The industry decarbonization has become a priority in the search for sustainable solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to energy consumption in industrial processes.
It is estimated that, depending on the industry, between 50 and 70% of the energy consumption of various productive processes in the industry is carried out in the form of heat.
In this context, the electrification of industrial thermal processes is a promising alternative to replace those heat generation systems currently powered by fossil fuels.
Electrification as an Engine of Change
The electrification of thermal processes in the industry is presented as a fundamental step towards decarbonization. The transition from processes based on the use of fossil fuels to those based on renewable electricity not only allows significantly reducing CO2 emissions but also allows more efficient use of energy through the implementation of smart energy models.
This efficiency improvement is possible thanks to the integration of control systems to manage and integrate various renewable sources, taking into account both the consumption needs of the processes and the suitability of the generation source in terms of availability and cost.
Current Challenges in the Industry: Steam Boilers and Fossil Fuels
Currently, many industries largely depend on steam boilers that run on fossil fuels: the chemical, food, textile, or cement industry, among others.
For example, in 2022 the energy demand for fossil fuels (natural gas, manufactured gases, oil, solid fossil fuels) of the industry of the European Union reached 1,273,459 GWh (Eurostat, 2022), that is, approximately 50% of the total energy consumed. This is not only environmentally unsustainable with respect to the emission targets defined by the EU for 2050, but it also presents challenges in terms of efficiency and operating costs, or even energy dependence, as we have seen in recent times.
The need for a sustainable and efficient alternative is evident, and this is where electrification backed by thermal energy storage systems comes into play.
Advantages of Integrating Thermal Energy Storage Systems: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
The key to successful decarbonization lies in the ability to efficiently store and manage renewable electricity. Thermal energy storage systems are therefore postulated as a fundamental pillar on which to base this transition.
A thermal energy storage system, like our solidTES technology, optimizes the availability of renewable electricity, storing this energy in the form of heat during periods of high renewable production and low cost. In this way, it is possible to use low-cost renewable electricity to power industrial thermal processes at times when renewable production is not available (nights or hours without sun or wind).
In times of high energy demand or according to the working hours of the steam boiler, thermal energy storage systems can release that heat for steam generation. In this way, TES systems will provide continuous low-cost heat to steam boilers.
Conclusions: Towards a Sustainable and Decarbonized Industry
In conclusion, the decarbonization of the industry through electrification backed by thermal energy storage systems represents a path towards more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly operation.
As companies within the industrial sector look for alternatives to reduce their carbon footprint, the adoption of these emerging technologies is positioned as a key strategy in the transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
solidTES: Our Solution
solidTES is the thermal energy storage solution through sensible heat developed by CADE. solidTES currently has its own 3rd generation system under aggregates with two configurations: monolit-e, with a configuration of 1 MW / 7 MWh and megalit-e, with 10 MW / 70 MWh.
Our systems provide medium-high temperature heat up to 600ºC. In addition, the scalability of solidTES allows monolit-e and megalit-e to adapt to the needs of each industrial client, being able to develop larger or smaller systems.
With solidTES, decarbonization and industrial electrification can go hand in hand, offering a sustainable solution for the global energy management of the industry.
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