Waste Heat for District Heating and Cooling

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research


What it is

Waste heat for district heating and cooling involves capturing and utilizing waste heat from industrial processes, power plants, or other sources to provide heating and cooling for multiple buildings or communities through a network of pipes. This approach offers a sustainable and efficient way to utilize waste heat, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the heating and cooling sector.

Impact on climate action

Waste Heat for District Heating and Cooling in Industrial Waste Heat Recovery maximizes energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by repurposing waste heat from industrial processes to provide heating and cooling for residential and commercial buildings. This innovation minimizes reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating climate change impacts.

Underlying
Technology

  • Waste Heat Sources: Waste heat can be captured from various sources, such as industrial processes (e.g., steel mills, cement plants), power plants, data centers, and wastewater treatment plants.
  • Heat Recovery Systems: Heat exchangers or other heat recovery technologies capture waste heat and transfer it to a working fluid (e.g., water or glycol).
  • District Heating and Cooling Networks: A network of insulated pipes distributes hot or chilled water from the central heat source to buildings and homes.
  • Heat Substations: Heat substations in buildings transfer heat from the district heating network to the building’s heating system or extract heat from the building’s cooling system and transfer it to the district cooling network.
  • Thermal Energy Storage: Thermal energy storage systems can store excess waste heat for later use, providing a more consistent and reliable heat supply and enabling demand response capabilities.

TRL : 7-8


Prominent Innovation themes

  • Low-Temperature District Heating and Cooling Networks: Innovations in network design and insulation materials are enabling the use of lower-temperature water in district heating and cooling networks, reducing heat losses and improving efficiency.
  • Heat Pump Integration: Heat pumps can be used to upgrade waste heat to higher temperatures for district heating or to extract heat from low-temperature sources for district cooling.
  • Smart Grid Integration: District heating and cooling systems can be integrated with smart grids to optimize energy flows, participate in demand response programs, and improve grid stability.
  • Waste Heat Recovery from Data Centers: Data centers generate significant amounts of waste heat, which can be captured and used for district heating.
  • Wastewater Heat Recovery: Wastewater treatment plants can be a source of low-grade waste heat that can be used for district heating with the help of heat pumps.

Other Innovation Subthemes

  • Advanced Heat Recovery Technologies
  • Heat Pump Innovations for Efficiency
  • Waste Heat Utilization from Data Centers
  • Wastewater Heat Recovery Solutions
  • Modular ORC Systems for Scalability
  • Absorption Chillers for District Cooling
  • Low-Temperature District Heating Networks
  • Sustainable Heat Storage Solutions
  • Innovative Heat Substation Designs
  • Efficient Heat Transfer Technologies
  • Next-Generation Insulation Materials

Related Innovations

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Sample Global Startups and Companies

