Flanders develops plan to make non-ETS sectors more sustainable
According to a study by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Enterprise (VLAIO), half of the heat demand in the less energy-intensive sectors in Flanders can be made sustainable with heat pumps. For this reason, Flemish minister of Economy and Innovation Jo Brouns (CD&V) has developed an action plan together with the sectors.
Energy-intensive sectors such as the chemical and steel industries, but also energy production, have reduction targets imposed at European level in the so-called ETS (Emission Trading System). But also the less energy-intensive industry, the non-ETS sectors, have reduction targets that each member state must meet. The Flemish Energy and Climate Plan (VEKP) of 2019 provided for a 35% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the non-ETS sectors by 2030. The Flemish government has increased this ambition to 40%.
Industrial heat pumps
A study by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Enterprise (VLAIO) now shows that industrial heat pumps, with or without residual heat from processes, can sustainably meet up to 5TWh or 47% of the heat demand of the non-ETS sectors in Flanders, which corresponds to a saving of 1,100 kton CO2. There are also regional opportunities for geothermal energy and heat networks.
"If companies become less dependent on fossil fuels in this way, it is not only good for the environment, but also an opportunity to reduce their own costs due to rising energy prices and geopolitics," minister Brouns said.
On Monday, the Minister of Economy and Innovation presented a plan of action together with the sectors. This provides, among other things, for better access to information and guidance. Companies that want to go green sometimes do not have the right expertise, or are confronted with a complex adjustment of their production apparatus. According to Brouns, they need to know which sustainable technologies are suitable and which business cases are financially attractive and stable.
In addition, minister Brouns will consult the specific sectors to see what is still needed to further reduce non-ETS emissions. There will also be a baseline measurement and a monitoring system.
Paris Climate Agreement
In line with the UN Climate Convention, the EU member states have endorsed the Paris Climate Agreement (2015), in which it has been agreed to limit the global emission of greenhouse gases in such a way that the average temperature increase on earth remains below 2 °C compared to the pre-industrial era. The agreement even aims at limiting the increase to 1.5 °C. To this end, the EU aims for zero net emissions by 2050.
At European level, greenhouse gases and the related emission reduction targets fall into two parts.
On the one hand, there are the ETS emissions, which are covered by the European Emission Trading System (ETS). These are the majority of emission sources from the energy and industry sectors. They are only subject to an EU-wide target.
On the other hand, there are the non-ETS emissions, which are not covered by the ETS. These are mainly emissions from transport, households, trade & services and agriculture. This is an EU-wide target, however this target is further translated at member state level. Within Belgium, the non-ETS target is further divided among the three regions.
(AHU)
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© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM - Illustration picture shows the seismic research to deep geothermal by Vito, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, in central Limburg province, in Opglabbeek, Monday 02 March 2015. The test results will be used for a pilot project on geothermal energy at the former mine site of Waterschei.