ENVIRONMENT

BUSINESS: 295 PRACTICES


TOPIC:

Initiative

CO2 emissions reduction and avoidance in refineries due to increase of energy efficiency and self-production of energy by Combined Heat & Power (CHP)

CO2 emissions reduction and avoidance in refineries due to increase of energy efficiency and self-production of energy by Combined Heat & Power (CHP)
SUBMITTED FROM:

HELLENiQ ENERGY

Founded in 1998, HELLENiQ ENERGY (https://www.helleniqenergy.gr/en) is one of the leading energy groups in South East Europe, with presence in 6 countries and activities spanning across the energy value chain, namely: oil refining and fuel marketing, exploration and production, renewable energy sources, petrochemicals, power and gas.


Contact

Objective Action

Refineries are installations of continuous operation, thus their electricity and thermal energy needs amount to millions GJ annually, resulting respectively to millions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere both directly and indirectly. In accordance with HELPE policy for sustainable development and energy use optimization in the production processes, combined heat and power plants (CHP) were installed to cover part of the total energy demand, while contributing to CO2 emissions avoidance and to tackling climate change.

In addition, Hellenic Petroleum Group strongly promotes energy saving actions. Thus, the Group is planning and implementing investments to optimize production process and reduce fuel consumption, reducing consequently carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) and other air pollutants such as SOx, NOx, particulates.  HELPE’s actions are Best Practices and contribute significantly to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 7 for economic, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, and Goal 13 for climate change.

 

Target Audience

The target audience for these best practices is primarily the industrial sector, the employees, the engineers and/or the technicians who are responsible for such energy projects. Nevertheless, climate change as a global issue, it affects the economy, the natural environment and the whole planet and requires joint actions. Therefore, these best practices  are eventually addressed, in a broader context of course, to the society and the environment in general.

 

Duration

Continuous


Description

Combined Heat and Power units of the HELLENIC PETROLEUM GROUP, have started operation since 1988 in the Aspropyrgos refinery, since 2006 at the Thessaloniki refinery and since 2012 in the Elefsina refinery. That investment has significant energy and environmental benefits, meeting up to 40% of the electricity energy needs of the three refineries of the Group.

As per energy-saving actions, the last three years there have been actions such as steam and fuel-saving projects in order to improve heat efficiency in furnaces and boilers, projects to reduce electricity consumption, projects to promote the rational use of fuel and projects related to cogeneration of heat and power.

Apart from the above mentioned actions, efforts are being made to optimize the use of the excess energy content of intermediate product streams. Thus, energy saving is achieved by heat exchangers, contributing not only to the reduction of the consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels, but also to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Moreover, all process furnaces and heaters are installed with high efficiency burners and Advanced Process Control systems (APC). In addition, the role of maintenance is of great importance, especially the implementation of preventive maintenance programs (“shut down”) in order to prevent failures and improve the performance of several production components, such as insulation or steam traps.

Finally, there is a continuous effort to maximize the recovery of gas streams from various production processes in order to be used and consumed as air fuels. These gas streams would have otherwise ended up in the refinery flare for thermal treatment due to safety issues.


more...

Impact on Society

The results are associated on the one hand with the energy saving actions and the efficient use of fossil fuels and on the other hand with the significant amount of electrical power produced in Combined Heat and Power plants, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions. Thus, the benefits are addressed to the society indirectly, by saving non-renewable fossil fuels, that if consumed would have affected, in a negative way, climate change. The last decade, over 2.5 million tons of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere have been avoided.



Initiative Location

The Refineries of Hellenic Petroleum Group


Working with Organization

Cooperation with energy efficiency experts and consultant companies, whenever was required.


Workers Participation

All Hellenic Petroleum employees, engineers, technicians, operators and everyone who worked for these energy projects.


