Page 16 - Gi flipbook September 2018

PRODUCING LOW

CARBON GAS

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

A new, IGEM-sponsored report from Carbon Connect opportunities in the near term to
identifies the need for further government action to take produce low carbon heat and could
advantage of the opportunities offered by low carbon gas. also potentially make use of waste
We take a look at the key findings that would otherwise go to landfill.
However, they require further
support to allow them to continue
f all the sectors in the gas grid. Part 2: Producing Low Carbon contributing to decarbonising the UK
UK, decarbonising heat Gas examines the opportunities and economy. Hydrogen could provide
remains one of the challenges associated with using low huge decarbonisation opportunities
most challenging. Heat carbon gas to help decarbonise the and has applications across the energy
O used for industrial, UK economy. system, from putting hydrogen in the
domestic and commercial purposes This report considers the different gas grid to be burnt for heat in homes,
generates around a third of all UK production technologies, the to hydrogen buses and trains.
carbon emissions, 70 per cent of potential scale of deployment of However, to realise this potential, a
which is due to burning natural gas. each method, and the potential market for hydrogen must be built up.
It is widely accepted that in order to feedstocks. It also discusses issues This should incentivise businesses to
meet our legally binding national related to bulk transport and storage invest in hydrogen technologies,
climate change targets by 2050, of gas. Put together from expert reward those who use hydrogen, and
unabated natural gas use for heat evidence from across industry and build up hydrogen infrastructure.
must be phased out. academia, it provides a balanced
Now, a new report from Carbon guide for policy makers in this area. WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Connect, sponsored by IGEM, claims The work was co-chaired by James Low carbon gases could provide low
low carbon gas – including hydrogen Heappey MP (Conservative), Alan carbon energy across the heat,
and biogases – is one option to Whitehead MP (Labour) and Alistair transport, power and industrial
replace it. This is the second report in Carmichael MP (SNP). sectors, but they need to be
the three-part series. Part 1: Next Carbon Connect suggests that developed further to better
Steps for the Gas Grid explored the biogases, such as biomethane and understand their potential. Carbon
potential to decarbonise the existing bioSNG, provide ‘low regrets’ Connect suggests the following:

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