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Evaluation of the possibilities of substituting potent greenhouse gases (HFCs, PFCs and SF₆)

6 Evaluations and recommendations

Many activities have been initiated in order to develop new technology for substitution of HFCs. As it has been described in this report, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Danish Energy Agency subsidise a great deal of activities within this area. Many results have been obtained, and good results are expected of the initiated projects.

However, in a number of areas, development projects have not been initiated yet and some areas have special problems. This is described in chapters 3, 4 and 5 of this report.

Below is a list of the specific development projects in areas having special problems and the refrigeration industry's plan of action.

The outlined projects are formulated so that the industry is able to satisfy the Ministry of Environment and Energy's draft statutory order on phase-out of potent greenhouse gases (from February 2001). In other words, the completion of the outlined projects has to ensure that a rapid phase-out of the use of HFCs, PFCs and SF₆ occurs.

The outlined projects are all related to the Danish industry and are formulated in core areas where the Danish industry is in a strong position internationally, and/or where there are large economic or business interests.

In this connection, it can be mentioned once more that the Danish refrigeration industry is very large with many employees even by international standards. It is therefore obvious that a number of projects have been outlined for the development of new environmentally friendly products within this industry. It is also obvious that a plan of action is outlined for the implementation of natural refrigerants in connection with installation and service within the refrigeration industry.

As mentioned earlier in this report, a number of activities take place abroad to develop products without HFC, PFC or SF₆. Many of these activities take place in areas where we do not have any particular industry in Denmark (e.g. in the car industry). Obviously, development also takes place in areas where we have a large industry. It is expected that the suggested projects follow the development at an international level.

A very large part of the suggested activities are in the area of commercial refrigeration, and it is also here that the largest consumption of the potent greenhouse gases takes place. The suggested activities should ensure that energy-efficient refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants are developed and that a forced implementation of these is commenced at an early stage.

Outside the refrigeration area, a project has been outlined with the purpose of ensuring a greater collection of SF₆ in the electricity industry.

Finally, a project has been outlined with reduction of emission of potent greenhouse gases within production of microchips. There are great expectations for the growth potential of this business in Denmark in the future.

6.1 Specific projects (development of new technology and products)

In this section, a number of specific development activities are listed and amounts for the requisite subsidy in DKK are estimated. In addition to the stated amounts, it is expected that there is co-finance from an external source, e.g. producers of the stated products, so that EU’s directive on state subsidy is observed.

Commercial refrigeration

Bottle coolers

Development of large bottle coolers using natural refrigerants (approx. 1.5 million DKK). Small bottle coolers using hydrocarbons as refrigerant have been developed and marketed, but larger bottle coolers (having 2 or 3 doors) are not yet available on the market. It is the intention that Danish producers together with large users/branded goods companies participate in the project. Its aim is furthermore to reduce the refrigerant charge. Prototypes are produced and a small series for field test for a period.

Direct current refrigerators

Development of refrigerators with direct current compressors using natural refrigerants (approx. 1 million DKK). It is suggested that a co-operation with Danish producers of direct-current refrigerators for i.a. storage of vaccine for less developed countries, private use in areas without power supply and in lorries, etc.

Heat pumps and air-conditioning

Application of natural refrigerants in heat pumps and small air-conditioning systems. At the moment, a project is carried out on application of CO₂ in domestic water heat pumps (subsidised by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency). For the large systems (>2 kW), commercially available components for CO₂ and hydrocarbons are not yet available. For air/air heat pumps, including smaller air-conditioning systems (split units), it is not possible directly to use hydrocarbons, as leakage in the refrigerant system will result in discharge of refrigerant in the conditioned rooms with danger of fire. The charge in this type of system is typically limited to 150 grams. This is why CO₂ is an interesting alternative, and since components typically used in this type of system also are used in a number of other applications within the refrigeration industry, this is very interesting. Calculations carried out in the previous project on CO₂ as refrigerant in domestic water heat pumps demonstrate that it in most operating conditions for heat pumps is possible to obtain an efficiency which is just as good or even better when using CO₂ compared to the traditional HFC refrigerants.

