Ref. Ares(2018)3895257 - 23/07/2018
g-mobility platform
The Role of Natural Gas in Decarbonizing the Transport Sector
On a European level, natural gas is considered one of the main alternative energy carriers.
Together with electricity and hydrogen, those technologies would replace conventional fuels
used in transport and, thus, contribute to a decarbonized European mobility. Among the main
benefits of using natural gas is that it is affordable, reliable and available technology that offers
close to zero pollutant emissions and importantly,
carbon neutral mobility with renewable
gas.
NGVA Europe’s long-term analysis of the market and potential for natural gas shows that
looking towards 2030, the fleet size of CNG and LNG powered vehicles will continue to increase.
More specifically,
in 2030 the expected fleet size would be around 13 million vehicles running
on natural and renewable gas, whereas the market share would be comprised of around 12%
private and light commercial vehicles, 25% heavy-duty trucks and 34% buses.
With this market development, the natural gas consumption in transport is also expected to
increase to around 30 bcm, while at the same time replacing conventional fuels.
Renewable
gases, such as biomethane produced from municipal waste and liquid manure and power-to-
methane, would contribute to
around 30% (9 bcm) of the natural gas used in transport in
Europe.
Strong synergies with the maritime sector also exist already as there are several small scale
LNG bunkering facilities available in Europe and this number increases annually. Because of its
high-energy density,
LNG is able to replace heavy-fuel oils used in the sector while at the same
time reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strongly diminish local pollutants.
Why a Platform Devoted to Natural Gas
Such development is the result of many interdisciplinary projects, from research and
development, through infrastructure and technology development, to market deployment.
NGVA Europe considers beneficial the
development of a platform dedicated to natural gas that
would be able to monitor EU funded projects related to renewable gas production, refuelling
infrastructure and technology development. Furthermore, the platform would able to oversee
information related to R&D and demonstration projects, Horizon 2020 & FP9, as well as CEF,
Cohesion Fund and any other initiatives,
all in one centralized domain.
Further opportunities that could be included in the scope of such platform would include:
• offering a
common floor to road, rail and maritime transport sectors, being able to
liaise with other energy sectors (e.g. electricity and hydrogen)
• facilitating synergies and cross-fertilization among projects and sectors
• identifying technological and legislative barriers
• supporting dissemination through dedicated workshops/events
• optimizing the financial support from the EU Commission
The overall concept for the platform, therefore, is
to be a reference to national initiatives and
to be able to provide up-to-date information on the points mentioned above to both the
European Institutions and other stakeholders interested in the markets and the available
opportunities for further development. Those benefits can be broadly summarized in the
following two categories:
Functional benefits to the European Commission:
• providing a common and continuous monitoring from
EU funded project outcomes
• providing an overview on
locally funded initiatives at national/regional level
• identifying further
research needs
• identifying
legislative bottlenecks
• liaising with different transport sectors (road, rail and maritime)
• supporting the optimization of the EU financial effort
Functional benefits to other stakeholders:
• providing information about new
EU funding opportunities
• bringing
awareness to already existing projects
• distributing information about project progresses and results
• providing additional opportunities for dissemination
• enabling search for
new partnerships and technology scouting
How Would Such Platform Operate
NGVA Europe’s proposal envisages the platform to serve corresponding to a
CSA (Coordinating
and Supporting Actions) scheme or similar as under Horizon 2020. Under this setting, NGVA
Europe would be able to take the lead of the initiative
with the aim to strengthen the role of
natural gas as a transport fuel. This approach is under the core competencies of the association
and is its guiding principle for the rest of its activities.
As such, with regards to financing this initiative, this could be envisaged under the CSA allocated
fund and an application could be made during the next calls (publication in 2020).
However, to facilitate the development in the meantime,
it would be beneficial to consider a
funding under some of the undergoing additional support schemes outlined in the current
H2020 working program (Smart, green and integrated transport), such as the “Support to the
development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of transport research and innovation
policy activities” (Horizon 2020 - Work Programme 2018-2020, p. 104).
This particular action is
closely matching the scope of the platform, which as outlined above
intends to cover a. Technical assistance, and economic and policy analysis b. Communication
activities and c. Supporting new forms of innovation in the transport and mobility sector.
About NGVA Europe
The Natural & bio Gas Vehicle Association (NGVA Europe) is a European association that
promotes the use of natural and renewable gas as a fuel in vehicles and ships. Founded in 2008,
its 135 members from 31 countries include companies and national associations from across
the entire gas and vehicle manufacturing chain.
NGVA Europe is a platform for the industry involved in producing and distributing vehicles and
natural gas, including component manufacturers, gas suppliers and gas distributors. It defends
their interests to European decision-makers to create accurate standards, fair regulations and
equal market conditions.