Innomotics, a globally leading supplier of electric motors and large drive systems, is advancing the decarbonization of industrial heat processes with its solutions for industrial heat pumps. By electrifying the heat process, companies can significantly improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and lower long-term operating costs.
Industrial heating is one of the largest contributors to global energy consumption, with more than 70 percent of process heat still generated from fossil fuels. Industrial heat pumps offer a highly efficient alternative by upgrading ambient and waste heat to usable temperature levels of up to 150°C. This makes them a key technology for reducing CO₂ emissions and achieving global climate targets.
The electrification of heat processes is a critical step in industrial transformation. Heat pumps deliver thermal output several times higher than the electrical energy input, making them one of the most efficient technologies for converting electricity into heat. When powered by renewable energy, CO₂ emissions can be virtually eliminated.
Innomotics provides a comprehensive portfolio of high- and low-voltage motors as well as medium-voltage drives to ensure reliable and efficient operation of heat pump compressors. The systems are designed for maximum availability, enabling operation for up to five years without scheduled shutdowns, and can be seamlessly integrated into existing industrial processes.
In addition to environmental benefits, operators gain from significantly lower operating costs, reduced maintenance requirements, and system availability of up to 99.9 percent. Industrial heat pumps also enable new opportunities for waste heat recovery and integration into district heating networks.
A flagship example is the largest heat pump system in the Netherlands, where heat is recovered daily from 65 million liters of treated wastewater. With Innomotics solutions, the system supplies district heating to around 20,000 households, covers approximately 15 percent of regional heat demand, and reduces CO₂ emissions by about 30,000 tons annually.
“Industrial heat pumps are a key technology for the energy transition and energy addition. They enable efficient use of existing heat sources while significantly reducing emissions. With our drive solutions, we provide the foundation for a sustainable and economically viable heat supply in industry,” says Michael Reichle, CEO of Innomotics.
He adds, “Operators are under pressure to make their processes both more efficient and more sustainable. Our technologies offer a scalable and economically a very attractive solution that supports the transition to electrified, low-carbon industrial operations.”
