Full value chain GHG emissions of innovative technologies in industry: E-cracking, renewable ammonia for fertiliser industry, methanol via plastic gasification & ethylene using lignocellulosic feedstocks
report
The ethylene production from lignocellulosic feedstocks reflects the use of sustainable biomass resources. In this case, not only scope 1 GHG emissions, but also scope 2 and 3 emissions reduce significantly. In addition, the overall value chain GHG emissions become negative as by-products from the production process can substitute fossil-based combustion and provide credits to the GHG emissions accounting.
The innovations covered in this study are direct electrification of steam crackers, ethylene production using lignocellulosic feedstocks, use of renewable ammonia (via renewable hydrogen) for producing fertilisers and methanol production from waste, specifically refuse derived fuels (RDF).
The results confirm the relevance of analyzing GHG emissions performances of innovations in industry from a complete value chain perspective. While some of the innovations may result in significant GHG emissions reductions in scope 1, their full value chain effects could be relatively limited when considering other scopes of emissions. Therefore, policy incentives should also include mechanisms that target scope 3 GHG emission reductions, in addition to the innovations in industry. More specific case study results are as follows:
There is significant potential to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions through direct electrification of crackers by supplying electricity from renewable sources. Consequently, the availability of renewable electricity (and infrastructure) is a key variable in reducing GHG emissions in electric cracking. In addition, hydrogen production from the remaining fuel gas and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) contributes to the overall GHG emissions reduction. However, the embedded fossil carbon in naphtha and its release at the end-of-life continue to be the largest source of GHG emissions over the entire value chain. These GHG emissions largely steer the overall performance and can exceed the scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions savings. Therefore, further action is needed to substitute fossil naphtha with renewable and/or circular options.
The innovations covered in this study are direct electrification of steam crackers, ethylene production using lignocellulosic feedstocks, use of renewable ammonia (via renewable hydrogen) for producing fertilisers and methanol production from waste, specifically refuse derived fuels (RDF).
The results confirm the relevance of analyzing GHG emissions performances of innovations in industry from a complete value chain perspective. While some of the innovations may result in significant GHG emissions reductions in scope 1, their full value chain effects could be relatively limited when considering other scopes of emissions. Therefore, policy incentives should also include mechanisms that target scope 3 GHG emission reductions, in addition to the innovations in industry. More specific case study results are as follows:
There is significant potential to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions through direct electrification of crackers by supplying electricity from renewable sources. Consequently, the availability of renewable electricity (and infrastructure) is a key variable in reducing GHG emissions in electric cracking. In addition, hydrogen production from the remaining fuel gas and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) contributes to the overall GHG emissions reduction. However, the embedded fossil carbon in naphtha and its release at the end-of-life continue to be the largest source of GHG emissions over the entire value chain. These GHG emissions largely steer the overall performance and can exceed the scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions savings. Therefore, further action is needed to substitute fossil naphtha with renewable and/or circular options.
TNO Identifier
981078
Publisher
TNO
Collation
80 p.
Place of publication
Amsterdam