THE EHEAT PROJECT

EHEAT is tackling one of the most daunting decarbonisation challenges in Europe: the production of high-temperature process heat for energy-intensive industries.

The project proposes an electrification platform that can be adapted to existing facilities, combining microwave heating and flue gas recirculation, all controlled by robust sensors, model-based predictive control and empirically calibrated digital twins. The result is rapid, uniform and contactless heating, offering high energy recovery and minimal emissions, all of which can be deployed in existing furnaces without the need for major refurbishment.

• EHEAT was submitted under the HORIZON-CL4-2025-01 call for proposals and receives support from the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA) under grant agreement No. 101294344. It is funded to the tune of nearly 9 million euros by the European Union via the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA).
• Project duration: 4 years (2026–2030)

Five main objectives:

1. To develop a high-performance hybrid heating system combining microwave heating of flue gases with supplementary natural gas

2. Integrate and validate the hybrid heating system in relevant environments (aluminium, steel and clay calcination)

3. To develop an interoperable, secure and certifiable digital and control infrastructure for EHEAT’s hybrid heating system

4. To demonstrate the economic and environmental viability of EHEAT

5. Develop and test standard operating procedures, safety procedures, training modules and induction guidelines.

The European consortium in charge of the project comprises 15 partners, coordinated by Fundación Tecnalia Research & Innovation, and will work together throughout the various phases of the project to achieve its objectives.

Key stages in the project

2026 - 2027 : System requirements analysis and definition

2026 – 2028 : R&D and testing 

2027 – 2028 : Processes for the integration, validation and pilot testing of EHEAT modules

2028 – 2030 : Industrial-scale demonstration in three sectors: aluminium (smelting/holding), the production of calcined clay for cement, and the reheating/heat treatment of steel

2026 – 2030 : Safety and Impact Assessment (Development and validation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, training modules and integration guidelines)