It is therefore suggested that the following projects are commenced:

1. The application of CO₂ as refrigerant in split units (air-conditioning and heat pumps) (approx. 1.5 million DKK).
2. Application of hydrocarbons in small air-conditioning systems, heat pumps and dehumidifiers (project dealing with "safe components") (approx. 2 million DKK).
3. Application of refrigerant mixtures (of natural refrigerants) with temperature glide in the heat exchangers. In this way, an efficient thermodynamic process in air-conditioning and heat pump system is expected (approx. 1 million DKK).

The results of these projects will be directly applicable within large parts of the refrigeration industry. The mentioned subsidy amounts are estimated amounts for the requirement for external subsidy.

Project on refrigerated containers. A project has been carried out in which it has been investigated whether CO₂ can be used as refrigerant. Interesting results have been demonstrated. However, components have not been available. When these are available, another project should be commenced (approx. 5 million DKK).

Change of 150 grams limit

Assessment of whether it is possible to increase the unofficial limit of 150 grams of hydrocarbon refrigerant in refrigerators to a higher value in certain situations. This limit was originally introduced by compressor suppliers, who were afraid that in connection with leakage from household refrigeration cabinets, flammable mixtures might arise in a kitchen, etc. The limit is still used – and it also applies to completely different appliances. In the project, analyses have to be carried out which should make it possible to use larger amounts of refrigerants in situations where a potential leakage will not result in a greater risk (approx. 1.5 million DKK).

Expansion of the collection system and increased recycling of SF₆ in the electricity industry (approx. 0.5 million DKK).

Investigation of the possibilities of reducing the emission of potent greenhouse gases in connection with production of microchips (electronic and optical chips) (approx. 3 million DKK).

Information

General communication of information on the use of natural refrigerants, etc. It is about further education of consultants, writing of articles, participation in Danish and foreign conferences on alternative technology and legislation in the area, etc. (approx. 1 million DKK).

6.2 The refrigeration industry's plan of action

The four associations: Selskabet for Køleteknik (under the Society of Danish Engineers), Danish Association of Refrigeration, Authorised Refrigeration Installers Association and the Danish Heat Pump Association have together prepared the enclosed note for efforts to be carried out within 2006. Please cf. the enclosed proposal from the associations in appendix C. The associations have sent an application to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, which should concretise the plan of action. For use of this note, the associations have prepared a draft with a list of the planned activities and the costs of these. Due to the short time, which the associations have had for the preparation, there may be uncertainties to the amount.

It is an estimate comprising all the subjects. The total estimate for the implementation of the plan of action is 113 million DKK for four years. It is the estimated total additional costs for the industry. The outlined activities may result in subsidy of approx. 44 million DKK, i.e. approx. 11 million DKK per year in four years (when permitted subsidy percentages are considered for development, etc., cf. EU's legislation on state subsidy). The requisite subsidy amount is calculated with the following subsidy percentages: development activity: 25%, information activity: 100%, courses: 50% (some of the remaining 50% can be financed by other ministries) and 50% for mixed information and development activity.

6.3 Total evaluation of the requirement for subsidy

The table below shows the activities mentioned in sections 6.1 and 6.2.

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency has asked the Danish Technological Institute to assess the size of overlap between the specific development projects, which are mentioned in section 6.1 and the refrigeration industry's plan of action in section 6.2.

Generally speaking, the activities do not overlap. There has however been a small overlap between projects within commercial refrigeration in section 6.1 and areas with development activities in section 6.2.

It is assessed that this overlap is of maximum 10 million DKK, but reservations have to be made as this is expected to be more precisely determined in the preliminary project of the refrigeration industry's plan of action.

The total requirement for subsidy in the four year period 2002-2005 is approx. 100 million DKK corresponding to approx. 25 million DKK per year.