{"id":16695,"date":"2024-06-27T10:18:52","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T08:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yokogawa.com\/eu\/blog\/renewables\/?p=16695"},"modified":"2024-06-27T10:18:55","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T08:18:55","slug":"decarbonization-the-titanic-challenge-of-our-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yokogawa.com\/eu\/blog\/renewables\/en\/decarbonization-the-titanic-challenge-of-our-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Decarbonization – The titanic challenge of our times\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When asked to describe The Future Digital Energy System<\/strong><\/a> in only two words, I instantly say decarbonized<\/strong> and decentralized<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decarbonization<\/strong> perfectly expresses the physical aspects of energy systems of tomorrow, which rely on a selection of technologies that minimize any excess carbon atoms emitted into the atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decentralization<\/strong>, on the other hand, is a great synopsis of all transitions that need to happen at the information technology and communication level. It is implausible to have a factual energy transition<\/strong> without decarbonization and decentralization as a center of gravity for next-gen energy systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s first examine decarbonization and consider different possibilities for cleaning our energy systems and shifting to a low-carbon economy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where will decarbonization make a difference?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We cannot ignore the fact that focusing only on carbon dioxide does not completely solve the problem\u2014we still need to reduce other greenhouse gases. Nevertheless, whether we tackle CO2\u202for GHG, the main culprits are the same: industry, transport, and buildings. Decarbonizing either of these sectors will also diminish other emissions (e.g., electrifying the industry will reduce methane fugitive emissions). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only sector which is insufficiently addressed with decarbonization and is a paramount GHG emitter is agriculture. Yet, when we consider The Future Digital Energy Systems<\/strong><\/a>, agriculture is perceived rather as a beneficiary of clean energy, not an active participant (prosumer).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). 2018. Working Group III.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confining focus on transport, industry, and buildings encourages us to assess the contribution of various technologies to the ultimate goal of decarbonization – curtailment of CO2\u202femissions <\/strong>to zero. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can we decarbonize?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The road from almost 40 Gt CO2\u202fto net zero in less than 30 years is not a cakewalk. The scale of the change and the amount of financing needed to make it happen had not been seen beforehand. If we look at previous energy transitions, from wood to coal or coal to oil, we can see how huge a dilemma we face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abraham Darby figured out he could enhance iron production by switching from wood to coal at the beginning of the 18th\u202fcentury. It lasted almost 200 years to dethrone wood with coal as the No. 1 energy source. Switching from coal to oil was faster, but it still took a century, three times longer than we have for decarbonization.\u202fAnd yet, previous transitions were far easier<\/em> as we were enhancing energy sources, not switching to completely different principles that are contractionary to any known economic orders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contradictory, the acceleration of technological breakthroughs is inimitable. Looking at a recap of technologies that could drive decarbonization in the next 30 years, we should not feel uncomfortable; most of them are already known and investigated to a certain degree.\u202fLet’s have a quick overview of where and how each of the instruments can support and enhance decarbonization in the midterm (2030) and long-term (2050).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Renewables<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renewable energy, especially solar and wind, will be a major CO2\u202fpruner from the midterm perspective. The reasoning behind this is evident: costs. PVs and wind turbines became commodities, and the Levelized Cost of Energy, especially if we consider carbon taxes, went dramatically down. We can expect that the technology behind solar and wind turbines will only enhance, which, as a result, will drive further prices down and address a common flaw in renewables: the instability of energy generation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Undoubtedly, renewables will contribute to decarbonization, mostly in the industry and building sector, by providing green electricity. Additionally, geothermal energy has great potential to heat our houses with quite attractive Levelized Cost of Energy and scalability capabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electrification<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electrification in terms of electricity supply is nothing new, and the utilization of green energy is THE MAIN<\/strong> scenario for the future. In terms of decarbonization, electrification is more related to the end-use of energy. The switch from molecules to electrons is the biggest shift that needs to happen if we want to decarbonize in such a constrained time frame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, technologies like heat pumps or EVs are starting to become the default standard not only in terms of consumer choices but also in terms of legislation priorities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is important is that electrons are the universal carrier of energy, which allows us better interconnection and interoperability of energy systems operating at various scales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, there are some limitations concerning electrification when we look at: <\/p>\n\n\n\n