An Alternative Fuel Recipe in Korea

It looks like today's DME Wednesday.  I just profiled BC's Blue Fuel Energy, and came across an announcement from Korea's natural gas monopoly, Korea Gas Corp (Kogas), stating that the company is investing US$338 million into a plant that will produce cooking fuel from DME.  Long range plans call for Kogas to develop DME for auto fuel, but Kogas' investment takes DME back to its roots:  a clean, cost-effective form as cooking fuel.

 

Discussions around climate change, renewable energy, and environmental issues often whirl around automobiles.  It's understandable:  a good portion of emissions going into our atmosphere come from cars.  And let's just face it:  cars are status symbol and offer strong imagery in our popular culture--and by "our" I mean the world . . . as wealth increases, people want to buy those dream cars.

Nevertheless, there are other human actions that drive energy consumption, pollution, and waste:  our houses amongst them.  Some data suggest that homes and offices actually contribute to emissions more than cars:  a disappointing truth, I believe, because we really don't want to believe that our happy home could have such a nefarious effect.

 

So back to Korea.  Kogas' move makes sense and could be profitable.  Most Korean homes have that uniform two-burner stove (I imagine more have upgraded to a four-burner since I left in 1998), and that stove runs all day . . . the Korean diet does not see much variation between breakfast, lunch and dinner, and chances are there's a huge kettle of hot po-ri-cha (barley water).  And a curious note:  yes, Koreans eat rice thrice a day, but for whatever reason, they cook it stove-top, and then transfer it to a rice cooker to keep it warm (don't ask why, that's they way it is!).  So those burners are rarely turned off.  It's a perfect opportunity for an alternative fuel provider.  Logistics are a natural, too, due to Korea's population density . . . I remember that whether I needed a new tank of heating oil or service for my gas or electricity, the doorbell rang almost immediately.  Kogas can rely on its distribution network already in place.

 

I meet scores of well-meaning folks who have ideas and products that can provide energy efficiency and can climate change.  The problem, unfortunately, is that they are often ideas.  As with any new product, you need the right price point, a market, suppliers, and distribution.  Kogas has all of these . . . and although this is only a baby step for improving Korea's dire energy situation (the company imports 97% of its energy needs), at least Koreans will squeeze more fuel out of the sources they've got.

 

It's a win-win situation.  Bi-bim-bap and those hearty stews will certainly cause less guilt while consumed!