Electrical Generation

• The most common use of methane is as a fuel in gas and steam turbines for electrical generation. This is usually incorporated at industrial complexes and factories where independent power generation is a necessity. The methane used in this situation is the usually wasted part of natural gas so this is not only lower in carbon, but also a more efficient use of natural resources.
  
  

Natural Gas

• Waste methane can also be used to power homes for heating and cooking purposes. This could be easily piped into homes and used in the same way natural gas is now with no difference in quality or expensive infrastructure. This idea has been piloted in some areas, but it is still a long way from being used on a wide scale in cities.
  
  

Compressed Gas

• Compressed methane gas can be used as a fuel to power cars, in the same way liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can. It is more common, however, for natural methane to be used as a biofuel. Waste from cows is collected and put through a digester which heats the waste to extract the methane. This can then be put into a car's gas tank as an alternative to gasoline and diesel.
  
  

Industrial Uses

• Methane can be used as a feedstock for the production of other chemicals such as hydrogen, which is also used for fuel, and methanol. In this process, it is mixed with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to produce a synthesis gas.
  
  

Future Uses

• NASA is working on a system to use methane as a rocket fuel because it is so abundant in many parts of the solar system.