Work

Industrial energy efficiency and decarbonisation via electrification and hydrogen

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Decarbonising industrial energy systems requires a process-level understanding of where electrification and hydrogen can replace fossil fuels. However, national statistics typically report fuel use only at the sector level, which limits actionable planning. We develop a process-level energy allocation framework and apply it to the United Kingdom as a representative industrialised economy. Mapping energy use across devices, end uses, and passive systems shows that direct electrification reduces industrial energy demand by 24% and emissions by 39%. Hydrogen substitution delivers smaller energy savings of 7% and cuts emissions by 27%. A hybrid pathway that electrifies feasible processes and uses hydrogen where electrification is not possible matches the energy savings of electrification and achieves a 40% reduction in emissions. Prioritising electrification and reserving hydrogen for residual applications provides a robust and scalable route to industrial decarbonisation. The framework offers a transferable basis for aligning technology deployment with infrastructure and net-zero targets.

Source: Applied Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.127760

Authors: Natanael Bolson, Takuma Watari, Richard Boocock, Jonathan Cullen

Institutions: University of Birmingham, National Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Energy Efficiency and Management

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,430