Natural Gas in a Smart Energy Future

Abstract: This white paper is the result of industry-wide support for the development of a compelling vision of a smart energy infrastructure integrating natural gas with electricity from multiple sources, including renewables, resulting in what we describe as a “smart energy future.” The vision includes seamless communication and data management between the electric and natural gas infrastructures expanding the concept of a smart electric grid to an energy infrastructure that can enable a smart energy future. This paper also identifies key tools and steps needed in order to achieve the vision in view of policy, regulatory, and technology challenges and proposes a framework to support discussions between natural gas companies, electric companies, regulators, policy makers and other stakeholders.