AHR Expo: Danfoss Offers Solutions Related to Environment & Energy

The Danfoss press briefing is held annually during the International Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (AHR) Expo to convene senior-level Danfoss leaders with members of the HVACR trade media to learn about Danfoss’ latest products and technologies, unique applications and the company’s perspective on industry-related policy, news and events.

Danfoss North America President John Galyen opened the briefing with a broad overview of the company’s position on new refrigerants, energy productivity and specific technology investments.

“Danfoss is well positioned to meet the needs of the growing climate and energy sector and provide technologies to increase energy productivity and reduce CO2 emissions that impact our climate,” he remarked.

Galyen also spoke about Danfoss’ proven global track record with natural refrigerants like ammonia, hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide (CO2), which includes over 4,000 Danfoss CO2 projects worldwide.

Robert Wilkins, vice president, public affairs, commented on the U.S. policy outlook for 2013, and explained that there are no major climate or energy bills expected to pass the 113th Congress – leaving the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy (DOE) and the states to address energy efficiency and refrigerant issues.

Wilkins reminded the group that the federal government and the DOE are actively issuing regulations:

• Regional efficiency rules for residential air conditioning have just been upheld by the court, and furnace rules for the North have been remanded to the DOE for a full rulemaking process.
• In December, the DOE issued its final rule regarding certification of commercial HVAC, refrigeration and water heating equipment.
• Industry committees in both Europe and the U.S. are beginning to consider how system level and whole building energy standards could be structured – enabling greater energy savings by considering the interaction of equipment in whole systems.

“With state initiatives also moving ahead,” Wilkins continued, “energy productivity is indeed becoming much more comprehensive than just raising minimum energy efficiency standards.”

Additional speakers from Danfoss included Lisa Tryson, director, corporate communications and public relations, who provided a review of the 2012 EnVisioneering Symposia series and a preview of what is to come in 2013, and Hans Ole Matthiesen, global marketing director, refrigeration, who provided an overview of CO2 as a climate solution and introduced the full portfolio of products, integrated solutions, expertise and research Danfoss is bringing to the market.

Matthiesen explained how Danfoss is striving to lead the industry in the transition to sustainable CO2 refrigeration systems by offering the  first commercially available transcritical valves and dedicated controllers, as well as the broadest portfolio of UL-approved, tested and trialed CO2 products.

”We are helping to educate the industry with both classroom and online training,” Matthiesen said. ”Attesting to this success is the rapidly growing number of installations using Danfoss CO2 technologies.”

According to Matthiesen, the growth of CO2 systems can be attributed to the refrigerant’s environmental and economic benefits. For example, when compared[1] to an industry baseline R404A DX system, the Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) analysis of an R134a/CO2 cascade system indicates a 55% reduction in direct and indirect emissions. Similarly, an ammonia chiller operating only CO2 on both the Medium and Low Temperatures sides can save as much as $7,000 annually compared to the baseline R404A system installed in the average supermarket application.

To illustrate the growing CO2 landscape in North America, Scott Martin, director, sustainable technologies at Hillphoenix, also made a presentation during the briefing, which addressed the key challenges and drivers in using the natural refrigerant.

Martin provided insights to the evolution of CO2 systems in North America – from the low-temp secondary loop systems introduced in 2006 to cascade systems, which eliminate all low temperature hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and significantly reduce carbon footprint compared to traditional HFC-DX technology. Hillphoenix recently received UL listing for its Advansor CO2 booster system, which completely eliminates HFC refrigerants. The first U.S. supermarket with the Advansor CO2 booster system also recently was delivered. Since 2006, Hillphoenix has installed more than 2,000 systems globally that use alternative refrigerants, and also has equipment installed at the majority of GreenChill-certified stores. This is an example of Hillphoenix’s leadership and commitment to the use of alternative refrigerants.