Waste heat could be turned into electricity

An innovative new system could save businesses millions of pounds in energy bills by converting waste heat into electricity.

This pioneering new system uses Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology, which utilises waste heat in the form of steam or hot water to produce electrical power.

The waste heat will be taken from industrial processes, with temperatures as low as 90 degrees Celsius.

When heat is normally converted into energy, it is at temperatures of 130 degrees Celsius and above.

ORC technology is currently being trialled in the North East, with Huntsman Pigments’ manufacturing plant in Hartlepool already having the correct equipment installed.

At the Huntsman, every day items such as plastic and food are produced through the use of titanium dioxide pigments.

It is no surprise that this company decided to try out the new methods, as its slogan is "Enriching lives through innovation".

A Huntsman Pigments worker spoke to their local paper, The Northern Echo, about the success of the new technology.

"The new system, which operates around the clock, has already achieved more than 3,000 running hours and has generated more than 100kW of electricity – worth about £50,000 – for Huntsman from a hot water waste stream," it says.

If large companies are able to take on this new system, energy bills will be dramatically less expensive.

As well as thrifty, movement to the DRD Power ORC system would spell fantastic things for the environment. This method produces energy with zero carbon dioxide emissions.

Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by human activity, with the main culprits of emission being transport, electricity and industry.

If one of these sectors can be tackled, the future of the environment will look a whole lot brighter.

Greenhouse gases have a direct impact on the weather, as well as causing a variety of health hazards for individuals who live in a polluted area.