Projects / Programmes
Evaluation of greenhouse gasses mitigation measures in industry
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.03.01 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
Efficient energy usage |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T140 |
Technological sciences |
Energy research |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.02 |
Engineering and Technology |
Electrical engineering, Electronic engineering, Information engineering |
Industry, GHG emissions, Mitigation, Energetics, Modelling, Energy efficiency, Renewables, Resource Efficiency, EU ETS, macroeconomic assessment, CGE
Researchers (17)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Energy today is a major part of our lives and enables a higher quality of living for every individual. Energy and environmental decisions that we accept today will have effects for at least the next decade and the impact will and can already be felt by everyone. New challenges, such as development of new technologies, the use of renewable energies, development of active networks and the design of new central production units, represent an important challenge for the policy makers. Energy market dynamics dictate the rapid and constant adaptation of end users to market conditions, whilst on the other hand; regulatory rules do not provide much maneuvering space. Such conditions are dictated mainly by environmental policies, requirements of security of energy supply and of course business interests of various actors.
Reducing GHG emissions and improving energy efficiency in industry is one of the major goals of energy and environmental policies and strategies in developed countries. According to the International Energy Agency, the industry accounts for over 30% of the final energy consumed in the world and almost 40% of all GHG emissions (taking into account discharges in the use and conversion of fuels, process discharges and indirect discharges of electricity and district heating). Production of primary materials together with the production of chemicals and chemical products, accounts for as much as 75% of all GHG emissions in the worlds’ industry sector.
Within the scope of the project, the following research objectives were identified: (i) analysis of potentials for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in industry - taking into account energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources and material efficiency; (ii) analysis of GHG emission reduction scenarios in industry by 2030 with a view up to 2050 and (iii) analysis of the effects of the EU ETS scheme, CO2 emission charges and other economic instruments on reducing GHG emissions by achieving the objectives for the competitiveness of the economy and other environmental, energy and macroeconomic goals and effects.
The proposed research project focuses on reducing GHG emissions and the associated growth in the competitiveness of Slovenian industry. Effective energy management and continuous care for the environment require new and innovative high value-added approaches, which ultimately reduces total operating costs and increases both technological and economic competitiveness. The short-term and long-term goals of national energy policies are aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions, reducing energy use, material resources, and reducing costs. In line with sustainability principles, industrial companies need to develop their policies and establish an effective system for monitoring the state of the environment and energy and water consumption, including quality indicators (air quality, water, energy and water consumption, etc.). The basic prerequisite for sustainable energy supply for industrial enterprises is energy efficiency and the economical use of resources, which are also requirements for efficient lean production. Research in the field of material resource use, energy and environmental impact assessment are based on analyzes of individual energy processes and technologies and their integration into comprehensive resource and supply systems, taking into account the physical boundaries of the industrial area and the possibility of connecting with local supply systems.
A detailed analysis of the possibilities for transition to a low-carbon economy for Slovenia is not ready, for which there are several reasons. Research of potentials to reduce GHG emissions in manufacturing sector and measures to activate these potentials is not done systematically. Data is not properly collected and organized, and there is no insight into technology and process state of Slovenian industry. In addition, there is no thorough analysis of the influential factors of GHG emissions reduct
Significance for science
The research work will be carried out in conjunction with international European programs (H2020, LIFE), where the priorities are safe, clean and efficient energy, and measures to reduce GHG emissions. The Horizon 2020 research program supports climate and energy targets through research on the technological and economic aspects of energy supply, energy and material efficiency, low carbon technologies and energy networks. LIFE programme is the largest European financial mechanism dedicated exclusively to environmental protection, nature conservation, and mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The objective of the LIFE program is to contribute to sustainable development and the achievement of the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy, the seventh Environment Action Program of the European Union and other EU initiatives in the field of environment and climate change.
Targeted research is an important element in establishing contact between research achievements and societal decisions, which is crucial for a knowledge-based society of the future. The research that will be carried out as part of the proposed project is of great importance for the science community, especially in the field of energy modelling and developing tools for systemic energy and environmental research. Such approach enables a consistent sectoral analysis of GHG emission reduction measures and enables the assessment of appropriate sustainable development strategy at the sectoral level (i.e. industry). Scientific references of the proposed project group show that our research challenges are relevant and actual, as confirmed by already completed and current domestic and international research and application projects. The proposed targeted research project falls into the context of the priority areas for the development of Slovene industry, which are highlighted in the Slovene Strategy for Smart Specialization from 2015, primarily in the context of the sustainable transformation of the Slovenian economy (Industry 4.0). Within the framework of the proposed target project goals, we will also identify and analyse basic building blocks, which are crucial for the transition of energy-intensive industries into the circular economy, thus ensuring the wider applicability of the proposed methodology in the international research environment.
Significance for the country
The project will have an indirect impact on competitiveness. It will enable informed decision on measures for transition to a low-carbon economy by 2030. Within the project, measures and scenarios will be evaluated according to several criteria, in addition to reducing GHG emissions; the evaluation will also take into account the indicators of competitiveness and macroeconomic effects of GHG reduction measures on the economy.
The project will provide a new approach for the development of strategic and implementation program documents. Issues of mitigation of climate change will be consistently approached and impact on employment and competitiveness of the economy will be addressed. All these effects will be evaluated in the context of the scenario analysis. The macro and micro-economic effects of mitigation of climate change will be modeled and evaluated assuring the cost-effectiveness of selected measures in light of the economic potential for reducing GHG emissions.
The project will enable a revised approach to climate policy initiatives and enable climate mitigation, job creation, and the competitiveness to simultaneously be addressed. Similarly as the impacts on job creation, also the impacts on competitiveness will be addressed in the project in the framework of scenario analysis. The assessment of the economic potential of GHG mitigation measures will be an important part of analysis of potentials, and a cost efficiency analysis will be one of the focuses of ex post analyses of the existing measures. Project activities and results will support policymakers in setting climate mitigation targets and planning climate mitigation actions in such a manner to have positive impacts on the competitiveness. Having in mind impacts on GDP, government revenues and expenditures, savings and the consumption budget, employment, investments and prices in each sector, wages and the return on capital, the balance of payments, the current government deficit and debt, exports and imports etc.).
The project will also involve energy managers from industrial enterprises, representing key stakeholders for the effective implementation of TGP emission reduction measures in industry. In this way, we will enable the dissemination of information on good practices, raising employees' awareness of the GHG emission reduction benefits, and perhaps even encouraging positive competition between companies. Higher implementation of measures to reduce GHG emissions in industry can also mean a higher level of recruitment of required personnel and the direct economic stimuli for businesses that offer required trainings and green services and technologies.
Scenarios for GHG reduction in Slovenian industry will be proposed in a way to enable: (i)the promotion of the implementation of energy efficiency improvement measures in a cost-effective manner; (ii) the increase of the share of renewable energy sources and resource efficiency improvement; (iii) gradual transition of economic industrial development into less energy intensive production, hence structural changes, which will be directed towards sectors with lower energy costs and higher added value. This will also reduce the risk of energy intensive sectors, which are subjected to demanding international competition.
The project will also analyze the effects on emissions of harmful substances into the air. This will enable the exploitation of synergies between air protection measures and climate mitigation measures. By implementing GHG emission reduction measures in industry also, better working conditions for employees can be achieved, enabling the reduction of sick leave at work due to exposure to harmful emissions. Such synergies can reduce the total cost of implementing both policies, which can undoubtedly achieve positive effects for the economy.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2018,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2018,
final report
