Novel method of benchmarking energetic efficiency of industrial systems
In actual economic environment, business sustainability requires high-efficiency technological processes. While Government and Utilities Demand Side Management (DSM) programs consider energy consumption (EUsed) as a whole, proposed method splits energy in 2 (two) specific components: Ideal energy (EIdeal) and Energy at Risk (E@R). Considering these two types of energy a Benchmark Energy Factor (BEF) can be defined. BEF compares the energy used by industrial system or processes (IS&P), Eused to the minimum energy required to accomplish the task at hand Eideal. Ideal energy (power) can be very accurate calculated by using adequate (well known) laws of physics chosen function of the work type performed by IS&P, therefore a solid (not empirical) reference for benchmarking system is available. That eliminates traditional variability that uses variable baselines as “best practice” or other criteria. Volatile comparative element across an industrial sector is replaced with a theoretical goal with a scientific set-up. BEF enables a new approach towards energy efficiency in industrial sector and help level the playing field for energy management. Proposed method promotes a sustainable and consistent approach making possible to determine accurately the (E@R) under variable material and environmental conditions making possible to manage the energy losses. The rating is then solely based on how close the true energy consumption within an IS&P gets to that ideal state. From economic standpoint, these sustainability concepts favor high-efficiency systems, as any energy-efficient system translates into higher effective productivity. Paper proposes a rating system model to describe the energy-efficiency for any IS&P independent of a comparison with others. BEF enables a reliable rating system model describing energetic efficiency of any IS&P that can be used by U.S. Department of Energy-Energy-Star Certification for Plants Program replacing existent benchmarking practice. Case study assessing IS&P by using (E@R) and (BEF) concepts with development of a new standard is presented.
Evaluation of energetic efficiency of the industrial systems by using benchmark energy factor
The electro-energetic efficiency of Industrial Systems and Processes (IS&P) is currently monitored by using different types of Energy Performance Indicators (EPI). The EPI represents a ratio between energy spent [kWh] per unit of product, area, volume, or other quantity directly related to production. The EPI values are supposed to be collected in a centralized data system enabling benchmarking activity at national level. One of the major barriers for this process is related to ethical and legal issues impeding disclosure of proprietary information. The tedious normalization process due mainly to volatile and un-reliable reference value is another major barrier for benchmarking process. As a result the accuracy of benchmarking IS&P represents always a challenge for governments and for corporations implementing ISO 50001. The paper proposes a new concept of using of Mathematical Model Benchmarking (MMB). The unitless indicator i.e. Benchmark Energy Factor (BEF) overcomes the current barriers. The paper presents the basics of MMB and basic use of BEF for a case study inspired from real life. The MMB concept can be used by any IS&P owner enabling easy implementation of ISO 50001. BEF indicator enables a reliable rating system model describing energetic efficiency of any IS&P and can be used by Utilities (for their DSM programs), NRCAN or U.S. Department of Energy - Energy-Star Certification for Plants Program replacing existent inefficient benchmarking practice. Canadian Standard Association is currently preparing Guidelines of benchmarking specific IS&P by using MMB concept.
Carbon dioxide capture and storage: Seven years after the IPCC special report
Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) entails separating carbon dioxide from coal-, biomassor gas-fired power plants or other large industrial sources, transporting the carbon dioxide by pipeline, injecting it deep underground, and storing it indefinitely in geological reservoirs including depleted oil and gas fields, and saline aquifers. CCS is envisioned to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere when applied to large facilities that use fossil fuels. Applied to biomass, it may also lower CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere while supplying energy. The publication of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2005) Special Report on CCS (SRCCS) raised the profile of CCS, particularly among the expert community dealing with international climate policy (Meadowcroft and Langhelle 2009). The expert community now commonly sees CCS as a major option for reducing global emissions of CO2. The technology plays a major role in long-term scenarios where there is significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (Clarke et al. 2009; IEA 2010a). For CCS to play such a major role, the separation, transport and storage would have to handle large volumes of CO2, and involve huge investments in facilities and infrastructure. The SRCCS conveyed some key insights. First, it clearly indicated that in principle, CCS is technically feasible. It also found that subsurface endowments of geological storage are probably massive, but regionally distributed and still highly uncertain. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change (2012) 17:563–567 DOI 10.1007/s11027-012-9391-5