Page 38 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2017 publication
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38 Winter 2017 European Energy Innovation
COMMUNICATION
IndustRE: Can the industrial
sector enable the grid
integration of renewables?
The IndustRE project aims to use the flexibility potential in energy-intensive industries to facilitate
further grid integration of variable renewable energy sources
By Denzil Walton and Michael Papapetrou
For many years, the way European industries have between a manageable effort of working with six target
consumed energy has been shaped by the traditional countries and still having an important impact on a
working day. This old, rigid model does not take into European level.
account when renewable energy is generated and how this
affects the market prices. But if industry was to become The project has two aims within two timeframes. The first
more flexible about when it consumes electricity, it could is to offer practical tools for immediate impact, and the
adapt to wind and solar generation patterns and benefit second is to quantify the longer term potential following
from lower market prices. the implementation of policy recommendations. Five case
studies have also been analysed, covering five countries and
With this in mind, the IndustRE project has been exploring four industry sectors.
how the flexibility potential of energy-intensive industries
across Europe could help them save money, while NEW BUSINESS MODELS
supporting the efficient integration of more variable Over the last three years, the IndustRE team has developed
renewable energy into the European power system. a range of new business models which:
PROJECT SCOPE, ACTIVITIES AND TIMEFRAME • Create win-win situations for the involved parties
The project activities are relevant for all industries in Europe,
especially the chemicals, non-ferrous metals, cold storage, • Support the further deployment of variable renewable
steel, and water treatment sectors. These five sectors energy without dependence on support schemes
with 302 TWh/year represent about 10% of the electricity
consumption in Europe. • Bring benefits for the power system and the environment
The project work is applicable to all European countries, • Can be applied in the current market and regulatory
with particular attention being given to Belgium, France, framework of the target countries.
Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. These countries
have traditionally had important industrial production WHAT BENEFITS ARE POSSIBLE?
and together they represent more than 65% of the EU Energy intensive industries can make important savings by
population and almost 80% of all the installed wind and becoming more flexible in the way they use their electricity,
PV capacity. These figures allow a balance to be achieved leading to a 3% to 10% reduction in their electricity bill.
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