Air conditioning & Refrigeration European Association

AREA

January 2006

Newsletter

Items covered: - Environment - F-gas Regulation Amendment 20 p.3 Amendment 45 and related p.6 MAC issue p.10 Emissions trading p.10 Enquiry on HCFC p.11 Post-2012 CC policy report adopted by EP p.14 - Education & vocational training Final news on The Refrigeration Craftsman (Leonardo) project p.15 Energy Management Technician pre-proposal p.16 Enquiry on e-learning p.16 - Technical matters News on MINIREF p.18 - Standardisation Draft prEN 14276 p.19 - European Legislation Energy Services + Energy Performance of Buildings Directives p.20 - News from our Members p.21 - Sister associations p.23 ECSLA, EHPA - Events p.26 President : J. JACQUIN - SNEFCCA F - e-mail : contact@snefcca.com Past President : N. MITCHELL - RACG/HVCA UK - e-mail : ncm@normanmitchell.co.uk Vice-President : Ch. SCHOLZ - VDKF D – e-mail : info@vdkf.org Treasurer : J. HOOGKAMER - NVKL NL - e-mail : joh@fme.nl Director : A. ZOLTAN – HKVSZ HU - e-mail : zoltan.attila@hkvsz.hu General Secretary : R. BERCKMANS - AREA - e-mail : robert.berckmans@area-eur.be Beau Site Première avenue, 88 • B -1330 Rixensart • Belgium • Tel : +32 2 6538835 • Fax + 32 2 6523872

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Editorial Getting ready for the journey Dear Members, You know that I am entering, in 2006, a transition period in order to prepare my replacement as Secretary of AREA. The assisting ad hoc task force will meet for a first time in January or February.

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We grew from an industrial informal association to a medium size trade organization. We were 12 Members when I joined in 1999, today we are 20 (21 if our Turkish friends confirm their interest). AREA’ s recognition and results indicate that it is appropriate to take another step forward. To be a network is not sufficient anymore. We need an efficient but light structure, with a full time Secretary General based in Brussels, and adequate financial means to participate in EU projects. You have really to understand this last requirement : you rightfully expect concrete actions and results, AREA rightfully expects you to finance its ambitions. Thank you! Yours sincerely,

Robert Berckmans Secretary General

Environment F-Gases

Proposed F-gas Regulation Position prepared by AREA about the amendment 20 concerning the article 5 : (And sent to the 25 Permanent Representations) See table below : - first column : first Council common position - second column : EP second reading amendment (AREA text)

- third column : newly revised text proposed by the Council secretariat - fourth column : AREA suggestion

Explanation : We ask for deleting “excluding installation activities which do not require any specific technical expertise”. The first reason is that it would bring confusion as these activities are not specified and it is not possible to specify them here in the article 5. The minimum requirements to be established by the Committee will take care of it (their work will include the scope of activities concerned). Also the amended text of the end of the paragraph says well that companies and personnel involved in inspection and recovery need to be qualified and certified.

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Amendment 20 Article 5, paragraph 1

By ….. * on the basis of information received from Member States and in consultation with the relevant sectors, the Commission shall establish, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 11(2), minimum requirements and the conditions for mutual recognition in respect of training programmes and certification for the relevant personnel and for the companies and their personnel involved in the activities provided for in Articles 3 and 4.

* The date of entry into force of this Regulation.

By … on the basis of information received from Member States and in consultation with the relevant sectors, the Commission shall establish, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 11(2), minimum requirements and the conditions for mutual recognition in respect of training programmes and certification for both the companies and all relevant personnel involved in installing or maintaining the equipment concerned by this Regulation as well as for those involved in servicing or carrying out controls of the equipment for the activities provided for in Articles 3 and 4.

By ….. * on the basis of information received from Member States and in consultation with the relevant sectors […] minimum requirements and the conditions for mutual recognition shall be established in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 11(2) in respect of training programmes and certification for both the companies and the relevant personnel involved in installing or servicing the equipment covered by Article 3(1), excluding installation activities which do not require any specific technical expertise as well as for the personnel involved in [...] the activities provided for in Articles 3 and 4.

* The date of entry into force of this Regulation.

By ….. * on the basis of information received from Member States and in consultation with the relevant sectors […] minimum requirements and the conditions for mutual recognition shall be established in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 11(2) in respect of training programmes and certification for both the companies and the relevant personnel involved in installing or servicing the equipment covered by Article 3(1)[…] including the activities provided for in Articles 3 and 4.

* The date of entry into force of this Regulation.

