DecarbTech - Issue 2

The editor's picks

Every day I am seeing examples across the world of how industries are using the latest technologies to decarbonize their operations for a low carbon future.

Our new issue of DecarbTech shares insights on how ABB drives and motors technology is helping critical industry segments mining and energy production to reduce emissions.

When thinking of mining, most people wouldn’t know that up to 40 percent of the energy consumed comes from grinding. Or that traditional gas turbines actually burn some of the gas when producing LNG. Electrifying these applications yields significant CO2 reductions for customers.

Collaborating with customers and partners, ABB continues to develop and implement pioneering new technologies, ensuring performance and reliability for mission critical applications, to accelerate the decarbonization of many industries. ?

Enjoy reading this issue and look out for more inspiring stories of decarbonization next month.

Adrian Daeppen , Global Product Portfolio Manager, ABB Motion System Drives.

1. The Power of Water-Cooled Drives in Sustainable Grinding Mills

The pursuit of sustainability targets is fueling a global rise in demand for elements obtained by mining. Lithium, nickel and cobalt; graphite, copper and aluminum – all are vital to the manufacture of clean energy technologies and enhanced energy efficiency. To meet this rising demand, the mining industry must increase its output.

However, mining also has its own sustainability goals; it is expected to reduce its carbon emissions in alignment with global sustainability targets, despite the projected increase in the energy intensity of its operations. The key path forward lies in enhancing energy efficiency across the entire value chain.

One crucial area to focus on is the grinding mill, as this equipment has the most significant impact on the performance and sustainability of mining operations and is responsible for up to 40 percent of a mining facility’s total energy usage.

Using a drive enables the grinding rolls to operate at optimal speed and provide accurate load sharing between the two rolls that can help reduce the impact of wear and tear.

Water-cooled drives provide this functionality, and with their emphasis on efficiency and compactness, they are the perfect partner for high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs).

In the article for Engineer Live, Ata Douzdouzani , Head of Sales, ABB Motion System Drives discuss the power of water-cooled drives in sustainable mining.

Full article available here The Power of Water-Cooled Drives in Sustainable Grinding Mills | ABB

2. Decarbonizing Through Electrifying Traditional Gas Turbines

The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that the demand for fossil fuels will peak around 2030. However, it’s likely that demand for oil and gas will still exist for some decades to come - even as the world transitions to greater use of renewable energy. This dual approach, combining traditional energy sources with innovative technologies and renewables, underscores the industry’s dedication to decarbonizing while continuing to meet global energy demands.

Traditionally, gas turbines have been the workhorses behind various processes, however the industry is now experiencing a notable shift towards electric alternatives, powered by highly efficient motor-drive systems, also known as eTrains.

While widely used in the energy sector for both power generation and industrial applications such as pipeline compressor stations or liquified natural gas (LNG), gas turbines have multiple operational challenges associated with them. Specifically in the context of the environment, the inherent design of gas turbines mean they burn gas in the production of energy such as LNG, which directly results in the release of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The industrial sector is now hard at work to address these challenges.

To facilitate the transition to eTrains, chemical, oil, and gas companies can replace turbines or engines with a complete motor-drive system. This system includes essential components like a variable speed drive (VSD), electric motor, cooling system, and safety features. The evaluation can also extend to include electrical houses (eHouses) and Low Voltage or Medium Voltage switchgears, for example, on a case-by-case basis.?

Electric drives offer efficiency rates of around 95 percent compared to a simple cycle gas turbine with efficiencies ranging between 20 and 35 percent.

The integration of these elements ensures precise control over motor speed in varying conditions, resulting in heightened energy efficiency, reduced emissions, and increased operational flexibility. In fact, electric drives offer efficiency rates of around 95 percent compared to a simple cycle gas turbine with efficiencies ranging between 20 and 35 percent.

Successful reference cases, such as the Troll oilfield in Norway, showcase the benefits of electrification. One of the most important in Norway’s sector of the North Sea, it became necessary after nine years’ operation to boost production by installing compressors on the immense Troll A platform.

ABB provided a revolutionary solution that consisted of an electrical drive system that brought together two groundbreaking technologies: the world’s first high-voltage DC power-from-shore connection to a platform and the first commercial installation of very high voltage synchronous motors, each with a power rating of 40MW.

Reduced the environmental cost of running the compressors by 230,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

This method of bringing power to the compressors was a better option than installing gas turbines on the platform – the conventional solution – because it reduced the environmental cost of running the compressors by 230,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, in addition to significant savings on the capital, operating and maintenance costs.

Future projections for the oil and gas industry indicate a significant peak in electrification activities until 2035. This is being driven by a collective imperative to achieve decarbonization goals. A recent electrification study commissioned by ABB forecasts a spike in electrification activities around 2030, with an estimated 140GW (best case), 65GW (realistic), and 45GW (worst case) of new cumulative electrification demand.

Electrification is set to become the industry standard as its adoption moves from being an alternative option to the norm which is rapidly taking place. As operators increasingly prefer electric drives over turbines or engines, the chemical, oil and gas sector moves toward an all-electric future, contributing profoundly to a greener, more efficient global energy landscape.

For more information, make sure to check the links below:

ABB Drives??????????????????????

EnergySave Calculator??????????????

Variable Speed Drives??