Research papers of the week – October 16, 2023

Muhammad Shahzas Javed; Jakub Jurasz; Paweł Dąbek; Tao Ma; Piotr Jadwiszczak; Elżbieta Niemierka

Applied Energy

Ministerial score = 200.0
Journal Impact Factor (2023) = 11.2 (Q1)

To achieve carbon neutrality in the industrial sector, variable low-carbon and low-cost electricity sources, together with a variety of storage technologies, maybe the only viable path. Here, we investigate the diverse scenarios for manufacturing facilities (MF) under different emission reduction targets to determine the least-cost decarbonization pathway. This study developed a multi-energy model to assess emission reduction versus cost ratio and gave a technology roadmap for MF, i.e., cost-effectiveness of each technology at a given decarbonization level. We optimized the dispatch of each scenario with the least cost objective and step-wise reduced the emissions of selected exemplar European MF from current levels until the solution came out as infeasible due to the lifecycle emissions of considered technologies. Results showed that electrical boiler became key technology from 10% emission reduction target (ERT), while battery storage is cost-effective for medium ERT and H2 facility remains a critical part of achieving deep decarbonization targets (>80%). This analysis reveals a basic understanding of a given technology's economic viability to target a certain decarbonization goal and would help guide MF that are more inclined to invest in having their green energy distributed system. Sensitivity analysis of key parameter values (i.e., grid electricity/gas prices, technology costs) reveals that the H2 facility will play a critical role in deep decarbonization and high gas prices made the expensive heat pumps cost-effective in all scenarios. Furthermore, the future costs of electrolyzer, fuel cell, heat pump, and battery storage will decide the technological transformation speed for the industrial sector.

DOI:10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121707

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