Strengthening the HVAC&R community in Portugal and Region XIV since 2005
What is ASHRAE?
ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) is a global professional association committed to advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration (HVAC&R), and their allied fields. Founded in 1894, ASHRAE brings together more than 56,000 members from over 152 countries, including engineers, researchers, academics, manufacturers, and professionals dedicated to improving building performance and sustainability.
ASHRAE’s mission is to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through the development and dissemination of technical knowledge. The Society provides research, standards, education, and publications that set the foundation for high-performance building design and operation across the world.
Its work covers a wide range of topics, including:
Building systems and energy efficiency
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort
Refrigeration technologies and low-carbon cooling solutions
Environmental sustainability and climate action
Digital transformation in the built environment, such as smart controls and building automation systems
ASHRAE develops internationally recognized standards and guidelines — such as Standard 90.1 (Energy Efficiency in Buildings) and Standard 62.1 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality) — which serve as benchmarks for building codes and regulations worldwide.
The Society also supports professional development through conferences, training programs, technical committees, and local Chapters. Its global network fosters collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas between professionals and students, contributing to a more sustainable, resilient, and healthy built environment.
ASHRAE PORTUGAL CHAPTER
The ASHRAE Portugal Chapter is the official representation of ASHRAE in Portugal, integrated into Region XIV - Europe since 2017. Originally founded in 2005 and officially chartered as a Chapter in 2007, it brings together professionals, academics, and students dedicated to advancing the fields of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) in the Portuguese context.
The Chapter’s mission is to promote ASHRAE’s technical knowledge and best practices within the national engineering community, fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and public institutions. Through technical events, training sessions, research dissemination, and student engagement, the Chapter contributes to the development of energy-efficient, sustainable, and resilient buildings in Portugal.
The Chapter actively participates in regional and international initiatives, including conferences, workshops, and technical exchange.
As part of ASHRAE’s global network, the Portugal Chapter supports the Society’s overarching goals — to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world — by encouraging the adoption of innovative HVAC&R technologies, environmental responsibility, and high standards of professional ethics.
The Chapter actively participates in regional and international initiatives, including conferences, workshops, and technical exchanges with other ASHRAE Chapters, reinforcing Portugal’s position as a key contributor to the advancement of the built environment across Europe.
Chapter News
ASHRAE has officially announced its Slate of Nominees for the 2026–2027 Officers and Directors, recognising professionals who have demonstrated sustained leadership, technical excellence, and commitment to advancing the built environment.
Among the nominees is Eduardo Maldonado, ASHRAE Life Member, who has been nominated for the position of Director and Regional Chair – Region XIV. This nomination acknowledges his long-standing contribution to ASHRAE, as well as his academic and professional career dedicated to HVAC&R, energy efficiency, and sustainable building performance.
The ASHRAE Portugal Chapter welcomes this nomination as a recognition of the strong technical expertise and leadership within the Region, reinforcing the important role played by ASHRAE members in Europe in supporting the Society’s mission to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and building systems.
More information about the 2026–2027 ASHRAE Slate of Nominees is available on the official ASHRAE website:
https://www.ashrae.org/about/slate-of-nominees-for-2026-2027-officers-and-directors
Chapter Activities
Technical Lecture
February 11, 2026
Technical Lecture by Stefano Piccoli
The ASHRAE Portugal Chapter is pleased to announce the Technical Lecture “Equipment Control in Cloud Systems”, to be held on February 24, from 18:30 to 20:00, at Ordem dos Engenheiros – Porto.
This session will be delivered by Stefano Piccoli, an engineer with more than 26 years of experience in refrigeration systems, specialized in electronic control solutions, IoT platforms, and cloud-based technologies for remote monitoring and energy optimization.
Recent advances in cloud-based control technologies are transforming the way HVAC, refrigeration, and environmental control systems are monitored and managed. These solutions enable:
Real-time system supervision
Remote access and control
Data traceability and analytics
Performance optimization
Improved reliability and operational safety
By integrating connectivity and digital intelligence into equipment control, cloud systems contribute to enhanced energy efficiency and support compliance with quality and environmental standards.
📍 Location: Ordem dos Engenheiros – Porto
đź“… Date: February 24
🕒 Time: 18:30 – 20:00
🎟 Attendance: Free | Registration required via the Ordem dos Engenheiros website
This lecture supports ASHRAE’s mission of advancing sustainable technology for the built environment, promoting innovation, decarbonization, and professional excellence within the HVAC&R community.Â
Government Affairs Activities
December 19, 2025
ADENE Talks - T01-EP06 – Energy Performance of BuildingsÂ
In the final episode of the first season of ADENE Talks dedicated to the Energy Performance of Buildings, Eduardo Maldonado, Professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto and Life Member of ASHRAE, joins Rui Fragoso, a government official in the buildings sector and Director of Buildings and Resource Efficiency at ADENE, for an in-depth conversation on the evolution and future of building energy regulation.
