2026 Volume 22 Issue 2 Pages 89-93
Industrial heat pump is recognized as one of decarbonization technologies in industry by a couple of its high efficiency and electrification with low carbon electricity. For expanding applications of heat pumps into various industrial heating processes, the development and commercialization of high-temperature heat pumps have progressed in and out of Japan. However, in Japan today, the electricity-to-fuel price ratio is relatively high, making the introduction of heat pumps with large temperature lifts economically less competitive. Therefore, it is important to devise innovative methods for integrating heat pumps in a way that minimizes the temperature lifts. This paper examines these characteristics of heat pump technology while also introducing development trends both in Japan and abroad, providing an overview of challenges and strategies for expanding the adoption of industrial heat pumps.
