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Energy Efficiency as a Foundational Technology Pillar for Industrial Decarbonization

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  • Senthil Sundaramoorthy

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA)

  • Dipti Kamath

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA)

  • Sachin Nimbalkar

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA)

  • Christopher Price

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA)

  • Thomas Wenning

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA)

  • Joseph Cresko

    (Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Washington, DC 20585, USA)

Abstract

The U.S. government aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to reduce the severe impacts of climate change. The U.S. industrial sector will become a focal point for decarbonization since it accounts for 33% of the nation’s primary energy use and 30% of its energy-related CO 2 emissions. Industrial emissions are also expected to increase by 15% through 2050, making the industrial sector a logical target for decarbonization efforts. Energy efficiency technology pathways provide low-cost, foundational routes to decarbonization that can be implemented immediately. Energy efficiency technology pathways, such as strategic energy management, system efficiency, smart manufacturing, material efficiency, and combined heat and power, are well established and would immediately reduce energy use and emissions. However, their role in the aggressive net-zero decarbonization pathway for the industrial sector is still unclear. This study aims to address energy efficiency pathways for decarbonization, and reviews studies related to these technologies for industrial decarbonization through 2050. This study identifies different strategies for the industrial sector in general and that are specific to six energy-intensive industries: iron and steel; chemical; food and beverage; petroleum refining; pulp and paper; and cement. Finally, a path toward the successful implementation of energy efficiency technologies is outlined.

Suggested Citation

  • Senthil Sundaramoorthy & Dipti Kamath & Sachin Nimbalkar & Christopher Price & Thomas Wenning & Joseph Cresko, 2023. "Energy Efficiency as a Foundational Technology Pillar for Industrial Decarbonization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9487-:d:1169977
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Fu-Hsuan Chen & Hao-Ren Liu, 2024. "Analyze the Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Carbon Capture in Sustainable Development of Work," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Juhi Kamra & Ambica Prakash Mani & Sudhanshu Joshi & Manu Sharma, 2025. "Measures to decarbonize the cement industry; an AHP analysis," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 30(6), pages 1-71, August.
    4. A. H. Samitha Weerakoon & Mohsen Assadi, 2024. "Micro Gas Turbines in the Global Energy Landscape: Bridging the Techno-Economic Gap with Comparative and Adaptive Insights from Internal Combustion Engines and Renewable Energy Sources," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-31, October.
    5. Kalie Miera & Alex Botts & Paul Lemar & Dipti Kamath & Thomas Wenning, 2024. "Unlocking Manufacturing Sustainability: Energy Efficiency Opportunities through the US Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program Energy Treasure Hunts (2023–2024)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Bolson, Natanael & Cullen, Luke & Cullen, Jonathan, 2025. "A robust framework for estimating theoretical minimum energy requirements for industrial processes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    7. Paulomi Nandy & Wei Guo & Thomas Wenning, 2024. "Unlocking Energy Efficiency: Debunking Myths on the Road to Decarbonization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, September.
    8. Hon Chung Lau & Steve C. Tsai, 2023. "Global Decarbonization: Current Status and What It Will Take to Achieve Net Zero by 2050," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-24, November.

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