Wiernicki: “The great potential of LNG to contribute to decarbonization objectives in the long-term is realized through bio-LNG and carbon capture.”
ABS chairman, president and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki made it clear that LNG might be a key gasoline within the power transition in a keynote speech on the 6th Liquefied Gas and Alternative Fuels Senior Executive Forum.
Held by the Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston on January 19, the discussion board introduced collectively Coast Guard personnel, different authorities businesses and trade consultants to debate the continued progress and use of liquefied gases and various fuels all through the maritime neighborhood.
“We are going to have to begin to balance what we’re facing today, which is, essentially, how do we handle energy security relative to the short-term energy security challenge and the longer-term energy transition? LNG is going to play a leading role in this,” mentioned Wiernicki. “However, for such a key fuel for the energy transition, it is important to recognize it is itself a fuel in transition. And we will need it to not only evolve but to address and mitigate the risks inherent in its operation today if we are to reach our 2050 objectives.”
Noting that an LNG vessel had a decade longer in its operational lifespan than an equivalent historically fueled vessel, Wiernicki mentioned that methane slip represents a big problem and after-treatment applied sciences are nonetheless in improvement. However, the nice potential of LNG to contribute to decarbonization aims within the long-term is realized by means of bio-LNG and carbon seize.
“Another challenge LNG has to contend with is the carbon content at its core,” mentioned Wiernicki. “Here too we are able to count on to see vital developments. Liquefied biomethane, or bio-LNG, a carbon impartial gasoline produced from sustainable biomass assets, has the potential to satisfy a good portion of future transport power demand. Not solely can bio-LNG be used as a drop-in gasoline in current LNG-fueled engines however it may also be transported, saved and bunkered in ports utilizing the present LNG infrastructure.
“But this is just the beginning of LNG’s potential to further contribute to the energy transition. The feedstock of blue hydrogen is methane after steam reforming, when the CO2 produced in the process is captured. While we are scaling up global production of zero carbon green hydrogen, blue hydrogen and by extension LNG, will have a critical role in filling the gap.”
