Harnessing Waste Heat: A Game Changer in Germany’s Energy Planning

In Germany, a unique initiative is set to uncover a potential energy treasure trove, leveraging unused waste heat from industries. The KEA Climate Protection and Energy Agency of Baden-Württemberg (KEA-BW) highlight the mission of the nation's all-new Heat Recovery Exchange. With high-energy-demanding companies required to report their annual consumption to this platform, under the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), the insights gained can be leveraged by cities and municipalities in their local heat planning. The first reporting was due by January 1, 2025.

Matthias Neumeier, head of Heat Transition at KEA-BW, confirms, "This legislative regulation is particularly beneficial for local authorities and municipal utilities, as they can utilize these data for local heat planning." This data-driven planning is geared towards future climate-neutral heat supply, encompassing heat networks with potential to harness waste heat.

Untapped Potential of Industrial Waste Heat

The potential is staggering: according to the German Energy Agency, approximately 125 billion kilowatt-hours of excess heat from commerce and industry are lost annually across the country. This equates to the heating needs of ten million households. The value of the heat dissipated into the environment is estimated at up to five billion euros.

A study commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment in Baden-Württemberg shows that there is a theoretical potential of up to 9.3 billion kilowatt-hours of industrial waste heat per year in Baden-Württemberg alone.

Revealing and Reaping Hidden Treasures: The Heat Recovery Exchange

The Heat Recovery Exchange is aimed at unveiling this hidden potential in order to make the most out of it. This exchange platform offers a first-of-its-kind overview of industrial heat recovery potential in Germany. The Federal Office for Energy Efficiency (BfEE) under BAFA is in charge of establishing and maintaining this platform, with the legal basis stemming from the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) of 2023.

Companies with a total end energy consumption of more than 2.5 million kilowatt-hours per year are obligated to upload their data to the platform. The information, accessible to potential local heat consumers; includes company name, location, annual heat quantity, maximum thermal power, availability throughout the year, and average temperature level in degrees Celsius.

A Golden Opportunity for Municipal Utilities

For municipalities and utility companies keen on expanding the heat network or crafting a local heat plan, the platform is priceless, confirms Neumeier. By viewing the available waste heat, they're presented with an economical alternative compared to individual heating systems or other heating networks built around heat pumps.

In the waste heat trade scenario, everyone's a winner. Energy providers need not fund additional production capacities — no worries about additional CO2 emissions and only minimal land usage. For companies, selling excess heat could be a new revenue stream, depending on the quantity and quality of the waste heat. Moreover, they stand to save on cooling costs as the excess heat would often require active cooling.

Exploiting waste heat holds numerous advantages. It bolsters the regional economy, reduces dependency on gas and oil imports, and scores points for environmental sustainability through reduced CO2 emissions. It's an all-around win for a healthier planet.