Gradyent and Shell partner to reduce emissions via steam grid optimisation
Gradyent and Shell have completed the initial phase of their collaboration to pilot a Digital Twin. This solution is designed to optimise the steam infrastructure at Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam.
Shell, a global leader in energy and petrochemical solutions, is committed to reducing its scope 1 and 2 emissions to net zero by 2050. In line with this ambitious sustainability goal, Shell has partnered with Gradyent to pilot a Digital Twin of its steam grid at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Rotterdam.
The initial phase of the project involved the modelling and validation of selected sections of the steam grid at the site in the Port of Rotterdam. The site’s total infrastructure processes ~700 tonnes of steam per hour.
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Gradyent's Digital Twin showing elements of the steam grid at Shell Energy & Chemicals Park
Shell was able to accomplish two objectives by creating a Digital Twin of these steam grid sections:
1. Identify potential improvements to the steam grid’s efficiency
The Digital Twin demonstrated, through analysis of historical data, that the venting of steam in the grid could be minimised through live setpoint control. This initiative would decrease the energy consumption and associated costs and carbon emissions of the steam system in the current operation of the grid.
2. Simulate future grid developments related to electrification and changing steam demand
Using Digital Twin-based simulations of the steam grid section, Shell was able to test the impact of the grid’s development on the company’s decarbonisation objectives. This helped identify the optimum future grid layout with reduced steam demand as a consequence of efforts around electrification and changing steam demand.
The simulations can help accelerate the pace of electrification, ensure the security of the steam supply following the execution of transformation plans and enhance the efficacy of CAPEX deployment.
"The first results from the Gradyent Digital Twin of the site’s Steam System are truly exciting—showing us how we can operate our steam system smarter, more reliably, and with greater energy efficiency! We're unlocking new potential today, while gearing up for a future with shifting demands and rising CO2 costs.”
Reto Greter, Energy & Utility Technology Manager Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam
During the upcoming phases of the collaboration, the remaining part of the steam grid will be incorporated into the Digital Twin. The end-goal is to have a minute-by-minute live optimisation tool to reduce venting, expand the optimisation to pressures and temperatures and provide accurate live steam demand forecasting for improved scheduling of steam generation.
Many other use cases have already been identified for future use of the Digital Twin. Ultimately, the project is expected to further reduce the carbon emissions of the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam.
"Our team developed a Digital Twin of Shell’s steam grid and identified savings via a series of collaborative workshops with the Shell team. We are proud to be actively involved in the optimisation and decarbonisation initiatives of Europe’s largest refinery.”
Hervé Huisman, CEO at Gradyent.
References
Thumbnail: Shell Chemicals & Energy Park, Rotterdam. Source: https://beeldbank.rws.nl/, Rijkswaterstaat