Industrial heat pumps in Germany: Potentials, technological development and market barriers

Panel: 4. Undertaking high impact actions: The role of technology and systems optimisation

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Stefan Wolf, University of Stuttgart Institute of Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy (IER), Germany
Jochen Lambauer, Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy
University of Stuttgart
Ulrich Fahl, Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy
University of Stuttgart
Markus Blesl, Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy
University of Stuttgart
Alfred Voß, Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy
University of Stuttgart

Abstract

In order to contribute to the European CO2 reduction targets and to respond to rising energy prices the research project “Potential analysis for industrial heat pumps in Germany” has been launched. It aims at promoting the application of heat pump technology in industry and at supporting and pushing forward the development of high temperature heat pump technology in cooperation with heat pump manufacturers. Furthermore this research project is the German contribution to the international research project IEA HPP/IETS Annex 35/13 “Application of Industrial Heat Pumps”.

At first the actual situation of industrial energy demand for heating purposes will be described. To distinguish the importance of the heat pump technology to lower the CO2 emissions of the industrial sector the technical potential for the utilization of heat pumps in selected branches will be presented.

This leads over to a detailed review of the state of the art of the heat pump technology and its limitations. As the reachable output temperature is an important criterion for the selection of a heating device, recent research activities for the development of high temperature heat pumps - that can reach output temperatures up to 140 °C - are ongoing. General requirements for the integration of these high temperature heat pumps into industrial processes are described. Information about some pilot plants that are carried out in cooperation with industrial companies and heat pump manufacturers are given. Finally current market barriers are being described and ways to overcome them are proposed.