According to the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, natural gas decreases pollution and greenhouse gas production compared to coal and oil. Natural gas has a pivotal role in heavy industries as it comes from the earth abundantly and is used as a power source for electricity generation, industrial heating, and manufacturing processes since it is highly flammable due to high levels of methane. It is a cleaner source, as heavy industries encourage industries to be more productive and create a non-polluted environment. This changing dynamics will unlock new strategies in economies, particularly those based on agriculture, to gain a cleaner energy source that becomes even more reliable. Natural gas can support both large-scale industrial complexes and small, scattered, and decentralized inbuilt energy systems, its role is promoting energy security and stability. This increased dependence on natural gas will also be a catalyst for the formation of hybrid systems that combine natural gas with renewable sources of energy into more robust and adaptable energy networks.
According to the Global data, India is in the third position for using thermal plants and the world's third largest consumer of energy. In the electric power sector, natural gas is used to generate electricity and provide thermal energy required for industrial purposes. Natural gas causes less environmental damage compared to other fossil fuels. In thermals, natural gas produces fewer toxic air pollutants, less carbon dioxide and almost no particulate matter compared to other fossil and biomass fuels while combusted for heating or electricity. Due to high flame, natural gas has a major role in manufacturing industries like automobile, food processing, mining, chemical and Pharmaceuticals, fertilizers etc. Also used in manufacturing a wide range of chemicals such as acetic acid, ammonia, methanol, butane, propane, and ethane. In light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, compressed natural gas (CNG) is utilized, and it offers a cheap and environmentally friendly alternative to other gasoline. For heavy industry and heavy-duty vehicles and ships, Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the preferred natural gas fuel because it is denser than gas and can store more energy by volume, making it suitable for trucks that need longer ranges. Natural gas is an ideal source for the desalination process, to remove salt from seawater to make it appropriate for human consumption and agriculture, which requires a great deal of energy and also assists in meeting demands for plants to continue offering a reliable supply of clean water for drinking and irrigation in areas where there is a water shortage.
Natural gas is considered a sustainable energy as it is a cleaner fossil fuel and cheaper than coal and oil. Burning natural gas produces less carbon dioxide per unit of energy, about half compared to the best coal technology. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India reduces its carbon footprint in producing steel by replacing coal with natural gas, particularly in the Direct Reduced Iron-process, which cuts down CO2 output released compared to the traditional techniques. Production of steel accounts for about 8 percent of global carbon emissions combined. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India is trying to produce green steel by studying hydrogen use and investing in cleaner technology, including arc furnaces running on electricity and is also working on energy efficiency and carbon capture to further decarbonize the operations. Natural gas tax implications are cheap compared to other gases. Besides this, natural gas requires less maintenance, and it extends the lifespan of an engine and can also be stored and efficiently transferred through pipelines. Heavy industries moving towards being cleaner and greener, natural gas proved to be an asset.
"The Northeast has tremendous potential in the production of natural gas. As the Northeast Gas Grid is likely to become operational by 2026, the deposit of 6 million MMSCMD of natural gas can be monetised by the existing producers," said Rajesh K Mediratta, MD and CEO of Indian Gas Exchange (IGX).
Natural gas has undergone significant development in heavy industries to be more efficient, greener, and moderate in cost. Besides, cleaner combustion technologies, such as low-NOx burners and integrated gasification combined cycle systems, are carrying out the process of burning cleaner with the improvement of energy efficiency. Combined Heat and Power systems capture both the electricity and heat generated during the combustion of natural gas, further enhancing energy use and reducing costs even more. Advanced gas turbines and combined cycle power plants increase energy efficiency, while vehicles and equipment powered with natural gas go on to reduce fuel costs and emissions. Besides, Carbon Capture and Storage technologies contribute to the further reduction of CO2 emissions and the production of green hydrogen using natural gas in the decarbonization of industries. Digitalization through the use of smart meters and data analytics allows optimizing natural gas consumption in real time and improves industrial operations even more. New innovations create the image of even heavy industries as greener and more cost-effective operations.
The future for natural gas is promising as it is viewed in terms of advances in extraction and transportation. More heavy industries are beginning to utilize the financial and environmental advantages of natural gas. Further, natural gas use is also expected to grow in the coming years in industrial processes, power generation, and cogeneration systems. India is also strategically moving towards a gas-based economy and plans to increase the share of gas from its current 6.2 percent to 15 percent in the country's primary energy mix by 2030. In heavy industries, natural gas nurtures its place as a dependable, relatively cleaner substitute for coal, is highly flammable to support high-temperature processes, and has the possibility to be supportive of renewable energies in a more sustainable decarbonized industrialized landscape. Natural gas plays an essential role in the world's transformation to cleaner alternatives while, at the same time, acting as a bridge between dependence on fossil fuels and renewable resources.
“The growth we’re seeing in global gas demand this year and next reflects the gradual recovery from a global energy crisis that hit markets hard,” said IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security Keisuke Sadamori. “But the balance between demand and supply trends is fragile, with clear risks of future volatility. Producers and consumers must work together closely to navigate these uncertain times while taking into account the need to advance clean energy transitions to ensure a secure and sustainable future.”
