Danfoss - Experts & Thought Leaders

Danfoss announced that Daniel Winter has been named president of Danfoss Power Solutions. He succeeds Eric Alström who, after 12 years with Danfoss, has decided to seek new challenges outside the company. Daniel Winter will join the Danfoss Group Executive Team and take over as President of Danfoss Power Solutions on January 1, 2025. He is well-prepared for the new role and has extensive experience within the company. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for Danfoss Power Solutions, where he plays a critical role on the Power Solutions Leadership Team (PSLT), driving the financial strategy and ensuring solid segment performance during strong growth and challenging market conditions. Prior roles of Winter Winter served as Senior Vice President, Head of Finance Functions, for Danfoss Group from 2017 to 2020 “I’m excited to build on our strong foundation, great products and solutions, excellent customer relationships, and a fantastic and talented team with a history of delivering great results,” Daniel Winter said. “While the market presents challenges, we’re prepared to navigate them and take Power Solutions to the next level.” Before his current position, Daniel Winter served as Senior Vice President, Head of Finance Functions, for Danfoss Group from 2017 to 2020, and as Senior Vice President, Finance and Controlling, at Sauer-Danfoss from 2013 to 2017. He holds a Master’s in managerial economics, controlling, and tax from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany. Contributions to Danfoss Power Solutions “I am very proud to announce that Daniel will join the Danfoss Group Executive Team and take over the role of Segment President of Danfoss Power Solutions. He will ensure continuity and keep us on track for our long-term growth plans,” said Kim Fausing, Danfoss President and CEO.  “Daniel brings a wealth of experience, having spent most of his career with Danfoss and Danfoss Power Solutions. He shares our ambitions and passion for the mobile and industrial hydraulics business and will, together with the PSLT, develop the business further with our customers. I would like to thank Eric for his dedication, strong leadership, and great contributions to Danfoss and Danfoss Power Solutions over the past 12 years. We wish Eric every success in the future and Daniel all the best in his new role.” Long-term strategic vision Eric Alström joined Danfoss in 2012 as President and CEO of Sauer-Danfoss. Since then, and with his leadership, the segment has transformed into a strong global pioneer in mobile and industrial hydraulics and electrification. “Danfoss has transformed tremendously since I joined 12 years ago, especially in the last five years,” Eric Alström said. “Merging the Eaton Hydraulics team with the Power Solutions team has been the highlight of my career. Many former Eaton colleagues said it felt like coming home, making the integration much smoother, and the rest of us felt the same way. Together, we’ve solidified our role as a pioneer in hydraulics, which remains core to Danfoss. Danfoss is a very special company, and I will always value our clear purpose, long-term strategic vision, and strong DNA and culture.”

Danfoss is proud to announce that their BOCK HGX56 CO2 T compressor has been named the winner in the Refrigeration category of the 2025 AHR Expo Innovation Awards. The annual awards competition honors the most inventive and original products, systems, and technologies that will be showcased at this coming January’s International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) in the categories of Building Automation; Cooling; Sustainable Solutions; Heating; Indoor Air Quality; Plumbing; Refrigeration; Software; Tools & Instruments; and Ventilation. latest Danfoss innovation Supporting customers in their transition to low-GWP refrigerants is a key priority for Danfoss Supporting customers in their transition to low-GWP refrigerants is a key priority for Danfoss. The company’s dedication to environmental responsibility drives the continuous development of efficient and reliable CO2 compressors that guarantee peak plant efficiency while minimizing investment, energy and operating costs. The BOCK HGX56 CO2 T, the latest Danfoss innovation for sustainable refrigeration, is a transcritical semi-hermetic CO2 (R744) compressor, ideal for industrial refrigeration, cold storage, ice sports facilities, and heat pumps. Benefits of the CO2 heat pumps The expansion to six-cylinder capacity allows for a wider spread and faster uptake of large CO2 heat pumps and industrial refrigeration systems, along with lower system complexity and investment costs. Additional benefits of the increased capacity – up to 135 kW for cooling and 360 kW for heating – include greater efficiency and reliability, along with low noise and vibration, a compact and lightweight design, and a minimal oil carry-over rate. The new 6-cylinder design ensures greater capacities while reducing the number of compressors. HFC or HFO refrigerants HGX56 CO2 T is an alternative to compressors using HFC or HFO refrigerants or ammonia With its high efficiency and reliability, this innovation enables larger refrigeration and heat pump applications with less footprint and strong energy-efficient performance. As a result, the HGX56 CO2 T is an attractive alternative to compressors using HFC or HFO refrigerants or ammonia and provides the same optimal performance at full and partial loads. The product is circularity-oriented as it is easy to service and replace all components and fulfills the requirements of the global phasedown of F-gases. Carbon emissions and energy consumption “The BOCK HGX56 CO2 T compressor represents a breakthrough for industrial and commercial refrigeration and large-capacity CO2 heat pumps, including process and district heating applications,” said Vikas Anand, vice president of sales, Danfoss Climate Solutions, North America. “With the push to decarbonize heating and refrigeration, the BOCK HGX56 CO2 T enables customers to reduce both carbon emissions and energy consumption without sacrificing performance. We are honored to be recognized by AHR Expo.” AHR Expo Innovation Awards Winners of the AHR Expo Innovation Awards program are selected by a panel of third-party ASHRAE member judges who evaluate all award entries based on innovative design, creativity, application, value and market impact. This year’s award winners will be recognized in a formal ceremony during the 2025 AHR Expo, which takes place February 10-12 in Orlando.

