Successful organisation of the ‘2024 China Heat Pump Conference’ in Shenzhen, China

The success of the ‘2024 China Heat Pump Conference’ in Shenzhen not only marks another important milestone in the technological exchange and cooperation of the heat pump industry in China and around the world, but also highlights the key role of this sector in the global energy transition and sustainable development. The following is an in-depth explanation of several highlights of the conference:

High degree of internationalisation: The conference attracted more than 850 participants from 33 countries and regions, including many internationally renowned scholars and industry experts, reflecting the extensive attention and in-depth study of heat pump technology worldwide. The attendance of the Director-General-designate of the International Institute of Refrigeration and the representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China further enhanced the international influence and cooperation potential of the conference.

Rich content and wide coverage: The theme reports and parallel sub-forums of the Congress are set up to cover almost all the cutting-edge fields and practical application scenarios of heat pump technology, ranging from basic theoretical research to engineering practice cases, from low-temperature refrigeration to high-temperature heat pumps, and from agricultural applications to transport, showing the diversity of heat pump technology and the prospect of wide application. In particular, the in-depth discussion on topics such as new refrigerant replacement programme, heat pump system frost and defrosting technology, comprehensive energy use, etc., has pointed out the direction for the future development of the industry.

Industry experts gathered: the conference invited many top scholars and industry leaders, including academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and members of the European Academy of Humanities and Sciences, whose brilliant speeches and in-depth exchanges not only provided participants with valuable learning opportunities, but also promoted technological innovation and win-win cooperation in the field of heat pumps.

Focus on industry hotspots and future trends: The conference pays special attention to the application and development of heat pump technology in energy saving and emission reduction, renewable energy utilisation as well as smart heating, which are the core concerns of the current global energy transition and green low-carbon development. By sharing the latest research results and successful cases, the conference provides a strong impetus to promote the sustainable development of the heat pump industry.

Promote the deep integration of industry, academia, research and application: The conference is not only a platform for academic exchanges, but also a bridge to promote the deep integration of industry, academia, research and application. Among the participants are experts and scholars from universities and research institutes, as well as technicians and decision-makers from the business sector. The direct dialogue and cooperation between them will help to transform scientific research results into practical applications faster and promote the overall progress of the heat pump industry.

In conclusion, the success of ‘2024 China Heat Pump Conference’ not only demonstrated the strong strength and innovation ability of China's heat pump industry, but also built an important platform for the exchange and cooperation of global heat pump technology. With the continuous optimisation of the global energy structure and the promotion of sustainable development goals, heat pump technology will usher in a broader development space and opportunities.