Page 23 - Industrial Technology EXTRA - Brexit Briefing

BREXIT BRIEFING

Time running out for decarbonisation

Siemens has published advice for businesses on steps they can take to decarbonise

Decarbonisation is a clear global target and
there is a growing urgency for businesses to
act. If they don’t, they risk exposing
themselves to potential risks from policy-
driven increased operating costs, increased
energy costs or increased compliance
costs. In addition, decarbonisation is not just
an objective imposed by policies such as the
Paris Agreement: with the right approach,
it also creates tangible business
opportunities that go beyond long-term
financial savings.

These include increased brand reputation,
customer preference over competitors and
attractiveness to investors. Industry leaders
have paved the way; Now it’s time for other
businesses to follow suit.

Technical advancements such as digital
solutions and decentralised energy systems
have made decarbonisation more feasible.
To help businesses create their individual l Use smart load controls that utilise digital typical way in which businesses can even
decarbonisation strategies, Siemens has solutions to go beyond just monitoring a achieve carbon ‘negativity’ on the supply
published a new whitepaper suggesting a facility’s equipment. With the right control side, which is used to offset carbon from
range of specific steps towards carbon and automations, a business can have other parts of the business. It also helps to
neutrality. These are grouped into three significant energy savings, while modern tap into new revenue streams from the
different areas: actions on the management BEMS can go as far as simulating the facility commercialisation of the excess energy.
side, actions on the energy demand side and and how it reacts to load changes. l Purchase zero-carbon electricity. This
actions on the energy supply side. l Electrify the transport fleet. This involves signing-up for green tariffs with
significantly reduces direct emissions, suppliers or signing power purchasing
Actions on the management side: These especially when combined with smart agreement with a renewable energy
steps will typically be overarching and charging solutions. generator leveraging the guarantees of origin
strategic. l Review production processes. This refers for the energy consumed.
l Assign responsibility to an energy to any energy savings that are a result of l Deploying energy storage on its own is
specialist internally, to ensure a realistic adjustments in parts of a production not necessarily providing carbon savings but
overall strategy is defined and successfully process, for example lowering the can enable carbon savings when used as an
implemented. temperature of steam in a process without optimisation asset (for example optimising
l Align energy KPIs with business KPIs to compromising overall process quality. power flow of on-site generation).
make sure that energy indicators are being l Optimising supply with demand and
considered when measuring overall Actions on the energy supply side: These energy tariffs, while on-site generation on its
business success. steps are designed to reduce indirect own already provides significant carbon
l Challenge the supply chain to emissions from the generation of purchased reduction, this can be further enhanced by
decarbonise, as this will affect the carbon energy. optimising with other energy elements, from
content of any purchased good. l Generate “green” electricity on site, which a basic storage and PV installation to the
l Support customers to decarbonise, involves power generation with low-carbon holistic solution provided by microgrids. This
leading to overall less carbon related to technologies like solar PV, wind power, can also be combined with energy tariffs
business output. bioenergy, etc. adaptation, which can further optimise costs
l Shift to low-carbon heat. This can result and carbon savings.
Actions on the energy demand side: A key in a drastic decrease in emissions.
goal of these steps is to save energy, which Decarbonising heat is one of the biggest “The success of any decarbonisation
will be translated into carbon savings and challenges that the energy industry is facing strategy will depend on a clear vision and
eventually OPEX savings. currently. Efforts are focused on increasing strong commitment from the business,”
l Replace and renovate outdated the efficiency of the supply (for example with explains Faye Bowser, head of Siemens
equipment. This is one of the most standard a CHP system), electrification of heat (low or Energy Solutions. “Well-defined targets,
forms of increasing energy efficiency in a high temperature heat pumps depending on clear commitments and a dedicated budget
facility. The interventions can be anything application) or decarbonising the fuel source are key. Heightening the responsibility in a
from a basic upgrade to LED lighting to a (for example moving from natural to “green” clear way up to the C-level for all aspects
more sophisticated upgrade to electric gas). relating to decarbonisation, beyond just
motors and their drives in a manufacturing l Become a prosumer in the energy documenting the commitment, can have a
facility, or improvements in the efficiency of markets, ie generate excess electricity that significant impact in the overall success of
a building’s HVAC system. can be sold to the energy markets. This is a the transition.”

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