LINDAU, Germany, 11 April 2024: ENGIE Refrigeration said it will meet the demanding requirements of a large northern German dairy from autumn 2024, with a total of seven thermeco₂ high-temperature heat pumps with a total output of 6.1 megawatts of heating capacity and four megawatts of cooling capacity. Making the announcement through a Press release, ENGIE said, the heat pumps will be used in a spray dryer for the production of milk powder. Furthermore, the company said, the refrigeration and heating specialist is not only providing new impetus for efficiency and security of supply but also demonstrating future-oriented approaches to sustainable milk production. 

ENGIE said food production is one of the most energy-intensive industries, and the processing of dairy products, particularly, has a high demand for cooling and heating. ENGIE said that one of the largest and most modern dairy companies in Europe is relying on its expertise to make its own production efficient and environmentally friendly for the future. ENGIE said it is providing the cooling and heating supply for a spray dryer for the production of milk powder, which is supplied by a leading provider of industrial drying and evaporation technology. ENGIE also said that seven redundant thermeco₂ high-temperature heat pumps, each with six compressors and a total output of 6.1 megawatts of heating capacity and four megawatts of cooling capacity, guarantee reliable operation of the almost 30-metre-high system throughout the year.

ENGIE said that its team of experts put the highly reliable availability of the cooling and heating solution at its own pace on its test bench beforehand. In addition, the company said, the industrial heat pumps mastered the high-temperature spread required to process dairy products. 

Frank Glaser, Key Account Manager Industrial & Commercial Heating, ENGIE Refrigeration, said: “Our thermeco₂ high-temperature heat pumps cover a temperature range between 0.5 degrees C and 125 degrees C – in a single stage. They also precisely regulate the demanding temperatures, guaranteeing the products’ food safety and shelf life.” The thermeco₂ heat pumps and the spray dryer were delivered at the beginning of 2024; commissioning is planned for autumn 2024.”

ENGIE said that when developing the machine, the specialists attached great importance to future-proofing the cooling and heating solution: The heat pumps supply the spray dryer in a particularly environmentally friendly way, thanks to the natural refrigerant CO_2. The COP (coefficient of performance) value of three, the company said, emphasises the high energy efficiency of the system, and added that this will pay off for the dairy farm in the future. Moreover, ENGIE said it will reduce primary energy consumption by 41 percent compared to fossil fuels, saving 1.13 million euros, annually. 

Glaser said: “The combination of our thermeco₂ high-temperature heat pumps and the spray dryer offers great added value both ecologically and economically. The goal of climate-neutral and future-proof production is tangible for our customer and makes this solution interesting for many other users with sensitive production environments.” 

COLOGNE, Germany, 11 April 2024: Atlas Copco said one company that contributes to a high level of food safety in Norway, which pays particular attention to an unbroken cold chain to ensure the high quality of their freshly caught products, is Atlantic Styro. Announcing through a Press release, Atlas Copco said, the manufacturer, based on the Atlantic island of Lovund, just outside the Arctic Circle, produces containers made from expanded polystyrene (EPS). Furthermore, the company said, the polystyrene boxes keep fish and seafood fresh during transport and storage.

Atlas Copco said to produce as sustainably as possible, the box manufacturer relies on a modern vacuum supply, and the vacuum extracts the vapour produced when the foam expands.

Roy Mikalsen, Sales Manager, Atlas Copco, said: “Atlantic Styro achieves this very effectively thanks to our modern vacuum solution. Three liquid ring vacuum pumps from the LRP VSD+ series are used on Lovund, which are well integrated into the overall process. 

In addition to the high, stable vacuum performance, Atlas Copco said, the liquid ring pumps are energy-efficient and ensure low operating and maintenance costs. The company further said that equipped with two variable speed drives such as VSD: Variable Speed Drive Technology, which is the vacuum system that saves energy and water and a drive that controls the water circulation pump and thus optimises the water flow in the pump. 

Mikalsen further said, “The closed water circuit means that leaking seal water is collected in a tank and recirculated.” The company said this recovery secures the water supply, and an additional energy recovery also reduces production costs. To achieve this, Atlas Copco said, the LRP VSD+ series is equipped with the powerful, user-friendly ElektronikonTM vacuum controller from Atlas Copco, among other things. The company also said that this enabled Atlantic Styro to integrate the vacuum solution into its system and control the entire system.

