REHP-4-TUNE: RENEWABLE ELECTRIC HIGH-TEMPERATURE HEAT PUMPS FOR THERMAL USERS IN NEUTRAL CO2 ENVIRONMENTS

REHP-4-TUNE is a national research project focused on exploring the feasibility and performance of integrating Power-to-Heat and Power-to-Heat-to-Power technologies to decarbonize energy-intensive industrial sectors. The aim is to provide sustainable and flexible solutions exploiting renewables overgeneration and reusing industrial waste heat to meet processes’ energy demand. The ceramic industry, particularly energy-intensive and involving processes requiring heat at different temperature levels, is selected as the primary case study for this project. The methodology combines advanced numerical modelling with experimental and commercial data, to simulate and evaluate the optimal design and operation of different energy- recovery configurations in real-world industrial environments. Expected outcomes include the identification of optimal thermodynamic arrangements, a thorough evaluation of the potential for heat recovery and storage, and the overall performance of the system in reducing carbon emissions and costs. The project's results will offer a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of the integrated system in various industrial scenarios, and guidelines for the optimal design and operation of energy-recovery systems tailored to specific requirements of industrial users.