Circular EconomyCircular Economy
The paper investigates the decarbonization of the U.S. cement industry by examining the effects of replacing fossil fuels with alternative fuels on CO2 and non-CO2 pollutant emissions. Alternative fuels considered include biomass, waste materials, scrap tires, and sewage sludge. Although these fuels reduce total CO2 emissions marginally (1%-18%), their substitution can increase certain non-CO2 emissions due to higher pollutant concentrations in the alternatives. About 73% of U.S. cement plants are partially using alternative fuels; the paper explores scenarios with 20%, 50%, and 100% replacement, comparing the environmental impacts. Findings indicate that waste oil and natural gas replacements show the greatest potential for CO2 reduction (up to 7% and 12%, respectively), while sewage sludge and scrap tires offer moderate potential. However, municipal solid waste and biomass achieve less significant CO2 abatement. Non-CO2 pollutants such as SO2 and NOx may increase or decrease depending on the alternative fuel used, with plastic waste and waste oil having the potential to significantly reduce SO2 emissions. Co-processing alternative fuels can also decrease particulate matter emissions by 8%-75%. The study acknowledges that substituting conventional fuels with alternatives can mitigate waste and possibly reduce costs. However, co-processing waste-derived fuels is unlikely to achieve meaningful CO2 reduction, particularly if biogenic emissions are not regarded as carbon-neutral. It also highlights potential adverse health and environmental impacts on local communities, underscoring the importance of emissions regulations and control technologies.
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Transitioning industrial zones into hubs for circularity
The Horizon-Europe IS2H4C project, coordinated by Devrim Murat Yazan, University of Twente, and funded with 23.5 million euros, aims for systemic industrial symbiosis across Europe, targeting zero emissions and sustainable practices in various industries through innovation and the collaboration of 35 partners.
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Decarbonisation of industrial heat: The iron and steel sector
Achieving deep decarbonisation by 2050 is only possible through new production processes. Electricity demand of the sector could increase three-fold by 2050. The production of steel from recycled scrap increases by a range of +30% to +70% versus.
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Water & energy reuse: from waste to resource
Alufluor collaborated with the EU's iWAYS project to optimize resource recovery, focusing on reducing emissions and recycling. The initiative introduced technologies to conserve water and energy. The partnership aims to enhance sustainability in European industries without compromising economic progress.
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‘Uber’-like platform to match heat supply and demand released
Until now, there was no efficient way for industries generating excess heat to provide it to nearby users who need it. Now the EMB3Rs platform, a tool that matches thermal energy sources with potential demand, offers an effective way for these heat sources and sinks to find each other.
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Video relased: A platform to calculate energy recovery options
The final video about EMB3Rs heat and cold matching platform has been released. It features the different application options for the platform. Discover four case studies in Portugal and Greece, take a visit at the platform developers office and listen to what the coordinator.
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District heating: balancing green energy with end-user needs
District heating companies are serving both energy supplier and end-user. Rising energy prices and carbon targets mean it is no longer sustainable or affordable to run our district heating systems on gas.
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Waste heat: recovering a valuable renewable resource
EMB3Rs is an open-source, excess heat/cold re-use matching platform. It determines the costs and benefits of re-using industrial waste heat energy. The platform matches heat sources with sinks, to reduce carbon emissions.
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Deep decarbonisation of industry: The cement sector
Fossil fuel combustion to meet heating needs accounts for 35% of cements CO2 emissions. The remaining 65% are due to direct process emissions, which must also be addressed. By 2050, cement production in the EU is expected to remain below pre-2010 levels.
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5 Things you need to know about 5G Heat (Fifth Generation Heat!)
In my blog ‘How will energy look in 2030? I have made 10 predictions for the next 10 years! I predicted that by 2030 all city centres will have some form of fifth generation heat network - taking heat networks share of heating beyond the 18% currently forecast.
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