Southern Company Gas identifies pathways to net zero

A study by ICF on Southern Company Gas revealed pathways for the company to reach net-zero by 2050. The optimal route, it states, would be to optimise GHG reduction with its existing infrastructure.

Conducted by consulting firm ICF, the study detailed pathways for the company’s four natural gas distribution companies to reach net-zero direct greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). It found that natural gas and the company’s own gas infrastructure are essential to achieve Southern Company’s 2050 net zero goals.

The study’s data revealed that the Southern Company Gas operating companies could offset direct emissions with renewable natural gas projects. These would in turn also provide local supply and economic development opportunities in each state.

Four potential pathways

The study analysed four potential approaches to reduce emissions with their residential and commercial customers’ natural gas use in Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia.

Two of the scenarios were based on increased building efficiency, high efficiency gas heating technology and the use of renewable natural gas (RNG). The third scenario focused on mandatory 100% electrification. The fourth used a hybrid natural gas and electric approach for building heating.

In its analysis, the study compared cost with performance for each pathway.

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Study findings

Incorporating natural gas efficiency technologies and RNG was found to be cheaper and reduce more GHG than the mandatory 100% electrification pathway.

The study also exhibited that energy costs can remain affordable by using existing natural gas networks with new and energy-efficient technologies and renewable gas.

“This research shows that natural gas and our modern delivery infrastructure are foundational to achieving our net zero goals,” said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company Gas.

Greene went on to comment how the natural gas pathways include a balanced approach, “addressing how our utility operations and gas supply practices can be leveraged to achieve important climate goals.”

In terms of direct and indirect equipment and energy expenses, the high-efficiency natural gas technologies pathway was found to be more efficient. It reduced almost 25% more GHGs at almost half the cost of the mandatory electrification pathway. Southern Company Gas explained that this was because the natural gas-focused pathway makes use of their existing modern natural gas energy system.

The solutions and pathways proposed will be customised for each Southern Company Gas subsidiary. The company will also continue to work with state regulators, key policy makers and stakeholder groups to design workable plans for each utility.

Ongoing mitigative efforts

The study’s pathway for mitigating emissions expands upon ongoing efforts, including:

Continual infrastructure improvements
Advanced leak detection and repair
Strategic renewable natural gas integration
Expanded alternative fuels for fleet vehicles
Enhanced measurement and reporting

The analysis also showed the value of complementing these initiatives with methane capture offsets and research and development on modern technologies and carbon-neutral fuels.

The study is available online.