Bright future for gas as transport fuel

Jukka Metsälä, Vice President, Traffic at Gasum considers gas to have an important role as part of the future energy system, and in helping to decrease emissions. Gas-powered transport is close to Jukka’s heart also outside the workplace.

Why is gas a good choice as a transport fuel?

We need to apply all available means to rapidly cut down the emissions generated by traffic. Gas is a clean and cost-efficient fuel that can answer to demanding emission reduction targets already today. At best, biogas can provide emission reductions of over 100 per cent, when considering the entire value chain.

In the Nordics, the annual use of energy in the transport segment almost equals the energy consumption of the entire industry sector, so gas has considerable growth potential in both maritime and road transport. The increasing awareness of low-emission alternatives among consumers helps to speed up this development.

How does Gasum see the future of gas as a transport fuel?

There are three main segments using gas as a transport fuel, all of which we consider having promising growth potential: heavy duty vehicles, local distribution and transportation, and passenger cars. Gasum is investing in all these segments. The greatest potential is in the most energy-intensive segment of long-haul heavy-duty vehicles, where gas provides a cost-efficient solution for cutting down emissions already today.

There has been some public debate about the future of gas-powered passenger cars, but we believe that factors such as taking into account the total emissions of transport gas in different governance models and the growing importance of the circular economy and biogas in consumers’ minds will all have a significantly positive effect on gas-powered passenger traffic.

How can the infrastructure for gas as a traffic fuel answer to the increasing demand?

The expanding network of gas filling stations will increase the availability of gas in the Nordics, and growing demand will lead to further investments in filing stations. The security of supply is a key factor when developing the market, and both the technology and service models can be further developed to ensure cost-efficient gas deliveries. Also, the infrastructure supporting gas as a traffic fuel and the supply of biogas enable us to utilise the considerable potential of production side streams as traffic fuel in the Nordics. The current market situation is also increasing competition in the supply of gas for transport use, as various operators are looking for their share of the developing market.

Gasum has launched its solutions for decreasing traffic emissions at the right time. During the past few years, the company has expanded its Nordic network of gas filling stations from tens of stations to one hundred. These investments have answered to the needs of different types of customers and have created a solid base for further developing the Nordic market for the use of gas as a traffic fuel.

How does the use of gas in transport support climate targets?

It is important to note that the use of gas in transport is an integral part of the entire future energy system. This is due to the fact that gas provides security of supply as a source of energy that is not dependent on, for example, weather conditions, and the system enables the seamless use of renewable gas. We must also consider the current dimensions of oil-based fuels used in transport, and the demands to replace them with cleaner solutions. On a global level, the use of gas is growing most rapidly in maritime and road transport.

The use of biogas in transport is a concrete action towards advancing the circular economy and carbon neutrality. The advantages of biogas become more evident when considering the need to decrease emissions, instead of focusing on specific fuel choices. The share of biogas can be flexibly increased as part of the gas system. There is no single way of achieving the ambitious target of a cleaner future, but gas is at least a solution that is available already today.

What do you find most inspiring about working with the use of gas in transport?

I first began working at Gasum in 2014 on major infrastructure projects but was soon given the opportunity to build a new business based on the circular economy, together with my excellent team. The business started to expand successfully and was later divided into a separate business focusing on traffic.

"In my work, I have been able to utilise my previous experience on both the electricity market and work related to mergers and acquisitions and consulting. It is great to be able to build up a business that is based on the circular economy, cooperation and solutions that can actually reduce emissions."

- Jukka Metsälä, VP, Traffic

My work at Gasum has included many interesting customer cases and collaborative success stories but also projects that require perseverance. All this gives me loads of energy and motivation.

As a father of two sons with regular sports activities, our car is an absolute necessity. We have two cars in the family, both of which are powered by gas. I think it is really important that nowadays also children are environmentally conscious. It has also been nice to notice that parents at ice hockey rinks and floorball arenas often start to discuss low-emission gas-powered transport as well.

1.10.2020