Analysis of Gas Pipeline System from a European Energy Security Perspective

Natural gas is an environmental friendly energy source used in various residential and industrial applications. Gas energy security is high in the agenda of Europe asking for the systematic investigation of all pertinent factors. To this aim a gas network model was developed for testing demand and supply scenarios. Demand scenarios assume that although the total energy demand in Europe will remain at today's level, the share of the natural gas will be increased as: a) more consumers will be added from countries lacking an expanded gas network; b) the share of CNG powered vehicles will be increased. Supply scenarios include current, ongoing and new (in planning phase) pipeline and LNG projects. The analysis revealed the importance of the gas corridor from Azerbaijan and Middle East via Turkey and Greece/Bulgaria and the significance of LNG ports for the alleviation of bottlenecks in the pipeline network.