The future of renewable heat: Why Thermal Solar outperforms heat pumps and biomass
Thought leadership article by Suncom Energy
As industries across Europe face mounting pressure to adopt renewable energy sources, the demand for sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective heat solutions has never been more critical. Meeting climate goals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and achieving energy independence all hinge on identifying the right technologies for industrial heat generation. For many high-temperature processes—those requiring heat well above 100°C—traditional renewable solutions like heat pumps and biomass fall short. This gap leaves room for more innovative approaches, and thermal solar energy is emerging as the most viable alternative, offering superior efficiency, lower costs, and unmatched consistency.
Heat pumps: Limited efficiency at high temperatures
Heat pumps have gained traction in residential settings and low-temperature heating applications due to their ability to transfer heat efficiently from one location to another. However, as the temperature requirements climb, their performance weakens significantly. While certain industrial-grade heat pumps can achieve higher output temperatures the efficiency drop above above 70°C often offsets their initial appeal. Higher energy consumption, coupled with the need for substantial electricity infrastructure upgrades, makes heat pumps increasingly costly and less reliable for industries that rely on continuous, high-temperature heat.
For example, in sectors like food processing or chemical manufacturing often heat temperatures above 150°C are required, achieving the necessary thermal conditions often involves pushing the limits of what heat pumps can handle. In doing so, not only do operating costs skyrocket, but the dependence on stable electricity supplies can also introduce vulnerabilities. When electricity prices rise or supply disruptions occur, the costs of operating heat pumps become unpredictable. This volatility makes them an unsuitable long-term solution for industries that need both consistency and cost-efficiency. (Source: ScienceDirect) (Source: Energy.gov)
Biomass: Unpredictable supply and environmental concerns
Biomass energy, another frequently considered option, has long been marketed as a renewable heat source. However, as the global demand for sustainable energy grows, the limitations of biomass are becoming increasingly evident. For one, biomass supply chains are highly variable, as they depend on natural cycles, weather conditions, and agricultural outputs. A bad growing season, shifting geopolitical conditions, or policy changes can all lead to fluctuations in biomass availability and pricing. This instability creates an uncertain cost environment, making it challenging for industries to budget long-term operational expenses.
Environmental concerns add another layer of complexity. Burning biomass may be considered carbon-neutral in theory—since the CO2 released during combustion is offset by the CO2 absorbed during the plant’s growth cycle—but in practice, the sustainability of large-scale biomass production is questionable. Overharvesting, deforestation, and land-use changes can contribute to biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and indirect carbon emissions. Moreover, the logistical challenge of transporting biomass over long distances adds further carbon costs, eroding the environmental benefits that initially made biomass appealing.
Recent policy shifts highlight these challenges. For instance, some European governments are reassessing subsidies for biomass energy due to growing concerns about deforestation and carbon accounting. By reducing incentives, policymakers are signaling a need to explore alternatives that offer greater consistency, lower environmental impact, and more predictable costs. (Source: IEA Bioenergy)
Thermal Solar Energy: A clear advantage
In the face of these challenges, thermal solar energy stands out as a technology uniquely suited to meet the demands of industrial heat generation. By concentrating sunlight to produce high-temperature heat, thermal solar systems can reach temperatures well above 100°C—often exceeding 300°C—making them ideal for heavy industrial applications. This capability directly addresses the limitations of heat pumps, which struggle at these higher temperature thresholds, and biomass, which depends on a volatile and resource-intensive supply chain.
Suncom Energy’s solar thermal solutions are particularly well-positioned to fill this gap. With advanced concentrator designs and innovative thermal storage capabilities, Suncom can provide industrial facilities with a steady, reliable heat supply. Some key advantages include:
- Exceptional efficiency at high temperatures: Using cutting-edge heat receivers, Suncom’s systems can achieve remarkable efficiency rates, converting a significant portion of direct sunlight into usable heat. Unlike heat pumps, which become less efficient as temperatures rise, thermal solar systems maintain consistent performance even at the high temperatures required by industries like food production, chemical processing, and manufacturing.
- Economic stability and predictable costs: The sun’s energy is both abundant and free, meaning thermal solar systems are not subject to the same market fluctuations as biomass. By reducing dependence on variable raw materials and unstable electricity prices, thermal solar offers industries a reliable cost structure, enabling long-term planning and investment without the risk of sudden price hikes or supply shortages.
- Minimal environmental impact: Unlike biomass, which often entails cutting trees or other resource-intensive harvesting processes, thermal solar energy does not rely on consumable fuels. It generates heat without emissions, uses non-critical raw materials in its construction, and avoids the land-use conflicts associated with biomass cultivation. This makes thermal solar one of the most sustainable heat generation technologies available today.
- Scalability and customization: Suncom’s modular design approach allows for easy scalability. Industries can tailor their thermal solar installations to match specific heat demands, ensuring maximum space efficiency and resource utilization. As heat requirements grow, the system can be expanded without significant infrastructure changes, offering unparalleled flexibility.
- Independence from geopolitical instability: With a supply chain based in Europe, Suncom’s thermal solar systems benefit from stable, local manufacturing and reduced transportation costs. This independence from volatile international markets—particularly the fluctuating fossil fuel and biomass sectors—provides an additional layer of reliability and consistency.
A path forward for Europe’s renewable heat transition
As the EU continues to push toward its ambitious climate neutrality goals, the choice of heat technologies will be critical in determining the pace and success of the energy transition. While heat pumps and biomass each have their place, their limitations become evident in the face of industrial-scale demands. Thermal solar energy, with its ability to provide high-temperature heat efficiently, cost-effectively, and sustainably, represents a clear path forward. https://www.irena.org
By adopting thermal solar technology, European industries can reduce their environmental footprint, stabilize their energy costs, and strengthen their resilience against market volatility. Suncom Energy’s advanced solutions bridge the gap between policy ambitions and practical implementation, empowering industries to lead the charge toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. As the renewable energy landscape evolves, thermal solar energy is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Europe’s renewable heat strategy—ushering in an era of greater consistency, affordability, and environmental responsibility.
