Regional Energy System Pathways for decarbONised inDustry 2030

RESPOND2030 explores the interplay between decarbonisation in energy-intensive process industries (EPIs) and energy systems change. EPIs, such as metals, fertilizers, or cement, are key to value creation, but account for large emissions that need to be drastically reduced, or eliminated, to meet climate targets. Decarbonisation solutions exist but are challenging to achieve without major changes to current EPI processes as well as changes in other sectors. This includes the expansion of renewable electricity (RE) generation and distribution capacity, development of CO2 infrastructure, and development of production capacity for biobased or hydrogen material inputs. All these solutions have energy system implications. EPI transformations are thus tightly tied to the energy transition, and a better understanding of the interplay between energy system and EPI change is necessary. RESPOND2030 brings together governance, industry and research actors to jointly develop knowledge on the conditions, and paths forward for EPI decarbonisation and associated energy system change, with a focus on the Nordland region – a large EPI and electricity producing region. A regional focus is important given different industry and energy system conditions for decarbonisation. We bring together quantitative modelling of conditions and impacts on the regional economy and environment, and social science research on sustainability transitions to qualitatively understand actor and sector characteristics. RESPOND2030 thereby provides a holistic understanding of drivers and barriers for EPI decarbonisation, and how this may impact society, economy and nature towards 2030, and beyond. RESPOND2030 supports stakeholders in developing and implementing plans for decarbonisation. The project contributes to wider policy and academic debates, and will also develop insights on how to work with EPI decarbonisation of use for other regions, clusters and the national level.

RESPOND2030 brings together research, governance and industry actors in joint development and implementation of energy transition pathways for decarbonization of energy-intensive processing industries (EPI). EPIs are key to Norwegian value creation and employment and need to decarbonize if national and regional climate targets are to be met. EPI decarbonization options include electrification, hydrogen, bio-based feedstock and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). These often lead to increased renewable energy demand and require changes also in other sectors. RESPOND2030 explores barriers and drivers for energy transition processes connected to EPI decarbonization, and develops pathway perspectives to support stakeholders and inform policy and academic debates. RESPOND2030 takes a multidimensional approach, bridging sustainability transition (ST) with macro-economic modelling in integrated pathways analysis. Because the conditions for EPI decarbonization and energy system transitions vary considerably in different geographical contexts we focus on the region of Nordland, which is a large EPI and energy producing region in Norway. The project aims to develop insights that have relevance also in other regions and at the national level, notably concerning multi-sector interactions in EPI decarbonisation, as well as the decarbonisation feasibility and implications. RESPOND2030 takes a co-creation approach, where a diverse set of stakeholders are involved in a "Transition platform", integral to the development, and ultimately implementation of pathways. The core group in this arena comprises public and private actors that are central to EPI decarbonisation in the region. RESPOND2030 promises fine-grained analyses and actionable knowledge of decarbonisation targets, system dynamics, and transformation processes. RESPOND2030 ensures wider relevance amongst other by producing a pathway manual to guide pathway development in other regions.