Economic and ecological evaluation of sustainable heat generators in an existing industrial heat supply structure

CO2 prices and sustainable technologies substituting fossil heat generators are essential components for achieving the emission targets in the heating sector. This paper investigates from both an economic and ecological perspective how sustainable heat generators (heat pump, solar thermal system, and biomass boiler) can be integrated into a heat supply infrastructure of an industrial company. With increasing CO2 prices, it is possible to achieve payback periods of less than five years for heat pumps and biomass boilers compared to conventional operation with a natural gas-fired steam boiler. A comparison of both operating modes indicates a significant potential for CO2 reduction.