Future markets for renewable heating and cooling technologies are to be found in Europe

Renewable heating and cooling is a great export opportunity for German companies. At a conference organised by the Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency Export Initiatives, experts and entrepreneurs discussed the outlook and market opportunities for various technologies and global regions.

How can heating and cooling technologies 'made in Germany' become successful in international markets? A conference hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy on 10 December 2015 in Berlin was centred around this question. Around 100 participants discussed market and export opportunities for these technologies. The event was organised by adelphi in collaboration with enviacon international, as part of the Energy Export Initiative. The event’s moderator was Karolin Blattman, adelphi’s expert in renewable energies and energy efficiency.  

Market experts discuss market and export opportunities in Europe and beyond

Renewable heating and cooling systems, frequently described in Germany as a “sleeping giant”, have a decisive role to play in sustainable development around the world. Interest in climate-friendly technologies is growing in Europe, particularly among private users, companies and municipalities. Using the “Heat Roadmap Europe 2050” as a guideline, experts and participants initially discussed strategies and scenarios necessary for businesses. This was followed by an introduction for the participants to funding instruments for renewable heating and cooling technologies, given by Maria Grajcar, advisor for European and international affairs at AGFW, the energy efficiency association for heating, cooling and cogeneration.  

After the introduction, participants received a current overview of promising export markets for local heating and cooling networks, renewable heating and renewable cooling, based onmarket analyses from the Renewable Energies Export Initiative. It soon became clear that although potential markets are developing worldwide, the current biggest future markets for renewable heating and cooling technologies are still to be found in Europe. 

Companies’ representatives reveal practical tips for a successful export business

In every topic group, companies’ representatives reported consecutively on their experiences with exports both in European markets such as Italy and Poland, and also in South Africa, China and Korea. According to statements from the companies present, one of the most important requirements for a successful export business is the support of a local partner. However, in the fields of renewable heating and especially renewable cooling, initial efforts need to be made in order to win customers over in many of the markets. For example, many find it difficult to imagine how buildings could be cooled using renewable energy.

In order to be able to convince new customers of the economic benefit and functionality of these technologies, initial ventures should specifically be designed as reference projects. In order to support this aim, the Energies Export Initiative has developed the dena Renewable Energy Solutions Program. Further programmes from the Export Initiative were also met with considerable interest by participants. Speakers referred, amongst other things, to the helpful opportunities for networking with clients and project partners provided by German Chamber Network business trips.

All the presentations from the event are available for free download on the Energy Efficiency Export Initiative’s website.