The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) has released a comprehensive policy paper titled “Waste into Wealth: How Heat Pumps Can Recycle Heat to Save Energy – and the EU Policy that Matters.” This paper underscores the significant potential of waste heat recovery (WHR) using heat pumps to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and contribute to the EU’s net-zero goals.
The paper advocates for unlocking waste heat’s value, which can address a substantial portion of Europe’s building, industrial process, and hot water needs. By capturing waste heat and raising it to higher temperatures, heat pumps can provide efficient heating and cooling, replacing fossil fuels and reducing primary energy consumption.
Key Highlights
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Industrial Heat Pump Applications:
- Heat pumps can reach temperatures up to 200°C, making them suitable for energy-intensive sectors such as food, beverages, paper, and dairy industries.
- Multi-stage installations and thermal networks enable efficient heat transfer between facilities, reducing waste and boosting energy reuse.
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Environmental and Financial Benefits:
- Waste heat recovery has the potential to save the EU approximately €67.4 billion annually by 2050, equivalent to Slovenia's GDP.
- By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, WHR eases electricity grid pressures, offering a sustainable energy solution for both residential and industrial applications.
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EU Policy Recommendations:
- Harmonize regulations and expand the definition of WHR to include both on-site and district-level applications.
- Mandate waste heat reuse plans for industries, data centers, and air-conditioned buildings.
- Integrate waste heat recovery in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive and Emissions Trading System (ETS).
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Economic Incentives:
- Establish tax rebates and low-interest loans to lower the financial barriers for companies adopting WHR technologies.
- Promote Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to support market-based deployment of renewable energy and WHR.
Supporting Net-Zero Ambitions
The EHPA emphasizes the role of industrial heat pumps in meeting the EU’s "Fit-for-55" climate targets and the REPowerEU initiative, which calls for 60 million heat pumps by 2030. Waste heat recovery can significantly contribute to decarbonizing heating and cooling in urban areas, complementing other renewable energy efforts.
“With the right policies and financial mechanisms, waste heat recovery can transform Europe’s energy landscape, reducing emissions and saving costs while promoting industrial innovation,” said the EHPA.