Industrial companies are facing a major challenge: to meet national and European climate ambitions, they need to significantly reduce CO2 emissions caused by their energy production. Despite government pressure and growing awareness about sustainability, several obstacles remain that make smooth and complete decarbonisation difficult. Luminus Solutions accompanies industrial customers in this and helps them on their way to CO2-free energy production.
The complexity of projects and the often large investments involved discourage many companies. Adjustments to production lines, non-simultaneous availability of waste heat, and the complex control of renewable energy sources such as PV, wind and CHP make the energy transition a complicated puzzle.
But besides that, it is mainly the volatility of energy prices and the difference in price between electricity (high) and gas (low) that seem to hinder the electrification of industrial heat production.
Tackling the challenge in its entirety
To meet these challenges, you need to adopt a systematic approach. In fact, it’s by taking action at every level of your energy production that you’ll achieve the best results.
- Save energy: give priority to reducing your energy consumption, because the best energy is the energy you don’t use.
- Electrify and produce green energy locally: consider whether and where green energy can be produced locally on your site to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Where fossil fuels are still needed, be sure to use the most efficient technology.
- Recover waste heat: identify opportunities to valorize and use waste heat, even if it is not available at the same time as the heat demand.
- Energy storage and distribution: store surplus energy and distribute it to other users, or use stored energy to absorb fluctuations in the price of electricity.
- Efficient energy management: implement an efficient system for managing energy consumption and the various energy sources.
Luminus Solutions as a partner in the energy transition
Luminus Solutions is ready to guide their industrial clients in their energy transition and decarbonisation with a personalised approach:
- Roadmapping: developing a detailed plan for the transition to renewable energy.
- Concept & feasibility studies: investigating the viability of different solutions with associated business cases.
- Assistance in applying for investment support.
- Implementation: turn-key implementation of the chosen solutions.
- Maintenance: 24/7 maintenance with in-house technicians to ensure reliability.
Some projects in the spotlight
Concept and basic design of waste heat recovery for drying process
Instead of traditional heating of drying air with direct gas burners, we proposed a sustainable heat island for this customer in the food sector. The plant recovers up to 7MWth of residual heat from the drying process, raises its temperature via heat pumps and preheats the drying air. This is combined with a 2MWe CHP, which provides the necessary power to drive the heat pumps and provides heat at 90°C to bring the drying air to the right temperature. Gas-fired boilers were provided as back-up.
Sustainable energy production for CenterParcs Erperheide
At CenterParcs Erperheide in Peer, we installed a 635 kWe CHP with integrated heat pump for sustainable heating of the subtropical swimming pool. Thanks to this installation with valorisation of the residual heat from the CHP, the holiday park manages to achieve a nice CO2 reduction of 790 tonnes annually. The installation was built according to the principle of design, build, own & operate, taking care of the customer for 10 years, from design to financing, construction, operation, maintenance and management.
CHP, heat pump and thermal battery for sustainable district heating Ghent
At the Luminus Ham site in Ghent, we integrated an additional cogeneration unit into the heat network of the city of Ghent. This CHP simultaneously supplies 4.4MW of electricity and 5MW of heat. The integration of a heat pump ensures maximum energy efficiency and an efficiency gain of 3%. A remarkable feature of this project is the transformation of an old oil storage tank into a thermal battery of 4.5 million litres of hot water. This thermal buffer helps absorb peaks in consumption. The 23km-long district heating network thus realises CO2 savings of more than 35% compared to traditional natural gas heating.
With these projects, Luminus Solutions not only demonstrates technological innovation, but also concrete results in terms of CO2 reduction and efficient energy use. Currently, Luminus Solutions is carrying out several other studies in various sectors to help customers decarbonise their energy processes and commit to maximum sustainability.
Conclusion
Industrial decarbonisation may be complex, but with the right approach and partnership, companies can move towards a sustainable and low-carbon future. Luminus Solutions is ready to guide this journey.
