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Naturgy debated the future of natural gas at Rio Innovation Week, highlighting its natural vocation for the energy transition and the operational efficiency of already installed infrastructure.
Naturgy participated in Rio Innovation Week, the main innovation event in Brazil, where it extensively discussed the future of natural gas. During the panel 'Energy Leaders – The future of energy from the leadership's perspective', debates covered crucial topics such as energy transition, decarbonization, energy security and technological innovation. The company reaffirmed the importance of natural gas as a fundamental vector for these transformations.
Natural gas has stood out as a viable solution for the energy transition, demonstrating its effectiveness compared to other sources. Additionally, discussants highlighted how existing natural gas infrastructure provides significant operational efficiencies. The event highlighted the central role of natural gas in the current and future energy scenario, consolidating it as a crucial fuel for the coming decades.
Strategic Vision for the Future of Natural Gas
During the panel 'Energy Leaders – The future of energy in the vision of leadership', held at Warehouse 4 of Pier Mauá on August 15, Christiane Delart, director of Naturgy's Gas Distribution System, highlighted the natural vocation of Rio de Janeiro for the use of natural gas. In 2023, the state concentrated 78% of the national production of this important fuel.
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The executive highlighted the importance of natural gas in the energy transition and its fundamental role in decarbonization processes. 'Currently, we are observing daily changes in the consumption profile and demand, with industries and customers looking for cleaner energy. This opens up a great opportunity for us, as natural gas is the energy of transition. This is a gradual process.
Efficiency in Decarbonization and Energy Security
Decarbonization will be achieved by replacing more carbon-intensive fuels with others with less impact. For example, by switching from diesel to natural gas, there is a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions', explained Delart. She also spoke about the role of natural gas in opening paths to new sources and ensuring the security of the system.
According to Delart, the infrastructure already installed for the distribution of natural gas will be a great ally in the energy transition process, as gas pipelines can also be used for biomethane, a fuel produced from organic waste. 'Brazil has great diversity in all types of supplies.
We see natural gas acting in combination with new sources, to guarantee the safety of the system. In an integrated way, gas can guarantee security of supply and meet increased energy demand until biomethane and other new technologies reach the maturity already reached by the oil and gas industry, to be produced on a large scale.
We need to take advantage of this fantastic potential that our country has and I believe in a promising, sustainable and safe future in the energy sector', highlighted Christiane.
Impressive Numbers and Operational Efficiency
The Naturgy representative also emphasized that even in the most optimistic decarbonization scenarios, including international scenarios, there is no future without natural gas for the next 30 years. During the panel, the director presented impressive numbers from Naturgy, which distributes gas throughout the state of Rio and also operates in the south of São Paulo. 'We have 8.400 km of network installed and serve 1 million and 200 thousand customers, supplying around 7 million cubic meters of natural gas daily, excluding thermoelectric plants, which would increase to up to 11 million cubic meters per day.'
Sustainable Corridors and the Expansion of Natural Gas
We always seek greater operational efficiency, as the more new customers inserted into the system over the existing network, without the need for new investments, the lower the cost for the end customer. We optimize processes and invest in technology', stated Delart.
Finally, Delart spoke about the Sustainable Corridors project, developed in partnership with the Secretariat of Energy and Economy of the Sea of Rio de Janeiro. The initiative aims to implement as many stations as possible with CNG and biomethane, allowing trucks to circulate mainly on the main highways, refueling with cleaner energy.
Structuring Project and Green Municipalities
The first station was opened in Dutra, connecting Rio and São Paulo, with at least 10 more mapped for implementation. Another topic discussed was Structuring Projects, which take natural gas to places where the main network does not yet reach. The fuel is compressed and transported in trucks, and local networks are built with less investment, allowing the energy transition to occur in practice. This structure can be used by both natural gas and biomethane. If biomethane production is nearby, projects can be converted into Green Municipalities.
Currently, there are seven projects already installed operating with natural gas. In addition to the director of Naturgy, Ronaldo Valino, CEO of Energy Hub, Celso Ferreira, COO of Acelen, and Eduardo Lima, director of Gás Verde, participated in the debate.
Source: © renata.grieco@inpresspni.com.br
