what do we use natural gas for

1 year ago 51

Natural gas has many uses, including:

Electricity generation: The electric power sector uses natural gas to generate electricity and produce useful thermal output. In 2022, the electric power sector accounted for about 38% of total U.S. natural gas consumption, and natural gas was the source of about 33% of the U.S. electric power sectors primary energy consumption.
Heating: Natural gas is used for space and water heating, cooking, and drying clothes in residential buildings. In 2022, the residential sector accounted for about 15% of total U.S. natural gas consumption, and natural gas was the source of about 42% of U.S. residential sector end-use energy consumption.
Industrial processes: Industry uses natural gas for many purposes, including as a feedstock (raw material) to make products and to generate electricity. In 2022, the industrial sector accounted for about 32% of total U.S. natural gas consumption, and natural gas was the source of about 41% of the U.S. industrial sectors end-use energy consumption.
Transportation: Natural gas can be used as a transportation fuel, mostly in public transit. Compressed natural gas (CNG) is compressed at over 3,000 psi to one ... .
Manufacturing: Natural gas is used in the manufacturing of steel and paper to generate process steam for industrial applications. It is also used for petrochemicals, which are incorporated in plastics, fertilizers, synthetic fibers, cosmetics, and medicines.
Chemicals and materials: Natural gas is used to make materials and chemicals, including plastics, fertilizers, synthetic fibers, cosmetics, and medicines.
Renewable energy: Renewable natural gas (RNG) and conventional natural gas must be compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG) for use in vehicles. RNG is essentially biogas—the gaseous product of the decomposition of organic matter—that has been processed to purity standards. Capturing biogas from landfills and livestock operations reduces emissions by preventing methane release into the atmosphere.