Ranheat and Enogia: Biomass Systems for Generating Electricity from Hot Water

Turning Disposal into Power

In our first article, we explored how Ranheat WA systems help manage MDF dust disposal and handle summer heat by diverting energy outside the building. But what if you could use that energy to do more than just dispose of waste?

That’s where Enogia’s ORC modules come in—converting waste heat from your hot water heating system into valuable electricity, turning a cost centre into a renewable revenue stream.

Why Hot Water Systems and ORCs Make Sense

• Ranheat MSU and Danstoker M Series boilers maintain stable hot water temperatures even with variable fuels like MDF and fire-retardant waste.
• The large water content acts as a buffer, ensuring steady temperatures—a crucial factor for efficient electricity generation.
• High water content is especially important because operating near the pressure vessel’s design limit means any temperature spikes can cause overheating or stress. A large internal water volume inside the boiler itself absorbs these spikes, allowing the combustion system to run more aggressively while staying safe and reliable.
• It’s worth noting that external buffer tanks alone can’t fully solve this issue. While they add water volume to the system, they struggle to hold the same high temperatures—especially when physically separated from the combustion chamber. The water volume inside the boiler is key to stabilising combustion and delivering consistent heat to the ORC.

Not Just for Heating—Also for Disposal

Woodworking factories—especially those processing MDF and other engineered woods—generate significant volumes of dust and offcuts that need safe, compliant disposal. Ranheat’s systems handle this waste safely and efficiently, as described in our first article. Integrating an ORC adds an extra layer of value—converting disposal heat into renewable electricity.

Read our article on safe disposal of fire-retardant and MDF wood waste →

Why Not High-Pressure Steam?

While Ranheat also designs systems capable of operating at higher temperatures and pressures—including steam—these systems often use steam turbines, which can achieve higher electricity generation efficiencies. However, the capital costs of steam turbine systems and the elevated temperature/pressure boiler equipment needed are extremely high.

For most installations below around 4MW, the cost-benefit ratio simply doesn’t add up unless a specific industrial process requires elevated temperatures. That’s why for the majority of woodworking and joinery shops, hot water systems paired with Enogia’s ORC modules offer the best balance of cost, simplicity, and renewable power generation.

Why Enogia?

• Generating 20kWe to 2MWe of electricity from hot water systems
• An hermetic and oil-free design minimizing downtimes
• Compact, modular designs that fit into existing plantrooms
• Operate autonomously without human intervention
• High efficiency at the typical temperatures produced by Ranheat’s biomass boilers thanks to a custom turbine’s blading design
• Financing capabilities through Greenshield Power Solution: 0 CAPEX / 0 OPEX and a Power Purchase Agreement starting from £90/MWh

Proven Partnership

Our collaboration with Enogia is built on years of experience in industrial heating and waste energy recovery. Together, we help customers:

• Offset electricity costs
• Improve sustainability and carbon reporting
• Reduce overall energy expenses
• Meet emissions and renewable energy targets

Supporting Larger Projects Too

For larger heating or process systems—particularly those with higher temperatures and pressures—Ranheat partners with Danstoker, a European leader in boiler pressure vessels. This partnership, dating back over 50 years, means we can integrate Ranheat combustion systems, fuel storage, and conveying with Danstoker’s high-pressure vessels—delivering systems from 4MW to 20MW at higher pressures where needed.

But for most customers, the sweet spot for ORC integration is in the 90°C to 110°C range—right where Ranheat’s MSU and M Series boilers excel.

Conclusion

If you’re managing wood waste disposal, especially with challenging fuels like MDF or fire-retardant materials, Ranheat’s systems can handle that. And with Enogia’s ORC technology, you can turn that process into an opportunity—generating power while keeping your disposal costs in check.

📞 Contact Ranheat today to learn how you can transform your waste heat into clean, renewable power.
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 www.ranheat.com