With its compact design, Atlas Copco said, the LRP VSD+ installation saves space. The company further said that the ease of operation rounds off the ergonomic advantages, such as the inlet, outlet and power cable connections located on the top of the pump for easy installation. 

For Atlantic Styro, Atlas Copco said, the LRP VSD+ pumps combine high functionality with significant savings and added that the user-friendliness and centralisation options make the vacuum solution from Atlas Copco the ideal system for the production of EPS boxes. The company also said that this allows the full range of benefits of the raw material to be realised: a lightweight, cost-effective material perfect for packaging, insulating and transporting frozen fish and seafood.

ATLANTA, United States, 10 April 2024: ASHRAE said it is now accepting entries for the 2024 Lower-GWP Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Innovation Award. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said the Award, organised by ASHRAE and UNEP OzonAction, aims to encourage the implementation of projects in developing countries that are shown to minimise global warming through refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) management.

ASHRAE said the world is becoming increasingly dependent upon refrigeration and air conditioning to keep growing populations safe and comfortable and to provide the environmental conditions and expanding needs in agriculture, healthcare, and data transmission. ASHRAE also said that the International Energy Agency estimates that air conditioning and ventilation alone account for 20% of global electricity use. With this backdrop in mind, ASHRAE said, a transition to lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants is necessary to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment.

ASHRAE said the Lower-GWP Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Innovation Award promotes inventive design and practice by recognising the implementation of new technological concepts in developing countries to minimise the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants. According to ASHRAE, awards will be presented to individuals working alone or in teams in two categories: 

• Residential Applications
• Commercial/Industrial Facility

According to ASHRAE, projects will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Innovative aspects in transforming conventional concepts (40%);
• Technical replicability to developing countries (25%);
• Extent of need (25%); and
• Economic feasibility to developing countries, including energy efficiency (10%).

ASHRAE said entries for 2024 awards will be accepted until August 15, 2024, and that there is no cost to enter. ASHRAE also said that the individuals named in the selected project submissions will be recognised at UNEP and ASHRAE events and publications, and added that ASHRAE membership is not a requirement for submission.

To submit entries for the 2024 Lower-GWP Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Innovation Award, visitashrae.org/unep-gwp.

BRUGINE, Italy, 10 April 2024: CAREL Iberica announced that Simone Grisenti is its new Managing Director, effective April 1. Making the announcement through a Press release,  CAREL Iberica said, with an MBA degree from the Polytechnic University of Milan and an MSc in Biomedical Engineering, Grisenti has a strong academic background. Furthermore,  CAREL Iberica said that Grisenti began his career in the biomedical sector before transitioning into marketing management roles within the manufacturing industry, where he held positions of increasing responsibility in various global companies, before joining CAREL in 2019 as Group Marketing Manager – HVAC Commercial. 

CAREL Iberica said Grisenti’s extensive experience and leadership skills make him well-suited to lead the company into its next phase of growth and development. CAREL Iberica also said that the appointment of Grisenti follows the passing of Xavier Pinto i Puig, the previous Managing Director of CAREL Iberica, who passed away on November 10th due to natural causes.  CAREL Iberica said Puig had been serving as the Managing Director of the Spanish subsidiary since 2018 and had made significant contributions to its growth during his tenure.

Giandomenico Lombello, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, CAREL Group, said: “As Grisenti steps into his new role, I am confident that CAREL Iberica will continue its success and further strengthen its position in the market under his leadership. Grisenti’s vision and expertise will undoubtedly drive the company towards achieving its strategic objectives and delivering value to its customers across the Iberian region.”

ATLANTA, United States, 10 April 2024: ASHRAE has released a comprehensive technical programme for its 2024 Conference for Integrated Design, Construction & Operations (CIDCO), which will take place from June 24 to 26 in Indianapolis. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said that early bird registration is available through April 30. 

