PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) refrigerants are used in a wide variety of HVAC&R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) equipment. When released into the atmosphere, however, HFCs have significant global warming potential (GWP). To tackle this problem, the European Regulation 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases requires them to be phased out by 80% by 2030 and replaced by low-GWP alternatives, such as hydrocarbons (HC). Refrigerant R290 (propane) has near-to-zero GWP and is considered an excellent alternative to be used in small hermetic systems. However, because of the required amount of refrigerants and safety issues related to its flammable nature (EU standard EN 378), the use of R290 in standard ‘split’ air-conditioners is presently unfeasible.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the ZEROGWP project was to demonstrate the technical feasibility, full safety and commercial viability of an innovative monobloc residential air conditioning system, called Double Duct (DD) technology, and that can be charged by a R290 refrigerant to achieve a very good environmental performance.
Specifically, the project aimed to:
- Industrialise the first DD-AC R290 system, performing a pre-series production and technical validation;
- Demonstrate the performance of the new air conditioner through an extensive field test campaign in three European countries (Italy, Czech Republic and Slovakia);
- Improve the system design to minimise the risks of use of flammable HC refrigerants, thus maximising the refrigerant load without compromising safety;
- Demonstrate the environmental efficiency and cost sustainability of the new product through LCA and LCC analysis;
- Promote the technology in order to encourage its commercial exploitation and wider replication across Europe;
- Raise awareness on the latest low carbon residential air conditioning technologies; and
- Contribute to the goals of the European F-gas Regulation and reduce GHG emissions from air conditioning systems.
RESULTS
LIFE ZEROGWP demonstrated that hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, which are currently used in most domestic air conditioning systems, could be substituted with more climate-friendly alternatives, specifically gases with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) like propane (R290). These alternatives still guarantee the safety requirements for flammability issues linked with such gases.
The project team developed a new compact Double Duct air conditioner model charged by R290 meeting the EU standard EN 378 that defines important parameters such as the maximum refrigerant charge (150 gr independently of the room size). They obtained a certified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for this new product, and developed a business plan for its industrialisation and commercial exploitation that anticipated a large take-up and rapidly increasing sales. The low GWP air conditioner was introduced into the market soon after the project ended.
Project partners evaluated the environmental benefits of the low GWP air conditioner. This confirmed: i) reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thanks to the lower energy consumption and the avoidance of high GWP refrigerants; and ii) reductions in energy consumption for cooling/heating thanks to the improved performance of the developed product.
Considering the environmental benefits achieved, the project contributes to achieving the goals related to many EU and international policy areas, including the EU 2030 Climate and Energy Framework, F-Gas Regulation, Directive on energy labelling of air conditioners, EU standard EN 378 on refrigeration systems and heat pumps (with particular emphasis on safety issues), Directive on the energy performance of buildings, Directive on energy efficiency, "Building the Single Market for Green Products" (by helping define Product Category Rules for air conditioners), and the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
