Energy Systems Analysis Framework for the Decarbonization of Industrial Process Heat

Schoeneberger, Carrie

doi:https://doi.org/10.21985/n2-tzef-r956

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Energy Systems Analysis Framework for the Decarbonization of Industrial Process Heat

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Transitioning energy systems from a reliance on fossil fuels to low carbon energy sources is an essential solution for climate change mitigation. However, the industrial sector, which is directly responsible for more than a quarter of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, continues to use fossil fuels for energy and feedstocks. Industry has been slow to decarbonize because it faces many unique challenges: a diverse set of industrial processes with different energy demands and technologies, high-cost equipment with long lifetimes, and competitive international markets for its products. One cross-cutting opportunity for emissions abatement in industry is decarbonizing industrial process heat. Many low carbon technology pathways have been analyzed for industrial heat decarbonization, but the lack of bottom-up process modeling in technology assessments and scarcity of industrial facility- and unit-level data remain challenges.In this dissertation, an energy systems analysis framework for evaluating low carbon process heat technologies is developed. The first portion of this dissertation focuses on solar thermal and electric process heat technologies, applications, and technical and economic potential modeling for the U.S. manufacturing sector. Stemming from this research, the electrification of industrial boilers is analyzed in greater detail, and an industrial boiler dataset characterizing the stock of conventional industrial boilers in the United States is developed. The next portion of the dissertation explores sources of industrial data, their limitations, and new ways to capture data on unit types, material throughput, and unit energy use. The final study applies the framework in two chemicals manufacturing industries to compare emissions impacts and lifetime costs of electrification and hydrogen technologies with conventional process heat technologies. Collectively, this research can be applied in future analyses and used to inform policy on industrial process heat decarbonization.

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