Natural Gas Plays Integral Role In Future Low-Carbon Economy

Natural gas will remain a significant contributor to the energy portfolio and to economic growth in the U.S. over the next two decades, playing a key role in meeting low-carbon goals, a new study commissioned by the INGAA Foundation finds. Conducted by Black & Veatch Management Consulting, the report, The Role of Natural Gas in the Transition to a Lower-Carbon Economy, presents a comprehensive analysis of the future role of natural gas and natural gas infrastructure in a greener economy over a 20-year period from 2020 to 2040.

The study analyzes and compares two scenarios: a Balanced Future Scenario, representing a balance of policy initiatives and market economics, and a Rapid Renewables Transition scenario, representing a transition heavily driven by policy and intended to accelerate the penetration of renewables in power generation.

The report’s findings, supported by detailed modeling and industry subject matter expertise, are based on two future scenarios that consider different levels of renewable escalation and how these levels will affect natural gas demand, representing possible paths toward an energy portfolio that is increasingly reliant on renewable energy. In both scenarios studied, natural gas will play a key role in the transition to a greener economy, and natural gas infrastructure will continue to be needed.

“This research provides policymakers, key stakeholders, and the industry context about the diversity of natural gas’s role in our nation’s economy and how natural gas—and gas pipeline infrastructure—will play an essential role in facilitating the transition to a lower-carbon economy,” said INGAA Foundation president Don Santa.

According to the report, the intermittent nature of solar and wind power generation will intensify the need for flexible, nimble, fast ramp-up generation that natural gas supplies to maintain the reliability of the U.S. electric grid. Natural gas power generation will require additional flexible transmission services to balance the growth in renewable generation and support electric-grid reliability. New pipeline capacity will support this transition.

“As demonstrated in this report, America’s natural gas will serve both domestic and global needs for many years to come,” said Santa. “The members of the INGAA Foundation look forward to contributing to the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible transmission of natural gas to customers as we transition to a lower-carbon economy.”

“Natural gas has undergone a transformation over the past decade, and this study illustrates the attributes of natural gas and our robust natural gas infrastructure mean that natural gas will remain an essential source of energy within a greener U.S. energy mix,” added Deepa Poduval, associate vice president and industry executive for oil and gas at Black & Veatch’s management consulting business. “We have a decades-long track record of providing deep experience on gas-electric interdependence issues, and we’re honored to have partnered with the INGAA Foundation in this thoughtful examination.”

To download the study, visit ingaa.org/ Flagship2019.aspx.

(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, May 28, 2019)