ShareCHPC 2026 brings the global heat-pump community together in Shanghai
The 2026 China International Heat Pump Conference (CHPC 2026) was successfully held in Shanghai from 13 to 17 October 2026. Organized by the Chinese Association of Refrigeration and co-sponsored the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), the conference brought together more than 600 participants from 22 countries and regions, including researchers, engineers, industry representatives and policy stakeholders.
The conference focused on the role of heat-pump technologies in advancing energy efficiency, decarbonisation and sustainable development. With global attention increasingly turning to clean heating, industrial electrification and waste-heat recovery, CHPC 2026 provided an important platform for international dialogue on both technical innovation and practical deployment.
The programme included plenary presentations and parallel technical forums covering a wide range of topics. Key discussions addressed industrial high-temperature heat pumps, waste-heat recovery and upgrading, building energy systems, data-center thermal management, transport thermal management, heat-pump components, advanced control technologies, low-carbon refrigerants, and applications in agriculture and livestock production. Speakers also explored the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools to improve heat-pump-system design, operation and reliability.
A notable strength of CHPC 2026 was its connection between academic research and real-world application. Experts from universities and research institutions exchanged views with manufacturers, engineering companies and end users on how to overcome remaining technical and market barriers. Discussions highlighted the need for reliable high-temperature solutions, improved component performance, system-level optimisation, application-specific design and stronger international cooperation.
The conference also demonstrated the expanding application scope of heat pumps. Beyond residential and commercial buildings, heat-pump technologies are increasingly being applied in industrial processes, transport, agriculture, digital infrastructure and integrated energy systems. These applications can help reduce fossil-fuel use, improve energy efficiency and support the transition towards lower-carbon heating and cooling.
By convening participants from 22 countries and regions, CHPC 2026 strengthened international exchange and cooperation in the heat-pump sector. The event provided an opportunity to share research findings, showcase practical solutions and develop partnerships across the global value chain. It reaffirmed the importance of heat pumps as a key technology for achieving more efficient, resilient and sustainable energy systems.
