A study carried out by Garrigues Medio Ambiente, with the assistance of Asociación Española del Gas (Sedigas – Spanish Gas Association), has come up with recommendations that could help Spain achieve the 20/20/20 Millennium Green Package set by the European Union. The study makes mention of several “Opportunities for Development” for natural gas fuels for transportation.
Opportunities for Development:
- Promote the use of natural gas in road vehicles. Natural gas vehicles offer the same benefits as vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines, but with up to 40% less cost of fuel per kilometer. In Spain there is great growth potential natural gas vehicle (NGV) market compared to the rest of Europe. Based on NGVA Europe figures, Spain has only o.2% of all natural gas vehicles in Europe (29 countries).
- Develop the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships, especially in fishing fleets and short haul. It is estimated that the potential for reducing GHG emissions by fuel switching to natural gas would be up to 15%.
- Encourage the conversion of captive fleets (public transport and refuse collection) to natural gas.
A considerable improvement of air quality in cities could be brought about by the significant reduction of local pollutants: 97% and 95% less NOx emissions than gasoline and diesel and 92% and 99% fewer emissions of particulate matter than gasoline and diesel, as well as reducing noise pollution.
The EU 20/20/20 climate change package:
EU Heads of State and Government set a series of demanding climate and energy targets to be met by 2020. These are:
- A reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions of at least 20% below 1990 levels
- 20% of EU energy consumption to come from renewable resources
- A 20% reduction in primary energy use compared with projected levels, to be achieved by improving energy efficiency.
Collectively they are known as the 20-20-20 targets.
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