Decarbonizing Heavy Industry: Strategies for Reducing Emissions by 85%

Thursday - February 8 2024, 02:32 UTC - 9 months ago

Researchers have identified four key strategies for reducing emissions in heavy industry by up to 85 percent globally: switching to low-carbon energy supplies, implementing carbon capture and storage, modifying or replacing emissions-heavy industrial processes, and using less energy and raw materials. Technologies such as electrification, green hydrogen, and biomass show promise, but industries like cement and chemicals will likely require specific approaches due to the direct production of carbon emissions.

It's no secret that heavy industry is one of the biggest contributors to global carbon emissions. In fact, in 2022, the sector was responsible for a staggering quarter of the world's carbon output, according to the International Energy Agency. This includes industries such as chemicals, iron and steel, and cement, which are essential for our modern way of life but also contribute significantly to climate change.

While many climate discussions focus on areas like electricity and transportation, addressing emissions from heavy industry has proven to be a difficult task. This is due to the fact that these industries are highly diverse and their emissions come from a variety of sources.

In an effort to find effective solutions for decarbonizing heavy industry, researchers from the UK recently conducted a comprehensive survey of emissions-reducing technologies. Their findings provide hope that a mix of tried-and-tested and upcoming technologies can slash emissions by up to 85 percent globally.

The researchers analyzed various sectors within heavy industry, including iron and steel, chemicals, cement and lime, food and drink, pulp and paper, glass, aluminum, refining, and ceramics. They surveyed all of the existing and developing technologies aimed at reducing emissions for each industry.

After careful analysis, the researchers identified four key strategies that could significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions: switching to low-carbon energy supplies (such as green hydrogen, renewable electricity, or biomass), implementing carbon capture and storage, modifying or replacing emissions-heavy industrial processes, and using less energy and raw materials to produce products.

One approach that shows potential across multiple industries is electrification. In industries that require moderate amounts of heat, replacing natural gas with electricity can greatly reduce emissions. Additionally, new technologies like electric arc furnaces and electric steam crackers could help decarbonize the steel and chemicals industries, although they are still in the early stages of development.

Green hydrogen is another promising solution, as it can be used as both a fuel for heating and an ingredient in industrial processes that currently rely on fossil fuel-derived hydrogen. Biomass can also play a significant role in reducing emissions by providing renewable feedstocks for plastic production and serving as a source of clean energy for heating.

However, there are some industries, like cement and chemicals, where emissions are directly produced by industrial processes rather than as a byproduct of energy needs. For these sectors, carbon capture and storage will be crucial in reducing emissions.

Dr. Ahmed Gailani of Leeds University, one of the researchers involved in the survey, stated, "Our findings represent a major step forward in helping to design industrial decarbonization strategies and that is a really encouraging prospect when it comes to the future health of the planet." With these findings, it is clear that a combination of innovative and proven technologies can go a long way in helping heavy industry reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.