A website managed by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Greenpeace is seeking examples of energy-efficient equipment with natural refrigerants, such as hydrocarbons, or installations of those products to add to its database, called Cool Technologies.
The aim of the database is to provide policymakers and end users with references to energy-efficient HVAC&R equipment that does not rely on f-gas refrigerants, thereby reducing energy costs and avoiding direct emissions of high-GWP gases.
The website gathers products and installation examples from around the world, relying on inputs from industry stakeholders. It divides products into three main categories: refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps. Each category is further divided into domestic, commercial and industrial, plus mobile refrigeration and air-conditioning.
Many HVAC&R companies have already submitted their products to feature in this global database. OEMs with hydrocarbons-based products that are featured on the website include AHT, Arneg, Hussmann, Secon and Viessmann. Case studies from around the world using hydrocarbon-based products also feature the website, such as those of R290 DC-inverter cooling units saving energy in Dubai and the rollout of (propane) room air-conditioning units across India.
Call for submission
In light of the current revision of the EU F-gas Regulation, as well as studies indicating that the Kigali Amendment objectives may fall short in achieving the objectives set in the Paris Accord, the two NGOs are calling for other hydrocarbon-based products and case studies to be featured in the Cool Technologies database to prove that energy-efficient and natural refrigerant-based solutions can be found worldwide.
Submission to the Cool Technologies website is free of charge, and information can be provided through a user-friendly form at this link. Alternatively, interested stakeholders can get in touch with the EIA team to learn more about the project.
