30 March 2023
|
Alfa Laval at the Distributed Energy Show
Alfa Laval showcased two new technologies at the Distributed Energy Show as the company marked 100 years in operation.
The event, at the Telford International Centre, featured major players from across the UK’s renewable energy supply chain and served as a UK debut for two major technologies from Alfa Laval – the Micro, a compact exhaust gas heat exchanger, alongside the Gas-to-Liquid (GtL) product range.
Gemma Reeves, business unit manager for heat transfer at Alfa Laval, said: “It was great to be back in a face-to-face environment and see our message resonate with other industry professionals. The Distributed Energy Show allowed us to advance the conversation around the path to Net Zero, and hopefully broaden some horizons by showcasing what new technologies are capable of.
“We believe that there will be no silver bullet to decarbonisation – it’s about collaboration and identifying how existing and new technologies alike can work in tandem with our own to draw the maximum benefit. There was a tangible sense of this at the event, and I look forward to seeing what innovations are born out of it.”
Gemma delivered a talk at the show focusing on the importance of a multi-faceted approach in achieving legally binding climate targets, while also ensuring that heat becomes more affordable for consumers. Major talking points included the growth in both heat recovery systems in conjunction with heat pumps, thermal storage, and district heating technologies.
She continued: “Waste heat recovery systems for data centres, for example, open the door to low-carbon applications that can provide affordable heat for consumers when combined with efficient heat pumps. Likewise, technologies such as fuel cells and thermal storage are really starting to find their place in the distributed energy production ecosystem.
“The key to ensuring the success of low-carbon heating is pairing with the right supplementary components. A proper heat exchanger, for instance, is paramount to maintaining best possible thermal efficiency, allowing high-grade, low-carbon heating to become an everyday reality.
“Similarly, new developments such as the Micro can be paired with existing technology such as combined heat and power (CHP) systems to recover every last drop of heat to ensure they are as efficient as possible.
“Overall, we need to challenge the perception of existing tech and identify smart options across the breadth of industry to draw the most benefit out of what we currently have available and set forward a clear path to the future. Here, identifying the right partner to support your business is a crucial first step in decarbonisation.”
