Platform reflects unused waste heat potential

17.01.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The Federal Office for Energy Efficiency has published a platform for waste heat that shows the considerable untapped potential of industrial waste heat in Germany.

The new platform for waste heat - PfA for short - from the Federal Agency for Energy Efficiency (BfEE) provides a central overview of industrial waste heat potential in Germany. The data provides an overview of more than 19,000 possible sources of waste heat and is intended to promote the use of this energy source, according to the authority. As the authority announced on January 17, the publication of the first evaluation makes it clear that around 160 billion kWh of industrial waste heat remains unused across Germany every year. This amount could be used to supply district heating networks, which would make a significant contribution to improving energy efficiency.

The platform for waste heat is enshrined in law in Section 17 of the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG), which has introduced new reporting obligations for companies with an annual final energy consumption of over 2.5 million kWh. Companies must now enter their waste heat data on the platform. With the publication of this data, over 19,065 potential waste heat sources from more than 2,600 companies are available for the first time, explains the authority.

The platform was activated in April 2024, and it has been possible to submit reports since November 2024. The first reporting deadline was January 1 of this year. According to the BfEE, the introduction of the PfA did not go smoothly, as activation had to be postponed several times due to technical problems. Companies that miss their reporting deadlines risk high penalties.

In addition to providing data, the PfA also offers comprehensive assistance, including FAQs, an information sheet with de minimis thresholds and a technical guide. The collected data is available as an Excel file without the need to register. The aim of the platform is to raise awareness of unused waste heat and to integrate this energy source to a greater extent in order to increase energy efficiency in Germany.

Through the PfA, the BfEE is creating an important instrument to make better use of industrial waste heat and thus contribute to reducing energy consumption and achieving energy efficiency targets.

The platform for waste heat is available on the website of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control.

Author: Davina Spohn