ACEEE | American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Jul 9, 2020
Beneficial Electrification in Industry
Beneficial electrification stands out as a top low-carbon solution for industrial decarbonization and should be the foundation of our energy supply as low-carbon generation rapidly increases. There…
Beneficial electrification stands out as a top low-carbon solution for industrial decarbonization and should be the foundation of our energy supply as low-carbon generation rapidly increases. There are multiple routes to beneficial electrification in industry, including immediately available cross-cutting opportunities (e.g., low- to mid-temperature process heat, machine drives, and intermittent fuel switching) and opportunities still in development, such as high-temperature process heat. Sectors such as specialized materials production, heating/drying, surface curing, and melting are already using electric technologies, and more transformative processes are being developed (e.g., in chemicals, iron and steel). To lower the hurdles facing beneficial electrification, stakeholders should prioritize energy efficiency, highlight the nonenergy benefits of beneficial electrification, implement supportive policies, and form partnerships that actively address challenges and spur adoption of electric technologies.
Near-Term Pathways to Reduce Emissions from Ethane Crackers
Informed by interviews with over 40 experts across ethylene operators, engineering companies, national labs, benchmarking firms, and more, this paper conveys key aspects about what is actionable, where improvements are needed, and the paths that should be pursued to advance technologies that will meet evolving customer demands, address competition, and significantly lower the environmental impact of ethylene production.
Energy Efficiency Programs for Large Savings in the Next Decade
Expanded utility-funded energy efficiency programs can significantly slow rising electricity demand and reduce electricity bills; this report explains how.
Toward Best Practices for Industrial Innovation: Lessons from the Department of Energy’s Industrial Demonstrations Program
This paper highlights a central lesson for policymakers: Industrial innovation requires alignment across government programs (grants, procurement), financing mechanisms (tax credits, loans), and institutional capacity. When these three are backed by sustained commitment from the public sector, private industry, and external stakeholders, the transition from demonstration to deployment becomes viable.
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