  1. Enertime:
    • Technology Enhancement: Enertime specializes in Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology for converting waste heat into electricity and thermal energy. Their ORC systems capture low to medium-grade waste heat from industrial processes, engines, and geothermal sources and convert it into usable power and heat through a thermodynamic cycle using organic fluid. This process helps industries and municipalities harness waste heat for district heating and cooling applications.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Enertime stands out for its expertise in ORC technology and its focus on waste heat recovery for district heating and cooling. Their systems offer high efficiency and reliability, enabling cost-effective utilization of waste heat resources and reducing the environmental impact of energy-intensive processes.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Enertime serves industries, utilities, and municipalities seeking sustainable solutions for waste heat recovery and district energy systems. Their ORC systems are deployed in various sectors, including manufacturing, power generation, and urban infrastructure, providing clean and efficient heat and power generation for local communities.
  2. Climeon:
    • Technology Enhancement: Climeon specializes in Heat Power technology for converting low-grade waste heat into clean electricity. Their systems utilize a proprietary thermodynamic cycle called the Climeon Heat Power Cycle to generate electricity from sources such as industrial waste heat, geothermal energy, and solar thermal. Climeon’s technology enables efficient and scalable waste heat utilization for district heating and cooling applications.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Climeon stands out for its innovative Heat Power technology and its focus on decentralized waste heat recovery solutions. Their systems are compact, modular, and cost-effective, making them suitable for a wide range of waste heat sources and applications. Climeon’s approach helps reduce energy waste and carbon emissions while providing sustainable district heating and cooling solutions.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Climeon serves industries, utilities, and municipalities looking to maximize the value of waste heat resources and decarbonize their energy systems. Their Heat Power systems are deployed in various sectors, including manufacturing, mining, and renewable energy, enabling efficient and reliable electricity generation for district heating and cooling networks.
  3. Shuangliang Eco-Energy Systems:
    • Technology Enhancement: Shuangliang Eco-Energy Systems specializes in absorption heat pump technology for district heating and cooling applications. Their systems utilize waste heat sources such as industrial processes, power generation, and natural gas combustion to drive an absorption refrigeration cycle for cooling or a heat pump cycle for heating. Shuangliang’s solutions offer energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional HVAC systems.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Shuangliang Eco-Energy Systems stands out for its expertise in absorption heat pump technology and its focus on waste heat utilization for district heating and cooling. Their systems are highly versatile and can be customized to meet the specific needs of different industries and urban environments, providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions for thermal energy management.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Shuangliang Eco-Energy Systems serves industries, utilities, and municipalities seeking energy-efficient solutions for district heating and cooling. Their absorption heat pump systems are deployed in a wide range of applications, including industrial parks, commercial buildings, and residential developments, helping reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and minimize environmental impact.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

  1. Technical University of Denmark (DTU):
    • Research Focus: DTU is at the forefront of research on Waste Heat for District Heating and Cooling, focusing on developing advanced technologies and integrated systems for capturing, transferring, and utilizing waste heat from industrial processes for district-scale heating and cooling applications.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves the design and optimization of heat exchangers, heat pumps, and thermal energy storage systems tailored to the specific characteristics of industrial waste heat sources and district heating/cooling networks. They also explore innovative approaches such as low-temperature district heating, cascading heat recovery, and thermal integration to maximize energy efficiency and resource utilization.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in urban energy systems, industrial parks, and commercial buildings. By repurposing waste heat for district heating and cooling, DTU’s research contributes to reducing energy consumption, carbon emissions, and reliance on fossil fuels in urban environments, while enhancing energy resilience and affordability.
  2. Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden):
    • Research Focus: Chalmers University of Technology conducts pioneering research on Waste Heat for District Heating and Cooling, leveraging its expertise in thermodynamics, process engineering, and energy systems to develop innovative solutions for utilizing waste heat from industrial sources to meet the heating and cooling needs of urban communities.
    • Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the development of district energy systems models, optimization algorithms, and techno-economic assessments to identify and prioritize suitable waste heat recovery opportunities and integration strategies. They also investigate the socio-economic impacts, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement processes associated with large-scale waste heat utilization projects.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in sustainable urban development, industrial symbiosis, and climate mitigation strategies. By harnessing waste heat for district heating and cooling, Chalmers University’s research supports the transition to low-carbon and resilient urban energy systems, fostering innovation, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
  3. Aalto University (Finland):
    • Research Focus: Aalto University is engaged in innovative research on Waste Heat for District Heating and Cooling, leveraging its multidisciplinary expertise in energy engineering, environmental science, and urban planning to develop holistic approaches for integrating waste heat recovery technologies into district energy systems.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves the development of smart grid technologies, energy management systems, and digital platforms for optimizing the utilization of waste heat resources, balancing supply and demand, and facilitating peer-to-peer energy trading within district heating and cooling networks. They also explore the role of renewable energy sources, energy storage, and demand response in enhancing the flexibility and resilience of integrated energy systems.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in sustainable urban planning, climate adaptation, and circular economy initiatives. By leveraging waste heat for district heating and cooling, Aalto University’s research contributes to reducing energy poverty, promoting social equity, and achieving carbon neutrality in urban environments.

commercial_img Commercial Implementation

Waste heat for district heating and cooling is being implemented in various cities and communities around the world. For example, the city of Stockholm in Sweden utilizes waste heat from data centers and other sources to provide district heating to a significant portion of the city.



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