As mankind, we are probably facing the greatest challenge ever: limiting global warming caused by the changing climate. By now, most people are convinced that this warming is due to mankind and industrialisation and the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels, such as gas, oil and coal, produce CO₂ when burned. And CO₂ in the atmosphere creates a kind of insulating blanket, causing the earth to warm up slowly but surely.

And to turn that tide, it is necessary to go through an Energy Transition: from the fossil era to the non-fossil era.

At pro6com, we are very much aware of the era we are in. Our vision is to make plants safer and more efficient, with the ultimate goal of making plants that are no longer dependent on fossil fuels for their energy and raw material supplies. Technology plays a key role in this. And within technology, we see an important task for process technology / process engineering. It is all about converting molecules into other molecules. In the most efficient way. This may require energy or energy that is released. And that too must be done in the most efficient way.

The first step in making the Energy Transition more realistic is to save energy. After all, you don’t need to produce what you don’t need. This would mean that from 2009 to 2050 energy consumption would have to be reduced by approximately 85% through efficiency improvements. The remaining energy demand could then be met for about 75% from sustainable energy sources and 25% from non-sustainable sources.

The Trias Energetica principle is often used to sequence the implementation of energy-saving measures.

In its simplest form, the Trias Energetica looks like this:

Step 1 Reduce energy demand

Step 2 Use energy from renewable (sustainable) sources

Step 3 Use finite (fossil) energy sources efficiently

Want to learn more about the need to save energy? Then download the e-book: in 5 steps to the optimal process.