HiTeMP-2 Forum: Be part of the conversation to transition high temperature minerals processing to zero carbon emissions
By Professor Gus Nathan, Director, Centre for Energy Technology, The University of Adelaide
After the success of the inaugural High Temperature Minerals Processing Forum (HiTeMP) held in 2018, delegates from around the world will once again converge on Adelaide for HiTeMP-2. The forum will be held from March 16-18, at the International Wine Centre.
High temperature processes are commonly used around the world to produce goods vital to the global economy such as steel, cement, copper and aluminium. They are energy intensive, have a much greater requirement for heat than electricity and operate with large volumes and low profit margins from capital intensive plant in trade exposed markets.
These features, together with the lack of commercially available renewable energy technologies for high temperature process heat, mean that the sector has been identified “difficult to abate” with regard to CO2 emissions. However, these unique challenges are also creating new opportunities. For example, new opportunities are emerging for countries with a coincidence of renewable energy and mineral resources, so that leading mineral processing and refining companies across the world have already started to respond to emerging markets for low carbon products. These markets are driving industry and governments to invest in the development of new technologies with strong potential to lower CO2 intensity in response. Rapid advances are therefore being made to meet this need at a competitive price.
HiTeMP-2 will bring together leading experts from a range of processes, countries and backgrounds to discuss this challenge, spanning industrial end users, technology providers, researchers, government agencies and non-government organisations. The forum will examine how key technologies such as solar thermal, green hydrogen, green electricity and refuse derived fuels can be further developed and commercially implemented at industrial scales.
HiTeMP-2 is a unique opportunity for stakeholders to chart the pathway toward net-zero-CO2 for the heavy industry sector. There is no getting around the fact that the high temperature mineral processing industries are vital to the global economy or that demand for their products is expected to grow. However, industry needs support to transform because it is responsible for one third of global CO2 emissions – of which half is for high temperature processes (typically more than 800oC).
Forums such as HiTeMP-2 are crucial in setting the agenda and bringing leaders from around the world together to create a better future together.
In particular the Forum will address:
- Next steps for the iron/steel, alumina/cement and new energy metals industries
- Emerging opportunities to lower the carbon intensity of these processes
- Identification of exemplars in lowering CO2 intensity from minerals processing in nations with a strong coincidence of mineral and renewable energy resources
- key drivers, technologies and trends
- the next steps for the sector, including key enablers, projects and demonstrations needed to de-risk future investments.
For more information and to register for the forum, visit adelaide.edu.au/hitemp/hitemp-2