Waste heat energy calculator
6.11.2018
As part of the implementation of the CE-HEAT project, an online energy calculator was created in order to support the decision on the economic eligibility of exploitation of waste heat. Online energy calculator was introduced to the public for the first time on October 10, 2018 at the Energy Innovation Conference '18 in Brdo pri Kranju.
The “Comprehensive model of waste heat utilisation in CE regions” study conducted by prof. PhD Ales Hribernik from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, represents the basis for development of the online energy calculator.
The methodology developed is the foundation of the “Waste-heat energy calculator” software solution, which enables a preliminary technical and economic analysis of the planned investments in waste heat recovery.
Entry of basic data on the available source of waste heat, selected technology of utilization and economic parameters into the online application provides an estimate of return on their investments and calculates the amount of waste heat recovered and the energy obtained. At this time the software tool provides solutions for the following technologies for the use of waste heat: heat exchanger, mechanical heat pump, absorption cooling device and Organic Rankin Cycle (ORC) for the production of electricity.
In the future this can be upgraded with other technologies, increased flexibility of existing algorithms, addition of potential subsidy models and increased accuracy of predicted technical and economic indicators.
Data on the available sources of waste heat were collected and recorded in the various GIS systems of Central Europe during the project. In Slovenia this data layer is available in the Atlas of Sustainable Energy, delivered by Borzen. Under the waste heat tab parameters are indicated which enable the potential investor to quickly calculate the economic viability of the investment with the use of the online calculator.
The energy calculator was also tested as part of the pilot project development process at Hydropower museum Fala, where technical and economic viability of waste-heat recovery for space heating was confirmed.
