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THIS IS US

The LNG.Agentur Niedersachsen is located at MARIKO GmbH in Leer. The main objective of MARIKO GmbH is to support stakeholders in the maritime industry. Innovative projects are developed through networking activities and the initiation of research and cooperation projects. In addition, the MARIKO GmbH offers safety courses for seafarers and on-board personnel.

MARIKO GmbH has been involved in LNG development and market preparation for many years. In this context, the „LNG-Initiative Nordwest“ was founded in 2013, in which around 100 companies, research institutions and public institutions jointly contribute to networking activities, information formats and the development of LNG innovation projects.

In the context of the activities of the „LNG-Initiative Nordwest“, the potential study "LNG infrastructure on the German North Sea coast under consideration of particularly suitable locations" was published in 2017, in which the conditions and market potential for LNG supply as well as possible locations for a corresponding import infrastructure on the German North Sea coast were examined.

Currently, terminal planning in Wilhelmshaven and Stade are progressing further. It is now essential that terminal developments do not take place in isolation from regional development potentials and new economic perspectives, instead an accompanying LNG development and coordination for the North Sea region of Lower Saxony and beyond will be established.

OBJECTIVES

The LNG.Agentur Niedersachsen pursues the objective of opening up and exploiting the economic opportunities that can result from LNG development for companies and the region in close cooperation with various stakeholders. A major motivation in this context is that the existing LNG terminal perspectives won’t be realized in isolation from regional development potentials and possible new value-added effects, but instead a more extensive LNG development will take place in the region and Lower Saxony, i.e. further business fields will be opened up and follow-up innovations and investments will be initiated.

The overall objectives of the project are:

  • Promotion of LNG infrastructure development on the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony

  • Promotion of LNG technology as a climate-friendly supply and fuel alternative

  • Supporting and strengthening the innovative ability and activity of Lower Saxony companies in LNG technology

  • Special focus on the development potential of Bio-LNG

  • Promotion of LNG development in the ports of Lower Saxony for the supply of LNG-fueled vessels

  • Development of further potentials and added value from the upcoming LNG terminals on the North Sea coast and support of the terminal realization processes

  • Promoting the development and application of LNG-fueled vessels and land based vehicles

  • Creating transparency and providing information on LNG technology

  • Communication of LNG perspectives to companies and the regional economy

  • Transfer and networking of LNG activities and actors in Lower Saxony

  • Establishment of a contact point for LNG

  • Profiling the North Sea region of Lower Saxony as an "LNG region"

  • Increased placement of LNG technology in the regional and Lower Saxony innovation system

LNG BASICS

Transport & Storage

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas that is liquefied by cooling it down to a temperature of -163 °C, resulting in a high energy density to facilitate transport and storage. In its liquid state, LNG is only about one six hundredth of the volume of gas under normal pressure.[1] This facilitates the long-distance transportation of LNG by vehicles and vessels, regasification at destination and distribution through gas distribution networks or other modes. This requires an appropriate LNG infrastructure. There are thus two general options for transporting natural gas, gaseous transport via pipelines or transport in liquid form by vessel, truck or train.

[1] Cf. Wie klimafreundlich ist LNG? Kurzstudie zur Bewertung der Vorkettenemissionen bei Nutzung von verflüssigtem Erdgas (LNG) S. 6

Environmental compatibility

In addition to its use as an energy source in the chemical industry and heat supply, LNG is increasingly used as an alternative fuel for vessels and trucks. The application of LNG leads to a significant reduction in emissions of CO2 (-20%), particulate matter (-95%), sulphur oxides (-100%) and nitrogen oxides (-85%).[2] Compared to conventional fuels, LNG has significant advantages in terms of its environmental compatibility. Due to its non-corrosive properties, its use in internal combustion engines is not critical with regard to the used materials.

A special focus of the LNG.Agentur is the application of Bio-LNG. This is liquefied biomethane, which has been used on an industrial scale for years in the liquefaction of natural gas. It has the same combustion properties as LNG, is produced from renewable sources and thus avoids even more greenhouse gas emissions. The use of Bio-LNG as a fuel is also suitable for heavy road traffic and shipping. [3]

[2] Cf.: https://zukunft.erdgas.info/gas-im-markt/gas-im-verkehrssektor/lng-verfluessigtes-erdgas/lng-in-der-schifffahrt

[3] According to the study of the Deutsche Energie-Agentur (DENA) „Bio-LNG – eine erneuerbare und emissionsarme Alternative im Straßengüter- und Schiffsverkehr“