Impact of Hydrogen Integration and Implementation on Costs in Glass Production

Abstract

The glass industry stands as a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily reliant on natural gas during production, posing a considerable environmental challenge. Despite advancements in furnace technologies, achieving substantial reductions in emissions remains a hurdle. Radical redesigns, including advanced heat recovery systems and alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen, emerge as promising avenues. However, current projections indicate modest increases in energy efficiency, insufficient to align with decarbonization objectives. Hydrogen appears promising, offering drastic emissions reductions and operational flexibility. The European glass industry is increasingly considering hydrogen as a sustainable alternative. However, the transition necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the economic implications associated with different delivery and implementation methods. This study developed a simulation model based on empirical data from a case study and analyzed different scenarios with the aim of providing insights into the cost implications of various hydrogen delivery and implementation methods for glass production. The study contributes to providing decision support methodologies and empowering production planners and managers in the glass industry to make informed decisions toward sustainable and economically viable decarbonization strategies.