Paul Schwartz is the CEO of ThermoLift, a company that has developed a system that can provide a 30-50% reduction in building heating and cooling energy consumption and costs, as well as associated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

What is your vision for decarbonising heating and cooling in Europe by 2050?

Regulation in Europe continues to march toward significantly lower CO2 emissions and electrification technologies.  Heating and cooling with heat pumps satisfy a portion of this requirement.  However, natural gas will remain an important energy source in heating systems.  Natural gas driven heat pumps in development for heating, cooling and hot water have the potential to capture renewable heat energy and dramatically reduce gas consumption and related CO2 and NOx emissions.  Implementation of both technologies will play an important role toward the decarbonization of Europe’s HVAC carbon footprint.

 
What is your contribution to this vision as stakeholder in your professional environment, but also as individual?  

As the CEO of ThermoLift, a company engaged in the development and commercialization of a natural gas air conditioner and heat pump technology, we strive to reduce carbon emission from HVAC systems by as much as 50%.  In addition, the ThermoLift system does not use “F” gasses which themselves could be 1000 times more harmful in their contribution to global warming. Individually, I share the vision of a global clean energy infrastructure.  My professional career has been dedicated toward the financing, development and advancement of clean energy technologies. 

Who do you think is the strongest ally in making your vision of a decarbonised Europe a reality?

Regulation will drive the market toward commercial scale and cost requirements of broad adoption. Regulation must support the early adoption phases of energy efficient systems to achieve these robust goals of decarbonization.  Coupled with industry support, and organizations like the EHPA, public awareness will also drive toward decarbonization.  In the end, economic gravity will be the single greatest ally to decarbonization of Europe.  Mass adoption of technologies relies on economics realized by the consumer regardless of the vision for a carbon free Europe.