Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

Continued investment in steam is important because it‚ the most efficient method of thermal energy transfer, and when its job is done all that‚ left is water. However, steam generation has historically been reliant on carbon intensive fuels. Decarbonising steam generation is a win-win sustainability implementation plan, especially as it‚ already the first choice for so many applications worldwide. 
From producing food to refining oil, beer making, and drug manufacture, steam is well known for delivering safe, sustainable and efficient energy. This project is part of our sustainability driven strategy of developing solutions which enable our customers‚ to decarbonise, avoiding the need to replace steam systems with less thermally efficient alternatives.
Founded in December 2019, this project enables the decarbonisation of industrial applications which have an intermittent thermal energy demand, such as sterilisation or heating. By providing an efficient means to locally store thermal energy consumers can maximise their use of sustainable energy sources or use their existing electricity infrastructure to decarbonise; whilst maintaining overall process efficiency. 
The project formed initially as a theoretical exercise to ascertain whether the combination of existing steam accumulation and immersion heating principles could achieve new benefits. It transpired that although these theoretical principles are understood the sustainable benefits of this technology have not yet been realised.

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At Spirax Sarco our work place culture has a deep held set of values that are shared by all of our employees. To innovate and deliver on stretching targets, we need everyone to bring their whole self to work and we need to attract and retain the best talent. We are doing this by developing comprehensive guiding principles to promote inclusion and diversity, creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Regardless of our differences and background, clarity of purpose is what brings us together. 
We are proactively developing a culture where clarity of purpose and capability and commitment take centre stage. The inclusion of collaboration and honesty within our core values enables natural empowerment, a critical aspect when designing and implementing research & development projects. These values bring greater creativity, higher performance, trust, confidence, commitment and support the identification and mitigation of risks.
Whilst this project had its own dedicated project delivery team, the culture within Spirax Sarco enabled others to collaborate and communicate their thoughts, shared learning's and knowledge globally through our sister companies such as Chromalox and Gestra. The team comprises a diverse mixture of gender, age and nationality which enabled the project to move from ideation to site delivery, including successful exportation of steam to a customer processes, within an 18-month time period.

The project embodies a clear strategic goal of reducing the carbon emissions of steam generation, altering the perception that steam generation is inherently carbon intensive. The concept phase, detailed design and installation period were not only accelerated and delivered successfully, but they were led by a recent graduate of the Spirax Sarco graduate scheme. This illustrates the importance of STEM and has highlighted to others across the business that they can succeed regardless of their age, experience or education which has provided invaluable inspiration for the next generation.

The technology itself can be applied in climate vulnerable communities, especially those with high levels of solar availability which can be harnessed renewably through solar panels. Leveraging our global presence to achieve deployment in these locations aligns with our aim to become industrial leaders of sustainability so that we can lead change, inspire progression and support customers from all backgrounds in 130 different national markets as part of a wider movement. 

Our partnership with Brunel University is the gateway to educating future generations about how engineering can support a more sustainable future. This partnership is essential for the knowledge transfer of the current issues the world is facing, but more importantly how we can work together to deliver ethically and sustainably engineered solutions for everyone.

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