Industrial Heat Pumps in Austria: Current status and future potential

Austrian industry consumed 385 PJ of final energy in 2016. Approximately 25% thereof were covered by natural gas and used for industrial applications that are relevant for heat pumps, which are space heating and air conditioning, steam generation and industrial ovens. Space heating and air conditioning are typical fields of applications for heat pumps. Industrial ovens comprise all kinds of ovens ranging from low-temperature applications, such as drying to high-temperature processes, such as sintering. Steam generation also covers a broad range of temperatures. Therefore, both applications are partially relevant for heat pumps. Within the framework of IEA HPT Annex 48, examples of industrial heat pumps in Austria are collected by desk research and expert discussions with manufacturers and industrial companies. Seven different examples for industrial heat pumps are presented, covering the food industry, metal industry, plastics industry and power plants.
Despite the technical potential, the integration of heat pumps into industrial processes is still in a rather early diffusion phase. European legislation aiming at an increase in renewables in electricity supply and reduction of CO2 emissions, as well as further development of the technology according to the needs of industrial applications are important drivers to spread heat pumps in industry. Current research activities are high temperature heat pumps, new refrigerants and efficiency measures, as well as holistic planning approaches for industrial sites.