Regional greenhouse gas analysis of compressor drivers in natural gas transmission systems in Canada

The upward trend in global natural gas consumption, combined with fugitive and combustion GHG emissions released along its supply chain and use, make the natural gas sector a large GHG emitter and a prime candidate for creative solutions to reducing environmental impact. In this study, the environmental and economic implications of substituting natural gas-powered drivers with electric drivers at compressor stations in Canada’s natural gas transmission system are evaluated. GHG emissions associated with the business as usual compressor drivers compared to conversion to electrically driven drivers in 6 Canadian provinces incorporating temporally resolved grid emissions are analyzed. Additionally, the economic difference in the operational costs of natural gas and electricity driven compression is determined and combined with GHG results to estimate the cost of carbon savings for conversion. Results show that electric compressors result in GHG savings in 4 out of the 6 provinces. The large share of fossil fuels in Alberta’s and Saskatchewan’s electricity grids result in natural gas-powered drivers having lower GHG emissions. Operational costs are larger for electric compression and are found to be competitive with natural gas drivers economically only in some provinces if a social cost of carbon (carbon tax) are included. The study shows promising GHG reduction opportunities if electric drivers are employed in provinces where the electricity grid has low carbon intensity.