Emerging consumer technology and natural-gas demand

This paper presents an overview of some of the emerging consumer technologies, the key factors affecting them, and the critical issues affecting their commercialization in the natural gas industry. Five leading technologies were chosen, which address the residential, commercial, and industrial market segments. There were two categories of technology: (1) combined systems with existing gas systems and (2) systems which replace existing gas systems. Group 1 included solar (active and passive), electronic control systems, and heat-recovery equipment. Group 2 included high-efficiency appliances, heat pumps, and advanced furnaces and boilers. In order to gain market and consumer acceptance these technologies must meet such criteria as increased efficiency, operating characteristics, initial cost, system size, ease of retrofit, reliability, environment and safety, and serviceability. Solar energy-gas systems were compared and discussed. 4 figures. (DP)