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Sustainable and energy-efficient integrated heating/cooling systems

Published: November 2025

Innovative heating/cooling systems can significantly reduce energy consumption by intelligently utilizing natural energy sources such as earth, air, and sun. Systems like heat pumps, solar thermal energy in combination with absorption chillers, and geothermal installations enable environmentally friendly and efficient climate control that simultaneously provides heating and cooling. Furthermore, there are modern systems that precisely control room temperature by using technologies such as “Phase Change Materials” (PCM), which store heat and release it as needed. Integrated ventilation solutions also improve air quality by efficiently circulating fresh air while minimizing heat loss. Additionally, existing buildings can be retrofitted with these sustainable technologies, which improves energy efficiency and can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions even in existing structures.

Guiding questions

  • What financial and political incentives could motivate building owners in Thuringia to invest in sustainable heating and cooling systems?
  • How can societal acceptance of this topic be promoted in Thuringia?
  • How can the long-term impact of sustainable heating/cooling systems be evaluated and optimized under changing climatic conditions?
  • What cutting-edge R&D projects exist in this area in Thuringia?

Challenges

The implementation of sustainable heating/cooling systems requires extensive planning and adaptation work, especially in retrofit projects, as existing buildings are often not designed for such technologies. The initial investment costs for heat pumps, solar thermal energy, PCM, natural ventilation systems, etc. are high, and not all building owners are willing to bear the costs. A lack of qualified personnel necessary for installation, operation, and maintenance can slow down implementation.

Concrete examples

  • Phase Change Materials for temperature regulation: PCM store and release heat to passively cool or heat indoor spaces, thereby reducing energy consumption
  • Natural ventilation and airflow optimization: Through targeted control of airflows and the use of natural ventilation systems, energy-efficient building cooling is achieved, reducing the need for air conditioning systems
  • Passive cooling strategies to reduce cooling load, such as roof and facade greening, shading, blue and green spaces

Foresight Report

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Reference

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Reference

Michel Reichardt

Michel Reichardt Project Manager Strategic Foresight

Christoph Grollman

Christoph Grollman Project Manager Strategic Foresight

Dr. Sophia Gänßle

Dr. Sophia Gänßle Project Manager Data Science Strategic Foresight

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