ASHRAE said CIDCO, rebranded from the former Building Performance Analysis Conference, provides an in-depth look at existing tools and applied knowledge, as well as the study and introduction of new technologies, including machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and virtual reality, to design, construct, and operate buildings.

John Bynum, Conference Chair, CIDCO, said: “This conference will present a holistic approach to building sustainability, merging design, construction, and operations to maximise efficiency and minimise environmental impact. Conference attendees will learn how to leverage integrated analysis and digital practice management to make informed decisions throughout the building lifecycle, from conceptualisations to operation.”

ASHRAE said the two-day conference will include keynotes, seminars, panel discussions and debates from more than 60 presenters. 

According to ASHRAE, keynote sessions will feature presentations from Kent Peterson, P.E., ASHRAE Presidential Fellow and Vice President, P2S Inc., on Technology’s Evolving Role in Advancing Decarbonisation in Building Design, Construction and Operation and Rajnish B. Setty, ASHRAE Member and President, Setty & Associates International on Data-Driven Future for Integrated Design, Construction and Operations.

Furthermore, ASHRAE said, CIDCO will include these highly anticipated panel discussions:

• ASHRAE HQ Project: Lessons Learned

Moderator: Ginger Scoggins, Engineered Designs Inc, Cary, NC, 

Panellists: Stephanie Reiniche, ASHRAE, Peachtree Corners, GA; Stanton Stafford, PE, LEED Fellow, Member, Buro Happold, Atlanta, GA and Darren Draper, PE, LEED AP, Epsten Group, Atlanta, GA

In this panel, Scoggins will moderate a discussion among project contributors on lessons learned from the renovation of ASHRAE’s current net-zero energy-efficient global headquarters.

• President’s Roundtable on Workforce Development

Moderator: Dennis Knight, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Whole Building Systems, LLC, Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Panellists: Darryl Boyce, Carleton University, Kemptville, Canada; Luke C H Leung, PE, Fellow Member, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, CHICAGO, IL; Luke Moylan, Pipefitters Local Union No. 533 and Martin Dieryckx, Fellow Member, Daikin Europe N.V., Torhout, Belgium

The panel will discuss the challenge of workforce development in the HVAC&R industry and how to compete with other tech-savvy industries to attract new workers and engage and upskill the existing workforce.

• The Importance of Optimising Distributed Energy Resources in Grid-Interactive Buildings for Carbon Neutrality

Moderator: Snowil Lopes

Panellists: Ramtin Hadidi, Miles Hunter Martschink Jr, P.E., Associate and Wayne Johnson, Clemson University, Clemson, SC RMF Engineering, Clemson, SC Duke Energy

Panel participants will explore how commercial and institutional buildings would benefit from newer technologies in distributed energy resources such as small hydro/wind turbines, solar PV, batteries and on-premises recovery systems. 

ASHRAE said the 2024 CIDCO Showdown (formerly the LowDown Showdown) offers the opportunity for teams to compete using BIM tools, processes and strategies to design, construct and operate a proposed model building. This year, ASHRAE said that teams would design a holistic, mixed-use, multilevel, medium-sized office building in Indianapolis that purposefully considers all spatial, environmental and human factors. Furthermore, ASHRAE said, CIDCO will be held in conjunction with the 2024 ASHRAE Annual Conference, which will be held from June 23 to 26 in Indianapolis, and added that all Annual Conference registrants have access to CIDCO conference sessions. 

For more information about CIDCO, including the full technical programme and registration, visit ashrae.org/cidco24.

BRUSSELS, Belgium 10 April 2024: The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) said that Members of the European Parliament adopted the EU methane regulation, the first ever EU legislation to target this super-pollutant in the energy sector. Making the announcement through a Press release, EIA said that methane ranks as the second most important greenhouse gas, 82 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) over 20 years, and responsible for about a third of the warming experienced today. Furthermore, EIA said that, according to the International Energy Agency, curbing methane emissions is the most effective means of limiting global warming in the near term. 

In November 2023, EIA said, EU policymakers reached a political agreement on the EU Methane Regulation, which, to enter into force, must be formally adopted by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union. EIA also said that the European Parliament’s vote was approved with 530 votes in favour and 63 votes against, putting the EU one step closer to making it law.

