Why Steel First
Steel operations generate substantial, recurring heat from furnaces, exhaust systems, hot surfaces, casting and material-handling areas. Some sources may be suitable for modular heat-to-electricity recovery without interfering with the primary process.
NISO is using steel as the first industrial validation market. Each opportunity must still qualify on heat availability, cooling, installation practicality, reliability and economics.
How the System Works
Heat flowing through thermoelectric materials from a hot side to a cooled side creates a DC voltage through the Seebeck effect. Effective conversion requires controlled heat capture, continuous cold-side heat rejection and electrical conditioning before the generated power can be used by the facility.
Industrial heat source
Furnace / exhaust / surface
Heat-capture interface
Controlled heat transfer
Thermoelectric module array
Thermoelectric conversion
Cold-side heat rejection
Heat dissipation
DC collection and power conditioning
DC → AC conversion
On-site electrical load
On-site consumption
Industrial heat source
Furnace / exhaust / surface
Heat-capture interface
Controlled heat transfer
Thermoelectric module array
Thermoelectric conversion
Cold-side heat rejection
Heat dissipation
DC collection and power conditioning
DC → AC conversion
On-site electrical load
On-site consumption
Cold-side heat rejection is a required element of the system design. The method — air cooling, water cooling, or other — is determined during the technical feasibility review for each application.
How the Pilot Is Structured
The pilot is designed to minimize interference with the host facility while generating meaningful performance data.
- 01
Screen
Determine initial fit and identify the information required.
- 02
Assess
Review the heat source, operating profile, access, cooling requirements, electrical integration and preliminary economics.
- 03
Define
Agree on responsibilities, funding, measurements and success criteria.
- 04
Pilot & Validate
Install and monitor the agreed pilot configuration.
- 05
Verify
Review measured performance, reliability and operating results.
- 06
Commercialize & Scale
If technical and financial requirements are met, NISO and the host define the appropriate ownership, financing and commercial structure for deployment.
What Each Party Contributes
| HOST PROVIDES | NISO LEADS | PILOT PRODUCES |
|---|---|---|
| General heat-source and operating information | Initial fit assessment | Fit assessment |
| Engineering and safety contact | Technical feasibility review | Preliminary application concept |
| Appropriate site access | Preliminary system design | Defined pilot proposal |
| Data under agreed confidentiality | Measurement and validation plan | Agreed success criteria |
| Participation in integration decisions | Pilot and installation-partner coordination | Performance and reliability evidence |
| — | Performance analysis and reporting | Commercial-deployment recommendation |
HOST PROVIDES
General heat-source and operating information
NISO LEADS
Initial fit assessment
PILOT PRODUCES
Fit assessment
HOST PROVIDES
Engineering and safety contact
NISO LEADS
Technical feasibility review
PILOT PRODUCES
Preliminary application concept
HOST PROVIDES
Appropriate site access
NISO LEADS
Preliminary system design
PILOT PRODUCES
Defined pilot proposal
HOST PROVIDES
Data under agreed confidentiality
NISO LEADS
Measurement and validation plan
PILOT PRODUCES
Agreed success criteria
HOST PROVIDES
Participation in integration decisions
NISO LEADS
Pilot and installation-partner coordination
PILOT PRODUCES
Performance and reliability evidence
HOST PROVIDES
—
NISO LEADS
Performance analysis and reporting
PILOT PRODUCES
Commercial-deployment recommendation
Host-Site Criteria
NISO is looking for facilities with the following characteristics. Suitability is assessed through the feasibility process; no single criterion, including source temperature, determines fit.
Heat availability
Sustained or reliably recurring heat availability.
Measurable source conditions
Source conditions that can be characterized and monitored.
Practical cold-side heat rejection
A viable method of cold-side heat rejection — air, water or other — is a required element of every application.
Safe physical access
Safe and accessible installation area that does not interfere with the primary process.
Electrical integration
Ability to connect generated power to the facility's electrical system.
Designated engineering contact
A designated engineering, energy or maintenance contact at the facility.
Data-sharing willingness
Willingness to share appropriate operating data under confidentiality.
Expansion potential
Potential to expand after successful validation.
What the Pilot Will Deliver
Defined deliverables
- ✓Agreed pilot scope and measurement plan.
- ✓Transparent performance reporting.
- ✓Documentation of technical and commercial findings.
- ✓A clear recommendation regarding next steps.
Site-specific outcomes
- ◆Power output depends on actual heat-source conditions.
- ◆Schedule depends on engineering, access and approvals.
- ◆Commercial deployment depends on validated performance and economics.
- ◆A pilot proceeds only if feasibility confirms a suitable application.
- ◆Successful validation does not create a purchase obligation.
Think your site may qualify?
Check Pilot Fit
Tell us about your industrial heat source. NISO will review the information to determine whether the opportunity may be suitable for further technical assessment.
Submitting this form does not create a pilot, purchase or commercial commitment. This form is for industrial facility operators and engineering teams. Investor and other partnership inquiries should use the appropriate contact paths elsewhere on the website.