Primary aluminium production is energy- and GHG-intensive in which electrolysis is by far the most energy- and GHG-intensive process. This paper’s aim is to study the effects on (1) primary energy use, (2) GHG emissions and (3) energy and CO₂ costs when energy end-use efficiency measures are implemented in the electrolysis. Significant savings in final and primary energy use, GHG emissions and energy and CO₂ costs can be achieved by implementing the studied measures. Vertical electrode cells and the combination of inert anodes and wettable cathodes are among the measures with the highest savings in all three areas (primary energy use, GHG emissions and energy and CO₂ costs). Direct carbothermic reduction is one of the measures with the highest savings in primary energy use and energy and CO₂ costs. For GHG emissions, direct carbothermic reduction is the more beneficial choice in regions with a high proportion of coal power, while inert anodes are the more beneficial choice in regions with a high proportion of low-carbon electricity. Although a company potentially can save more money by implementing the direct carbothermic reduction, the company should consider implementing the vertical electrode cells together with other energy-saving technologies since this would yield the largest GHG emission savings while providing similar cost savings as the direct carbothermic reduction. It may be necessary to impose a price on GHG emissions in order to make inert anodes cost-effective on their own, although further evaluations are needed in this regard. There is a potential to achieve carbon-neutrality in the reduction of aluminium oxide to pure aluminium.

一次铝的生产需要消耗大量的能源和温室气体，其中电解是迄今为止消耗最多的能源和温室气体的过程。本文的目的是研究在电解中采用能源最终使用效率措施时对（1）一次能源使用，（2）温室气体排放和（3）能源和CO ₂成本的影响。通过实施所研究的措施，可以节省大量的最终能源和主要能源，GHG排放以及能源和CO ₂成本。垂直电极电池以及惰性阳极和可湿性阴极的组合是在所有三个领域（一次能源使用，GHG排放和能量以及CO ₂费用）。直接碳热还原是一次能源使用以及能源和CO ₂节省最多的措施之一费用。对于温室气体排放而言，在煤电比例高的地区，直接碳热还原是更有利的选择，而在低碳电比例高的地区，惰性阳极是更有利的选择。尽管公司通过实施直接的碳热还原有可能节省更多的钱，但该公司应考虑与其他节能技术一起实施垂直电极电池，因为这将产生最大的温室气体减排量，同时提供与直接碳热还原类似的成本节省。为了使惰性阳极自身具有成本效益，可能有必要对温室气体排放定价，尽管在这方面还需要进一步评估。