**London**: Chris and Penny Hamlin advocate for a transformative change in emissions data collection within the petrochemical industry, emphasising real-time metrics to enhance operational decisions and significantly reduce uncertainty in global emissions estimates, as highlighted by the C-THRU project’s findings.
In a recent article by The Chemical Engineer, Chris and Penny Hamlin discussed the pressing need for a shift in the way emissions data is collected and utilised, particularly in the petrochemical industry. They highlighted that traditional metrics, which largely rely on historical or aggregated data, often fall short in effecting meaningful change towards sustainability. The authors argue that the adoption of real-time, run-time visibility into emissions data is essential for enabling proactive decision-making, thereby allowing companies to make immediate adjustments to their operations.
The necessity for timely and precise data became evidently clear through the findings of the C-THRU project. This initiative demonstrated that focusing on real-time data collection at a selection of facilities can substantially diminish global emissions uncertainty. Such an approach not only enhances decision-making but also boosts the effectiveness of related policies. The Hamlin duo elaborated that market-based incentives could further encourage businesses to integrate sustainability into their operations, promoting not just compliance but a genuine commitment to environmental impact.
While current methods to drive change often employ a mix of punitive measures and rewards, these approaches are predominantly founded on linear assumptions and norms. The article draws an intriguing comparison between the operational strategies employed by NASA engineers for their cars and the Mars rover, Perseverance. Despite the rover’s slow speed of 152 metres per hour, controlling it represents a complex challenge, demanding meticulous planning and execution involving a series of historical data evaluations and execution of objectives that lack direct oversight.
This contrasting approach illustrates three methodologies of target-setting in the industry. The first, standards-based, tends to aggregate data without delving into specifics, which can lead to a lack of relevant measurements. Secondly, retrospective or actual measures rely on periodic data that can hinder timely management, akin to operating Perseverance in a reactive manner. Finally, the article promotes the concept of run-time visibility, where data is continuously measured and processed. Such an approach would provide immediate insights, enabling quick corrective actions and ultimately driving real improvements in emissions management.
The article highlights a pressing current state where facilities are often managed in a manner similar to the operation of Perseverance due to a reliance on outdated and structured data collection processes. This method may have been suitable for interplanetary missions constrained by communication delays but is becoming increasingly redundant in the fast-paced environment of Earth-based operations.
The results of the C-THRU project underscored the inherent weaknesses in existing retrospective data methods, revealing a significant margin of uncertainty—approximately 34%—in global emissions estimates from petrochemical production. This uncertainty stems from a lack of accurate, facility-level process data and flawed assumptions in life-cycle assessments. The Hamlin article estimates that a concentrated effort on capturing specific emissions data from just 20% of facilities could ultimately reduce this uncertainty by as much as 80%.
In summary, the call for a transition from historical data dependency to a framework that emphasises real-time insights is underscored by the complexities of modern emissions tracking. By ensuring that data is continuously updated and facility-specific, companies may not only improve their operational performance but also contribute significantly to the global emissions reduction efforts.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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