TEC members given expert insight into novel waste heat sources

TEC members given expert insight into novel waste heat sources

The capture and transport of waste heat presents a great opportunity to decarbonise the challenging area of heat supply in buildings.

Dr Henrique Lagoeiro from London South Bank University (LSBU) shared his key research findings on unconventional heat sources with TEC members.

Heating contributes a third of the UK’s carbon emissions but currently only 2-3% of heat needs in the UK are met by heat networks.

In a TEC webinar, Dr Lagoeiro outlined opportunities to unlock waste heat recovery, including:

• Underground railways – by integrating heating and cooling via district-scale heat pumps.
• Cold stores and supermarkets – using a heat pump to reuse refrigeration waste heat.
• Data centres – by connecting heat pumps and heat exchangers to transfer the heat to nearby buildings.
• Wastewater treatment plants – by capturing energy from treated wastewater and utilising it for heating or cooling applications.

The webinar also highlighted the benefits of waste heat recovery to the Higher Education sector including additional value streams and integrating heating and cooling. The higher costs of electrification and the need for policy certainty around waste heat were identified as current challenges facing the area.

Dr Lagoeiro said: “Waste heat is a valuable widespread resource in the UK which reduces the cost of decarbonisation and the cost for the grid. Whilst challenges remain, there are significant upsides to unlocking the potential of waste heat recovery in the UK.”

Dr John Brenton, Head of Carbon Reduction Solutions at TEC, said: “Decarbonising heating is a key challenge for our members, so it was fantastic to gain insights from Henrique’s research. This reflects the collaborative approach we are taking to help learn and share from one another and others across carbon reduction.”

TEC members can access the webinar in the Members Area here.