How is LPG Changing?

Liquified petroleum gas is a lifeblood of the UK energy industry, powering almost two million off-grid homes across the country, not to mention thousands of off-grid businesses. Now, trade association Liquid Gas UK has confirmed the country plans to switch to 100% bio-based LPG by 2040. By transitioning to fuel made from vegetable oils, sugar, glycerol and waste products, the LPG industry could slash carbon emissions by up to 90% and help the UK achieve its decarbonisation and climate change targets.

"As part of a mixed technology approach to decarbonisation, bioLPG can support the UK Government and Devolved Administrations to achieve Net Zero,” says George Webb, Chief Executive of Liquid Gas UK.

A cleaner, greener approach to energy

While LPG is already 33% more eco-friendly than coal and 12% more eco-friendly than oil, making the transition to 100% bio-based fuels will add to the "green" appeal. The association will start by blending regular LPG with BioLPG, then gradually increasing the ratios until all fuel is 100% bio based.

For the millions of off-grid homes that are reliant on LPG, switching to 100% bio-based gas is an effective and affordable solution. “There are millions of homes across the UK that, unless undergoing a major redevelopment, a transition to electrified heating solutions is not affordable," says Webb. "These alternative options are also unlikely to consistently provide the levels of heating demanded by users."

A seamless switch to BioLPG

As BioLPG is chemically identical to regular LPG and compatible with all existing equipment, making the switch will be easy, affordable and hurdle free. Liquid Gas UK maintains it can be seamlessly "dropped in" to existing LPG supply chains without the need to make modifications. This gives it a major advantage over competing bioliquid fuels making an appearance in the energy sphere.

“The technology already exists for bioLPG to play a major role in the future energy mix of the UK,” says Webb. “As a drop-in fuel with no expensive changes to heating systems required, bioLPG is an affordable and non-intrusive option for homes and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.”

As the fight against climate change intensifies, making the switch to eco-friendly alternatives is front of mind for governments and energy providers, across the globe. For a closer look at the latest technologies being used to minimise harmful sulphur oxide emissions from exhaust gases and enforce local regulations, don't miss 'Analysis of Sulphur in Light Hydrocarbons According to ASTM D5623 Using Shimadzu's SCD-2030'.