Potential for Solar Process Heat in Germany – Suitable Industrial Sectors and Processes
Abstract
The industrial sector represents a very promising application area for the further widespread of solar thermal technology, since it accounts for 30 % of the total final energy consumption in Germany and uses 75 % of its useful energy consumption as thermal energy. A review of existing potential studies in the field of solar process heat in combination with an analysis of the German industrial energy consumption leads to the selection of promising sectors and processes within industry. These are thoroughly analyzed regarding their potential for integration of solar thermal energy. Furthermore, a potential for the application of solar process heat in Germany is calculated. The results of this study facilitate the application of solar thermal energy in prioritized industrial sectors and processes.