May 14 -- This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO). The intent of this RFI is to obtain information to inform a new DOE vision study, Pathways for U.S. Industrial Transformations: Unlocking American Innovation, which is identifying cost-effective and industry-specific strategic pathways to achieve a thriving U.S. industrial sector with net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
This RFI seeks input on four categories: Category 1: Industrial Decarbonization Challenges, Barriers, and Cross-Cutting Strategies; Category 2: Framework for Industrial Decarbonization Pathways; Category 3: Impacts and Evaluation Criteria for Industrial Decarbonization Pathways; and Category 4: Net-zero Decarbonization Pathways for Specific Industrial Subsectors.
This RFI is focused on input on industrial technological, financial, social, environmental, and health aspects as they pertains to the challenges, barriers, opportunities, and pathways to achieve net-zero emissions from the industrial sector by 2050. IEDO seeks input from a diverse group of stakeholders (both within and outside of industry) who will be integral to the transformation of U.S. industry, including associated communities, utilities, low-carbon fuels suppliers, technology developers, engineering consultants, firms designing new facilities, local and regional governments, and more.
Responses should be submitted electronically to Transforming-Industry@ee.doe.gov. Include “Transforming Industry RFI” in the subject line of the email. Only electronic responses will be accepted and must be received by 5:00pm (ET) on June 10, 2024.
IEDO provides funding, management, and the strategic direction necessary for a balanced national program of research, development, and demonstration (RD&D), as well as technical assistance and workforce development, to drive energy, materials, and production efficiency improvements and to accelerate industrial decarbonization. IEDO and its programs are critical to putting the nation on a pathway to net- zero GHG emissions by 2050.
Due to the diversity and complexity of energy inputs, processes, and operations, the industrial sector is considered one of the most difficult to decarbonize. Approximately 38% of total U.S. economy emissions are attributable to the U.S. industrial sector (both energy-related and non- energy-related Scope 1 and Scope 2). Moreover, under business-as-usual operations, industrial sector energy consumption is projected to grow 30% by 2050, resulting in a 17% increase in energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Achieving net-zero GHG emissions across the U.S. economy by 2050 will require an accelerated, multidimensional approach to eliminate net industrial emissions. DOE estimates that more than 60% of heavy industry emissions reductions needed to achieve net-zero by 2050 will come from technologies that are still in the innovation pipeline and are not currently market ready. We recognize this will be a challenge –which is why IEDO is leading a new DOE-wide vision study, Pathways for U.S. Industrial Transformations: Unlocking American Innovation, informed by stakeholder input from within and adjacent to the industrial sector.
This vision study seeks to refine and improve our understanding of potential pathways, including considering the following:
• Major production routes for each industrial sector
• Major decision-points that might shape each pathway, relative timing between now and 2050 for these decision-points, and what information will be needed for those decisionpoints
• Primary factors that might determine how much of a subsector would choose an individual production route or technology
• Major similarities and differences in technologies and solutions across the major pathways and production routes
• What investments could be made in parallel and are no-regrets strategies, and where are the potential risks for creating stranded assets
• Portion of each pathway that can be achieved through enhancements to existing facilities vs. construction of new facilities
• Major barriers to successful development and accelerated deployment of key technologies and solutions within each pathway
• Major uncertainties across each pathway
• Economic, environmental, and social impacts of each pathway.
This vision study involves collaboration across the Federal government, including with the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technologies, the General Services Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and several White House Offices including the Climate Policy Office, Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Economic Council, and Council on Environmental Quality. DOE will also seek input on this vision study from states, territories, local authorities, and Tribes.
This RFI seeks input on four categories:
1. Industrial Decarbonization Challenges, Barriers, and Cross-Cutting Strategies
2. Framework for Industrial Decarbonization Pathways
3. Impacts and Evaluation Criteria for Industrial Decarbonization Pathways
4. Net-zero Decarbonization Pathways for Specific Industrial Subsectors
a. Cement
b. Chemicals
c. Food and beverage
d. Iron and steel
e. Pulp and paper
f. Petroleum refining
g. Rest of industry (other manufacturing, agriculture and forestry, mining, oil, and gas; construction; data centers; and water and wastewater treatment).
Questions are included at the end of each category. Helpful responses will provide context around your response on details such as the timing (e.g., near-, mid-, or long-term as outlined in the Roadmap); needed enabling conditions (e.g., hydrogen cost parity, access to electricity infrastructure, market demand); geography/location; and other specifics. . . .
RFI:
https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/#FoaId49a92fe4-d832-4e05-8270-4619c3b3a201 [55 pages]
