Driving Industrial Decarbonization with EPIXC
DOE’s Electrification without Carbon. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Arizona State University. It will lead the new Electrified Processes for Industry without Carbon (EPIXC) Institute1. This initiative marks an important step towards achieving the nation’s ambitious climate goals.
EPIXC: A Coalition for Clean Energy
Firstly, EPIXC mobilizes a diverse coalition, including private companies, universities, and labor unions. Secondly, with a federal fund allocation of up to $70 million over the next five years, EPIXC will conduct research, development, and demonstration projects to electrify process heating and decarbonize the industrial sector2.
The Industrial Sector: A Key Player in Decarbonization
The industrial sector, which accounts for more than 30% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economy and the path to decarbonization3. EPIXC aims to make this sector more resilient, efficient, and competitive while setting the U.S. on a course to net-zero emissions by 20504.
Amplifying Decarbonization Efforts
EPIXC joins the ranks of DOE’s six other Manufacturing USA Institutes, creating an innovative ecosystem to address manufacturing challenges. The EPIXC coalition will bridge the gap between research and commercialization, moving novel electrification processes from the lab to the market5.
Tackling Process Heat: A Decarbonization Strategy
Process heat, an essential manufacturing component, is a significant source of energy consumption and carbon emissions in the industrial sector6. Likewise, EPIXC will accelerate the development and adoption of electrified processes, such as induction heating and heat pumps, to reduce emissions and enhance energy efficiency78.
Inclusion and Justice in Clean Energy Transition
Moreover, EPIXC is committed to the goals of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative. It aims to involve disadvantaged communities, including tribal communities in Arizona, in the clean energy workforce and transition9.
Funding and Future Prospects
In conclusion, funded through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office, EPIXC, along with other Manufacturing USA Institutes, aims to connect people, ideas, and technology. This collaboration will make U.S. industries more competitive and strengthen national security10. DOE’s Electrification without Carbon.
Link of interest: Harnessing the Power Beneath: The Enhanced Geothermal Shot™ Initiative
