|
Evaluation of the possibilities of substituting potent greenhouse gases (HFCs, PFCs and SF6) SummaryThe consumption of the potent greenhouse gases (HFCs, PFCs and SF6) amounts to approx. 1,000 tons per year (1999). If this entire amount is emitted to the atmosphere, it will correspond to an emission of approx. 1.8 million tons of CO2. In comparison, the Danish CO2 emission was of 55.7 million tons in 1999. The present emission of these substances is however lower as a large part of the substances are accumulated in products. The vast majority of the consumption is made up of HFC substances, which are used as an alternative to the ozone-layer depleting substances (CFCs and HCFCs). For that reason, a heavy increase occurred in the consumption of HFC substances through the 1990s. The consumption has however stagnated and during the last few years, a small decrease has occurred. For the past years, a new technology has been developed and implemented without potent greenhouse gases in a number of areas, e.g. refrigerators, large refrigeration systems, insulating foam, flexible plastic foam, sound insulating windows and magnesium production. In some areas, however, there are significant problems in using alternative technology. This applies especially to small commercial refrigeration systems with cooling performances below 20-30 kW and refrigerant charges below 10 kg. The purpose of this project has been to evaluate the possibilities and requirement for subsidy in order for the Danish trade and industry to comply with the Ministry of the Environment and Energy's draft statutory order on phase-out of potent greenhouse gases (of February 2001). The report points to a number of specific development projects and to a plan of action for the refrigeration industry. These projects are described in chapter 6 of this report. The described projects can be carried out in the period 2002-2005. The total required subsidy in this period is assessed to be approx. 100 million DKK or approx. 25 million DKK per year.
|