Decarbonising the energy intensive basic materials industry through electrification – Implications for future EU electricity demand. (15th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lechtenböhmer, Stefan; Nilsson, Lars J.; Åhman, Max; Schneider, Clemens
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 115:Part 3(2016)
• Page Start: 1623
• Page End: 1631
• Publication Date: 2016-11-15
• Subjects: Energy-intensive industry -- Decarbonisation -- Breakthrough technologies -- Electrification of energy demand -- Basic materials production -- Scenario analysis; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.07.110
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: The need for deep decarbonisation in the energy intensive basic materials industry is increasingly recognised. In light of the vast future potential for renewable electricity the implications of electrifying the production of basic materials in the European Union is explored in a what-if thought-experiment. Production of steel, cement, glass, lime, petrochemicals, chlorine and ammonia required 125 TW-hours of electricity and 851 TW-hours of fossil fuels for energetic purposes and 671 TW-hours of fossil fuels as feedstock in 2010. The resulting carbon dioxide emissions were equivalent to 9% of total greenhouse gas emissions in EU28. A complete shift of the energy demand as well as the resource base of feedstocks to electricity would result in an electricity demand of 1713 TW-hours about 1200 TW-hours of which would be for producing hydrogen and hydrocarbons for feedstock and energy purposes. With increased material efficiency and some share of bio-based materials and biofuels the electricity demand can be much lower. Our analysis suggest that electrification of basic materials production is technically possible but could have major implications on how the industry and the electric systems interact. It also entails substantial changes in relative prices for electricity and hydrocarbon fuels. Highlights: Energy intensive basic materials industry has a high share in EU greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonising these industries is very important, but still relatively unexplored. Electrification is possible regarding renewable energy resources and technologies. Combination with energy and materials efficiency, biofuels and CCS is crucial. Electrification needs very high amounts of electricity and strong policies.