Results¶
Changes in technology¶
One interesting question is how the technologies used in the industry will change over the decades. The two sub-sectors of copper and aluminum were selected for a closer look at this development. The following diagrams show the installed capacity per year in each case, with the colored background describing the technology used.
Copper Industry Transition
Aluminium Industry Transition
The diagrams demonstrate the increasing prevalence of advanced technologies in the installed capacity of both the copper and aluminum industries over time.
In the copper industry, the first diagram illustrates a clear transition: by 2050, the entire installed capacity is composed of the most recent and innovative technologies, signifying a complete shift away from older methods. The gradual introduction of these advanced systems, especially visible after 2035, shows a clear industry-wide adaptation to newer production technologies.
The second diagram, which focuses on the aluminum industry, similarly shows that from 2045 onwards, only new technologies constitute the total installed capacity. Interestingly, the adoption of newer technologies in the secondary aluminum production sector begins as early as 2025. This early transition in secondary production paves the way for these technologies to dominate by mid-century, effectively replacing outdated systems. In the primary aluminum production sector, a breakthrough occurs in 2035 with the introduction of a highly innovative technology, which rapidly supplants the older methods within a decade.
Energy supply of the energy-intensive industry sectors¶
The diagrams illustrate the models transformation of energy supply within various industrial subsectors between 2021 and 2050, with a particular focus on the integration of hydrogen.
In 2021, the industrial sector heavily relied on traditional energy sources such as coal and methane, as depicted in the left diagram. Coal plays a significant role in powering steel production, while methane and other fossil fuels are prominent across various subsectors.
In comparison, the 2050 diagram presents a drastically different energy landscape. Hydrogen emerges as a pivotal energy source, especially in the steel sector, where it completely replaces coal. The reduction of methane usage is also evident as the transition toward cleaner energy sources reshapes the entire industry. This shift underscores the declining relevance of coal in industrial processes and highlights hydrogen’s growing importance in decarbonizing energy-intensive industries.
Industry Energy Supply 2021
Industry Energy Supply 2050
More complex sankey variations:
- Variation 1: primary/secondary inputs to specifications (no outputs):
- Variation 2: primary/secondary inputs to specifications to waste-heat output:
- Variation 3: primary/secondary inputs to processes (no outputs):