TOPIC 'Natural Gas / Liquid Gas' on Feb 11, 2009 (CET)
What Will Happen With Russian Natural Gas In The Future?
Especially in light of recent events beginning January 1, 2009, when Russia stopped sending natural gas to Europe through its pipeline due to a dispute with Ukraine, what will happen next time? Europe needs to look at other alternatives to supply its energy demands.
The agreements signed within the last couple of days between Russia and Ukraine “should” get gas flowing again and keep it flowing through 2010. What about 2011? What about 2012? And beyond? These questions need answers that won’t have Europeans freezing the next time a dispute over prices emerges.
What are some options? European countries could build LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminals to diversify supplies, but this option won’t make each country self-sustaining as it would still have to be imported. There has been much talk about a natural gas pipeline running from the Caspian Sea which would bypass Russia, but this is still not the long-term solution that is needed. Europe needs energy diversification and a way to become self-sustaining.
The European Union has passed legislation mandating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A variety of technologies and methodologies need to be put into place to assure this legal requirement is fulfilled, as well as trying to prohibit future incidents such as the Russia/Ukraine ordeal.
True, natural gas is a cleaner alternative than coal; still, that will not be the ultimate answer. Other renewable energy options such as wind power, solar energy, and biogas energy need to be implemented wherever possible. Nearly all European countries have options that aren’t being fully utilized. Turkey and Italy, who felt the pain of receiving no natural gas from Russia, could both utilize solar energy – their countries have the potential. Bulgaria has the same natural resource. Rice husks are another resource that offers huge potential to serve as biomass to produce energy. Subsidies and grants are available to those countries in the European Union who need assistance in getting their renewable energy programs started.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
