{"id":5388,"date":"2013-03-01T13:26:15","date_gmt":"2013-03-01T13:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lse.ac.uk\/granthaminstitute\/?post_type=publication&p=5388"},"modified":"2024-08-19T14:37:12","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T13:37:12","slug":"a-uk-dash-for-smart-gas","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/www.lse.ac.uk\/granthaminstitute\/publication\/a-uk-dash-for-smart-gas\/","title":{"rendered":"A UK ‘dash’ for smart gas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shifting from coal to natural gas for electricity generation can help the UK power sector to decarbonise in the near term. With good planning and investment, natural gas can support the development of a low-carbon power sector by providing essential backup for intermittent supply from renewables, and could play an even bigger role if gas-fired power stations are fitted with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.<\/p>\n

But, the suggestion that shale gas could make supplies cheap and plentiful in the future has generated enthusiasm for natural gas to play a much bigger role in electricity generation.<\/p>\n

However, rigorous analysis shows that a new ‘dash’ for gas on the assumption of low prices is a risky economic and environmental option for the UK. A lower risk option is a ‘dash’ for smart gas, where natural gas is used judiciously in those areas where it offers the greatest value in decarbonising the power sector.<\/p>\n

Key findings<\/h3>\n