Although gasification has been in commercial use for more than 50 years, the majority of significant developments have happened since 1990. Technological advances, coupled with a shift in market conditions, have enhanced the efficiencies and economics of the gasification process.
During the 1990’s, worldwide gasification increased by 50% when 43 new plants became operational. Since 2000, a similar number of projects have begun operations, expanding the world’s capacity by another 50%.
Alter Nrg anticipates continued growth in the gasification industry that will be driven in North America by the following trends:
- Sustained higher energy prices due to depleting conventional oil and gas supplies and political instability
- Expanding world economies increasing the demand for existing conventional energy supplies, and creating the need for alternate power sources
- Geopolitical instability leading to an increasing focus on domestic energy security
- Growing social pressure to find “clean energy solutions”
- Kyoto Protocol and concerns over greenhouse gas emissions causing governments to look at more environmentally responsible energy solutions
Path to US Energy Security and Independence
The graph below illustrates the large role gasification is expected to play if the U.S. is to eliminate its dependence on foreign oil. The wedges titled CTL, Biomass and EOR all represent potential market opportunities for gasification.
Source: Southern States Energy Board Management Information Services, Inc., 2006
For more information on the worldwide growth of gasification, visit the US Department of Energy "World Gasification Survey."
