Since the industrial revolution began about 200 years ago, across the globe humankind has increased the usage of energy and resources. In order to tackle climate change and limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, society needs to act now.

The chemical engineering industry is one of the most energy and resource intensive industries. Therefore, chemical engineers are in a unique position to inspire and create change in energy and resource efficiency within their organisations.

The Energy and Resource Efficiency (ERE) Task Group was a subgroup of the Energy Centre, now replaced by the Energy Community of Practice (Energy CoP). At the beginning of 2018, the ERE Task Group were tasked by the Energy Centre Board to identify ways in which the Institution could help advise organisations in the energy sector on how to improve energy efficiencies.

Project objectives

The ERE Task Group, in conjunction with the Energy Centre Board, identified two workstreams that could help chemical engineers address issues of energy and resource efficiency within the Institution’s areas of influence. These were:

1. an ERE guidance framework document
2. a series of ERE case studies showing examples of good practice.

Outputs

The outputs of the project were as follows:

1. A report presenting 10 principles for improving resource efficiency that could be embraced by chemical engineers and their organisations. 
2. A series of case studies showcasing good practice in energy efficiency.

• Material Recovery from Discarded Electronic Devices (Dell and the Circular Economy)
• Controlled Phase Cycle, viably transforming low grade waste heat into electricity
• The Home Energy Resources Unit (HERU) – Conversion of household waste into heating fuel 
• Promoting a Circular Economy with Clean Fuels and Chemicals made from Municipal Waste 

The report was also launched during the Energy Centre’s annual meeting. Play the recording.

Project completion

The ERE Good Practice Guide and case studies were launched in January 2019. The Energy and Resource Efficiency Good Practice Guide and the case studies provide practical advice and information to organisations on how to achieve energy and resource efficiency. The guide highlights the importance of maximising the efficiency and minimising footprint with the use of identified principles in order to support climate change targets.

The ERE Good Practice Guide and case studies are examples of how chemical engineers and their organisation can address climate change and make positive changes by reducing the impact we have on the planet.

We would like to thank all the volunteers for their contribution to the report.

More information

If you would like to know more about this project, please email energy@icheme.org.