PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Because of the entry into force of the EU F-gas Regulation (517/2014), DAIKIN has been researching how to produce viable air-conditioning systems that use natural refrigerants. The contribution of F-gases (fluorinated greenhouse gases) to the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is small (less than 1%). However, every emission of F-gas has a disproportionately large impact on global warming. More specifically, F-gases are up to 23 000 times stronger as GHG than CO2 and have an extremely long lifetime (3 000 years). It is widely acknowledged that the use of potent GHG gases such as F-gases must be phased out, and the search for climate-friendly refrigerants must advance as a priority for the industry.
OBJECTIVES
The NATURAL HVACR 4 LIFE project demonstrated the viability (in terms of energy efficiency and safety) of a combined air conditioning and refrigeration system that uses CO2 as a natural refrigerant. Consequently, the beneficiaries aimed at removing all barriers in the market for the introduction of CO2-refrigerated air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Moreover, the project sought to contribute to the implementation of the EU F-gas Regulation. Therefore, it invited policymakers to consider the characteristics of natural refrigerants in the definition of standards and energy labelling schemes. It also provided them with information on tested risk management procedures to deal with the flammability or the toxicity of natural refrigerants.
The project was strongly committed to the section of the EU Regulation (517/2014) on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) that foresaw a phase-down of HFCs by 80% in 2030, compared with 2014 levels. Moreover, as GHG, the reduction of F-gas emissions also directly contributed to the Paris Agreement and the EUs 2030 climate and energy framework.
RESULTS
Overall, the NATURAL HVACR 4 LIFE project successfully demonstrated functional HVACR units for shops and supermarkets in average and warm climate regions, running on a natural refrigerant (CO2), instead of fluorinated gas that is linked to a much higher emissions of greenhouse gases. Demonstrations in average climate regions were particularly successful, with a total of 17 demonstrations realised in the Czech Republic, Germany, France and the UK (largely exceeding the expected demonstrations of 10 units foreseen in the GA). While a lower number of units were demonstrated in warm climate regions in Spain and Southern France (3 realised compared to 10 planned in the GA), this was largely compensated by the aforementioned higher number of units operated in temperate climates.
Based on the project’s robust monitoring results, an estimated 133 tons of CO2 (direct and indirect) is saved through the operation of the project’s 21 CO2 CVP units over the product’s 10-year life (20 installed units plus one prototype); where 6.36 tons of CO2 is saved per CVP unit when compared to the F-gas R410A units/alternative. Since the project’s business plan foresees the installation of a total of 2 625 indoor and outdoor CO2 CVP units by 2028, this would then result in an estimated of 16 695 tons in CO2 savings during the product’s 10-year life (2 625units x 6.36 tons/unit). This forecast indicates strong climate benefits. Furthermore, the new system using CO2 as refrigerant was assessed to have 21% lower life cycle emissions over a lifetime of 10 years (i.e., lower Global Warming Potential) compared to a system running on F-gas (R410A), in turn contributing to the total decarbonisation plan of EU.
Replicability has been supported throughout the project, with initiatives including training courses (with 27 trainings conducted to 123 people), development of a service manual for the CO2 Conveni-pack, as well as project advocacy work (such as linked to the CO2/toxicity and eco-design standards). The project’s CO2 solution is specifically foreseen to provide an important alternative to F-gas units once the refrigerant ban goes into effect in January 2025.
