GRONINGEN, The Netherlands–(BUSINESS WIRE)–N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie), a European gas infrastructure
company, and Accenture (NYSE: ACN) have built and deployed a new digital
natural gas transport management system (GTMS), designed to help better
manage the Dutch gas grid, which transports natural gas, hydrogen and
green gas from biomass.

The new system, operating at the heart of the Netherlands’ critical and
complex gas infrastructure, provides control-room dispatchers and
maintenance personnel with accurate information at the right time, 24
hours a day. Based on advanced gas management system software from
Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy
management and automation, the GTMS enables the monitoring and control
of the Dutch gas grid.

Accenture worked closely with Gasunie to design, build, deploy and
operate the new digital system, which included implementing the
functional architecture and applications and migrating data from the
prior system.

The GTMS includes new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
and Gas Management System (GMS) functions which facilitate all
communication with Gasunie assets and equipment remotely, similar to
Distribution Management Systems (DMS) and Energy Management Systems
(EMS) in electricity grids. The GTMS generates insights and
notifications based on the data gathered and provides operators with all
the information needed to efficiently operate the gas grid from the
central control room in Groningen. This helps maintain the safety and
security of natural gas transported in the Netherlands at the highest
levels.

The GTMS also provides Gasunie with real-time insights into the
high-pressure gas grid, demand forecasting as far ahead as 48 hours, and
simulation of gas flow and composition — which together will enable
Gasunie to enhance its operational capabilities and conduct maintenance
more efficiently. The GTMS is integrated with Gasunie’s geographical
information system, using a single source for asset data (including
pipelines, compressors and valves), to create a network model of the
system as a digital twin of the physical network.

As part of the program, Accenture also provided organizational
change-management services to help prepare, train and support user
groups — including dispatchers and data and IT maintenance teams — for
the system implementation.

“We are delighted to be working with Accenture on our new gas transport
management system, which we believe will provide us with a strong
foundation for the future,” said Eddie Lycklama à Nijeholt, program
manager for control room replacement, Gasunie. “Accenture has played a
crucial role in delivering this complex project on time and on budget,
using its industry knowledge and digital capabilities.”

Jeroen Zanting, director for Asset Management, Gasunie Transport
Services, said, “The new system provides a state-of-the-art platform
that is flexible and equips us well for the future. This is a direct
result of the strategic relationship we have had with Accenture since
2010. While our old system served us well for more than two decades, the
new solution will provide our operators with better tools and more
timely information to ensure better decision-making and ultimately a
safer and more-secure gas network.”

Roy Ikink, a managing director at Accenture who leads its Transmission
and Distribution business in the Netherlands, said, “This project will
help optimize gas transport in the Netherlands, providing more insight
into and influence over the Dutch gas grid, with greatly improved
situational awareness for operators. The new system is cheaper and
easier to maintain on a daily basis, and the system’s flexibility will
enable Gasunie to easily respond to any future changes required. We are
excited to continue our long-standing relationship with Gasunie.”

About Gasunie

Gasunie is a European gas infrastructure company. Gasunie’s network is
one of the largest high-pressure pipeline networks in Europe, comprising
over 15,000 kilometres of pipeline in the Netherlands and northern
Germany. Gasunie wants to help accelerate the transition to a
CO2-neutral energy supply and believes that gas-related innovations, for
instance in the form of renewable gases such as hydrogen and green gas,
can make an important contribution. Both existing and new gas
infrastructure play a key role here. Gasunie also plays an active part
in the development of other energy infrastructure to support the energy
transition, such as district heating grids.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a
broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital,
technology and operations. Combining unmatched experience and
specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business
functions — underpinned by the world’s largest delivery network —
Accenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help
clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their
stakeholders. With 477,000 people serving clients in more than 120
countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world
works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Contacts

Guy Cantwell
Accenture
+1 281 900 9089
[email protected]

Matt Corser
Accenture
+44 755 784 9009
[email protected]