Cornwall New Energy, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, organised the event for business leaders, engineers and managers at The Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre at Treliske, near Truro.

Led by Wayne Dolley, Toshiba’s South West regional sales manager, the company’s heat pump specialists gave an overview of the thermodynamic principles underlying the technology and the benefits in terms of efficiency, reduced carbon emissions and lower running costs.

Adam Hardacre, regional sales manager for Ciat, presented the company’s range of air source heat pumps for larger commercial applications.

Alex Nicholas, marketing manager at PRP Architects, who is leading the Cornwall New Energy project, said: “We are delighted at the level of attendance and interest generated by the joint event with Toshiba. It was very successful and prompted an interesting discussion and lively question and answer session.

“Our key objectives are to support the introduction of new energy products and services to market, in order to provide greater energy security for businesses and homes in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and to reduce operating costs to boost business performance. Heat pumps are a highly efficient and proven renewable energy source, and have an important contribution to make as a low carbon heating technology.”

Mr Dolley said: “Heat pumps have been around for many years. However, today’s systems are light years ahead of early designs in terms of performance and efficiency. It was good to work with Cornwall New Energy to explain the benefits of the technology to such an interested group of industry practitioners. It sparked a number of conversations, and we are following up on several potential heat-pump-based projects in the region.”