Optimise your production with smart waste heat utilisation
With energy-efficient thermal management, you can transform legal obligations into real competitive advantages
The increasing demands on energy efficiency are far more than a regulatory challenge. They offer the opportunity for forward-looking investments that future-proof your production. With HYDAC's intelligent thermal management solutions, we can help you to safely meet the requirements of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the resulting national laws. That's because our systems are specifically designed to optimise your processes through precise temperature control and efficient use of waste heat. Read on now to find out how to achieve maximum performance with minimal energy use.
Implementing efficiency goals: the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) at a glance
The European Union is setting a clear course with the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED): by 2030, final energy consumption needs to drop significantly across Europe – by 11.7% compared to 2020 to be precise. While the specific nature of the national laws varies across EU countries, the core of the requirements remains the same across all borders. For companies, this specifically means thinking about new energy flows, systematically leveraging potential and using technical innovations. From mandatory energy or environmental management systems to the targeted use of waste heat – the EED has provided clear guidelines.
A focus on Germany: the Energy Efficiency Act EnEfG (Energieeffizienzgesetz)
With the EnEfG, Germany is tightening up the European EED requirements. What was once voluntary is now becoming a must. This applies in particular to companies with a total annual consumption of 2.5 GWh (non-SMEs) and 7.5 GWh (non-SMEs and SMEs). Companies must therefore be able to demonstrate significant savings. The goal is clear: modern energy solutions as standard for a competitive site.
Waste heat: the largest unused energy source in the world
The EED and national legislation offer considerable opportunities, especially when it comes to thermal management and waste heat utilisation. After all, did you know that the industrial waste heat potential in the EU is theoretically around 920 TWh per year? This corresponds to a significant proportion of industrial energy consumption.
Manufacturing companies that now rely on intelligent cooling concepts, heat recovery and energy optimisation aren't just creating a competitive advantage. They position themselves as active drivers of the energy transition and, above all, save on operating costs.
Turn your waste heat into a valuable resource
Let's take a look at the example of the inside of a production hall where air-cooled individual units generate enormous amounts of heat.
This often ends in a vicious circle: the hall temperature increases, causing cooling systems to lose efficiency. Air conditioning systems have to cool the hall down with high energy costs. Waste heat escapes into the environment unused. This results in exploding energy costs and an unnecessary burden on technology.
Unused heat generated by processes is often unavoidable. However, you can use this same waste heat as a valuable resource to increase your efficiency. We offer you efficient, fluid-cooled thermal management solutions to break this cycle.
Make the most of your waste heat potential with HYDAC fluid coolingWe help you optimise your existing infrastructure with needs-based thermal management systems. Whether it's in a new system or as part of a targeted retrofit.
HYDAC fluid-water cooling systems FWKS
Do you have a central cold water supply at your plant and need clean media separation for your system?
Our FWKS fluid-water cooling systems enable existing hall infrastructure to be used in an energy-efficient way to cool machines and systems. This cooling system is the solution of choice where plants have access to cold water or coolant. This is because it combines the possibility of even cooling below the ambient temperature with very low heat dissipation to the direct surroundings.
HYDAC Hybrid RFCS central cooling system
Are you looking for an optimal addition to an intelligent cold water supply with outdoor installation?
HYDAC RFCS central cooling systems are set up out outside of the machinery hall and reliably supply the fluid cooling systems installed within the machines with the required coolant. Our hybrid RFCS combine active and passive cooling and only switch on the energy-intensive active mode when the natural temperature difference is no longer sufficient. The outdoor installation avoids heating the hall up further and significantly reduces the noise level in the workplace. With the use of the environmentally friendly R513a refrigerant, you will also be investing in a particularly future-proof technology.
HYDAC fluid cooling WTRE
Do you want to make your existing plant more modern and energy-efficient without interfering with the control system?
The HYDAC WTRE is a plate heat exchanger with closed-loop control that acts as "auxiliary equipment". If the plant cooling water is cold enough, the compressor remains continuously switched off. The payback period is incredibly short due to the massive energy savings. Thanks to the PID controller and control ball valve, you can keep the media temperature constant, either as a fixed value or in relation to the ambient temperature. With the WTRE, you benefit above all from the simple integration, because the retrofit does not require any interference with the machine tool's electrical system or PLC.
FAQ
What does the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) regulate?
The EED defines Europe-wide targets for reducing energy consumption and obliges all EU Member States to implement savings targets. The recast Directive (EU) 2023/1791 significantly tightened the requirements, and includes the binding target of reducing final energy consumption across the EU by 11.7 % by 2030 compared to 2020.
How does the EED relate to waste heat utilisation and thermal management?
The Directive places a strong focus on the efficient use of energy flows, including:
- Avoiding unnecessary waste heat
- Using existing thermal energy
- Reducing the demand for energy-intensive active cooling
Waste heat utilisation and intelligent thermal management are amongst the fastest and most economical ways to achieve the required savings targets.
What are the benefits of waste heat utilisation for my business?
- Reduced costs by reducing the need to purchase energy
- Meet regulatory requirements without costly process interventions or production interventions
- Use of technical synergies, e.g. the transfer of process waste heat or cooling waste heat to internal systems or energy networks
- Contribution to carbon footprint goals and ESG goals
What national requirements apply in Germany (EnEfG)?
The Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) transposes the EU requirements in national law and in some cases goes beyond them. Companies with an annual total energy consumption of more than 7.5 GWh are required to introduce an energy or environmental management system; extensive documentation and efficiency obligations already apply from 2.5 GWh.
How can HYDAC thermal management solutions support my business?
HYDAC thermal management solutions reduce your energy consumption, use existing infrastructure more efficiently and reduce waste heat by optimising cooling processes and relieving the burden on active cooling systems.
