At the world’s leading conference for natural refrigerants, experts from across the world are discussing latest technical and scientific advances for CO2 in heating and cooling. On R744.com, you won’t miss key presentations, speeches, and products displayed.
More than 350 participants from 30 countries gathered this morning in Denmark’s capital Copenhagen to explore the use of non-chemical refrigerants in air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump applications. Over the coming three days, they will exchange latest technical, legal, and safety requirements having an impact on the use of natural refrigerants, such as CO2, ammonia, or hydrocarbons. As in previous years, around 50% of all presented scientific papers – around 150 in total - are focused on CO2 only, with many more mentioning the natural refrigerant. Accompanying the global conference, four technical tours will allow attendees to gain first-hand experience with CO2 systems operating reliably in supermarkets and cold storage plants.
Already today’s morning session revealed how popular the subject of natural refrigerants has become over the last few years. With more attendees than would fit into the main room, participants crowded in adjoining spaces to follow the opening speeches and welcome addresses by leading Danish policy makers and suppliers. Poster sessions and products displayed by the conference’s main sponsors Danfoss, Bock, Danish Technological Institute, and Johnson Controls, among others, grabbed participant’s attention.
Opening Sessions
Danish EPA:
The choice of Denmark as the hosting country for this year’s edition of the biennial event was not by chance, as the Scandinavian country has taken leadership in promoting climate-friendly refrigeration and shifting industry’s main focus from HFCs away to natural refrigerants (see image). Speaking on behalf of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Frank Jensen’s opening speech presented figures about how a dual strategy of high taxes and a complete phase-out of HFC refrigerants has proved to be a success story for a quick and cost-efficient transition towards natural refrigerants in Denmark. Already back in 1995, Danish policy decided to remove HFCs from the cooling industry. Since then, a dual system of bans and market-based mechanisms has made the use of chemicals less and less attractive. Following a general phase out for new equipment using HFC in 2006, a new regulation one year later only allowed 10 kg of HFC refrigerant in any cooling, air conditioning, and heat pump application.
In addition, a stringent tax system penalizing the use of HFCs has also added financial incentives for the use of natural refrigerants. While the market price for one tonne of CO2 is at €13,50, the cost for only one kilogramme of R134a has amounted to €17,50 as a result from tax penalties. The Danish tax system has thus doubled the price of R134a. In the case of R404a, the tax even amounts to €51, making CO2 an ever more cost-efficient alternative by the day. Already now the installation costs of CO2 systems in Denmark are the same as for traditional HFC refrigeration plants.
Strong initial resistance from the industry that the transition would come to early at too high expenses, has transformed into a general consensus that with clear political signals and support a fast adoption of natural refrigerants is possible without major costs.
“Several years ago if anyone mentioned CO2 they were told to leave the room. Now it is standard. This is quite an achievement from industry,” Jensen concluded.
Danfoss
A similar message was conveyed by Jürgen Süss from Denmark’s leading manufacturer of HVAC&R solutions, Danfoss. Süss confirmed that a “race” between HFCs and CO2 would lead to more competition and hence put pressure on both solutions to become more efficient. This would benefit the cooling industry as a whole, and spur the competition among the best systems available. He also referred to a recent study commissioned by the German Environment Ministry that had confirmed a 30% leakage rate from supermarkets as a realistic figure (see separate article).
Coming Next
On Monday afternoon, the “Refrigerants, Naturally!” initiative will organise a workshop dedicated to progress made so far and challenges still ahead in applying natural refrigerants in production and sales facilities. R744.com will keep you updated on major outcomes of this key industry meeting jointly held by The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, McDonalds, and IKEA, to name just a few.
Already today’s morning session revealed how popular the subject of natural refrigerants has become over the last few years. With more attendees than would fit into the main room, participants crowded in adjoining spaces to follow the opening speeches and welcome addresses by leading Danish policy makers and suppliers. Poster sessions and products displayed by the conference’s main sponsors Danfoss, Bock, Danish Technological Institute, and Johnson Controls, among others, grabbed participant’s attention.
Opening Sessions
Danish EPA:
The choice of Denmark as the hosting country for this year’s edition of the biennial event was not by chance, as the Scandinavian country has taken leadership in promoting climate-friendly refrigeration and shifting industry’s main focus from HFCs away to natural refrigerants (see image). Speaking on behalf of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Frank Jensen’s opening speech presented figures about how a dual strategy of high taxes and a complete phase-out of HFC refrigerants has proved to be a success story for a quick and cost-efficient transition towards natural refrigerants in Denmark. Already back in 1995, Danish policy decided to remove HFCs from the cooling industry. Since then, a dual system of bans and market-based mechanisms has made the use of chemicals less and less attractive. Following a general phase out for new equipment using HFC in 2006, a new regulation one year later only allowed 10 kg of HFC refrigerant in any cooling, air conditioning, and heat pump application.
In addition, a stringent tax system penalizing the use of HFCs has also added financial incentives for the use of natural refrigerants. While the market price for one tonne of CO2 is at €13,50, the cost for only one kilogramme of R134a has amounted to €17,50 as a result from tax penalties. The Danish tax system has thus doubled the price of R134a. In the case of R404a, the tax even amounts to €51, making CO2 an ever more cost-efficient alternative by the day. Already now the installation costs of CO2 systems in Denmark are the same as for traditional HFC refrigeration plants.
Strong initial resistance from the industry that the transition would come to early at too high expenses, has transformed into a general consensus that with clear political signals and support a fast adoption of natural refrigerants is possible without major costs.
“Several years ago if anyone mentioned CO2 they were told to leave the room. Now it is standard. This is quite an achievement from industry,” Jensen concluded.
Danfoss
A similar message was conveyed by Jürgen Süss from Denmark’s leading manufacturer of HVAC&R solutions, Danfoss. Süss confirmed that a “race” between HFCs and CO2 would lead to more competition and hence put pressure on both solutions to become more efficient. This would benefit the cooling industry as a whole, and spur the competition among the best systems available. He also referred to a recent study commissioned by the German Environment Ministry that had confirmed a 30% leakage rate from supermarkets as a realistic figure (see separate article).
Coming Next
On Monday afternoon, the “Refrigerants, Naturally!” initiative will organise a workshop dedicated to progress made so far and challenges still ahead in applying natural refrigerants in production and sales facilities. R744.com will keep you updated on major outcomes of this key industry meeting jointly held by The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, McDonalds, and IKEA, to name just a few.
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By R744.com team (@r744)
Sep 08, 2008, 14:49
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