About HPP

The Heat Pump Centre (HPC) is the central information activity of the IEA Heat Pump Programme (HPP). HPP operates under the International Energy Agency (IEA) and was founded in 1978. The current member countries are Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.

The IEA Heat Pump Programme is a non-profit organisation under which participants in different countries cooperate in projects in the field of heat pumps and related heat pumping technologies such as air conditioning, refrigeration and working fluids (refrigerants). Under the management of an Executive Committee representing the member countries, the Programme carries out a strategy to accelerate the use of heat pumps in all applications where they can reduce energy consumption for the benefit of the environment.

The official title of the IEA Heat Pump Programme is the IEA Implementing Agreement for a programme of research, development, demonstration and promotion of heat pumping technologies. The chart shows the relation between the IEA and the Implementing agreements such as the Heat Pump Programme. The organisation of HPP and the main activities of HPC are also illustrated. More information about what the IEA technology collaborations are, commonly known as Implementing Agreements, can be found in their flyer, "International Energy Technology Co-operation - Frequently Asked Questions", which can be found in the right margin.

The collaborative IEA Heat Pump Programme projects are known as "Annexes" and are conducted on either a cost-sharing and/or a task-sharing basis by the participating countries. One country appoints an Operating Agent to manage the Annex. Most Annexes operate for a limited period, while objectives can vary from information exchange to the development and implementation of technology.