How is CNG a clean fuel?
AGP Pratham | 07 September, 2022
"Go CNG, Go Green" is a quote one may come across while discussing natural gas. With the shift in the landscape for clean air regulations and the increase in global warming, companies are actively switching to cleaner alternatives. One such popular clean energy alternative is Compressed Natural Gas, or CNG as we call it
CNG is a fossil fuel primarily made of methane which is compressed to nearly 1% of the total volume it occupies at regular atmospheric pressure. It is widely used as a transport fuel to power passenger cars and public transportation like buses. Besides its use in automobiles, CNG is also used in cooking. The supply is ensured via a CNG gas connection.
Reports concerning CNG pumps in India reveal that as of May 2021, Gujarat has the highest number of CNG stations (794), followed by Maharashtra (461) and Uttar Pradesh (455). Collectively India had 3,180 CNG stations when this study was published.
Why is it considered a clean fuel?
CNG is popular for its low emission rates and other eco-friendly benefits. Although it benefits all industries, it is most helpful in the automobile industry. Following are the reasons why it is considered a clean fuel:
• Natural gas is typically a product of decaying organic matter. The hydrogen in the composition releases energy, leaving behind only water as a residue.
• CNG mixes easily and evenly in the air since it is a gaseous fuel. Furthermore, it leaves no residue.
• CNG creates comparatively less pollution than oil or petrol during combustion. For instance, when an engine runs on gasoline for 100 kilometers, it releases 22 kilograms of CO2. However, when it runs on compressed natural gas, it emits 16.3 kilos.
• The nitrogen oxide and soot emissions in CNG-powered vehicles are comparatively lesser in vehicles running on diesel.
• Vehicles powered by CNG are more beneficial to the environment as compared to vehicles running on electricity. Electric vehicles draw their electricity from the national grid, which adds to the system's overall greenhouse gas emissions.
• Compressed Natural Gas emits approximately 6 to 11% lower levels of greenhouse gases in comparison to petrol or diesel.
• The amount of carbon dioxide generated by burning coal is roughly 50% more than that produced by CNG.
• It substantially improves the local air quality.
CNG in the near future?
Natural gas utilization in transportation can improve energy security. It will further reduce dependency on pricey oil imports for nations with sizable gas deposits but little to no oil reserves. As per reports, India is the 3rd largest consumer and importer of oil globally. It is 85.5 percent dependent on these imports to meet its needs.
The use of CNG is bound to increase soon as natural gas production in India consistently rises. India's Hydrocarbon vision statement envisages natural gas’s share to account for around 25% by 2025.
The automobile industry, one of the biggest industries affected by CNG, is also making adjustments to meet the demand for CNG vehicles in India. The domestic sales of CNG-powered vehicles have doubled, driving automobile companies that haven’t yet launched CNG-powered vehicles to enter the space.
As far as the CNG price is concerned, the running cost of CNG is INR 2.1 per/km. In contrast, the running cost for petrol works out to INR 5 per/km, making the former a cost-effective alternative. It will not come as a surprise to see a rise in CNG stations around you on searching “CNG station near me” as India expects to have a total of 10,000 CNG stations in 330 cities in the next two years.
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