Inland LNG Refuelling Points in the European Union Energy Policy

Abstract

Import facilities of liquefied natural gas at sea ports of EU Member States are well developed. LNG supplies increase energy security. Natural gas causes less air pollution during combustion than oil-based liquid fuels. Extending the use of LNG will improve ecological safety, therefore the considerations has focused on inland liquefied natural gas infrastructure. Two research questions were posed: is the EU pursuing to implement LNG as a motor fuel in inland waterway transport, are LNG refuelling points being built in inland ports? The methods of analysis and synthesis were used to solve the research problems. The article identifies the determinants of the development of the EU alternative fuels infrastructure were presented. The attention was paid to the environmental consequences of the intensive use of transport in various sectors of the economy. The necessity of replacing high-emission means of transport with low-emission ones was demonstrated, which must be accompanied by the creation of a network of LNG refuelling points. The structure of the refuelling point and the liquefied natural gas distribution system were characterized. Presented are the current design requirements for inland waterway vessel power plants and LNG bunkering at river ports. A case study of the implementation of liquefied natural gas for inland transport on the Rhine and Danube has been discussed. In conclusion, it was requested to accelerate the process of creating the EU’s LNG infrastructure, which is a precondition for the development of low-emission inland shipping.