Grand Challenges in Heat Decarbonisation

Abstract

Heat accounts for almost half of global final energy consumption (IEA, 2021a). Industrial processes are responsible for 51% of the energy consumed for heat, while another 46% is consumed for space and water heating. Heat supply currently relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing more than 40% of global energy related CO2 emissions in 2020 (IEA, 2021a). Renewable sources only met less than a quarter of global heat demand in 2020 (IEA, 2021b). In order to achieve the target of net zero of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, heat must be decarbonised; this presents a grand challenge to academia, industry, and society.