Gas for climate: how gas can help to achieve the Paris Agreement target in an affordable way
In a new study, Ecofys, has analysed what role gas and gas infrastructure can play in a zero greenhouse gas emissions energy system by 2050. The study, launched by the Gas for Climate initiative, shows that renewable gas can play an important role in reducing Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by mid-century. Ecofys, estimated the potential for the production of renewable gas, including biomethane and renewable hydrogen, within the EU by 2050. Based on prudent sustainability criteria, a potential of at least 122 billion cubic metres (bcm) of renewable gas, biomethane and renewable hydrogen is feasible. This equals around 25% of today’s natural gas consumption in Europe. The study allocated this gas over various economic sectors and modelled the societal cost savings of using this gas compared to a fully decarbonised energy system without any gas. The energy experts found that using 72 out of the 122 bcm renewable gas for the heating of buildings and to produce dispatchable electricity at times of peak demand, can already save €138 billion annually by 2050.