HEAT PUMPS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Decarbonising process heating and cooling is a critical challenge as we work towards net zero targets. Australian industry accounts for 44% of the nation’s end-use energy and 52% of that is for supplying process heat with natural gas as the leading source of energy.
Already there are commercial, proven industrial heat pump and thermal battery technologies that can supply required process heating and cooling, as well as the energy reliability and flexible to maximise renewable and demand response benefits.
Heat pumps can be used for a range of industrial, commercial and residential applications, for providing both heating and cooling. Until recently, heat pumps were only considered viable for lower (less than 120 °C) temperatures, however, that temperature range is increasing with high temperature heat pumps now being developed and tested for high-heat applications such as drying of building products.
SITE TOUR | 29 NOVEMBER 2023: ARENA-funded ammonia industrial and large scale commercial heat pump installations - Victoria
More and more organisations are looking to heat pumps to efficiently supply heating and cooling services for a range of applications. In November 2023, A2EP led a tour to see this technology in action. We heard first-hand from end-users and technology providers about what is involved with transitioning to heat pump technologies.
During this one-day bus tour we visited Hardwick's meat processing facility at Kyneton, Victoria, that has installed an industrial heat pump, which is integrated into the existing refrigeration plant.
We also visited Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre to view its award-winning zero-emissions electrified heating solution, and Energy Smart Water's educational trailer to explore cutting-edge renewable hot water technologies.
How heat pumps work
Heat pumps are a class of active heat-recovery equipment that allows the temperature of a waste-heat stream to be increased to a higher, more useful temperature. Many heat pumps also operate in the opposite direction to provide cooling. Refrigerators and reverse-cycle air conditioners are examples of heat pumps that we use in our every day lives.
As well as already being very efficient, heat pumps are electrically powered, enabling them to be powered by on-site (and off-site) renewable generation, such as solar PV. Combined with thermal batteries, heat pumps can supply heating and cooling efficiently and economically when it is needed enable participation in demand management arrangements to take advantage of incentives.
Learn more about heat pump technologies and view case studies from Australia and around the world at FutureHeat.info
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Access A2EP's online Heat Pump Estimator
We have launched an online estimation tool, the Heat Pump Estimator, which will aid Australian businesses in sizing heat pumps to replace gas boilers in a bid to reduce skyrocketing energy costs and decarbonise operations to meet net zero targets.
This simple-to-use online tool will give business decision-makers the basic information they need to understand if a heat pump system is technically and economically viable for their business, and to start a conversation with an energy consultant or heat pump provider and get the ball rolling.
The Heat Pump Estimator can be accessed at heatpumpestimator.com It was developed by A2EP, pitt&sherry and SmartConsult, with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Australian Meat Processor Corporation and Mayekawa Australia. The tool is part of a suite of resources developed by A2EP, including reports, webinars and the dedicated website, FutureHeat.info.
A more advanced version of the tool which supports more advanced sizing, including for thermal storage systems, is available exclusively to A2EP Member organisations. Learn more about A2EP Membership.
Harnessing heat pumps to unlock huge energy and emission savings finds a new report from A2EP and the EEC
A2EP and the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) have joined forces to release a new report – Harnessing heat pumps for net zero: The role of heat pumps in saving energy and cutting emissions.
This research spotlights the critical role of heat pumps in the energy transition, and not a moment too soon. The opportunity for heat pumps, coupled with process optimisation and renewables, to help decarbonise key industrial subsectors is large; this report finds that emissions reductions of 391 Mt CO2-e in industrial processes are possible to 2050. The potential benefits for commercial buildings and households.
WEBINAR | 22 February: 2023 High-temperature Heat Pump Update
The range of heat deliverable by heat pumps is growing. Watch our webinar from Wednesday 22 February for an update on the latest high-temperature heat pump technology developments and applications happening in Europe with Dr Cordin Arpagaus, Senior Research Engineer, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST). The webinar is a great preview for what we should expect to see soon and what is possible in Australia and New Zealand.
