ROTOR
Project Description
Industrial heating networks are often operated at high flow temperatures and are mostly supplied by fossil fuels. At the same time, many industrial plants have untapped potential for waste heat. However, conventional heat pumps can only utilise this to a limited extent due to the high temperature lifts required.
The ROTOR research project therefore investigates the use of an innovative rotation heat pump to support the decarbonisation of industrial heat networks.
At the KSB SE & Co. KGaA site in Pegnitz, the technology will be integrated into an existing industrial heating system for the first time and demonstrated under real operating conditions. The rotation heat pump will raise variable waste heat from the foundry to the temperature level required by the heating network. A thermal energy storage system will provide flexibility by decoupling waste heat availability from heat demand over time.
UBT Future Energy Lab Wunsiedel is responsible for analysing and modelling the overall system, including the rotation heat pump, thermal energy storage and existing heat generation plants. To this end, a simulation model is being developed, validated using real operational data and applied to evaluate different operating strategies. Based on these analyses, the project assesses economic and environmental optimisation opportunities and develops methods for assessing application potential, as well as transferable concepts for integrating rotation heat pumps into a wider range of industrial applications.
In this way, ROTOR contributes to unlocking previously unused industrial waste heat for heat supply, replacing fossil fuels and advancing the decarbonisation of industrial heating systems.
Project goal
Demonstration of a rotation heat pump in an industrial heat network, combined with the development of a validated simulation model and transferable concepts for efficient system integration.
Duration
07/2026 – 06/2029
Funding
Project Management
Project Partners
- KSB SE & Co. KGaA
- Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm
- Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (IEI) of the University of Bayreuth (under subcontract to FEL)
- VDMA Power Systems (Associated partner)
- Deutsche Unternehmensinitiative Energieeffizienz e.V. (DENEFF) (Associated partner)
- ecop Technologies GmbH (Associated partner)
Project Management FEL
