The role of low temperature waste heat recovery in achieving 2050 goals: a policy positioning paper

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential of urban low temperature waste heat recovery to meet climate goals by 2050, emphasizing policy measures to promote adoption and implementation of pilot projects.

Contribution

It proposes specific policy recommendations, including awareness campaigns, pilot projects, and a credit facility, to accelerate urban waste heat recovery adoption.

Findings

Urban waste heat recovery could supply 10% of Europe's heat demand.

Policy measures can significantly enhance adoption of waste heat recovery.

Pilot projects are essential to demonstrate feasibility and attract investment.

Abstract

Urban waste heat recovery, in which low temperature heat from urban sources is recovered for use in a district heat network, has a great deal of potential in helping to achieve 2050 climate goals. For example, heat from data centres, metro systems, public sector buildings and waste water treatment plants could be used to supply ten percent of Europe's heat demand. Despite this, at present, urban waste heat recovery is not widespread and is an immature technology. To help achieve greater uptake, three policy recommendations are made. First, policy raising awareness of waste heat recovery and creating a legal framework is suggested. Second, it is recommended that pilot projects are promoted to help demonstrate technical and economic feasibility. Finally, a pilot credit facility is proposed aimed at bridging the gap between potential investors and heat recovery projects.