Aiming to provide an understanding the role of natural gas in a future decarbonized economy, this report builds on research carried out by groups cooperating in the NTNU Energy Transition Initiative: NTNU, DIW Berlin, PNNL, TU Berlin and University of Maryland.

Looking at gas in sectors like heat, power, industry and transport, we discuss the likelyhood of change. Analysing different pathways that depend on the success of other technologies, with CCS and hydrogen having the biggest potential impact, we find that the role of natural gas in the energy transition is under pressure. Main areas that will impact the role of natural gas as a relevant and sustainable bridging fuel in Europe is:

• Market design for providing sustainable and cost-efficient flexibility into power systems with an increasing share of intermittent renewables;
• Development of a European infrastructure for CO2 transport and storage;
• Non-discriminating market design for hydrogen in Europe where clean hydrogen is defined by its carbon footprint;
• The future cost and efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells with applications in transport;
• Development of a European infrastructure for H2 production, storage and transport.

The report is available both as a policy brief, or the complete edition.

Main editor: Anne Neumann

Download: The Role of Natural Gas in Europe towards 2050 (brief)

Download: The Role of Natural Gas in Europe towards 2050 (report)