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Technical
Cooling systems generate large amounts of waste heat, but most of that heat goes unused. A new research project led aims to transform that by identifying and mapping waste heat from urban cooling applications, using Birmingham as a case study.
The Waste Heat Assessment and Resource Mapping (WHARM) project, funded by the EPSRC through the Reef-UKC network, will produce a georeferenced database on energy-intensive sectors such as data centres, supermarkets, cold storage facilities and industrial sites to better understand their waste heat generation and the potential for reuse on site or “export” to neighbours. EPSRC is a funding body for engineering and physical sciences research in the UK, supporting innovations that drive a sustainable and resilient economy. WHARM is a partnership between LSBU, Aston University, Birmingham City Council, Star Refrigeration, and Skilled Mapping.
Project Objectives:
- Identify, map and characterise waste heat from cooling systems in Birmingham.
- Produce economic models to quantify the levelised costs of capturing and upgrading waste heat to different temperature levels.
- Engage with stakeholders to identify challenges such as high costs, uncertainty over business models, and mismatch between heat supply and demand.
- Support local authorities and businesses in making informed decisions when assessing waste heat opportunities.
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