UNIDO introduces natural refrigerant projects in developing countries

“As a UN agency we have to be technology neutral, but I also strongly believe that it is our duty and mandate to promote new technologies for the benefit of the developing countries”, stressed Sidi Menad Si Ahmed, Director of the Montreal Protocol Branch, UNIDO, who introduced the underlying rationale for organising the UNIDO ATMOsphere Technology Summit during the opening session in Vienna, Austria, on 3 June 2013.

UNIDO’s current portfolio of activities covers 76 countries

Ákos Kőszegváry, Industrial Development Officer at UNIDO’s Montreal Protocol Branch provided an overview of the organisation’s activities as an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. UNIDO currently has ongoing projects in 76 countries across Africa, the Arab region, Asia Pacific, and Europe and the Newly Independent States.

He reminded participants of the decision of the Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol according to which projects should maximise the climate benefit, i.e. replacement technologies should utilise alternatives with low global-warming potential (GWP) wherever available/applicable. He noted that to avoid introduction of high levels of HFC-based installations, adoption of low-GWP alternatives in Article 5 countries under the Montreal Protocol must start as soon as possible to close the gap between now and the final of HCFC phase-out date (2030).

Mr. Kőszegváry reported that a number of ongoing projects are focused on using natural alternatives such as R290 (propane) and R717 (ammonia) in the refrigeration and AC sector. He highlighted the essential requirements for the adoption of new technologies as being:

• Adoption of standards allowing alternatives (flammability, toxicity) on the market
• Availability of appropriate after sales services
• Availability of equipment kits based on new technologies
• Appropriate price of alternatives, associated components & products

Side event highlights UNIDO activities in China, incl. HC refrigeration and AC plant conversions

A side event during the first day of the event focused on the work of UNIDO in China, in particular the ongoing demonstration projects by UNIDO and GIZ to convert RAC production plants to R290. A video screened during the side event included highlights on refrigeration and AC plant conversions to hydrocarbons:




Innovative financing solutions: UNIDO-GEF Cooperation, Expanding the Scope

Complementing UNIDO’s work undertaken for the Multilateral Fund (MLF), the Agency is involved in projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), addressing the phase-out of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in countries with economies in transition that are not eligible for funding under the MLF.

Jürgen Hierold, GEF-Coordinator facilitating the UNIDO-GEF portfolio of UNIDO, including the Montreal Protocol Branch, discussed the potential synergies between the two public funds and new possibilities for innovative financing solutions. The scope of UNIDO-GEF cooperation can be expanded for example by combining the phase out of ODS with the improvement of energy efficiency in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Projects to improve energy efficiency can be linked to the replacement of HCFC-based installations and introduction of alternatives with low-GWP. Through the promotion of updated non-ODS technologies with low-GWP, UNIDO is supporting the recipient countries in achieving both UNFCCC and Montreal Protocol targets.

One such example is the project regarding the “Phase Out HCFCs and Promotion of HFC-free Energy Efficient Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Systems in the Russian Federation Through Technology Transfer”. Others are pilot project proposals “Improving Energy Efficiency and Reducing ODS Emissions in the Industrial Refrigeration Sector in the Gambia and Viet Nam”, which are currently under discussion with the GEF.

Conversion of HCFC-22 facilities to ozone- and climate-friendly alternatives in the fishing & food processing (servicing) sectors in Viet Nam and the Gambia

Riccardo Savigliano, Industrial Development Officer at UNIDO’s Montreal Protocol Branch, further elucidated on the projects in Viet Nam and the Gambia that will target to make use of such financing possibilities through the GEF.

UNIDO focused on a funding mechanism involving the MLF in synergy with the GEF in order to promote the conversion of existing HCFC-22 installations with low-GWP and energy efficiency technologies. The mechanism pivots on the respective mandates of the two funds, keeping in mind the limited grants provided by the MLF for servicing activities and the possibility of funding through the GEF those activities not-eligible under the MLF mechanism.

Mr. Savigliano reported that the fishing industry was identified as the most appropriate sector for the pilot projects, since most technologies used in Article 5 countries in the industrial refrigeration sector (cold stores, fish processing, handling and ice-making plants and freezing units of fishing vessels) have high carbon emissions and work with low energy efficiency.

The target countries of Viet Nam and the Gambia were selected according to the country size, the geographical region and the role of the fishery sector in national industry. The two project proposals explore a range of refrigerants with low GWP, including ammonia systems, CO2 in single as well as cascade systems, and hydrocarbon units. It is expected that the equipment upgrades will greatly reduce both ODS and greenhouse gases emissions by replacing HCFC-22 with refrigerants with very low-GWP and better energy performance.

UNIDO/UNEP demo project: low-GWP Refrigerants for AC in high-ambient countries (West Asia)

Refrigeration and air-conditioning technologies and their applicability in high ambient temperatures is currently a challenge that has been a hot topic within the Montreal Protocol forum for at least 5 years, according to Ole Reinholdt Nielsen, Chief of the Refrigeration and Aerosols Unit within the Montreal Protocol Branch, UNIDO. Gulf countries account for about 15% of the global market of air conditioning and so far the HCFC strategies of countries in the region have been focusing on other sectors.

To help overcome the challenge, in April 2013 the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol agreed to finance 40% (60% co-financing by participating companies) for a demonstration project on “Promoting low-GWP Refrigerants for Air-Conditioning Sectors in High-Ambient Temperature Countries”, with the participation of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The demonstration project aims to facilitate West Asian countries with the next stage of their HCFC phase out targets as well as technology transfer of low-GWP refrigerants including hydrocarbons in high ambient temperatures. The project will entail the manufacture of prototypes (window, split, central) with up to 4 different low-GWP alternatives, independent testing of prototypes, testing as per AHRI/ASHRAE standards including a high ambient test, and an assessment study on alternative technologies, including district cooling options (for Qatar).

So far 8 AC manufacturers from West Asia, 5 compressor manufacturers (international) and 4 refrigerant producers have agreed to participate in this 1-year project.