The Industrial Heat Pump (IHP) Alliance, consisting of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and the Renewable Thermal Collaborative (RTC), is pleased to announce the launch of its collaborative effort to promote the adoption of industrial heat pumps in United States manufacturing plants.
The Alliance will kick off its public activities with a workshop at ACEEE's 2023 Industry Summer Study conference in Detroit on July 11. This workshop will serve as a platform to showcase the importance and potential of industrial heat pumps, bringing together key stakeholders, including product manufacturers, current and potential users, policymakers, and domestic and international experts.
Industrial heat pumps can meet many process heat needs. They are three to eight times as energy efficient as traditional heating, so they significantly reduce energy use, operating costs, and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly when powered by renewable energy. Studies and success stories from Europe, Asia, and the United States have demonstrated the positive environmental impact of IHP adoption, particularly in sectors such as food and beverage production, wood processing, and consumer goods. In fact, 2022 saw a 2.5% drop in emissions across Europe, thanks partly to the widespread adoption of heat pumps and the growth in renewable energy.
"The Industrial Heat Pump Alliance represents a critical step toward advancing the adoption of these transformative technologies in the industrial sector," said Steven Nadel, Executive Director of ACEEE. "By combining the expertise and networks of ACEEE, NEMA, and RTC, we are determined to raise awareness, provide resources, and engage key partners to accelerate the deployment of industrial heat pumps across industries in the United States."
“We are excited to collaborate with ACEEE and RTC on the IHP Alliance to push adoption of this important technology,” said Patrick Hughes, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Technical, and Industry Affairs, NEMA. “One of the key drivers for industrial decarbonization is accelerating manufacturing capacity and creating the market demand for IHPs in North America. This collaboration will lead us to greater emissions reductions and energy efficiency.”
Through the IHP collaboration, ACEEE, NEMA, and RTC aim to drive market development and adoption of IHPs. The Alliance intends to assist industries interested in implementing these innovative technologies by offering guidance, resources, and support. By leveraging the collective knowledge and experience of the participating organizations, the collaboration aims to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and energy-efficient industrial sector.
Blaine Collison, Executive Director of RTC, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "The partnership between ACEEE, NEMA, and RTC presents a unique opportunity to unlock the vast potential of industrial heat pumps. By engaging stakeholders across the value chain and providing the necessary support, we can help accelerate the widespread deployment of heat pumps at industrial facilities and drive significant greenhouse gas reductions."
The IHP collaboration is committed to engaging heat pump manufacturers, design professionals, industrial energy users, federal, state, and utility policymakers through convening, education, information sharing, and technical and policy assistance. This work will build connections, share best practices, and cultivate supportive policies to simultaneously drive demand and grow supply.
Mark Lessans, Senior Director of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at Johnson Controls, a global leader in smart, healthy sustainable buildings and a leading heat pump manufacturer, expressed his support, saying, "We believe that the industrial heat pump collaboration marks a vital step forward in decarbonizing industry. By fostering collaboration among manufacturers, policymakers, and user facilities, we can accelerate the adoption of industrial heat pumps. This can bring rapid and massive reductions in energy use and cost, and slash emissions across a wide range of industries.”