The natural gas industry will play a key role in shaping the future energy system as a provider of innovative solutions and new technologies. This was demonstrated by 16 future-oriented projects from the academic and business sectors that were presented in Berlin today, Thursday, 22nd November 2018, as part of the Zukunftswerkstatt ERDGAS event.
The Zukunft ERDGAS industry initiative and Wintershall, Germany's largest internationally active gas and oil producer, hosted the event ahead of the prize ceremony for the Innovation Award of the German Gas Industry. The innovative projects were introduced to the participants by means of speed dating, which they then discussed during an interactive panel discussion.
"The concepts and projects presented today make me very optimistic about our energy future. Natural gas is not only climate-friendly but also versatile, and can be used in all sectors. If you want climate protection today – and that at an affordable price, you cannot ignore natural gas. The gas industry is innovative and provides answers on how a low-emission future doesn't have to remain a dream but can become reality. I'm therefore convinced that gas will continue to grow in importance," said Timm Kehler, CEO of Zukunft ERDGAS, at the event.
No less effective is the approach conceived by the Meyer Werft shipyard company to power the AIDAnova cruise liner. It is the world's first ship to be fully powered in port and at sea with LNG. This allows to almost completely avoid the emissions of particulate matter and sulfur dioxides. The emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide are also significantly reduced – a real milestone in cruise shipping.
Natural gas also offers environmentally friendly solutions for urban public bus services, as MAN demonstrated at the Zukunftswerkstatt event with its gas-powered Lion's City Bus. The innovative drive concept combines a low-consumption natural gas combustion engine with an electric motor. Using recovered braking energy saves fuel, while the stop-and-start function also enables quiet and emission-free stopping phases. MAN is therefore setting new benchmarks for urban transport buses when it comes to efficiency and environmental friendliness.
The Zukunft ERDGAS initiative has been established by the German natural gas industry. It represents the brand and the natural gas product to consumers, politicians and market partners.