Methane Emission
It is heartening to see the Central Government, working aggressively on an alternate fuel technology to gradually replace diesel and petrol for all vehicles and transportation vehicles in particular focus. The goal is to significantly reduce atmospheric pollution as committed to Paris agreement.
As a part of this effort Government has sanctioned construction of numerous seaports along the vast coastline to facilitate import of liquified natural gas. It is anticipated that with one million transportation vehicles powered using compressed natural Gas (CNG) and LNG by 2030, annual natural gas consumption will increase over the years. Natural gas is mixture of methane (about 95%), Ethane (about 4%), Propane (0.2-0.5%) and others include Hydrogen, Oxygen etc. The mixture composition varies across different geographies.
While natural gas used as fuel in transportation vehicles its benefit to reduce atmospheric pollution is significant compared diesel and petrol. However, prior to burning natural gas methane emissions from many sources including oil and natural gas sites, CNG and LNG storage sites, transportation vehicles moving natural gas from sources to end users, and others do pose drastic environmental degradation. For example, methane is at a minimum 20 times more damaging to environment than carbon dioxide. Now, for example consider damage due to hundreds of LNG tankers moving or stationary in a metropolitan city spewing boil of natural gas containing 95 percent methane. Admittedly, it will be necessary LNG transportation from ports to end users (fueling stations etc.,) when apart from greenhouse gas (GHG) issues vehicular congestion constraints are considered.
I suggest, possibly the existing regulatory framework governing methane emissions limiting to oil and natural gas sites must be insufficient for the upcoming natural gas storage and transportation as related to automobiles and other means of public transportation.
I suggest that government take charge of this issue and develop focused framework and form technical and industrial committees to assist regulatory authorities to promulgate effective safety regulation.
While natural gas offers clear environmental benefits over traditional fuels, it’s crucial to address methane emissions throughout the supply chain. The suggestion to expand regulatory frameworks to include methane emissions from natural gas storage and transportation for vehicles is both timely and necessary. It’s essential to develop focused safety regulations and establish technical committees to ensure effective oversight. Well said!
Very informative article and definitely something we need to think about.
Very good information… Next important change to have an alternative fuel..
Good suggestion. The topic of going green requires a more holistic approach with short/mid term and long term actions