What are the alternatives to natural gas shortages?

The suspension of gas supply in Cali and Valle del Cauca, due to a strange phenomenon of gases and incandescence that occurred in one of the slopes of Cerro Bravo, in the department of Tolima, and that affected the gas pipeline, has generated a shortage of electrical appliances in the city.

Although at the moment there is no estimated date when the service will be regulated again and there are still several sectors of the department that still have gas, many citizens are beginning to look for other alternatives so as not to depend on this fuel to carry out the work in their homes.

Renewable energies

This is a great alternative to natural gas. In fact, countries such as Spain and Portugal closed an agreement with the European Commission, in which both nations have energy independence.

Although green energies have begun to take center stage in recent years, the use of natural gas, diesel and liquefied gases continue to account for a large percentage of the type of energy consumed in homes. In countries such as Spain they account for 40% of that consumed in homes, according to the media Fotocasa.

"Spanish families resort to various types of energy for the home, most of which are non-renewable. However, there are firm alternatives to natural gas, diesel and liquefied petroleum gases, butane and propane," the web portal mentions.

Electricity

This is the most common source of household energy, and can come from fossil fuels such as burning coal, oil or gas. In addition to hydro, wind and solar, as is the case of renewables.

Biomass and biogas

According to Fotocasa, "biomass is, after electricity and natural gas, the third most used: it represents almost 20% of total energy consumption in Spanish homes and it is a renewable energy. Biogas is a natural gas produced from biomass".

The media explains that this fuel is more economical and is used to heat homes in the different parts of the world that are required due to climate conditions.

Solid fuels

Solid fuels can be natural, and therefore renewable, such as firewood, coal and agricultural residues. They can also be artificial and non-renewable, generally agglomerated. However, they represent almost 1% of total energy consumption in nations such as Spain.

Other energy sources

In addition to the alternatives mentioned above, it is also important to take into account other energy sources that are less well known, but are nonetheless an option and are beginning to gain ground in other countries.

These are aerothermal, hydrothermal, geothermal, wind or mineolic energy, among others. In fact, heating systems with the first energy reduces costs by 25%, unlike natural gas.

These alternatives, although little known in Colombia, are an option in situations such as those being experienced in Valle del Cauca, Cauca, Eje Cafetero and Tolima.

Also, it is important to take into account that, according to the Promigas report of 2021, the proven reserves of natural gas in Colombia as of 2020 were 2.9 Tera Cubic Feet (TPC). According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy's accounts, this would serve to provide self-sufficiency for 7.7 years, the lowest figure in the last decade.

Despite this, the potential reserves of natural gas would be much higher, at 54 Tera Cubic Feet. Of these, 30 would be offshore, whose exploitation is expected to begin between 2024 and 2028; meanwhile, the other 24 TPC would be in Unconventional Fields (YNC) in the Magdalena Medio, Cesar-Ranchería and Catatumbo.