Opportunity Assessment: Electrification and renewables to displace fossil fuel process heating (B3)

In Australia, industry consumes nearly half of the total end use energy, of which 37 per cent is used in process heat, representing approximately 750PJ/yr. The primary source of heat production is fossil fuels, accounting for 90 per cent of all process heat energy consumption. Of all fossil fuels, natural gas is the most commonly used fuel, accounting for approximately 57 per cent of all process heat requirements. The decarbonisation of these heat processes represents a significant challenge for Australian industry.

This opportunity assessment reviews the current market status and technology options, identifies the market potential and relevant barriers, and provides a pathway to overcome this challenge. Ultimately, this study informs the future direction for research activities to support industry to achieve decarbonisation reliably and affordably. This assessment for the Reliable Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre (RACE 2030) is focused on processes which require process temperatures of up to 150°C. This is irrespective of the current temperature of process heat, which is initially generated in boilers or steam generators to drive the process.