Study 26: Decarbonisation of utilities and networks at industrial sites

Industry uses various fluids that are essential to its processes, collectively referred to as ‘utilities’. These fluids are used across several production lines and may serve as a source of thermal energy (heat, cold), motive power (compressed air) or consumables (gas).

This study presents an analysis of decarbonisation options for hot water systems, comprising four main categories of fluids:

• Steam (which accounts for the vast majority),
• Hot water,
• Body fluids
• Superheated water.

These process heat applications account for a third of industrial energy consumption.

As the majority of their production currently relies on fossil fuels, the associated carbon emissions also account for a third of industrial emissions (i.e. 26 MtCO₂, or 6 per cent of France’s emissions).

The main objective of the study is to characterise and assess the potential for decarbonising heat utilities in France by providing both qualitative (on energy efficiency measures, the various options available, etc.) and quantitative data.

It draws on the findings of the CEREN study, highlighting the quantified estimate of the energy efficiency potential available both in the utility generation sector (in boiler houses) and in the distribution sector (in utility networks). Decarbonisation solutions are identified and characterised through the analysis of typical industrial sites, enabling recommendations to be drawn up for the industrial sector.

The study was divided into three distinct main phases:

• Carry out a survey of hot water consumption.
• Model sector-specific case studies and implement a decarbonisation scenario for 2050, comparing them with the targets of the SNBC2 (-81 per cent emissions by 2050).
• Use and extrapolate the results obtained to calculate the decarbonisation potential of industrial heat utilities and the corresponding economic impact (CAPEX, OPEX).

This executive summary provides an overview of existing energy efficiency measures relating to the generation and decarbonisation of heat utilities, and also outlines the case studies covered in the full report:

• The steam system in a typical paper and board production plant
• The steam network inspired by the yoghurt factory
• The steam network of a fictional chemical plant

For each case, a decarbonisation strategy was developed in accordance with a series of steps outlined in the executive summary and set out in detail in the study.