Natural Gas and Transition to Renewable Energy

March 2nd (Tuesday), 6 p.m., via Zoom (online) – Open to Public. Presentation: “Natural Gas and Transition to Renewable Energy”; Presented by John Willott, Geologists of Jackson Hole.

Geologists of Jackson Hole President, and retired ExxonMobil executive John Willott will talk to our audience about challenges our nation will face as it transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

In our transition to renewable energy, which will take 20 to 30 years, we will need a bridging source of energy. Natural gas is the obvious choice due to its high energy density, fast startup time and low carbon footprint.

The Country is moving toward wind and solar energy, but has encountered a number of roadblocks. As California has moved toward renewable energy, the price of electricity and rolling blackouts has increased. Electric vehicles are now being adopted but it will be several decades before the transportation fleet will be significantly changed. All current internal combustion engines can run on natural gas.

Natural gas has the lowest carbon footprint of all fossil fuels. In the last ten years, due to horizontal drilling and fracturing, the US natural supply has grown to 2,828.8 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). Assuming 2018 production and consumption rates, this gives the United States enough dry natural gas to last about 92 years.

Natural gas can be used as a transportation fuel in internal combustion engines and would reduce CO2 production by 50%. Natural gas can be used as a fast backup to solar and wind to eliminate blackouts.

 

Video Link