For New Zealand -- Natural gas is a plausible introduction to biomass energy systems
The approach suggested here leads to the future introduction of methanol, ethanol and fuel gases, produced from a long list of other sources, i.e., biomass, coal, peat, as well as from rather new natural gas sources. As a first step in this direction, using methanol as an octane boosting additive to gasoline at the refinery allows for the use of an unchanged refinery, thus saving on capital investments and on crude while leading to an eventual future that may eliminate reliance on the refinery altogether. The real issue here is what makes more sense -- (A) to attempt to provide synthetic fuels to existing energy systems, or (B) to use an interim fuel easily available in New Zealand in order to change the energy system so that the dependence on petroleum is broken. For the case of New Zealand -- a set of two islands without cross traffic -- it can be proven easily that changing the energy system is not going to create an impossible burden. Specifically: the proposed Motunui plant that was planned to use natural gas to produce synthetic gasoline is a US $2 billion project. It leaves New Zealand hopelessly dependent on imported crude for diesel and requires a further US $1 billion investment in the local refinery, thus in effect increasing the national debt per capita by a further US $1,000. These funds could have been used instead to promote the proposed alternative route -- the route that would have changed a large part of the motor vehicle fleet from gasoline and diesel fuel to CNG and methanol fuel. Such a solution, if proven in New Zealand, could then be attempted in other countries that have medium-size natural gas resources and a larger potential of future biomass fuel resources that could then be developed at an acceptable pace without causing any foodversus-fuel competition or unwanted social effects.
- OSTI ID:
- 6553862
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-831205-
- Journal Information:
- Alternative Energy Sources; (United States), Journal Name: Alternative Energy Sources; (United States); ISSN ALESD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
294003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Natural Gas
299003* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
ALCOHOL FUELS
AUSTRALASIA
BIOMASS
COMPRESSED GASES
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GASOLINE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LIQUID FUELS
METHANOL FUELS
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANTS
NEW ZEALAND
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLANNING
PRODUCTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SYNTHETIC FUELS
VEHICLES