DOE awards $145 million to Skyven Technologies to deploy emission-cutting heat pumps at U.S. Factories.
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced plans to negotiate awarding up to $145 million to Skyven Technologies to install the company’s innovative steam-generating heat pumps at manufacturing facilities across the country. The unprecedented funding aims to dramatically reduce carbon emissions from industrial processes that have proved difficult to decarbonize.
Skyven’s Arcturus heat pumps use electricity to generate steam for industrial processes like those at steel, paper, concrete and glass plants. By replacing fossil fuel-fired boilers and furnaces, the heat pumps can eliminate over 400,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, according to Skyven Technologies.
See also: Ground Source Heat Pumps and Dandelion Energy.
“This funding will accelerate the decarbonization impact we can achieve,” said Arun Gupta, founder and CEO of Skyven Technologies. “We’re proud to deploy our technology to improve U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and enable a cleaner future.”
The heat pumps represent a major breakthrough for curbing emissions from heavy industry. While electricity generation has shifted towards renewable sources, industrial heat processes have relied heavily on burning coal, oil, and natural gas. Skyven’s systems electrify these processes using high-efficiency heat pumps.
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm highlighted the importance of the DOE investment, calling it “the largest in industrial decarbonization in U.S. history.” She said deploying technologies like Skyven’s will help cut emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors while keeping American businesses competitive.
Beyond the climate benefits, the heat pump installations should improve local air quality for the over 330,000 people living near the factories. Skyven has also committed to workforce training to create jobs across the country to support future heat pump projects.
“Industrial heat pumps dramatically increase efficiency and cut emissions from thermal processes,” said Blaine Collison of the Renewable Thermal Collaborative. “Skyven is removing major barriers through their technology, innovative financing, and workforce actions.”
The heating and cooling sectors account for a major portion of global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Environmentalists have increasingly advocated for electrifying these processes using efficient heat pumps. The DOE’s investment signals a major endorsement and acceleration of this decarbonization strategy for heavy industry.
