Hatef Madani was appointed Principal Scientist at the Center for Energy at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology on 1 April 2025. In this position, he is responsible for the scientific management and international cooperation of an ambitious interdisciplinary research programme of the AIT and KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. Hatef Madani is researching the development of the next generation of sustainable heating systems for use in European urban areas and is Associate Professor and Head of the Division of Applied Thermodynamics, Department of Energy Technology at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
Hatef Madani is Associate Professor and Head of the Division of Applied Thermodynamics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. In addition to his work as a research director and professor at the university, he works closely with research institutes and industry in Europe. Over the last two decades, he has been involved in several national and international research projects on energy system analysis and system modelling.
Hatef Madani, Principal Scientist at the Center for Energy of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology: "Digitalisation opens up new opportunities for innovative energy systems. In my new role as Principal Scientist at AIT, I am looking forward to application-oriented research projects with a high impact for the development and testing of next generation of heat pump systems that will make a significant contribution to decarbonising the building sector."
Outstanding scientific achievements
Andreas Kugi, AIT-Scientific Director: “With the AIT Principal Scientist Programme, we are strengthening the scientific excellence of our flagship projects with internationally leading scientists in their field. I am particularly pleased that we were able to recruit Hatef Madani with his proven expertise in heat pump technology and thermal energy systems.”
Friederich Kupzog, Head of the Center for Energy at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology: “With Hatef Madani as Principal Scientist, we are strengthening our scientific excellence in two key future fields: the digitalisation of energy systems and the further development of intelligent heat pump technologies. His expertise will make a significant contribution to developing innovative solutions for a climate-neutral and resilient energy supply in urban areas.”
Doctoral programme with a focus on technology development and services
As Principal Scientist, Hatef Madani leads the joint PhD programme HEAPNOSYS - HEAt Pumps as the driver of iNtelligent energy SYStems, which focuses on innovations in the field of building heating and cooling in European urban areas. The programme is based on two pillars: The development of new generation of heat pump technology as well as digital services for heating systems. Specifically, the two pillars include the development and testing of a prototype heat pump system and the development of digital twins for heat pumps that support both installers and service personnel in the safe, efficient and fault-free installation, operation and maintenance of heat pump systems.
AIT Principal Scientist Programme
Principal Scientists play a prominent role in the AIT's scientific career model. They are internationally recognised experts with an outstanding scientific achievements.
More information about the AIT: https://ait.ac.at