6 Cutting-Edge Technologies to Help Achieve Net-Zero Emissions

From green hydrogen to smart grids and carbon capture...

Add bookmark

Rose Morrison
04/11/2024

Contributed by: Rose Morrison

Transitioning to net-zero emissions is a significant task for the world, requiring big changes in manufacturing, consuming, and traveling, as well as major transformations in key industries. Below are some advanced technologies paving the way forward.

1. Green Hydrogen
Steelmaking releases about 5% of the EU's annual carbon dioxide, making it a primary target for reducing emissions. Traditional steel production burns fossil fuels to remove oxygen from iron ore and heat scrap steel, releasing lots of CO2. Although the EU steel industry has tried to lessen emissions by being more energy efficient and raising recycling rates, cutting emissions by 26% since 1990, they still need bigger changes to meet net-zero carbon goals.

The H2 Green Steel Initiative, supported by EIT InnoEnergy's European Green Hydrogen Acceleration Centre, aims to develop a model plant in Sweden using green hydrogen and renewable electricity. They plan to generate five million metric tons of high-quality, low-carbon steel by 2030.

2. Micro-Gasification and Wood Recycling
Wood waste — including pallets, dry biological waste, and solid fuel — can be converted into heat and electricity using micro-gasification. Naoden creates compact, adjustable plants that turn these materials into energy, helping businesses save up to 40% on energy costs and reducing CO2 emissions by 30%-50%. For instance, Bouyer Leroux — France's main clay brick producer — now powers its operations with Naoden tech, slashing CO2 emissions by 1,987 tonnes and saving $302,697.60 annually.

Meva builds thermochemical conversion facilities to change biogenic residuals like sawdust and MDF/particle board cutoffs into renewable gases and electricity. Placing the Meva system near the wood waste site establishes an independent, nearby energy system, letting the IKEA Industry cut CO2 emissions by 14,000 tons annually. Also, recycling wood waste on-site removes the need for disposal transportation, preventing 300 truck journeys annually.

LISTEN: EPISODE 7: Highlighting the Importance of Continous Emissions Monitoring with Sensirion

In the construction industry, wood can be recycled to create alternative insulation. Wood fiber insulation involves processing leftover wooden debris, like sawmill shavings and wood chips, into a coherent substance. Manufacturers use harmless binders to join wood pieces into homogeneous boards suitable for insulating houses and businesses. Using abundant industrial waste stock encourages sustainable practices and broadens product usage, keeping surplus raw materials out of landfills.

3. Transport for Green Hydrogen
Historically, transporting hydrogen faced difficulties because of the need to compress or cool it down to extreme temps, causing risks and high costs. HySiLabs introduces a new method — hydrogen in a unique liquid named HydroSil. This approach ensures safe and effortless transportation, with fewer restrictions than regular fuels.

A single HydroSil-filled truck with higher density can move seven times more hydrogen than other high-pressure choices. So, expenses and pollution tied to hydrogen transportation could go down considerably. Despite being in the testing phase, HydroSil brings hope for better, greener hydrogen transport.

Switching to green hydrogen comes with hefty startup costs, making it harder for industrial applications. Acknowledging this problem, EIT InnoEnergy launched the European Green Hydrogen Acceleration Centre, to support the development of the green hydrogen economy. The aim is for the economy to reach $100 Billion by 2025 and create 500,000 jobs. EIT also started the Business Investment Platform (BIP) which connects enterprises concentrating on green hydrogen with possible investors. Companies find necessary funding through BIP, lightening the financial strain of changing to eco-friendly hydrogen energy. This support speeds up green hydrogen adoption across numerous sectors.

4. Carbon Avoidance
Some of the most effective clean technologies deal with carbon avoidance in producing basic industrial items like electricity, cement, steel, ammonia and hydrogen. Instead of carbon capture and storage, these solutions replace old oil and combustion systems with electric ones and utilize zero-carbon resources.

Carbon avoidance cuts the emissions at the source by looking for alternative energy sources and managing waste. Compared to carbon removal, it skips added costs, water use, energy and carbon sequestration issues like limited storage capacity. Carbon avoidance leads to lasting improvements and drives technological developments. Government bodies and investors should prioritize carbon avoidance to quickly bring environmental gains and strengthen today's tech frame for a bright, sustainable future. Future generations will remember this time as a milestone when we built the base for flourishing, eco-friendly industries.

READ: 2024 State of Methane Emissions Regulations Around the Globe

Focusing on both carbon capture and prevention is crucial, but backing carbon avoidance should be prioritized. Concentrated efforts promote immediate positive effects and foster robust next-gen tech ecosystems. Decades and centuries ahead, society will view this era as a pivotal juncture in setting up prosperous, eco-conscious industries.

5. Smart Grids
Lech Kanuik, from Sunroof International, believes the ideal future energy setup features high consumption levels balanced with sustainability, separating it from limited comfort associations. Progress in energy generation and control is key to this aim, making intense yet eco-friendly solutions accessible.

For example, some use idle roof spaces equipped with solar panels for clean energy generation or construct buildings like the Unisphere in Maryland, which sends power back into the grid during peak hours and then draws electricity during off-peak hours. This vision focuses on maximized efficiency, bringing energy production closer to users and minimizing ecological harm. With expanding clean power, supervising networks efficiently becomes increasingly critical. Intelligent grids help balance supply and demand, preparing for virtual power stations.

As clean energy grows, opportunities emerge for groundbreaking ideas like carbon capture and regenerative farming. Embedding such energy-consuming inventions in clean platforms enables realistic, resilient answers for upcoming ages. It’s about pairing consumption with responsible care for the planet. Essentially, the future embodies clever and amplified energy habits, not restricted ones.

6. Carbon Capture
Carbon capture catches CO2 from power plants and factories before it reaches the atmosphere. This powerful tool greatly cuts emissions caused by power generation in the industry — two major contributors to global greenhouse gasses. After capturing the CO2, it serves purposes like improving oil extraction efficiency or getting stored underground safely. Thus, carbon capture balances protecting nature and maintaining productive industries amidst human-induced climate changes.

Not only does carbon capture work with renewable energy sources, providing reliable backup and smoother integration, but it also supports wide-ranging industries like power generation, cement making, and steel production. Highlighting its vast applicability and effectiveness, carbon capture emerges as a dynamic response addressing modern environmental challenges.

READ: Should Decarbonization Projects be Technical, Cost Reduction, or Strategic Innovation Projects?

Key Notes for Encouraging a Quick Change Towards Net-Zero
Clearly defined rules are essential for big infrastructure projects and new business models for net-zero emissions. Therefore, governments should set ambitious net-zero goals immediately to guide companies.

Fast tests of new tech like hydrogen and large-scale carbon capture encourage fast innovation. Close coordination among related groups helps install complex systems and gain public trust in new advancements.

Combining green and digital development trends accelerates innovation. Integrating advancements in energy efficiency, low-carbon heating, and clean transportation with digital services increases user convenience and accessibility.

Implementing new tech successfully requires supportive steps driving commercialization. Combining required targets and market-focused strategies in the renewable field teaches lessons on rapidly introducing fresh tech and services.

Overall, successful innovation isn't just about having new tech. Strategists should develop targeted innovation policies, identify game-changing tech with excellent carbon-reducing abilities, promote teamwork among companies and industries, and leverage existing industrial skills.

The Journey to Net-Zero Emissions
Achieving net-zero CO2 emissions requires a versatile ensemble of fuels and technologies tailored to specific energy sector constituents and regional conditions. Policymakers and stakeholders must consider multifaceted approaches, blending proven and emerging solutions for global sustainability.

References