"Revolutionizing Cement: Orcan Energy, E.ON, and Holcim Turn Waste Heat into Clean Power at Dotternhausen"

Revolutionizing Cement: Turning Waste Heat into Clean Power at Dotternhausen

At the heart of Germany’s industrial sector, a quiet revolution is taking place—one that could redefine how we think about energy in heavy industries.

In the town of Dotternhausen, a cement plant is transforming its waste heat into valuable clean electricity, thanks to a bold collaboration between three innovative players.

⚙️ The Power Trio Behind the Breakthrough

An advanced energy technology firm has introduced a cutting-edge Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbine capable of converting industrial waste heat into electricity, even under fluctuating conditions. This system has been installed at a major cement plant known for its high energy demands.

What makes this project unique is the model behind it. Rather than requiring the cement plant to invest heavily upfront, a trusted energy infrastructure company is providing the entire system through an Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) approach. They manage everything—from planning and financing to construction, operation, and maintenance—so the plant can focus on its core business while enjoying clean energy and cost savings.

This forward-thinking collaboration also benefits from government support, showing strong institutional confidence in scalable climate tech solutions.

🔥 Waste Heat: An Untapped Goldmine

Cement production is notoriously energy-intensive, and most of that energy ends up as waste heat. Traditionally, this heat is vented into the atmosphere. But with the ORC turbine now in place, that waste becomes a powerful asset—converted into clean electricity that reduces operational costs and carbon emissions alike.

The technology stands out for its flexibility. It doesn't need a constant, high-temperature heat source to function. Even when heat levels drop, the system continues to operate efficiently, making it perfect for the unpredictable nature of industrial heat flows.

🌱 A Big Step Toward Decarbonization

This is more than just a technical upgrade—it's a strategic leap toward sustainability. By capturing waste energy and converting it into power, the cement plant significantly reduces its carbon footprint. Even more impressive: it accomplishes this without committing capital expenditure, thanks to the service model backing the project.

The financial and environmental advantages are clear:

Lower electricity costs

Reduced CO₂ emissions

No upfront investment

Maintenance handled by experts

Long-term energy resilience

🔧 A Blueprint for the Future of Industry

This project is more than a success story; it’s a replicable model. It proves that even in hard-to-abate sectors like cement, practical, scalable solutions exist for cutting emissions and enhancing efficiency. And it shows how collaboration between tech innovators, infrastructure experts, and industry leaders can unlock new energy possibilities.

As industries face growing pressure to decarbonize, the Dotternhausen example serves as a beacon. It demonstrates how waste heat—long ignored—can become a powerful tool for sustainable growth.

🚀 Ready for a New Era of Clean Industry?

This is just the beginning. The question now is: which industry will be next to unlock the potential of its waste heat?

The future of industrial energy isn’t just about cutting emissions—it’s about turning yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s power.

Source:Orcan

Connect with us: Alphaxioms

Comments

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico A Game-Changer for AI, Clean Energy, and the Future By Robert Buluma – Alphaxioms Energy Blog In a bold move that signals the future of energy and technology convergence, XGS Energy and Meta Platforms, Inc. have announced a groundbreaking agreement to develop 150 megawatts (MW) of next-generation geothermal energy in New Mexico. This partnership not only promises to reshape the state's energy landscape but also underscores the growing demand for sustainable, round-the-clock power to fuel the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven economies. Clean Power Without Water – XGS’s Unique Edge At the heart of this partnership lies XGS Energy’s proprietary solid-state geothermal technology. Unlike traditional geothermal systems that rely heavily on water and specific geological conditions, XGS’s innovation enables electricity production from hot, dry rock with zero operating water use. This water-inde...

