Streetwise: Energy event offers hopes for a greener future

A visit to Gastech, held in Abu Dhabi this year for the world's liquefied natural gas industry, had us returning with hopes for a greener future and the belief that things indeed could change if energy was consumed responsibly. There were enough exhibitors offering technology that did just that.

At the Mitsui booth, the highlight was natural gas hydrate (NGH). At present, liquefied natural gas has to be transported in tanks kept below 160 degrees Celsius in temperature. However, Mitsui's technology allows the gas to be kept cool with the use of water - a method this consumes less energy and promises more safety. Sadly though, this method cuts down the capacity of tanks hugely, which means more trucks would be needed to transport the gas.

Another Japanese company, Chiyoda, came up with the technology of capturing carbon dioxide and either storing it or turning it into something useful like urea fertiliser. The captured gas can also be used to pump oil at old oil fields.

The next interesting idea was storing carbon. Nick Prowse, partner of Norton Rose, said the European Union was planning to set up 12 demonstration plants to capture and store carbon - something a few other countries are also considering. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) at the source is a theoretical approach to mitigating the adverse effects fossil-fuel emissions have on global warming.

It's good to know that this world does not just have irresponsible consumers, but also some people who keep looking for ways alleviate the impact of this consumption. With new technology, consumption and preservation can live side by side. Luckily, humanity that has been harming Mother Nature the most seems to have turned into a species that looks kindly on one and all.