Outdoor heaters predominantly run on natural gas and LPG (propane). With natural gas deposits set to run out within the next 50 years, people have begun to look for solutions that will take care of our energy need, which is the most effective outdoor heating choice. Many predict that the gas of the future is Coal Seam Gas (CSG), which in Australia alone is said to have deposits that are predicted to last for the next 200 years. Click here to see how CSG works.
As with any new resource there is a massive influx of people who want a piece of the pie, similar to the gold rush. This is where many issues have arisen, with many complaining that the extraction process is not safe. Below we will outline the benefits and dangers of this new energy source.
Benefits
– It is a plentiful resource that can provide the energy needs for centuries to come and come.
– Existing infrastructure can be used for the distribution of the energy source
– Increased competition in the energy market will result in cheaper costs for consumers and also innovative energy solutions
– The size of the gas well’s which extract the gas from the ground are quite small, so can be set up quite easily
Dangers
– The extraction methods of CSG have been heavily scrutinised as not being safe
– ‘Fracturing’ which occurs when drilling for the gas from the earth. It is said to leak methane gas not only through the piping but also through the soil into unexpected areas
– The fact that drilling is not just done vertically, but horizontally as well makes people nervous
– The danger of gas leaks is multiplied by the fact that many well are created near residential areas, which in New South Wales is 200m from an occupied dwelling.
CSG definitely has potential to be an energy source of the future, but this cannot be achieved by putting the safety of communities to the way side. For it to be successful there must be stringent regulations in place, before we consider using it for our stoves or outdoor heaters.
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