Advanced Waste Heat Recovery and Energy Efficiency in Industrial Energy Systems

Industrial processes account for more than 30% of global primary energy consumption, with a substantial portion dissipated as waste heat across sectors such as steel, cement, chemicals, and refining. Improving industrial energy efficiency through effective utilization of waste heat represents one of the most promising pathways for reducing energy intensity, lowering operational costs, and supporting global decarbonization goals. This Research Topic aims to promote advanced strategies for waste heat recovery (WHR) and system-level energy efficiency improvement in industrial systems. By integrating engineering innovation, system optimization, and digital technologies, the topic seeks to foster scalable solutions that enhance overall energy performance and support sustainable industrial development.Despite decades of research, a large share of industrial waste heat—particularly low- to medium-grade heat below 200 °C—remains underutilized. Recent technological advances, including organic Rankine cycles (ORC), Kalina cycles, industrial heat pumps, and thermochemical energy storage, have significantly expanded the potential for recovering and reusing thermal energy within industrial processes. At the same time, emerging digital approaches such as pinch analysis, advanced system modeling, and data-driven optimization are enabling more efficient thermal integration and energy management at the system level. However, challenges remain in terms of economic feasibility, spatial constraints, operational variability, and integration with existing industrial infrastructures. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary research that bridges technological innovation, system design, and industrial implementation.This Research Topic invites contributions that advance knowledge and practical solutions for improving energy efficiency in industrial systems through waste heat utilization and integrated energy management. We welcome Original Research Articles, Review Articles, Mini-Reviews, and Perspectives addressing innovative technologies, modeling approaches, and real-world applications that enhance industrial energy performance and reduce carbon emissions.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Advanced waste heat recovery technologies for industrial processes;• System-level optimization and thermal integration in industrial energy systems;• Modeling, simulation, and exergy analysis of waste heat recovery systems;• Integration of waste heat recovery with renewable energy and energy storage;• Data-driven optimization and digital tools for industrial energy management;• Techno-economic and lifecycle assessment of industrial energy efficiency solutions;• Hybrid energy systems combining waste heat recovery, electrification, and sector coupling;• Case studies demonstrating large-scale industrial implementation of energy efficiency strategies. Topic editors: Juan Carlos Ríos-Fernández, Nour A. Moharram Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80251/advanced-waste-heat-recovery-and-energy-efficiency-in-industrial-energy-systems