Last year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a
report with the title "Are we entering a golden age for gas?" A few days ago, IEA released a follow-up
report with the tile “Golden Rules for a Golden Age of Gas".
Even the titles are enough to convey
the key messages. There is no doubt that
we are in the golden age of natural gas.
But as it is usually the case (especially with regard to energy supply
options), gas has its advantages and disadvantages. The report reviews both in
a balanced way and concludes that gas is a desirable energy option, provided
that rational and effective regulation is implemented to mitigate the negatives
impacts (e.g., water contamination, liquid effluents, methane release, etc.).
Having a fuel which cuts greenhouse gas emissions in half
(relative to coal) is a substantial improvement even if it is looked as a
transitional option to more green options which are likely to take some time to
be accepted widely. Also, it is worth
pointing out that natural gas could be used in the transport sector too, either
in the form of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or gas-derived liquid fuels (produced
by Gas To Liquid, GTL, processes).
The full report is
available here:
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