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Message sent on November 28 by Past President Mitchell to the UK Permanent Representation (EU Presidency), Mr. Lindsay Appleby : I have been involved in the stakeholders group discussing the above with DG Environment and DG Enterprise and with UK DEFRA and DTI since 2000 as a contractor engaged in the works referred to in Article 5, Training and Certification. I understand the intention of the Regulation is to “contain “ the gases within the equipment they are charged in. I have been made aware of the suggested amendments to this article since the Second Reading and I feel there may be some confusion as to the nature of the tasks for which competence and certification should be required. Installation of the systems or circuits which are not “plug in “ type, those are typically the domestic fridge or freezer and some integral hermetically sealed systems for commercial use, require considerable skill and training to ensure the jointing of the steel or copper piping is correctly welded or brazed or the flare type mechanical joints are properly formed. Vibration sources and possible areas of external damage need to be carefully assessed and eliminated before the installation takes place. Once installed the system needs to be pressure tested in accordance with the European Norms, the Pressure Equipment Directive and the manufacturers instructions, insulation to prevent the ingress of moisture to cold surfaces on piping needs then to be completed. Prior to charging with the fluorinated gas refrigerant, careful checks need to be made to ensure the system will not leak refrigerant and will function as designed. All these tasks are skilled and need a full understanding of the consequences of not carrying them out rigorously, in the hands of the unskilled serious leakage could be occurring from day one. Certification for competence for installation is therefore essential for the protection of the environment, it is also necessary for the installer to be aware of the implications of the accidental or deliberate release of fluorinated gases to atmosphere. The addition of “excluding installation activities which do not require any specific technical expertise” only seems to provide a source for more confusion and the matter could be dealt with by a definition included in Article 2. There also has been some criticism of the inclusion of the word “maintenance” in Article 5, a good definition in Article 2 would also benefit Member States Regulators. Maintenance translates into other languages apparently with alternative meanings, I see it as meaning any act which requires accessing the refrigerant within the circuit, installing gauges to measure pressures etc., changing components or oil within the refrigerant circuit on a routine basis, the word should not be confused with the oily rag and brush type external cleaning maintenance often associated with mechanical plant. Service in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry refers to dealing with breakdown or malfunction of machine, equipment or processes utilising refrigerant. There seems a reticence to allow the inclusion of a registration requirement for companies. Companies are a fundamental part of the leakage control, service, maintenance and decommissioning of refrigerating and air conditioning plant. If there is no corporate responsibility to be registered, the reporting and recording schemes in the regulation will be virtually unenforceable. Equally the operator of the equipment will have to check the competence certification of each individual coming on site before any work can commence, surely this would be facilitated by the company being certificated as having all competent staff ensuring a corporate duty of care to the end user is maintained. With Company registration and personnel competence being such fundamental requirements of the regulation, the two combine to provide a forfeitable licence-to-trade in this industry. A sanction for non-compliance with the regulation could well be the loss of this licence which would concentrate the minds of those in control of the companies to ensure F-gas is not allowed to leak or be released to atmosphere. The UK and Ireland presently have infraction proceedings against them for non-compliance with Regulation 2037/2000 due to the intention of the legislation being so open to misinterpretation as to have guided Civil Servants in the wrong direction. The F-Gas Regulation gives an ideal opportunity to ensure there are no areas open to misinterpretation and the containment of F-Gas is successfully achieved. High Voltage switchgear is already regulated with regard to competence, for installation, maintenance and service, with regard to the dangers of electricity at those voltages; therefore competence in handling SF6 will serve to ensure all avenues are covered, similar competence must surely be required for the installation and service of fixed fire extinguishing systems.

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Suggestions of compliance with the ISO 9000 series of Standards should not be accepted as compliance with the proposals of the F-Gas regulation as the Quality Manual of those operators will almost certainly not mention leakage control and thus, if allowed to apply, will absolve the operator of making, or having made, regular checks leaving what are often very large (30 to 300 kgs charge or more) systems to leak without repair, surely not in the spirit or the letter of this legislative measure. I trust these few words will help to indicate a sensible route for the text of the regulation to take and I shall be pleased to provide any information or advice you may feel you need at any time, I am available on my mobile telephone most hours of the day, with answering service should I be otherwise engaged. I am not a lobbyist, just chairman of a small local family business with years of experience and a keen interest in and concern for the well being of the environment for future generations. THE DISCUSSION ON ARTICLE 5 / AMENDMENT 20 WILL FIRST HAPPEN AT THE WORKING GROUP LEVEL (National experts and officers of the Permanent Representations). THIS IS NOT EXPECTED UNTIL EARLY 2006 AND THEREFORE WILL BE UNDER THE AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY. IT IS NOT A MAJOR POINT FOR THE COUNCIL.

*** And about the amendments 2, 7 and 45

Amendment 2 Recital 3 a (new) (3a) Annex II of Decision 2002/358/EC lays down different reduction targets for individual Member States. The Member States are therefore required to take individual measures. Individual Member States must therefore also be able to take, or maintain, adequate measures to attain their national reduction targets. Amendment 7 Recital 6 b (new) (6b) This Regulation should not prevent Member States from maintaining or introducing stricter protective measures.The differences that exist between Member States with regard to their established practices of restricting certain fluorinated greenhouse gases require that Member States should have the possibility to maintain or introduce stricter measures. This is necessary in order to comply with the provisions of the Treaty stipulating a high level of protection in the field of the environment as specified in Article 174(2) and in Article 95(3). Furthermore, this is necessary in order to ensure the possibility for Member States to implement their plans for reducing fluorinated greenhouse gases in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol. Amendment 45 Article 1, paragraph 1 a (new) (1a) This Regulation shall not prevent Member States from maintaining or introducing stricter protective measures. Compromise text proposed by the UK Presidency : "(a) Where a Member State has by 31 December 2005 adopted national measures which are stricter than those set out in Annex II to this Regulation, that Member State may, subject to point (b) below, maintain those national measures until 31 December 2012.

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(b) The Member State in question shall notify the national measures to the Commission, accompanied by an explanation in support of those measures, by the date of entry into force of this Regulation at the latest. Such measures must be compatible with the Treaty."

