Experts look into the future of heat pumps

•    Heat pump professionals discuss international markets
•    Latest findings from research and development
•    Industry and associations send top-class speakers
•    Focus on energy efficiency

International heat pump experts meet for the third edition of the European Heat Pump Summit in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg on 15–16 October. Together they look beyond national boundaries to the future of the multi-talented, energy-efficient heat pump. 37 presentations by top speakers promise interesting insights. The programme covers international heat pump markets and their specific challenges for the industry as well as the current political debate at European level. Examples of topics at the European Heat Pump Summit are the F-Gas Regulation and the Ecodesign Directive. The presentations on the IEA Heat Pump Programme are a highlight, with recognized experts reporting on current research in the multinational working groups. Specialist knowledge on the latest state of research and development and on components and systems complete the agenda of the European Heat Pump Summit.

The European energy system faces a full-scale and fundamental reorganization. The political requirement is to move away from fossil energy sources and towards more energy efficiency and renewable energy forms for the production of electricity and heat. Here the heat pump plays a key role as a climate-friendly and economic alternative to gas and oil heating.

Overview of international heat pump market
The special role assigned to heat pumps in the individual European countries is described by Thomas Nowak, Secretary General of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), on the first day of the European Heat Pump Summit on 15 October 2013. Other presentations examine issues such as the heat pump market in Russia and the contribution of heat pumps to more energy efficiency in the Indian building sector.

Innovations in systems and components
Speakers from well-known companies give participants at the European Heat Pump Summit an extensive overview of current trends in the research and development of components and heat pumps. Based on practical examples and the latest research findings, they show the current state of the art in hybrid heat pump systems (gas heating and heat pump), heat pumps powered by gas engines, and air-air and air-water heat pumps. Another topic block deals with the further development of components for more energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness and noise reduction.

Top themes: F-Gas Regulation and Ecodesign Directive
The pending decision on the possible new F-Gas Regulation at European level is eagerly awaited in the heat pump sector. Andrea Voigt, Director General of EPEE, deals with the possible impacts of the planned F-Gas Regulation and the importance of the Ecodesign Directive for heat pump manufacturers in her presentation on the second day of the summit, 16 October 2013.

There again: IEA Heat Pump Programme
The highlights of the European Heat Pump Summit also include the presentations on several IEA HPP annexes in progress. Here international specialists discuss topics such as the role of heat pumps in smart grids, present the latest research findings on low-temperature heat pumps and report on possible combinations of solar thermal systems and heat pumps. Heat pump concepts for near zero energy houses are also on the agenda. The Energy Performance Building Directive demands that with effect from 2021 the energy consumption of new buildings in the European Union must be reduced to a minimum. The USA, Japan and other countries also demand compliance with stricter standards. This gives heat pump manufacturers opportunities to appreciably expand the heat pump’s share of the market for heat producers.

Foyer Expo
Heat pump and component manufacturers invest large amounts in research and development. At the Foyer Expo accompanying the European Heat Pump Summit they show innovative components and heat pump systems that meet the highest demands for energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Presentation programme online
Details of the presentation programme at the European Heat Pump Summit are available online.

International network for refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and heat pumps
Save the date now! The next stop in NürnbergMesse’s international network for refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and heat pumps is Chillventa Rossija, which takes place in the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center in Moscow from 4–6 February 2014. ACREX India opens its doors from 27 February to 1 March 2014 and heat pumps will also be one of the top issues again at Chillventa 2014. The gathering of the international refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and heat pump community opens in the exhibition halls from 14–16 October 2014. Chillventa Congressing updates visitors on the sector’s current trends as usual the day before, 13 October.