Jani Hautaluoma, Valmet, Finland, describes how innovative technologies can make small scale virtual pipelines a profitable reality.
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lternative fuels that are becoming increasingly popular today, such as LNG and other methane-based renewable energy sources, typically require an organisation to have its own complete truck-based logistics system for transporting fuel, as gas pipelines do not connect all producers and end users. This is called a virtual pipeline that consists of CNG or LNG transported by truck, rail, or sea. The virtual pipeline makes it possible to distribute gas to remote destinations cost effectively. The management of storage throughout the pipeline, both physical and virtual, is part of the concept. Until today, managing this virtual pipeline has been highly complex. That is why such small scale supply chains for LNG or other alternative fuels have had difficulties being profitable. It requires greater efficiency throughout the entire supply chain and more accurate, real-time communication among multiple parties to ensure profitable business performance.
Building a bridge
Now Valmet is helping to provide a bridge between biogas production and efficient LNG distribution with its DNA Integrated Operations solution to make LNG even greener. This solution has made profitable business a reality for small
scale virtual LNG and biogas pipelines, but Valmet is also in the process of expanding the offering for other renewable gases, including green hydrogen. This concept offers the flexibility needed for each virtual pipeline with its own complexity, while allowing customers to pursue their own long-term LNG strategy to increase sustainability within their business operations. The solution combines innovative technologies to manage the entire logistics value chain of virtual pipelines. It increases the efficiency of logistics by making each action easier to track, adding value for all stakeholders involved. The control system is scalable and grows as the customer’s business evolves. DNA Integrated Operations is a Cloud-based application developed to support energy transmission customers to manage their supply chains more efficiently. It works with the Valmet DNA Historian as a bridge between the production plant and the virtual pipeline. Historian plays a key role in collecting information for the virtual pipeline. Then DNA Integrated Operations has the expertise to pick the right information needed by the specific party in the supply chain. The DNA Integrated Operations solution is built from various automation levels. Valmet’s distributed control system (DCS) is the base for all process control and information. Used
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