Study 8: Potential for the electrification of industrial thermal processes – Phase 1

Against the current backdrop of decarbonisation in French industry, the electrification of industrial processes is one of the solutions to be considered, given the specific nature of France’s energy mix. In its National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC), France has set itself the target of achieving an overall electrification rate of 70 per cent across its industry by 2050 (final energy). Against this backdrop, ALLICE sought to provide its members with insights into the potential for electrification of various industrial thermal processes, the cost-effectiveness of electric solutions (either as a replacement for or in combination with fossil fuel-based technologies) and the areas of innovation required to overcome technical and economic barriers. CETIAT and Cetim were commissioned to carry out this joint study.

The study prioritised five representative thermal processes covering various industrial sectors: pasteurisation, evaporation and concentration, high- and low-temperature batch ovens, high- and low-temperature tunnel ovens, and tunnel dryers. For each process, the following details are provided:

• The various compatible electrical technologies and their characteristics
• A technical and economic analysis of the partial or total replacement of fossil fuels with electric solutions, including sensitivity analyses regarding changes in energy costs and the carbon tax
• Feedback from the field

The findings of the technical and economic analyses highlight the advantages and barriers to electrification, taking into account the specific characteristics of each process. One of the key strengths of this study is its process-oriented analysis, which assesses each electric technology against criteria based on real-world operation. Indeed, the technical conditions of the processes have a significant impact on whether or not electric alternatives are viable.