One month before COP 28, the latest report of the International Energy Agency sets the agenda, drawing the attention of the global community to the urgent need to accelerate and massively upscale sustainable energy solutions. Because even though the timeframe for action is getting tighter, a sustainable future is still within our reach. And the momentum for change has never been greater.
Case in point: More than $1 billion is now being invested daily in solar deployment and over 500 GW of renewable generation capacity is expected to be added in 2023 alone, which sets a new record. Manufacturing capacity for clean energy components, including solar PV modules and energy storage batteries, up by 60% and 25% respectively, is expanding rapidly.
An irrefutable case for sustainable energy
Driven by emissions reduction targets, clean energy investments have increased by 40% since 2020. However, the IEA emphasises that renewable energy capacity must at least triple in 2030. Businesses and industries are instrumental in making this happen. This aligns with our narrative here at Equans, which stresses not just the environmental benefits, but also the trusted economic prospects of mature clean energy and the energy security it provides, not to mention the employment opportunities it creates.
A longtime champion of the energy transition, Equans supports businesses and industries worldwide in implementing sustainable energy and storage solutions as well as efficient energy management systems at speed and scale, to achieve durable, decarbonised, and decentralised electricity generation.
Equans’ customised solutions for a sustainable future
The road ahead can seem daunting. The question is : What’s the first step? Sometimes overshadowed by more substantial system overhauls, energy efficient strategies are in fact simple, cost-effective and readily available for businesses to start reducing their carbon emissions. These involve optimising energy use, curtailing waste, and aligning operations with sustainability objectives.
Energy efficiency
At your side, Equans develops tailored energy efficiency measures integrating new technologies and conversion systems designed to optimise your existing processes and equipment as well as recover wasted energy. The upfront costs of these upgrades are quickly recouped by the energy savings you realise from your investment. Measures can be as straightforward as maximising natural light, switching to LEDs, installing sensors to detect human occupancy, setting up controls, maintenance, and heat recovery mechanisms to improve heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, using smart metering and targeting systems (SMT) to measure, monitor, and record energy data and proactively repair failures or inefficiencies.
Energy management solutions
Equans’ sustainable energy management solutions: Ramping up annual energy efficiency across sectors could deliver more than 40% of the emissions cuts needed to reach global climate targets, while simultaneously expanding energy access, reducing waste, slashing energy costs, mitigating air pollution, and decreasing dependence on fossil fuel imports.
This, however, extends beyond simply installing efficient equipment; it demands a 360-degree approach that includes real-time monitoring, data analytics, and a mindset geared towards continuous improvement. By incorporating advanced energy management systems such as Equans Smarteo solution, you can leverage data and insights to benchmark performance, pinpoint improvement areas, and formulate precise strategies to boost energy efficiency.
Heating and cooling alternatives for commercial & industrial spaces
Cleaner and more efficient heating solutions like geothermal pump systems and biomass energy are picking up steam, significantly cutting down CO2 emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
Geothermal heat pumps: Used in conjunction with geothermal energy, Equans’ ATES (Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage) system offers a 100% green heating option with the added benefit of cooling capabilities. Harnessing the Earth's stable underground temperatures, heat pump systems provide both heating and cooling, achieving up to 400% efficiency in energy use and 60% energy savings—far surpassing traditional HVAC systems. This translates not only into lower energy consumption but also reduced utility bills. Plus, geothermal systems boast a longer lifespan compared to conventional systems, with little maintenance required, thanks to fewer moving parts and protection from external hazards.
Biomass energy: Converting organic materials into electricity, heat, or fuel offers another practical renewable energy solution for businesses. The use of waste materials not only supports waste reduction efforts but also ensures a steady and local energy supply, enhancing energy security. Additionally, biomass energy systems can lead to significant cost savings over time, particularly when reusing waste products that might otherwise incur disposal costs.
Equans’ transformation of the DSM Nutritional Products’ production site in Sisseln serves as a compelling example, where transitioning to a biomass-powered Combined Heat and Power plant resulted in an annual CO2 reduction of 50,000 tonnes and an 86% efficiency rate.
Solar spearheads sustainable energy race
Sustainable energy solutions are projected to cover 80% of new power capacity in 2030, with solar PV alone making up more than half of this. Simply put, solar is on the brink of transforming electricity markets. And with plans to boost manufacturing capacity to over 1,200 GW of panels per year by the end of the decade, the sector is poised for unparalleled growth.
Keeping pace with this acceleration means addressing complex challenges, including the expansion and fortification of grids and the integration of storage solutions to maximise and stabilise the impact of additional solar PV in electricity systems.
Equans’ one-stop solar energy and storage solutions
Technology is evolving extremely rapidly. Photovoltaic projects have become the most proficient sources of solar energy generation, and the challenges they once faced are quickly becoming opportunities for greater efficiency. Intermittency stemming from solar energy's dependence on sunlight, is being offset by advanced battery energy storage solutions (BESS). These systems capture excess energy during sunlight hours for later use, ensuring a consistent power supply. This not only stabilises the solar energy output but also increases the resilience of the grid. Floating solar farms are answering to the challenge of site availability by making use of un- or underexploited land, reducing water evaporation, and benefiting from a cooling effect that can increase module efficiency. Digitalisation and smart grid technologies address connectivity issues, ensuring more efficient distribution of generated solar energy, even in remote installations. AI-powered AgriPV systems are gaining traction, as a win-win integration of agriculture and solar energy, enabling dual land use for agriculture and energy production.
