Why is it in the news?
Disruptions in global gas supply due to geopolitical tensions have highlighted the need for alternative industrial heating technologies.
India is exploring cleaner and energy-efficient heating options to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Category: S&T
Important Points:
● Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) uses mirrors to focus sunlight and generate high-temperature heat for industrial use.
● CST systems can store heat in thermal energy storage mediums such as molten salt or oil.
● CST can generate temperatures up to about 400°C suitable for industrial processes like textiles.
● India has an estimated CST potential of about 6.4 GW according to MNRE.
● Induction heating uses electromagnetic fields to generate heat directly within materials through eddy currents.
● It achieves efficiency above 90% and allows precise and rapid heating.
● Plasma torches generate extremely high temperatures ranging from 5,000°C to over 10,000°C.
● Plasma technology is suitable for heavy industries like cement and metal smelting.
● These technologies reduce carbon emissions and improve industrial energy efficiency.