And

EPEE COMMENTS Specific to provisions looking to facilitate Member States maintaining

or introducing stricter national measure as adopted by the European Parliament at second reading

1 Introduction EPEE believes strongly in an EU-wide system to monitor and contain emissions of F-gases across Europe. This approach has been the cornerstone to EPEE’s strong and proactive support of the proposal for an F-gases Regulation. EPEE believes that the current European Parliament amendments regarding Member States maintaining or introducing stricter national measures must be interpreted in the light of the EC Treaty. In other words, stricter national measures may be maintained or introduced only in accordance with the procedures and limitations of Articles 95 or Article 176 of the Treaty (as appropriate). The Parliament’s amendments are unclear and could lead to considerable legal uncertainty. If Member States use them as the basis for trying to escape the limitations and procedures of the Treaty for maintaining or introducing stricter national measures, this will create obstacles to the functioning of the internal market and cause planning and investment uncertainty for the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning (RAC) sector. Furthermore, if the amendments are interpreted as allowing Member States to circumvent the limitations and procedures of the Treaty, they are likely to be considered illegal and risk being annulled by the Court of Justice. EPEE has consistently opposed the unilateral adoption by individual Member States of national legislation in this area1. EPEE believes such individual measures will result in the fragmentation of the internal market. The principle of free movement of goods is tightly entwined with the emission reduction objectives of the proposal. Given this unclear wording, legal uncertainty and potential conflict with the Treaty, EPEE calls on the Council of Ministers to reject all related amendments (Amendments 2, 7 and 45). 2 Comments specific to compromise text to replace Amendments 2, 7, 45 EPEE has been made aware of the current compromise text being tabled by the UK Presidency ahead of the 29 November meeting. EPEE appreciates this attempt at a workable compromise and can agree in principle to the text on the table. However, this compromise should not be

1 EPEE submitted legal complaints to the European Commission on the Danish and Austrian National legislation on F-gases in May and July 2003

respectively. On 25 October 2004, the Commission sent Austria and Denmark formal requests for information on their legislation. The Commission is concerned that the bans on products may constitute unjustified barriers to trade and so be contrary to EC Treaty rules on the free movement of goods (Articles 28-30). Both Member States were invited to present more information justifying their legislation. Consideration of the responses is on-going.

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taken as an endorsement by the Council of the existing national measures, nor as confirmation that they are compatible with the Treaty. EPEE believes that the Danish and Austrian measures contain provisions that are disproportionate, create obstacles to the functioning of the internal market and are therefore incompatible with the Treaty. If the compromise is to be accepted, EPEE considers that it is essential that part (a) of the alternative text remains expressly subject to part (b). And when the press steps in ! :

From BBC News : Manufacturers used scaremongering tactics to persuade MEPs to vote against banning harmful gases, a politician has complained. Last month saw a key vote over proposals to phase out the substances used in fridges and air conditioning.

Avril Doyle steered the legislation through the European Parliament.

The Irish MEP told File On 4 that her colleagues were sent dozens of letters from industries in their constituencies "threatening them with job losses."

'Non stop'

The debate in Brussels about fluorinated and greenhouse "F-Gases" began more than two years ago.

As regulation to control their use in EU countries began to look likely, leading firms such as Du Pont, Mitsubishi and Hitachi employed PR professionals to represent their interests.

"It's been six months of intense lobbying," said Ms Doyle.

"It was email, writing, phoning and faxing, non stop."

She added that MEPs received letters "threatening them with job losses if they voted for this amendment or they voted for that directive."

"Are they really going to vote for legislation that they actually know nothing about - or are they going to take the word of industries based in their constituencies where they have to go back to face election?"

Bans rejected

Lobbying is a legitimate part of the democratic system to bring important issues to the attention of politicians.

But, according to Ms Doyle, the F-Gas industry lobby "over-gilded the lily. It was scaremongering."

MEPs rejected calls to impose bans on F-Gases, opting instead for measures to contain and monitor their use.

Ms Doyle believed the legislation was "heavily influenced and directed by lobbyists."

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One of Brussels's biggest PR consultancies, Hill and Knowlton, pressed the manufacturers' case.

It's the premise of business that people should have the right to voice their position with elected representatives Mary Walsh, Hill and Knowlton

Speaking to File, lobbyist Mary B Walsh denied that her company over pressurised any MEP. "I'm very comfortable with the dialogue we had with them.

"It's the premise of business that people should have the right to voice their position with elected representatives.

"I think the companies were worried in terms of what they would have to do in relation to supplying their customers with the goods that they have been asking them for."

EU Commissioner Siim Kallas is currently working on a code of conduct for the lobbying industry.

"It's understandable, because a lot of decisions are made in Brussels, especially concerning business, that there is an interest," he said. "But obviously these activities have developed to such an extent where this is really noticed by citizens and a certain clarification would bring added value to the picture of how decisions are made.” CONCLUSIONS : Main Points

The Council Working Group of 29 November decided to go to Conciliation with the Parliament as they cannot accept all of the Parliamentary second reading amendments.

While the “ technical amendments” are on the whole apparently acceptable, the key stumbling block is amendment 45 (and corollary amendments) from the European Parliament – ability of Member States to go further than EU measures for both political and legal reasons.

Given the usual time constraints on conciliation procedures (6 weeks to agree and then 6 weeks to adopt in both institutions), the Austrians (Presidency from 1/1/2006) and the office of MEP Doyle expect the actual negotiations to come to an end by end of March 2006.

Next steps

Parliament is expecting preliminary comments from Council on 9 December, which should confirm the above.

In the Parliament, the office of MEP Doyle is expecting their conciliation delegation to meet for the first time to discuss on 10 January.

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The dates for Conciliation Committees are the following: 31 January, 21 February. However, as with all conciliations the real discussions take place in the informal trilogues, which have yet to be scheduled.

