Unveiling the potential of heat pumps

Approximately 50% of total heat produced is used for industrial processes, while another 46% is consumed in buildings for space and water heating and, to a lesser extent, for cooking, with the remainder used in areas such as agriculture, predominantly for greenhouse heating. Despite modern renewable energy sources, fossil fuels continue to dominate heat supplies.

Geopolitical factors, associated scarcity of raw materials at high costs, and CO₂ pricing, particularly in Europe, are major drivers for ramping up the electrification of industrial processes based on renewable energy sources. Therefore, the limited fossil raw materials need to be used as feedstock for the production process, instead of being wasted on process heat production.

Considering this context, decarbonisation and re-electrification (power-to-heat) of industrial processes have gained significance, offering a high potential for waste heat utilisation. Heat pumps will play a crucial role in converting low and high temperature waste heat into useful high quality process heat (steam or hot water).

Moreover, the resilience of the energy system is affected by the availability of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic (PV), wind, etc. During periods of surplus renewable energy, the operating state of heat pumps can be adjusted to draw additional power from the grid, aiding grid frequency control and stability. The storage capacity of the system connected to the heat pump must be taken into account in such cases. Switching between temperature and grid frequency-controlled operation can present an additional business opportunity for the heat pump operator if the grid operator charges for this service. Conversely, controlled load shedding during periods of excessive grid load may also be of interest to the grid operator.

Industrial applications

Heat pumps are well known for their application in urban settings, whether for decentralised or centralised heating of buildings, and their usage is expected to expand significantly with the ongoing decarbonisation of heat supply. In 1938, the installation of the first heat pump (with a thermal power output of 100 kW) at the City Hall in Zurich, Switzerland, by the company, Escher Wyss, was a groundbreaking achievement.

The largest addressable industrial segments for heat pumps are the chemical and petrochemical, pulp and paper, and food and beverage sectors. Medium to large plants in these segments exhibit high potential for large-scale industrial high-temperature heat pumps, offering heat (hot water or steam) for multiple processes. Particularly, the chemical/petrochemical sector – the largest industrial energy consumer and the third-largest industry segment in terms of direct CO2 emissions – is making substantial efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

This article was originally published in the February 2024 issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering magazine. To read the full article, sign in or register for a free subscription.

Written by Jörg Freckmann and Dr. Lothar Wallscheid, MAN Energy Solutions

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/special-reports/19022024/unveiling-the-potential-of-heat-pumps/