The EU's industry could reduce its CO2 emissions by a quarter with the use of heat pumps, estimates the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA).
The current heat pump technology can already supply 37 per cent of the industry's process heat requirements if it was fully implemented.
That is a saving bigger than the annual emissions of the Czech Republic.
“Europe requires competitive and sustainable industrial development, and large-scale heat pumps play a crucial role in this effort,” says Paul Kenny, Director General of the European Heat Pump Association.
“Technology is now providing secure heat, reducing costs, and affordable energy in manufacturing processes, ranging from paper production to pasta-making, and this capacity should and must be further developed.”
What applications can industrial heat pumps be used for in terms of manufacturing processes?
Approximately 60 percent or more of the energy consumed by European industry is utilized for heating purposes, as reported by the European Pest Control Association (EPHA). The majority (around 66 percent) of heat demand is attributed to process heating or the utilization of thermal energy within manufacturing processes.
Approximately 80% of this energy has traditionally been derived from fossil fuels. Presently, a mere 3% originates from renewable electricity and 11% from biomass. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heat energy by 2050 is a top priority to meet existing EU emissions targets.
These systems can reach temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius, making them suitable for processes that need lower temperatures. 37 percent of the total heat energy demand for process heat is from manufacturing that requires temperatures below 200 degrees Celsius.
These processes include beer brewing, dairy processing, and paper manufacturing. For instance, the Wepa Greenfield paper factory in Château-Thierry, France, utilizes a heat pump to evaporate water from paper pulp. A government-backed project utilizes a heat pump to increase the temperature of waste heat from the drying process from 70C to 140C - high enough to undertake drying of the paper pulp.
Why aren't companies currently leveraging heat pumps?
About 16 percent of heat in residential and commercial buildings in the EU now comes from heat pumps.
Companies may be deterred from changing their approach due to a lack of knowledge about the benefits of doing so, and high upfront costs can also serve as a significant obstacle.
Most European countries provide financial incentives or support for companies investing in a large-scale heat pump. A survey by the EPHA discovered that aid is offered in 24 EU countries, including Norway and Switzerland, through means such as grants, loans, or tax relief.
Aims to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy usage in industries that consume significant energy. To achieve this, it seeks to simplify the process of obtaining permits for clean technologies, encourage investments in cleaner alternatives, and support the growth of green markets.
Implementing sustainable food systems, distributing food to the most vulnerable populations, temperature regulation, and educational campaigns are key components of this approach.
"We call on the European Commission to provide industrial heat pumps with priority status in its upcoming plans and strategies," Kenny concludes.
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