The future of liquified natural gas (LNG) in the energy transition: options and implications for the LNG industry in a decarbonising world - PhDData

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The future of liquified natural gas (LNG) in the energy transition: options and implications for the LNG industry in a decarbonising world

The thesis was published by Al-Kuwari, Omran, in July 2023, UCL (University College London).

Abstract:

A global energy transition is currently taking place, driven primarily by the need
to combat climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) has concluded that the current trajectory of global greenhouse gas
emissions is not consistent with limiting global warming to below 1.5 or 2 °C,
relative to pre-industrial levels, a threshold that could lead to severe economic
damage and instability for the coming decades. Fossil fuel combustion, industry,
transport, and electricity production contribute to approximately 80% of global
greenhouse gas emissions. Energy systems must therefore decarbonise at
dramatic rates to move towards a more sustainable environmental development
path, but also to cater for population and economic growth in many parts of the
world. Natural gas, a fuel with superior environmental credentials than other fossil
fuels, has been touted as a “transition fuel” to support the low-carbon transition
by promoting fuel-switching and supporting hard-to-abate sectors until largescale electrification with renewable resources and other solutions such as largescale batteries and hydrogen are developed and deployed.
Utilising a bespoke meta-framework grounded in institutional theory, combining
elements of techno-economic and socio-technical approaches, this study
examines how institutional, political, and resource characteristics affect the use
of liquified natural gas (LNG), the fastest growing sector within natural gas.
Methodology includes the analysis of three country cases (UK, Japan, China). In
addition, an in-depth analysis of the LNG industry is conducted, with a focus on
the decarbonisation options and implications for the industry, including the impact
of development of the hydrogen economy on LNG. The synthesis presents
conclusions and findings on LNG’s role in future potential pathways in energy
systems in various stages of the energy transition.



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