Supporting energy independence and a cleaner, low-carbon environment through expanded use of natural gas and renewables.
Resources
Natural Gas Basics
What is natural gas? Natural gas is a naturally-occurring fossil fuel that can be found in various underground rock formations worldwide, having been formed millions of years ago from the decaying remains of plants and animals. When it is extracted, natural gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless, and is mainly composed of methane.
Methane is clean-burning and chemically simple. It has four hydrogen atoms and only one carbon atom, unlike most carbon-rich fuels such as coal, wood and oil. Natural gas is also the only fossil fuel that does not leave a residue when it is burned and, given its chemical composition, releases far less carbon dioxide compared to other fossil fuels.
Natural Gas Supply
The scope of North America's future natural gas supplies is summarized in a 2009 briefing paper that was commissioned by the Foundation. The report, by Navigant Consulting, draws on that group's landmark 2008 survey of shale gas production.
Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs)
Natural gas can also be compressed and used to fuel the internal combustion engines used in cars, trucks and buses.
HISTORY OF NGVs
Engines powered by natural gas work much like gasoline-powered engines, relying upon an internal combustion process, ignited by a spark plug. Heavy-duty NGVs have engines that are compatible with diesel engines. But unlike gasoline or diesel, the fuel is in gaseous form, not liquid, which avoids many of the risks of gasoline as a motor fuel, including spillage onto the ground and a wide range of flammability. Its clean-burning characteristics also increase engine life, according to DOE, because NGV engines require less maintenance for problems like carbon deposits and ring wear.
Partners with Renewables
One of the biggest advantages of using natural gas to generate electricity is its ability to be paired with renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar. Because generating power from the sun and wind is limited by weather conditions (when the sun is shining or wind is blowing), power generated from natural gas provides an essential complement to maintain a steady flow of power to end users.