Published Oct 14, 2026

Developing efficient heating and cooling systems is an important part of the transition to sustainable buildings and cities. The Swedish Energy Agency has awarded funding to HEAT-X, a strategic centre that will drive this forward. The centre is led by Hatef Madani, Professor at the Department of Energy Technology at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and will begin operations in January 2027.

Heating and cooling account for half of Europe's energy demand, yet the energy transition heavily favors supply-side decarbonization. HEAT-X aims to support the transition by turning heat energy into an active resource in a resilient, fossil-free energy system, rather than treating it solely as something that needs to be supplied.

Hatef Madani shares the vision and how the centre aims to shape the future of sustainable heating and cooling solutions.

"Uniting seven Swedish universities, about 40 industry partners, and 10 prestigious global research institutions, HEAT-X conducts collaborative research across two main areas: Buildings and Cities, and Energy-Intensive Industry and Infrastructure.

The center connects component innovation, such as next-generation heating and cooling, with large-scale system integration, renovation, AI-driven control, and industrial waste heat recovery. By combining technical research with enabling disciplines like policy, circular business models, and human behavior, HEAT-X accelerates the deployment of efficient, resilient heating and cooling solutions for a sustainable energy system."

"The investment positions KTH as a leading international hub, continuing our century-long tradition in heating and cooling research. We already work closely with societal needs, and HEAT-X will further strengthen our collaboration with industry and other research institutes toward a common goals."

"The funding is a recognition of the work we have put in and our long tradition of collaboration between academia and industry. I look forward to the doctoral and postdoctoral projects that will be launched as part of HEAT-X. The centre creates opportunities to tackle new research challenges together with new, early-career researchers who bring fresh perspectives. It will be an exciting and rewarding journey for both KTH and the HEAT-X network", says Hatef.

Text: Rita Nõu