The award is received at IAQVEC, International Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation and Energy Conservation in Buildings, in Los Angeles. That is one of the premier global conferences in the field.
The 2026 theme, “Envisioning the Future: Innovations in Research and Technology for a Better Reality in the Built Environment”, underscored the role of science and technology in advancing a more sustainable built environment.
Since 1992, IAQVEC has brought together international researchers and practitioners to accelerate progress in sustainability, energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality.
Results from Oslo office building
The awarded paper, “Field Evaluation of Multiple R290 Air-to-Water Heat Pumps in Cascade Operation Adapted to Nordic Climates,” reports results from an Oslo office building equipped with three R290 heat pumps.
Two smaller units ran under a cascade control strategy, alternating or operating concurrently, while a larger single unit served as the non-cascade reference. With a 55°C supply water setpoint typical for Norwegian radiator systems, the cascade system
- maintained target hot-water delivery around 97% of the time across winter conditions, including cold and humid periods with frequent defrosting
- ensured continuous heating during defrost cycles by alternating unit operation, avoiding supply interruptions seen in single-unit operation
- achieved higher energy efficiency by running at lower compressor frequencies and deeper partial loads, resulting in up to a 10.4% improvement in seasonal performance factor under normal winter conditions
Cascade operation provides robust heating
The study demonstrates that cascade operation of multiple R290 heat pumps provides robust heating performance and efficiency gains throughout Nordic winters, strengthening the case for cold-climate deployment.
Authors of the paper: Jae-Hee Lee, Peter Schild and Moon Keun Kim from OsloMet; Saikee Oh, Sanghun Lee, Donghan Kim, Beomsoo Seo, Eunjun Cho and Jaekyoo Jang from LG Electronics; and Trygve Eikevik from NTNU.
A milestone for OsloMet
“I believe this award represents an important milestone for the research community at OsloMet, especially in the field of sustainable heat pump technology and energy systems for cold climate regions,” says Professor Moon Keun Kim.
“The recognition demonstrates that the research being conducted at OsloMet is internationally competitive and contributes to solving real-world challenges related to energy efficiency, decarbonization, and sustainable buildings.”
“In particular, our work on advanced heat pump technologies adapted to Nordic climates shows how innovative research can support the transition toward low-carbon and environmentally responsible energy solutions.”
Reflects the importance of strong collaboration
“This award also reflects the importance of strong collaboration between academia and industry partners. Through close cooperation with industrial stakeholders, we are able to bridge the gap between research and practical implementation, ensuring that research outcomes have direct societal and technological impact.”
“For the OsloMet research community, I hope this achievement will inspire further interdisciplinary collaboration, international partnerships, and continued innovation in sustainable energy and building technologies”, says Moon Keun Kim.
