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Search results for: “heat pumps”

  • Enhanced geothermal: technology challenges?

    Enhanced geothermal: technology challenges?

    This data-file tabulates the greatest challenges and focus areas for harnessing deep geothermal energy, based on reviewing 30 recent patents from 20 companies in the space. We conclude that recent advances from the unconventional oil and gas industry are going to be a crucial enabler.

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  • Electric arc furnaces for lower-carbon steel production?

    Electric arc furnaces for lower-carbon steel production?

    Electric arc furnaces generate enormous amounts of heat to recycle scrap steel, with 85% lower CO2 emissions than primary steel production. Our base case model yields a 15% IRR at $475/ton steel prices and a 10c/kWh power price. However, IRRs could be uplifted 2-6pp by integrating with renewables.

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  • Cryogenic air separation: costs and energy economics?

    Cryogenic air separation: costs and energy economics?

    This data-file calculates the costs of cryogenic air separation units, which are important in the production of industrial gases, ammonia, metals, materials, medical applications and new energy technologies such as blue hydrogen. Good base cases are $100/ton oxygen, $20/ton nitrogen, $200/Tpa capex and 60kWh/ton of electricity (on an input air basis).

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  • Gas turbines: what market size in energy transition?

    Gas turbines: what market size in energy transition?

    CHP systems are 20-30% lower-carbon than gas turbines, as they capture waste heat. They are also increasingly economical to backstop renewables. Amidst uncertain policies, the market size for US CHPs could vary by a factor of 100x. We nevertheless find 30 companies well-placed in a $9trn global market.

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  • Industrial energy and electricity consumption by sector?

    Industrial energy and electricity consumption by sector?

    The average factory consumes 9GWH of energy per year, of which 5GWH is thermal heat and 4GWH is electricity. Of the electricity c50% is for rotating machinery, c10% for electric heat, c10% for process cooling, c7% for electrochemical processes, c10% for facility HVAC and c6% for lighting.

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  • Prysmian: power cable technology breakthroughs?

    Prysmian: power cable technology breakthroughs?

    Prysmian scores well on our patent assessment framework. We conclude an array of incremental improvements and industry specializations confer a partial moat and helps to de-risk future installation work.

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  • Energy efficiency: an overview?

    Energy efficiency: an overview?

    This data-file is an overview of energy efficiency. The average power generation facility is c40% efficient. The average ICE is 20%. The average EV is 80%. The average industrial process is 85%. Some new energies have efficiency losses.

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  • Thermodynamics: Carnot, Rankine, Brayton & beyond?

    Thermodynamics: Carnot, Rankine, Brayton & beyond?

    Engines convert heat into work. They are governed by thermodynamics. This note is not a 1,000 page textbook. The goal is to explain different heat engines, simply, in 13-pages, covering what we think decision makers in the energy transition should know. The theory underpins the appeal of electrification, ultra-efficient gas turbines, CHPs, nuclear HTGRs and…

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  • NET Power: gas-fired power with inherent CO2 capture?

    NET Power: gas-fired power with inherent CO2 capture?

    Our NET Power technology review shows over ten years of progress, refining the design of efficient power generation cycles using CO2 as the working fluid. The patents show a moat around several aspects of the technology. And six challenges at varying stages of de-risking.

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  • Post-combustion CCS: what energy penalties?

    Post-combustion CCS: what energy penalties?

    A thermal power plant converts 35-45% of the chemical energy in coal, biomass or pellets into electrical energy. So what happens to the other 55-65%? Accessing this waste heat can mean the difference between 20% and 60% energy penalties for post-combustion CCS. This 10-page note explores how much heat can be recaptured.

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