LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As California policymakers move toward
environmentally focused energy goals, including increased reliance
on renewable sources, a new study by Energy Environmental Economics
(E3) consulting suggests that low-carbon gas fuels are a
viable option for meeting California's greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction
goals and can simultaneously help achieve pollution emission
reduction targets.
Low-carbon gas fuels or "decarbonized gas" refers
to gaseous fuels with a net-zero, or very low, greenhouse gas
impact on the climate. These include fuels such as biogas, hydrogen
and renewable synthetic gases produced with low lifecycle GHG
emission approaches.
"California needs multiple
energy options that deliver choice to our customers and put our
state in the best position to successfully achieve its goals.
Natural gas is a clean, abundant and affordable energy source that
can help California address
climate change and reduce smog, while supporting a strong economy,"
said Rodger Schwecke, vice president
of customer solutions for SoCalGas.
The report examines the potential role of decarbonized gas
fuels, and the existing gas pipeline infrastructure, to help meet
California's long-term climate
goals. It compares two "technology pathway" scenarios for meeting
the state's goal of reducing GHG emissions: an electrification
scenario, where all energy end uses are electrified and powered by
renewable electricity; and a multi-energy framework, where both
electricity and decarbonized gas fuels play significant roles in
California's energy supply.
"The study concludes that a technology pathway for decarbonized
gas could help meet the state's GHG reduction goals and may be
easier and could be less costly to implement in some sectors than a
high electrification strategy. It was prepared by E3, a leading
consulting firm which has expertise in the electricity and natural
gas industries and conducts emissions studies for several state
agencies.
"The findings point to the need for a significant program of
research and development to make decarbonized gas a reality and
allow consumers, businesses and policymakers greater flexibility
and choice," said Schwecke.
Four key findings suggest that decarbonized gases distributed
through the state's existing pipeline network are complementary
with a low-carbon electrification strategy by addressing critical
challenges to California's
transition to a decarbonized energy supply.
- First, decarbonized pipeline gas can help to reduce
emissions in sectors that are for technical or customer-acceptance
reasons difficult to electrify: 1) industrial end uses, such as
process heating, (2) heavy duty vehicles, and (3) residential and
commercial uses, such as cooking, and existing space and water
heating.
- Second, the production of decarbonized gas from
electricity could play an important role in integrating variable
renewable generation by producing gas when renewables are
generating power, and then storing the gas in the pipeline
distribution network for when it is needed.
- Third, a transition to decarbonized pipeline gas would
enable continued use of the state's existing gas pipeline
distribution network, eliminating the need for new energy delivery
infrastructure — dedicated hydrogen pipelines or additional
electric transmission and distribution capacity — to meet the 2050
GHG target.
- Fourth, decarbonized gas technologies would help
diversify the technology risk associated with heavy reliance on a
limited number of decarbonized energy carriers, and allow
consumers, businesses and policymakers greater flexibility and
choice.
The entire report is available from SoCalGas.
About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has been delivering
clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than
140 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution
utility, providing service to 21 million consumers connected
through more than 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities.
The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000
square miles throughout Central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. Southern
California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy
(NYSE: SRE).
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company