Coal-based synthetic natural gas (SNG): A solution to China's energy security and CO2 reduction?

► We evaluated life-cycle energy efficiency and CO2 emissions of coal-derived SNG. ► We used GREET model and added a coal-based SNG and an end-use modules. ► The database was constructed with Chinese domestic data. ► Life-cycle energies and CO2 emissions of coal-based SNG are 20-100% higher. ► Coal-based SNG is not a solution to both energy conservation and CO2 reduction.