Aurubis Copper Smelter to Supply Waste Heat to Hamburg Households

Hamburger Energiewerke has partnered with the Aurubis copper smelter to utilize industrial waste heat for heating homes in Hamburg. The initiative, which is set to begin immediately, aims to supply up to 20,000 additional households with heat, marking the largest project of its kind in Germany.

The waste heat is generated during a secondary stage of copper production at the Aurubis plant, specifically during the conversion of sulfur dioxide into sulfuric acid. This excess heat is used to heat water to approximately 105°C, which is then transferred to Energiewerke. The heated water is stored in a pressurized heat storage tank and distributed into the district heating network when needed.

While the heat will support existing district heating customers, it does not mean that 20,000 households will exclusively receive heat from Aurubis. However, this initiative is expected to help stabilize long-term heating prices by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which currently dominate Germany’s district heating supply.

Aurubis has previously collaborated with energy provider Enercity since 2018, supplying waste heat to eastern HafenCity and Rothenburgsort. The new partnership with Hamburger Energiewerke significantly expands the scope of industrial waste heat utilization.

Industrial waste heat is recognized as a climate-friendly energy source, particularly when the production process generating the heat does not involve fossil fuels. Aurubis describes its contribution as CO2-free heat, supporting Hamburg’s energy transition goals.

District heating is already widespread in Hamburg, with 18.1% of buildings—or 35% of all homes—connected to the district heating network as of May 2022. This is higher than the national average of 15% in Germany.