Industrial excess (waste) Heat-to-Power conversion based on organic Rankine cycles

The 'Industrial Excess Heat-to-Power' program focuses on advancing energy efficiency in European industries by supporting collaborative research and innovation. It targets entities capable of developing and demonstrating cutting-edge Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems across the European Union and its Associated Countries. The overarching objective is to harness industrial waste heat, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating electricity consumption increases from industrial electrification, and promoting a more sustainable and climate-neutral economy.

The funding supports innovation actions focused on industrial waste heat recovery and conversion, particularly through Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technologies. Projects are expected to cover a range of developmental areas, progressing solutions from experimental development towards market introduction in energy-intensive industrial sectors.

This Horizon Europe topic provides financial support in the form of grants for innovation actions. The total allocated budget for this specific call in 2021 was 14,000,000 €. Further details on financial terms and project duration would be outlined in the specific grant agreement and program guidelines.

Applicants must adhere to various conditions and requirements for proposal submission and project implementation under this Horizon Europe call. These include page limits for applications, consortium formation rules, and compliance with the general annexes of the Horizon Europe Work Programme which detail eligibility, financial, and legal aspects.

The application process for this call was a single-stage submission, managed through the European Commission's Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals were evaluated based on established criteria, with detailed guidelines available in accompanying legal and procedural documents.

This funding program is established and governed by the foundational legal framework of Horizon Europe, the European Union's primary research and innovation funding program for 2021-2027. Key regulations and policies, including the EU Financial Regulation and detailed grant agreements, provide the legal basis for its operation.