Decarbonisation Technology - November 2021

Digital technologies can also be used to reduce environmental impact when processes do not run as planned, by providing insight and avoidance measures. AI gives companies advance warning of potential breakdowns, so they can avoid dangerous conditions and minimise maintenance costs. For complex processes, multivariate analytics can identify those process variables that are critical to reduce off-spec production and lower waste. Driving efficiency and innovation The desire to make significant strides toward sustainability targets is also driving many companies to fundamentally change their energy sources and shift product portfolios. This transition is taking time and requires substantial investment in new technologies. However, the potential payoff is significant. Digital technologies are also enabling companies to more quickly develop solutions to solve the challenges of the circular economy, where materials are re-used after initial application so fewer resources are used overall. The solutions focus primarily on emissions associated with energy use, such as CO 2 and NOx, in addition to a move toward the use of alternative energy sources. The march towards decarbonisation We are also seeing a growing focus across the industry on ‘decarbonisation’, or the reduction of the carbon footprint of a process or energy source. These efforts target a reduction in carbon emissions associated with a process – for instance, using a lower-carbon fuel like natural gas instead of coal, or substituting wind or solar energy or renewable biomass for a fossil fuel. Digital solutions aid these efforts by modelling

and comparing alternative processes for various metrics, such as cost, emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases for the energy delivery. Simulations can efficiently screen alternative energy sources and new process routes, while accounting for associated emissions and resource demand for each. Efforts are under way to apply modelling technology to improve the efficiency of processes based on new energy feedstocks. Digital networks also enable better connectivity between energy demand systems, so energy is used more efficiently across a plant, community or region. Added to this, concern about growing volumes of plastic waste worldwide has made moving toward a circular economy more urgent. There are many strategic and technological challenges to be overcome before this becomes a reality. However, over the long term, efforts to move toward new energy sources and the circular economy will drive a strategic shift in business metrics and the practices that will enable success. Many forward-looking companies have already begun this process, investing to build new capabilities and developing innovative technologies and business models to achieve new targets. Achieving the fragile balance of sustainability goals – equally considering people, planet and profit – is a considerable challenge, but one that must be addressed to be competitive in the capital-intensive markets of tomorrow. Digital technologies will take centre stage during this transition, enabling the capabilities that will separate the winners from the losers.

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Antonio Pietri antonio.pietri@aspentech.com