The Future of Natural Gas

Conserve the Natural Resources

Natural Gas (NG) is one of the primary fuels which people consume at home for cooking and heating. NG approximately shared 1/4th of primary energy consumption in 2020. NG is supplied through either a pipeline network or in cylinders. Its calorific value is around 1000 British Thermal Units per Cubic Feet (Btu/ft3) depending on the sources and the components present in the gas. According to estimates calculated by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in 2020, 7257 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) exist in the gas reserves across the globe. Russia, Iran, Qatar, Turkmenistan, and the United States respectively hold the world's largest gas reserves.

Industrial Use of Natural Gas 

NG is a mixture of hydrocarbons. It contains typically Methane (94.7 mol %), Ethane (4.2 mol %), Propane (0.2 mol %), Butane (0.04 mol %), Pentane (0.02 mol %), Hexane and above (0.01 mol %), Nitrogen (0.5 mol %), Carbon Dioxide (0.3 mol %), and traces of Sulpher, Water Vapors, Oxygen and Hydrogen. This composition differs from source to source of NG. It is a ripe source of lower alkanes, and therefore NG is a major ingredient in fertilizers and pharmaceutical products. Another significant use of NG is the production of steam and electricity for industrial use. All industries such as Pulp and Paper, Metals, Chemicals, Ceramics, Textile, Plastics, and Food Processing consume NG to either generate steam or produce electricity to run their operations.

Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas

NG produces COx, SOx, NOx when combusted in the burner. These produced gases, including natural gas, are called greenhouse gases which are hazardous for the environment. In contrast to other fossil fuels - LPG, Gasoline, Diesel, Fuel Oil, Kerosene, and all types of Coal; NG is cleaner and more environmentally friendly. Still, it produces 433 gram CO2 when 1 kWh electricity is generated by a power plant that is 56.1% efficient. To understand the scale of total CO2 production by NG we can simply multiply it with total kWh produced. 

Another hazard posed by NG is its leakage into the environment. It leaks from gas wells, storage tanks, distribution and transmission pipelines, domestic consumer installations, and chemical & power plants. NG itself damages the ozone layer like other Cholro Floro Carbons.  

Natural Gas Shortage in Different Countries

NG prices are record high in September 2021 in different parts of the world including the United States, Europe, and Asia. The reason is the sluggish production of NG due to lockdowns imposed to control the Covid-19 pandemic. This supply and demand chain would adjust itself as the pandemic is controlled collectively. 

However, several countries are struggling to meet their energy demands, and the NG crises are persistent for the last few years. The reasons for NG crises include depletion of reserves in some countries, extreme cold weather in the last few years, political unrest between the producer and consumer countries, and obviously, pandemic disrupting the production and supply activities.  

Future Challenge for the World

The major impact of the NG shortages would be on green goals set by the world in COP26 to control greenhouse gas emissions. The transition from high-impact fossil fuels to low-impact and renewable fuels would stop to meet the growing energy demands. The secure and affordable supply of NG would be the next challenge for the world to overcome and meet the goals of carbon neutrality.  

Place of Natural Gas in the Era of Renewables

Right now NG is paving the path for the renewable energy era. As the governments are driving the policies for the generation of the renewable energy industry and scientists are striving hard to develop new sustainable technologies that could be supported by the new energy systems, the world is left with a choice to reduce the emissions until then. And NG with its lower emissions is the only option to burn and produce energy. In the distant future, when renewable energies such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric, and biofuels would be as common as fossil fuels are now, the only villain would be NG, if not depleted completely.

Conclusion

NG is a cleaner fuel than the rest of the fossil fuels. It is used for municipal as well as industrial use to produce heat and electricity. Shortage of NG causes several issues like price soaring, disturbance in the energy mix, and higher carbon emissions. Presently, a secure and affordable supply of NG to the countries is the biggest challenge to the governments to meet sustainable future goals.   

Let me know in comments that how the affordability and security of Natural Gas in your region are assured.