Potential for Industrial Energy-Efficiency Improvement in the Long Term

Book excerpt: We need to know what opportunities there are and what limits exist to the improvement of energy efficiency, since this is the most cost-effective way to abate greenhouse gas emissions. This book presents a method whereby promising technologies can be identified and characterised that can contribute to an improvement of energy efficiency in the long term. An objective measurement of maximum improvement is provided by an analysis of the theoretical minimum specific energy demand. A descriptive inventory is then given of new and conceivable technologies that can improve efficiency, extending beyond the standard lists found in the literature. The method is applied to three main energy consuming branches of industry: paper and board, iron and steel, and nitrogen fertilizer. Each of the studies provides an in-depth analysis of the industry and an extensive survey of options for its improvement.