Summary

1. Our European presence among associations
2. Our International Partnerships with gas network operators
3. GRDF’s partnerships on R&D
4. International services GRDF can provide
5. Our affiliates providing international services

As a French gas distribution network operator, why do we think it is important to develop international collaborations?

• Because in a global gas market, which is now also becoming increasingly local with the development of renewable gases, we think it is key to be able to exchange ideas and learn from the whole industry.
• Because we think by sharing and working together on best practices, R&D, innovation, etc. we can accelerate progress and leverage gas as a key decarbonization vector.
• Because we have developed in-depth knowledge and expertise on several critical topics such as network operations, smart meters, renewable gas development, etc. that can help other operators in their own development.

Let’s get in touch and see what we can do together!

Our European presence among associations

As one of Europe’s main gas network operators, GRDF is collaborating with different associations and initiatives in Europe to contribute to the development of renewable gases and advocate for the role of gas as a key decarbonization vector for Europe.

GD4S (Ggas distributors for sustainability)

GRDF is a founding member of GD4S. This organization represents leading natural and renewable gas distributors in eight Member States (France, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Romania). Together, we represent almost 35 million customers in Europe and operate 480,000 km of network across the EU. Our missions: to raise the voice of gas DSOs in the European debate, unlock the potential of renewable gases and gas grids, contribute to the development of a decentralized, reliable, and flexible energy system and provide expertise with regards to decarbonization policies.

https://gd4s.eu/

EBA (European Biogas Association)

The European Biogas Association is the leading European non-governmental organization promoting biogas and biomethane in Europe. EBA’s membership comprises national biogas associations, institutes, and companies from over 20 countries across Europe. The member associations cover the majority of producers, companies, consultants, and researchers in the field of biogas within Europe

http://www.european-biogas.eu/

Eurogas

Eurogas is an association of 103 companies and associations, including GRDF. Members cover gas wholesale and retail gas markets along with the distribution of natural gas, biomethane and hydrogen. The association also works with companies active in gases for vehicles and in value chain methane emissions management. Eurogas accelerates the transition to carbon neutrality through dialogue and advocacy for optimizing the use of gases.

http://www.eurogas.org/

COGEN Europe

COGEN Europe, the European Association for the Promotion of Cogeneration, is the cross-sectoral voice of the cogeneration industry. Its mission is to work with EU institutions and stakeholders to shape better policies and eliminate administrative, regulatory, and market barriers to the wider use of cogeneration in Europe. Cogeneration, also known as Combined Heat and Power (or CHP), is the most efficient way to use any thermal energy source to simultaneously produce electricity for own use or the grid, as well as heat for heating, cooling, hot water, and industrial process heat. CHP installations across Europe use a range of increasingly low-carbon and renewable fuels and have diverse applications in district heating, industry, and residential or commercial settings.

http://www.cogeneurope.eu/

BIP (Biomethane Industrial Partnership)

BIP is an industrial partnership in which policy makers, industry, and other stakeholders team up with the goal to support the production and use of sustainable biomethane. 

https://bip-europe.eu/

Ready4H2

Ready4H2 is a project that aims to combine hydrogen expertise and experiences across the European gas distribution companies creating a common understanding of how the distribution networks can help accelerate the rollout of hydrogen in the various markets and deliver the carbon reduction potential of hydrogen utilisation.

https://www.ready4h2.com/

Marcogaz

Marcogaz is an international non-profit association founded in 1968 and represents the European gas industry on all technical aspects of the gas system’s value chain, focusing mostly on the midstream and downstream sectors. Marcogaz represents the interests of national and European gas associations as well as the individual gas companies’ members spread across Europe. Our association has forged its reputation over more than five decades, working closely with the gas industry, official bodies within the European Union, and other influential partners.

https://www.marcogaz.org/

ERGaR

The European Renewable Gas Registry (ERGaR) is the European association dedicated to facilitating cross-border trade in renewable gas certificates. Through the ERGaRCoO scheme, it has facilitated the transfer of over 3 TWh of biomethane certificates. Currently, the scheme has six System Participants (Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, and the UK). At the same time, ERGaR provides a forum for all stakeholders involved in the cross-border trade of biomethane certificates to collaborate and work towards a harmonized European market.

https://www.entsog.eu/ergar

Our International Partnerships with gas network operators

GRDF has developed strong partnerships with peers all over the world to foster the exchange and development of best practices, encourage innovation, and make the voice of gas heard on a global scale.

Be it in Europe with Italgas (since 2019) and PSG (since 2023), or on a more international scale with Tokyo Gas Networks (since 2023) and North American Energir and SoCalGas (through a four-party partnership including GRTgaz (since 2019), GRDF has initiated and maintained top-tier collaborations with major gas network operators.

Renewable gases and their integration, network operations, smart meters, new technologies, cybersecurity issues, artificial intelligence, etc. are just some of the key topics through which international cooperation will lead to better practices in our industry.

GRDF’s partnerships on R&D

GRDF is a member of the key European and North American R&D associations focusing on developing common relevant R&D programmes that will benefit the industry.

