Let’s explore the current landscape and envision a future where industries are powered by the boundless energy of the wind.

The growing role of wind energy

Wind energy has experienced remarkable growth over the past few decades. According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the global wind industry installed a record 117GW of new capacity in 2023, making it the best year ever for new wind energy. This figure is expected to double by 2030.  

Several key factors drive this rapid proliferation of wind energy: 

• Technological advancements: Modern wind turbines are evolving rapidly, becoming larger and more efficient owing to innovations in materials, aerodynamics, and design. 
• Cost competitiveness: The cost of wind energy has fallen significantly, making it one of the most competitive sources of electricity generation. 
• Scalability and flexibility: Wind energy projects can be customized from small community-based initiatives to large offshore wind farms. 
• Environmental and social benefits: Wind energy produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions, making it an essential component of global efforts to combat climate change. Wind power can also contribute to economic development by creating jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

Electrification: The next step in industrial transformation

When powered by renewable energy, electric heating produces nearly zero CO2 emissions, making it essential for meeting sustainability goals.

Simply put, electrification entails directly replacing processes that rely on fossil fuels with electric alternatives. For the industrial sector, which accounts for about 24% of global CO2 emissions according to an International Energy Agency (IEA) report, electrification presents a significant opportunity. By transitioning to electric alternatives, industries can substantially reduce their carbon footprint and achieve sustainability goals. While there are several key areas, such as transportation, material handling, digitalization, and automation, where electrification is already transforming industrial processes, using electricity in heating can lead to notable CO2 savings. 

Thomas Helander, R&D specialist, Kanthal.A large portion of industrial energy consumption is dedicated to heating, traditionally provided by burning fossil fuels. Electrification provides a range of alternatives, such as electric arc furnaces for steelmaking, resistance heating for many processes, induction heating for metalworking, and electric boilers for process heating in chemical and other major industries, to name a few. These technologies not only reduce emissions but also improve energy efficiency by directly converting electricity into heat. 

Thomas Helander, R&D specialist from Kanthal, emphasizes the significance of this shift, stating, “Electrification offers exceptional efficiency, with heating processes achieving up to 95% energy utilization. It eliminates harmful thermal emissions like NOx and SOx, leading to cleaner air and a healthier environment.” 

He further adds, “Electric heating is safer and quieter, reducing operational risks and noise pollution while providing precise temperature control to enhance productivity and product quality. When powered by renewable energy, electric heating produces nearly zero CO2 emissions, making it essential for meeting sustainability goals.”

The convergence of wind energy and electrification 

The integration of wind energy with the electrification of industrial processes creates a powerful synergy and offers several potential advantages: 

• Decarbonization of industries: By providing a steady supply of renewable electricity, wind power can enable industries to decarbonize their operations, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. 
• Enhancing energy resilience: The integration of wind energy into industrial power systems can enhance resilience by diversifying energy sources. Unlike fossil fuels, which are subject to geopolitical tensions and price volatility, wind energy is abundant, local, and immune to supply chain disruptions.  
• Improving operational efficiency: Industrial electrification powered by wind energy can lead to significant improvements in operational efficiency. Electric systems are generally more efficient than their traditional counterparts, resulting in lower energy consumption and costs.  
• Facilitating innovation: The integration of wind power and electrification opens the door to innovation in industrial processes, such as the development of new materials, energy storage solutions, and circular economy models that reduce waste and optimize resource use.

Ylva Tengblad, Sustainability Manager, Swedish Wind Energy Association.Sweden is leading the way in integrating renewable power into its energy mix. Ylva Tengblad, Sustainability Manager at the Swedish Wind Energy Association, explains, "There is a broad consensus among experts that electrification of industries is a strategic priority for Sweden, vital for reducing carbon emissions and boosting industrial competitiveness globally. Wind energy, as a key renewable source, will play a central role in powering this transition to a fully electrified economy."

Overcoming challenges: The path to a wind-powered future 

While the benefits of combining wind energy and electrification are substantial, several challenges must be addressed to fully realize this potential: 

Infrastructure investment: Expanding wind energy capacity and electrifying industrial processes require significant investment in infrastructure, including wind farms, transmission lines, substations, and smart grids. 

Energy storage and grid management: Wind energy is intermittent, depending on weather conditions and geographical location. To ensure a consistent power supply for industrial processes, effective energy storage solutions, and grid management systems are needed.  

Technology development and innovation: Ongoing research and development are needed to create new electrification technologies and optimize existing ones for broader industrial applications. 

Policy and regulatory frameworks: Governments must set ambitious renewable energy targets, provide incentives for adopting clean technologies, and remove regulatory barriers that hinder innovation and deployment.  

Workforce skills and training: As the industrial sector transitions to electrified processes powered by wind energy, the workforce must adapt to new skills and knowledge requirements to ensure a smooth transition and maintain productivity. 

Wind energy and the electrification of industrial processes are not just complementary technologies; together, they form the foundation of a potent antidote to tackle climate change. By investing in wind energy and advancing electrification, we can unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and power a transformative shift toward a sustainable global economy. The journey toward this future may be challenging, but the rewards are immense: a world where industries thrive without compromising the planet's health or the prospects of future generations.