Danfoss and HOFOR are ready to optimize Copenhagen's future district heating with AI technology. The future of district heating lies in AI-based solutions that can help utility companies optimize and manage energy. Danfoss Leanheat® software In a step toward better energy management, HOFOR (Greater Copenhagen Utility) has partnered with Danfoss by investing in Danfoss Leanheat® software. Alongside investments in large heat pumps, geothermal energy, and other digital initiatives, HOFOR is transitioning to electricity-based production and maximizing energy efficiency in Copenhagen. Benefiting the entire city This approach ensures that temperatures are kept as low as possible without compromising warmth With Danfoss Leanheat®, HOFOR integrates local weather forecasts and real-time data - including temperature measurements, critical system points, and heat demand forecasts - to dynamically optimize the supply temperature in the district heating network. This approach ensures that temperatures are kept as low as possible without compromising warmth and comfort.  environmental benefits Over time, the system adapts to the specific conditions of each district heating area, improving the accuracy of predictions and further optimizing operations. The environmental benefits go beyond cost savings; the improved efficiency also leads to reduced fuel consumption and a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions. Intelligent control "With climate change and fluctuating energy prices affecting us, we need to save heat. Intelligent control is a key milestone in our efforts to digitize and optimize Copenhagen’s district heating systems," said Kim Kanstrup, Section Manager at HOFOR. "If we can manage heat more precisely based on demand, we enhance efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. And we can do so without our customers noticing any difference or having to adjust their radiator thermostats themselves." efficient and reliable operation "With the Danfoss Leanheat® solution, HOFOR can operate its district heating network more efficiently and reliably," said Lars Troldahl, Business Development Manager, Danfoss District Energy. "By automatically optimizing the supply temperature to the network, we can reduce heat loss and costs while still meeting customer needs." From pilot project to full implementation The Leanheat® solution positions Danfoss as a key technology partner in district heating systems The collaboration follows a successful pilot project launched in 2020, which laid the foundation for the current implementation. Subsequently, HOFOR has chosen Danfoss Leanheat® as the standard software solution for temperature optimization. The Leanheat® solution positions Danfoss as a key technology partner in district heating systems. Danfoss is responsible for the full implementation of the new solution. temperature optimization "This agreement is proof that both Danfoss and HOFOR have ambitious goals for temperature optimization and energy efficiency," said Jonas Loholm, Business Development Director, Danfoss District Heating. "It confirms our role as a pioneer in digital district heating solutions, serving not just as an inspiration in Denmark, but globally."

