Demonstration of energy efficient and recyclable VACUUM improved INSULATION by CORE shaped PANELS for refrigerators

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

In 2015, the EU’s energy demand for commercial and household refrigeration was 63 and 86 TWh/year respectively, with both markets expected to grow in the coming years (8% and 5% by 2030). To meet the EU’s 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation targets, it is vital that this demand is reduced. Insulating cold appliances can significantly improve their efficiency, reducing the thermal loss.

 

OBJECTIVES

The project LIFE VICORPAN aims to demonstrate a new solution for the commercial, domestic cold appliances sector that is able to reduce the energy demand of commercial appliances by up to 12% and of domestic refrigerators by 17%. These reductions will be achieved by installing insulating vacuum panels with open cells foam made from natural and recycled materials. The new technology will be tested in 12 prototypes in order to demonstrate the enhanced energy performance and related indirect reduction of CO₂ emissions, as well as circular economy benefits associated with the re-use of agricultural waste and recycling of waste polyurethane. The project will also demonstrate the market potential of the developed product and develop a business strategy.

The project will contribute to reaching the EU’s 2030 and 2050 climate change targets as well as the implementation of EU regulation on energy labelling for refrigerating appliances (EU) 2019/2016 and EU eco-design requirements of refrigerating appliances (EU) 2019/2019. Finally, the project is in line with the EU’s circular economy action plan and European Green Deal.

RESULTS

Expected results:

• Reduced energy demand for commercial and domestic appliances by 12% and 17% respectively, generating 15.71 MWh/year of energy savings during the project;
• Avoidance of 5.54 tonnes/year of CO₂ eq emissions thanks to the energy savings achieved during the project;
• Demonstration of the life cycle environmental benefits of re-using agricultural waste and recovering polyurethane from waste; and
• The sale of up to 37 000 high-performance refrigerators within five years after the end of the project