The foundation is the sole shareholder of the Institute of Air Handling and Refrigeration (ILK Dresden gGmbH). It emerged from a predecessor association and was officially recognized on September 1, 2022. The foundation plays a critical role in ensuring the long-term independence, neutrality, and non-profit status of ILK Dresden - safeguarding its position as an industry-independent research institute for advanced engineering, energy systems, and applied sciences.
Mission Promoting science, engineering & future talent
The primary objective of the foundation is to promote the dissemination of cutting-edge scientific innovations and to actively support the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technology experts.
A strong focus is placed on STEM talent development, engineering education, and the promotion of young researchers through awards, recognition programs, and academic excellence initiatives.
Are you looking for a practical partner for your diploma, master's or bachelor's thesis?
Key activities include
- Publication of high-impact research in air conditioning, refrigeration, cryogenic engineering, and energy technologies
- Organization of international conferences, expert symposiums, seminars, and scientific lectures
- Delivery of professional training programs, technical education, and advanced engineering workshops
- Annual foundation award recognizing outstanding student research, theses, and innovations in:
- Cryogenic Engineering & Low-Temperature Physics
- Refrigeration Technology & Heat Pump Systems
- HVAC Engineering & Indoor Climate Solutions
- Applied Materials Science
- Sustainable Energy Engineering
These initiatives strengthen innovation ecosystems, support future engineers, and drive technological progress in energy efficiency, climate technologies, and sustainable infrastructure.
Network & industry collaboration "Friends of the foundation"
To further promote STEM education, engineering talent pipelines, and regional innovation in Central Germany, the network “Friends of the Foundation for Air Handling and Refrigeration” was established in 2023.
This initiative enhances:
- Collaboration between science and industry
- Knowledge transfer and innovation acceleration
- Visibility of engineering education and research excellence
The network meets annually at ILK Dresden and is open to professionals, researchers, students, and stakeholders interested in advancing engineering, science, and sustainable technologies.
Join the network. To apply for the invitation list, please contact:
Leadership
The foundation is chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Mario Reichel, Professor of Building Climate Engineering and Integrated Planning at the University of Applied Sciences Zwickau. His expertise bridges academia and industry, fostering innovation, engineering excellence, and applied research.
Biography – Prof. Dr.-Ing. Mario Reichel
Educational background
| 1967 to 1975 | General Polytechnic High School in Karl-Marx-Stadt, now Chemnitz |
|---|---|
| 1975 to 1979 | Secondary School in Karl-Marx-Stadt, now Chemnitz |
| 1981 to 1985 | Karl-Marx-Stadt University of Technology, now Chemnitz Degree in Climate and Drying Technology Specialization in Heating and Air Conditioning Technology |
| 1985 to 1989 | Karl-Marx-Stadt University of Technology, now Chemnitz University of Technology Position as research assistant |
| 1990 | Doctorate |
Career path
| 1989 to 1993 | Project Manager, Building Services Engineering |
|---|---|
| Since 1993 | Engineering Firm for Building Services and Energy, Partner |
| 2003 to 2010 | Professor of Heating and Supply Engineering at the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences in Zwickau (acting professor from 2003 to 2005) |
| 2010 to 2019 | Chair of Building Services Engineering / Renewable Energy Systems at HTW Dresden, University of Applied Science |
| Since 2019 | Chair of Building Services Engineering / Renewable Energy Systems at HTW Dresden, University of Applied Science |
Areas of Expertise and Research Focus
Teaching
Fundamentals of Building Services Engineering, Heating Systems, Plumbing Systems, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems, Renewable Energy Systems, Thermal, Acoustic, and Fire Protection, Pipe Hydraulics, Utility Engineering, Computer-Aided Design, Building and System Simulation, Design Management, Building Simulation, Fundamentals of Structural Engineering, System Design
Key Research Areas
Renewable heating and cooling, thermal storage applications, ambient-temperature heating and cooling systems, air-percolated rock beds
Research Activities - Third-Party Funded Projects