Businesses in the HVAC market were high-profile participants at the COP28 conference in Dubai. Several big HVAC companies had a presence at the conference, and the industry’s technologies are an important tool to achieve the conference’s stated climate goal of net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. COP28 The Conference of Parties of the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) took place Nov. 30-Dec. 12 in Dubai. Some 35,000 people were involved in negotiating the next stage of strategies to address the climate crisis. Attendees included pioneers from international organizations, national and local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and pioneering companies. About 15% of attendees at COP28 represented various business and industry sectors. Global Cooling Pledge They pledge to pursue the goals through better energy efficiency, a climate-friendly approach An outcome of the conference is the “Global Cooling Pledge,” intended to increase efforts and cooperation through joint targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to cooling. The pledge is a series of commitments by governments to accelerate emission reductions from energy use and refrigerants toward near-zero emissions. They pledge to pursue the goals through better energy efficiency, a climate-friendly approach, and expanding access to sustainable air conditioning.  Decarbonization “Decarbonization of the buildings sector is an imperative for meeting global climate targets,” commented Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Johnson Controls. “The technology exists to make near-zero emissions and climate-resilient buildings the new normal by 2030.”  net-zero building technologies Working together, pioneers across civil society and the private sector can rapidly deploy these climate solutions" Johnson Controls is committed to helping to drive leadership on net-zero building technologies into the future. At COP28, the company sponsored a kick-off event panel discussion on decarbonizing the built environment.  “Working together, pioneers across civil society and the private sector can rapidly deploy these climate solutions affordably, accelerating adoption of the technologies at a time when they are most needed, and can do the best,” said McGinty. sustainable cooling Recognizing the need to act on cooling, industrial equipment provider Danfoss joined with more than 60 government and other pioneering corporations to endorse the Global Cooling Pledge to support sustainable cooling. Action is needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F).  “Cooling is one of the biggest societal opportunities of our time,” said Jürgen Fischer, President, of Danfoss Climate Solutions. “It is needed everywhere to cool our food, our buildings, and our vaccines. It brings health, growth, and food security for the world’s population.” climate-friendly cooling technologies However, the Global Cooling Pledge needs to extend beyond a pledge and result in action However, the Global Cooling Pledge needs to extend beyond a pledge and result in action, says Fischer. “We must now see [the implementation] of technologies readily available today [to] spread sustainable, energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling technologies around the globe.” In addition to commitments by governments in the Global Cooling Pledge, there are also calls for cooperation in the private sector. It requires the support of private companies, financial institutions, and other entities to help governments achieve the goals outlined in the pledge.  centrally powered chiller Cooling of buildings represents more than half of electricity consumption from cooling and is the most important driver for peak electricity demand. Energy demand from the cooling of homes is expected to grow threefold by 2050 if no measures are taken. One approach to minimizing global warming is district cooling, which saves up to 50% of energy usage by circulating chilled water through pipelines to cool buildings. A centrally powered chiller can shift cold-water production away from peak hours and adapt to renewable energies. cooling-related emissions Daikin Industries exhibited its highly efficient inverter air conditioners, which contribute to 50% energy savings “District cooling and the phase-out of refrigerants with a high impact on global warming are two examples of many that can make a difference,” says Fischer. “Technologies and solutions to reduce cooling-related emissions are already in use around the world, and I urge the pioneers behind the Global Cooling Pledge to see them in action. Seeing is believing.” At the COP28 Japan Pavilion, Daikin Industries exhibited its highly efficient inverter air conditioners, which contribute to 50% energy savings. low-GWP refrigerant R32 “As a pioneering air conditioning company with global operations, Daikin has led the industry in promoting the use of high-efficiency inverter air conditioners and the low-GWP refrigerant R32,” says Katsuyuki Sawai, Senior Executive Officer, of Global Environment, for Daikin. “These efforts are in line with the direction of the Global Cooling Pledge and will continue to expand these initiatives around the world to help achieve the goals of the pledge.” high-efficiency inverter air conditioners Variable-speed high-efficiency inverter air conditioners precisely control the rotation speed of the air conditioner Variable-speed high-efficiency inverter air conditioners precisely control the rotation speed of the air conditioner compressor in line with ambient conditions to reduce electric power consumption.  While the ratio of air conditioners equipped with inverter technology has reached nearly 100% in the Japanese and European markets, such levels are still low in the rest of the world, including the United States, the Middle East Africa, and Asia. More awareness of this equipment is needed. Broader usage would have an immediate impact, says Daikin.  reducing carbon footprints Emerson, a global automation software and technology company, also lent its voice and expertise to the conversations at COP28. “It is encouraging to see how many companies are working to reduce their carbon footprints and engage with clean energy innovations,” said Mike Train, Emerson’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Across the globe, there are ground-breaking, at-scale examples in hydrogen, EV batteries, biofuels, energy and emissions management, circularity, grid resiliency, and more.”  Reimagine the Future of Energy Mathias Schinzel, Emerson’s Middle East and Africa President, participated in the world’s largest youth energy summit Train says collaboration is key to designing and building projects, putting productive policies and processes in place, and driving investment into broader adoption.  At COP28, Mathias Schinzel, Emerson’s Middle East and Africa President, participated in the world’s largest youth energy summit under the theme of “Reimagine the Future of Energy.” digitalization and artificial intelligence The company also participated in Climate Action’s Sustainable Innovation Forum panel discussion on how digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate business models to support sustainable circularity. In addition to participating in other panels, Emerson was a Climate Supporter for COP28 and provided an innovation exhibit in Expo City highlighting technologies to decarbonize traditional industries while accelerating energy sectors like hydrogen, biofuels, and electrification.

HVAC systems perform an important function in healthcare facilities, ensuring an environment conducive to healing and optimum health. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can the industry address HVAC challenges in hospitals and healthcare facilities?  

Like most industries, the future of the HVAC market is being driven by technology. In the world of HVAC as in life, technology touches nearly everything we do. Changes in technology can affect the demand for various products or even make products obsolete. Current technology shifts in HVAC are likely to have profound impacts and change the industry as we know it. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the biggest technology change currently happening in the HVAC market?