The News and Events section offers a curated selection of articles, press releases, and information on events we organised, such as webinars. Here, stakeholders can stay informed on the latest developments, milestones, and insights from our project, through timely updates offering an in-depth look at our ongoing work and contributions to the industry. Explore to stay connected with the latest activities and achievements driving our mission forward.
In July 2026 the fourth number of SKILLSAFE EU bi-annual newsletter was sent out! This fourth number serves to collect all the activities we have done in the last 6 months of the project, from the starting of the training programmes, the continuity of the work done together with the selected Join Industry Expert Group, to the various international events in which we have participated to present them. Download it
SKILLSAFE EU is pleased to announce that the project has been featured in an article published by BUILD UP, the European Commission’s portal dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy in buildings. The article, entitled “Safe heat pump deployment requires harmonised skills across Europe”, explores one of the key challenges facing the heating and cooling sector: ensuring that the workforce has the skills, competences and safety knowledge required to support
SKILLSAFE EU was recently featured in an interview published by BUILD UP, the European Commission’s portal for energy efficiency and building professionals. In the interview, Nishant Karve, Environment Research Engineer at Daikin Europe and Project Coordinator of SKILLSAFE EU, discusses why developing the right skills and safety competences is becoming increasingly important as Europe accelerates the deployment of heat pumps and transitions towards natural refrigerants such as R-290. The interview
SKILLSAFE EU was proud to be presented at the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference (HPC 2026), held in Vienna from 26 to 29 May 2026. Organised by the International Energy Agency’s Heat Pumping Technologies Programme (IEA HPT TCP) and the Austrian Institute of Technology, the conference is widely recognised as the leading international event dedicated to heat pump technologies, bringing together researchers, manufacturers, policymakers, investors and market actors from around
As the heat pump sector increasingly shifts towards natural refrigerants, ensuring that technicians and installers are equipped with the right safety skills becomes essential. Under the framework of the SKILLSAFE EU project, a dedicated training session was recently organised in Athens for members of the Association of Certified Refrigeration Engineers (HUFGAS), focusing on the safe handling of residential heat pumps using highly flammable refrigerants such as R290 (propane). The session
The Real Alternatives project and SKILLSAFE EU are pleased to announce the launch of a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing safety training for professionals working with flammable refrigerants, with a particular focus on R290 heat pump systems. This joint initiative reflects a shared commitment to supporting the safe and sustainable transition towards low-GWP refrigerants across Europe, by strengthening skills, improving accessibility to training, and promoting harmonised standards. Building on an
We are pleased to share that the SKILLSAFE-EU project has been featured in EU Research magazine, highlighting our work on developing our guidelines for the safe handling of R290 heat pumps. The article presents how the project contributes to improving installer skills, enhancing safety, and supporting the transition towards natural refrigerants in the heating and cooling sector. It also emphasises the importance of clear guidelines to build consumer confidence and
The SKILLSAFE EU project has successfully launched its first pilot trainings, marking an important step in strengthening safety knowledge and skills for professionals working with R290 heat pump systems across Europe. The first SKILLSAFE EU pilot training took place at LG Electronics Benelux in Amstelveen, hosted by LG Electronics. The session brought together trainers from France, Greece, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and the Netherlands, creating a valuable opportunity for exchange
In January 2026 the third number of SKILLSAFE EU bi-annual newsletter was sent out! This third number serves to collect all the activities we have done in the last 6 months of the project, from the starting of the training programmes, the continuity of the work done together with the selected Join Industry Expert Group, to the various international events in which we have participated to present them. Download it
The European heat pump market is booming — but scaling up deployment requires more than technology. It demands a skilled workforce able to plan, install, commission, and maintain systems safely and effectively. This webinar will offer a unique opportunity to discover how three EU-funded projects are shaping the future of heat pump training and skills: SKILLSAFE EU is creating safety guidelines and training for installers, with a strong focus on handling flammable refrigerants like R290. HeatCraftHP is developing curricula, simulators, and
In July 2025 the second number of SKILLSAFE EU bi-annual newsletter was sent out! This second number serves to collect all the activities we have done in the last 6 months of the project, from the publication of the first version of the Guidelines, together with the selected Join Industry Expert Group, to the various international events in which we have participated to present them. Download it here!
Guideline on safe handling on self-contained air-to-water residential heat pumps with refrigerants with higher flammability installed outdoors in Europe We are pleased to share the first edition of our guideline, now available online. This document focuses on the safe handling of self-contained air-to-water heat pumps (AWHP) designed for outdoor installation in single-family homes, specifically those using refrigerants with higher flammability, such as R-290. Following the adoption of the revised F-gas
The SKILLSAFE EU and Smart-Pumps projects are joining forces for this first thematic online seminar, bringing together experts and stakeholders from the heat pump and energy sectors. As the energy transition accelerates, upskilling and reskilling the workforce is essential to ensure safe and efficient adoption of innovative technologies; for this reason, we have organised this session to explore how two different EU funded projects are contributing to this goal, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration. What
Call for Experts: Be part of the Joint Industry Expert Group Following the success of our first guideline on self-contained air-to-water residential heat pumps, SKILLSAFE EU is excited to launch a second call for interest to gather heat pump experts! The SKILLSAFE EU project focuses on Skills Enhancement for the Safe Handling of Highly Flammable Refrigerants in the EU. With this next guideline, we aim to expand best practices for
In January 2025, SKILLSAFE EU published the first edition of its bi-annual newsletter, marking an important milestone in the project’s communication activities. This inaugural edition provides an overview of the progress made since the project’s launch, including the kick-off activities, the establishment of the Joint Industry Expert Group, and the first steps towards the development of the European safety guidelines for the safe handling of residential heat pumps using R-290. The
Since September, we have been holding a series of meetings with the Joint Industry Expert Group (JIEG) of the SKILLSAFE EU project. The consortium is working closely with the JIEG to develop the “Guideline on Safe Handling of Self-Contained Air-to-Water Residential Heat Pumps with Higher Flammability Refrigerants Installed Outdoors in Europe.” The JIEG brings together key representatives from the heat pump industry, including manufacturers, component suppliers, installers, building owners, and
A new EU project is to develop guidelines for installers and consumers using heat pumps that contain flammable refrigerants. Heat pumps are key to moving away from fossil fuels in heating. To protect the climate to the maximum in line with EU law, heat pumps are increasingly switching to low greenhouse gas refrigerants. As these refrigerants are more flammable, ensuring the safety of heat pump installers and consumers is paramount.
In September the consortium of SKILLSAFE EU met for the first time and had the official Kick-off meeting at the European Heat Pump Association office in Brussels. The session was a very resourceful one. All the Work Package leaders presented their detailed work plans, showcasing the collaborative spirit and strategic direction of the project. A special thanks also to CINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency and DGENER
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
