Needs of electricity, hydrogen and carbon infrastructures for greenhouse gas neutral heavy industry clusters in the EU 2050

Panel: 6. Deep decarbonisation of industry

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Frank Merten, Wuppertal Institut for Climate Environment and Energy, Germany
Clemens Schneider, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Germany
Christine Krüger, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Germany
Arjuna Nebel, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Germany
Alexander Scholz, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Germany
Ansgar Taubitz, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Germany
Clemens Schneider, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment, Energy, Germany

Abstract

The reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by energyintensive industries to a net zero level is a very ambitious and complex but still feasible challenge, as recent studies show for the EU level. “Industrial Transformation 2050” by Material Economics (2019) is of particular relevance, as it shows how GHG-neutrality can be achieved in Europe for the sectors chemicals (plastics and ammonia), steel and cement, based on three main decarbonisation strategies. The study determines the resulting total demands for renewable electricity, hydrogen and for the capture and storage of CO2 (CCS). However, it analyses neither the regional demand patterns that are essential for the required infrastructure nor the needed infrastructure itself.

Against this background the present paper determines the regional distribution of the resulting additional demands for electricity, hydrogen and CCS in Europe in the case that the two most energy and CCS intensive decarbonisation strategies of the study above will be realised for the existing industry structure. It explores the future infrastructure needs and identifies and qualitatively assesses different infrastructure solutions for the largest industrial cluster in Europe, i.e. the triangle between Antwerp, Rotterdam and Rhine-Ruhr. In addition, the two industrial regions of Southern France and Poland are also roughly examined.

The paper shows that the increase in demand resulting from a green transformation of industry will require substantial adaptation and expansion of existing infrastructures. These have not yet been the subject of infrastructure planning. In particular, the strong regional concentration of additional industrial demand in clusters (hot spots) must be taken into account. Due to their distance from the high-yield but remote renewable power generation potentials (sweet spots), these clusters further increase the infrastructural challenges. This is also true for the more dispersed cement production sites in relation to the remote CO2 storage facilities. The existing infrastructure plans should therefore be immediately expanded to include decarbonisation strategies of the industrial sector.

Watch presentation