Comments

Conciliations are by their very nature always hard to predict and influence. Austria in the chair of the Presidency makes it harder for them to push their own line; they will have to take a conciliatory tone.

*** MAC issue : The Commission (DG Entreprise and Environment) will organise a conference "Phasing out HFC-134a from Mobile Air Conditioning in the largest car market in the world" in Austria on 17 February 2005. The conference is aiming to be non-technical so as to inform regulators in Member States and countries outside the EU on the implications of the Directive.

Matti Vainio European Commission, ENV.C.1 Deputy Head of Unit Environment Directorate General

*** Information received from ECSLA on November 18 :

EU Emissions Trading Scheme extended to the refrigeration sector? The EU Emissions Trading Scheme will be reviewed in 2006 and a working group has been appointed to evaluate a possible extension to the refrigeration sector using HFCs. 1. What is the EU ETS? In 2005, the EU established the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) to restrict carbon emissions from energy intensive industry. The scheme will be a principal way for Member States to achieve their Kyoto emission reduction targets. Installations under the scheme are allocated an emissions allowance. Those that choose to can reduce their emissions to stay within this limit and sell any remaining allowance to those installations that have fewer or more expensive abatement options. The benefit of this market based approach should be that overall emissions reductions are made in the most cost-effective way. Phase I of the scheme runs for three years from 2005-7. Phase II of the scheme will run for five years from 2008. The EU Directive that establishes the trading scheme requires the European Commission to review the scheme in 2006 and, where necessary, make recommendations for expanding or improving the scheme. 2. What is ETS update? It is an EU LIFE-funded project, which will help inform the review of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme during 2006. It will assess the potential of including additional sectors and gases and options for improving they way the scheme is implemented in Phase II and beyond.

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The project partners are the Environment Agencies in England and Wales; Denmark, Austria, Germany and Italy. A working group will assess the potential for expending the scheme to include emissions from the refrigeration sector. A report will be presented to the European Commission. In the meantime, various stakeholders meetings will be organized between December 2005 and the end of 2006. The interim report includes a potential extension to the road transport sector as well, in particular trucks. The HFC assessment for refrigeration should assume the draft F-gas regulation proposal will be implemented as it currently stands. The F-gas regulation addresses leakage from refrigeration systems. To avoid overlap the assessment will focus on additional measures to reduce leakage rates (e.g. gas switching). 3. What does the interim report contain? Larger operators (e.g. large supermarket chains, large refrigeration plants) may be better placed to operate within ETS scheme, although care will be needed to ensure emission reductions achieved are not occurring as a result of BAU i.e. F-gas Regulation. “Beyond the F-gas Regulation there may be additional price-based mechanisms through which use/leakage of fluorinated gases may be reduced. These include for example a deposit scheme where the deposit is returned upon receipt of recovered refrigerant, and GWP taxation where the tax would be proportional to the GWP of a refrigerant and the tax refunded upon receipt of recovered refrigerant. However, the impact of these is difficult to quantify (as the emission reduction impacts of the F-gas Regulation are not yet known), and such measures might adversely impact on smaller operators.”

*** EC Enquiry about HCFC The European Commission DG Environment is conducting a review to project the service demand for and supply of recycled and reclaimed hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used in refrigeration and air conditioning (AC) equipment, and to assess the technical and economic availability of alternatives. This review will be submitted to the European Parliament and Council for consideration of whether to alter the current phaseout date for HCFCs. ICF Consulting, the European Commission’s contractor for this work, is authorised to carry out data collection and to undertake a technical evaluation of those data.

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AREA’ s answer :

European Commission Directorate-General ENVIRONMENT Directorate C – ENV.C.4 Mrs. Marianne WENNING, Head of Unit Rue de la Loi, 200 B – 1049 Bruxelles

Brussels, November 25, 2005

Re : ENV.C.4/MW/PHO D(2005) 22960

Supply and demand for HCFCs ICF data collection 017010401/2005/414822/MAR/C4

Dear Mrs. Wenning :

You know that our European Association is always ready and motivated to actively participate in the EC process of establishing legislation, guidelines or standards in the scope of our industry and with the objective of finding the best solutions to protect the environment. Recently we have been a stakeholder in the ECCP I and we follow up closely the requirements of articles 3 and 5 of the coming F-gas Regulation. However and unfortunately, we are not in a position to help ICF Consulting by answering its last questionnaire on HCFC-containing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. Our Member Associations represent the RAC installers / contractors and none of our 21 Members (19 countries) has the information researched. The methodology of quantifying this information is neither organized nor uniform across Europe. We doubt that the EC could rely on such questionnaire to provide reliable data and then base forecasts on the responses. One should be careful about any conclusions drawn from such a survey. Robert H. Berckmans Graeme Fox Secretary General Chairman Technical & Environment Committee Copy by fax to : ICF Consulting – Mrs. Lauren PEDERSON (+1 202 862 1144)

*** Source : Euractiv.com of November 18 :

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Parliament wants 60-80% less greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

In Short: Ambitious future greenhouse gas emissions targets, a European ecotax by 2009 and mandatory targets for the road and aviation sectors are the main elements of a climate change report adopted by the Parliament. RELATED

• EU post-2012 climate change policy Background: The Parliament adopted the own-initiative report written by Swedish MEP Anders Wijkman (EPP-DE) on winning the battle against climate change with an overwhelming majority on 16 November 2005. The report sets out a number of policy recommendations in view of the UN's 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on climate change held in Montreal from 28 November to 9 December. This COP-11 meeting in Canada is to set the stage for a future climate change regime post-2012. Issues: Main recommendations put forward by the MEPs:

