Method for steam cracking

A process for steam cracking a hydrocarbon feedstock to produce olefins, comprising:

• feeding a hydrocarbon feedstock and dilution steam to one or more tubes in a furnace for steam cracking a hydrocarbon feedstock,
• wherein the furnace comprises one or more tubes for transporting the hydrocarbon feedstock and dilution steam, and an electrically heated infrared emitter for transferring heat to the tubes,
• wherein the electrically infrared emitter has a design selected from the group consisting of lamps, tubes, panels, scallops and rods,
• wherein said electrically heated infrared emitter is powered by electricity from a renewable or low-carbon energy source,
• wherein said renewable or low-carbon energy source is produced with a standard emission factor of less than 0.2 ton CO2 per MWh electricity;
• and
• exposing the hydrocarbon feedstock and dilution steam in the one or more tubes to infrared radiation to crack at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feedstock,
• wherein sensible or latent heat of effluent exiting the furnace is extracted at least partially by means of one or more heat exchangers and used to at least partially preheat the hydrocarbon feedstock, dilution steam or mixture thereof, and
• wherein the electrically heated infrared emitter is configured as an annular shell around the tubes for transporting the hydrocarbon feedstock and dilution steam.