New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Potential roles for nuclear energy in industrial decarbonisation
20/7/2022
6 min read
Feature
Could nuclear energy provide the low carbon heat, electricity and hydrogen that the industrial sector needs if it is to continue providing services and products while minimising its climate impact? Certainly, writes Dr Phil Rogers, Technology Leader at the UK National Nuclear Laboratory.
Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is an enormous challenge for all sectors. But decarbonising the industrial sector, which is responsible for 25% of emissions worldwide, is among the greatest challenges. Industry will require credible low carbon solutions to provide it with the continual supply of feedstocks and energy inputs it needs to keep processes running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Foundries, steelworks, paper mills, chemical plants, mineral products manufacturers and glass producers are all seeking new, cost-effective, low carbon feedstocks and energy sources, and there are few proven options from which to choose. Additionally, the net zero transition is predicted to give rise to a new wave of energy demand driven by the need to produce clean fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The good news is that there is a proven technology – with carbon emissions equivalent to those of wind power – that, although seldom directly associated with industrial energy demand, could have a key role in decoupling the industrial sector from its current emissions while providing the primary energy headroom to enable new industries to grow.