EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS |
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN |
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Nevertheless , the high cost of electricity and the electricity-to-gas price ratio continue to present a challenge ( further information 3 ). In Germany , electricity per kilowatt hour is currently around 3.3 times as expensive as gas – in Sweden and the Netherlands , it is around 1.2 to 1.5 times .
OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY HYBRID SYSTEMS Climate-induced global warming is causing an increase in the number of hot days (> 30 ° C ) per year , resulting in a continuing increase in demand for air conditioners in both workplaces and homes . In this context , a combination of different systems can be practical , e . g ., air conditioning systems in conjunction with a heat pump ( air / air ) or solar panels combined with air conditioners . The latter is economically and ecologically efficient because at high temperatures a lot of energy can be generated through solar radiation that can then be used directly for air conditioning . The refrigeration segment must also cover a constantly rising demand in the market , whereby hybrid systems that can provide both cooling and heat are becoming increasingly important . To be able to meet both cooling and heating in one system is the ultimate challenge and makes the use of waste heat one of the most important tasks in refrigeration technology .
CHALLENGES FOR THE REFRIGERATION , AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT PUMP SECTOR The previous principle of just-in-time deliveries is being pushed to its limits ( and will reach them ) due to ongoing international challenges like trade , system and competition disputes or disrupted supply chains . For example , producers are having to keep inventory again , and the importance of supplier diversification is being reassessed . When looking for suitable alternatives , the principle of the circular economy and
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automated production in your own country may offer solutions and could be promoted by the German ‘ Supply Chain Act ’.
DISCORD OVER NEW F-GAS REGULATION Due to the amendments to the F-gas Regulation and discussions about PFAS , refrigerants represent another ongoing challenge that affects all sectors . Various comments on the vote in the EU parliament on 30 March 2023 illustrate the different attitudes to the regulation :
• APPLiA : Major setback for heat pumps in Europe .
• EFCTC : Members are disappointed .
• CoolingPost : ‘ Disastrous ’ for Spain .
• EPEE : EU risks shooting itself in the foot .
• CoolingPost : A ‘ missed opportunity ’.
• EHPA : Ban jeopardises REPower targets .
• JARN : Accelerates HFC Phase-out .
• CoolingPost : Vote sets ‘ unrealistic ’ goals .
• EIA : Welcomes ambitious F-gas vote .
• EHPA : “[ EU ] must avoid stifling clean heating ”.
SHORTAGE OF SKILLED PERSONNEL ALSO EVIDENT IN REFRIGERATION , AC AND HEAT PUMP SECTOR The shortage of skilled personnel is a major challenge in all areas of society . In the refrigeration and air conditioning segments , this is aggravated by the fact that the industry has so far received little attention from the public . Although the sector is small , it is very attractive , albeit comparatively unknown . At least now there is a recognition that there has been little investment in building the image and familiarity of the sector to date . One area of refrigeration technology that the public has not been very familiar with so far is cryogenic engineering . The LNG terminals ( LNG = liquefied natural gas = -162 ° C ) built at what the government
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calls the ‘ new German speed ’ have brought cryogenic technology into the public eye for the first time . The idea that these terminals could also be used later for liquid hydrogen at a temperature of – 253 ° C is correctly located in the field of cryogenic technology for the purposes of clarification .
SUBSIDIES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE SECTOR On 1 April 2023 , the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action launched its Heating Optimisation Funding Programme . This programme supports training in both the design and installation of heat pumps in existing buildings , as well as on-site coaching ( on-the-job training ). “ Over a period of 30 months , at least 17 500 tradespeople a year , and around 3 000 designers and energy consultants , are to be trained in the use of heat pumps in existing buildings 3 .”
The trend towards the use of flammable refrigerants necessitates relevant initial and ongoing training and professional development workshops : nowadays , a refrigeration specialist also needs to be an energy consultant who can help users to implement and comply with all regulations , as users are not generally familiar with them .
AT A GLANCE
• The use of oil and gas for heating is on the way out ; heat pumps are an accepted solution and are being promoted by means of targets and subsidies .
• Hybrid systems are becoming increasingly important from the point of view of ‘ energy performance ’.
• The circular economy will be a key building block in overcoming current economic challenges .
• The lack of skilled personnel will affect the capacities of the various sectors in all areas .
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• The question of the direction that refrigerants will take in the future needs to be clarified .
RECOMMENDATIONS
• The utilisation of waste heat offers a huge and rapidly increasing potential .
• The technologies of refrigeration , heat pumps , energy storage and ‘ energy networks ’ are already available and are continually being improved and developed .
• New business models are being developed based on waste heat utilisation , e . g . heat trading , heating and cooling networks , and energy networks . In future , unused waste heat is to be avoided .
• Designers and equipment manufacturers should always review all options and provide the operator with comprehensive advice – and this calls for creativity . CLA
REFERENCES :
1 . Gebäudeenergiegesetz : 65 Prozent EE- Regelung beim Heizungstausch verspricht notwendige Planungssicherheit für mehr Klimaschutz im Gebäudesektor | News - Webseite ( waermepumpe . de )
2 . https :// www . waermepumpe . de / presse / pressemitteilungen / details / bwpbekraeftigt-produktionskapazitaeten-fuerwaermepumpen /
1 . Energieministerkonferenz fordert Absenkung der Stromsteuer | News - Webseite ( waermepumpe . de )
The use of oil and gas for heating is on the way out ; heat pumps are an accepted solution and are being promoted by means of targets and subsidies .
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