The value of heat, be it for space heating or the processing of foods and materials, is universally appreciated across the world. Unfortunately, that heat is typically generated through the burning of fossil fuels and as a consequence carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere contributing to global warming. Rotaheat has developed a device which converts the energy in a rotating shaft directly to heat using a phenomenon called Eddy Current Heating. This project aims to accelerate the decarbonisation heat generation by facilitating: * the easy connection of this ultra-low carbon heating solution to a waterwheel or hydro-turbine installation through the development of a universal installation or adaptor kit, and, * general adaptation of the Rotaheater solution to wind power through further enhancement of the 7kW wind-thermal proof-of-concept system, located in Port Talbot, for light industrial unit heat generation. Delivery of these improvements will allow Rotaheat to engage with manufacturers and owners of these green-energy generating components to produce heat generating solutions.

Rotaheat has developed a novel technology to convert mechanical rotational energy direct to clean thermal energy in the form of heated fluids at in excess of 120C. Uniquely, the technology generates valuable heat without any greenhouse gas emissions, capable of increased supply during the coldest and darkest seasons and at a cost comparable to the price of gas. Key milestones have been secured to support the commercialisation of the technology including granting of multiple patents, first UK customer revenues and the development of a sales pipeline. This study supported by Innovate UK has the objective of assessing the business growth potential associated with Rotaheat entering the North American market, one of the major global markets for heat and accounting for significant carbon emissions.

Heat is a basic need of society, accounting for approximately half of all energy consumed. Heat is traditionally generated through the combustion of fossil fuels. Zero carbon solutions to heat have limited adoption, in part due to issues in successfully addressing all elements of the energy ‘trilemma’ of reducing emissions, improving security of supply and reducing cost. This project has the key objectives to explore and evaluate alternative designs suitable for scaling a novel heat generator to a size suitable for light industrial consumers of thermal energy. A whole-system approach will be adopted, exploiting the multidisciplinary project team. The patented UK technology employed harvests renewable kinetic energy sources, such as wind, river or tidal flows, to generate heat without dependence on electricity or other forms of energy. The successful outcome of this project will directly influence the goals for the development and launch of commercial production models.

Rotaheat is looking to develop an efficient wind or water power direct heat generator capable using well understood physical principles in a new context. To do this it will require support from a capable design for build engineer and physicist.