idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
More efficient heat pumps for single-family homes and large industrial facilities as well as an energy-autonomous cold storage facility in the Sahara: Since October 2025, Simon Klink, THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION Endowed Professor of Refrigeration Technology and Heat Pumps, has been conducting research on climate-friendly heating and cooling at the University of Stuttgart. As an engineer with a PhD and extensive industry experience, he aims to put his research findings directly into practice to strengthen the use of renewable energy.
“My work is aimed at accelerating the heat transition—that is, making heat pumps viable for use in sectors where oil and gas still dominate today,” says Simon Klink, THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION Endowed Professor of Refrigeration Technology and Heat Pumps at the University of Stuttgart. New applications, more affordable devices, easier installation, and greater operational reliability: He and his team conduct research across the full performance range—from small systems with an output of 5 kW to industrial applications of up to 1.5 MW. “After many years in industry, I wanted to move into research. However, I measure my success by how many of my results are translated into products,” says Klink.
He also initiated refrigeration engineering projects during his first few months at the University of Stuttgart. Within two years, an energy-autonomous cold storage facility is to be put into operation in the Sahara. How it works: solar cooling powered by solar thermal energy. The purpose is to store vegetables for longer—“and to help ensure that fewer people go hungry,” says Klink.
Sustainable energy technologies for environmental protection
“The appointment of Simon Klink to the THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION Endowed Chair strengthens research in sustainable energy technologies at the University of Stuttgart and highlights the importance of this forward-looking field. As a successful researcher with valuable industry experience, he contributes to research, knowledge transfer, and teaching. His expertise and practical perspective provide important momentum for new developments and collaborations in refrigeration and heat pump technology,” says Professor Peter Middendorf, Rector of the University of Stuttgart.
“Supporting research and education in the fields of refrigeration and air-conditioning technology, energy efficiency, and environmental protection is one of the core missions of THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION. By establishing an Endowed Chair at the University of Stuttgart—the third such chair we have endowed in this field—TSF contributes to research and the training of the next generation of engineers. We are pleased to have appointed Professor Klink, a recognized expert in this field,” says Ingo Smit, Chair of THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION (TSF).
Practice-oriented teaching, excellent job prospects
From the winter semester 2026/2027, Klink will bring his wealth of experience from industry and research into teaching and will use a model-based and simulation-driven approach to make refrigeration and heat pump technology accessible to students. “I want to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with students and show them that my work makes a positive difference in people’s lives,” says Klink. “Job prospects in energy technology are very good because there are—and will continue to be—a wide variety of solutions beyond fossil fuels. From my time in industry, I know what graduates should bring, and I will prepare the next generation even better for the jobs ahead,” he continues.
About Simon Klink
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Simon Klink studied mechatronics at the University of Karlsruhe and earned his doctorate there at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering from 2005 to 2008. He then spent 17 years working in industry, where he developed a wide range of expertise at Bosch and spearheaded innovations in the field of heating, cooling, and air conditioning technology. From 2020 to 2025, he served as Head of Development for air-to-water heat pumps at Bosch Home Comfort. He holds 58 patents. Since October 1, 2025, he has held the newly established Endowed Chair in Refrigeration Technology and Heat Pumps at the University of Stuttgart. The professorship at the Institute for Building Energetics, Thermotechnology and Energy Storage (IGTE) is funded by THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION. The foundation is dedicated to promoting research and education, particularly in the fields of refrigeration and air conditioning technology, energy efficiency, and environmental protection.
Prof. Simon Klink, University of Stuttgart, Institute for Building Energetics, Thermotechnology and Energy Storage (IGTE), phone: +49 711 685-62075, E-mail: simon.klink@igte.uni-stuttgart.de
https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/en/university/news/all/Efficient-heating-and-coolin...
https://www.igte.uni-stuttgart.de/en/
https://www.the-schaufler-foundation.de/index_en.html
Prof. Simon Klink brings his wealth of experience from his many years in industry to the University ...
Source: Uli Regenscheit
Copyright: University of Stuttgart
Prof. Simon Klink in front of a test heat pump.
Source: Uli Regenscheit
Copyright: University of Stuttgart
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