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Innovations in Energy and the Environment (InnoEE) Conference
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Newsletter | Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
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InnoEE-2026 | 21-22 May 2026 | Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel Varna
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Dear Colleagues and Friends,
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In a series of newsletters, starting with this one, we are presenting the plenary talks that will set the tone for InnoEE‑2026. Each edition will spotlight one of the distinguished keynote speakers shaping the conference’s scientific agenda, offering a closer look at the ideas, innovations, and perspectives they will bring to the stage.
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Today we are pleased to present our first featured keynote speaker – Prof. Andrej Kitanovski, a distinguished voice in the field of heating and refrigeration technologies and Head of the Department of Thermal and Environmental Engineering at the University of Ljubljana.
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Plenary Talk 1
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Solid-State Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technologies:
Challenges and Perspectives
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Prof. Andrej Kitanovski
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Abstract
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Nearly 50% of global final energy consumption is used for heating and cooling, divided roughly equally between industrial processes and residential or commercial buildings. These sectors cause significant air pollution and account for approximately 40% of energy-related CO₂ emissions. The refrigeration sector consumes 20% of global electricity – air conditioning alone accounts for 12%—and contributes 7.5% of global CO₂ emissions (30% from refrigerant leaks, 70% from energy use). Without intervention, refrigeration demand could at least double by 2050, increasing these pressures alongside enormous growth in heat pumps.
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For decarbonisation, heating and cooling, as well as waste heat recovery – where around 50% of total global energy is wasted – offer far greater impact than fully decarbonising transport. The need for energy-efficient, environmentally friendly cooling, heat pumping, and air conditioning solutions has never been greater. Solid-state refrigeration and heat pumps are emerging as transformative alternatives, poised to replace some vapour-compression systems or address unmet needs. Their key advantages – tailored to specific subdomains – include recyclable, leak-proof refrigerants; vibration-free, silent operation; no moving parts; and superior theoretical efficiency.
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This presentation examines the applications and potential of solid-state systems across these domains, highlighting their role in improving energy efficiency and sustainability for diverse markets. It also addresses core challenges in a key solid-state technology, along with viable solutions and future directions.
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Keynote Speaker
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Prof. Andrej Kitanovski leads the Department of Thermal and Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana. His research work includes the improvement and development of new technologies in the fields of refrigeration, heat pumps and district energy. His collaborations with leading companies, both domestically and internationally, translate research into practical, high-impact solutions.
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Prof. Andrej Kitanovski is a member of several prestigious international and national organisations, including ASHRAE, IIR, EHPA, and serves as an executive board member of the Slovenian Energy Association (SZE) and as a member of the energy council of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts. In 2004, he co-founded the Magnetic Cooling Working Party of the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), where he today chairs the influential Working Group on Solid-State Cooling and Heating. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the first-place Swiss Technology Award and the Zois Award of the Republic of Slovenia for outstanding scientific research and technological innovation.
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Stay tuned! More information about the confirmed speakers and events at the conference will be announced soon.
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InnoEE-2026 Organising Committee
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