A standardised evaluation framework for the success of the eLITHE project
eLITHE establishes the project evaluation methodology, defining detailed baseline scenarios for three high-temperature heating processes in the ceramic industry: brick firing, ceramic frits melting, and alumina calcination.
These scenarios, based on actual industry data, reflect the current energy consumption, emissions, and inefficiencies of traditional processes. Serving as critical reference points, they allow precise measurement of the project’s impact by benchmarking the performance of electrified processes.
The analysis conducted by the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH) includes environmental impact assessment (Life Cycle Assessment, LCA), cost assessment (Life Cycle Costing, LCC), and performance evaluation (KPI), providing a comprehensive view of the impacts of electrified solutions. As the project progresses, the data collected will continuously feed into this framework, supporting iterative improvements. The key aspect of this research is the standardised evaluation framework, which ensures consistency in data collection and analysis throughout the project phases.
This work directly supports ongoing pilot activities, providing baseline scenarios for brick firing, ceramic frit melting, and alumina calcination. By aligning all project partners with a unified evaluation strategy, the work ensures that pilot activities are well-coordinated and contribute to the overall objectives of the eLITHE project, steering the ceramics industry toward a more sustainable and efficient future.
Georgia Nikolau, the research coordinator, comments: “The evaluation report establishes the foundations for assessing the environmental, economic, and social impacts of electrifying high-temperature processes in the ceramics industry. By providing a robust and standardized evaluation framework, it ensures that the results are measurable and meaningful, promoting innovation towards a more sustainable future for industrial heating technologies.”
A “before and after” comparison for the ceramics industry
The findings are presented in the newly published Evaluation Methodology report, which offers a clear “before and after” snapshot of heating processes in the ceramic industry.
The “before” scenario reflects the current reliance on traditional fossil-fuel-based methods: highly energy-intensive systems powered by coal, natural gas, or heavy oil. These fuels not only emit large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) during combustion but also generate significant environmental impacts throughout their entire life cycle, from extraction and refining to transportation. The result is a substantial contribution to climate change, air pollution, and resource depletion.
The eLITHE scenario envisions the industry powered by electricity produced by renewable energy sources (RES), eliminating direct fossil fuel combustion and reducing environmental impacts across the entire life cycle. This transition not only lowers emissions but also enhances energy efficiency and sustainability, making ceramic production cleaner.
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