exchange-gas (EASEE
Wise Persons and Regional Coordinators.
Gas) specification, but sits outside the
The Global Gas Award has a number of
characteristics specified within GB Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GS(M)R) 1996, can
v Angus McIntosh receiving the IGU Global Gas Award 2015 from Maria van der Hoeven, then Executive Director of IEA and member of the Judging Panel.
be distributed and utilised safely and efficiently in Britain. As part of its work, SGN used one of its isolated networks that it operates in remote parts of Scotland, known as the Scottish Independent Undertakings. The main aims of Opening up the Gas Market were to secure a reliable gas source while supporting energy diversity, to be low carbon so as to be consistent with stringent legally binding carbon targets and, crucially, provide customers with an affordable service. Oban on the west coast of Scotland, with its own independent gas distribution network, was an ideal setting for SGN’s trials. Oban is also, statistically, a microcosm of Britain: it was discovered that 1,104 gas-supplied
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