| Author | : National Research Council |
| File Size | : 51,7 Mb |
| Publisher | : National Academies Press |
| Language | : English |
| Release Date | : 30 June 2009 |
| ISBN | : 9780309157636 |
| Pages | : 205 pages |
Realizing the Energy Potential of Methane Hydrate for the United States by National Research Council Book PDF Summary
Natural gas, composed mostly of methane, is the cleanest of all the fossil fuels, emitting 25-50% less carbon dioxide than either oil or coal for each unit of energy produced. In recent years, natural gas supplied approximately 20-25% of all energy consumed in the United States. Methane hydrate is a potentially enormous and as yet untapped source of methane. The Department of Energy's Methane Hydrate Research and Development Program has been tasked since 2000 to implement and coordinate a national methane hydrate research effort to stimulate the development of knowledge and technology necessary for commercial production of methane from methane hydrate in a safe and environmentally responsible way. Realizing the Energy Potential of Methane Hydrate for the United States evaluates the program's research projects and management processes since its congressional re-authorization in 2005, and presents recommendations for its future research and development initiatives.