Chemical and Petrochemical Sector: Potential for Energy Efficiency Improvements
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge contributions from various experts and financial support from the Dutch government.
Executive Summary
The chemical and petrochemical sector accounts for over 30% of global industrial energy use. This information paper evaluates the potential for energy savings and CO2 emissions reductions through the application of Best Practice Technology (BPT) and other measures such as combined heat and power (CHP) and recycling.
Energy and CO2 Indicators
- Energy Efficiency Index: Estimated using a top-down approach for 57 processes leading to 66 chemicals.
- Improvement Potentials: Calculated by comparing current energy use with BPT energy use.
- Scaling Factor: Total energy use for 57 processes scaled with a 95% coverage value.
Key Findings
- Global Energy Savings: Short to medium-term energy savings potential is around 5-15% for the world as a whole.
- Country-Specific Data:
- Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Taiwan: 5-15% energy savings potential.
- Negative Improvement Potentials: Some countries show existing processes are already more efficient than BPT.
- Uncertainty Range: Estimated at ±10 percentage points, potentially larger for some countries (e.g., USA).
Methodology
- Top-Down Approach: Compares current energy use with BPT energy use for 57 processes.
- Bottom-Up Approach: Uses estimated average specific energy consumption values for current production processes.
Conclusion
The chemical and petrochemical sector has significant potential for energy efficiency improvements and CO2 emission reductions through the application of BPT and other measures. However, the variability and uncertainty in the results require careful consideration.
