Industrial process electrification through heat pump adoption for process loads
Researchers
Partners
Term
2023–2025
Overview
Industrial heat pumps offer opportunities to electrify manufacturing processes that use direct combustion of natural gas to process heat. Industrial heat pump systems use electricity to create temperatures of 70°C to 200°C (160°F to 400°F), suitable for many different unit operations, including the production of steam. These systems can provide energy savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions in a sector that has trailed commercial and residential buildings in energy savings and emissions reduction opportunities.
Project Summary
Objective
- Identify industries in Minnesota with process loads that are good candidates for electrification.
- Survey and catalog existing industrial heat pumps that can meet these loads.
- Select candidates to pilot industrial heat pumps.
- Estimate potential savings and GHG reductions.
Scope
- Gather industrial heat pump product information.
- Conduct a market study in the form of interviews with stakeholders who recommend and manufacture industrial heat pumps, as well as industrial plant managers and designers of process heating systems.
- Form a utility advisory group to share findings and gather recommendations for future pilots.
Non-energy benefits
- Possibly reduce the emission of air pollutants, including noxious vapors, that impact residents living in the vicinity of an industrial facility.