Energy Efficiency and GHG Emissions: Prospective Scenarios for the Aluminium Industry

• Main Authors: MOYA RIVERA Jose Antonio, BOULAMANTI Aikaterini, SLINGERLAND S., VAN DER VEEN R., GANCHEVA M., RADEMAEKERS K.M., KUENEN J.J.P., VISSCHEDIJK A.J.H.
• Language: English
• Published: Publications Office of the European Union 2015
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC96680; https://doi.org/10.2790/9500; https://doi.org/10.2790/263787

This study examines the possibilities for energy efficiency and GHG emission improvements in the European aluminium industry. The first part of the study presents the status quo of the industry in the EU28 and Iceland by compiling a database of existing plants with their production characteristics and the best available and innovative technologies (BATs/ITs). A model EU is then developed to simulate the trend in each plant towards 2050. The use of the model in different scenarios allows the analysis of the cost-effectiveness of investments in BATs/ITs. The results show that in absolute terms, for the whole industry the energy consumption and direct GHG emissions can decrease from 2010 to 2050 by 21% and 66%, respectively. And, in almost all scenarios, for the primary aluminium production there is a convergence in the reduction of specific energy consumption and direct GHG emissions of 23% and 72%, respectively. Since most of the savings come from technologies that are in early stages of research, there is a clear need of a decided push and of creating the right conditions to make these potential savings happen. JRC.F.6 - Energy Technology Policy Outlook