The energy sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, driven by the transition to more sustainable sources, security of supply and technological innovation. In this context, natural gas as a transition energy source and renewable gases, such as green hydrogen and biomethane, will play a key role in decarbonisation and in shaping the new energy model in Spain and Europe.
We spoke to María Junco, General Manager of Technical Management of the Gas System at Enagás, on the occasion of the company’s 25th anniversary as Technical Manager of the Gas System. This role includes the planning, operation and technical management of the primary and secondary natural gas transmission network in Spain.Its main goal is to guarantee the continuity and security of natural gas supply and the proper coordination of access points, storage facilities, transmission and distribution networks.
Junco, who has extensive experience in the sector, shares her views on the future of the gas system, the integration of renewable gases into it and Spain’s role in the European energy context.Women’s increasing leadership in the energy sector brings a fresh perspective to the major challenges of energy transition and sustainability.
The European energy sector has a clear roadmap towards decarbonisation, not only as a way to fight climate change, but also as a major lever for strategic autonomy. To achieve this, we will have to face major challenges in terms of financing, with highly volatile markets; challenges in terms of innovation, as Europe needs to build skills and production models around new technologies; and challenges in terms of regulatory simplification. But undoubtedly, the big challenge will be to maintain a balance between this great goal for the future and the needs of the present, with unprecedented geopolitical upheavals in which our industry must be competitive.
In this context, the gas sector will have to face, in the short term, a market burdened by a very tight supply-demand balance and, therefore, very volatile prices; in the long term, it will have to face the challenge of being the great catalyst of the transition, with the increasing integration of renewable gases and the support of the electricity system, which, although less on an annual basis, will be critical at peak times and will therefore require a sustainable and flexible infrastructure system.
There is no doubt that Spain has great potential in the production of renewable gases, as evidenced by the interest shown by producers, both in the Call For Interest for the green hydrogen infrastructure network in Spain and in the applications for connection of biomethane to transmission and distribution networks.
There is no doubt that Spain has great potential in the production of renewable gases
At present, 44 biomethane and biogas plants are registered under our Guarantees of Origin certification system for renewable gas, and three green hydrogen plants are already in operation. These data show that we have already overcome the barriers of the start-up phase and are now in the deployment phase.
Indeed, we have seen important developments in the sector in recent months. For example, the availability of an Iberian renewable hydrogen price index, IBHYX, published by Mibgas, and an important boost from the administrations with various lines of aid and financing. All this, together with the series of measures adopted by the Ministry -promoting the accelerated processing of the RED III Directive and the Renewable Gas and Hydrogen Directive- and by the CNMC -with the imminent approval of the Circular on Access to Renewable Gases- promises to accelerate the integration of renewable gases.
Optimising the technical management of the system means anticipation and flexibility. Geopolitics, increasingly extreme weather events and the integration of renewable energies require technical system management that is prepared for any scenario in a matter of seconds. The use of Hybrid Intelligence -biological and artificial intelligence- in both physical and commercial operations will therefore be the focus of our innovation.
Optimising the technical management of the system means anticipation and flexibility
We have just implemented a new system for real-time monitoring of the facilities, SCADA, and we are in the process of transforming our commercial system, SL-ATR. The possibilities offered by these systems to exploit their information are materialising in a unique “DATA GTS” database, on which our forecasting systems and optimisers will allow us to make much more agile, efficient and transparent decisions, in the face of any flow configuration that the system may require.
I am a strong believer in the power of collective intelligence to transform organisations/civilisations; this collective intelligence needs to be nurtured by diversity of thought. Moreover, a sector such as energy, with such a global dimension, subject to the geopolitical board game, with such complex challenges to solve, and with an increasingly evident social impact, requires an unprecedented commitment to diversity in all its axes.
At Enagás, we have undoubtedly understood and championed this commitment, especially in terms of gender diversity, with an operational team with an increasingly female presence and leadership, and a Board and Executive Committee at the forefront of the IBEX. At Enagás, key areas such as Engineering, Digitalisation, Strategy, Communication and Operations are led by women, so the best way to answer the question is to point to the evidence of our company’s strong performance.
At Enagás, key areas such as Engineering, Digitalisation, Strategy, Communication and Operations are led by women
It is so important to ask yourself this question from time to time to make sure you are on the right track!
From a very young age, I have always had a strong vocation to serve people, and it is precisely the Technical Management of the System that helps me feel close to the contribution we make to society at Enagás. Moreover, we are experiencing a truly exciting time of transformation for our company that it is very inspiring to not only live through this, but also write part of this history.
Sometimes these big resolutions can get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and so I also keep in mind the importance of the daily contribution to and from people, as well as the little things. And frankly, I think it is this great ecosystem that surrounds me, full of dedicated professionals eager to contribute, that most fills this space with daily motivation.
