Energy is the core component for all industries. Most of the energy demand is met by fossil fuels, which is one of the main reasons for the high level of carbon emissions from industries. To decrease emissions or even become carbon neutral by 2050, many companies have made sustainability goals to implement renewablesin their production processes. Industries consume 74% of the energy in the form of heat, of which 30% of energy is consumed in low-temperature applications. Substituting fossil fuels in low-temperature applications with renewable energy sources such as solar-thermal technology (STT) can significantly reduce emissions. This study explores how can focus on sustainability by companies facilitate the diffusion of STT in low-temperature applications in brewery and mining industries. The study comprises a comprehensive literature review on sustainable development, drivers, and barriers of STT. The theoretical framework of the studyis based on diffusion of innovation by Rogers (2003). Empirical data is collected using semi-structured interviews to gain insights from multi-national companies about their focus on sustainability, transition towards renewable energy sources in meeting heat demand and aspects considered by companies. The study results show that companies focusing on sustainability goals are incorporating new renewable energy technologies such as STT in their processes. Companies are also making heat purchase agreements and are collaborating with neighbouring companies to incorporate STT. This form of integration of new solutions can increase the adoption rate of STT. Further, it is found that brewery companies have a better scope of implementing STT compared to mining companies.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-448042 |
| Date | January 2021 |
| Creators | Elakanti, Ranjith Reddy, Singh, Rajaneesh Kumar |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för samhällsbyggnad och industriell teknik |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | SAMINT-MILI ; 21042 |
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