There is a strong interest in, and significant potential for, international and transdisciplinary collaboration in research and innovation to advance progress towards identified energy and climate goals. This was evident during the Executive Committee meeting of IEA’s Technology Collaboration on Heat Pumping Technology (HPT TCP by IEA) held in Montreal from May 21-23. Delegates from all over the world participated, joined by invited guests from other TCPs and related organizations.
The meeting started by presentations from six other Technology Collaboration Programmes working with other themes and technologies such as buildings (EBC TCP), electric grids (ISGAN TCP), solar panels (PVPS TCP), district heating and cooling (DHC TCP), users perspectives (USERs TCP) and cities and communities (Cities TCP). This was followed by discussions between these TCPs and the HPT TCP concerning areas of synergy and collaboration. The agenda also included the potential for linking the TCP efforts with Mission Innovation (MI) including the MI Calls and MI Funders Dialogue.
Presentations and discussions were held on all ongoing international collaboration projects (annexes) within the HPT TCP. This meeting placed particular focus on Annex 62 Heat Pumps for Multi-Family Residential Buildings in Cities, as well as two recently started initiatives: Project 65 Heat Pumps in a Circular Economy and Project 66 Optimal Heat Pump Design and Operation. Proposals for new projects were also discussed, such as continue work on heat pumps in multi-family buildings. It was agreed to initiate a new project on Enhanced Miniaturized Components for Heat Pumps, with the goal of developing more affordable and resource-efficient products. Short status updates were provided on two additional international projects recently launched: Project 67 Digital Services for Heat Pumps and Project 68 Industrial High-Temperature Heat Pumps, both of which have already confirmed participation from several countries. During the meeting the need for new activities in the field of energy efficient comfort cooling was discussed. It was recognised that significant challenges exist in many of the countries, especially in the context of existing buildings.
Representatives from the IEA CERT* and from the IEA secretariat gave updates and informed, among other things, about an initiative to harmonize the approaches to collect heat pump data and agree on a common taxonomy to improve policy making and support heat pump deployment.
As usual during these meetings, the Heat Pump Centre reported on its activities, progress, and future plans. This time there were special focus on the work with renewal of the HPT website, with the aim of better showcasing and making the results from the TCPs work more accessible to a broad audience.
Last but not least, an update was provided on the progress ofpreparations for the upcoming 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference. The conference will take place in a year from now, on 26-29 May in Vienna, Austria. Up to now, a good number of abstracts have been received with additional submissions expected before the extended deadline on June 2.
To conclude, it was evident that there are high ambitions to collaborate, share information, experiences, insights, and understand each other’s perspectives in this community and beyond, which contributes to a good outlook for a sustainable energy future for all.
*CERT Committee for Energy Research and Technology.
