Techno-economic analysis of waste-heat conversion

Summary With more than 50% of the primary energy consumed worldwide currently lost as waste heat, waste-heat conversion (WHC) should be considered a promising zero-carbon source electricity. Despite significant research on WHC, market penetration such technologies remains limited, in large part because R&D; community has primarily focused development new WHC heat engines with limited attention given to techno-economic aspects. As different types vary significantly their physical origins, there is critical need develop system-level model that relatively independent detailed physics and design engine. In this perspective, we for based well-known endoreversible thermodynamics formulations, which results fairly universal model. Our indicate regardless type or efficiency, are not economically viable below 100°C, been focus literature recent years. Under highly optimistic assumptions, cost being same gas turbines (?$0.25/W) capacity factor 0.9, relative device Carnot efficiency <0.2, typical various engines, economical only temperatures above 150°C power output range 100 kW 1 MW. We conclude perspective by providing future outlook needed field it techno-economically viable. also propose along temperature amount available from sources, sources must documented.