Study 18: Fatal Heat: Potential for Project Roll-out

The industrial sector accounts for approximately 20 per cent of France’s energy consumption. The majority of this energy – 435 TWh according to INSEE in 2018 – is converted into heat, with massive losses occurring during its use. Consequently, the issue of waste heat – as well as being central to decarbonisation efforts – is also proving to be a real driver of industrial competitiveness, against a backdrop of structurally rising energy prices.

To carry out this study, the approach adopted was to draw on feedback from the field in order to engage as closely as possible with those who operate the facilities, design them and make operational decisions regarding the suitability of projects. As such, around fifteen interviews were conducted with industrialists, manufacturers, engineering consultancies and trade unions.

This report is divided into three parts:

• The first part of this report summarises the numerous publications that have addressed the subject of waste heat since 2017,
• The second part presents feedback on waste heat recovery projects identified during the study, some of which were the subject of a site visit.
• Finally, the last section sets out the recommendations drawn from the interviews, site visits and the authors’ experience, as well as the reflections and discussions that took place during the course of this project.

Finally, this study sets out a number of recommendations centred on three main areas, a summary of which is presented in the executive summary.