Sign in Subscribe
Green technology

Sustainable Energy Solutions: Waste Heat Recovery Technologies Show Promising Pathway

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new study published in Cleaner Engineering and Technology has highlighted the importance of waste heat recovery technologies in enhancing energy efficiency and supporting sustainable energy production. Researchers at the University of Maribor in Slovenia investigated the utilization of waste heat from aluminium production through an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system, generating electricity and heat simultaneously. The study, funded by the Slovenian Research And Innovation Agency, demonstrates the technical and economic viability of ORC systems as sustainable energy solutions, with significant environmental unburdening under optimized operating conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study investigates the utilization of waste heat from aluminium production through an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system to generate electricity and heat simultaneously.
  • The system is optimized from both the thermodynamic and economic perspectives using a mathematical model developed and solved using GAMS.
  • The results indicate a maximum power output of 830.9 kW and a maximum net present value (NPV) of 51.71 M€.
  • The environmental assessment demonstrates the potential of ORC systems as sustainable energy solutions, with significant environmental unburdening under optimized operating conditions (up to -606.0 kg CO2 eq./h).
  • A sensitivity analysis indicates that the greatest environmental benefits occur under the optimal thermodynamic scenario, achieved through the utilization of higher-energy flue gas streams (up to -515.0 kg CO2 eq./h), and under the optimal economic scenario by balancing the electricity and heat prices optimally for simultaneous heat and power production (up to -696.7 kg CO2 eq./h).
  • The findings highlight the importance of the thermal input quality and availability in maximizing ORC performance.
  • The optimized ORC systems support flexible energy solutions tailored to specific applications and environmental conditions, offering a promising pathway for unburdening the environment through the efficient utilization of industrial waste heat.

Statistics:

  • Maximum power output: 830.9 kW
  • Maximum net present value (NPV): 51.71 M€
  • Environmental unburdening under optimized operating conditions: up to -606.0 kg CO2 eq./h
  • Environmental benefits under optimal thermodynamic scenario: up to -515.0 kg CO2 eq./h
  • Environmental benefits under optimal economic scenario: up to -696.7 kg CO2 eq./h

Sources:

  • Environmental impact assessment of organic Rankine cycle using waste heat from the aluminium industry. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 2025,27():101022.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.clet.2025.101022
  • NewsRx. Research from University of Maribor Yields New Findings on Sustainable Energy (Environmental impact assessment of organic Rankine cycle using waste heat from the aluminium industry). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. July 11, 2025; p 881.

Read more