SMART INTEGRATION OF WASTE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE HEAT UPGRADE IN THE INDUSTRY (SUSHEAT)

SUSHEAT is an EU-granted project (GA 101103552) that faces the main technological challenges to design key components for a new generation of heat upgrade systems for the industry, fed by Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and waste heat recuperation. With 14 partners from 11 different countries, SUSHEAT develops three novel technologies: an advanced high-temperature heat pump (HT-HP) by Enerin, a Phase Change Material (PCM) bio-inspired Thermal Energy Storage system by University of Lleida, and a Control & Integration Twin system (CIT) by WIZ development & services.

SUSHEAT should attain an efficient heat upgrade up to 150-250 °C thanks to the use of an innovative high-temperature Stirling heat pump working with helium, drastically enlarging the industrial exploitability of waste heat upgrade systems. Enerin’s heat pump technology has been developed based on experience with several previous Stirling engine and heat pump projects, first generating hot water at up to 120 °C, and then also generating steam with a hot-water heated steam generator. The aim for the SUSHEAT is to reach TRL 5 when the heat pump is validated at up to 250 °C in the relevant operating conditions. Besides, the integration of innovative energy storage solutions should ensure a reliable, flexible, and customizable heat delivery with full decoupling from any waste heat recovery and

renewables availability. Finally, SUSHEAT will provide user-friendly tools and a digital twin for the control system based on smart decision-making algorithms.

Once designed, the three prototypes (one per key component) will be investigated and tested via experimental lab at KTH’s premises to replicate the operational conditions of a dairy and a fish-oil industries.

Taking into account typical industrial heat requirements, as well as excess heat production, electric market perspectives and regulation aspects, the project will be a keystone towards the promotion of renewable-based hybrid industrial heat upgrade systems for industrial heat decarbonization.