- Utilization concept for mine water for heat supply in Freiberg-Halsbrücke
- Energy monitoring for various buildings in Saxony
- Auditor for the energy concept of the Altchemnitz neighborhood
- Studies on changes in heat output from heat transfer units during conversion to low-temperature district heating
- Optimization of the single-pipe heating system in high-rise buildings owned by the Berlin housing association HOWOGE
- Field measurements of vertical temperature distribution in industrial buildings
- Creation and analysis of the energy flow at Elbtal-Tiefkühlkost in Lommatzsch
- Studies on improving the efficiency of heat supply in multi-story residential buildings
- Steam flow measurement and efficiency assessment
- Energy and thermal assessment of radiant heating systems
- ZED – Demonstrating the Energy Transition in Zwickau – Subproject: Innovative Heat Supply
Research Activities – SMWK Projects
- Wind-Heat Storage System - W²S
- SMWK Project 2014/15 - Studies on the Optimization of Building Services in Laboratory Buildings for Teaching and Research
- Sustainable Campus - 2013/2014
- Sustainable Campus - 2011 - Subproject 4
Research Activities - Expert Opinions
- Assessment of the hydraulics of the chilled water system at KfW Bank in Frankfurt am Main
Client: IMTECH Deutschland GmbH | Date of delivery: June 26, 2015 - Assessment of emergency damage to the HVAC system at the Grimma District Court
Client: Saxon State Real Estate and Construction Management | Date of submission: February 18, 2016 - Expert opinion for a doctoral dissertation at Chemnitz University of Technology on the topic “Qualitative and quantitative assessment of gas ingress into heating systems”; Date of submission: August 1, 2011
Doctoral Program
- System for the dynamic hydraulic balancing of heat pump systems using water-antifreeze mixtures
Ph.D. candidate: Florian Springer | Partner university: Chemnitz University of Technology | Status: ongoing
Lectures
- The Renewable Energy Heat Act, Chemnitz Construction Fair 2010
- Assessment of Building Energy Efficiency, IHK Energy Day 2012
- Assessment of Building Sustainability, IKS 2012, 2013
- Supply and Disposal Technology in Commercial and Industrial Facilities
- Participation in the HWK training course “Energy Efficiency Craftsman,” since 2015
- Participation in the Bauakademie training course “Radon Specialist,” since 2016
- VDI training event “Heat Pump and Storage Technologies,” since 2017
- Gravel storage for preheating and cooling air, presentation at the CEGA Congress, Baden-Baden, 2017
- Hydraulic Balancing from the Perspective of Energy Consulting and Construction Supervision, presentation at the 2018 Energy Consultant Meeting, Dresden
- Typical Defects and Problems in Building Services Engineering – Parts I + II, presentation at the Chemnitz Construction Fair 2018 + 2019
- Technical Building Services in High-Rise Buildings, presentation at the Senior Citizens’ Academy of TU Dresden, 2019
- VDI training course “Control and Hydraulics of Heating Systems,” since 2020
… and more lectures!
Publications
- TROGISCH, REICHEL: Design Guidelines for Ventilation Technology, 2017, 6th edition, VDE-Verlag Düsseldorf.
- REICHEL, Mario: Application Criteria for Air-Permeable Gravel Beds (Gravel Storage). GI 08/17
- REICHEL, Mario: Air-Permeable Rock Fills – A Contribution to Increasing Energy Efficiency; 2017, KI Journal.
- REICHEL, Mario: Heating with Servers; 2015, CCI 8/2015.
- REICHEL, Mario: Vertical single-pipe heating—a problem area? 2015, AK Heating Technology Conference
- REICHEL, Mario: Energy and economic evaluation of combined heat and power. UPONOR Seminar Berlin, September 2012
- REICHEL, Mario: Air-flow-through rock storage systems – Part 1. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology 04/2011
- REICHEL, Mario: Air-flow-through rock storage systems – Part 2. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology 05/2011
Volunteer Work
- Ingenieurkammer Sachsen (Chamber of Engineers of Saxony)
- Member of the Assembly of Representatives
- Member of the Academy Advisory Board
- Member of the Honorary Committee
- Working Group on Energy / Sustainable Construction
- Working Group of Heating Technology Professors at German Universities – Chair
- Working Group of Air Conditioning Technology Professors at German Universities – Member
- Association for the Promotion of Air and Air Conditioning Technology, Dresden – Member
- Verein zur Förderung der Ingenieurausbildung der Gebäude- und Energietechnik Dresden e.V. (Association for the Promotion of Engineering Education in Building and Energy Technology, Dresden)
- Founding Member
- Stiftung Luft- und Klimatechnik
- Vorstandsvorsitzender
