Multiscale Thermal Fluids and Energy Laboratory

US Waste Heat Resources

An investigation was conducted to estimate the total USA waste heat resources (Figure 1) and matched potential end uses at each temperature range. The objective was to extend existing studies that measured quantities of energy use with thermodynamic information such as: energy quality (temperature), efficiencies, and applications for energy in different temperature ranges.

Figure 1 - Waste heat resources from USA power plants were compiled by temperature range and geo-located to enable matching with end uses

Figure 1 – Waste heat resources from USA power plants were compiled by temperature range and geo-located to enable matching with end uses

Some key conclusions include:

  • Approximately 43·109 GJ yr-1 of waste heat over 30°C was found: 78% from vehicle and power plant condensers and coolant below 100°C and 21% in the form of high-temperature exhaust from the same sources.
  • There is sufficient low-grade waste heat for all USA space- and water-heating.
  • Mid-range exhaust can meet 27% of residential A/C or all 100-150°C process heating (Figure 2).
  • This study identified the potential to reduce USA primary energy demand by 14.3·109 GJ yr-1 (12%) and CO2 emissions by 1,020·109 kg yr-1 (13%) through waste heat recovery (Figure 3).
  • All collected data was compiled in a database, enabling sophisticated queries about waste heat resources and applications
Figure 2 - Optimal energy usage can be achieved by employing waste heat at each temperature range with appropriate end uses

Figure 2 – Optimal energy usage can be achieved by employing waste heat at each temperature range with appropriate end uses

ConsumptionGeography

Figure 3 – Results from this study highlight the benefits of a alternate energy consumption paradigm where power is generated in a distributed fashion, maximizing waste heat recovery opportunities and reducing primary energy consumption

Related publications

  • Rattner, A.S., Garimella, S., 2010, Energy harvesting, reuse, and updgrade to reduce primary energy usage in the USA. Energy 36 (10), DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.07.047.
  • Rattner, A.S., Garimella, S., 2010, Temperature-weighted assessment of waste heat availability with matched end-use applications for optimal primary energy usage in the USA. International Mechanical Engineering Conference and Exposition, Vancouver, BC, Canada, DOI: 10.1115/IMECE2010-39332.
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