Achieving a natural gas’ net zero carbon footprint can reduce emissions into the atmosphere, making it an environmentally friendly energy source. Millions of Americans use natural gas to generate electricity, compelling companies to achieve net-zero emissions. How can companies relying on power achieve that with natural gas?
[bctt tweet=”Learn how companies are achieving natural gas’ net-zero carbon to minimize harmful environmental impacts. ” via=”no”]
Natural gas plays a crucial role in taking the world towards net-zero emissions. It has lower emissions than coal when burnt to produce power. Natural gas offers a cleaner way to generate electricity, reducing carbon emissions. Switching from coal to natural gas for power has cut over 500 million tons of CO2 in one decade.
A Clean-Burning Fuel
Just like renewable sources of power like wind and solar, renewable natural gas offers a quick, reliable, and affordable back-power. It’s a clean energy source that allows billions of people to enjoy access to power and lower carbon heat. Thankfully, many companies can now reduce methane emissions from natural gas to maximize their benefits on the climate.
Methane is a greenhouse gas produced during the production, processing, and incomplete combustion of natural gas. According to the International Energy Agency (EIA), the average methane leakage rate from natural gas operations is 1.7 percent. The good news is, companies have developed ways to minimize methane leaks.
Carbon Capture
Another strategy that companies use to achieve net-zero carbon with natural gas is decarbonizing. Decarbonization is the process of capturing the carbon dioxide generated when natural gas is burnt. The method utilizes Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage technologies to trap carbon dioxide before it reaches the atmosphere.
You can capture the carbon present in the hydrocarbons either before its use or after its use. Before using natural gas, you can decarbonize natural gas by converting it into a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
After using the natural gas (post-combustion), you can capture the CO2 and place it in long-term geological storage. Geological storage is a relatively new technique to store carbon emissions underground.
Reducing the Industry’s Environmental Impact
Achieving the natural gas net-zero carbon is a cost-effective way to minimize industries’ impacts on the environment. There is a need for well-designed regulations to reduce methane emissions into the atmosphere. Such rules should be flexible enough to allow the deployment of advanced technologies that will detect leaks.
Contact us to learn more ways to achieve net-zero carbon with natural gas.