Chemelot. The place I pretty much grew up with. The place with a major challenge in the field of sustainability. For me the place to be to make a contribution at the interface of technology, economy and sustainability, as Senior Sustainability Engineer & Advisor Commercial Affairs at USG.
Chemelot and USG face many complex challenges in the field of energy and sustainability. It is crucial that there is an umbrella organization such as Brightsite in which the sustainable development of Chemelot is considered integrally and at a system level, both in the long and short term. The combination of people from Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Maastricht University, Sitech Services and TNO creates a large network of knowledge and experience that can come up with great solutions together.
It is crucial that there is an umbrella organization such as Brightsite in which the sustainable development of Chemelot is considered integrally and at a system level, both in the long and short term.
The majority of processes and installations in the chemical industry must be powered by sustainable electricity by 2050. In my experience, the industry is still at the very beginning of this process, with the first concrete steps being taken now. In recent years, sustainability plans and roadmaps have mainly been drawn up, because sustainability in industry must be viewed in an integrated manner and has a distant horizon. In recent years, there has also been much discussion with the government about frameworks, rules and objectives. More infrastructure, more green electricity and raw materials, more innovation on an industrial scale and supportive and predictable government policies are needed to make real progress.
I get energy from analyzing complex issues, working out solutions and looking for support to be able to realize solutions. Before I came to Chemelot, I worked for energy companies for over ten years. So I am an energy man who works in the chemical industry, where there are many people with a chemical background. The transition that Chemelot has to make concerns both an energy transition and an industry transition and my contribution is mainly in the energy transition part (purchasing green electricity, electrical flexibility, use of residual heat, energy optimisation)
More infrastructure, more green electricity and raw materials, more innovation on an industrial scale and supportive and predictable government policies are needed to make real progress.
In a future with more and more wind and solar energy, flexible electrical power is important to keep our electricity grid reliable and affordable. The e-boiler is an installation that fits perfectly into the future: flexible installations in a hybrid system, which are operated with sustainably generated electricity and ensure electrical grid stability and CO2 emission reduction. A serious step and a serious investment that should herald a future with flexible green installations.
Must read: With e-boiler, USG invests in a sustainable future
Sonny Schepers
Senior Sustainability Engineer & Advisor Commercial Affairs at USG.