The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) has released figures showing that the EU industry can decarbonise by increasing its use of industrial heat pumps.
Heat pump technology available today could already supply 37 per cent of the industry’s process heat. If this were so, Europe’s industrial sector would save up to 146 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 a year—24 per cent of its emissions at today’s levels, more than the annual emissions of the Netherlands.
“Europe needs competitive and sustainable industry – and large-scale heat pumps are key. The technology is already delivering reliable heat, cost savings and affordable energy in manufacturing processes from paper to pasta, and this can and must increase. We urge the European Commission to put industrial heat pumps front and centre of its upcoming plans and policies,” Paul Kenny, EHPA Director General, said.
The European Commission’s upcoming Clean Industrial Deal will focus on boosting clean tech, and the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act will examine how to accelerate cleantech in energy-intensive sectors.
Industrial heat pumps, which can reach temperatures of up to 200°C, should be central to both of these, as well as the European Commission’s Electrification Action Plan and the Heating and Cooling strategy.
The potential of industrial heat pumps will be discussed at two events organised by EHPA: a round table today at our offices and a breakfast debate tomorrow in the EU Parliament.