HEAT RECOVERY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The cleanest and cheapest kilowatt is the one you have already produced.
We recover it and put it back to work.
HEAT RECOVERY / ENERGY EFFICIENCYExplore ↓
ESF ENGINEERING
ESF Engineering helps CHP, power plants, district heating operators and energy-intensive industries improve the economics of heat and power generation, recover waste heat, reduce fuel consumption and lower CO₂ footprint.
EXPERTISE
Our core areas of expertise.
Thermal and Electric Generation Optimization
Improve the economics of CHP, CCGT, gas engine, coal and biomass based power plants by recovering usable heat, increasing electric power generation and optimizing the balance between heat and power generation.
Typical opportunities +
- waste heat recovery
- flue gas condensation
- gas engine efficiency optimization
- steam turbine based cogeneration cycle efficiency optimization
- heat pumps (traditional and absorption)
- trigeneration
KPI: to get as much useful energy from the same fuel as possible.
District Heating Modernization
Implementation of technical and software solutions that reduce losses, identify the most efficient temperature regime and integrate lower-cost heat sources.
Typical opportunities +
- low-temperature networks
- industrial waste heat integration
- hydraulic optimization
- digitalization
- district cooling
- auction business model for suppliers
Goal: deliver heat more efficiently while creating room for new and cheaper sources of energy.
Industrial Energy Optimization
Implementation of systems that improve the efficiency of on-site generation and internal energy consumption, and conversion of waste heat into a resource suitable for supply or sale to an external consumer.
Typical applications +
- industrial waste heat
- process heat
- cooling
- heat pumps
- trigeneration
- integration with district heating
- CO₂ footprint reduction
Goal: reduce energy cost per unit of production and turn unused thermal energy into value.
SERVICES
From advisory to execution.
Independent Energy Assessment
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Understand where the real opportunity is before committing capital.
We assess existing heat and power systems, energy flows and operating regimes to identify overlooked efficiency opportunities and quantify their commercial potential.
You can involve us when you want to understand where energy is being wasted, what can realistically be improved, or whether modernization makes economic sense.
Technical Second Opinion
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Already have a proposed solution? We can independently challenge it.
ESF reviews existing modernization concepts, supplier proposals and engineering assumptions to determine whether the proposed solution is technically sound and economically justified.
You can involve us when your internal engineering team, EPC contractor or equipment supplier has already proposed a project and you want an independent assessment before investing.
Optimization Concept & Business Case
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Develop the solution around the economics of the asset — not around a particular technology.
We create technical concepts, compare alternative configurations, model energy balances, estimate CAPEX and savings, and identify the solution with the strongest economic case.
You can involve us when you know there is an efficiency opportunity but do not yet know what technology, configuration or investment level makes the most sense.
Project Development & Owner’s Engineering
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Turn an approved concept into an operating project.
We assemble the right specialist team, coordinate technology providers and contractors, support engineering and procurement, supervise implementation and verify project performance.
You can involve us when you need an experienced technical partner representing your interests throughout implementation.
WORKING WITH ESF
Flexible ways to work with us.
Investment in Large-Scale Modernization Projects
Structure and finance major energy modernization projects.
ESF can invest in modernization projects for large corporate, municipal and state-owned energy assets.
Depending on the project, the structure may include Public–Private Partnership arrangements, long-term operating agreements, capacity commitments or energy-purchase contracts.
Independent Engineering Consultancy
You invest. We make sure you invest in the right solution.
ESF acts as an independent technical advisor — from audit and feasibility through technology selection and project supervision.
Best suited for clients that already have capital and project implementation capabilities but need independent expertise.
Energy-as-a-Service
Improve efficiency without committing capital upfront.
ESF can finance and implement the modernization and recover its investment from the value created by the project. The client benefits from savings from the start while the project pays for itself through improved efficiency.
After the agreed contract period, the equipment can be transferred to the client.
