From September 12 to 13, Vienna became a hub of visionary discussions on the future of research, technology, and innovation (RTI) at Technology Talks 2024, organized by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT). The event convened leading innovators, researchers, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and European Commission representatives to examine how RTI can drive Europe’s green, digital, and human-centered transition.
High-level discussions conveyed the importance of RTI for the European economy and society, with a special focus on the role of technology in the green and digital transitions, policy development, and the transformative potential of AI in science.
SUSHEAT project partner RTDS Group participated in the event, highlighting the essential role of industrial decarbonization in meeting Europe’s climate goals and advancing the green transition. Many keynote speakers emphasised how energy-intensive sectors can spearhead the development of standards crucial to Europe’s Triple Transition—a holistic shift towards ecological sustainability, technological innovation, and human-centered progress.
Throughout the event, there was a clear call for cross-sector collaboration to tackle the urgent challenges facing European industries, society, and the environment, positioning energy-intensive sectors as key drivers of Europe’s sustainable and competitive future.
Integrated Triple Approach to Europe’s Green Transition
Technology Talks Austria 2024 shed a spotlight on the critical role of research, technology, and innovation (RTI) in advancing Europe’s ‘Triple Transition— a green, digital, and human-centered’ transformation crucial for sustaining competitiveness and technological leadership. At the heart of these discussions was the urgent need for adopting innovative technologies that will help Europe transition beyond fossil fuels.
Austria’s Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology, Leonore Gewessler, emphasised that “energy-intensive sectors will be instrumental in shaping the frameworks necessary to realise the triple transition.”
These industries, which include chemicals, steel, textiles, and cement, are not only significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions but also heavy energy consumers. Innovations in energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, and the integration of renewable energy within these sectors hold the potential to dramatically reduce emissions and overall energy consumption, making them essential drivers of Europe’s sustainable future.
The Heat Pump Revolution: A Key Technology for Industrial Decarbonization
Decarbonizing industrial production demands significant reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions, along with a transition to renewable energy sources. With rising energy costs, dependence on fossil fuels, and growing energy demands, industries worldwide are seeking strategies to decarbonise process heat.
Thomas Novak, Vice President of Qvantum and former Secretary General of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), delivered a compelling message about the transformative potential of heat pumps in driving industrial decarbonisation. He emphasised the link between heat pumps and the core principle of the circular economy – a continuous cycle of resource use. “When we connect the concept of cycle to heat pumps, we see that they provide both heating and cooling, allowing waste heat from one (cooling) process to serve another’s heating needs,” Novak explained.
He also highlighted the need for social and policy shifts to fully utilize this clean energy technology, stating, “Policymakers often overlook the importance of heating and cooling in energy discussions. Cities, municipalities, and regions are sitting on untapped energy resources—they just need to harness them.”
Novak’s call to action brings to light the role of heat pumps as a critical solution for reducing industrial emissions and achieving Europe’s climate goals.
The SUSHEAT Project: Innovative Technology for Heating Solutions Utilizing Waste and Renewable Energy
Projects like SUSHEAT are crucial to this agenda. The EU-funded SUSHEAT initiative aims to decarbonise heat demand in European industry by integrating waste and renewable energy sources to provide industrial heat at high temperatures. This project develops novel technology that incorporates several innovative components, including a Stirling cycle high-temperature heat pump (HTHP), a bio-inspired phase change material (PCM) thermal energy storage (TES) system, and a control and integration twin (CIT) system that utilizes advanced decision-making algorithms.
Involving leading European research institutions and industry stakeholders, SUSHEAT seeks to deliver efficient, low-carbon heat technologies tailored to the needs of energy-intensive industries. These innovations not only facilitate industrial decarbonization but also play a vital role in establishing the frameworks necessary for Europe’s Triple Transition. Ultimately, the successful integration of heat pump technology can significantly accelerate the transition toward a sustainable and low-carbon industrial future.
By aligning with the EU’s 2050 net-zero targets, SUSHEAT contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future, offering practical solutions for energy efficiency and resource optimization. It’s not just about meeting heat demand; it’s about transforming our approach to industrial energy use.