Europe could slash gas use by harvesting waste heat from everyday sources
A Danfoss report warns that most of Europe’s energy is lost as waste heat and suggests capturing it could save up to €140 billion annually.
According to a new analysis by Danish engineering firm Danfoss, waste heat represents the world’s largest untapped energy reserve, with about two-thirds of all energy dissipated as heat in 2024. The proportion is expected to increase to 55 % by 2030 as demand grows. Capturing this heat—using heat pumps to raise its temperature and feeding it into buildings or district-heating grids—could cut Europe’s gas consumption dramatically and generate €140 billion in annual savings, based on 3,1000 TWh of wasted heat in 2023.
A Danish aluminium producer has already stopped using on-site gas, saving the heating needs of 132 households. In Germany, existing industrial waste-heat sources could meet over 30 % of district-heating demand, with data-centre heat offering further potential. Danfoss Climate Solutions president Kirstian Strand urges governments to remove regulatory barriers and make heat recovery a standard practice to boost competitiveness and energy resilience.
Why it matters
Recovering waste heat could lower Europe's gas bills, cut emissions and boost energy security.
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