World Industrial Reporter

Innovation Delivered Daily

  • Innovation
    • Innovation Article Archive
    • Innovative Companies
    • Innovation Strategies
    • New Equipment Innovations
  • New Products
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Markets
    • Market Trends
    • Tradeshow Reports
    • White Papers
  • Logistics
  • Newsletters
World Industrial Reporter » Market Trends » Natural Gas Vehicles Provide Least Emission Savings

Natural Gas Vehicles Provide Least Emission Savings

March 10, 2016

Print

A study funded by Rice’s Energy and Environment Initiative found that use of compressed natural gas in vehicles yielded the least benefit. The emission matches that of modern gasoline or diesel engines.

The study was carried out by environmental engineer Daniel Cohan and alumnus Shayak Sengupta. They found that, when coal-fired power plants were replaced by gas-fired power plants, more than 50% reduction was found in net emissions.

The objective is to show the huge difference reducing highly uncertain leaks can make in reducing emissions. The observation also showed how new natural-gas power plants are responsible for less than half as much greenhouse gas per kilowatt hour of electricity generated as existing coal power plants.

Analysis of transportation fuel showed natural-gas-burning and gasoline-burning vehicles were nearly identical in emissions impact. Calculations were modeled on Honda Civics, which are sold in both configurations as well as a gas-electric hybrid. In the latter case, the hybrid had a 27 percent lower emissions impact than the natural-gas version, due to its better fuel economy.

According to Rice University, the researchers’ calculations considered emissions from production and transport of each fuel to combustion, including leaks of methane.

Comparison was made among five sectors – power plants, furnaces, exports for electricity generation overseas, buses and cars, to see which use of natural gas pays the greatest dividend for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A comparison of natural-gas-burning versus diesel-burning buses gave the emissions edge to diesel, which accounted for 12 percent fewer emissions, within the range of uncertainty. At the same time, replacing old oil-burning furnaces for residential heating with new natural-gas-burning models yielded emissions savings of up to 48 percent.

Cohan said, “This research is aimed at a world where natural gas has become more abundant. Natural-gas vehicles yield the least savings, and require building out infrastructure that doesn’t transition into new renewable options.”

Therefore, a more effective way to use natural gas to reduce climate-warming emissions would be in furnaces and power plants.

Image/Graphics credit: Tanyia Johnson/Rice University

Share on

Filed Under: Market Trends

Electric Bus Batteries to Take Over by 2020
Blending Traditional Craftsmanship Towards an Eco-Friendly Future
Read Original Article
Avatar

About Doug Lee

Doug has over 30 years tracking and reporting on new products and services introduced by industrial companies from around the world.

Follow me
Suppliers

High-Performance Inductive Displacement Sensor System

The eddyNCDT 3060 inductive measurement system is based on eddy currents and enables fast, precise displacement measurements in industrial environments. Based on ease of use and smart signal processing, this non-contact system defines a new performance class in inductive displacement measurement.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

Hannover Messe with Beckhoff

Beckhoff awaits you at the digital version of the traditional exhibition from April 12 to 16 with innovations from product and technology development. Stay tuned for a comprehensive technology demonstration in digital format and get your exhibition ticket now.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

Flexible Coaxial Cable Assembly for Microwave Applications

This is a flexible coaxial cable assembly for microwave applications up to 145 GHz DC. Optionally, we can offer phase adjustment, which is to combine the delay time difference (skew) of multiple coaxial lines. It can be used to measure high-speed digital transmission devices such as differential transmission lines.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

Subscribe

Get the latest WIR reports straight to your inbox.

Free Newsletter Subscription

Find us on the social web.

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
FREE NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION

Get the latest WIR reports straight to your inbox.

  • Innovation Article Archive
  • Innovation Strategies
  • Innovative Companies
  • New Products
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Market Trends
  • Tradeshow Reports
  • White Papers
  • Logistics
  • Newsletters
  • Fun Stuff
  • Industry Links
Follow us

© 2021 Thomas Publishing Company. All rights reserved.