While the decarbonisation of electrical energy systems garners widespread attention, the critical domains of heating and cooling, which significantly impact our carbon footprint, often fly under the radar. According to the World Economic Forum, heat is responsible for over 40% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy highlights that industrial heating alone accounts for 9% of the nation’s total carbon emissions, underscoring the urgent need for action in this sector.
Intricate Connection Between Heating, Cooling, and Electricity
Heating and cooling systems are inextricably linked to electricity, with numerous technologies like electrical boilers and air conditioners relying directly on electrical power. Moreover, the combined heat and power (CHP) technology, which concurrently generates electricity and thermal energy—primarily through the combustion of gas in engines or turbines—exemplifies this interconnection.
The 2023 United Nations COP28 conference notably elevated the significance of energy efficiency and the decarbonisation of cooling, signaling a growing acknowledgment of these critical issues.
Exploring Practical Technologies for Decarbonisation
A suite of ready technologies offers promising pathways to industrial decarbonization:
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP): CHP systems achieve exceptional efficiency levels by harnessing the thermal energy produced during electricity generation, applicable to various fuels including renewable gases.
- Heat Pumps: These devices exemplify efficiency, transferring heat instead of generating it, and can significantly reduce emissions, especially when paired with renewable electricity sources.
- Thermal Microgrids: By distributing heating and cooling from a centralised source, these networks enhance energy efficiency, resilience, and adaptability to fluctuating demands.
- Thermal Batteries: Storing energy in thermal form for later use, these batteries can mitigate the intermittency of renewable sources and enhance system efficiency.
- Biomass Boilers: Utilising organic materials for heat generation, biomass boilers present a renewable alternative, though their sustainability hinges on responsible biomass sourcing.
- Geothermal Energy: Tapping into the Earth’s inherent heat offers a consistent and sustainable energy supply for both power generation and direct heating/cooling applications.
- Wind-Powered Heat Systems: Converting wind energy directly into heat bypasses the need for electricity generation, presenting an innovative approach to leveraging wind power for thermal applications.
Clarke Energy’s Pioneering Contributions
Clarke Energy’s commitment to advancing energy efficiency is evidenced by over 8GW of global power generation installations, with a focus on sophisticated energy systems like the integration of CHP with water-source heat pumps in the AGR’s Chear Farm Glasshouse project. Such pioneering endeavors demonstrate the synergies achievable with advanced thermal technologies.
The Path Forward
As we witness the emergence of groundbreaking thermal decarbonisation projects, it’s clear that supportive policies and robust government backing are crucial to scaling these solutions. By fostering innovation and facilitating the adoption of these technologies, we can make significant strides in our quest to decarbonise heat, a vital step toward our broader environmental objectives.
Stay attuned to the evolving landscape of thermal energy decarbonisation, where innovation and commitment are paving the way for a more sustainable future.