INTERVIEW, Geretsried and Beyond: Eavor’s Blueprint for Reliable, Sustainable Energy

Robert Buluma : Alphaxioms Responses were provided by Jeanine Vany, Executive Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, Eavor . Can you explain the key technological advancements in the latest iteration of the Eavor-Loop™ system? We have made a number of technological advancements at our project in Geretsried Germany . This includes innovation and learning resulting in dramatic improvements in our drilling performance and we’re proud to talk about our technology. For example, Eavor recently announced successful implementation of our in-house AMR (active magnetic ranging) tool which makes drilling more accurate and efficient. Eavor-Link™ AMR uses magnetic ranging while drilling to maintain constant alignment as it drills two wells at approximately 100 metres apart before they are intersected to create a continuous geothermal loop, which is then sealed with Eavor’s proprietary Rock-Pipe™ formula. With real-time data transmission between downhole sensors, the technology ensures tighter bo...

Driving the UK Toward Net Zero: Chris Sladen on Geothermal’s Untapped Potential

Alphaxioms, we talked to Chris Sladen about his involvement in geothermal both in the UK, and globally By: Robert Buluma Chris, please begin by explaining a little about yourself, and why you have a passion for geothermal? I have spent over 45 years involved in energy. Following undergraduate studies in geology at Southampton University, and a PhD in sedimentology at Reading University, I joined the energy sector in Aberdeen in 1980. It was a fascinating era when it seemed like at least one giant oil & gas field was discovered offshore every month; the wealth creation for the UK was gigantic. I got to see so much geology and rocks - my true passion. I moved to China in late 1983; not today’s China, this was over 40 years ago, a country closed for decades and embarking on an open-door policy, in part to bring both investment and technology. I became very interested in energy trends, energy politics, and new geography created by changing politics leading to opportunities for ene...

EAPOSYS and Halliburton Unite to Supercharge the Future of Advanced Geothermal Systems

EAPOSYS Partners with Halliburton to Accelerate the Deployment of Advanced Geothermal Systems By: Robert Buluma Biel/Bienne, Switzerland – October 10th, 2025 The race toward a sustainable energy future just got hotter. EAPOSYS SA, a Swiss geothermal innovation company, has joined forces with Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) to fast-track the deployment of its groundbreaking Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) . Under the newly signed agreement, Halliburton will conduct a subsurface feasibility study to evaluate and optimize the scalability of EAPOSYS’s patented closed-loop geothermal architecture. This collaboration will refine well designs, assess stratigraphic conditions, and minimize drilling risks paving the way for the industrial-scale rollout of clean, predictable geothermal energy . “EAPOSYS SA has developed an innovative, patented, closed-loop architecture to deploy AGS anywhere in the world,” said Naomi Vouillamoz , CEO and co-founder of EAPOSYS. “AGS ...

Utah and New Zealand Join Forces to Supercharge Geothermal Energy Innovation under “Operation Gigawatt”

A New Chapter in Geothermal Diplomacy: Utah & New Zealand Seal Geothermal Pact By: Robert Buluma In October 2025, a significant milestone was achieved when Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah, and Simon Watts, New Zealand’s Minister for Energy, signed a Letter of Intent in Auckland. The agreement formalises cooperation between Utah and New Zealand, with a special focus on developing geothermal energy as part of their shared goal to expand and diversify clean energy generation. Key Elements of the Agreement The newly signed agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in energy generation, diversification, and innovation — with geothermal energy taking center stage. The partnership also aligns with Utah’s broader mission, Operation Gigawatt , which seeks to create energy abundance through the development of renewable and advanced energy technologies. This signing was part of a wider trade and innovation mission involving cooperation in sectors such as critical minerals, clean energy, ...

XGS Energy Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone in Geothermal Innovation

XGS Energy Achieves 3,000-Hour Milestone for Water-Independent Geothermal System By : Robert Buluma HOUSTON, Sept 30, 2025 – In a groundbreaking achievement for the geothermal sector, XGS Energy has announced the successful 3,000-hour operation of its water-independent geothermal system at commercial scale. This milestone not only validates the system’s commercial economics but also positions XGS as the first company to demonstrate such technology under real-world, commercial conditions. A New Era in Geothermal Innovation The operations took place at the Coso Geothermal Field in California’s Western Mojave Desert, a site owned by Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure and operated by Coso Operating Company. XGS Energy revitalized a well that had been idle for over two decades, installing its proprietary closed-loop geothermal system enhanced by Thermal Reach Enhancement (TRE) technology. Flow testing delivered a record performance, maintaining a sustained temperature differenc...

