Heat pumps are a key technology for decarbonizing buildings and industrial processes. The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Austria’s largest non-university research institute, is developing and testing innovative solutions—ranging from heat pump systems and intelligent thermal storage to the recovery and utilization of industrial waste heat. At Chillventa 2026, taking place from October 13–15 in Nuremberg, Germany, the AIT will showcase concrete applications and demonstrators, illustrating how research can be translated into energy-efficient heating and cooling systems for real-world implementation.
Systemic Integration for Maximum Efficiency
The AIT’s approach focuses on holistic system integration: heating and cooling are not considered in isolation but are optimized in conjunction with storage systems, renewable energy sources, and existing waste heat potential. By combining technology development, modeling, simulation, lab validation, and application-oriented testing, the AIT addresses the needs of existing buildings, industrial processes, and new infrastructures with high heating and cooling demands.
Data Centers as a Heat Source: A Circular Thermal Infrastructure
A highlight of the AIT’s exhibition is a model for data center cooling and waste heat utilization. This model demonstrates how data centers can be efficiently cooled while simultaneously serving as a heat source. The waste heat generated from cooling IT infrastructure is recaptured and upgraded using heat pumps to a usable temperature level. It can then be fed into district heating networks or industrial processes, creating a circular thermal infrastructure where heat and cold flows are utilized as efficiently as possible.
The AIT is developing integrated solutions that intelligently connect cooling, heat recovery, and energy supply to make data centers more energy-efficient and sustainable.
Heat Pump Solutions for Existing Buildings: Replacing Gas Boilers
The AIT will also present a demonstrator for replacing gas boilers in combination with the HyStore energy storage system. By integrating heat pumps with intelligent thermal storage, this solution enables demand-oriented heat supply and supports the integration of renewable energy sources. This addresses a core challenge of the heat transition: the shift from fossil fuel-based heating systems to efficient, renewable solutions—even in existing buildings.
Industrial Process Heat: Decarbonizing Industry
Another focal point of the AIT’s research is heat pumps for industrial applications. At Chillventa, the AIT will demonstrate their use in industrial drying processes, where heat pumps can harness existing heat flows and help replace fossil fuels in providing process heat. The AIT’s work spans from technology development and simulation to real-world testing, supporting companies in adopting energy-efficient heat pump systems across various applications.
Integrated Solutions for Decarbonization
“Heat pumps are a central key technology for decarbonizing buildings, industry, and future energy systems. At the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, we develop innovative heat pump solutions along the entire value chain—from highly efficient components and intelligent system integration to applications for industrial processes and data centers. Together with our partners, we quickly translate research into practice, creating solutions that use energy more efficiently, reduce CO₂ emissions, and sustainably strengthen the competitiveness of the business location.” — Thomas Fleckl, Head of the Competence Unit Sustainable Thermal Energy Systems at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Visit AIT at Chillventa 2026
Hall 7A, Stand 7A-504
October 13–15, 2026
Nuremberg Exhibition Center
https://www.ait.ac.at/en/ait-chillventa