Introduction: In the 10th episode of the Unlocking the Energy Trilemma podcast our hosts Jose A. Martinez & Ravi Krishnan had interview James Magneton, the CEO of Caldera and a Cambridge University-trained engineer with extensive experience in energy research & development. In the podcast they discuss the challenges & strategies for decarbonizing industrial heat, a sector that consumes twice as much the energy as global electricity. James has also shared his valuable insights into potential of hydrogen role in decarbonizing high-temperature processes like steelmaking & explore practical solutions to reduce emissions in the industrial sector. Do not miss this engaging discussion on how we can transition to a more sustainable industrial future. Click the link above to listen to the full episode.
As we do with all our guest speakers, I ask you to share some fact or figures with our audience around the energy trilemma and particularly the topic we are speaking about today—industrial heat. What do you want to say?
There are many technologies out there to enable the energy transition and also decarbonize. In your view, what are some of the more promising technologies that can pave a way for a significant reduction in carbon emissions?
You've mentioned the grid. I think costs and delays of grid connection upgrades are increasing. At the same time, some states or countries such as California or Italy are moving their regulation to push rooftop solar out of the grid and remain as a self-consumption solution. What do you think about behind-the-meter solar as part of the future? Is it something which could be pivotal or not?
What strategies do you see as being necessary to address the intermittency of solar energy in industrial applications, especially for maintaining a consistent energy supply?
So, you're talking more in terms of reducing carbon intensity as opposed to achieving a net-zero goal within a given period of time. As you said, it's a journey. So, you actually, with the hybrid approach, you minimize your carbon intensity over time by blending it with perhaps natural gas or some other fuels?
You have mentioned at the very beginning, the industry applications depend on the temperature of the heat required. And you can divide below 200, something between 200 and 400, and above 400. My questions are, how can you address those different ranges of temperature and applications? And where should we put the focus to decarbonize the system, the low-hanging fruit?
Why is it happening? Why do we have the hype on hydrogen and spending billions of euros or pounds or dollars on that?
You brought up hydrogen in the context of steelmaking. Can you give us some insight as to why you think hydrogen is particularly more effective in steelmaking as a fuel source than something else?
What can you tell us about energy efficiency? We've mentioned before there is a lot to do there, and it's like the electric car and gas cars.
What lessons can you actually learn from Netherlands as it relates to other markets in Europe to promote heat pumps?
If we're increasing the electrification of applications and so on, what should we prefer to store—thermal energy or electricity in a battery or something like that?
What do you see as some of the biggest challenges in achieving decarbonization in a phased manner, focusing on minimizing carbon intensity and keeping prices low, instead of achieving a specific target regardless of costs?
If you had a magic wand, what would you do with the energy trilemma?