Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have developed a new calculation model that reveals a greater climate impact of natural gas appliances than previously believed. The study used Munich’s Oktoberfest as a case study and found that methane emissions from gas appliances contributed significantly to the carbon footprint, making electricity a more climate-friendly option due to the extensive use of renewable electricity. The research extends to 25 major natural gas-consuming countries, showing that natural gas still produces lower carbon emissions for end-user appliances than electricity in 18 of the 25 countries studied. However, the study emphasizes the importance of considering both the share of renewable energy and the leakage rate of methane when determining the climate impact.
- Natural gas not only produces CO2 but can also lead to methane leakage.
- Methane is a potent greenhouse gas.
- With the increasing percentage of green electricity, electric stoves are becoming better for the environment.
Methane emissions from gas appliances: A hidden climate factor
One of the key findings of the study is the significant contribution of methane emissions from gas appliances to their overall climate impact. Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. While most methane emissions from natural gas are attributed to extraction, transmission, and distribution, the study highlights that end-user appliances also contribute to these emissions through leaks and incomplete combustion.
During the 2019 Munich Oktoberfest, the research team found that 1.4% of the gas used was lost, releasing 2,500 cubic meters of unused gas into the atmosphere. This leakage rate is lower than the estimated rate for the entire U.S. natural gas supply chain, suggesting that end-user appliances play a significant role in methane emissions. Reducing methane leakage from natural gas appliances could be an effective way to minimize their climate impact.
Electricity versus natural gas: A comparison of climate impacts
The study compares the climate impact of electric and gas appliances by incorporating the methane leakage rate and analyzing the emission factors for different countries, based on their electricity mix. By doing so, the researchers found that when the share of renewable energy reaches 58%, electricity becomes the more climate-friendly option compared to natural gas.
Munich’s Oktoberfest achieved this benchmark in 2005 and currently uses 100% renewable electricity, leading to an 87% reduction in its carbon footprint by swapping natural gas appliances for electric ones. In 2019 alone, this switch would have saved up to 450 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. However, the researchers note that the carbon footprint of electricity varies from place to place, making it difficult to determine whether gas or electric appliances are more climate-friendly on a global scale.
The international perspective: Gas or electric?
When extending their analysis to 25 major natural gas-consuming countries, the researchers found that only five countries – Brazil, France, Canada, Belgium, and Venezuela – have electricity as the more climate-friendly option for cooking and heating appliances, even with low methane leakage rates. Assuming an average methane leakage rate, two more countries, the United Kingdom and Spain, join this group. In the remaining 18 countries, including Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Australia, lower shares of renewable electricity generation mean that natural gas appliances may still be the more climate-friendly choice.
It is important to note that the researchers’ calculations assume electric and gas appliances are roughly equally energy efficient. If more efficient appliances, like heat pumps, are considered, electric appliances would become even more climate-friendly. This aligns with previous research suggesting that heat pumps outperform fossil heating systems from a climate perspective. The study concludes that as the share of renewable electricity increases, electricity will become the more climate-friendly option in more countries.
Implications for future energy choices
The findings of this study underline the complex relationship between gas and electric appliances and their climate impact. Factors such as methane leakage rates and the share of renewable electricity play a crucial role in determining which option is more climate-friendly. As countries continue to transition towards renewable energy sources, the balance between gas and electric appliances may shift in favor of electricity.
Reducing methane leakage from gas appliances and transitioning to renewable electricity are key steps towards minimizing the carbon footprint of everyday activities. Policymakers and consumers can use the insights from this study to make informed decisions about energy choices and contribute to global efforts to tackle climate change.
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