An opportunity has been created to discuss technological innovation and energy transition strategies for heat pumps, the importance of which is increasingly highlighted as the proportion of renewable energy increases.

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (President Ryu Seok-hyun) held ‘Heat Pump Day’ on the 27th, hosted by the Heat Pump Research Center.

This event was organized to share the current status of heat pump technology development and suggest technological and industrial directions to respond to the carbon-neutral era.

Heat pumps are a technology that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuels with electricity, while maximizing energy efficiency by utilizing waste heat.

In particular, as the proportion of renewable energy increases, the importance of heat pumps is becoming more prominent, and they are establishing themselves as a key technology for the transition to sustainable energy.

Heat pump technology is being re-evaluated as it was selected as one of the 10 notable innovative technologies in 2024 by MIT Technology Review, and the world's leading global corporations are competing to increase their R&D and facility investments in heat pump technology.

In order to play a central role in future thermal energy conversion, the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials established the Heat Pump Research Center in February of this year.

Researchers are driving innovation to achieve sustainable energy goals, and are developing carbon-neutral thermal energy solutions based on heat pump technology.We aim to provide hair solutions.

To this end, we are actively conducting research in various fields, including high-efficiency, eco-friendly heat pump system technology, heat pump core equipment technology, heat pump application and thermal energy network technology, and energy conversion technology.

'Heat Pump Day' is an event designed to establish heat pumps as a core technology for energy transition strategies and to publicize their importance.

At this event, Professor Emeritus Yoo Ho-seon of Soongsil University presented on long-term energy storage as a key enabler of carbon neutrality, Professor Kim Min-soo of Seoul National University presented on heat pumps that will change the future, and Vice President Oh Se-gi of LG Electronics presented on heat pump technology for HVAC and home appliances.

Additionally, a heat pump technology roadmap and strategy map were announced to suggest the current and future development directions of heat pump technology.

This roadmap focuses on heat pump technology applicable to the industrial field, and derives four major technology items: industrial heat pumps, Carnot batteries, unused energy heat pumps, and thermal energy networks. Based on these, the roadmap deeply analyzed technology trends, market outlook, and strategic items.

The strategic map presents the heat pump's technological capabilities and cooperation system with major organizations.

Ryu Seok-hyun, president of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, said, “Heat pumps are a key technology for achieving sustainable energy transition and carbon neutrality. I hope that this event will serve as an opportunity to explore the direction of development of related technologies and share innovative ideas.” He added, “The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials will continue to take the lead in building an eco-friendly energy system through research and commercialization of heat pump technology.”