Net Zero

Seeking net-zero

Feb. 22, 2023
Going green must be more than buzzwords and same-old efficiency. Here’s how the experts reduce emissions and shift industries

Real or phony? Acting and making a real difference, or just talking and looking busy? When it comes to climate change and global warming, the only yardstick is reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG), and striving for net-zero emissions is the goal.  

So, if we’re just getting more efficient at extracting and burning fossil fuels, we can technically and justifiably claim we’re acting more sustainably. However, a drop in the bucket and nod to sustainability—or even outright “greenwashing”—while we keep doing what we’ve always done isn’t nearly enough.

Make the big pivot

If sustainability is going to have any chance of success, it’s crucial and unavoidable to adopt alternative energy sources such as hydrogen, solar and wind—and everyone knows it. Here's how Compañía Española de Petróleos, S.A.U. refinery's hydrogen network implemented AspenTech's dynamic optimization to achieve its decarbonization goals. Read more.

Initial organizing scopes and steps

"We’re working to reach net-zero emissions across Emerson for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030, drive a 25% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030, and reach 100% on all three by 2045.” Emerson explains how it's working towards its sustainability goals. Read more.

Green guidance and directives

The three scopes for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the U.N.’s 17 sustainable development goals show how to prioritize sustainability efforts. Read more.

Gain DIY sustainability experience

Phoenix Contact puts solar panels and a photovoltaic (PV) system on its roof. This PV array is expected to meet 30% of the facility’s needs. Read more.

Beyond "do more with less"

Applied Control Engineering shows how system integrators are helping chemical manufacturers limit resource use, reuse more scrap, and shift to alternative energy sources. Read more.

The electricity environment

Matrix uses an industrial sustainability equation to optimize boiler performance, steam production and energy consumption for packaged food and vegetable oil manufacturers. Read more.

Holistic for hydrogen

Long Ridge Energy’s combined-cycle power plant relies on measurement instruments from Endress+Hauser to blend hydrogen with natural gas. Read more.

Digitalized paths arrive at green solutions

Hargrove Controls & Automation tailors automation and controls to gradually transition clients to sustainability. Read more.

Powered by partnerships

80 Acres is developing a sustainable, healthy, traceable and more productive farming platform by using Siemens’ power distribution, security, building management, industrial automation, HMIs and edge devices. Read more.

Best supporting sustainability actors

Optimation combines traditional system integration skills to develop new sustainability solutions. Read more.

Green among friends

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals put the reasons for sustainability into a larger context. Read more

Easier analytics can streamline net-zero quest 

Seeq demonstrates how data analytics can surpass its usual optimization role to aid sustainability reporting at Chevron’s Oronite division refinery in Salt Lake City. Read more  

About the Author

Jim Montague | Executive Editor

Jim Montague is executive editor of Control. 

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