Industrial energy usage in Australia and the potential for implementation of solar thermal heat and power

A review of industrial energy usage for Australia was undertaken to identify potential sites for utilisation of solar thermal energy. The review identified 2498 individual sites by location, industry type, energy use and characteristic process temperature. This data is presented on maps in terms of both industry type, and characteristic process temperature, in discrete ranges for comparison with the approximate insolation patterns and to identify sites that should be considered for more detailed analysis. High insolation areas of Australia are not heavily populated or industrialised, but there are electricity demands for many remote communities and mining sites that may be suitable targets for solar thermal power generation projects. Relatively few industrial sites were present in areas of high insolation that could utilise higher temperature heat directly, but some potential opportunities were identified involving bauxite and laterite ore processing, ammonia production, oil refining and natural gas processing. In areas with moderate insolation, outside major cities, there are numerous sites in the food processing, building products, textiles and wood products industries that could utilise low to moderate temperature solar heat. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.