Study / Decarbonisation of hot utilities and networks at industrial sites
The industry uses various fluids essential for the energy requirements of processes, collectively referred to as utilities. These fluids are used on several production lines, and can be a source of thermal energy (heat, cold), motive energy (compressed air) or consumables (gas).
This study presents an analysis of decarbonisation options for hot utilities, which consist of four main fluid families:
As most of these utilities are currently produced using fossil fuels, the associated carbon emissions also represent a third of industrial emissions (i.e. 26 MtCO2, or 6% of French emissions).
The main aim of the study is to characterise and assess the decarbonising potential of the hot utilities in France by providing both qualitative (on energy efficiency actions, the different options available, etc.) and quantitative information.
It makes use of the results of the CEREN study, highlighting the quantified estimate of the energy efficiency potential available both on the production side of utilities (in boiler rooms) and on the distribution side (in utility networks). Decarbonisation solutions are identified and characterised through a study of typical industrial sites, enabling recommendations to be made to the industrial sector.
The study was divided into 3 distinct phases:
This study presents an analysis of decarbonisation options for hot utilities, which consist of four main fluid families:
- Steam (the vast majority),
- Hot water,
- Organic fluids
- Superheated water.
As most of these utilities are currently produced using fossil fuels, the associated carbon emissions also represent a third of industrial emissions (i.e. 26 MtCO2, or 6% of French emissions).
The main aim of the study is to characterise and assess the decarbonising potential of the hot utilities in France by providing both qualitative (on energy efficiency actions, the different options available, etc.) and quantitative information.
It makes use of the results of the CEREN study, highlighting the quantified estimate of the energy efficiency potential available both on the production side of utilities (in boiler rooms) and on the distribution side (in utility networks). Decarbonisation solutions are identified and characterised through a study of typical industrial sites, enabling recommendations to be made to the industrial sector.
The study was divided into 3 distinct phases:
- Establishment of an inventory of hot utility consumption.
- Modelling of sectoral case studies and implementation of a decarbonisation scenario by 2050 and comparison with SNBC2 targets (-81% of emissions by 2050).
- Use and extrapolate the results obtained to calculate the decarbonisation potential of industrial hot utilities and the corresponding economic impact (CAPEX, OPEX).
- The steam network of a typical pulp and paper production plant (231 GWh - 42 kt of product/year). The processes considered are dryers, heating white water tanks, starch cooking and hot water production.
- The steam network inspired by the yoghurt production plant (17.5 GWh - 110 kt of products/year). The processes considered are pasteurisation, sterilisation, clean-in-place, oven heating and air conditioning.
- The steam network of a fictitious chemical plant, including a set of uses representative of the needs of the sector (9.5 GWh/year). The processes considered are: reactors, stripping, distillation, drying and hot water production.Pour chacun des cas, une démarche de décarbonation a été construire selon diverses étapes explicitées dans le résumé exécutif et détaillées dans l'étude.
