Energy saving potential of high temperature heat pumps in the UK Food and Drink sector

Addressing GHG emissions from industry is vital to achieving decarbonization targets. However, finding alternatives to many industrial energy requirements remains a challenge. Many processes in the food sector require heat at relatively low temperatures (i.e. 80°C to 200°C). High temperature heat pumps under development present a heat source that is efficient (especially if coupled with waste heat sources) and low carbon (especially if powered by decarbonized electricity). This study analyses their potential in the UK Dairy sub-sector and extrapolates this to the wider Food and Drink sector. There is potential to save approximately 164 kt-CO2/yr in the modelled processes. Applied to similar processes across the Food and Drink sector, there is scope to save 2.6 Mt-CO2/yr with projected 2030 grid electricity emissions factors. High temperature heat pumps have the potential to save energy and reduce GHG emissions. These GHG savings will increase further as the electrical grid continues to be decarbonized. While fuel cost savings are possible, these depend upon the processes and become more significant with projected fuel prices. Some processes will need to be optimized to the characteristics of available heat pumps. Additional research into heat pump technologies is warranted and improvements in the total temperature lift (i.e. to use a low temperature source) would be beneficial.