The natural gas industry continues to invest in a variety of paths toward reaching net zero emissions by the year 2050.
Some paths depend on scientific innovations, while others depend on improvements to current pipeline infrastructure. Yet, every path to net-zero emissions in the gas industry relies heavily on technology.
ITS is first and foremost a technology company providing Operator Qualification services to the energy sector, and we love to celebrate new technology in the natural gas industry. While attending the Southern Gas Association’s 2023 conference, we learned about several exciting advances in technology that will help the industry reach its goal.
Here are just a few of the exciting new technologies we learned about that are good for the gas industry, good for customers, and good for the earth:
CNG Is Replacing Diesel Fuel
The low cost of natural gas is driving demand for Compressed Natural Gas as an alternative to diesel fuel in trucks and trains.
Since CNG burns cleaner than diesel fuel, it reduces engine maintenance costs and emits approximately 20% fewer emissions. It has long proven an effective fuel for many public transit networks, and its appeal continues to grow.
Although adopting a new technology can take time, dual fuel engines are speeding up industry demand for CNG. Locomotive engines have been modified to run on 80 percent CNG and 20 percent diesel, while truck engines can run on 65 to 80 percent CNG.
Trucks that have this modified engine can still run on diesel fuel if their drivers are unable to access CNG blends.
Helping Farmers Capture Methane
When released into the environment, methane is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases. Yet, the abundance of methane gas produced from manure on farms has created an opportunity for energy providers.
As larger scale investments and advances in manure processing have lowered the production cost, there are real opportunities to remove methane gas from the atmosphere and use it for heat and electricity generation.
Dominion Energy has invested significant resources into methane capture technologies at farms. The company estimates that its current projects are the equivalent of removing 650,000 cars from the road. Farmers have created an additional stream of income that offers them stability and new opportunities alongside natural gas providers.
Using Satellites for Methane Detection
Duke Energy is another natural gas provider that has sought ways to reduce its emissions of methane gas. In the hope of reaching net zero by 2030, Duke has invested in satellite technology to search for leaks throughout its pipeline system.
This method is far more accurate than traditional aerial and foot patrols along pipelines. By partnering with Accenture and Microsoft, Duke will use a cloud-hosted platform to track and prioritize leak repairs.
Even trace emissions can be detected and then addressed with a faster turnaround time.
Each of these examples show that the right technology in the hands of knowledgeable professionals can benefit all of us. At ITS, we love learning about and sharing the latest advances in our industry.
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About ITS
Industrial Training Services, Inc. isa woman-owned small business headquartered in Murray, Kentucky, that has provided innovative training products and best-in-class support to the energy industry for more than 30 years. ITS is dedicated to maintaining lasting customer relationships by providing groundbreaking and industry-proven compliance tools, training, and products to streamline complex operations and help meet safety, regulatory, and qualification standards.
ITS has been the first to market for a variety of digital products to support the pipeline industry, replacing cumbersome, outdated paper processes and giving business leaders peace of mind that their employees are well-trained and their records are secure.