2012 German Refrigeration Award opens call for applications

The German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety has launched for the fourth time the German Refrigeration Award in the field of refrigeration technology innovations. The total sum of €52,500 will be this time aimed especially at small businesses that can submit their application by 31 December 2011.

Since 2008 the German Environment Ministry has been financially supporting the uptake of innovative emissions-saving technologies in the commercial refrigeration area through the National Climate Protection programme. This initiative has, according to first evaluations, already contributed to a 40% reduction of energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. In addition, the Ministry is now calling for the 4^th time for submissions from innovators to advance the use of refrigeration technologies with a lower carbon footprint than traditional systems. The winners of the German Refrigeration Award, to be announced in March 2012, will be supported with prizes ranging from €10,000 to €2,500.

For the first time the German Refrigeration Award, that in the past recognized a number of technologies using hydrocarbons and other natural working fluids, has created a new category that will specifically address small businesses with less than 50 employees. The next award will hence be granted in 3 categories:

Innovation in the area of air-conditioning or refrigeration technology
Installation of refrigeration or air-conditioning systems by small enterprises
Special application of refrigeration or air-conditioning technology

Interested companies are encouraged to submit their application before 31 December 2011 by email to kaeltepreis@co2online.be. The application form is accessible through the website www.co2online.de/kaelte.

Refrigeration & air-conditioning key to energy savings

It is estimated that there are about 120 million of refrigerators in Germany that use up to 15 % of the total electricity and are responsible for around 70 million tons of CO₂ emissions, which have a negative effect on climate. Tanja Loitz, the general director of co2online GmbH, the non-profit company responsible for the practical organisation of the project said: “Experts believe that energy savings of 35% and sometimes even 75% are possible through introduction of energy efficiency measures. The refrigeration and air conditioning industry can make a significant contribution to climate change targets set by the federal government.”