INDUSTRIES
Energy-intensive systems we work with.
CHP & Power Plants
Increase useful heat and power output from existing fuel input and improve generation economics.
District Heating Operators & Municipal Utilities
Optimize generation and distribution, integrate new heat sources and improve the commercial performance of the heating system.
Energy-Intensive Industries
Reduce energy cost per unit of production and identify opportunities across generation, heat, cooling and waste streams.
Refineries
Recover heat across complex industrial processes and reduce the energy intensity and environmental footprint of operations.
Waste-to-Energy Plants
Recover additional useful energy from flue gases and thermal flows while combining energy-efficiency improvements with environmental performance.
Data Centers & Other High-Heat Facilities
Convert continuous low-grade heat into a resource for internal use, cooling, industrial processes or nearby district heating networks.
PROCESS
From first assessment to measurable results.
- 01
Screening
We start with a short discussion and a high-level review of your energy system to identify whether there is a meaningful technical and commercial opportunity.
- 02
Technical & Economic Assessment
We review your technical data, energy flows, operating regimes and existing equipment to identify improvement potential and estimate the economics.
- 03
Concept & Business Case
We develop the technical concept, compare alternatives and define the expected performance, investment level and implementation model.
- 04
Commercial Structure & Financing
Together, we select the appropriate project structure — client-funded consultancy, ESF investment, Energy-as-a-Service or, where relevant, a PPP structure — and arrange financing where applicable.
- 05
Engineering & Installation
We assemble the specialist project team, select the appropriate technology and coordinate engineering, procurement and installation.
- 06
Commissioning & Verification
The system is commissioned and measured against the agreed technical and economic KPIs.
- 07
Operation & Transfer
For projects we invest in, ESF recovers its investment from the value created by the project. At the end of the agreed period, ownership of the equipment can be transferred to the client.
Measured against KPIsTechnical & economic verification
WHY ESF
We don’t sell equipment. We sell savings.
Independent by Design
We are not tied to a specific manufacturer or technology. The solution is selected around the client's technical and economic objectives.
The Right Experts for Every Project
We assemble specialists with the exact expertise required for each project rather than forcing every problem through the same internal engineering team.
Economics Before Engineering Perfection
The technically most advanced solution is not always the best investment. We optimize for measurable economic performance — not for complexity or engineering perfection for its own sake.
Risk Managed
For major financed projects, technical concepts can be independently reviewed by internationally recognized experts and supported by insurance structures covering technical and performance risks.
Our engineering ecosystem involves professionals from
AFRYRambollValmetBaran GroupTSKUniversity of Antwerp
EXPERIENCE
Selected experience of our team.
Lithuania
Vilnius CHP+8 MW
Deep heat recovery from biomass generation
Team experience includes a two-stage deep heat recovery project on a biomass boiler, increasing useful heat output without additional fuel consumption.
Additional heat output · second stageNetherlands
Green Brothers
Gas engine waste heat recovery
Team experience includes CHP optimization focused on improving an existing flue-gas condensation system and recovering additional usable heat.
Denmark
Silkeborg CCGT
Deep utilization of low-grade heat
Team members participated in integrating a condensing economizer and absorption heat pump, including commissioning and system tuning.
Ukraine
Dairy Plant
Trigeneration for industrial production
Team experience includes a trigeneration system combining cooling and heat production to reduce energy cost per unit of output and improve summer load utilization.
Soligorsk
Wastewater heat recovery
Low-grade heat for district heating
Team experience includes recovering low-grade heat from wastewater treatment facilities using heat pumps for district heating.
Multiple projects
Flue gas cleaning with energy payback
Environmental performance that pays for itself
Team experience includes multi-objective projects that improved environmental performance while using recovered heat and efficiency gains to support project payback.
LET’S TALK
Let’s uncover your energy optimization potential.
Whether you operate a power plant, district heating system or energy-intensive industrial facility, we help identify where more value can be recovered from the energy you already produce.