Heavy Industries with High Temperature Process Heat Needs
- Steel and Metal Processing: These industries require very high temperature heat (up to around 1,300°C or higher) for processes such as melting and alloying. TES allows them to store waste heat or renewable energy-generated heat effectively, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting electricity costs by up to 30% in some regions like Germany.
- Chemical Industry: Chemical processes often require sustained heat input, making them well-suited for TES systems that can store and supply heat when needed, increasing efficiency and enabling decarbonization efforts.
- Cement Industry: Cement production is a major CO2 emitter and requires very high-temperature heat. TES innovations reaching temperatures above 1,000°C are enabling decarbonization pathways for cement manufacturing by integrating renewable energy and heat storage.
- Iron Production: Similar to steel, iron processing benefits from TES to provide high-temperature heat storage and supply, aiding in reducing emissions and energy costs.
Other Industrial Applications
- Food Manufacturing: TES is already being deployed at scale, for example, a 150 MWh thermal storage facility is under development for Pepsico to replace fossil gas boilers, demonstrating TES’s potential for food processing industries that require moderate to high heat.
- Paper and Pulp, Methanol Production: These industries use lower temperature process heat which TES can supply efficiently, promoting electrification and renewable energy use.
- Industrial HVAC and Buildings: TES is also valuable for heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and building thermal management, improving energy reliability and lowering costs.
Utilities and District Heating
- TES is used in district heating systems where moderate temperatures (typically 500-750°C) are sufficient, with commercial systems in operation in Scandinavia demonstrating TES’s role in providing reliable heat and power services.
Advantages Driving Industrial Adoption
- TES systems enable industries to store surplus renewable electricity as heat during low-demand or off-peak periods and use it later, which reduces energy costs and exposure to price volatility.
- TES is often more cost-effective and efficient than competing decarbonization technologies like hydrogen or direct electrification in heavy industry heat applications.
- TES supports grid flexibility and energy system reliability, which is critical as more renewable energy is integrated into power systems.
- Thermal storage technologies are scalable and can provide long-duration storage, making them suitable for seasonal storage needs in large industrial operations.
Summary Table of Industries Benefiting from Thermal Energy Storage
| Industry Segment | Heat Requirement | TES Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Steel & Metal Processing | Very high (up to 1,300°C+) | Reduced electric and fuel costs, decarbonization |
| Chemical Industry | High temperature | Efficient process heat supply, cost savings |
| Cement Industry | Very high | CO2 emission reduction, integration with renewables |
| Iron Production | High | Renewable heat storage, decarbonization pathways |
| Food Manufacturing | Moderate to high | Replacement of fossil boilers, cost effective heating |
| Paper & Pulp, Methanol | Lower temperature | Electrification of heat, flexible thermal storage |
| Industrial HVAC & Buildings | Moderate | Energy reliability, cost reduction |
| District Heating Systems | Moderate (500-750°C) | Reliable heat supply, grid support |
Overall, thermal energy storage is especially advantageous for energy-intensive industries where process heat is a dominant energy use, enabling substantial cost savings and supporting the transition to more sustainable and renewable energy sources.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-industries-benefit-most-from-thermal-energy-storage/
