In many countries of the world, industry is the largest gas-using sector and offers important potential for future growth in gas consumption. However, whilst gas offers many advantages over other forms of energy, the industrial gas market faces many challenges including the impact of deregulation in energy markets, the development of new technology and increasing focus on the need to reduce CO2 and other emissions.

　This study group has reviewed the continuing opportunities for gas, providing access to information on current market barriers and incentives.

　The study has identified continuing technology development and interest with potential for gas market growth, but noted:1 )Opportunities for gas in Distributed Power Generation,

2 ) New developments to improve the competitiveness of industrial gas appolications ,3 ) Opportunities involved in any future move towards the use of Hydrogen as an energy carrier.

　Thus, WOC 7 has directed the work of three study groups, focussing respectively on

Objectives of WOC7

Opportunities for Gas in Distributed Power Generation

Opportunities for Gas in Distributed Power Generation

(iSG7.3 has been canceld.)

SG7.1Opportunities for Gas in

Distributed Power Generation

SG7.2New Developments to Improve

the Competitiveness of

Industrial Gas Applications

SG7.4Opportunities involved in any

future move towards the use of

Hydrogen as an energy carrier

WOC7Industrial Gas

Utilisation and Power

Generation

The market opportunity is very sensitive to the relative price of gas and electricity, with the economics affected adversely by the rise in gas prices and fall in the price of electricity

Without other incentives e.g. for promoting reduced CO2, the full potential for gas in this market is unlikely to be realised.

WOC 7 Industrial Gas Utilisation and �Power Generation

WOC 7 Industrial Gas Utilisation and �Power Generation

Study Group 7.1

This study group has assessed new and developing technologies in combustion and process control techniques for the use of gas in industry. Whilst no major breakthroughs have been reported, a number of important incremental developments are reported.

The use of gas in glass meltingEfficiency improvements in chp using inlet air coolingDevelopments in microturbines <200 kWeDevelopments in radiant heatingUsing gas in place of electricity in the plastics processing industryNew techniques to monitor gas quality in sensitive process applicationsImprovements in air-gas ratio control

New and developing technologies

The studies have demonstrated that even in a mature market, there are still opportunities to find and promote new applications for gas. Attention is also drawn to reduced investment in technology and R&D as one consequence of market liberalisation, which means that new mechanisms to encourage co-operation and wider support for research, development and demonstration need to be found.

Subjects in the future

Micro turbine, the compressor can be seen on the left

Industrial furnace

New Developments to Improve the Competitiveness of Industrial Gas Applications

New Developments to Improve the Competitiveness of Industrial Gas Applications

Study Group 7.2

　This study group has surveyed the current gas industry's role in hydrogen, considered the future of hydrogen in the energy business and identified opportunities for the gas industry in a future hydrogen economy.

　The study group has noted that ensuring security of energy supplies has also become an important argument for a gradual switch to Hydrogen, with declared interest and funding by the US government, the European Union and Japan.

　Many thanks to all those members of WOC 7 and the study groups who have contributed to the work carried out.

　The comprehensive report is not a plea on behalf of Hydrogen, but is intended to ensure that the gas industry is well informed, so that business decisions can be made regarding future involvement and potential investment．

Hydrogen Future business opportunities New role of hydrogen

Hydrogen transmissionLarge scale steam reforming of Natural gas with CO2 sequestrationHydrogen storage at large scaleHydrogen appliancesHydrogen power generation

Longer Term opportunities

Hydrogen distributionCHP using Hydrogen Refuelling Stations for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

Medium-term opportunities

Small scale natural gas reformers to produce on site hydrogenRefuelling Stations for HCNG busesAdding low percent hydrogen to the gas gridHydrogen from renewables

Short-term opportunities

Acknowledgements

Study Group 7.4 Hydrogen- A future business option for the gas industry?

Hydrogen- A future business option for the gas industry?