Part 4/12:
Steam isn’t just for brewing beer; it’s the lifeblood of many industries. It’s essential for food sterilization, chemical reactions, pharmaceutical processing, and even large-scale building heating. Historically, steam production has remained unchanged since 1867, relying on traditional boilers that burn coal, oil, or gas—methods that are both inefficient and polluting.
Producing high-temperature steam requires immense heat energy, often in the thousands of degrees Celsius, and this poses a formidable challenge for decarbonization. Historically, replacing coal-fired boilers meant reconstructing entire facilities, a costly and disruptive process.