Mapping Local Synergies: Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Switzerland’s Waste Heat Potentials vs. Heat Demand

Vanessa Burg (), Florent Richardet, Severin Wälty, Ramin Roshandel and Stefanie Hellweg
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Vanessa Burg: Institute of Environmental Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH Zürich), John-von-Neumann-Weg 9, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
Florent Richardet: Institute of Environmental Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH Zürich), John-von-Neumann-Weg 9, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
Severin Wälty: Institute of Environmental Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH Zürich), John-von-Neumann-Weg 9, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
Ramin Roshandel: Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Avenue, Tehran P.O. Box 11365-9567, Iran
Stefanie Hellweg: Institute of Environmental Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH Zürich), John-von-Neumann-Weg 9, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland

Energies, 2023, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: As nations transition to renewable energy, making use of waste heat becomes crucial to combat climate change. This study focused on quantifying Switzerland’s waste heat potential from industrial processes and waste-to-energy facilities, using diverse methodologies tailored to facility characteristics and data availability. We assessed potential waste heat utilization by comparing local heat supply and demand, creating comprehensive heat-balance maps considering different temperature levels and seasonal fluctuations. Results revealed a substantial annual waste heat potential of 37 TWh, with almost half (17 TWh) below 45 °C, primarily from wastewater. Heat between 45 °C and 70 °C, ideal, e.g., for greenhouse heating, is mainly available from solid waste incineration plants, while industries contributed to waste heat supply exceeding 150 °C. In contrast to heat demand, seasonal variations in heat supply were small, with a 12% winter decrease. Analyzing heat demand versus supply unveiled local and seasonal disparities. Most municipalities had a net excess heat demand (totaling 89 TWh). Additionally, waste heat could not satisfy 8 TWh of industrial process heat demand exceeding 400 °C, emphasizing reliance on primary energy sources for higher-temperature heat. Targeted strategies are essential for effective waste heat utilization, especially tapping into low-temperature sources. Integrating these sources with low-carbon technologies can pave the way to a sustainable energy future.

Keywords: waste heat recovery; heat balance; GIS; energy transition; Switzerland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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