Focusing on the recovery of low-temperature waste heat, CIRQLAR is a leading-edge project implemented at the Repsol A Coruña Refinery in Spain, setting an example for replication across other refineries and energy-intensive industries.
With more than €2 million in financial backing from the Innovation Fund, the project strengthens the EU's industrial value chain by providing cost-competitive waste heat recovery and heat pump technologies. Its scalable approach can be applied across industries, promoting sustainable production and reducing reliance on natural gas. By demonstrating how low-temperature heat recovery can be implemented in industrial settings, it supports the EU's climate goals, boosts regional economies, and drives innovation while cutting energy costs and emissions.
CIRQLAR addresses key challenges in low-temperature heat recovery by optimising thermodynamic cycles, improving equipment reliability, and enhancing integration into energy networks. At the heart of the project is the use of heat pumps, which enable electrification and higher energy recovery rates, making them a crucial tool for the decarbonisation of energy intensive industries. Its scalable approach can be applied across industries by promoting sustainable energy production and reducing reliance on natural gas. This technology could enable key industries to offer their products and services in a more efficient and sustainable way to consumers, whilst reducing their external energy cost dependence and lowering costs.
Before applying to the Innovation Fund, the CIRQLAR team had to overcome some challenges related to an increase of investment costs and the alignment of the technology with plant thermodynamics, by ensuring extensive simulations and lab-scale testing. Space and utility constraints at the refinery also required innovative solutions. Here, collaboration between engineering teams proved essential and enabled smart trade-offs and well-coordinated designs.
“Bringing together experts from different disciplines was key to overcoming technical challenges and optimising performance", explained Javier Menéndez, Senior Scientist at Repsol Technology Lab and coordinator of the project.
"The results demonstrate the value of collaboration in achieving ambitious goals.”
CIRQLAR is an important step toward Europe’s clean transition. By recovering 3 megawatts (MW) of low-temperature waste heat and converting it into 4 MW of usable steam, the project plans to reduce the refinery's energy consumption by 24%. This equates to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions of 7,500 tonnes of CO₂e - comparable to removing approximately 1,750 fuelled-powered cars from the road or supplying renewable energy for the consumption 1,000 homes.
The project has completed its basic engineering phase, finalised Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), reached financial close and obtained all necessary permits. With tie-ins built and the site ready for system connection, the project is prepared to move into its next phase: machine construction and integration. These efforts aim to ensure seamless operation and demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale deployment in similar industries.
About the Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund, financed by EU Emissions Trading System revenues, is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The Fund focuses on highly innovative clean technologies and major flagship projects with European added value that can bring significant greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Article published on 24 January 2025
- Start date
- 30 Apr 2024
- Project locations
- Spain
- EU contribution
- €2 169 262