AHT brings first R290 cabinets to Japanese market

By Jan Dusek, Oct 08, 2013, 13:34 3 minute reading

On 19 September AHT Cooling Systems introduced a natural refrigerant solution for Japanese supermarkets and convenience store chains at the first edition of regular ATMOsphere network Tokyo meetings. Bill Ho, Director of Sales, presented the cutting edge propane showcases as a winning alternative to not only chemical refrigerants but also to increasingly popular CO2 refrigeration systems.

The first edition of the ATMOsphere 'network' Tokyo meetings with the theme "Commercial refrigeration with natural refrigerants & EU F-Gas Regulation" was organised on September 19th 2013 in Tokyo. Sponsored by AHT Cooling Systems, the leading global supplier of hydrocarbon plug-in merchandisers, the ATMOsphere 'network' Tokyo event was hosted by Marc Chasserot and Jan Dusek from shecco Japan and attracted more than 70 key stakeholders interested in the latest market and policy developments in the field of natural refrigerants.

Natural refrigerant solutions for Japanese Retailers

Mr. Bill Ho, Director of Sales for AHT Asia, introduced natural refrigerant solutions for Japanese retailers – including their plug-in showcases for supermarkets and convenience stores (CVS) using propane refrigerants.

Mr. Ho introduced AHT Cooling Systems global operations with focus on business operation in Japan that started in 2010. Working with an exclusive distributor Rei-Tech, AHT promotes environmentally friendly and energy saving products with a goal to realise “Ecology supermarket” in Japan.

AHT R290 cabinets with glass lid could save significant energy costs to operators who use open type cabinets with conventional refrigerants – a solution still very common on domestic market.
While globally AHT supplied more than 530,000 R290 cabinets, the potential in Japan is significant. Customers of the domestic market installed approximately 100 units of R290 products. Mr. Ho stressed that not a single accident was recorded -proving the safety and quality aspects of AHT products to delegates.

Energy efficiency and low installation and maintenance cost

According to Mr. Ho presentation, a 30% reduction of TEWI was achieved with R290 as a refrigerant and a variable speed compressor, in comparison to the standard ATHEN 210 XL model with R404A refrigerant.

AHT’s near future goal is to reduce energy consumption by 50% by introducing additional system controls and newly optimised components for propane as a refrigerant.

The advantages of R290 plug-in cabinets are the high efficiency at high ambient temperature but also the very low installation and maintenance costs. A case study presented at the event estimated about 2,750 R290 units installed in Thailand since 2007. Energy savings of 25% was achieved together with high customer satisfaction.

Latest on technology, markets and policy in Asia and Europe

Among other presenters were Mr. Matsutani and Ms. Yu from Lawson, the Japanese leader in introducing CO2 transcritical (TC) refrigeration to its network of convenience stores (CVS) in Japan and beyond – announcing a new pilot project that will see a CO2 CVS in Indonesia.

Marc Chasserot, Managing Director of shecco Europe and shecco Japan, presented the latest update on EU F-Gas Regulation and market trends in CO2 commercial refrigeration in Europe.

ATMOsphere ‘network’ concept to be expanded to Tokyo, NYC, and Beijing in 2014

The Japanese subsidiary of market development expert shecco has introduced a new concept of informal business networking meetings to promote natural refrigerant solutions in Japan.
shecco Japan will organise 3 to 4 ATMOsphere 'network' Tokyo meetings a year, bringing together Government representatives, Industry Associations, End users, Suppliers (both domestic and international), Researchers, NGOs and Japanese Media.
“Our intention with these regular network meetings is to help accelerate the market uptake of natural refrigerants by connecting experts and sharing best practice in an informal environment. This is very complimentary to our large format event - ATMOsphere Asia 2014 - that will be organised in February 2014”, says Jan Dusek.

The next ATMOsphere ‘network’ Tokyo event will be organised November 27th and will provide an exclusive overview of the activities of leading End Users in Europe and America in introducing natural refrigerants. In 2014 the network concept will be introduced in other major cities together with key industry trade shows such as 2014 ASHRAE Winter Conference in NYC or China Refrigeration 2014 in Beijing.

MORE INFORMATION

By Jan Dusek

Oct 08, 2013, 13:34




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