• emission reductions of 30% by 2020 and between 60-80% by 2050;

• a global partnership is needed to combat climate change - the US needs to get back on board and strategic partnerships have to be established with fast-growing economies such as China, South-Africa, Brazil and India;

• vigorous promotion of research and innovation for sustainable energy technologies and an end to "perverse incentives" such as fossil fuels subsidies;

• COP-11 has to decide on a timetable for the negotiations on future commitments; agreement to be reached by end 2008;

• binding targets needed to reach 40% energy savings potential;

• targets to be set for annual reductions in energy intensity in the order of 2.5-3%;

• need for a Crash Programme - similar to the US Apollo Programme of the 1960s - to promote research and innovation in support of sustainable energy and land-use management;

• mandatory limits for CO2 emissions for the car sector (replacing the current voluntary scheme);

• establish a "Trans-European Fast Rail Freight Network and permit Member States to use the Finnish-Swedish-length trucks;

• emissions from flights and shipping to be included in emission reduction targets from 2012;

• introduction of a European ecotax by 2009;

• extending the scope of the Buildings Directive and update the Biofuels Directive to include bio-flexifuels;

• pilot emission trading scheme for the aviation sector for the period 2008-2012;

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• need for a directive on heating and cooling similar to the biofuels proposal;

• sectoral targets for energy-intensive export industries in countries without binding emission commitments;

• reconsidering the idea of grandfathering when reviewing the current European emission trading scheme and reconsidering the national emission quotas;

• Commission to study the feasibility of a system of personal tradeable emission quotas to involve the citizens and influence private consumption patterns;

• European Institutions to set example by limiting GHG emissions in their own activities (eg. multiple locations of EP). Positions: In a quick reaction to the Parliament's vote, UNICE, the European umbrella of industrial and employers' federations, regretted the unilateral target-setting of the MEPs stating that "Europe cannot solve the issue in isolation, and that unilateral EU targets could seriously damage the EU economy, let alone competitiveness, with little or no environmental impact".

Education & vocational training

Leonardo da Vinci

The Refrigeration Craftsman project

AREA/Leonardo Project EUR/02/C/F/NT- 84604

Agreement N° 2002-4549/001-001LE2X Message received from the Leonardo da Vinci Consultants : We are pleased to inform you that, following the questionnaire you filled in and returned to us, the information regarding the Leonardo project for which you are/were promoter has been made available online. You can view it on the updated Leonardo Products and Results database: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/leonardo/new/leonardo2/products/recherche_prod_en2000_all.cfm All the projects are accessible are available in EN, FR, DE, as well as (for most countries) in the promoter's own language in cases where this differs from the three main languages of publication.

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Thank you for your participation in this dissemination action. Florence Vaucelle Qwentes KANTOR

* The Project Management team is currently writing the FINAL REPORT. It will be submitted to the Leonardo da Vinci department in late December or early January. Its approval is a condition to receiving the last part (30%) of the European grant.

* The multinational company YORK has expressed a real interest in working with AREA to establish refrigeration VET modules.

*** Energy Management Technician Leonard project Mr. Eduard Pujol-Xicoy Barba, ETPC Barcelona (Projectes Internacionals/ International Projects - Departament Programes Formació-Treball) informed that ETPC had been asked to present the complete proposal in February. AREA has the intention to be a partner in charge of dissemination across Europe.

*** Enquiry on e-learning You will find here below an interesting communication from a leading UK RAC contractor, expressing great interest in RAC e-learning programmes and investigating about the existing solutions in this matter. RAC e-learning is definitely an important topic. Mr. Attila Zoltan (HKVSZ) mentioned a related pilot project during our last GA. It would be an excellent Leonardo project opportunity. However, we have decided in Brussels, on November 22, to discuss in Berlin, on May 18-19, 2006, another proposal : a possible Leonardo proposal of our CQC on extending the Refrigeration Craftsman to natural refrigerants and with a particular focus on heat pumps. So AREA has no time nor financial means to consider another project proposal. Also, AREA represents contractors and not schools, and it is not its role to "design courses". However if a project comes up, with national associations, VET bodies and schools, AREA can always be a Partner (no fund required) to bring the contractors' field experience. Thank you for keeping the secretariat posted on any initiative where you may be involved in.

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-----Message d'origine----- De : Prado, Astrid [mailto:aprado@star-ref.co.uk] Envoyé : mercredi 14 décembre 2005 16:03 À : robert.berckmans@area-eur.be Objet : research in e-learning training

Dear Robert, Michael Reeves has referred me to you as I am doing a research in online training for the HVACR industry. Michael has remark that you are aware of an European project called the Leonardo Project, which looks at a “European Refrigeration Craftsman”. Can you tell me something else about that? Could it be possible to have a look at it? What I am investigating is e-learning for the HVACR Industry. There already are e-learning solutions for the HVAC that are used to test and design machinery, most of them used in labs. However, regarding online hvacr training and education courses for technicians interested in entry-level into the HVACR trade and continuing education for upgrading skills, I haven’t seen anything in the UK or the rest of the world apart from the USA (as always), and please correct me if I am wrong. What I am interested in is asynchronous learning (self-paced, self study online courses). Through this type of e-learning, organisations can easily and cost-effectively reach large groups of people, providing students with quality education at anytime, anywhere. These courses are thought to prepare learners for an upcoming in-classroom session, providing theoretical information so the live session is more effective. Thank you in advance Best Regards Astrid Prado Star Refrigeration Ltd aprado@star-ref.co.uk Tel:0141 638 7916 Fax:0141 638 8111 http://www.star-ref.co.uk/ Important note : ISEDA (Turkey), has proposed a Leonardo da Vinci pilot project on establishing a learning platform on RAC troubleshooting. Besides, Sakarya University where Mr. Kadir Isa instructs RAC courses, has a distance learning program for three different areas except RAC. Consequently, ISEDA informed the secretariat to be willing to take part in such a cooperation in future. Interested parties should directly contact Mr. Isa (with a copy to the AREA secretariat).

