KH Engineering is creating significant interest in accessible sustainability solutions for the existing process industry with its innovative master plan and engaging masterclasses.
‘Let’s be honest: the energy transition is a formidable challenge, especially in an operational plant’, says Jos Sentjens, Principal Engineer at KH Engineering. ‘Still, we aim to bring a positive and optimistic perspective. Integrating new, climate-friendly technologies into existing installations – without compromising production – is one of our key areas of expertise.’
Smart sustainability
‘A plant’s production process is often fixed’, Jos continues. ‘But there are several ‘layers’ to it that can be modified. For example, making your heat supply more sustainable by recovering waste heat, electrifying with heat pumps, or connecting to local utility networks that provide sustainable energy or raw materials.’
Step-by-step approach
‘For our industrial clients with operational plants, we’ve developed a step-by-step plan that guarantees both cost savings and sustainability’, Jos explains. ‘While much of the ‘low-hanging fruit’ in this field has already been addressed, there are still substantial climate benefits to be achieved. We start with an analysis to map out what has already been done and what remains possible. Our strength lies in presenting this information in a straightforward and accessible way. It’s absolutely feasible to undergo the energy transition without drastically altering your processes.’
Significant progress
Thanks to KH Engineering’s extensive expertise in this field, our engineers can quickly identify areas where significant gains can be made, such as replacing gas-fired boilers with electric ones (e-boilers). By running these in parallel with gas boilers, you can choose to activate the e-boilers when electricity is cheap, free, or even negatively priced.
White paper
In the white paper ‘Master Plan for Energy Transition in the Process Industry’, KH Engineering offers an accessible guide to sustainable upgrades for brownfield installations. This white paper also served as the foundation for an inspiring masterclass co-hosted with Deltalinqs, the Rotterdam port industry association, in late September.
Eagerness to transition
‘What stood out during the masterclass was not only the overwhelming interest but also how much more receptive companies are to the energy transition than I had initially expected’, Jos reflects. ‘There was considerable interaction from attendees – mostly from the process industry – who were keen to learn about our solutions. Two practical examples made a big impact: Albert Keukens from PVC producer Shin-Etsu explained how they used heat pumps with our support, while Wilfred Buijs from Gouda Refractories, a producer of refractory bricks, detailed their plans to halve natural gas usage by connecting to an external provider of syngas produced from thermochemical conversion of biological waste streams.’
A resounding success
Now that the white paper has been published and proven successful, the plan is to host similar masterclasses in Amsterdam and Antwerp. ‘I am impressed by the enthusiasm within the process industry to actively take on sustainability projects’, Jos concludes. ‘This also gives me a fresh, optimistic perspective on the future of the energy transition. For us, it is also an excellent opportunity to become involved in potential sustainability projects at an earlier stage. This allows us to increasingly showcase what KH Engineering has to offer in providing accessible support for the sustainability of the existing process industry.’
Curious about our master plan for energy transition in the process industry? Download our white paper now!
Interested in the upcoming masterclasses KH Engineering organises in Amsterdam and Antwerp? Register now and stay informed.
For more information about KH Engineering: https://www.khe.eu/en/new-energy/
The industry faces a major challenge. Emissions must be rapidly reduced and all production must be climate-neutral by 2050. At the same time, the price of energy and raw materials is rising and a CO2 tax leads to higher production costs. So things must be done differently. But how can you best achieve sustainability without forcing factories to close? The New Energy & Infrastructure group within KH Engineering advises on how to change technical processes to save energy, reduce emissions and produce profitably in a demanding social environment.