Kim O’Dowd, Climate Campaigner, EIA, said: “Methane has long been overlooked. While the ultimate goal remains the phase-out of fossil fuels, swift action to address methane emissions from this sector is crucial for the EU to achieve its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.”

EIA said the new regulation establishes a framework for monitoring and mitigating methane emissions within the EU. EIA added that the new regulation focuses on accurately gathering data, which has been grossly underreported to date, and implementing measures to reduce leaks and regulate routine venting and flaring practices. However, EIA said, the EU falls short in addressing the methane emissions from imported oil, gas and coal. 

O’Dowd said: “Some 75-90% of methane emissions associated with fossil fuels consumed in the EU occur before they reach EU borders. What we needed were mitigation measures across the entire supply chain. Still, policymakers opted for an undefined and untested methane intensity standard to be enforced by 2030, which is too late and, if past experience is anything to go by, likely too ineffective in addressing emissions from fossil fuel imports.”

EIA said, along with other NGOs, it had called for extending the regulatory framework to imports. 

While the adoption marks a significant milestone, the work on the regulation is far from over, and the European Commission must now release a series of implementing acts to build it out, EIA further said. 

O’Dowd said: “The EU is liable for the emissions emitted outside its borders when they are associated with its consumption. If the Commission is serious about the EU’s responsibility in the fight against climate change, it will have to improve the regulation via its implementing acts. We at EIA will make sure that the message reaches the next Commission.”

BOWLING GREEN, United States, 10 April 2024:  A-Gas announced that it has joined the EPA GreenChill partnership, further solidifying its commitment to sustainability and industry leadership. Making the announcement through a Press release, A-Gas said that GreenChill is a renowned voluntary partnership with refrigerant and chemical producers, food retailers, and system manufacturers that advocates for advanced technologies, strategies, and practices to protect the environment and human health. Furthermore, A-Gas said GreenChill’s mission aligns with its purpose to protect and enhance the environment by effectively managing the lifecycle of refrigerants to build a more sustainable future.

Mike Armstrong, Managing Director and President, Americas, A-Gas, said: “As an EPA GreenChill partner, A-Gas is poised to continue driving innovative solutions within the refrigeration industry. This partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to supporting our customers, especially in the supermarket and food retail sectors, to move to more environmentally friendly products—such as R448, R449, and reclaimed refrigerants—and processes as they navigate through the evolving regulatory landscape.”

A-Gas said it offers comprehensive solutions to its customers throughout the entire lifecycle of its refrigerants and possesses expertise in handling a wide range of refrigerants and state-of-the-art recovery, reclamation, and destruction technologies. A-Gas also said that it is well-equipped to assist supermarkets, food retailers, and other GreenChill members in supporting the circular economy by managing the lifecycle of their refrigerants. 

Taylor Ferranti, Commercial Vice President of Refrigerant Management, A-Gas, said: “Through Rapid Recovery®, our nationwide on-site refrigerant recovery service, we provide turnkey, EPA-compliant refrigerant recoveries to support food retailers during their maintenance and retrofit projects, helping to minimise costly downtime. Additionally, we provide product assurance and supply certified reclaimed refrigerants and lower GWP alternatives to many GreenChill members and other leading companies in the North American refrigeration industry. We are proud to join forces as part of the GreenChill partnership, setting an example for others to build a more sustainable future.”

Bella Maranion, Senior Advisor, Stratospheric Protection Division, EPA and a member of the GreenChill Team, said: “By entering the partnership, A-Gas joins industry leaders committed to reducing emissions and managing their use of climate-damaging refrigerants. We look forward to its contributions to the GreenChill Partnership’s continued success.”

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 9 April 2024: Eurovent announced that Galletti, an Italian HVACR manufacturer, joined the association as a corresponding member. Making the announcement through a Press release, Eurovent said that the Eurovent Board announced Galletti’s membership during its online meeting on March 19. Furthermore, Eurovent said that Galletti, a family-owned company founded in 1906, manufactures hydronic indoor units, chillers, and air-water and water-water heat pumps. 

