Electrification of U.S. Manufacturing With Industrial Heat Pumps

Thermal processes in U.S. manufacturing are responsible for approximately two-thirds of the total final energy demand. Decarbonization of industrial heat demand through electrification could contribute significantly to climate change mitigation efforts. Cross-cutting electrification technologies that are applicable to a range of industrial processes without needing major modifications to the existing infrastructure may facilitate the clean energy transition in the industry. Electric-driven heat pumps are among those technologies that are suitable for process heat supply to several industrial unit operations in a sustainable manner, while also improving the overall energy efficiency. However, despite a promising alternative for an efficient and emission-free supply of process heat at technically feasible temperatures in industrial processes, the industrial heat pump (IHP) deployment in the U.S. has been limited.