Waste heat: an untapped potential for energy savings

Today, energy efficiency is not just a buzzword, but a necessity for companies that want to reduce both their costs and their environmental footprint. An often overlooked but extremely valuable potential lies in the waste heat generated by various industrial processes.

What is waste heat?

Waste heat is the excess energy that is released during a wide variety of industrial processes – whether in the form of hot air, exhaust gases, water vapor or the cooling of machines. Almost all manufacturing processes generate waste heat – valuable energy that is often simply released into the atmosphere.

This energy can be used for other processes in the company. For example, the waste heat from a production plant can be used to heat offices, or the heat generated by a cooling system can be used to preheat water. Through the targeted recovery and use of waste heat, companies can significantly reduce their energy consumption and at the same time advance their sustainability goals.

It is estimated that companies can reduce their energy consumption by up to 30% through the efficient use of waste heat. This can lead to significant cost savings, particularly in energy-intensive manufacturing processes, as less primary energy needs to be purchased.

Waste heat sources: Where is the potential?

Depending on the industry and system technology, waste heat can be generated and used in companies in a variety of ways. The following processes can serve as a source of waste heat:

  • Compressed air
  • Drying systems
  • Regenerative thermal air preheaters as reversible heat exchangers
  • Cooling systems
  • Exhaust gases from combustion systems
  • Thermal post-combustion
  • Process air
  • Steam and vapors (steam)
  • Combined heat and power
  • Waste water

EurA AG: Your partner for waste heat solutions

When dealing with waste heat, companies can not only benefit from savings effects, but must also fulfill legal requirements: According to § 17 of the Energy Efficiency Act (Energieeffizienzgesetz, EnEfG), companies with an annual energy consumption of more than 2.5 GWh are obliged to survey their waste heat potential and report it to the waste heat platform by December 31, 2024.

EurA AG offers you comprehensive support in determining, recording and registering waste heat potential. Our team of experts is at your side to develop tailor-made solutions that not only meet legal requirements, but also enable real savings and efficiency gains. Take advantage of our energy consulting services: let us explore the possibilities of waste heat recovery together and put your company on the path to energy efficiency.

 

Text: Mathias Wendt
Michael Maier

Your contact person
Michael Maier

Do you want to learn more about this topic? Schedule a meeting with an expert.

I have been working at EurA AG for almost ten years and advise companies from idea generation, networking and project conception to the application and handling of national and international R&D projects. I studied energy technology and have been leading the "ICT & Energy" project team since 2019. In the team, we follow a holistic approach. This means that, based on the R&D roadmap of our customers, our goal is to identify the ideal funding programmes and develop the projects together. The client is at the centre of our long-term and sustainable consulting approach. As a BAFA-listed energy consultant, I also support companies in the areas of energy efficiency and investments in energy-efficient systems and processes.
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