Footprint Reduction Strategy for Industrial Site Operation

Abstract

Industrial sites efficiency and Footprints (FPs) are determined to an extent by the choices made in the Site Utility Systems, which supply the necessary process heating, cooling and power to the core site processes. While the methods for energy efficiency targeting have matured and there are studies evaluating the FPs resulting from utility system operation, a method providing guidance on the measures for FP reduction still need more development. Building upon the previous developments in utility system optimisation, energy targeting and FP analysis, this contribution combines them with the use of FP intensity indicators and analysis of the contributions of the system components to the resulting FPs, to devise a strategy and procedure for reducing the FP values. The obtained results indicate that the fundamental factor-indicator analysis, combined with the exploitation of the structural system links – e.g. the energy-water nexus manifestation, it is possible to achieve significant FP reductions in synergy with potential economic gains.