Energierückgewinnung

Energierückgewinnung, also known as energy recovery or energy harvesting, refers to the process of capturing and reusing energy that would otherwise be lost. This lost energy can take various forms, including heat, kinetic energy, or electrical energy. The primary goal of energierückgewinnung is to improve energy efficiency by reducing the overall demand for primary energy sources and minimizing waste.

One common application is in industrial processes where waste heat is generated. Instead of releasing this heat into the atmosphere, it can be captured and used to preheat incoming materials, generate electricity through thermoelectric devices, or drive absorption chillers for cooling. In buildings, energierückgewinnung systems can recover heat from exhaust air to preheat fresh intake air, thereby reducing the energy required for heating and ventilation. This is often integrated into ventilation units.

Kinetic energy can also be harvested. For instance, in transportation, regenerative braking systems in electric and hybrid vehicles capture the kinetic energy during deceleration and convert it back into electrical energy, which is stored in the battery. Similarly, energy can be recovered from vibrations in machinery or from the flow of water in pipes.

Electrical energy harvesting, also known as power harvesting, focuses on capturing ambient energy sources like radio frequency waves, solar energy through photovoltaic cells, or even the small amounts of electrical energy generated by human movement or biological processes. This harvested energy is often used to power low-power electronic devices, sensors, or wireless communication systems, extending their operational life or enabling self-powered operation. The implementation of energierückgewinnung technologies contributes significantly to sustainability efforts by conserving resources and reducing environmental impact.