Decarbonising industries to reach net-zero

There is no single solution that will catapult global society to a net-zero carbon future. Instead, decarbonisation depends on our ability to adopt a variety of approaches at every step of the value chain.

 

Ultimately, the solutions that work will be those that create commercial value in a decarbonising economy – especially in the most carbon-intensive industries, such as transportation, electricity generation, industrial production, agriculture and residential and commercial heating.

 

Renewable power generation and grid stability

Power generation is the first link in virtually every modern industrial value chain, and it is not necessarily low- or zero-carbon. But renewable sources of electrification further down the value chain, such as onshore and offshore wind, solar and hydroelectric, can contribute more significantly to decarbonisation efforts.

 

However, the shift to renewables will have consequences for the modern electric grid, as the variability of output and demand for these power sources can produce instability. Fortunately, technologies such as battery storage and synchronous condensers can help maintain a stable grid.

 

Electrification of industries and transportation

In many cases, carbon-intensive equipment can be directly replaced with electrical alternatives. Electrification is also popular for its other benefits, such as increased reliability and ease of maintenance. In some cases, electrical solutions are drop-in replacements, while in others they require new infrastructure.

 

For instance, one of India’s largest private steel companies has significantly reduced transport-related emissions by switching to an electrical conveyor system – the world’s longest – for moving iron ore. The company previously used diesel-powered trucks, making approximately 3,000 trips each year. The conveyor is also more efficient and safer.

 

Similarly, ABB recently delivered integrated electrical infrastructure for a landmark seawater heat pump project in the Danish port city of Esbjerg. The pump uses electric motors, variable speed drives, and other technology to provide “green heat” to more than 100,000 of the city’s inhabitants, greatly reducing emissions.

 

Improving efficiency and designing sustainably

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has identified energy efficiency as the “first fuel” in the fight for net zero. Estimates by the IEA suggest that globally adopted energy efficiency measures could cut energy use by 7 per cent by 2030 while still enabling the global economy to grow by 40 per cent.

 

For example, electric motors power compressors, fans, pumps, conveyors and other machinery in practically every industry. These industrial motors consume approximately 45 per cent of the world’s power, much of it from fossil fuel sources, and many are hugely wasteful.

 

Yet green legislation such as the EU’s Ecodesign regulation and advances by suppliers are continually producing more efficient motors and drives. Simply by switching to modern motors fitted with variable-speed drives (VSDs) – a technology which enables motors to precisely match their speed to the requirements of the process – industries could slash their power usage by a quarter. Despite this, only around 23 per cent of the world’s industrial motors are paired with a drive.

 

In addition to improvements in hardware, digital services associated with modern technologies enable businesses to identify and address inefficiencies, making the entire system more efficient. Many systems even provide real-time data on energy use, performance and the condition of electrical equipment, providing a range of benefits in addition to reducing energy waste.

Developing emerging applications

In some areas, such as aviation, electrification technology is not yet up to the market’s needs. In these cases, low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen enable organisations to maintain service while cutting emissions. The key to rolling out hydrogen and other fuels is managing them as efficiently as possible by leveraging digitalised infrastructure to support low-waste production, distribution and use.

 

Another emerging area which promises to play a role in decarbonisation is carbon capture and storage. While the technology has yet to reach maturity, there have recently been significant developments in enhanced hydrocarbon recovery and direct air-capture of carbon dioxide. Captured carbon can then be safely sequestered or put to productive use, such as in enhanced oil recovery and the manufacture of alternative fuels, building materials and more.

 

On a global scale, the cumulative effect of these efforts will quickly add up to a meaningful difference. By combining a variety of technologies and approaches, we can address carbon emissions throughout the value chain, while maintaining commercial value and providing a practical path to net-zero.

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To learn more, please visit: energyefficiencymovement.com.

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By Chris Poynter, President, ABB System Drives