Natural gas

Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, and has the following advantages:

• it is a low-carbon fuel; 
• the use of natural gas produces negligible quantities of particulate matter, and significantly lower emissions (CO, NOx, etc.) than fuel oil, petrol and diesel fuel, petroleum gas and biomass. Thus when burned, natural gas releases 15% lower CO₂ emissions than burning wood, 30% lower CO₂ emissions than burning oil and 45% lower CO₂ emissions than burning coal; 
• natural gas technologies have above-average efficiency, higher than e.g. coal or wood;
• the use of natural gas for heating or as a motor fuel does not release particulate matter into the atmosphere (PM10 and PM2.5) that causes heart and lung disease;
• replacing coal and oil with natural gas for electricity production and in transport is the fastest and cheapest way to achieve CO₂ emissions reduction targets.

With regard to achieving the targets of the Kyoto Protocol and the European Green Deal at the level of the European Union, natural gas has been recognised as an energy source that will make the transition to a carbon-neutral society possible. In addition to synthetic methane, a key role in this process will be played by green hydrogen, obtained from renewable sources, which when mixed with natural gas will provide decarbonisation, both in industry and households, and in both land and maritime transport. 

Natural gas is now a pillar of the energy industry and the operations of energy companies, and along with significantly lower environmental impacts in comparison with other fossil fuels it provides users with an uninterrupted and reliable supply, which in combination with green energy will remain a reliable source in the future. 

Due to its numerous positive qualities, natural gas is now used across a wide range of activities, including: 

• industry
• technological processes
• as a raw material in various economic sectors
• electricity generation and/or cogeneration of heat and power
• heating water and heating production and other facilities
  
  
• appliances
• heating and cooling of buildings
• cooking
• hot water heaters
  
  
• transport
• vehicles that use natural gas as a motor fuel (in pressurised or liquefied form) reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality
• personal and commercial vehicles using pressurised or liquefied natural gas have significantly lower fuel costs 

The main characteristics and advantages of the use of natural gas for general use are:

• competitive energy product
• no need to store fuel (no fuel tank required – saves space and increases safety)
• very comfortable to use
• highly efficient (gas boilers achieve an efficiency of nearly 100%)
• clean burning (lowest emissions of harmful substances into the environment)
• modern cogeneration plants are highly efficient, which is particularly important for the rational consumption of energy and environmental protection