Optimization and assessment method to approach industrial site decarbonization: A case study of a light industry

The industrial sector includes a wide range of industries and processes for which a single approach or universal strategies for decarbonization can hardly be identified. In general, the most efficient way to decarbonize building sites consists of two phases: (i) reduce the energy demand and (ii) replace the fossil-based power generation units with renewable energy sources, possibly working on the management of HVAC systems to reduce the required peak power. Literature provides general rules and schemes, but no specific works on the energy retrofit of industrial buildings have been found in literature so far. The present study investigates an existing industrial district, using dynamic energy models of buildings tuned with the current conditions and compared with seven decarbonization scenarios. A neutral water loop exchanging heat with the ground has been studied, representing a widely replicable solution due to the higher heat exchange efficiency and the modular installation, which can be expanded within the site. The significant energy savings (28%) and CO2 emission reduction (up to 70%) obtained are representative of the potential achievable for many industrial sites in mild European climates, where decarbonization should achieve optimal cost-benefit results while minimizing the impact on the production through modular approaches.