Waste heat recovery: introductory guide

Information about waste heat recovery and its potential as a low carbon heat source, as well as the process of capturing and utilising heat from industrial and commercial processes. The recovered heat can be used in a range of applications including heat networks.


2. Scope of the guidance

This non-technical guidance document provides an introduction to waste heat for those seeking to investigate opportunities for waste heat recovery, but who may not be technical or commercial experts. Although the focus of the guidance is on waste heat, it also briefly touches on heat from ambient sources (particularly mine water) where the defining line between waste and ambient heat can be blurred.

This main body of the guide is in three main sections and is supported with more detail in the appendices:

  • Technical characteristics: an introduction to the technical aspects of waste and ambient heat recovery. This covers classifying grades of heat, different use scenarios, common opportunities and challenges, industrial sector summaries and various heat recovery technologies available.
  • Commercial considerations: an overview of heat recovery arrangements, what financial assistance is available, and common heat procurement and heat tariff development methods.
  • Next steps: a brief guide describing the typical project lifecycle and what data is required to enable these projects. Signposts and resources are included to guide potential waste heat producers towards further sources of support. ยท Appendices:
    • A - a comparison of waste heat recovery technologies.
    • B - an overview of the potential of waste heat in various industrial sectors.
    • C - a section of frequently asked questions with short responses.

Contact

Email: heatnetworks@gov.scot

Back to top