the power of
natural gas
the power of natural gas
For most of us, natural gas is the blue flame lighting stovetops at dinnertime or working down in basement boilers to heat water and buildings.
But there's more to natural gas than a little blue flame.
For most of us, natural gas is the blue flame lighting stovetops at dinnertime or working down in basement boilers to heat water and buildings.
But there's more to natural gas than a little blue flame.
Today, natural gas impacts lives at an unprecedented scale, generating clean and reliable electricity. It is a transportation fuel, powering cars, buses and even trains. And as a petrochemical feedstock, natural gas is helping manufacture more and more of our everyday goods. This affordable and abundant energy source is making up a growing portion of our daily energy use, yet most people don't know much about it.
Today, natural gas impacts lives at an unprecedented scale, generating clean and reliable electricity. It is a transportation fuel, powering cars, buses and even trains. And as a petrochemical feedstock, natural gas is helping manufacture more and more of our everyday goods. This affordable and abundant energy source is making up a growing portion of our daily energy use, yet most people don't know much about it.
part one
natural gas and you
Natural gas generates power. But what is power? Power creates electricity. Power is energy delivered. At home, power starts with the flip of a switch.
Natural gas generates power. But what is power? Power creates electricity. Power is energy delivered. At home, power starts with the flip of a switch.
133M+
U.S. homes, apartments and other residences use electricity.
50%
of the homes in the U.S. use natural gas for heat, and hot water, cooking and drying clothes.
The U.S. power sector accounts for
35%
of U.S. natural
gas consumption.
That energy flows into homes through a network of power lines called the grid.
The U.S. power sector
accounts for
35%
of U.S. natural
gas consumption.
That energy flows into homes through a network of power lines called the grid.
Power is supported by a complex infrastructure that enables humans to develop, to move, to modernize, to reduce emissions, to operate more efficiently and even to reheat leftovers.
Let's take a journey to better understand how natural gas is transforming our world today — and tomorrow — by providing a reliable and lower-emission source of energy.
part two
The North American
energy landscape
Today's energy infrastructure is a complex mix of different types of energy supply feeding pipelines, power plants and wires to energize everything from homes and small businesses along Main Street, to large industrial plants. Natural gas is a critical part of powering North America's daily activities — alongside renewable energy sources that continue to grow. Natural gas is driving a domestic manufacturing renaissance and expanding opportunities abroad when cooled to form a liquid and exported on ships.
Here's a look at how natural gas is shaping the U.S. energy landscape today and tomorrow:
SUPPLY/
PRODUCTION
Natural gas is abundant thanks to new production technologies.
~140BCFD
North American natural gas supply will grow from about 95 billion cubic feet per day (BCFD) in 2017 to about 140 BCFD in 2040.
MANUFACTURING
RENAISSANCE
It's not just a fuel for homes — natural gas creates inexpensive energy needed in manufacturing and natural gas liquids are a critical feedstock used to manufacture millions of goods.
14%
Industrial energy demand will rise by 14% between 2017 and 2040.
RENEWABLES
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar will be important, but supply can be intermittent like the wind and the sun. Natural gas is a reliable complement to renewables.
143%
Renewables will see a 143% growth in energy supply in North America between 2017 and 2040, and natural gas-fired power plants will be essential to keep power flowing when the wind isn't blowing or the sun isn't shining.
LNG EXPORT
Each day, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is shipped by larger tankers to countries around the world.
~20BCFD
North American exports will hit ~20 billion cubic feet per day (BCFD) by 2040, a significant jump from the record-breaking 6 BCFD in 2019.
Here's a look at how natural gas is shaping the U.S. energy landscape today and tomorrow:
PRODUCTION
RENAISSANCE
PRODUCTION
RENAISSANCE
part three
A GAME CHANGER FOR CHINA AND INDIA
The challenge for fast-growing economies in India and China is to expand their energy supply, to enable modern life while protecting the environment and human health. To meet this dual challenge, these countries are turning to natural gas, which, when used for power generation, emits up to 60% less CO2 than coal and also doesn't have the same pollutants as coal that can affect air quality. Global use of natural gas is on the rise, in part because when chilled and liquefied into LNG it can be shipped worldwide. LNG is expected to meet one-third of global natural gas demand by 2040.
Regardless of how it gets to homes around the world, however, it's clear that demand is growing.
By 2024, China will account for more than 40% of global natural gas demand growth.
In India, natural gas accounts for 7% of the country's energy mix.
And by 2030, it will grow to 15% of the country's energy mix.
India operates five LNG import terminals. It plans to build 11 more terminals by 2027.
part four
The future of energy
Over the next two decades, natural gas will grow the most of any energy type, supplying a quarter of all the world's energy demand.
GLOBAL
POPULATION
INCREASE
GLOBAL
POPULATION
INCREASE
MIDDLE
CLASS
EXPANSION
GLOBAL
ENERGY
DEMAND
quadrillion
BTUs
GLOBAL
ENERGY
DEMAND
ENERGY
DEMAND
BTUs
CLASS
EXPANSION
POPULATION
INCREASE
global energy mix shifts to lower-carbon fuels
2017
so, what is power?
Natural gas generates the power that enables modern life, in more ways than just the blue flame lighting stovetops at dinnertime.
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