Comparing emission reduction among energy solutions

Alternative solutions to maximize power and reduce emissions

Which energy solutions provide the ideal combination of maximum power performance that enhances efficiency while also minimizing or eliminating emissions?

The right answer for a company’s power needs depends, of course, on the application, the company’s access to lower carbon options and the budget at their disposal. 

There are a range of cleaner energy solutions that can greatly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and can enable companies to meet sustainability goals.  

We will take a look at four of those in this article: advanced internal combustion engines (ICE), ICE-battery hybrids, fuel cell systems and battery-electric systems. 

Adopting these cleaner energy solutions today can make an immediate, positive impact on the environment. They also can enable companies to achieve energy transition initiatives. 

Advanced internal combustion engines: Cleaner power

Conventional ICEs provide the reliable power needed for mining, rail, oil and gas, defense, marine and power generation equipment. 

But ICEs are some of the largest sources of emissions. For example, they produce direct emissions through their tailpipes or exhaust pipes. ICE systems account for 25% of harmful emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These emissions include nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to ozone depletion. Particulate matter (PM) impacts air quality issues. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) contribute to climate change. 

ICE designs are optimized and so widely adopted that they are not likely to be replaced in the near term. They can be cleaner, however, with advanced solutions and lower carbon alternative fuels. Among them: natural gas engines offer dependable, clean and quiet performance, as well as low emissions. Natural gas, while a fossil fuel, also provides high efficiency, low total fuel costs and reduced dependence on imported oil. Hydrogen, renewable diesel and biofuels also show much potential as clean-burning alternatives to fossil fuels for ICEs. 

Additional benefits are the extensive ICE knowledge base and training available to support operators and technicians.

Discover more alternative fuels.

ICE-battery hybrids reduce fossil fuel consumption

Another proven solution, ICE-battery hybrids, can power a range of applications, within the power generation and industrial markets.

An ICE-battery hybrid typically burns less fuel than conventional power systems. It generates and stores energy in a battery. ICE-battery hybrid systems can further boost efficiency by recovering energy through regenerative braking. 

These closed-loop systems draw upon the energy stored in the battery to power electric motors that supplement ICEs. Fuel consumption, operational expenses and total cost of ownership (TCO) are therefore reduced. 

The batteries within ICE-battery hybrid systems can be self-charging, charged by engine power within the system or they are plug-in systems where the battery is charged by grid power. This further reduces the need to burn conventional fossil fuels.

Industrial processes can be powered from the battery. This enables generators driven by ICEs to be downsized. Fewer emissions are released as a result.

Fuel cell systems accelerate energy transition

Fuel cell-battery hybrids and fuel cell generators that are powered by hydrogen emit only water vapor and warm air. They also are more efficient than conventional ICE systems.

To get the full environmental benefits of hydrogen, it must be produced using lower emission sources of energy such as natural gas, wind and solar.
Yet a significant challenge to overcome is the lack of infrastructure to fuel the hydrogen fuel cell systems. Nevertheless, hydrogen is expected to play an important role in rail, marine, mining and power generation markets. 

Hydrogen fuel cells are one of the commonly known fuel cells. They convert chemical energy into electrical energy through a reaction from a continuous supply of a fuel and an oxidizer. 

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are another example. They are a highly efficient, environmentally friendly technology. They can be designed for smaller-scale as well as large-scale power generation from natural gas or coal-derived synthesis gas.

The costs of fuel cell systems are expected to decline as adoption grows across industries. That will make them more competitive with ICE solutions.
Likewise, adoption of hydrogen fuel cells can help to diversify energy generation options.

Battery-electric systems minimize emissions

Applications can run on battery-electric solutions that store energy to power systems. 

They release no exhaust system emissions. However, the batteries are primarily charged by plugging into electricity grids which release emissions at the point of power generation. 

The majority of electricity in many regions of the world is generated by burning fossil fuels. Therefore, battery-electric solutions can provide a cleaner alternative when the sources of electricity have a lower carbon footprint. Alternative sources include hydropower, nuclear, solar and wind. 

The purchase price of battery-electric systems is typically more expensive than similar conventional power systems. However, total lifecycle costs can be reduced through fuel savings, tax credits and other regional incentives.

Solutions for every energy requirement 

The buildup of CO2 and other GHGs is warming the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in the climatic changes that we are experiencing today. 

Companies can choose to reduce or eliminate GHG emissions from their operations, facilities and fleets. This requires investing in solutions ranging from advanced engines to hybrid systems that pair ICE and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies with batteries, and to pure battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell systems that release no local emissions.

Today, there are options well-suited for wherever companies are at on their energy transition journey.