France aims to be carbon neutral by 2025 and aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2023. In addition to the environmental aspect, decarbonization has become a strategic issue for companies. It is often associated with improved efficiency, energy savings and greater resilience to fossil fuel price fluctuations.
Attachment from David Lancet, Engineering BU Manager, DV GROUP
Let’s take an example of industry: decarbonization of the sector, responsible for 18% of CO2 emissions is the main problem in the fight against climate change. However, it presents significant challenges, including the high initial costs of clean technologies, the need to restructure supply chains and issues of international competitiveness. However, failure to act on climate change will have far more serious and costly consequences in the long run. Check out the different levers that need to be activated to make this transition a success!
- Energy and process monitoring: The approach always starts with awareness, followed by analysis. They are carried out through the collection of data or measurements, which enable an overview of the situation, a diagnosis and then an action plan for taking specific actions. It is possible to manage the productivity, energy, maintenance and quality of your industrial facilities, extending the life of the equipment, while avoiding excessive energy consumption due to faulty or inefficient equipment.
- Retrofit, for example, is an interesting area for research because it enables the implementation of more efficient technologies and processes to reduce energy consumption and, consequently, CO2 emissions.
- Optimizing engine control and sizing engine efficiency is also a challenge in reducing bills, especially in France 60% of energy in industry consumed by electric motors.
- Digitization and the use of digital twins offer several significant advantages for improving the carbon footprint: Digital twins enable the simulation and testing of products, processes or systems in a virtual environment. This reduces the need to create multiple physical prototypes, saving materials and energy needed to manufacture them and thus reducing CO2 emissions. Digital simulations can also help optimize manufacturing, distribution and operational processes by identifying inefficiencies and best practices to save energy and reduce waste. For example, by adjusting the operating parameters of the machine to increase its energy efficiency. Implementing digital twins can also improve the carbon footprint (for example reducing prototyping, reducing on-site time during solution implementation, etc.).
- Residual braking energy must also be carefully monitored as this energy is dissipated as heat via braking resistors or mechanical brakes. A solution consisting of the integration of converters that re-inject energy into the electrical network in order to promote the recovery of braking energy and the re-use of the latter on other engines and/or by re-injecting it into the factory network. This creates an energy saving of 15% (source DV GROUP).
- Energy storage. It is possible to restore energy through a battery that allows energy to be stored and reused, but also to limit voltage drops and spikes in the installation network.
- Harmonic pollution: This is caused by the use of many static converters such as variable speed drives. The presence of harmonics in the electrical system can lead to an increase in energy consumption and thus operating costs. The solution is simple, anti-harmonic filters can be installed on the network.
- Reduce the consumption of compressed air. Average leakage rate during industrial interventions is 40% and compressed air costs more than electricity! Performing a leak check every 6 months helps to avoid major energy losses. Pressure reduction is also possible, as well as adjusting pressure parameters, reducing leaks and improving maintenance. All these actions can significantly reduce energy consumption.
- Circular economy. This model aims to optimize the use of resources and reduce waste by closing the life cycles of products and materials. The circular economy can take different forms for producers: eco-design, repair, reuse, etc.
In short, decarbonisation is key to achieving a more sustainable industry and achieving global climate goals. It requires a holistic approach, which includes technological innovation, changes in business practices and strong political support.
Also read : Agroecological transition: a collective challenge!