Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator See all Client services

The Carbon Trust designed the Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator (IEEA) to work collaboratively with industry sectors to deliver energy savings in manufacturing processes. Working with key stakeholders in each sector we identify innovations in equipment, processes and product strategy.

Introduction

Industry produces 125MtCO2 - 25% of UK total emissions. Energy efficiency best practice measures are relatively well understood, and most industries deploy these in non-process related areas, such as space heating and lighting. Many also deploy sound practices in process efficiency e.g. steam distribution and compressed air. However, we found very few have the internal systems to identify and deploy genuine innovations in processes such as heat recovery, combustion efficiency and novel cleaning methods.

Current work

Through funding from the Department of Business Innovation and Skills as part of its Regional Growth Fund, we are currently deploying a number of innovative technologies in four sectors: Aggregates, Animal Feeds, Dairy and Bakery.

These include the development of low temperature asphalt, improved combustion efficiency in bakery ovens and a less carbon intensive method of cleaning pipes in the dairy sector by using ice pigs. Several commercial and non-profit partners are co-investing in these projects, including manufacturers, technology suppliers and universities.

Dissemination

As part of these innovation projects, Carbon Trust is responsible for dissemination. This includes events, case studies and related activities. Please find below a listing of recent or forthcoming activities:

20 June 2013
 The Sustainability Breakthrough Series: Low Temperature Asphalt
 Learn about the latest innovation breakthroughs in utilising Low Temperature Asphalt.


Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator Approach

The IEEA takes a collaborative approach, working with trade associations, sector companies and technology providers to identify innovative opportunities for energy reduction. We have worked with 14 mid-energy intense sectors, such as dairies and aggregates, installing site metering at equipment level and analysing production data. This has helped us identify emissions reduction averaging 29%. 

Examples of innovative opportunities include:

  • Design of brick kilns with reduced air flow rates to improve efficiency
    • saves a typical site £90k/year
    • potential to reduce emissions in the bricks industry by 40,000 tCO2/year
  • Moisture measurement of paper to improve control of water extraction
    • saves a typical plant £260k/year
    • opportunity to reduce emissions in the paper industry by 65,600 tCO2/year
  • Use of ice pigs to clean pipes in the dairy (or brewing sector) instead of hot water and detergents
    • enables recovery of product (milk, cream, etc.) by the ice slurry instead of losing to drain
    • dairy sector emissions reductions could add up to 23,000tCO2/year


Reports