Journal of Petroleum & Environmental Biotechnology

Better than Net ZERO sustainable and circular economy future for natural gas

Webinar on Global Oil and Gas Expo

November 23, 2021 | Webinar

Krzysztof K.K. Koziol

Cranfield University, United Kingdom

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Pet Environ Biotechnol

Abstract:

The word on everyone’s lips at the moment is ‘Net Zero’, but the stark and troubling truth is that we are running (or have already run) out of time to achieve this by 2050. The principles of net zero are founded on making carbon savings, while still emitting carbon into the atmosphere. Offsetting the use of carbon-intensive energy and materials through processes that don’t generate these pollutants is essentially a low carbon strategy. Everyone is looking to clean, renewable energy as the silver bullet, and yet to run solar and wind farms, the installation and equipment behind these may not be as green as we think they are. Replacing natural gas is a massive challenge and it is important to make sure that the future is truly greener. But what if there is an answer that cuts through it all, that admits as a world, we cannot halt our carbon emissions, but that our activity could in fact be better than net zero. This may sound bold as we say in the same breath that net zero isn’t possible! Let’s consider a strategy where our activities are creating more carbon absorption and also making use of bad carbon against the carbon we emit? Put another way, if you are absorbing carbon from emissions more than your emissions you create, this is ‘Better than Net Zero.’ The case studies are very promissing.

Biography :

Krzysztof holds a Chair in Composites Engineering at Cranfield University. As the Head of the Enhanced Composites and Structures Centre he is leading a unique team of scientists and engineers; he is currently overseeing more than 60 projects across advanced materials design, materials science, polymers, composites materials, composites manufacture, process control and material/structure performance. Krzysztof’s career spanning polymer science, materials and nanotechnology, with engineering and master’s degree in Chemistry and PhD in Materials Science from Cambridge University. He is also a co-founder of Levidian Nanosystems. Over the past 20 years he has pioneered development, implementation and manufacturing of carbon-based nanomaterials with specific focus on graphene. His work has seen him lead EU programs on new-generation, lightweight, high-performance electric conductors, poised to replace copper and aluminium. He has developed novel functional carbon nanomaterials and multifunctional composite structures. He has also been responsible for the progression of BEIS funded, large-scale manufacture of sustainable hydrogen.