European Commission funds heat pump and decarbonization projects

The European Commission has announced new projects selected for support through the Innovation Fund, a program designed to finance innovative technologies for decarbonization. The selected initiatives focus on improving industrial heat pump performance, thermal energy recovery, and urban cooling systems to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

Key projects include PUMPEDGE in Hungary, which aims to commercialize five industrial heat pumps using new thermally conductive materials to improve energy efficiency by approximately 30%. In Sweden, the OrbitalHPM-2026 project focuses on industrializing a heat pump module for sanitary hot water production, aiming to reduce the energy required for water heating by up to 85% while enabling significant water reuse.

Additionally, the transition toward low-impact refrigerants is gaining momentum due to the revision of the European F-Gas Regulation. Industry experts, such as those from Daikin Applied Europe, are emphasizing the use of R290 propane in commercial and industrial HVAC systems. Because R290 is flammable, manufacturers are adopting “Safety by Design” principles, such as the Daikin Safety Shield, to manage risks throughout the equipment's lifecycle.