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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
UNIDO: Guidance to build better fridges
By UNIDO
The United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO)
offers guidance on emissions
reductions to developing nations.
UNIDO has launched guidance to
support both domestic and commercial
refrigeration manufacturers to improve
energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. This project is funded by
the Kigali Cooling Efficiency PrograAmme
(K-CEP) and supported by International
Copper Association (ICA).
This new study sets out a methodology
and tools for manufacturers to understand
cost and net benefits for different energy
efficient refrigeration design options and
the required manufacturing line upgrades.
UNIDO said in its role as a Montreal
Protocol implementing agent, it is
supporting its Member States which phase
out the use of ozone depleting and global
warming substances in the cooling sector.
In turn the creation of K-CEP aims to help
increase energy efficiency of cooling in
developing countries.
The study, Assessment of incremental
capital and operating costs for
improved energy efficiency in domestic,
commercial and retail refrigeration,
looked at manufacturers in five
countries and created a Manufacturer
Development Index (MDI) to rank them
on a variety of factors: manufacturer
development capacity; manufacturer
production volume; manufacturer
proximity to and relationship with
component's original equipment
manufacturers;, market maturity; country's
energy efficiency score.
The organisation says that
manufacturers are now able to ascertain
which changes to their portfolios
can be taken cost-effectively. The
simulation software, named Commercial
Refrigeration Analysis (CERA), gives visual
modelling of the changes in components,
the benefit in energy efficiency and the
cost involved in promoting green design
and thus keeping the product competitive
in the long term. A record of the changes
made, enable scenarios and costings to
be formed into a ‘boardroom ready’ style
presentation.
Fukuya Lino of the UNIDO Department
of Environment in Vienna, says: "Many
companies in Article 5 countries
are missing suitable guidance and
opportunities for knowledge transfer when
trying to meet global climate goals. This
guidance document introduces practical
ways to calculate and cost the changes
needed for their product and factory
footprint to comply with both international
agreements and national legislation."
Lead author of the guidance,
Omar Abdelaziz – Assistant Professor of
Thermofluids at Zewail City of Science and
Technology added: “The outcomes of the
project provide insight into how to analyse
changes in manufacturing, evaluate
technical and financial options for
energy efficient products and calculate
associated emission reductions. We hope
manufacturers and service providers
Creative Commons
The HVACR sector is currently responsible for around 17% of global electricity consumption.
that need help to change their products
and factories in today’s competitive
marketplace can rely on the project
guidance document and consultants
familiar with the work to improve products
energy efficiency and reduce emissions.”
UNIDO noted that the Covid-19
outbreak has disrupted cold value
chains which are critical for the
distribution of foods and vaccines. "The
refrigeration and air conditioning sector
is currently responsible for around 17%
of global electricity consumption and,
in some developing countries, even
exceeds 40% of the national electricity
demand. In order to reduce the impact
on health and the environment, it is
vital to improve the energy efficiency
of the refrigeration systems and to
The Covid-19
outbreak has
disrupted cold value
chains which are critical
for the distribution of
foods and vaccines.
adopt refrigerants that have zero or low
climate impact."
The methodology and simulation
software for domestic and commercial
refrigeration presented at a K-CEP
sponsored webinar at the end of July 2020.
More information is available directly from
UNIDO.
CLA
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