Decarbonization's 'Ideals and Reality': Thorough Explanation of the Latest Trends in Next-Generation Fuel 'e-methane' at PIVOT!
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 05:11
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka; Representative Director: Masataka Fujiwara) appeared on the popular program '& questions' of the business video media 'PIVOT' and thoroughly explained the latest trends of 'e-methane,' a next-generation fuel that holds the key to realizing a decarbonized society.
In the program, two key figures leading the Daigas Group (Osaka Gas)'s efforts toward decarbonization passionately discussed the reality of carbon neutrality, which is difficult to achieve solely with renewable energy (electrification), and 'e-methane,' a next-generation gas fuel that serves as its trump card.
Watch URL: https://www.daigasgroup.com/redirect/youtube_20260326.html
■Introducing 3 key highlights for achieving decarbonization discussed in the video
[1] The reality of decarbonization and the key: 'e-methane'
While decarbonization is strongly associated with electrification (renewable energy), in reality, about 70% of Japan's energy demand, as an industrial nation, is accounted for by 'heat demand (heat/fuel)' such as industrial boilers and heating furnaces. Electrifying all of these would lead to significant energy conversion losses, making it highly inefficient and not realistic in terms of cost. The Daigas Group (Osaka Gas) is focusing on 'e-methane' as the optimal solution for decarbonizing this 'heat,' as it can utilize existing infrastructure as is.
[2] The world's largest 'e-methane' demonstration projects are underway
For the raw material of the next-generation fuel 'e-methane,' CO2 emitted from the air and factories is reused. Although CO2 is emitted during combustion, the same amount of CO2 is captured during the production stage, resulting in a carbon-neutral (net-zero) mechanism. E-methane, which has almost the same composition as current city gas, can be utilized without any modification to existing vast infrastructure assets, from LNG tankers for import to underground gas pipelines, and household stoves and water heaters. The world's largest demonstration projects for such e-methane are underway in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, and projects aiming for import by FY2030 are starting in the United States.
In the program, two key figures leading the Daigas Group (Osaka Gas)'s efforts toward decarbonization passionately discussed the reality of carbon neutrality, which is difficult to achieve solely with renewable energy (electrification), and 'e-methane,' a next-generation gas fuel that serves as its trump card.
Watch URL: https://www.daigasgroup.com/redirect/youtube_20260326.html
■Introducing 3 key highlights for achieving decarbonization discussed in the video
[1] The reality of decarbonization and the key: 'e-methane'
While decarbonization is strongly associated with electrification (renewable energy), in reality, about 70% of Japan's energy demand, as an industrial nation, is accounted for by 'heat demand (heat/fuel)' such as industrial boilers and heating furnaces. Electrifying all of these would lead to significant energy conversion losses, making it highly inefficient and not realistic in terms of cost. The Daigas Group (Osaka Gas) is focusing on 'e-methane' as the optimal solution for decarbonizing this 'heat,' as it can utilize existing infrastructure as is.
[2] The world's largest 'e-methane' demonstration projects are underway
For the raw material of the next-generation fuel 'e-methane,' CO2 emitted from the air and factories is reused. Although CO2 is emitted during combustion, the same amount of CO2 is captured during the production stage, resulting in a carbon-neutral (net-zero) mechanism. E-methane, which has almost the same composition as current city gas, can be utilized without any modification to existing vast infrastructure assets, from LNG tankers for import to underground gas pipelines, and household stoves and water heaters. The world's largest demonstration projects for such e-methane are underway in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, and projects aiming for import by FY2030 are starting in the United States.