Dr Andrew Pearson and a team from Star Refrigeration have won the Rittinger Medal for breakthrough heat pump technology that fights climate change.

The team responsible for the world’s largest zero carbon 90°C (194°F) ammonia district heat pump, which has been installed in Scandinavia but designed and manufactured in Glasgow by Star Refrigeration, received the prestigious Rittinger Award at the International Heat Pump Conference in Montreal on 14 May.

Dr Pearson received the award for his groundbreaking research, design and development work in the field of heat pump technology. His pioneering technology has made it possible to deliver heat at high temperatures using ammonia, a non ozone depleting refrigerant with zero GWP, to run the system. The substitution of HFC gases for ammonia eliminates an equivalent of 800,000km in car travel from gases leaking to the atmosphere.

The industrial water heat pump design allowed an energy efficiency increase of 25% compared with conventional commercial heat pumps. It also allowed the use of renewable energy – hydroelectricity- ensuring the heat pump makes zero carbon heat available from a fjord.

The Rittinger award is awarded every three years by the International Energy Agency Heat Pump Programme to deserving individuals or teams from member countries who have distinguished themselves in the advancement of heat pumping technologies applications, market development and dissemination activities with lasting international impact.

The award is named after Peter Ritter von Rittinger, an Austrian engineer who is credited with the design and installation of the first practical heat pump system in 1856.

Receiving the Award, Dr Pearson said: “This award demonstrates the UK’s businesses strength in innovation and leading expertise in technical design of climate friendly technologies. I hope this accolade will help raise awareness of the value of water-source heat pumps.'