Stop the Waste: Using Industrial Heat Pumps to Rethink Thermal Loads
Engineers typically design thermal systems to provide the highest quality heat needed for industrial processes, leading to over-designed equipment that uses more energy than needed. Industrial heat…
Engineers typically design thermal systems to provide the highest quality heat needed for industrial processes, leading to over-designed equipment that uses more energy than needed. Industrial heat pump (IHP) technology flips this approach, designing for the lowest-quality heat needed, then boosting to meet higher quality needs. This right-sizing approach reduces electricity requirements and energy use compared to the equivalent energy input into a boiler system, resulting in lower emissions and operating costs. Because IHPs are not a drop-in replacement for boilers, engineers must adopt a new mindset for thermal system design. This topic brief presents an alternative engineering approach for the design of IHP systems and is intended to inform industrial engineers, manufacturing end-users interested in IHPs, and energy efficiency program managers. A stand-alone one-pager that illustrates the flipped thermal design is available for download.
Toward Best Practices for Industrial Innovation: Lessons from the Department of Energy’s Industrial Demonstrations Program
This paper highlights a central lesson for policymakers: Industrial innovation requires alignment across government programs (grants, procurement), financing mechanisms (tax credits, loans), and institutional capacity. When these three are backed by sustained commitment from the public sector, private industry, and external stakeholders, the transition from demonstration to deployment becomes viable.
This report identifies pathways for India’s cement industry to decarbonise at a pace compatible with the national climate goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.
Industrial Rate Impacts on Electrification Projects in Illinois and Michigan
New study points to rate structure reforms, supportive programs
Support the Work That Makes Energy Go Further
ACEEE’s independent research and advocacy depend on the support of foundations, businesses, and individuals committed to cutting energy bills, waste, and climate pollution.