Technical matters

The MINIREF Project

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PRESS RELEASE :

MINIREF

New refrigeration concept for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing refrigerant charge

Introduction Charge minimization of HFC refrigerant systems is rapidly gaining interest as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The MINIREF project tries to push this minimization to the limits by answering the question: “How can we get the maximum cooling capacity out of one kg refrigerant?”. Choosing this approach a charge reduction of 95% is aimed for. EU: drastic reduction refrigerant emissions! By signing the international Kyoto protocol, the EU has obliged itself to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses by 8% in 2010. Currently used refrigerants like R22 (HCFC) and R404A (HFC) are greenhouse gasses with a high global worming potential (GWP). Therefore reducing the emissions of these refrigerants has a high priority. This resulted in a phasing out of R22 starting in 2010 (no virgin R22 can be used anymore from that point of time). For the HFC’s several (mainly Scandinavian) countries already started a phasing out scheme and also the EC has intentions in that direction (F-gas regulation). Implications for the refrigeration sector EU policy regarding refrigerants influences the refrigeration sector as a whole. Due to stricter regulation on the application of H(C)FC’s exploitation and operation costs for owners of refrigeration installations will increase. New technological solutions are required to meet the demands of the EU and make profitable operation and exploitation of refrigeration possible in the future. Charge reduction as a possible solution One option to decrease refrigerant emissions is to reduce charge of the refrigeration installations. The less refrigerant available in an installation the less can be emitted to the environment in case of leakage2. Until now research and development regarding charge minimization mainly focused on specific components of the refrigerant cycle: condenser and evaporators. In order to reach an ultimate minimization in charge the complete system should be considered because of the interlink between the performance of all components. For example: reducing charge in the system will hamper the transport of lubricants through the system thus influencing the performance of the compressor. An integral approach

2 Containment is getting very important. A small amount of refrigerant leakage will lead to malfunctioning of the refrigeration

installation.

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MINIREF strives for an integral approach when it comes to minimizing refrigerant charges. Trying to answer the question: “How can we get the maximum cooling capacity out of one kg refrigerant?”. The answer is simple: “Returning the (evaporated) refrigerant back to the evaporator (as a liquid) as quick as possible”. However, the implications faced to achieve this ask for new developments in several fields. Heat exchanger design should focus on high heat transfer and less volume. Micro channels heat exchangers are considered to be a serious option. Control systems should have a higher response: decreasing the charge will also decrease the slowness of the system. Quick or even predictive control actions will be required.

International cooperation funded by the EU In order to meet these challenges TNO initiated the formation of an international consortium. 16 partners out of the field of refrigeration joined the project which is coordinated by TNO. The consortium includes refrigeration companies, industrial association groupings and research institutes. This initiative is (financially) supported by the EC in the 6th Frame work Program because it will contribute in reaching the targets set by the EU. New opportunities for natural refrigerants Apart from the benefits for HFC refrigerants charge reduction also benefits the application for natural refrigerants. As a results of the restrictions on HFC’s natural refrigerants like ammonia, CO2 and propane are more frequently used as a refrigerant because of their negligible contribution to global warming. However the application of natural refrigerants is limited because of safety issues and regulation: ammonia is toxic and propane is highly flammable. Reducing charge of natural refrigerants reduces safety risk thus broadening the application range of this refrigerants. Industrial pilot plant In order to proof that a charge reduction of 95% is feasible an industrial scale pilot plant is a prerequisite Therefore industrial sized pilot plants (50 kW cooling capacity) will be built for both R507 (HFC) and ammonia (natural). These plants starting as a standard reference installation will be converted to low charge MINIREF installations during the project. They will therefore also be used to test newly designed components serving this target. The consortium •

•

Industrial Association Groupings: AREA (EU), ECSLA (EU), NEKOVRI (NL), NVKL (NL), KFCh (P)

SME’s: Alu Heat Exchanger (DK), Bort de Graaf (NL), CTP Perozzo (I), EST Energij (T), Helpman (NL), Lodam (DK), TEINSA (E), Wijbenga (NL), Witt (D) Research Institutes: FKW (D), TNO (Coordinator) (NL) Standardisation Received two new draft documents, available at the secretariat : Pressure equipment for refrigerating systems and heat pumps prEN 14276 Part I – Vessels – General requirements Part II – Piping – General requirements

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European Commission 17 Directors-General (DG) and Deputy Directors-General (DDG) are being transferred to new posts at various dates up to 1st of January 2006. 16 other senior posts will be filled after publication of vacancy notices.

