ABOUT HEAT IS POWER

The Heat is Power Association (HiP) is the trade association for the waste heat to power (WHP) industry.

Waste heat to Power (WHP) uses waste heat from industrial processes to generate electricity with no additional fuel, no combustion, and no incremental emissions. HiP provides a platform for businesses in the WHP space to network, collaborate and work to promote WHP technologies. HiP educates policy makers about the benefits of WHP and advocates for policies that provide parity for WHP with other sources of clean energy. We regularly partner with other business and trade associations and clean energy organizations to ensure coordinated, consistent and effective messaging.

Our History

The Heat is Power Association (HiP) was formed in 2011 by waste heat to power (WHP) technology owners, operators, developers, original equipment manufacturers and startup companies who joined in force to educate state and federal policymakers and regulators on waste heat’s environmental benefits, and to advocate for inclusion and parity in the tax code with other renewable energy technologies similar to the wind and solar credit as a zero (incremental) emission resource.

After 10 years of determined effort on the part of HiP’s members, allies and Congressional champions to build support and awareness of the value of waste heat, Congress finally recognized the renewable characteristics of capturing waste heat from industrial operations to generate onsite zero-emission baseload electric power and so amended the Internal Revenue Code to include waste energy recovery property in the energy tax credit.

By acknowledging waste heat as a renewable energy resource, the range of WHP technology was granted a 26% investment tax credit (ITC) on par with wind and solar. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Tom Carper (DE) and Rep. Brad Schneider (IL) who negotiated its inclusion in consolidated omnibus legislation that became public law in 2021 WHP technology is now on a solid track to begin harnessing the 15 gigawatts of waste heat resource potential in the industrial sector to create clean, emissions-free energy and thousands of jobs.

On the federal level, HiP continues to work with Congress to extend the ITC sunset date of January 2023 to enable more industries and companies to build projects and continues to work cooperatively with federal agencies.

In the states, HiP persists in making progress to help legislators and regulators see the value of waste heat and to distinguish it as a renewable energy resource. Due to HiPs efforts, there are now 20 states throughout the country that recognize waste heat under a variety of definitions in their renewable portfolio standards and energy efficiency standards.

HiP works collaboratively with other organizations to carry the message about the benefits of making industry and commercial enterprises more efficient and sustainable and promote net zero-emission goals.

Our Priorities

Advocacy

HiP advocates for policies that provide parity for WHP with other sources of renewable energy. We frequently recommend language, evaluate, and comment on proposed policy, and write letters of support and appreciation for legislation that promotes WHP technology and defines WHP as a renewable energy resource.

Education

HiP confers with stakeholders including state and federal officials on the technical and economic aspects of WHP and progress made by the industry in meeting clean energy goals. HiP develops essential resources such as whitepapers, databases, and webinars to inform the public on benefits and applicability of WHP as a zero-emission energy resource.

State & Federal Policies

HiP has promoted recognition of WHP as a renewable energy and energy efficiency resource. In January 2021, Congress recognized WHP as a renewable energy resource and granted a 26% ITC to the range of WHP technologies. WHP is also considered a renewable energy resource in seventeen state renewable portfolio standards and an efficiency resource in four energy efficiency resource standards.

HiP works in consultation with federal agencies (Department of Energy and the US EPA) on the technical and economic aspects of WHP and urges WHP’s recognition in federal regulations and programs. Although now stayed by the Courts, EPA’s former Clean Power Plan (CPP) regulations recognized WHP as a zero-emitting resource. DOE’s most recent evaluation of WHP in the U.S. shows 15 GW potential.