{"id":1700,"date":"2026-01-12T08:14:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T08:14:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heatpumpingtechnologies.org\/project68\/?page_id=1700"},"modified":"2026-07-13T08:53:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T08:53:43","slug":"participating-countries-switzerland","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/heatpumpingtechnologies.org\/project68\/participating-countries-switzerland\/","title":{"rendered":"Participating Countries – Switzerland"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Swrizerland<\/strong><\/td> <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
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National Coordinator:<\/strong>OST, Cordin Arpagaus, cordin.arpagaus@ost.ch<\/a>  <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Switzerland has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Climate and Innovation Act (KIG)<\/a>, approved by Swiss voters in 2023, legally requires the industrial sector to reduce GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2040 and by 90% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Industrial process heat is a key challenge, accounting for approximately 85 PJ (56%) of the industry’s annual final energy consumption of 151 PJ (average 2015\u20132023) [1].<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Decarbonizing industrial process heat requires electrification and energy efficiency, with high-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) recognized as a key enabling technology. Accelerating their deployment requires greater awareness of commercially available systems and demonstration projects, targeted training, standardized high-efficiency products using natural refrigerants, financial incentives, stronger CO2<\/sub> pricing and fossil fuel restrictions, and continued electricity decarbonization.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Within the IEA HPT Project 68, Switzerland is represented by OST Institute for Energy Systems (IES)<\/a>, which also leverages the SWEET DeCarbCH initiative as a national platform for knowledge and technology transfer (KTT). Activities include participation in international expert meetings, assessment of global HTHP developments, documentation of Swiss HTHP installations, and research on market adoption, techno-economics, policy frameworks, technical optimization, and best practices to support industrial decarbonization and Swiss climate targets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Institute for Energy Systems (IES) at OST<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Institute for Energy Systems (IES) <\/a>at OST \u2013 Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences<\/a> is a leading applied research institute in industrial and high-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs). As part of the OST Department of Technology, IES specializes in applied thermal systems, fluid dynamics, and vapor-compression technologies for industrial heating and cooling applications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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IES focuses on the development, design, simulation, testing, optimization, and demonstration of advanced heat pump systems for technology suppliers and industrial end users. It hosts the internationally accredited Heat Pump Test Center (WPZ)<\/a>, providing a state-of-the-art laboratory, field-testing infrastructure, and maintaining close collaboration with leading heat pump manufacturers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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IES has a strong track record in national and international R&D projects on industrial process heat decarbonization and electrification, including leading roles in SCCER EIP, SWEET DeCarbCH and the IEA HPT Annex 58. Current research includes multi-stage and transcritical heat pumps, refrigerant mixtures for large temperature glides, and steam-generating HTHP systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Core competencies cover cycle design, simulation, control development, prototype construction, experimental validation, and system optimization. While many projects are conducted with industry partners under confidential agreements, selected results are published in scientific literature (Publication list of OST IES<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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In 2026, IES organized the OST IHW Forum<\/a>, a fully booked marketplace for industrial and HTHP suppliers, consultants, and end users, attracting 150 participants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Relevant ongoing or finalized R&D projects of the national team partners:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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