Among the decisions taken, Catherine Day (currently DG Environment) will become the new Secretary General, the first woman ever to take this responsibility. David O'Sullivan, who fulfilled this post for more than five years, will become the Director General for Trade. Mogens Peter Carl will take over the role of DG for DG Environment . European Legislation The Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive The Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive will require Member States to save at least an additional 1% of their final energy consumption each year for the next 9 years. In order to achieve these savings, Member States must adopt targets, impose obligations on their energy suppliers and prepare national Energy Efficiency Action Plans. Savings will be achieved in both the private and public sectors, using a framework of measures. These measures should expand the use of energy services such as energy-efficient and cost-effective lighting, heating, hot water, ventilation and transportation. They will also improve the market uptake of energy-efficient technology and integrate energy efficiency criteria into public procurement practices. The amendments adopted on December 13 by the European Parliament, and already agreed in principle with the Council, provide for common definitions and require new certification schemes for energy service providers, better consumer information and improved metering and billing. The Commission with the assistance of a committee of experts from the Member States will be develop a harmonised methodology to measure the progress towards meeting the savings target and for measuring improvements in energy.

***

EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings

REMINDER : IMPLEMENTATION BY MS STARTS ON 4 JANUARY 2006

The European Parliament and Council signed the agreed text of the Directive at Energy Council on 25 November 2002. Upon its publication in the EU Official Journal on 4 January 2003, the Directive became European Law the following day. The principal objectives of the Directive are:

• To promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the EU through cost effective measures;

• To promote the convergence of building standards towards those of Member

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States which already have ambitious levels. Measures include:

• Methodology for calculating the energy performance of buildings;

• Application of performance standards on new and existing buildings;

• Certification schemes for all buildings;

• Regular inspection and assessment of boilers/heating and cooling installations. The published text of the Directive can be found at http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_001/l_00120030104en00650071.pdf. The Directive must be implemented by Member States no later than thirty-six months after it has come into force i.e. by 4 January 2006. There is an additional 3-year period to allow Member States to apply the provisions of Articles 7, Energy Performance Certificates, Article 8 Inspection of Boilers and Article 9 Inspection of Air Conditioning Systems. This will allow Member States to develop suitable energy rating systems and certification schemes for all buildings that fall within the scope of the Directive, as well as taking into account the amount of time needed for the accreditation and training of sufficient personnel to undertake the energy performance assessments.

News from our Members Promotion of AREA Past President Mitchell was invited by the Institute of Refrigeration Ireland IRI (November 24-25). He attended their General Meeting in Dublin and informed about the progress of the coming F-gas Regulation. He reported a very constructive atmosphere. (“Norman” was so pleased that, I understand, he registered as a member of IRI!) Secretary Berckmans was invited on November 24 at the SNEFCCA General Assembly. It was the occasion to explain the work performed by our association as well as the challenges laying ahead.

***

Press release from NVKL (NL) Zoetermeer, 18 November 2005

Dutch refrigeration and cooling industry (NVKL) first in Europe

The Netherlands is the first country in Europe to fully implement environmental legislation in the refrigeration and cooling industry. In accordance with the Electric and Electronic

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Equipment Decree, the recycling of professional refrigeration and cooling equipment is now controlled. The kick-off was on Wednesday, 16 November. The word ‘pride’ cropped up during the various speeches. Close co-operation between manufacturers and importers has resulted in a system for collecting and recycling scrapped equipment that is both efficient and ecologically friendly, a step of which the Dutch refrigeration and cooling industry is rightly proud. In the entrance hall of recycling company Coolrec in Dordrecht, the chairman of the Dutch Association of Companies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (NVKL) and the chairman of the Dutch Association for the Disposal of ‘Metalectro’ Products (NVMP) joined to symbolically launch this first recycling of a professional cooling device, setting off the process of converting cooling equipment into particle-sized glass, aluminium, steel and other substances. Coolrec, a leading European company, has been processing cooling equipment for well on fifteen years. Once CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) have been removed, each piece of equipment is reworked into neatly separated basic materials that are ideal for reuse. The Netherlands also leads the way in Europe when it comes to reducing and preventing the leakage of polluting refrigerants. What are known as ‘STEK’ regulations govern the prevention of refrigerant leakage. Thanks to the steps taken in the Netherlands, the leakage percentage has dropped to a mere 4%, as opposed to at least 10% in other countries. The Dutch Association of Companies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (NVKL) is a trade organisation representing over 600 businesses in professional refrigeration and cooling technology, air treatment and air conditioning. The NVKL promotes the technical, social and economic interests of its members. The Dutch Association for the Disposal of ‘Metalectro’ Products (NVMP) is responsible for the ecologically friendly collection and treatment of professional refrigeration and cooling equipment. The waste disposal fee on the sale of new equipment can be used to fund this process. The FME-CWM (a Dutch technological and industrial employers’ organisation) took the initiative to establish the NVMP, which now unites over 1,200 manufacturers and importers.

*** Figures about IKK 2005 13,669 visitors : 46% international from over 90 countries 610 exhibitors :

67% international (most important among the 41 countries : People’s Republic of China with 79 companies, Italy with 78 companies, Turkey with 28 companies and UK with 26 companies)

Congratulations to the organizers!

*** Potential Members The National Association of Refrigeration in Lithuania has expressed a general interest in the work performed by AREA. The secretariat has contacted its President, Mr. Leonas Kanopka.

