Behaviour of transmission and distribution networks with big consumption, the stress test

Abstract Customers of gas transmission and distribution networks consume gas as they needed. Such consumptions vary continuously. It was found that within one day, in most of the cases, there are two major peaks. Because the gas is compressible, the load peaks can be covered from the network’s linepack, with the condition that their dynamics are known and the network is prepared in advance, that is, “today” for “tomorrow”. The paper presents the tools and the analysis of the natural gas networks and the limits of their safe operation. The paper also proposes a network stress test to verify the future behaviour of the network at high loads as well as to determine the necessary parameters for the next period of maintenance.