Digital path to sustainable cooling: efficiency meets environment (ECA / UNEP article)

This article is from UNEP ECA Network, and can be found in its full here, in multiple languages.

Belgrade, Serbia, 13 December 2024

The members of UNEP’s Regional Network for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) were able to see the benefits of advanced refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) technology firsthand during the 55th International HVAC&R Congress and Exhibition in Belgrade, which was organized by the Serbian Refrigeration Association KGH. Thanks to presentations and hands-on demonstrations from technology providers, the Montreal Protocol Officers from the region were able to see how modern digital solutions can help them achieve ozone protection, climate mitigation, and energy efficiency benefits.

The officers were in Belgrade to participate in the ECA Kigali HFC Implementation Plan / Ozone2Climate meeting, which was organized by UNEP OzonAction from 11-13 December in parallel with the congress. The meeting was financially supported by the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund. RACHP technology was front and center in the discussions.

In an era where energy efficiency is critical to reaching sustainability goals, the integration of digitalisation, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovative methodologies present unprecedented opportunities to enhance efficiency and to combat climate change. These advancements, which were unimaginable just a few years ago, now empower industries to optimize resource utilization, minimize negative impacts on the environment, and pave the way toward a greener future. The RACHP industry is no exception, and the paradigm shift is approaching.

With RACHP systems accounting for over 20% of global electricity consumption, optimising and monitoring their performance is critical to achieving energy efficiency and sustainable development goals. While outdated equipment often requires replacement due to age, loss of efficiency, and physical degradation, the reality is that a significant share of both older and newly installed systems operate far below their rated performance. Addressing the gap through advanced monitoring technologies and improved maintenance practices can unlock substantial energy savings and contribute to a greener future.

Today, “Business as usual” lacks requirements for the verification of performance at commissioning and maintenance. This offers a huge saving opportunity at minimal investment. Based on thousands of optimised systems, one such provider of this technology, the Swedish company ClimaCheck, identified saving opportunities of 10-30% in most RACHP systems.

There are proven technologies to cost effectively measure performance in the field, but the lack of awareness and competence delays the uptake in industry. To counter this and keep up with the latest developments, awareness raising and capacity building is crucial.

Predictive maintenance in the field

As the digitalisation is progressing, the use of sensors has become the standard and if missing they can easily be added. New methodologies make it possible to analyse data from the sensors and turn them into actionable performance information.

Measurement of performance is the precondition for predictive maintenance and Automatic Fault Detection and Diagnostics (AFDD), which offer the opportunity to act when a deviation is detected rather than after the breakdown (reactive maintenance) or after a set amount of time (preventive maintenance).

 

Predictive maintenance avoids expensive breakdowns that cause loss of perishable goods and downtime. It also avoids performance drifts, ensuring that energy use is always optimised.

There is obviously an initial cost for predictive maintenance but the saving in reduced energy and repair costs are much higher.

Machine learning will enhance Automatic Fault Detection and Diagnostics

Performance analysis grounded in thermodynamics provide an ideal basis for implementation of “Digital Twins” based on Machine learning/AI “trained” to predict correctly functioning components /units, significantly simplifying automation processes. RACHP systems operate under varying conditions, traditionally relying on the operator’s experience to establish early warning “thresholds”. However, by utilising Digital Twins that model key performance indicators (KPIs) of compressor, condenser, and evaporator efficiencies, it becomes much easier to detect performance degradation. These Digital Twins, enhanced by machine learning algorithms, enable precise, real-time comparison to baseline (“ideal”) models, paving the way to smarter maintenance strategies and enhanced operational efficiency.

Together we save more

Сooperation with innovative companies is a driver for the promotion of new transformative solutions for the energy-efficient, low-emission, and climate-resilient future.

In September 2024, ClimaCheck, a company specialized in improving the energy efficiency of RACHP systems, conducted a two-day free training for RACHP experts from the Europe and Central Asia region, in cooperation with UNEP OzonAction. It focused on performance analytics, predictive maintenance, and digital monitoring of cooling systems, based on both portable and online tools.

The trainees had a unique opportunity to get insight in experiences from thousands of analysed systems and learn about multiple aspects on RACHP optimisation. The system is using available information and technologies and is ready for immediate use.

In December 2024 Mr. Klas Berglöf, the Founder of ClimaCheck, presented the development and possibilities that are available today and that drive the paradigm shift in RACHP industry, and demonstrated the use of the portable ClimaCheck device on an operating AC system in the plenary of the KGH congress.

For more information:
Halvart Koeppen, Regional Coordinator, ECA,
UNEP OzonAction
Email: halvart.koppen@un.org

The full article in multiple languages can be read at here.

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