Given the rise of greenhouse gas emissions and the near total dependency on oil of German road freight, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has become increasingly important as an alternative fuel. That’s the message Prof. Dr. Gerald Linke, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the German Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) and Vice Chairman of International Gas Union (IGU) PGC-F Committee—Research Development and Innovation, delivered at a session of the IGU committee in Berlin this week. “It can contribute to energy security and diversification and reduce the CO2 emissions of the vehicles,” Linke said, adding that the European Commission rightly assesses LNG as a “strategic fuel of the future”.
Liquefied natural gas would provide major economic and ecological potentials in road transport, he explained., hence the importance of correct measures for implementation: “In infrastructure for LNG, where we are just getting started, you need good standards and clear, practical guidelines in order to accelerate the development of this promising market.”
“Natural gas among fossil fuels has the lowest CO2 emissions – with its use could be avoided about 24% of this greenhouse gas (GHG) compared to gasoline. Even pollutants such as soot and nitrogen oxides are significantly better than gasoline or diesel,” Linke added.
“Natural gas as a fuel contributes to the diversification of resources in the transport sector and expands its portfolio of energy suppliers. The admixture of biomethane can increase the climate, environment and resource advantages. By feeding produced in Germany biomethane in the existing natural gas grid and utilization in Traffic can be climate impact, improve environmental performance and availability of raw materials further. Adding 20% biomethane can reduce CO2 emissions by 39 percent compared to gasoline.”
The IGU “Research & Innovation” committee, convened by Linke, will develop the technical program of the International Gas Research Conference (IGRC) taking place in Rio de Janeiro in September 2017.
(Source: DVGW)
