Innovative heat utilization using the Organic Rankine Cycle

The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is a process for operating turbines using an organic fluid as working medium. Here, a generator produces electricity. The process is deployed wherever the available temperature is too low to operate steam turbines or Stirling engines, e.g., the waste heat of CHP units or industrial waste heat. Depending on the manufacturer, heat sources upward of 90°C can be used. RWE Deutschland AG has extensive know-how as regards development status and potentials, and is preparing application projects.

As things stand at present, this technology – in view of the high specific investment costs – still requires development, specifically in an output range of less than 100 kW_e.