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Gases play a key role in modern society – their significance extends from energy production to industry, traffic and even the food chain. Finland and Europe see gases not only as an energy source, but also as a solution to climate change mitigation and ensuring energy security.
The chemical industry, forest industry, metallurgical industry and many others require gases for their processes, which involve high temperatures and rapid temperature changes. Although natural gas is a fossil fuel, it still generates significantly lower emissions than other fossil energy sources. Biogases, synthetic methane and green hydrogen significantly reduce emissions, and their production can also spawn a new export industry for Finland.
Gases also offer much needed flexibility to the energy system, which increasingly relies on weather-dependent wind and solar power. When there is no sun or wind, gases balance the electricity market. This flexibility is critical especially in subzero winter weather when energy consumption is at its highest. Gases are easier to store and transport than, for example, electricity, improving the security of supply and cost-effectiveness of the energy system. The gas network can also function as an energy storage facility that balances demand peaks and secures supply also in exceptional circumstances.
Gases are also integral to achieving carbon neutrality goals. Finland’s objective is to become a carbon neutral society by 2035, and gases support this transition especially in sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy goods traffic and certain industrial processes. Green hydrogen, for instance, can help reduce emissions in the steel industry where the gas utilisation rate is high. The steel industry is responsible for as much as 7–9 per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. Replacing fossil energy sources with green hydrogen means a significant emission reduction for the entire industry. Green hydrogen is also anticipated to offer many other industries a raw material and fuel that conforms with sustainable development requirements.
Also, for example, synthetic methane (e-methane) helps reduce CO2 emissions. In terms of chemical composition, synthetic methane is identical to natural gas, but when it is produced from green hydrogen, flue gases or carbon dioxide captured from the air, it significantly reduces emissions compared to natural gas. Synthetic methane can also be used in precisely the same applications as natural gas and biogas, and when liquified, it can also be employed in the same applications as liquified natural gas (LNG) and liquified biogas (LBG, bio-LNG). This means that synthetic methane can be transported using the existing infrastructure (trucks, ships, pipelines).
Gases are therefore essential to the secure and low-emission energy system of tomorrow. Our goal at Gasgrid is to develop the existing gas transmission network to meet future needs. We often say that we are building a multi-gas platform of the future, i.e. a transmission network system that will allow us to eventually transport not only natural gas, but also LNG, biogas, hydrogen and synthetic methane. This system will ensure the availability of energy no matter the circumstances, and will act as a passive storage facility, balancing demand peaks and creating energy independence for Finland. A multi-gas platform will also enable the use of fossil-free gases and support Finland’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035. At the same time, it will generate new business opportunities and accelerate the green transition. The multi-gas platform is the backbone of Finland’s energy system – it combines security of supply, flexibility and sustainable development.
Renewable gas is produced from renewable sources, such as biogas from biomass or its refined form, biomethane. It also includes synthetic gases produced using renewable energy — for example by combining renewable hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide.
Biogas is generated through the anaerobic digestion of organic material, such as biowaste or manure. Compared to fossil fuels, biogas significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions over its life cycle.
Low‑carbon gas refers to gas whose life‑cycle greenhouse gas emissions are at least 70 percent lower than those of fossil fuels. This can include gases, hydrogen or synthetic gases produced from recycled carbon‑containing waste or industrial side streams.
Natural gas is a traditional fossil gas widely used in Finland for energy production and industry. This also includes liquefied natural gas, or LNG.
Sometimes natural gas is referred to as methane, but the two are not the same.
Methane is a single chemical compound, whereas natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture in which methane is the main component. In addition to methane, natural gas contains small amounts of other gases.
Synthetic methane refers to artificially produced methane that does not originate from fossil sources but is manufactured through chemical processes. The production process combines renewable hydrogen with carbon dioxide captured from industrial processes or directly from the air. Synthetic methane can replace the use of natural gas and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that can be used as an industrial feedstock, in energy production, and in further processing. Renewable hydrogen is produced using renewable electricity — such as wind or solar power — through electrolysis.
Hydrogen plays a key role in the future carbon‑neutral energy system and supports the EU’s long‑term climate‑neutrality objectives.
