New opportunities for natural refrigerants
Countries agree on a way forward to shape a global HFC phase down in 2016
After formal talks on the future management of HFCs, the Montreal Protocol meeting held in November in Dubai concluded with a potentially significant step towards a global HFC phase down. Work will intensify in 2016 with a number of meetings to be held in the coming months, including an extraordinary Meeting of the Parties.
What future lies for the Spanish F-gas tax?
Spain’s senate has endorsed an amendment to the 2016 General State Budget Bill approving the extension of reduced tax level on fluorinated gases in 2016. As a result, the tax level will remain the same as in 2015 for another year: 66% rather than the 100% originally planned.
California’s Air Resources Board releases draft Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy
California has long been a leading US state for reducing short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), including HFCs. Californian legislation requires the Air Resources Board to create a comprehensive strategy to decrease SLCP emissions in California and present it for consideration in spring 2016.
China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection outlines hard-line stance on HFCs and the benefits for natural refrigerants
In June 2015, China’s Foreign Economic Cooperation Office (FECO) published ‘The First Catalogue of Recommended Substitutes for HCFCs’ with the list of natural substitutes – including CO2, ammonia, hydrocarbons and water – indicating a significant shift in mindset towards a sustainable HVAC&R industry in China.
ATMOsphere Asia 2015 highlights Japan’s leading role in promoting natural refrigerants
ATMOsphere Asia 2015 (‘Natural Refrigerants – Solutions for Asia’) opened with an encouraging policy update from Japan. Focusing on both domestic and international dimensions, participants were given an overview of national incentives and measures designed to promote natural refrigerants. Speakers noted rapid developments with regard to the Japanese government’s effort to reducing f-gas emissions, which include providing €46.5 million to incentivise natural refrigerants and developing a labelling scheme that aims to raise awareness of the environmental impact of refrigerants.
CO2 finding favour for industrial refrigeration, heat pumps
FMI Energy: Changing requirements seeing greater favour for hydrocarbons and NH3/CO2 cascade
The FMI Energy & Store Development Conference in San Diego saw refrigeration executives dissect the current culture for consumption and how this is affecting stores and their subsequent choice of refrigeration equipment and refrigerants, with the flexibility and efficiency of hydrocarbon plug=in units leading the charge.
ATMOsphere America 2015: CO2 finds favour in industrial refrigeration and heat pump applications
ATMOsphere America 2015, organised in Atlanta on 25-26 June, provided an opportunity to learn about the very latest technology developments. A series of technology case study sessions focused on industrial refrigeration, heat pumps, and new applications provided no shortage of evidence on the advantages of CO2 in applications beyond the world of commercial refrigeration.
China Refrigeration 2015: strong growth in CO2 solutions
At China Refrigeration 2015, which gathered over 60,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors from across the world, CO2 products were showcased for a variety of applications for both heating and refrigeration. For commercial refrigeration applications, R744.com partners such as Carrier, CAREL, Panasonic, Dorin, SANDEN and Castel, as well as others demonstrated their CO2 know-how.
Suppliers wising up with CO2 CVS solutions and full system integration
It was clear at ATMOEurope 2015 that suppliers and end users alike are already charting new territory in order to maximise overall system and building energy efficiency. Integrated CO2 refrigeration systems for CVS layouts from Carel and EPTA Deutschland, CO2 condensing units and the need to scale down solutions for smaller formats were all on topic.
HARFKO 2015: Interest growing in Korea for CO2 solutions
Although in many applications natural refrigerants remained the ‘emerging technologies’ on display, leading companies like Mayekawa, CAREL, thermea. Energysysteme and Itomic quickly turned their attentions to Korea to showcase their CO2 technology and share their success stories with R744.com.
ATMOsphere Asia 2015: next five years to see R744 take centre stage in commercial and industrial refrigeration around the world
During the 2nd edition of ATMOsphere Asia, it became apparent that due to a combination of industry awareness and expected global regulations restricting the use of HFCs; that R744 is primed to take centre stage globally. This drive to adopt R744 is becoming more evident with higher aspirations from Japanese firms and the government, and could help to green the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
CO2 efficiency equator moving further south
CO2 efficiency equator moves further south by grace of ejector technology
The continually diminishing CO2 efficiency equator was a hot topic at ATMOsphere Europe 2015. Several system manufacturers presented the methods by which CO2 transcritical system efficiency can be improved, with ejector technology taking the spotlight. According the several presenters the end of the so-called ‘CO2 equator’ is in sight.
Second CO2 ice rink completed in Alaska
The municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, is now home to the second ice rink in the nation using CO2, again with Hillphoenix’s advanced system, following the first conversion at the Harry J. McDonald Recreational Center earlier this year.
House of Spices cumin up trumps with CO2
House of Spices (HOS) has ticked off a number of milestones in its 44-year history producing and distributing authentic Indian cuisine throughout the US. At its Chicago warehouse, the company recently achieved another rare feat, installing one of the few existing industrial CO2 transcritical refrigerant systems in North America, with the help of Hillphoenix.
Innovation and HCFC regulation driving CRS’s pioneering CO2 technology for African market
The refrigeration game is changing in Africa. After launching the first CO2 transcritical system in Africa in 2010, trailblazers CRS are releasing their new range of CO2 chillers, heat pumps and condensing units in 2015, and hope to cut the red tape on the first CO2 training facility in Africa, at their new Johannesburg base before year’s end.
Japan’s first ‘all-natural’ convenience store Save On introduces R290 plug-in showcases
Japanese convenience store (CVS) chain Save On, headquartered in Gunma Prefecture, has opened the country’s first store installed with natural refrigerant systems for all its showcases. Accelerate Europe takes a look at what the adoption of propane (R290) refrigeration systems is bringing to the Japanese market.