Mastering the Subsurface: Insights from a Geothermal Reservoir Engineer

Geothermal energy is often called the “quiet backbone” of the clean energy transition. To understand the science, challenges, and innovations driving this sector, we spoke with a seasoned geothermal reservoir engineer with experience spanning the Andes, Nevada, Utah, and volcanic fields worldwide. Here’s what they shared. By: Robert Buluma 1. What sparked your passion for geothermal reservoir engineering, and did you ever imagine yourself working in some of the world’s most challenging geothermal fields? My passion was sparked during my early career in the petroleum industry, specifically in reservoirs. I was fascinated by the subsurface—how fluids move, how heat and pressure interact but it wasn’t until I worked on projects in Peru that I realized geothermal offered the chance to apply my skills to clean energy. I never imagined I would later work on Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) projects in Nevada and Utah or Andean volcanic fields, where the geology is as unforgiving as it ...

Geothermal Projects In Africa, Countries Overview

Geothermal Projects in Africa: Country-wise Overview By : Robert Buluma Africa is increasingly turning to geothermal energy as a sustainable solution to meet its growing electricity demands. With abundant geothermal resources spread across the continent, several countries have embarked on ambitious projects to harness this clean and renewable energy source. Let's delve into the geothermal projects in various African countries, highlighting key players and prospects. Algeria Algeria is exploring its geothermal potential, particularly in the northern regions. Although in the early stages, initiatives are underway to assess feasibility and potential locations for geothermal power plants. Burundi Burundi has shown interest in developing its geothermal resources, primarily in the northwest region near Lake Tanganyika. The government is actively seeking partnerships with international firms to kickstart exploration and development efforts. Comoros The Comoros Islands are situated ...

From Iceland to the World: A Geothermal Engineer’s Journey

A Global Journey in Geothermal: Insights from an Industry Expert From Iceland’s pioneering geothermal plants to Kenya’s wellhead projects and Indonesia’s remote fields, few By: Robert Buluma Image: Lydur skulason with a geothermal well head professionals have had as wide-ranging a journey in geothermal as Lydur Skulason With decades of hands-on experience in marine engineering, power plant operations, and international project management, he has combined technical expertise with global collaboration to help shape the sector’s growth. In this conversation, he shares lessons from his career, insights on geothermal innovation, and his vision for the future of clean energy. Career & Experience Can you walk us through your career in geothermal and how it began? I began my career in Iceland, where geothermal energy is a natural part of daily life and a cornerstone of the national energy system. After studying Marine Engineering and Mechanical Technology at Reykjavik Univ...

Turboden to Deliver 180 MW of Gen-2 ORC Plants for Fervo’s Cape Station Geothermal Project in Utah

Turboden , Fervo and the Future of Geothermal: 180 MW of Gen-2 ORC Plants for Cape Station, Utah By: Robert Buluma October 2, 2025 In a landmark move for clean energy and geothermal power, Turboden America LLC the U.S. arm of Turboden S.p.A. (a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group company) has been selected to supply 180 MW of Gen-2 Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plants for Fervo Energy’s Cape Station geothermal project in Utah. A New Milestone in Geothermal Deployment This award relates to Phase II of the Cape Station development, following Turboden’s earlier participation in Phase I. Under Phase II, Turboden will provide three ORC units , each with a gross output of 60 MWe, summing to 180 MWe. Once installed and operational (targeted by 2028), these Gen-2 units will bring the total ORC capacity on site to 300 MWe , making Cape Station one of the largest geothermal installations globally. The earlier Phase I installation, invol...

Alphaxioms Geothermal News and Related Research Globally

Search This Blog