The potential of solar heat for industrial processes in Germany

Industry represents a very promising application area for solar thermal technology, since it accounts for 27% of the total final energy consumption in Germany and uses 74% of its energy consumption as thermal energy. In order to develop, this application area, it is necessary to know which industrial sectors have the highest potential and which processes within these sectors are most suitable for the integration of solar heat. For this paper the industrial heat consumption in Germany was analyzed, which leads to the selection of the most promising sectors within industry. Furthermore, the quantitative potential for Germany in total and for 11 selected sectors, that were identified to be most promising for the use of solar heat, was calculated. These are Chemicals, Food and beverages. Motor vehicles, Paper, Fabricated metal, Machinery and equipment, Rubber and plastic, Electrical equipment, Textiles, Printing and Wood. These sectors are analyzed to identify suitable processes for the integration of solar heat. In total the theoretical potential of solar heat for industrial processes below 300 degrees C in Germany accounts for 134 TWh per year, the technical potential being 16 TWh per year or 3.4% of the overall industrial heat demand. This is the highest share of the European potential of 72 TWh per year. The results of this study facilitate the prioritized application of solar thermal energy in industrial sectors and processes for Germany and other countries. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.