Industrial process heat decarbonization: A user-centric perspective

McMillan, Colin A.; Wachs, Liz

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2024.103505

Title: Industrial process heat decarbonization: A user-centric perspective

Journal Article · 16 March 2024 · Energy Research and Social Science

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103505 · OSTI ID:2329407

McMillan, Colin A. ^[1]; Wachs, Liz ^[1]

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Washington, DC (United States)

Eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from industrial process heat (IPH) is considered a key element of decarbonizing the overall industrial sector. However, industrial users and the processes by which they may adopt and implement technologies for decarbonization have largely been overlooked in the United States by an emphasis on developing and commercializing new technologies. While recent deployment and demonstration programs are an indication that decarbonization policy is beginning to acknowledge industrial users, little research has been conducted to understand how users mediate technical and nontechnical requirements to decarbonize IPH. Our exploratory analysis uses interviews with industry representatives and document analysis to begin developing a user-centric perspective. Here, we find that successful adoption and implementation of decarbonized IPH technologies may require adaptation to diverse and potentially unique combinations of user requirements and local contexts. Instead of pursuing "crosscutting" IPH technologies, a more effective and expeditious approach may be to develop crosscutting decision-making that spans multiple technologies. This approach may offer unexplored opportunities to improve demonstration and deployment programs, but more user-centric research is needed.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Strategic Programs Office; USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2329407

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2324667

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-6A20-87234; MainId:88009; UUID:77fd2800-a6ad-4db8-8534-cd6897f9c52f; MainAdminId:72101

Journal Information:: Energy Research and Social Science, Vol. 112; ISSN 2214-6296

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
industrial process heat
decarbonization
users
adoption
implementation
socio-technical analysis

Title: Industrial process heat decarbonization: A user-centric perspective

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