13 March 2025, 1:00–2:30 PM AEDT
Greenhouse Tech Hub, 180 George St, Sydney
Eating the Industrial Gas Elephant: One Piece at a Time
Industrial process heat electrification is a strategic imperative for reducing emissions and achieving cost-effective operations. Market data and technical analyses demonstrate that flexible electric heating solutions can outperform traditional fossil fuel systems when optimized with off-peak pricing. Thermal energy storage and direct electrification emerge as proven pathways that integrate renewable energy sources with continuous industrial demand. Strategic partnerships and pilot projects are proving that data-driven feasibility and adaptive procurement models can bridge the gap between current infrastructure and a cleaner future. Industrial actors must confront high grid upgrade costs and cultural resistance to unlock the full potential of electrified heat processes.
Summary
Industrial processes adopt direct electric solutions and thermal storage as realistic alternatives to natural gas. Fleeting low-cost electricity and robust market data drive a clear shift toward electrification. Investment in flexible systems demonstrates economic advantages and operational efficiency across high-temperature applications. Coordination of engineering expertise, new contract models, and advanced technology propels industrial decarbonisation forward.
How can industrial operations achieve cost parity with gas through flexible dispatch?
What technological improvements are required for high-temperature electrification?
How will strategic partnerships accelerate the adoption of renewable heat solutions?
Context and Objectives
Industrial sectors rely on natural gas for high-temperature processes, yet emerging technologies now enable efficient electrification. Decarbonisation is treated as a competitive advantage that reduces long-term operational costs and meets net-zero ambitions. The approach emphasizes comprehensive data collection, flexible procurement, and integration of new technology into established processes.
Technical, financial, and cultural barriers remain, demanding a systematic transformation of energy systems to replace traditional fossil fuels with renewable alternatives.
Electrification as a Strategic Imperative
Industrial facilities are adopting direct electric solutions and thermal storage to replace natural gas, driven by competitive cost structures and lower emissions.
Barriers and Enablers
Technical challenges such as grid connection upgrades and cultural resistance are acknowledged, while robust data and flexible procurement models enable breakthrough solutions.
Industrial Process Electrification
Key discussion points
It details strategies that leverage market data, technology demonstrations, and partnership models in transitioning from gas to electric heat.
Market and Economic Drivers
- Utilizing off-peak electricity to lower operational costs.
- Achieving cost parity with traditional gas through flexible pricing.
Technology Pathways
- Deploying thermal energy storage and direct electric boilers.
- Using heat pumps for low-to-mid temperature operations.
Barriers and Practical Considerations
- Overcoming expensive grid upgrades.
- Navigating cultural resistance and organizational siloes.
Data and Flexible Procurement
- Leveraging robust energy-use data for feasibility studies.
- Employing innovative contract models to harness spot-market incentives.
Panelists
Moderator
Emmet Williams directs commercial energy solutions and emphasizes practical steps for integrating renewable energy into industrial applications.
Speakers
Perry Wilson leads macro-level energy market analysis and advocates for scalable electric solutions in industrial operations.
Travis MacLachlan specializes in aligning commercial operations with dynamic electricity pricing to harness cost advantages.
Michael Simioni provides expertise in engineering and project management to drive industrial decarbonisation initiatives.
Tom Geiser champions high-temperature electrification via advanced thermal energy storage solutions.
Will Furness drives business development with a focus on modular thermal storage and economically competitive levelized cost of heat models.
Insights
Market Dynamics
- Electricity markets exhibit volatile pricing with off-peak opportunities that industrial systems can capitalize on.
- The flexible nature of renewable integration creates economic benefits when aligned with precise demand scheduling.
Technology Feasibility
- Thermal energy storage and direct electric heating prove technically viable and cost-competitive with natural gas.
- Heat pumps and electric boilers present scalable options for low-to-mid temperature applications, while high-temperature demands require hybrid solutions.
Overcoming Barriers
- Network constraints and lengthy grid upgrade processes compel rapid innovation in smart technology integration.
- Cultural inertia and misalignment between top-level net-zero targets and operational practices demand decisive internal transformation.
Conclusion
Industrial electrification is becoming a practical alternative to fossil fuels, with flexible electric heating and thermal storage now proven in real-world applications. The event emphasized that economic and operational benefits are within reach when market data, technology, and procurement models are aligned.
However, technical and cultural barriers remain, including grid constraints and resistance to change. Overcoming these challenges will require coordinated innovation, robust data, and a willingness to adapt established practices.
Viable Transition Pathways: Electrification and thermal storage prove ready for scale when aligned with off-peak electricity and dynamic pricing structures.
Critical Role of Data and Partnerships: Robust energy-use data and collaborative pilot projects set the foundation for overcoming technical and organizational barriers.
Economic and Operational Superiority: Flexible electric heat processes reduce long-term costs and emissions while enhancing industrial competitiveness.