» SHIELD-R290 – Sustainable Heat Pump Innovation for Environment and Local Development with R290 Refrigerant

SHIELD-R290 – Sustainable Heat Pump Innovation for Environment and Local Development with R290 Refrigerant

Project Summary

SHIELD-R290 will deploy and test next-generation, locally produced R290 (propane)-based green heat pump systems in operational environments across the Kyiv region. The project will demonstrate six prototypes ranging from 8–200 kW across urban and rural customer segments, supporting Ukraine’s transition toward efficient, low-carbon heating.

Challenge

Ukraine’s heating infrastructure faces war-related disruption, high energy costs and outdated systems, while imported heat pumps can be costly, difficult to install and increasingly affected by R290 and refrigerant regulatory requirements. SHIELD-R290 addresses this gap with locally produced, energy-efficient heat pumps designed for Ukraine’s conditions and aligned with evolving Ukrainian, EU and UK environmental and refrigerant regulations.

Innovation

Project SHIELD-R290 focuses on the development of green heat pump systems using R290 (propane), a natural refrigerant with low environmental impact. The project will deliver a modular heat pump range from 8–200 kW, with six prototypes designed for different customer segments and applications. By supporting local production in Ukraine, the systems aim to provide an efficient, lower-carbon heating solution while strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity and reducing reliance on conventional fossil-fuel-based heating technologies.