--- title: "Energy Loops: Industrial Heat Recovery & Efficiency | BBA" date: 2025-12-12T14:02:00-05:00 author: Juliette Cote canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/energy-loops-industrial-heat-recovery-bba" section: Publications --- On February 13, the HEC Montréal **Chaire Énergie - HEC Montréal** released the 2025 edition of its État de l’énergie au Québec report. The findings reveal that a significant portion of the energy consumed by Québec’s industrial sector is lost to the environment, mainly as waste heat, without generating any value. 1. Yet, this wasted energy represents a major opportunity. Instead of being dissipated, it could be recovered and used in energy loops. **“Energy loops rely on energy exchange and recovery among different users,”** explains Laurent Gagné-Boisvert, Senior Engineer at BBA. **“Several scenarios are possible. For example, an industrial client could capture residual heat from their processes to heat their own buildings. Entire neighbourhoods could also operate as integrated power systems.”** ### This circular energy management model offers many benefits: - Energy optimization: Recovers and reuses lost heat. - GHG reduction: Helps advance the energy transition by lowering reliance on fossil fuels. - Financial savings: Reduces energy costs for businesses and communities by leveraging an available resource. - Energy resilience: Enhances stability and autonomy by integrating dual-energy systems and reducing peak demand. - Local synergy: Promotes collaboration by creating more efficient power systems that support regional competitiveness, innovation and local food autonomy. - Project viability: Improves the feasibility and sustainability of energy-intensive projects amid energy shortages. - Integration of innovative technologies: Generates economies of scale, making it easier to implement high-temperature heat pumps and energy storage systems. Energy recovery and redistribution are key strategies for an effective energy transition. **“To make this happen, we need to raise awareness and incorporate energy loop feasibility studies early in the project planning process,”** says Nicolas Lussier Lapointe, Engineer at BBA and member of the Energy Loops committee, a Réseau Énergie et Bâtiments initiative. **“Thorough planning is essential,”** adds Alexandre Rousseau, Senior Engineer at BBA. **“This includes identifying available heat sources, assessing user needs and ensuring project profitability. Many financial assistance programs are also available to support these initiatives. By combining strategic planning and financial support, we can transform wasted energy into a catalyst for sustainable and economic development.”** 2. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA 1. ![Ec employee men alexandre rousseau retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204275/ec_employee_men_alexandre-rousseau_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) Alexandre Rousseau, P.Eng, CEM®, CIEP™ Director, Energy Efficiency Read bio [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandre-rousseau-b8361764/) **As a senior expert in energy solutions, Alexandre Rousseau leverages 10+ years of expertise** to design and deploy high-performance strategies and optimize industrial systems. **Key expertise** - Energy strategies and transition - ISO 50002 audits and ISO 50001 energy management systems - Optimization of prime movers and thermal systems - Certified CEM® and CIEP™ instructor OIQ member **Major achievements:** Provided strategic energy performance consulting for major industrial sites, generating significant cost savings and securing critical financial aid. **Approach and added value:** Alexandre takes a pragmatic and collaborative approach to convert energy data into strategic decisions, helping clients reduce risk, optimize investments and successfully navigate their energy transition. 2. ![Laurent Gagne Boisvert](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204108/Laurent-Gagne-Boisvert.webp) Laurent Gagné-Boisvert, P.Eng., M.A.Sc. Senior Engineer, Energy and Air Quality [ ](http://linkedin.com/in/laurent-gagn%C3%A9-boisvert-69504373) 3. ![Nicolas Lussier Lapointe](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204110/Nicolas-Lussier-Lapointe.webp) Nicolas Lussier Lapointe, P.Eng. Senior Engineer, Energy and Air Quality [ ](http://linkedin.com/in/nicolas-lussier-lapointe-37715489) - [ 27 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance - ![Geraldine Cosset](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206707/Geraldine-Cosset.webp) - ![Jared Purdy](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/212424/Jared-Purdy.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/early-tailings-decisions-shape-long-term-mine-performance "Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance") - [ 02 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing - ![Charles Blais](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211197/Charles-Blais.webp) - ![Juan Pablo Vergara](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211266/Juan-Pablo-Vergara.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/python-a-key-tool-for-data-analysis-in-mineral-processing "Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing") - [ 19 Jun 2026 Mining and Metals Speed is earned early in projects - ![Mm employee men jean lheureux retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204266/mm_employee_men_jean-lheureux_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) - ![Mm employee men benoit richard retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/203602/mm_employee_men_benoit-richard_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/speed-is-earned-early-in-projects "Speed is earned early in projects") - [ 17 Jun 2026 Industrial data platforms: building a solid foundation to optimize your operations - ![Pierre Boucher](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/2671/Pierre-Boucher.webp) Pierre Boucher, P.Eng. Senior Engineer, Operational Technology and Infrastructure ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/industrial-data-platforms-building-a-solid-foundation-to-optimize-your-operations "Industrial data platforms: building a solid foundation to optimize your operations") [ See all ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights "Go to Publications listing page") Let’s see what we can do together [ Contact us ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/contact) On February 13, the HEC Montréal **Chaire Énergie - HEC Montréal** released the 2025 edition of its État de l’énergie au Québec report. The findings reveal that a significant portion of the energy consumed by Québec’s industrial sector is lost to the environment, mainly as waste heat, without generating any value. 1. Yet, this wasted energy represents a major opportunity. Instead of being dissipated, it could be recovered and used in energy loops. **“Energy loops rely on energy exchange and recovery among different users,”** explains Laurent Gagné-Boisvert, Senior Engineer at BBA. **“Several scenarios are possible. For example, an industrial client could capture residual heat from their processes to heat their own buildings. Entire neighbourhoods could also operate as integrated power systems.”** ### This circular energy management model offers many benefits: - Energy optimization: Recovers and reuses lost heat. - GHG reduction: Helps advance the energy transition by lowering reliance on fossil fuels. - Financial savings: Reduces energy costs for businesses and communities by leveraging an available resource. - Energy resilience: Enhances stability and autonomy by integrating dual-energy systems and reducing peak demand. - Local synergy: Promotes collaboration by creating more efficient power systems that support regional competitiveness, innovation and local food autonomy. - Project viability: Improves the feasibility and sustainability of energy-intensive projects amid energy shortages. - Integration of innovative technologies: Generates economies of scale, making it easier to implement high-temperature heat pumps and energy storage systems. Energy recovery and redistribution are key strategies for an effective energy transition. **“To make this happen, we need to raise awareness and incorporate energy loop feasibility studies early in the project planning process,”** says Nicolas Lussier Lapointe, Engineer at BBA and member of the Energy Loops committee, a Réseau Énergie et Bâtiments initiative. **“Thorough planning is essential,”** adds Alexandre Rousseau, Senior Engineer at BBA. **“This includes identifying available heat sources, assessing user needs and ensuring project profitability. Many financial assistance programs are also available to support these initiatives. By combining strategic planning and financial support, we can transform wasted energy into a catalyst for sustainable and economic development.”** 2. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA