The industrial sector is a major source of wealth, producing about one-quarter of the global gross product. However, industry is also a major emitter of CO2 and it represents a key challenge toward achieving the worldwide CO2 emission reduction targets. Nowadays, about 22% of the overall energy demand is heating for the industrial sector, generating about 40% of the global CO2 emissions. Additionally, 30% of the final energy demand of the industrial sector is electricity. Solutions to decarbonize the industrial sector are needed. This work presents the techno-economic assessment of four different molten salts-based power-to-heat-to-heat and power solutions aiming at decarbonizing the industrial sector, requiring medium-temperature heat. The systems are studied under different electric markets. Dispatch strategies and system sizing are identified to ensure optimal techno-economic performance. The main performance indicators investigated are the levelized cost of heat and electricity (LCoH and LCoE), the operational expenditure, and the attainable savings with respect to alternative business-as-usual solutions. The results highlight that the proposed system can be cost-competitive, particularly in markets characterized by low electricity prices and high daily price fluctuations, such as Finland. In these locations, LCoEas low as 100 e/MWh and LCoH lower than 55 e/MWh can be attained by the base system configuration. The introduction of high-temperature heat pumps can provide further reduction of about 50%. This study sets the ground for further power-to-heat-to-heat and power techno-economic investigations addressing different industrial sectors and identifies main system design strategies.
QC 20231023