The 'Ideal and Reality' of Decarbonization: A Thorough Explanation of the Latest Trends in the Next-Generation Fuel 'e-methane' on PIVOT!
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. appeared on the business video media "PIVOT" to explain the latest trends in "e-methane," a next-generation fuel key to achieving a decarbonized society. The program highlights the challenges of achieving carbon neutrality through electrification alone and presents e-methane as a solution, as it can utilize existing gas infrastructure. It also notes that large-scale demonstration projects for e-methane are already in motion in Japan and the United States, with the aim of future imports.
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 07:00
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President & CEO: Masataka Fujiwara) appeared on the popular program '& questions' on the business video media "PIVOT" to provide a thorough explanation of the latest trends in "e-methane," a next-generation fuel that is key to achieving a decarbonized society.
In the program, two key figures leading the decarbonization efforts of the Daigas Group (Osaka Gas) passionately discuss the reality of carbon neutrality—a challenge difficult to solve with only renewable energy (electrification)—and the next-generation gas fuel "e-methane," which they see as the trump card.
Viewing URL: https://www.daigasgroup.com/redirect/youtube_20260326.html
■ Here are three highlights on the keys to achieving decarbonization as discussed in the video
[1] The Reality of Decarbonization and the Key Role of "e-methane"
While decarbonization is strongly associated with electrification (renewable energy), the reality is that in an industrial nation like Japan, about 70% of energy demand comes from "heat demand (heat/fuel)" for industrial boilers and furnaces. Electrifying all of this is highly inefficient due to significant energy conversion losses and is not feasible from a cost perspective. The Daigas Group (Osaka Gas) is focusing on "e-methane," which can utilize existing infrastructure as is, as the optimal solution to decarbonize this "heat."
[2] The World's Largest "e-methane" Demonstration Project is Underway
The next-generation fuel "e-methane" uses recycled CO2 from the atmosphere or factory emissions as its raw material. Although CO2 is emitted during combustion, an equivalent amount of CO2 is captured during the manufacturing process, creating a net-zero system that does not increase overall CO2. E-methane has nearly the same composition as current city gas, allowing it to be used with existing massive infrastructure—from LNG tankers for imports to underground gas pipelines and home gas stoves and water heaters—without any modifications. The world's largest demonstration project for e-methane is now underway in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, and another project aimed at starting imports by fiscal year 2030 has begun in the United States.