Eurovent said through its new ‘Open Innovation’ approach, Galletti develops advanced design solutions for the tertiary and residential sectors. Eurovent also said that sheet metal working has always been in Galletti’s know-how. After years of experience in this sector, the company has committed itself to creating the automated sheet metal working centre that could become the heart of innovation and development of production processes, Eurovent said.

Luca Germano, Technical Director, Galletti, said: “After being among the first companies to join the Eurovent Certification scheme more than 30 years ago, Galletti has decided to become a corresponding member of Eurovent. We are convinced that this decision will certainly bring mutual benefits and look forward to contributing to the regulatory landscape in Europe.”

PARIS, France, 9 April 2024: Eurovent Certification announced that  ZIEHL-ABEGG, a German manufacturer, is the first to gain the new certification that evaluates fans intended for use in Air Handling Units (AHUs). Making the announcement through a Press release, the revamped programme, Eurovent Certification said, developed in collaboration with the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc., has combined AMCA certification protocols and Eurovent Certification’s audit process.

Eurovent Certification said that redevelopment of the programme started in the spring of 2023, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Eurovent Certification, the Eurovent trade association, AMCA International and two of its regional organisations: The European Air Movement and Control Association (EU AMCA) and the Asia Air Movement and Control Association (ASIA AMCA). Eurovent Certification said it joined AMCA International to work on an added-value fan certification programme to offer a more dynamic approach to certifying products. Furthermore, Eurovent Certification said that by November, the new programme was ready to be launched, and on March 5, the first certificates were granted to ZIEHL-ABEGG.

Eurovent Certification said that to tear down the administrative and cost barriers that fan manufacturers face when certifying products, the scheme combines the best of AMCA and Eurovent into a single groundbreaking certification programme. Moreover, Eurovent Certification said that products are first evaluated under the renowned AMCA certification protocols, according to their most current testing and rating standards, such as air flow rates and available pressure, with options for certifying acoustic characteristics and energy efficiency. Once products have achieved AMCA certification, Eurovent Certification said, they can apply for the Eurovent Certified Performance mark for fans by undergoing an initial admission audit. This audit, Eurovent Certification said, verifies the consistency between what is declared by manufacturers, upheld by AMCA certification, and what is produced and sold by the manufacturer, and products then move to a surveillance process with annual audits from Eurovent Certification.

TEL AVIV, Israel, 8 April 2024: Eco Wave Power announced that it was selected by a major energy company to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study aimed at identifying the top locations for commercial onshore wave energy stations in the United States and across the globe, using its Eco Wave Power proprietary technology. Making the announcement through a Press release, Eco Wave Power said, as per the terms of the agreement, it has initiated a three-month, in-depth feasibility study in the United States and key regions across the globe. 

The studies, Eco Wave Power said, explore the best-proposed implementation sites for commercial installations and review 77 sites in detail on the coastline of the United States, in terms of wave availability and compatible marine structures, with encouraging results, while also proposing a five and a ten years roadmap for wave energy commercialisation. 

Inna Braverman, Founder and CEO of Eco Wave Power, said, “Wave energy can power communities with clean, reliable energy and be a strong force in combating climate change. We are thrilled to help provide an in-depth analysis of wave energy to an industry leader exploring many avenues for clean energy.” 

Through a decade of relentless innovation, Eco Wave Power said, it has built and demonstrated the scalability and reliability of its technology with various power stations. Eco Wave Power also said that a few months ago it announced that its landmark EWP-EDF One power station in Jaffa Port is officially connected to the grid, providing power from wave energy to Israel’s national energy grid for the first time. Furthermore, the company said, it has a pilot station at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. Currently on static display, the station is set to be installed in the coming months and will be the first onshore wave energy pilot station in the United States, the company added.

Eco Wave Power said that Gavin Newsom, Governor, California, signed new legislation, Senate Bill 605, that directs the California Energy Commission to evaluate the feasibility of wave and tidal energy in California, including the costs and benefits of implementing the technology across the state’s coastline. The company added that similar legislation awaits consideration from the New Jersey State Senate Environment & Energy Committee in New Jersey. Furthermore, the company said that the United States Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that wave energy in the United States alone has the technical resource potential to produce over 1,400 TWh/year – enough to power 130,000,000 homes.