The 'Ideal vs. Reality' of Decarbonization: PIVOT Features an In-Depth Look at the Latest Trends in Next-Generation Fuel 'e-Methane'

Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chuo-ku, Osaka; Representative Director: Masataka Fujiwara) appeared on the popular program '& questions' on business video media 'PIVOT' to provide an in-depth explanation of the latest trends in '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's (Osaka Gas) efforts toward decarbonization spoke passionately about the reality of carbon neutrality—which cannot be solved by renewable energy (electrification) alone—and about 'e-methane,' the next-generation gas fuel that serves as the trump card to address this challenge.

Viewing URL: https://www.daigasgroup.com/redirect/youtube_20260326.html

■ Three Highlights from the Video on the Keys to Achieving Decarbonization

[1] The Reality of Decarbonization and the Key Role of 'e-Methane'

Decarbonization is strongly associated with electrification (renewable energy), but in reality, approximately 70% of energy demand in Japan—an industrial nation—is accounted for by 'heat demand (heat and fuel)' such as industrial boilers and heating furnaces. Electrifying all of these is highly inefficient due to large energy conversion losses and is not realistic in terms of cost. The Daigas Group (Osaka Gas) is focusing on 'e-methane,' which can utilize existing infrastructure as-is, as the optimal solution for decarbonizing this 'heat' sector.

[2] The World's Largest-Class e-Methane Demonstration Project Now Underway

The next-generation fuel 'e-methane' is produced using CO2 recycled from the atmosphere or emitted by factories. Although CO2 is released during combustion, the same amount of CO2 is captured during the manufacturing stage, making it a carbon-neutral cycle that does not increase CO2. e-Methane has nearly the same composition as current city gas and can be used across the entire existing infrastructure—from LNG tankers for import to underground gas pipes and household stoves and water heaters—without any modifications. The world's largest-class demonstration project for e-methane is now underway in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, and a project aimed at importing e-methane by fiscal year 2030 has also launched in the United States.