Press Releases
f.l.t.r: Rushad Nanawatty (RMI), Yosr Allouche (IIR), Andreas Kugi (AIT), Sophie Hosatte-Ducassy (IOC), Thomas Fleckl (NOC and AIT), Mary Burce Warlick (IEA), Stephan Renz (TCP HPT), Karl Gruber (ImWind Gruppe – Wien Energie), Mitsunobu Nakajo, (Heat Pump & Thermal Storage Technology Center of Japan), Cornelia Ertl. (c) © AIT/APA-Fotoservice/Krisztian Juhasz
International Heat Pump Conference kicks off: Vienna becomes a hub for the heating transition
The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is organising the IEA Heat Pump Conference 2026 in collaboration with international partners, driving innovation in heat pump technologies.
- The 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2026, with over 800 participants
- 367 scientific papers highlighting the latest developments, from research to industrial application
- Austria as a hub for innovation, with around 537,000 installed systems and significant CO₂ savings
- Heat pumps as a key technology for the decarbonisation of industry, energy systems and residential buildings
With today’s opening of the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2026 at the Hofburg, Vienna will become an international hub for innovation in heat pump technologies for four days. Over 800 participants from all over the world are coming together to discuss the latest developments in research, industry and energy policy.
The conference is regarded as the leading international platform for discussion on heat pump technologies and their role in the decarbonisation of energy systems.
Austria as a hub for innovation
“The energy transition will also be decided in the heating sector. Heat pump technologies play a key role in this. Austria has developed into a major hub for innovation in this field”, emphasises Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, in his opening speech. “Around 537,000 installed systems are already saving approximately 1.26 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, whilst simultaneously creating added value and jobs. Heat pumps demonstrate that climate protection and economic success are not mutually exclusive – on the contrary: those who invest in green technologies today are securing the jobs and markets of tomorrow.”
Please find the full text here
Five Awardees of the Peter Ritter von Rittinger Award
(c) Alexandru Enache
During the conference dinner at the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference five distinguished professionals were presented with the prestigious Peter Ritter von Rittinger International Heat Pump Award 2026 — the highest international honor in the heat pump, air conditioning, and refrigeration sector.
The 2026 awardees are:
• Prof. Graeme G. Maidment, London South Bank University
• Thomas Nowak, Vice President Government Relations and Public Affairs, Qvantum International
• Prof. Renato Lazzarin, Emeritus Professor at the University of Padua, Italy
• Prof. Björn Palm, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
• Dr. Choyu Watanabe, Executive Office, Zeneral Heatpump Industry Co., Ltd. / Nagoya University
The award recognizes outstanding contributions to international collaboration in research, policy, market development, and applications of energy-efficient heat pumping technologies that strengthen energy resilience and deliver environmental benefits.
Presented every three years in connection with the International IEA Heat Pump Conference, the award was handed over by Stephan Renz, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Technology Collaboration Programme on Heat Pumping Technologies (HPT TCP) under the International Energy Agency (IEA).
"It is my great pleasure to recognize these dignified nominees and honour them with the most prestigious prize in the field of heat pumping technologies," said Mr. Stephan Renz during the ceremony. "Our award winners are undoubtedly some of the most influential individuals in the history of HPT TCP by IEA."
Please find the press release here
15th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2026: Focus on innovations in heat pump technology
With over 380 submissions from research and industry, high-ranking international speakers, workshops and technical excursions, Vienna will become the international center for heat pump innovations from 26 May to 29 May 2026.
Ticket sales are underway, and the early bird deadline has been extended to 16 March 2026.
The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, in cooperation with the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme on Heat Pumping Technologies (HPT TCP), is organising the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2026 in Vienna. Under the motto "Decarbonisation through Innovation", the international conference offers experts from research, industry, finance and politics a central platform for exchanging information on the latest developments and applications in the field of heat pump technologies. After 42 years, the international heat pump conference is returning to Austria, making Vienna the global meeting place for innovations in heat pump technology in 2026.
Internationally oriented scientific programme
The scientific programme for the four-day conference is currently being finalised. A total of around 380 contributions from all over the world have been submitted, addressing current developments in research and application of heat pump technologies.
The programme covers a wide range of formats, including:
- six plenary keynote lectures by leading international experts,
- 380 scientific presentations,
- ten interactive workshops on current technological and market-relevant topics,
- six excursions to innovative demonstration projects, and
- three policy forums on key issues of energy policy, technological competitiveness and the role of heat pump technologies in achieving climate targets.
Please find the full text here
15th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2026: Program now online
The 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference 2026 is setting new standards: with a total of 380 submissions from around the world, the scientific program impressively highlights the dynamic innovation in the field of heat pump technologies.
The program covers 24 key topics – ranging from high-temperature heat pumps for industrial applications and solutions for densely populated urban areas to the integration of heat pumps into comprehensive decarbonisation strategies. Other key topics include grid integration, flexibility, refrigerants, circular economy and market developments in various regions of the world.
Please find the full text here
Press contact
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us:
Margit Özelt
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
M +43 664 88390660 E: margit.oezelt(at)ait.ac.at
Conference Secretariat
If you have any questions about our conference, you can contact us by e-mail.
