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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.”
AIT drives the transfer of research into practical applications
“Heat pumps are rapidly evolving from a building technology into a centralised system solution – for industrial processes, urban spaces and integrated energy systems”, says Andreas Kugi, Scientific Director of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. “At AIT, we are driving this transformation forward with excellent research and applied development: from energy-efficient high-temperature heat pumps, through integration into industrial processes, to coupling with smart energy and heating networks. Our goal is clear: to develop innovations that are competitive and scalable and make a measurable contribution to energy efficiency and security of supply.”
“The Heat Pump Conference brings together the international community across the entire value chain – science, industry, energy suppliers and policy-makers”, emphasises Thomas Fleckl, Chair of the National Organising Committee and Head of Competence Unit Sustainable Thermal Energy Systems at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. “This focused exchange accelerates the transfer of innovations to the market. This is exactly what is needed to make tangible progress in the heating transition in industry and cities.”
From research to application: innovations for industry and cities
Heating and cooling account for around half of global energy consumption. At the same time, this sector remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels – meaning there is significant potential for climate-friendly solutions.
The conference will focus in particular on:
- High-temperature heat pumps for industrial processes
- Solutions for use in urban areas and district heating systems
- Integration into energy systems and grids
- New approaches to digitalisation and system control
367 academic papers from around the world
The conference’s scientific programme highlights the international momentum in the field of heat pump technologies.
- 367 submissions from academia and industry
- including 261 scientific papers and 106 applied research papers
- Contributions from Europe (263), Asia (53), America (24) and other regions (27)
The spectrum ranges from fundamental research to practical applications in industry, buildings and energy systems.
International cooperation as the key
Alongside scientific excellence, international exchange is at the heart of the event. The conference forms part of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Technology Collaboration Programme on Heat Pumping Technologies, which aims to strengthen cooperation between research, industry and policy-makers.
“Innovation can only succeed through international exchange. The Heat Pump Conference offers the opportunity to share knowledge, learn from one another and jointly develop solutions to the challenges of the energy transition”, says Fleckl.
Art as part of the conference programme
As part of the Heat Pump Conference, AIT is also contributing its expertise at the intersection of art, science, technology and innovation. The artist Chiara de Eccher, who most recently created a large-scale wall drawing in the foyer of AIT’s Vienna Giefinggasse premises as part of artloop by AIT, will be accompanying the conference’s policy forums with live drawings. Her works respond to discussions on global supply chains, energy markets and innovation policy, and artistically highlight key issues surrounding the heat pump transition. The resulting drawings will be presented after the conference via artloop by AIT and as part of the conference’s communications.
Press photos: https://www.apa-fotoservice.at/galerie/39914
Further information on heat pumps can be found in the AIT press kit
About the IEA Heat Pump Conference
The International Heat Pump Conference has been held every three years since 1984 and is regarded as the most important scientific event in this field. In 2026, it will be organised by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in cooperation with the International Energy Agency’s Technology Collaboration Programme on Heat Pumping Technologies (IEA HPT TCP). The conference is supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BM IMI) as a partner. Further information: https://hpc2026.org