Throughout the episode, the speakers discuss key topics such as the progression of energy-related requirements in buildings, the influence of legislation on improving performance, and the essential role of knowledge sharing among stakeholders in driving better indoor comfort and more efficient building stock.
The conversation highlights the pathways and transformations that buildings will need to undergo in order to meet the European carbon-neutrality targets set for 2050.
📺 Watch the full episode: https://lnkd.in/eRBMmk6Y
Porto Student Branch Activities
December 15, 2025
Seminar – Air Handling Units (AHU): Components and Operation
The seminar “Air Handling Units – AHU (Components and Operation)” took place on 15 December 2025 and brought together undergraduate and master’s students in Mechanical Engineering for a technical session dedicated to the design and operation of AHUs.
The event was jointly organized by the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (LMEF), the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Laboratory (LAVAC), the Thermodynamics Laboratory (LTERM), and the ASHRAE Porto Student Branch, reinforcing the ongoing collaboration between academia and ASHRAE in promoting high-quality HVAC&R education.
The guest speakers, Eng. Miguel Jesus and Eng. Manuel Marques, represented EVAC, a company that has been designing and manufacturing ventilation and air-conditioning equipment for the Portuguese market since 1984. With a strong focus on industrial production, without providing design or installation services, EVAC works closely with sector professionals to ensure products that surpass energy-efficiency requirements and construction standards. This approach not only optimizes performance and costs for clients but also supports environmental sustainability through robust, efficient solutions.
This seminar provided valuable technical insights into AHU construction and operation, contributing to the development of future HVAC&R professionals and aligning with ASHRAE’s mission of advancing sustainable technologies in the built environment.
Coimbra Student Branch Activities
November 3, 2025
Seminar “Integrated HVAC Solutions” – University of Coimbra
On November 3rd, the University of Coimbra hosted a technical lecture delivered by BAXI, focusing on “Integrated HVAC Solutions”.
The session was organized by the ASHRAE Student Branch of Coimbra, with the support of the ASHRAE Portugal Chapter, and aimed to strengthen the connection between academia and industry by promoting the exchange of technical knowledge and best practices in the HVAC&R field.
Throughout the presentation, BAXI representatives shared their vision of integrated heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, highlighting innovative approaches for improving energy efficiency, comfort, and sustainability in building design and operation.
This initiative reflects ASHRAE Portugal Chapter’s ongoing commitment to supporting student engagement and professional development, encouraging collaboration between future engineers and industry leaders.
Faro Student Branch Activities
October 23, 2025
Webinar/Seminar “Ventilation in Vehicles” – University of Algarve
The ASHRAE Student Branch of Faro will host the Webinar/Seminar “Ventilation in Vehicles” on November 14th, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, taking place at the Green Auditorium of the University of Algarve and via Zoom.
This event is part of an ongoing project funded by the ASHRAE, entitled “Development of an experimental passenger vehicle chamber equipped with multiple HVAC and radiant systems”, developed within the Faro Student Branch.
The seminar will present recent findings and advances in the development of new ventilation systems for vehicles, highlighting innovative solutions to improve thermal comfort and indoor air quality.
📍 Venue: Green Auditorium, University of Algarve / Zoom Platform
đź’» Free participation, with mandatory registration and limited seats for both the auditorium and the online session.
đź”— Registration link
CRC 2025 @ Portugal
September 27, 2025
The Chapters Regional Conference (CRC) is the annual meeting of the ASHRAE Region XIV – Europe.
This event brings together chapter leaders, members, students, and HVAC&R professionals, offering a unique platform for training, knowledge exchange, networking, and strategic decision-making for the Region’s future.
In 2025, the CRC took place in Lisbon, from September 25 to 27, hosted by the ASHRAE Portugal Chapter. Over three days, Lisbon welcomed representatives from across Europe for an intensive program of business meetings, training sessions, Distinguished Lecturers, technical presentations, and networking opportunities.
ASHRAE Summer School
September 27, 2025
Carlos Miguel Lopes, a member of the ASHRAE Porto Student Branch, won first place at the Refrigeration Summer School in Iași, Romania, with his paper “Indirect Expansion and HVAC Systems for Healthcare Facilities.” In Portugal, the competition was promoted through a partnership between the ASHRAE Portugal Chapter and APIRAC.
Undergraduate Program Equipment Grant
September 27, 2025
ASHRAE Faro Student Branch, winner of an ASHRAE Undergraduate Program Equipment Grant, with the project entitled “Development of an Experimental Passenger Vehicle Chamber Equipped with Multiple HVAC and Radiant Systems.”Â