The critical role of the industrial sector in reaching long-term emission reduction, energy efficiency and renewable targets

Birgit Fais, Nagore Sabio and Neil Strachan

Applied Energy, 2016, vol. 162, issue C, 699-712

Abstract: This paper evaluates the critical contribution of the industry sector to long-term decarbonisation, efficiency and renewable energy policy targets. Its methodological novelty is the incorporation of a process-oriented modelling approach based on a comprehensive technology database for the industry sector in a national energy system model for the UK (UKTM), allowing quantification of the role of both decarbonisation of upstream energy vectors and of mitigation options in the industrial sub-categories. This enhanced model is then applied in a comparative policy scenario analysis that explores various target dimensions on emission mitigation, renewable energy and energy efficiency at both a national and European level. The results show that ambitious emission cuts in the industry sector of up to 77% until 2050 compared to 2010 can be achieved. Moreover, with a reduction in industrial energy demand of up to 31% between 2010 and 2050, the sector is essential for achieving the overall efficiency commitments. The industry sector also makes a moderate contribution to the expansion of renewable energies mostly through the use of biomass for low-temperature heating services. However, additional sub-targets on renewable sources and energy efficiency need to be assessed critically, as they can significantly distort the cost-efficiency of the long-term mitigation pathway.

Keywords: Energy system analysis; Industry sector; Emission reduction; Renewable energies; Energy efficiency; Policy interaction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (62)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:162:y:2016:i:c:p:699-712

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.10.112

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