From aquatic centres to alumina plants: new selector tool maps renewable heat options for Australian industry
A new online Renewable Heat Selection Tool developed by A2EP and Hashtag Technology allows Australian businesses to compare suitable renewable heat technologies for different industrial and commercial applications, building on earlier planning tools designed to help organisations assess heat batteries and heat pumps as alternatives to gas systems.
The Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) has released a new online platform designed to help businesses identify suitable renewable heat technologies for their operations.
The Renewable Heat Selection Tool, developed with Hashtag Technology, uses artificial intelligence to narrow down potential technology options based on user-provided information about a facility and its heating requirements.
The free online tool is intended for a wide range of applications, including aquatic centres, food and beverage processing facilities and heavy industry such as alumina production.
According to A2EP Chief Executive Officer Jarrod Leak, the tool brings together insights gained from years of work on renewable heat projects.
“A2EP has accumulated extensive knowledge and experience with renewable heat technologies and projects over the last 15 years and we have put all those insights into this tool for Australian businesses to use free-of-charge,” said Jarrod Leak.
Range of renewable heat technologies assessed
After users input a small number of operational details, the platform assesses which renewable heat technologies may suit the application.
Technologies included in the assessment process are electric thermal energy storage, electrode boilers, heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, biogas boilers, biomass boilers, electric resistance boilers and concentrated solar thermal systems.
The tool is designed to help businesses avoid exploring options that may not be technically or economically suitable for their operations.
“Too often we see businesses wasting time and money pursuing technologies that are not suited to their applications and missing out on invaluable grant opportunities as a result,” Leak said.
“With just a few details and figures, the Renewable Heat Selection Tool will put users on the right track for renewable heat technologies and connect them with more information to keep the momentum going.”
Building on earlier planning tools
The Renewable Heat Selection Tool is the third free online resource released by A2EP and its partners to assist Australian organisations planning to move away from gas-based heating.
Two earlier tools focus on specific technologies and provide initial planning guidance for industrial users.
The Heat Battery Estimator helps businesses assess the operational energy costs of large thermal batteries operating in the National Electricity Market. The tool focuses on operational energy expenses rather than capital costs because installation costs vary widely depending on site conditions and scale.
It models heat battery units and electric boilers for mid-temperature heat above 150°C and uses wholesale electricity prices to estimate running costs.
A2EP has also developed a Heat Pump Estimator, which assists organisations considering industrial heat pumps. The tool evaluates whether heat pumps may suit a particular application by analysing factors such as energy performance, emissions outcomes and spatial requirements.
The latest version includes updated performance models, expanded refrigerant curves, seasonal performance calculations and hourly simulation modelling using local weather and electricity grid data. It also incorporates adjustable load profiles and updated market-based cost estimates for heat pumps and associated thermal storage.
Together, the tools are intended to help businesses start early planning discussions about replacing gas heating systems with renewable heat technologies.