GERG (The European Gas Research Group)

GERG, along with its member organizations, works with the European energy community to develop innovative solutions which place the gas infrastructure at the heart of the energy system, now and in the future.

https://www.gerg.eu/

OTD (Operations Technology Development)

OTD is a not-for-profit corporation led by 29 members who serve over 70 million natural gas consumers in the United States, Canada and France, and supply 60% of the households currently using natural gas in those countries. GRDF is a member of OTD, highlighting its investment in R&D and new technologies.

https://www.otd.org/news/gaz-reseau-distribution-france-sa-grdf-joins-operations-technology-development-otd/

International services GRDF can provide

As a key player in the French and European gas industry, GRDF offers high-value services to network operators, local authorities, investors, and industrials throughout France as well as worldwide. We promote our solutions and technical expertise and deliver professional training services to customers globally, including in Europe, China, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America, etc.

For more details, have a look at some of our featured activities below or contact us!

Smart meters: benefit from the experience of the design and roll out of 11 million meters

 From project scoping to communication network supervision, more than a hundred professionals are committed each day to making our smart metering project work! And thanks to our in-depth experience, GRDF can guide you through your own smart gas meter journey by offering you a complete range of high-end expertise each step of the way.

Renewable gases: take advantage of GRDF’s journey to accelerate your own

With more than 500 biomethane plants connected to our distribution network and more than 10 years of experience advocating for the development of biomethane in France and Europe, GRDF can support you through your own biomethane journey.

We can offer you a complete range of high-end expertise each step of the way, including defining roadmaps, communication strategies towards key opinion leaders and institutional stakeholders, training and site visits, support on injection stations, setting up internal organizations, developing and rolling out new technologies (pyro-gasification, hydrothermal gasification, power-to-gas), and so on.

Cathodic protection: a strategic activity related to the industrial safety of your installation

Among its networks, GRDF has approximately 48,000 km of steel buried under cathodic protection. Cathodic protection, through an electrochemical reaction in the soil, protects these networks against corrosion.

Approximately 3,200 pieces of equipment, known as drainage and extraction stations, have been installed throughout France, along with 98,000 measurement points to monitor their effectiveness. Furthermore, communicative measurement boxes are installed in the field and remotely transmit information about the level of protection achieved. Finally, our expert technicians are responsible for taking measurements and performing adjustments if necessary. GRDF has therefore extensive knowledge to help you with your cathodic protection issues, be it for technical aspects or training.

Due diligence: get support from Europe’s main DSO when considering the acquisition of infrastructure assets

GRDF can offer its expertise to help you perform due diligence in multiple fields (regulation, technical aspects, operation and maintenance, network management, customer relationships, etc.), and support your teams during the acquisition phase.

Our affiliates providing international services

Thanks to our affiliates, we have the ability to provide international services and professional training on various topics such as the gas supply chain, safety, and renewable gas management.

Energy Formation: professional training for gas workers in France and abroad

Energy Formation has been providing professional training for gas workers since 1967. With customers throughout the gas industry, they support numerous key players, established gas companies, as well as newcomers, in developing their skills to ensure their activity is safe. They currently offer more than 250 training courses covering the whole natural gas supply chain, gas mobility, biomethane and hydrogen. Their advantages are threefold :

• Experienced, qualified trainers: trainers are selected for their technical skills and field experience. They are then trained for a year to acquire educational expertise.
• Neuroscience-based training courses: each training course follows basic neuroscience principles to ensure the learning experience is effective and positive, using methods such as demonstrations, simulations, experiments, games, digital technologies, and more.
• World-class facilities: our learning model is based on practical training. As such, our 3 training sites in Nantes, Paris, and Lyon, have educational facilities that perfectly scale and reproduce what learners will encounter in real life.

https://energyformation.grdf.fr/toutes-les-actualites/we-provide-training-international-companies

Iowizmi : connecting devices internationally

Iowizmi is a telecom operator specializing in Internet of Things (IoT) using LPWAN 169 MHz technology, the 169 MHz bandwidth of GRDF concentrators in France. They offer secure data transport services for connected devices, radio planning, and support for IoT projects. Their network includes over 10,000 antennas, covering 80% of the French population. Iowizmi connects devices for French and European gas distributors, the tertiary sector, industry, local authorities, and social landlords. Their services focus on data transport and securing information for connected devices as well as various types of radio studies.

Iowizmi - Telecom operator specializing in IoT LPWAN 169 MHz

Axegide : maintaining the gas network

Axegide is a company specializing in gas network safety, maintenance, repair, and compliance. Axegide delivers services such as expertise, risk prevention, repair work, and energy efficiency, and operates throughout France through a network of specialized partners. The company's certified technicians are qualified to meet the requirements of various sectors, including industry and public entities. Axegide also provides training tailored to its customers' needs. Axegide plans to expand its international offerings, particularly with Wobbelis, by focusing on gas quality measurement and tailoring using a process developed by GRTgaz. This initiative aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of gas quality controls globally.

Axegide - Your safe gas network