Gas is indispensable for the industry
Natural gas is an important energy supplier for industry. It is used in various production processes that require steam, hot water, heat or cold. In this context, it is also referred to as process energy.
Industry uses over a third of the natural gas consumed in Switzerland. The mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and metal industry, for example, which makes an important contribution to domestic value creation, now covers around one third of its energy requirements with natural gas, thereby making a significant contribution to reducing CO2-emissions.
Industry and trade use natural gas for specialized processes such as melting, annealing, hardening, forming, drying and baking. This is the case in a wide variety of sectors such as the metal, cement, glass, ceramics, food and textile industries or in drying plants and spraying plants.
Environmentally and climate friendly
Instead of heating oil, heavy oil or liquid gas such as propane and butane, natural gas provides an energy that is more environmentally friendly. In addition, natural gas offers a high level of supply security. The transport network is designed in such a way that, in the event of a pipeline failure, supply is ensured via another pipeline. Furthermore, the Swiss natural gas industry has a broad-based portfolio of suppliers. Natural gas can also be liquefied and stored on site.
If an industrial or commercial operation requires a lot of electricity in addition to heat, it is worthwhile to produce both at the same time in a natural gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant, also known as a block-type thermal power station. This can also lead to major energy savings.
Natural gas and renewable gases can be used to reduce emissions and optimise the efficiency of a wide range of processes and procedures. The use of natural gas often facilitates the achievement of ISO 14001 certifications, which are internationally recognized in environmental management. In this way, CO2-This in turn saves costs. The Energy Agency for Industry (EnAW) and other organizations advise companies on how to proceed.
