Is natural gas renewable?

What is natural gas?

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that forms over millions of years from the remains of plants and animals buried deep inside the Earth's crust. This process occurs when organic matter decomposes under extreme heat and pressure, transforming into methane, the primary component of natural gas. Along with methane, this gas also contains smaller amounts of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other hydrocarbons.

Natural gas is known for being an efficient and popular energy source for heating, generating electricity, and industrial processes. It's widely used in homes and businesses, particularly for cooking and heating. However, despite being highly efficient and created automatically by the Earth, natural gas is unfortunately considered non-renewable because it takes millions of years to form. And once it's used, it's gone for good.

Where does natural gas come from?

Natural gas is found deep beneath the Earth's surface, often in shale deposits (large collections of fine-grained sedimentary rock) and other geological formations filled with organic material that has been slowly transformed into gas over millions of years. Fracking is typically used to extract it, which involves injecting high-pressure fluid into rocks to release the gas trapped inside.

Once extracted, the gas is transported through pipelines or converted into liquefied natural gas (LNG) for easier shipping across long distances. Some of the largest producers of natural gas include the United States, Russia, and countries in the Middle East, meaning it often has a long way to travel before it reaches the UK. The gas then travels to homes and businesses, where it's used for heating, cooking, and power industries.

Is natural gas bad for the environment?

Natural gas is often considered a cleaner alternative to other fossil fuels like coal and oil, but it still has an environmental impact.

While natural gas produces less carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants, extraction and fuel-burning still contribute to global warming. In fact, emissions from natural gas account for almost a quarter of global greenhouse gases. One of the main environmental concerns is methane leakage during extraction and transportation. Methane is much more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2, meaning if it escapes during extraction, it can speed up global warming.

The methods used to extract natural gas — such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking) — can also lead to water contamination, habitat destruction, and even ground tremors in the areas surrounding drilling sites.

Types of natural gas

Natural gas comes in different types, each with its own unique characteristics and uses:

• Dry natural gas – Made mostly of methane, dry natural gas is the most commonly used type for heating, cooking, and power generation. It's transported via pipelines or liquefied for easier storage.

• Wet natural gas – Wet natural gas contains methane, ethane, propane, butane, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). After extraction, it's processed to remove the liquids, which can be used in other chemicals and fuels.

• Shale gas – Found in shale rock formations, shale gas is extracted using fracking. It's made of mostly methane and has become more popular as fracking technology advances.

• Coalbed methane (CBM) – This gas is trapped in coal seams and extracted using similar methods to traditional natural gas. It's mainly methane and is used for heating and electricity. Learn more about where electricity comes from here.

• Biogas – Produced from organic matter like waste, biogas is mostly methane and is a renewable alternative to conventional natural gas, used for heating and generating power.

What is renewable natural gas (RNG)?

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is an alternative to traditional natural gas that’s produced from renewable, organic sources. Unlike traditional natural gas, which is extracted from underground, RNG is produced from organic waste materials. It's chemically similar to regular natural gas, making it compatible with the existing gas distribution and combustion infrastructure.

What makes RNG different is its sustainability; it's made using processes that help reduce emissions and divert waste from landfills, making it a cleaner option that's a vital part of the move towards net zero. In fact, the production and consumption of renewable natural gas emit ten times less CO2-eq compared to fossil natural gas, and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.

Where does RNG come from?

RNG is created using various organic waste sources, such as agricultural waste, food scraps, and even sewage, which are collected and processed to produce biogas.

One of the most common ways to create RNG is anaerobic digestion. This is a natural process in which bacteria break down organic matter in an oxygen-free environment, producing biogas. The biogas is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, and trace gases, which is then purified to remove carbon dioxide, leaving behind nearly pure methane, which forms RNG.

Another source of RNG is landfills, where organic waste decomposes over time and produces methane. This methane can be captured, purified, and used as RNG. Similarly, sewage treatment plants and food processing facilities also naturally produce biogases that can be converted into RNG.

What is RNG used for?

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is a versatile energy source that can be used in the same ways as regular natural gas. Here's a snapshot of some key areas that use this fuel type:

• Heating – RNG can be burned in the same way as natural gas to heat homes and businesses. It can be injected directly into the existing gas grid, meaning households using natural gas can benefit from cleaner energy without replacing their heating systems.

• Electricity generation – RNG can be used in power plants to generate electricity. As a clean, renewable energy source, it offers a way to produce electricity without contributing to the harmful emissions of fossil fuels like coal or oil.

• Transportation fuel – In some regions, RNG is used as an alternative vehicle fuel. It's most commonly used in buses and trucks, but has even started being rolled out for use in some personal vehicles.

What are the benefits of RNG?

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) comes with a variety of benefits that make it a popular alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Let's take a closer look at some of the major advantages:

1. Creating more jobs in the green energy space

As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, RNG helps to create jobs within the green energy sector. From waste management to energy production and infrastructure development, there's a broad range of employment opportunities in the renewable natural gas industry.

By supporting RNG production and distribution, we also contribute to the overall growth of the green economy, which is essential for boosting local economies.

2. Reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions

One of the biggest environmental benefits of renewable natural gas is reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, RNG is carbon-neutral, meaning that the CO2 it emits when burned is balanced by the carbon dioxide absorbed by the organic material used to produce it.

This helps cut down the amount of harmful gases released into the atmosphere, which are major contributors to global warming and climate change.

3. Diversifying fuel consumption

Renewable natural gas provides an alternative to conventional fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, which are limited and non-renewable.

By diversifying the types of fuel we use, RNG reduces our dependence on a single energy source, like coal or oil, which can be unpredictable. Using multiple energy sources means we're less vulnerable to sudden changes in wholesale prices and supply shortages.

Plus, with more sustainable options like RNG in the mix, we can gradually shift towards a cleaner, more stable energy system that's better for both the environment and the economy.

4. Local air quality improvement

Burning RNG releases fewer air pollutants than burning traditional fossil fuels. Compared to coal, oil, and even conventional natural gas, RNG emits fewer particulates (tiny solid or liquid particles that pollute the air), sulfur dioxide, and other harmful pollutants that can degrade local air quality..

This makes it essential to improve urban air quality, particularly in areas where air pollution is a serious concern due to heavy reliance on coal-fired power plants.

Discover energy deals with UW

If you’re looking to switch your energy supply, we’re here to help.

At UW, we offer a wide range of energy plans to suit your budget, including fixed and variable rate tariffs to help you save on your gas and electricity.

Take a look at our energy plans today.