Japan’s city gas supplier and LNG importer Tokyo Gas is joining forces with compatriot Sumitomo and Malaysia’s Petronas to work on establishing a supply chain of carbon-neutral methane to Japan.
According to a joint statement released by Tokyo Gas, the three partners agreed to conduct a feasibility study on the matter.
The partners plan to produce carbon-neutral methane in Malaysia by methanation. They would use green hydrogen from renewable energy and carbon dioxide for this.
Methanation is the technology to have hydrogen and carbon dioxide chemically reacted to produce methane, which is a major component of city gas, the statement said.
Also, carbon-neutral methane synthesized with the methanation technology would realize the use of high caloric energy. The partners would use available technologies without increasing emissions of carbon dioxide from its production up until end usage.
This process can also utilize existing infrastructure. This includes natural gas liquefaction plants, LNG carriers, and city gas facilities, they said.
“Synthetic methane is gaining popularity as a method to produce gas that is needed for heating, as it contributes positively to de-carbonization in line with the Japanese governmentʼs target to realize carbon neutrality and de-carbonized society in 2050,” the statement said.