Friday, March 29

The viable commitment to gas technology

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has generated a humanitarian tragedy that, as in any other war, concerns us as a society and appeals to our consciences. In this case, moreover, it has caused an energy crisis as a consequence. In this context, the debate on energy dependence and consumption models, with the horizon of decarbonisation by 2050, has come to the top of the countries’ list of urgencies. Taking on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formulated by the UN is now equivalent to attending to a first aid protocol to save the planet. And companies like Baleària have the obligation to act as responsible citizen institutions.

Baleària has accepted the United Nations Global Compact, which empowers companies as those responsible for promoting sustainable policies. We believe that the business must be ethical, it must harmonize the logic of profit with sustainability. Within the framework of the energy debate, the European Union processes the so-called Fit for 55a package of measures to review environmental legislation with a view to accelerating the goal of climate neutrality and reducing emissions by 55% by 2030. Between proposals, amendments and information, quite a bit infoxication powered by lobby of oil, whose pocket is very comfortable with the immobility that guarantees the climatic catastrophe.

Energy consumption is overweight in shipping companies and today this sector is not easily decarbonizable because there is no technology with a sufficient degree of maturity. Unfortunately, it will take no less than 10 years for green hydrogen technology to be commercially available on ships. It is recognized by the European mobility strategy itself.

Given the verification of this certainty, there are two possibilities as a maritime transport company. The first is to continue using fuel without further ado while waiting for zero-emission fuels to be served on a platter. A very popular option, by the way. The other possibility is to commit, beyond the requirements of community directives, to try to apply the cleanest technology possible at all times. This is the path chosen by Baleària, with projects linked to natural gas since 2013. And we did it eight years before the aforementioned Fit for 55. For this reason, the company has built three ships and has adapted another six with dual natural gas engines, with an investment of 380 million euros.

Energy transition commitment

Is natural gas the ultimate solution? Obviously not. It is a transition fuel in line with the objective of decarbonisation. Is it a better option than using the classic oil derivatives? Absolutely and scientifically, yes. It reduces CO2 emissions by up to 30%, NOx emissions by 85% and sulfur and particles that are harmful to health by 100%. Thanks to its use in part of its fleet, Baleària stopped emitting 23% of CO2 in 2021. An energy, natural gas, whose use we had to reduce in October of that year due to the infernal rise in prices that threatened the viability of the company. The decision was made out of responsibility; if we are not viable, in no case can we be sustainable.

Baleària defends natural gas technology because it is the only possible way to be even more climate-demanding today than what the EU asks for. A technology that allowed us to carry out, in 2021, the first emissions-free maritime route in Europe through the use of biomethane. Biogas, like green hydrogen, is fully compatible with natural gas technology. The dual engines of the nine Baleària ships accept 100% biomethane and green hydrogen mixtures of up to 25%. Baleària is involved in biomethane projects from farms and waste, in the commitment to electric motors and in the use of green hydrogen, such as the Green Hysland project in Mallorca, the first valley of hydrogen uses on an island in Europe

These renewable gases are not only neutral in CO2 emissions but are also the solution for waste management. Thus, gas technology allows biomethane generation projects to be promoted in our country, where there are only 5 biogas injection plants into the gas network, compared to 600 in Europe. In addition, it allows to help a sector such as livestock and solve the problem of manure and manure management. European regulations establish as a requirement that the maritime sector emit values ​​of only 15grCO2/MJ in 2050, just the levels that already allow the use of renewable gas in natural gas ships.

The immobile alternative argues that, if we cannot aspire to everything, we continue in nothing; that is, in fuels derived from petroleum, high in sulfur and favoring the greenhouse effect. Is there a variant defended by some petrolobbie apologist for “don’t screw up our business”: biofuels. However, the emissions of many of these “bio” triple those of oil itself if we consider that the oils used to manufacture it are obtained from the deforestation of millions of hectares in poorer continents. An example: biodiesel with palm oil causes an emission footprint of 250grCO2/MJ if it is imported from certain producing countries, compared to a lower impact of 20grCO2/MJ from biomethane from manure or solid waste.

Baleària will remain firm in its commitment to sustainability. Because it is in our DNA and because it is no longer an option: it is a responsibility as a company committed to the planet, which is the home that future generations have lent us.



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