Environmentally Friendly Gas Solutions

With the world increasingly dedicated to sustainability goals and the immediate need to reduce CO2 emissions, the search for environmentally friendly gas solutions has become vital. As countries race to achieve their climate targets, the UK is now confronted with an imperative to transform many parts of our current gas infrastructure into their greener counterparts, which can be done with gas engineer software. 

Transitioning from the regular use of natural gas to biomethane or hydrogen is not only a change in technologies but also a change in the thinking of our energy field. This article will discuss the importance of promoting these upgrades to gas customers, define what green gas is and its benefits, and why it is vital in terms of climate change mitigation. 

Why the UK needs to upgrade gas solutions

First and foremost, the UK’s imperative to upgrade its gas solutions is rooted in the need to fight climate change and shift to a low-carbon economy. As one of the top contributors to the planet’s most pressing issue, the country needs to drastically reduce its carbon footprint to meet its ambitious climate targets. 

Traditional natural gas burns efficiently, but it releases CO2 and other pollutants into the environment, accelerating global warming and air quality degradation. On the other hand, greener options, such as biomethane and hydrogen, allow the UK to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and decrease emissions in the heating and energy sectors. 

Moreover, the upgrade of gas solutions is also in line with the government’s commitment to deliver net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, thus driving innovation and opening new economic opportunities for sustainable development. In other words, upgrading gas solutions is not even a question of preference or choice but a vital need to protect the environment and ensure a thriving future for many generations.

What is green gas? 

Green gas, or biomethane, is a sustainable and non-depleting energy source derived from a range of organic materials, including agricultural waste, food residuals, and sewage. Unlike natural gas, which is extracted from limited fossil fuel sources, green gas is created using a process known as anaerobic digestion. Biomethane has analogous properties to natural gas and can be sent straight to the present gas grid. 

In terms of end-of-life management, green gas production establishes an uninterrupted cycle for a ‘closed-loop’ system by making use of organic inputs that would otherwise be consigned to a dump. The organic feedstocks go through anaerobic digestion to develop renewable energy sources, lowering our reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas contributions. 

Green gas is pivotal in the shift to a low-carbon energy system since it presents a sustainable replacement for traditional natural gas with scant environmental repercussions. Furthermore, its carbon-neutral nature makes it a key component in decarbonising the gas sector and achieving climate change targets.

How to prepare customers for green gas

Customers need to be prepared for the transition to green gas, which could be hydrogen or biomethane. 

Hydrogen can be used as an energy carrier that is appropriate for decarbonising various sectors, including heating. The assortment of hydrogen is determined by how it is produced. 

Green hydrogen is produced from water using renewable electricity and is a carbon-neutral energy resource. 

Blue hydrogen is produced from methane using carbon capture and storage and contains fewer emissions than grey hydrogen. 

Grey hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels and has a vital role in electricity production, thus helping reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

Manufacturers are already building hydrogen-ready boilers and other appliances, facilitating the transition process. 

Biomethane integration into existing gas pipelines can provide a natural gas replacement that is green. Customers can already use biomethane without making significant changes to their heating systems or appliances. However, a change in the approach to customers is needed when buying biomethane, which can only be diffused if carbon emissions are reduced.