The potential of application of compressed natural gas in transport

Zemeljski plin predstavlja eno izmed alternativnih pogonskih goriv sedanjega in prihodnjega obdobja, ki ponujajo potencial za znižanje količin izpustov toplogrednih plinov ter drugih onesnaževal zraka na področju prometa, sočasno pa lahko predstavlja tudi vezni člen do širitve uporabe biometana, ki bi kot obnovljivi vir lahko postopoma zamenjal zemeljski plin ter omogočil še bistveno nižje emisije toplogrednih plinov v okolje. Uporaba stisnjenega zemeljskega plina v prometu je obravnavana skupaj z daljinsko oskrbo z zemeljskim plinom, pri čemer analiziramo pozitivne okoljske učinke v prometu na eni strani ter predvideno dodatno porabo s ciljem ohranitve ali izboljšanja izkoriščenosti obstoječih plinskih sistemov. V obdobju intenzivnega tehnološkega razvoja vozila na stisnjen zemeljski plin predstavljajo preizkušeno, zrelo in čistejšo tehnologijo, z uporabniško izkušnjo primerljivo uporabi tradicionalnih goriv, pod pogojem vzpostavljene ustrezne infrastrukture polnilnic. Ob upoštevanju okoli 35 % deleža CNG vozil med novimi vozili v letu 2030 bi utegnili na področju cestnega prometa znižati skupne letne emisije CO2,ekv do 10 % v primerjavi s scenarijem brez uporabe CNG. Predvidena dodatna letna poraba zemeljskega plina v ta namen bi lahko ob ugodnem razvoju trga znašala prek 300 milijonov Sm3. Izkazanim koristim navkljub je težko pričakovati samoumeven razvoj trga v smeri scenarija z najvišjim deležem uvedenih CNG vozil. Zaznana je bila kompleksnost medsebojnih vplivov številnih dejavnikov, ki zvišujejo negotovost prihodnjega razvoja, ter potreba po jasno izraženi strategiji prihodnje energetske oskrbe kot predpogoj za izkoriščanje potenciala zemeljskega plina na področju cestnega prometa.Natural gas is one of the alternative motor fuels of current and future period that is offering a potential to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants in the transport sector, and at the same time can also be a link to expanding the use of biomethane, which can as a renewable source gradually replace natural gas and even more decrease the greenhouse gas emissions into environment. The use of compressed natural gas in transport is addressed together with the supply of natural gas, while analysing the positive environmental effects in transport on the one hand and planned additional consumption in order to maintain or improve the utilization of the existing gas systems. In a period of intense technological development, the vehicles using compressed natural gas present a proven, mature and cleaner technologywith a user experience can be compared with the use of traditional fuels as long as the adequate infrastructure of charging stations is established. Taking into account around 35% share of CNG vehicles among new vehicles in 2030, it is likely in road transport to reduce the total annual emissions of CO2e by 10% in comparison with a scenario without the use of CNG. To this end, if the market would develop in a favourable way, the estimated additional annual consumption of natural gas could amount to over 300 million Sm3. Despite the demonstrated advantages, it is difficult to expect that the market is going to develop by itself in the direction of the scenario that would introduce the highest proportion of CNG vehicles. The complexity of the interactions of many different factors was identified, which increase uncertainty of future development, and the need for an explicit strategy for future energy supply as a prerequisite for exploiting the potential of natural gas in road transport