Dr Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India Technologies Private Limited
City gas distribution (CGD) is central to India’s gas economy transition. The country’s demand for natural gas is expected to reach 360 million metric standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd) by 2050, and the CGD sector will be the major driver, with estimated growth from 30 mmscmd to 210 mmscmd. This growth will be fuelled by higher technology adoption in the sector. By providing increased automation, better accuracy and real-time information, technologies such as geographical information system (GIS) are enabling the CGD sector to achieve exemplary outcomes. This trend will solidify as the sector continues to grow.
Managing complex networks
GIS has emerged as a lynchpin in the CGD industry’s quest for efficiency, safety and customer-centricity. Advanced GIS systems such as Esri’s ArcGIS Utility Network are helping gas utilities manage their complex networks. By providing actionable information, ArcGIS-powered systems are enabling large gas distribution companies such as Mahanagar Gas Limited and Gujarat Gas Limited to provide safe working environments, deliver reliable services and enhance customer support.
One of the primary advantages of GIS in the CGD sector lies in network planning and design. GIS enables spatial analysis of the gas distribution network. This includes analysing the proximity of assets to each other, identifying areas with high demand, predicting potential hazards or vulnerabilities and optimising the placement of new infrastructure. By serving as a repository for consumer data, GIS enables the creation of thematic maps that aid in identifying future potential consumers and enhancing pipeline network planning. By studying demand-supply dynamics through surveys and mapping, CGD companies can formulate expansion strategies tailored to anticipated growth patterns, thereby ensuring scalability and sustainability.
GIS aids in evaluating the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of various network design alternatives. Through sophisticated algorithms and data analytics, the technology facilitates the calculation of parameters such as pressure and gas quantity, while also offering the flexibility to adapt designs to site-specific conditions. This agility is invaluable in planning network routes, maximising reach and minimising costs, ensuring efficient resource utilisation and enhanced service delivery.
GIS also enables gas utilities to achieve high levels of efficiency in asset management. Through precise tracking of pipeline assets such as main and service lines, coupled with the calculation of relative distances, GIS empowers utilities to effectively monitor and manage their infrastructure. This capability not only enhances operational efficiency but also lays the groundwork for proactive maintenance strategies, mitigating the risk of leaks and accidents.
In case of an incident, the swift response time facilitated by GIS is paramount. By providing real-time information to response teams, GIS ensures rapid and coordinated action, minimising the potential impact on both public safety and the environment. Gas utilities also use GIS to integrate intelligence into their network management systems to precisely locate faults. Esri’s ArcGIS Utility Network facilitates the central management of all data coming from different sensors and internet of things devices, making it available to the technicians, leading to timely, effective actions.
Significant opportunity for GIS deployment
The outlook for the CGD sector in India is promising. The coverage of the sector has increased to about 98 per cent of the population and 88 per cent of the geographical area. At present, approximately 23,500 km of gas pipeline network is under operation in the country, and around 12,000 km of pipeline has been approved/under construction. With the government focusing on boosting the contribution of natural gas in the primary energy mix from 6.7 per cent in 2021 to 15 per cent by 2030, we expect to see a threefold increase in the number of CNG stations and a fivefold expansion in the pipeline network. Additionally, piped natural gas connections in the country are expected to reach 7 million.
As the country progresses towards achieving the vision of “One Nation, One Gas Grid”, the potential for technological transformation in the CGD sector is immense. By embracing technologies such as GIS, the sector can position itself at the forefront of innovation, leveraging real-time data insights to optimise network performance and adapt to evolving market dynamics.
By harnessing GIS applications, utilities stand to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs and elevate customer service standards. Since 90 per cent of utility enterprises have a location-based context, spatial information systems such as Esri’s ArcGIS Utility Network will continue to play a pivotal role in driving digital transformation in CDG and ensuring safe and reliable delivery of gas to consumers.