The different sections of the IGI report describe system limitations related to potential bottlenecks in the PCI/PMI and Advanced infrastructure levels. To explore different possibilities and limitations beyond these bottlenecks, four different hypothetical scenarios were defined:
- Unlimited Pipes (UP): unlimited connections between (transmission) nodes;
- Unlimited Pipes + Storages (UPS): unlimited connections between nodes + unlimited storage withdrawal, injection and working gas volume in existing storage countries;
- Unlimited Imports (UI): unlimited imports capacities for imports defined in each infrastructure level and reference years;
- Unlimited Storages (US): unlimited storage withdrawal, injection and working gas volume in existing storage countries.
UPS simulation showed the most room for benefits for both infrastructure levels and both simulated years (2030 and 2040). Curtailment was almost totally mitigated in 2030 and reduced by over 60% in 2040. Also, the integration of hydrogen production from electrolysers was best integrated in thisthese specific hypothetical casecases.
These simulations emphasise that additional investment in transmission and storage are needed to meet supply and demand in 2030 and 2040 compared to current PCI/PMI and Advanced infrastructure levels.