Teknologisk Institut - Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology

Thermal management, cooling, and heat pumps are not merely a matter of comfort – they are critical infrastructure. From safeguarding sensitive communication equipment and IT solutions to maintaining operational capacity under extreme climatic conditions, Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology at Danish Technological Institute delivers specialised, resilient, and accredited solutions.

We offer impartial expert assistance to develop and optimise thermal solutions where standard, off-the-shelf solutions are not sufficient.

With more than 40 specialists and engineers, alongside some of the world's most advanced laboratory facilities, the centre is one of Denmark's leading players in thermal energy technologies and system design. Through independent technical consultancy, research and development (R&D), and advanced digitalisation, we assist industry as well as the defence and security sector in optimising and future-proofing vital systems. We help you make the right technology choices, avoid costly pitfalls, and successfully deliver your projects.

Advanced test facilities for extreme testing and documentation
Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology operates high-tech climate chambers and specialised test rigs capable of handling everything from micro-scale systems to very large heat pumps and liquid chillers.

Our laboratories are specially designed for precise testing, verification, and documentation under controlled, extreme climatic conditions. Here, we test in temperature ranges from -40 °C to +80 °C to guarantee maximum resilience and compliance with international standards. This allows you to have various technologies and concepts tested and validated before making an investment.

Our experts possess in-depth knowledge of using various refrigerants, including natural refrigerants such as CO₂, ammonia, and water vapour in both cooling systems and heat pump installations. Using state-of-the-art software, we also develop digital twins, enabling us to digitally simulate, analyse, and optimise the performance and reliability of complex thermal systems before they are actually built.

We help you successfully reach your goals at every stage

We advise and assist our partners in managing complex thermal challenges, all the way from strategic planning to operational solutions.

• Strategy and feasibility assessment: Mapping your needs and providing impartial advice on choosing future-proof technologies.

• Concept development and digital twins: Designing and simulating customised thermal systems.

• Pilot projects and prototypes: Developing and building test solutions.

• Testing, validation, and documentation: Third-party verification in our state-of-the-art test facilities.

Here are some of the key areas where we can assist your business or organisation:

• Mobile and transportable HVAC systems and heat pumps Developing robust cooling and heating systems for temporary camps, field deployments, and container systems. We design systems that integrate energy storage and can run on alternative energy sources (e.g. utilising waste heat or solar energy/photovoltaics via solar-powered cooling) to increase operational self-sufficiency.

• Precision cooling solutions for critical missions: Developing secure cooling systems to protect heat-sensitive hardware, such as mobile servers, radar systems, critical IT and communication equipment, as well as temperature-sensitive food and medical supplies. This includes micro-scale cooling for compact, embedded electronics and tactical equipment, alongside other specialised applications.

• Advanced system optimisation: Redesigning systems with a focus on weight reduction, as well as optimising and reducing both the acoustic signature and the thermal signature (vibration and heat radiation). This minimises the detectable signature from command posts, field camps, and vehicles, significantly increasing tactical security.

• Strategic consultancy and procurement support: As an impartial institute, we act as a Trusted Advisor in connection with complex tenders, procurement processes, and technical needs analyses. We ensure well-thought-out system integration and develop cost-optimised, resilient, and strategic plans for complex installations.

• Impartial upskilling and capacity building:
As an impartial and trusted knowledge partner, we offer specialised upskilling and training of personnel within solar energy, heat pumps, and refrigeration technology. We cover the entire spectrum, from micro-scale systems to very large-scale industrial installations.

Through targeted courses and tailored training programmes, we ensure your team gains the necessary practical and theoretical expertise to operate, optimise, and future-proof complex energy systems of any scale.

Decades of expertise in resilient stand-alone systems

Our extensive knowledge in developing independent stand-alone systems is built on more than two decades of pioneering off-grid research and development. We specialize in designing self-contained units that seamlessly integrate thermal energy storage, smart controls, and renewable energy to operate completely decoupled from traditional power grids.

By combining this expertise with advanced digital twin modeling and rigorous physical testing, we help transition this technology into next-generation stand-alone units - such as mobile HVAC systems and robust, self-sufficient containerized solutions - specifically engineered to perform reliably in extreme environments.