Assessment of the Integration of Renewable Energy in Industrial Processes

Abstract

There are several chances for both technological and financial breakthroughs when renewable energy is included in industrial processes. When used as process heat, biomass exhibits a feasible economic potential of 15–19 EJ annually for ambitious deployment scenarios and 13–14 EJ annually under accelerated deployment scenarios. With an estimated 81 EJ annually for aggressive deployment and 41 EJ annually for rapid deployment, its technically achievable potential is noticeably greater. When used as feedstock, biomass provides an extra economic potential of 1 to 2 EJ annually in ambitious scenarios and 0.5 to 1 EJ annually in accelerated scenarios. With a technological potential of 14.9 EJ per year, solar thermal energy has an economic potential of 0.9 to 3.8 EJ annually. In line with its technical capability of 1.9 EJ annually, geothermal energy has an economic potential of 1.7 to 1.9 EJ annually. Heat pumps have a technical potential of 2.3 EJ annually and an economic potential of 1.2 to 1.9 EJ annually. As a renewable energy source, electricity continues to have 1.1 EJ of annual economic and technical potential. These numbers highlight the significant contribution renewable energy sources can make to improving industrial sustainability and energy efficiency.