A2EP's work assessing and demonstrating the potential for heat pumps
Our research and demonstration projects looking at the potential of heat pumps to decarbonise industrial process heating and cooling extends back more than. We have produced a number of respected reports and worked on several key government projects looking at heat pumps. See below for more information and links to the reports and project outcomes and watch our recent webinar update on our renewable heat work with governments and industry.
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Renewable Energy for Process Heat Opportunity Study
In early 2019 with funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), we initiated a project to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of replacing fossil-fuelled process heating technologies in manufacturing settings with renewables-powered alternatives, and to detail pathways to implementation including technical specification and a business case for investment.
A report was delivered at the end of the second phase of the study which drew on the findings of 20 pre-feasibility studies and seven feasibility studies to demonstrate the economic and technical feasibility of heat pumps for low temperature heating applications. It identifies challenges to heat pump implementation and measures to address these challenges.
Futureheat.info web resource
As part of the Renewable Energy for Process Heat Opportunity Study project, A2EP developed the FutureHeat website to help build awareness of the benefits of industrial heat pumps and thermal batteries to deliver renewable process heat and to build industry capacity for implementing these solutions across the country. The website includes technical information, case studies, tools (including a heat pump selection tool) and industry reports.
Technical guidelines for air source heat pump water heaters
A2EP was engaged in 2022 by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to develop technical guidelines for commercial and industrial air source heat pump water heaters. The guidelines feature sector-specific advice and case studies for heat pumps in agriculture (dairy farms), aquatic centres and multi-unit commercial buildings. Along with the guidelines, A2EP delivered two webinars in support of heat pump activity under the Victorian Energy Upgrades.
Download the Technical Guidelines (PDF).
Visit the DELWP website for more information about hot water for businesses.
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Heat pump feasibility study for the NSW Government
As part of our ongoing work supporting state governments to deliver business decarbonisation and net zero programs, A2EP is delivering a heat pump feasibility study funded by the NSW Government. We recently visited the a2 Milk Company processing facility in Smeaton Grange, with several clean technology leaders including pitt&sherry, gTET (green Thermal Energy Technologies) and Minus40 Consulting Engineers.
2xEP High temperature heat pumps for the Australian Food Industry report
With its partners, A2EP developed this report in 2017 to define the likely feasibility and range of applications for heat pumps in the food industry, with a focus on high temperature (HT) heat pumps delivering useful heat at 66 °C - 150 °C. This work was a continuation of the 2xEP project investigating the opportunities for innovation in technology/business models that could transform energy productivity in the food value chain. Heat pumps were identified as a key technology to enable the electrification of the food processing with their ability to recover heat from waste streams to boost temperatures, displace steam, and in some cases simultaneously provide process cooling.
Read this report on high temperature heat pumps for the Australian food industry.
Heat pumps for aquatic centres
With gas prices rising rapidly, aquatic centres are a source of high costs and emissions for councils, swim schools and private schools. More and more are looking at heat pumps as an alternative efficient source of water heating which can enable the electrification of these facilities, utilisation of on-site renewable generation and as a way to use waste heat from other processes. While converting is not simple, it is not as costly as some may think.
A2EP has delivered a number of webinars and materials specifically looking at how to approach switching aquatic centres to heat pumps.
Watch our webinars and read the practical guidelines and case studies we have developed.
Case studies of industrial and commercial heat pump systems
Learn about the savings and benefits heat pumps are already delivering in these real-world case studies from Australia and beyond.
Installed system case studies:
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101 Collins St, Melbourne
- domestic hot water for multi-storey building -
Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre
- water heating and thermal battery for aquatic centre -
Alliance Group meat processing facility
- water heating for sterilisation and cleaning -
Beijing Municipal Administrative Centre
- district cooling and heating -
Montague fruit-packing facility
- heat for cleaning and preparing fruit
Feasibility study case studies:
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De Bortoli Wines (PDF), Bilbul, NSW
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Lion - Beer, Wine and Spirits (PDF), Adelaide, SA
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McCain Foods (PDF), Ballarat, VIC
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Simplot Australia (PDF), Devonport, TAS
Heat pump news and webinars from A2EP:
