"Saving or replacing gas in industrial processes can only be done with the help of technologies from mechanical and plant engineering," says Matthias Zelinger, Head of Climate & Energy at VDMA. "That's why gas burners in industrial furnaces and heating processes are currently being modified, controls reprogrammed and gas mixing equipment installed throughout the country." To reduce dependence on natural gas, he said, there is a need to switch to energy sources such as oil, propane-butane gas, biogas and electricity. "Gas is used in crucial production steps, so the willingness to invest is also high," Zelinger says.
However, the task is far from over, warns the VDMA energy expert: "It is true that many machine and plant manufacturers can probably cope with a short-term reduction of 20 to 40 percent in the amount of gas supplied to them. However, a longer gas rationing would put many companies in considerable difficulties despite their willingness to invest." There was a threat of component availability bottlenecks and supply chain disruption if gas volumes remained reduced for a longer period. Bureaucracy also creates hurdles, he said, as fuel switching requires new permits for plants.