From October 16 to 17, the 17th China-Japan-Korea Thermal Energy Storage Conference (CJK TES 2025) was successfully held in Hangzhou. Hosted by China Academy of Building Research Co., Ltd., organized by China Association of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Industry Technology Innovation Alliance (CAHVAC), and co-organized by Hangzhou Rainbow Technologies Co., Ltd., the conference consisted of three sessions: expert meeting, technical forum and project visit. Experts and scholars from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea conducted in-depth exchanges on the latest research achievements, practical application experience and future development directions of thermal energy storage technologies.

More than 30 expert representatives from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea attended the expert meeting in the morning. In his welcome address, Xu Wei, Chief Expert of China Academy of Building Research and Chairman of CAHVAC, extended a warm welcome to all participants. He pointed out that since its launch in 2013, the China-Japan-Korea Thermal Energy Storage Conference has become an important platform for practical cooperation among the three countries in the field of thermal energy storage. He emphasized that promoting energy transition and carbon neutrality is a common goal at present. The three countries should strengthen policy coordination and experience sharing, deepen standard alignment and joint research, and jointly promote regional green and low-carbon development.

Experts from various countries introduced the current status of thermal energy storage and relevant policies and standards in their respective countries, and shared the development prospects of the thermal energy storage market and related project practices. After discussion, it was confirmed that the next conference will be held in Japan in 2026.

More than 100 experts, scholars and enterprise representatives in the field of thermal energy storage from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea participated in the technical forum in the afternoon, exchanging views on thermal energy storage system optimization, new thermal storage technologies, waste heat utilization and international application practices.

The opening ceremony was moderated by Cai Jun, Deputy Director of the International Department of China Association of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Industry Technology Innovation Alliance (CAHVAC).

Zheng Min, Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Hangzhou Qingshanhu Sci-Tech City, delivered the first speech. She welcomed the guests and pointed out that thermal energy storage technology is a key driving force for energy transition. She also emphasized that China, Japan and the Republic of Korea have great potential for cooperation in the green and low-carbon field, and should strengthen technology sharing and industrial collaboration to jointly promote regional energy structure optimization and sustainable development, contributing wisdom to building a green future.

Zhang Jinsong, General Manager of Hangzhou Rainbow Technologies Co., Ltd., reviewed the achievements of the China-Japan-Korea Thermal Energy Storage Conference in promoting technological exchange and low-carbon development over the past decade. He noted that thermal energy storage and heat pump technologies play a key role in energy transition, and looked forward to the three countries continuing to deepen cooperation, share innovative achievements, and jointly inject new impetus into regional green and low-carbon development.

Wu Jianlin, Director of the High-Performance Building Research Center of China Academy of Building Research and Director of the International Department of CAHVAC, stated that the China-Japan-Korea Thermal Energy Storage Conference has always been committed to promoting exchanges among the three countries in thermal energy storage technologies, cases and management experience. At present, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea face common challenges in energy transition and building energy efficiency. He suggested further strengthening technological innovation and cooperation to jointly advance thermal energy storage technology progress and green development.

Professor Masashi Momota from Tokyo Denki University introduced the China-Japan-Korea Thermal Energy Storage Alliance (CJK TES) to the participants.

Zhu Shihao, Engineer of China Academy of Building Research Co., Ltd.; Yoshiaki Kawakami, General Manager of Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd., Japan; Jae Hyeok Heo, Chief Researcher of Korea Institute of Energy Research; Lü Chao, Associate Professor of School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University; Ma Buping, Chief Technical Advisor of Chengdu Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Gaotou Energy Technology Co., Ltd.; and Seung Jin Oh, Chief Researcher of Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, delivered keynote reports respectively, themed on Case and Simulation Study of Model Predictive Control for Typical Thermal Energy Storage Heat Pump Systems, Development of Open Adsorption Thermal Storage System Using Low-Temperature Waste Heat, Introduction of Water Heating Systems with Thermal Storage in the Republic of Korea, Simulation Research and Application Demonstration on Ice Making and Melting Performance of Nano Thermal Conductivity Composite Coils, Application Practice of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in China’s Integrated Energy Sector, and Introduction of Power-to-Heat (P2H) Systems in the Republic of Korea.

At the end of the conference, Professor Masaya Okumiya, Honorary Professor of Nagoya University, Japan, and Jeongsik Seo, Director of Carbon Neutrality & Energy Machinery Division, Korea Testing & Research Institute for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, delivered closing speeches respectively.

On the morning of October 17, the participants visited the Phase III Expansion Project of No. 2 Energy Station in Hangzhou Medical Port. They toured the integrated energy system featuring collaborative operation of steam lithium bromide refrigeration units and large electric refrigeration units, coupled with ice thermal storage and electrochemical energy storage modules. On-site exchanges were conducted on technical issues such as system integration and optimization, energy efficiency improvement strategies and practical application effects.

The China-Japan-Korea Thermal Energy Storage Conference (CJK TES MEETING) was initiated in 2013 by China Academy of Building Research Co., Ltd., Japan Heat Pump & Thermal Storage Technology Center, and Korea Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Evaluation Center. It is held annually and hosted in turn among the three countries. Through the sharing of cutting-edge technological achievements and practical experience in thermal energy storage by experts from the three countries, this conference further promoted in-depth cooperation and coordinated development among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea in the field of thermal energy storage.