subject: The Natural Gas Power Generation Technologies Market Outlook: Market overview, capacity, generation, new developments and the future outlook [print this page] Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, therefore being highly preferred for electricity generation across the globe. The carbon emissions by natural gas are almost half when compared to coal. The use of natural gas for world electricity generation has grown at CAGR of 6.2% from 2002-07, highest among all fossil fuels. Current natural gas-based power generation technologies are capable to deliver better efficiencies as compared to coal based power generation technologies. Natural gas-based power generation technologies are available to cater range of power generation requirements including different loads (intermediate and peak) and different usages (stationary, backup, and distributed).
Natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) is the most prominent natural gas-based power generation technology. It is capable to deliver a net operating efficiency close to 60%. There are more than 1,000 NGCC plants operating across globe and leading NGCC manufacturers are developing the next generation NGCC technology capable to deliver the net operating efficiency of more than 60%. Natural gas fuel cell (NGFC) is an upcoming technology and mostly being implemented in portable and non-stationary usages. NGFC for stationary use is expensive as the installation cost ranges from $7,000-8,000 per kW.
The report provides insight on natural gas-based power generation technologies, recent developments and outlook. The report also highlights the use of natural gas as electricity source in major economies.
Key features of this report
Overview of the global natural gas market with proved reserves, production, consumption and trade.
Prominent natural gas-based power generation technologies, development, and outlook.
Key players, drivers, and resistors for natural gas power generation technologies.
Introduction to upcoming and hybrid natural gas based power generation technologies and outlook.
Current electricity generation scenario of major economies highlighting the growth potential of natural gas as electricity source.
Scope of this report
Achieve a quick and understanding of how the global natural gas market is growing.
Attain a comprehensive understanding of prominent natural gas-based power generation technologies with respect to their driver, resistor, efficiency, and economics.
Understand the current developments taking place in natural gas-based power generation technologies and their outlook.
Increase awareness of the upcoming and hybrid natural gas-based power generation technologies along with their outlook.
Understand the role of natural gas in electricity generation in world's major economies.
Key Market Issues
High natural gas prices: Natural gas prices are relatively high and more volatile compared to coal which resist natural gas-based power generation to a large extent.
Finite and concentrate reserves: Globally proved natural gas reserves are limited and highly concentrated. The users of natural gas are therefore significantly influenced by the proximity of reserves, distant users have to incur substantial transportation cost.
Complex delivery process: Natural gas is delivered either by pipeline or in LNG (Liquefied natural gas) form. Both the delivery processes are either costly or complex in nature which discourages natural gas buyers.
Not suitable for base load: Natural gas-based power generation technologies are not suitable for base loads power generation due to their overall high cost of electricity generation as compared to coal and nuclear.
Key findings from this report
Natural gas-based power generation accounted for 21% of the global electricity generation in 2007. World natural gas-based power generation grew at CAGR of 6.2% during 2002-07, highest among all fossil fuels.
Concern relating to the effects of global warming is driving nations to look for cleaner sources of energy. Natural gas, being the cleanest fossil fuel, possesses the potential to become a "bridge-fuel" for global economies as they transit from fossil fuels to green power sources.
Natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) is the most prominent natural gas-based power generation technology with close to 60% net operating efficiency, the leading manufacturers of NGCC plans to offer the next generation NGCC systems delivering above 60% net operating efficiency in coming 2-3 years.
NGCC is expected to account for 35% of the total fossil fuel power plant installations till 2020. However post 2020, It may face competition from similar concept technologies based on other fuels such as Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) and Integrated Biomass Gasification Combined Cycle (IBGCC).
Key questions answered
What are the drivers for natural gas-based power generation?
What are the prominent natural gas-based power generation technologies in operation?
What are the technological developments taking place in natural gas-based power generation?
What is the outlook for natural gas-based power generation?
What are the upcoming and hybrid natural gas-based power generation technologies?
Who are the major players in natural gas-based power generation equipment manufacturing?
What is the role of natural gas in power generation in major economies?
Table of Contents :
Executive summary 10
Natural gas market overview 10
Natural gas for power generation 10
Electricity generation in major economies 11
Natural gas-fired steam and gas turbines 12
Natural gas combined cycle 13
Fuel cells 13
Outlook for natural gas-based power generation technologies 14
Chapter 1 Natural gas market overview 16
Summary 16
Overview of the global natural gas market 17
Introduction 17
Natural gas reserves 17
Natural gas production 22
Natural gas consumption 25
Natural gas and LNG 29
Natural gas trade movements (LNG vs. pipeline gas) 30
Chapter 2 Natural gas for power generation 38
Summary 38
Introduction 39
Installed capacity and growth 39
Drivers for natural-gas based electricity generation 42
Cleanest burning-fossil fuel 42
Less capital-intensive 43
Offers high energy efficiencies 44
Most suitable for intermediate and peak load power supplies 45
The potential of natural gas increases with technological innovation 46
Resistors 46
Expensive electricity source compared to coal 46
Natural gas is finite and concentrated 47
Complex delivery process 47
Introduction to natural gas-based power generation technologies 49
Chapter 3 Electricity generation in major economies 52
Summary 52
Electricity generation in the US 53
Electricity generation in Germany 55
Electricity generation in the UK 57
Electricity generation in Japan 59
Electricity generation in China 60
Electricity generation in Russia 62
Electricity generation in India 63
Chapter 4 Natural gas-fired steam and gas turbines 65
Summary 65
Natural gas-fired steam turbine 65
Overview 65
Current scenario 67
Key players 68
Drivers for natural gas-fired steam turbine 68
Resistors for natural gas-fired steam turbine 68
Economics 68
Natural gas turbines 68
Overview 68
Current scenario 70
Ordered capacity for open cycle systems 70
Africa and the Middle East 70
Europe 72
North America 74
Central and South America 76
Asia Pacific 77
Key players 79
Drivers for natural gas turbines 79
Resistors for natural gas turbines 80
Technological developments 80
Economics 80
Outlook for open cycle systems 81
Chapter 5 Natural gas combined cycle 82
Summary 82
Overview 82
Current scenario 83
Ordered capacity for NGCC systems 85
Europe 85
Africa and the Middle East 87
Asia Pacific 89
North America 90
Key players 91
Drivers of natural gas combined cycle plants 93
Highest efficiency among other natural gas-based power generation technologies 93
Low cost electricity generation 94
Cleanest natural gas-based power generation technology 95
Resistors of natural gas combined cycle plants 95
High installation cost 95
Technological developments 96
Economics 97
Outlook for NGCC 97
Chapter 6 Fuel cells 99
Summary 99
Overview 100
Fuel cell technologies 101
Alkaline Fuel Cell 101
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell 101
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) 101
Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell 101
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) 102
Solid Electrolyte Fuel Cell 102
Current scenario for natural gas fuel cells 103
Key players 105
Drivers of the natural gas fuel cell 107
Cleanest among all other natural gas-based electricity generation technologies 107
NGFC Offers high electricity efficiency 107
NGFC highly suitable technology for distributed and backup power generation 108
Resistors of natural gas fuel cells 109
High installation costs 109
Future prospects for fuel cells lean towards non-stationary power generation 110
Economics 110
Outlook for fuel cells 110
Chapter 7 Outlook for natural gas-based power generation technologies 112
Summary 112
Electricity generation outlook 112
Outlook for natural gas-based power generation technologies 112
