ABB: How to Achieve the Clean Industrial Deal's Goals
The industrial sector accounts for around 29% of the world’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The European Commission's Clean Industrial deal hopes to boost competitiveness and decarbonisation in the region, but this is a daunting task.
Many technologies that have the potential to decarbonise are not yet viable.
A whitepaper from ABB and Fraunhofer IPA looks at decarbonising actions these industries can take today.
Chris Poynter, President of ABB Motion’s System Drives division, says: “Industrial decarbonisation is not just an environmental necessity—it’s a strategic business opportunity.
"The ABB and Fraunhofer IPA report highlights solutions available today, as well as technology developments that are key to accelerate the energy transition.
"With initiatives like the EU Clean Industrial Deal and the Decarbonization Investment Bank, industries have a unique opportunity to innovate, cut costs and lead in sustainable growth.
"By adopting electrification, energy-efficient motors and drives, and new technologies, they can reduce emissions while increasing their competitiveness.”
Iron and steel
Iron and steel both play roles in decarbonisation as critical enablers of clean energy infrastructure.
Turbine towers, pipelines, new vehicles and construction will all use these crucial materials in the transition away from fossil fuels.
Iron and steel together account for 5% of global GHG emissions – 81% of the energy used in the process is for fired heaters like blast furnaces.
Electric arc furnaces are one way ABB’s whitepaper recommends the industry can decarbonise.
Most electric arc furnaces smelt scrap steel to create new products, cutting the amount of coke required and therefore reducing emissions from its production.
Iron can be reduced at lower temperatures using direct reduction techniques, including the use of hydrogen.
Dr. Markus Kröll, Head of Business Division Circular Economy and Carbon-Neutral Production at Fraunhofer IPA, says: “Our analysis identifies the highest emitting processes within each industrial sector, and then pinpoints technologies that can mitigate them.
“It focuses particularly on key solutions: the electrification of processes, heat, carbon capture and hydrogen.
“There is no silver bullet for decarbonisation, but there are readily available solutions. This report should make it easier for business leaders to determine the best path forward.”
Cement
Cement process-related emissions mainly come from the calcination of limestone during clinker production – CO₂ released is a byproduct of the chemical reactions that form clinker.
ABB’s whitepaper says that one possibility to decarbonise is to reduce the share of clinker compared to other cement constituents using materials such as gypsum, natural volcanic materials and industrial byproducts.
Alternative clinkers with lower CO₂ intensities do exist, but current options offer quite small reductions in emissions.
However, emerging alternatives could provide very significant CO₂ savings, including cements based on the carbonation of calcium silicates as they can sequester CO₂.
With no current method to decarbonise clinker production that is commercially viable, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies could offer a promising alternative.
Chemical
The chemical industry relies on fossil fuels both as feedstocks and energy sources.
Direct emissions are the GHGs released directly from chemical processes and fuel combustion and account for 42% of the chemical industry’s GHG emissions.
Electricity-related emissions account for about 35% of total CO₂ emissions in the chemical industry and 79% of these are due to processes using electric drivetrains.
Improving the efficiency of these could help to reduce emissions.
For example, IE5 motors offer lower energy losses of up to 40% compared to equivalent induction motors.
The adoption of variable-speed drives can reduce power consumption by up to 25% compared to fixed-speed drives.
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