jäännöslämmön

Jäännöslämpö, known in English as residual heat or waste heat, refers to the heat energy that remains in a system or process after its primary function has been completed or after energy has been extracted. This heat is often a byproduct of industrial processes, combustion, or even natural phenomena like volcanic activity. While it might be considered "waste" in its original context, jäännöslämpö represents a significant, often untapped, source of thermal energy.

The concept of utilizing jäännöslämpö is central to energy efficiency and sustainability efforts. Recovering and repurposing this heat can reduce the need for primary energy sources, leading to lower operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint. Industries that generate substantial amounts of jäännöslämpö, such as power plants, manufacturing facilities, and data centers, are increasingly exploring ways to capture and redeploy it.

Applications for jäännöslämpö are diverse. It can be used for space heating in nearby buildings, for preheating air or water in industrial processes, or even for generating electricity through technologies like organic Rankine cycles. In some cases, the low-grade heat can be used directly for applications like drying processes or aquaculture. Effective management of jäännöslämpö involves identifying heat sources, efficiently capturing the thermal energy, and finding suitable end-uses. The efficient utilization of jäännöslämpö is a key strategy in transitioning towards a more circular economy and improving overall energy system performance.