Against the background of the current power crisis, the ‘green’ versus ‘greener’ energy debate is more important than ever. This according to Dennis Williams, commercial director of Associated Energy Services (AES).
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The debate around ‘green’ energy usage versus the optimisation of energy efficiency is a critical question for industrial and manufacturing plants today. In South Africa, where local industry continues to grapple with the knock-on effects of the ongoing power crisis, plants are understandably focusing primarily on energy efficiency, rather than ensuring that their energy sources and utilisation are as ‘green’ as possible.
Dennis Williams, commercial director of Associated Energy Services (AES) explains: “Energy efficiency seeks to optimise the efficiency of the energy conversion process, while ‘green’ energy looks to use a different fuel source to meet those energy requirements, one that is deemed to be ‘green’ or greener’. In short, energy efficiency addresses the optimisation of existing energy, irrespective of whether it is renewable or non-renewable, so the plant can operate using less energy without a reduction in productivity.”
Williams clarifies that changing to a cleaner fuel source can be slightly greener without necessarily being regarded as a renewable energy source. “A working definition of renewable energy is that it is deemed to be inexhaustible, for example, solar energy or that it is widely agreed to have no impact on carbon footprint,” he notes.
“So, for example, if a plant is using coal, one can consider converting to natural gas which, despite still being a fossil fuel, has a smaller carbon footprint than coal. Alternatively, one can ensure that the plant uses less coal to generate the useful energy needed to meet production requirements. This can be achieved by optimising the production processes in order to use less steam and combust more efficiently.”
Williams notes that AES is fuel-, solutions- and technology-agnostic: “We look for opportunities to diversify our clients’ fuel mix, while remaining completely agnostic and objective. In this way, we can assist a client in diversifying by having access to different fuel stream options.”
Energy usage best practices
AES Managing Director Chris Paterson continues: “AES has been assisting industrial plants with energy usage best practices for over 25 years, operating today across a broad range of vertical sectors where we promote optimised steam processes.
“We assist our clients to optimise their energy efficiency, reduce their risk and minimise the total cost of production throughout the operational life of their plants. This is all crucial in keeping the wheels of industry turning. Yet it does not have to be at the expense of ‘greener’ energy options, even while facing South Africa’s current infrastructure challenges.”
Williams adds: “AES addresses the generation and supply of steam from coal, liquid fuels, biomass and biogas, allowing our clients to optimise efficiencies and future-proof their plants. For those who are pondering the issue of green energy versus energy efficiency, we are able to offer input, guidance and solutions.
“It is, of course, desirable that South Africa should – in line with most of the world – embrace efforts to reduce its national carbon footprint. At the same time, however, we remain in the grip of the ongoing power crisis, which affects industry across the board, and in turn negatively impacts the economy. As a country, we have committed to a number of international obligations around the reduction of carbon emissions. However, we do not have the same diversity as in other countries with regards to cost-effective alternatives for process energy streams,” he says.
It is consequently a juggling act for South Africa to emulate the rest of the world in reducing its carbon emissions; while still needing cost-effective, higher carbon fuels, simply to keep industry going. That being said, there are solutions that will satisfy the need for reliable energy usage and the need to reduce carbon emissions.
Williams suggests a potential solution, starting with the requirements of the status quo plant. AES, he says, is able to assist in reducing the quantity of fuel used relative to the initial baseline: “As we are fuel-agnostic, AES can recommend an optimised fuel source,” notes Williams. “We are also able to mitigate fuel risk through an established fuel procurement offering. Being highly selective regarding the quality of fuel that we provide, we assist in plant efficiency improvements, which in turn result in a reduced carbon footprint.”
He adds that asset care is also a vital aspect AES makes clients aware of: “The selection of fuel type not only impacts the efficiency of the energy conversion and supply, but the plant itself. Poorly-selected fuels can clog boiler tubes, leading to breakdowns and downtime; as well as having a long-term effect on other mission-critical plant components, such as combustion systems.”
However, no matter which fuel type the client is using, AES’ intention – at the start of the relationship – is to address energy efficiencies in terms of the conversion of fuel into a useful energy stream such as steam. “Then, as we become a trusted partner, we work with clients to realise their ongoing steam utilisation and production process improvements. We therefore achieve an optimisation in the energy efficiency cycle from two perspectives: we are generating the steam more efficiently, therefore using less fuel, while also giving the client better quality steam and expert advice.”
“We advise clients regarding their best available options,” he confirms, “including diverse aspects such as by-product utilisation, cogeneration, and fuel switching, such as to biomass or agricultural production residue used as an alternative energy feedstock. Perhaps the client wishes to switch to an alternative fuel source as part of a longer-term transitional plan, and here again we are able to advise, specify plant, execute plant installation and operate the facility,” Williams assures.
He warns, however, that clients need to be realistic and not underestimate or misunderstand the energy requirements for their industrial processes: “For example, with a big thermal energy demand, use of on-site traditional renewables will simply not suffice. The energy requirement is too large. If supplied from offsite, there is the instability of the national grid to consider; as well as distribution constraints: such as in the Northern Cape, where the distribution network is oversubscribed during daylight hours and cannot deliver more electricity.”
Having said this, AES is able optimise energy efficiency of the status quo plant, addressing current requirements, while also advising on ‘greener’ energy objectives over the longer term.
Paterson adds: “We are seeing industrial plants committing to new paths around greener energy options that might have cost implications at the outset but will have a good pay-off later. AES is able to assist local plants to optimise and ‘green’ their thermal energy, despite current challenges.
“We thoroughly understand the issues involved in the ‘green’ versus energy efficiency debate, and are able to offer advice, expertise, solutions and support,” he concludes.
