Industrial Process Electrification
Replacing fossil fuel combustion with electric heat for industrial processes
Your Progress
Section 1 of 5From Flames to Electrons
Industrial processes have relied on fossil fuel combustion for heat since the Industrial Revolution. Today, process heat accounts for 74% of industrial energy consumption—powering everything from food drying to steel smelting. Electrification replaces direct combustion with efficient electric technologies: heat pumps for low temperatures, resistance/induction heating for medium temperatures, and advanced electric furnaces for high-temperature applications. This transition eliminates on-site emissions and enables integration with renewable electricity.
Current State
85% of industrial heat from fossil fuels (natural gas, coal, oil), 30-60% efficiency, direct CO₂ emissions
Electric Alternative
Heat pumps (COP 3-6), resistance heating (95%+ efficiency), induction heating, zero on-site emissions
Decarbonization Impact
50-90% emissions reduction potential when powered by renewable electricity, improved efficiency
Interactive Heat Temperature Spectrum
Explore industrial processes by temperature range - click each range to see applications and readiness
Low Temperature (<100°C)
Space Heating
Water Heating
Pasteurization
Drying (Food)
The Temperature Challenge
Industrial heat accounts for 20% of global energy use and 9% of CO₂ emissions. Low-temperature processes (<100°C) representing 48% of industrial heat are ready for electrification today with heat pumps achieving COPs of 3-6. Medium and high-temperature processes face greater technical and economic barriers but represent the largest decarbonization opportunity.
Explore Heat Pump Technologies
Learn how industrial heat pumps achieve 3-6x efficiency gains