Benefits for Οrganization

In 2015, the total electricity consumption in the refineries was equal to 4,044 TJ, while the amount produced in CHP plants was 1,380 TJ, which is 34.1% of the total, while the relevant figure for 2014 was approximately 37%. Additionally, because of electricity produced in CHP plants, approximately 290 thousand and 312 thousand tons of CO2 emissions have been avoided in 2015 and 2014 respectively. Over the last ten years, 2.5 million tonnes CO2 have been avoided.

Furthermore, due to energy saving actions, significant improvements have been achieved in the energy balance of the refineries.

  • The last two years (2014-2015), the Aspropyrgos refinery managed to reduce its energy demand by 1,184 (491+693) ΤJ which represents reduced CO2 emissions by 91.5 (38.5+ 53) thousand tons. The economic benefit of these actions in the last two years is estimated over 11.4 m €.
  • Similarly, during the last two years the Elefsina refinery has reduced its energy demand by 2,431 (1,735 + 696) ΤJ which represents reduced CO2 emissions by 189.3 (136 + 53.3) thousand tons. The economic benefit of these actions in the last two years is estimated over 20.8 m €.
  • Finally, during the last two years, the Thessaloniki refinery has reduced its energy demand by 711 ΤJ which represents reduced CO2 emissions by 54.5 thousand tons. The economic benefit of these actions in the last two years is estimated over 3.7m €.



Connection with Global Goals







More Initiatives from Organization


















ACTIONS IN FAVOR OF THE CHILD AND THE ROMA FAMILY

Best practice of Sustainable Development: Improving environmental footprint, employment and competitiveness through Elefsis refinery upgrade project

Code of Business Conduct of HELLENIC PETROLEUM GROUP

Competition Policy Action and Compliance Manual

Cooperation initiative between HELPE and the University of West Attica for the "Industrial Oil and Natural Gas Systems" Postgraduate Program (MSc)

DIESEL Avio Double Filtered - For a more efficient and cleaner engine!

Dynamic Model of Health & Safety Management in Fuel Stations

Educational Suitcase GAIA 2030: a HELPE Group initiative for the dissemination of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Employee Volunteer Actions: renovation of a shelter for vulnerable women, cooking at a soup kitchen, beach clean-ups and participation in running races.

Fuels total quality and quantity assurance program: Program EKO GUARANTEE

Hellenic Fuel and Lubricant’s “Green Spot” initiative for responsible vehicle battery collection and recycling in selected services stations in Greece

Hellenic Fuel and Lubricant’s “Green Spot” initiative for responsible vehicle battery collection and recycling in selected services stations in Greece

HELLENIC PETROLEUM GROUP ON THE FRONT LINE FIGHTING AGAINST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WITH PERMANENT SUPPORT TO THE N.H.S. AND SOCIETY

HELLENIC PETROLEUM GROUP POLICY FOR PREVENTING AND ADDRESSING PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC (COVID-19)

HELPE climate change strategy and CDP ranking

Immediate support to the flood victims of Thessaly with the offer of emergency items in cooperation with the Hellenic Red Cross

Integrate climate change mitigation into HELPE strategy and CDP ranking

Integrated treatment of oily wastes in Thessaloniki Refinery

Personnel's motivation in safety issues and supervision of employees health

Recover ,Recycle and Reuse of water and raw materials in refineries

Reducing air transport carbon footprint through sustainable aviation fuels

Responsible Consumers - Providing practical guidance on fuel quality, safety and environmental issues, for EKO and bp customers

Responsible Consumers - Providing practical guidance on fuel quality, safety and environmental issues, for EKO and BP customers

Sustainable Energy in Schools and Institution Rooftops by Hellenic Petroleum Group

Systematic dialogue with major Stakeholders

Training Program for the Development of Group Executives (EDGE - Education and Development for Growth and Excellence)

Waste Management & Circular Economy: Model urban waste management program at HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group’s Aspropyrgos Industrial Complex (AIC)

Wave of Warmth Programme

Young Graduates Employment Program, HELPE

"Energy for Life Travels" Program

“Youth4GlobalGoals”



Send us your feedback Print
The Sustainable Greece Ιnitiative launched by QualityNet Foundation