TRILATE

Introduction

In the Belgian, Dutch, and German industrial regions, high energy demand and limited spatial potential for renewable energy require a crucial analysis of energy transport infrastructure. TRILATE aims to develop scientific models for processes, industrial plants, and energy systems, linked to integrated energy infrastructure analysis. The project's objective is to determine the necessary investments in energy transport infrastructure for a cost-effective and reliable transition to a climate-neutral energy-intensive industry in Belgium. The focus is on electricity and molecule transport (H₂, CO₂, CH₄) within and across Belgium, with regular interactions with the industrial advisory board, including participants from Port of Antwerp, North Sea Port, Benelux Business Roundtable, ENTSO-E, INEOS, Luminus, Switch (Tihange), and 3B Fiberglass Company.

ULiège Role

ULiège, with expertise in process and energy systems modeling and integration, is tasked with developing models and engineering technologies for industrial decarbonization through industrial symbiosis and CCUS. This supports the creation of infrastructure for transporting renewable energy sources (RES) and molecules like H₂ and CO₂. ULiège will create models for H₂ and CO₂ technologies using process flow sheeting. Additionally, Decarbonization Blueprints (BP) will be developed for these technologies and Belgian industrial clusters, offering detailed information on mass and energy balances and economic considerations at steady-state conditions. These BPs provide standardized reference data for various industrial sectors, showcasing pathways for decarbonization. An example of a BP for the sugar sector is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 : Blueprint to explore decarbonization pathways for the sugar industry

Initially, BPs were developed for the sectors such as steel, cement and chemicals within the EPOS project, by researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). In the Trilate project, missing technologies specific to Belgian industrial clusters will be modeled. Additionally, a systematic approach will be developed to analyze decarbonization pathways and explore industrial symbiosis at the process, cluster, and regional levels. This task will help the project understand exchange possibilities, assess sustainability objectives, and define the necessary data to optimize synergistic opportunities among urban and industrial clusters.

Consortium

The TRILATE consortium is coordinated by VITO with partners EnergyVille, UGent, ULiège, KULeuven, Fluxys and Elia, and subcontractor EPFL in Switzerland. TRILATE benefits from partner projects in the Netherlands (Hy3+) and Germany (Kopernikus), as well as from an industrial advisory board with representatives from large industrial companies.

Duration

4 years & 4 months

Acknowledgment

A special thanks to FPS Economy for funding this project under the Energy Transition Fund.