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On 13 October 2025, the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology officially opened Austria's most advanced heat pump laboratory, providing important impetus for the decarbonisation of the heating sector. High-tech test benches allow heat pump systems with a heating capacity of up to 100 kW to be tested under realistic conditions. The new laboratory offers customers from industry and partners from research ideal conditions for the development and optimisation of efficient systems. The AIT thus underlines its central role in the development of new technologies and strengthens the innovation ecosystem of research and industry in Austria.
Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure:
"Heat pumps are a key technology for the heat transition and thus for achieving our climate targets. Facilities such as the AIT's new heat pump laboratory make an important contribution to promoting domestic innovation, strengthening industry and positioning Austria internationally as a pioneer in sustainable energy technologies. The AIT is a strategic trailblazer and, with its unique research infrastructure, enables development and cutting-edge research at an international level."
Bridging the gap between applied research and industrial implementation
"With the new heat pump laboratory, we are creating an infrastructure that perfectly bridges the gap between applied research and industrial implementation. With an investment of around three million euros, we are sending a clear signal for the expansion of excellent research infrastructure. First-class laboratory and testing facilities are a central basis for successful cooperation with industry and research partners throughout Europe," say the three members of AIT's management team, Brigitte Bach, Andreas Kugi and Alexander Svejkovsky.
Thomas Fleckl, Head of the Department of Sustainable Thermal Energy Systems at AIT:
"The new laboratory infrastructure combines state-of-the-art test benches, simulations and measurement methods, enabling the development, quality assurance and optimisation of future generations of heat pumps. The laboratory allows tests up to 100 kW heating capacity for applications in commercial and large-volume buildings, supports air as the dominant heat source, has state-of-the-art sound measurement equipment and is designed for all relevant refrigerant classes – including flammable refrigerants."
Heat pumping technologies as a key technology for the energy transition
Heat pumps are now considered a key technology in the energy transition: they meet all the criteria for renewable energies, use available environmental heat highly efficiently and, in view of dwindling resources, are indispensable for a sustainable heat supply. In many European countries, heat pumps are already the best-selling heating technology – a trend that is being further reinforced by the increasing demand for comfort and cooling as a result of climate change. Whether in new buildings or renovations, in single-family homes or large-volume buildings, heat pumps offer high efficiency potential on all scales.
Austria, together with the Nordic countries, plays a leading role in the heat pump sector in Europe and has a strong manufacturing and research landscape that holds its own in intense global competition. The new laboratory infrastructure is essential for industrial customers to develop and test innovative components and heat pumps.
Facts and figures at a glance
The heat pump laboratory was completed in October 2025 after 12 months of construction and an investment of three million euros. The laboratory offers test benches for devices with a heating capacity of up to 100 kW, enabling to cover the growing market in the commercial and large-volume building sector in particular. The focus is on air source heat pumps – by far the strongest technology on the market – for all relevant refrigerant classes, including flammable refrigerants. The equipment also includes sound optimisation facilities and the option of dynamic operation in combination with simulation models.
Insight into research: projects for the development of heat pump technologies
With around 25 years of experience and more than 700 heat pump systems tested, AIT is one of Europe's leading research institutions in this field. The focus is on the further development of efficient, climate-friendly heat pump technologies – from building technology to networked energy systems.
The gas boiler replacement project is working on solutions for replacing fossil fuel gas boilers in multi-unit buildings with sustainable, compact and noise-optimised heat pump systems in the future. The approach enables a gradual transition per apartment – without affecting other units – and thus makes an important contribution to the decarbonisation of large-volume residential construction. https://www.ait.ac.at/en/research-topics/efficient-buildings-and-hvac-technologies/projects/gasthermenersatz
The joint PhD programme HEAPNOSYS ("Heat Pumps as the driver of Intelligent Energy Systems") with KTH Sweden focuses on innovations in the field of building heating and cooling in densely populated urban areas. It combines basic research with applied development – from prototype heat pump systems to innovative methods for providing digital services for heat pump systems – and thus makes a decisive contribution to technological excellence and innovative strength in this future-oriented field.
Picture Gallery of the opening: https://www.apa-fotoservice.at/galerie/39564
Heat pump research at the AIT covers heat pumps for residential and commercial buildings, as well as industrial plants and systems for heating and cooling networks. Further information: https://www.ait.ac.at/en/solutions/heat-pump-technologies