utilities

U.S. drives global natural gas demand to new highs in 2024

Power producers in the U.S. have lifted natural gas-fired generation to new highs over the first nine months of 2024, sustaining the country's position as the leading driver of global natural gas consumption.

Japan expands LNG flexibility via cooperation with South Korea, Italy

Japan has agreed on Sunday to study cooperating with South Korea and Italy on procurement of LNG as the world's second-biggest LNG importer after China seeks greater flexibility while strengthening its energy security.

Norway's Equinor scraps plans to export blue hydrogen to Germany

Norway's Equinor has scrapped plans to export blue hydrogen to Germany because it is too expensive and there is insufficient demand. Equinor and Germany's RWE signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2022 to build a hydrogen supply chain for German power plants to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

UGS installs biogas upgrading system in Michigan and Wisconsin (U.S.)

Unconventional Gas Solutions announced the successful commissioning of two innovative biogas upgrading plants in the U.S. states of Michigan and Wisconsin. The two plants, which together feed 800 Nm3/hr of biomethane into the local gas grid, are the first UGS systems of their kind.

EU LNG import utilization falls as demand declines

European Union LNG import terminals are being utilized less as demand for the fuel continues declining across the continent, increasing the realization that Europe’s LNG import infrastructure will become increasingly underutilized as gas use drops further.

Helen Oy, MAN Energy Solutions and H-TEC SYSTEMS partner to build Helsinki hydrogen plant

Helen Oy is joining MAN Energy Solutions and H-TEC SYSTEMS to build a 3-MW green hydrogen production plant in the vicinity of Helsinki’s district heating network and the Vuosaari Harbour.

Nu:ionic Technologies (Canada), HybriGenix Futures to collaborate on hydrogen production facility in Canada

Nu:ionic Technologies (Canada), Inc. and HybriGenix Futures Inc. announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on an innovative clean power and hydrogen production facility in Alberta, Canada.

New Zealand to pass laws to expediate LNG imports amid energy shortages

New Zealand said it would pass laws by the end of this year to reverse a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, and take urgent steps to remove regulatory hurdles to import LNG amid energy shortages.

The case for electrifying brownfield compressor stations

8/7/2024

Gas transmission system operators around the world are under intense pressure to reduce emissions, lower costs and ensure profitability in a future defined by market volatility. Upgrading legacy drive systems in compressor stations can play a key role in achieving these objectives.

TES, Saibu Gas collaborate to provide e-NG to Japan's energy sector

Tree Energy Solutions and Saibu Gas have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote e-natural gas as a key clean energy source, an initiative that supports Japan's goal to use e-NG for 90% of its city gas consumption by 2050.

Japan's JERA to launch new gas-fired power plant to avoid electricity shortages

Japan's biggest power generator JERA said it will start a unit of a new 2.34 GW gas-fired power station at Goi in Chiba, near Tokyo, on Aug. 1 to help avoid electricity shortages during peak summer demand season.

Turkey to sign long-term LNG purchase contracts

Turkey is set to finalise long-term contracts for LNG to cover the 2027-2037 period, aimed at securing approximately 5-6 billion cubic meters of LNG annually, will meet 12-13% of Turkey's energy needs.

German government signs off on hydrogen import strategy

Germany's government adopted a strategy for the import of hydrogen to help secure sustainable energy supply as it embarks on creating fossil fuel alternatives for large parts of its industry.

Power up: Considerations to help understand the potential of cogeneration

7/18/2024

Combined heat and power (CHP), also known as cogeneration, converts one form of energy to two usable forms, typically heat and power. This article dives into several considerations that must be addressed when incorporating cogeneration into a facility.

Global LNG trade increased more than 1.6 Bcf/d in 2023

LNG trade increased 3.1% globally in 2023 to average 52.9 Bcft/d, an increase of 1.6 Bcf/d from 2022, according to a report from the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL).

Bolivia seeks oil and gas investment, Russia's help to solve energy crunch

Bolivian state energy firm YPFB is looking to improve conditions for investment in the country's flagging oil and gas sector and seeking help from Russia to overcome recent fuel shortages.

Texas governor looks to double state energy fund to $10 B to build gas plants

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said they will seek to expand the Texas Energy Fund program to $10 B to build more natural gas plants to meet the state's growing demand for electricity.

IEEFA: LNG is not displacing coal in China’s transition to renewable power

Evidence from China, the world’s largest coal consumer, shows that LNG is unlikely to materially displace coal-fired power generation, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

Egyptian fertilizer plants shut down temporarily due to gas supply pressures

Gas supplies will gradually resume flowing as of Thursday to fertilizer factories in Egypt after several chemical and fertilizer companies shut down plants on a temporary basis.

Scorching heat drives India's gas-fired power use to multi-year highs in May

Sweltering heat and policy measures are fueling a surge in the use of gas-fired power in India, with imports of LNG forecast to rise sharply over the next two years.

Gas Networks Ireland to connect new €63-MM Bia Energy biomethane plant directly to its network

Partnership with Bia Energy will be the first direct entry point for renewable biomethane in the greater Dublin area.

Extreme Asian heat spurs LNG demand ahead of summer months

Extreme temperatures across Asia are driving up liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand in the region as importers seek cargoes ahead of summer, with imports in South Asia hitting records.

RWE to build hydrogen-fired power plants in Germany

RWE is planning to build hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plants at the company's power plant sites in Germany to contribute to a successful coal phase-out by 2030.

Southeast Asia's $220-B gas expansion plans to boost power/LNG capacity

Southeast Asia has more than $220 B in projects that could raise Southeast Asia's gas-fired power capacity by more than 100 GW, doubling the current level, and raise LNG imports into the region by 80%.

Asian spot LNG prices at five-month high on firm demand, geopolitical risks

Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices surged to a five-month high, marking the fourth consecutive week of gains.

China LNG import capacity to grow to 250 MMtpy by 2028

PetroChina expects China's LNG import capacity to grow to 250 MMtpy by 2027-28 from about 140 MMtpy now, an official said.

AG&P LNG and Hai Linh begin commissioning of Cai Mep LNG terminal in Vietnam

Leading LNG terminals and downstream infrastructure company, AG&P LNG, a subsidiary of Nebula Energy, along with its partner, Hai Linh Co. Ltd., a prominent petroleum product import terminal and trader, have announced the start of the commissioning of the Cai Mep LNG terminal.

Karpowership and Petrobras forge strategic alliance to enhance integrated natural gas projects in the Americas

Karpowership and Petrobras have signed a Memorandum of Intent to combine their respective expertise in the natural gas and power sectors to guarantee supply and meet the demand of the energy industry across the Americas.

Oklahoma (U.S.) sues two companies over alleged natural gas price manipulation

Oklahoma (U.S.) has sued two energy companies, accusing them of manipulating natural gas prices during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, according to a press release from the state attorney general's office.

Fuel gas blending: Follow the H2 signal

6/13/2023

In some cases, it may be practical to blend hydrogen (H2) into the local natural gas distribution network via an agreement with local utilities, but regardless of the strategy, blending must be carefully controlled. This article examines these challenges.