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Sister Associations ECSLA Ms. Carole Prier, Secretary General of the European Cold Storage and Logistics Association, proposed a new project on energy efficiency during our last General Assembly and invited AREA Member Associations to participate. SNEFCCA and FETA expressed interest in joining. ECSLA calls for a working group on energy efficiency further to the last EC Green paper imposing a reduction of energy use by 20% in 2020 and further to the recent increase of electricity prices in certain EU Member States. Further to ECSLA Board decision to have a guide of good practices to save energy in cold stores, ECSLA invites interested stakeholders to a kick off meeting on 26 January in Brussels. So far the participants are :

• ECSLA national associations’ members: ICSF, USNEF, SVTKL, NEKOVRI and VDKL

• ECSLA associated member: YORK • AREA Members’ representatives: proposed by FETA : Refrigeration engineering from

UK, Humidity equipment from UK, Humidity control from NL • CIAA member: UNILEVER

Draft agenda : 1. Buildings a. New Buildings Best Practice Guidelines b. Modification / Updating of Existing facilities c. Identification of temperature loss d. Maintenance 2. Operating practices a. Intake temperature of goods b. Storage Temperature c. Loading / Unloading best practice to reduce temperature transfer d. Problem Solving Operating practices 3. Plant & equipment a. Guide of Best Available Technologies b. Maximizing Operating Efficiency c. Modification of existing plant & equipment to maximize efficiency d. Maintenance 4. Energy a. European Energy Market - dissemination of information b. Identifying European Best Practice within European Energy Market c. European Energy Policy for Cold Storage Sector d. Heat recovery options

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5. Training

*** EHPA European Heat Pump Association Secretary Berckmans attended the EHPA General Meeting on 16 December and reports about their various projects.

EU-Cert HP project The EU-Cert HP project was set up to a create common European certification for heat pump installers operating in the domestic market. Heat pumps are a key technology in the reduction of carbon emissions from the buildings and the underlying objective of the project is to guarantee the quality and performance of heat pump installations in a rapidly expanding market. The project began in 2004 and involves 9 countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Slovenia, UK) and the EHPA. The project is led by Arsenal Research from Austria and the UK partner is BSRIA. The main focus are:

Training: Implementation of a European Training Programme for heat pump installers and the required infrastructure. Carrying out the first training courses in all participating countries.

Certification (ISO/IEC FDIS 17024:2002 (Conformity assessment – General requirements for bodies operating certification for persons) ): Implementation of a European Certification Programme for heat pump installers and the pilot certification of installers from the participating countries. This certificate shall provide customer confidence and identify competent specialists, who can design and install faultless and efficient heat pump systems.

Dissemination: By means of professional dissemination on national and international level the trademark "Certified Heat Pump Installer" will get international importance for installers and customers.

Latest news : - training manual ready in EN - pilot courses starting

- national amendments (to take into account specific differences between countries) under discussion - certification requirements under discussion

Other current projects

EARTH (Extend Accredited Renewables Training for Heating) is a project coordinated by IT Power Ldt. Twelve partners from UK, Spain, Austria, Slovenia, Finland, Lithuania, Germany, Greece and Bulgaria are involved in this project. The EARTH project seeks to promote solar water heating (SWH), ground-source heat pumps (GSHP), and biomass as heat and energy sources. This will be achieved by creating training courses on the installation of these energy technologies in participating countries. The global aim of the SHERHPA project is to develop the next generation of heat pump systems using natural refrigerants such as ammonia, carbon dioxide and propane. The project has an unusual partnership in that it is a collaboration between 19 small manufacturing enterprises and 10 research and technical institutions with two international organisations as coordinators (GRETH and EHPA), all together from 13 countries.

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The technical challenges are quite clear in that natural refrigerants have other thermodynamic and chemical properties than existing refrigerants. This requires redesigning the principal components like heat exchangers and compressors to optimise the heat transfer. At the same time, appropriate control strategies have to be developed considering both the application and the types of components used. Other challenges involve material compatibility and requirement imposed by EU regulations to minimise the amount of refrigerant in the system. The following prototypes will be built : HC HP : - water to water systems (5, 10 and 20 kW) - air to water reversible (100 kW) - air to air (3 kW) NH³ HP : - water to water geothermal (8 kW) - water to water district heating (750 kW) CO² HP : - water to water (3 and 10 kW) - ground loop (3 kW). The main objective of ThERRA is the harmonisation of the definitions and calculation- & monitoring- methods for renewable heat (RH). The results will be commonly shared definitions for renewable heat sources (RHS) and accredited methods to calculate and monitor the contribution of RHS to the overall heat production in the EU. The project team consists of 7 National Energy Agencies. The GROUND-REACH is a promotion project aimed at effectively assisting the EU policy towards both short and long term market penetration of ground coupled heat pumps. Its consortium comprises 2 international organizations and 20 partners from 15 countries. New projects GREEN BUILDINGS will be a project about guidelines for designing renewable HP systems in large buildings. EHPA also considers a new project about air conditioning applications (air to air ventilation, …).

***

Going to the US The last Strategic Committee meeting proposed to visit the AHR in Chicago (January 23-25) in order to meet our US counterpart. There are several organizations representing HVACR technicians and contractors. They include: ACCA Air Conditioning Contractors of America Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors of America Mechanical Contractors Association of America Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. The trip of the AREA President and Secretary will be postponed to a later date. Together they consider that it is not a priority and that the tight budget does not include this expense.

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Events INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON AMMONIA, CO2, SYNTHETIC REFRIGERANTS/ COLD STORES FACILITIES 9 - 10 February 2006 Politecnico di Milano Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32 - Milano (Italy) Chairmen: Rajendra Shende - United Nations; Ronald Vallort - ASHRAE, IIR; Andy Pearson - Institute of Refrigeration UK C E N T R O S T U D I G A L I L E O - I N D U S T R I A & F O R M A Z I O N E A S S O C I A Z I O N E T E C N I C I D E L F R E D D O Tel. 0142452403 - 0142453684 - Fax 0142452471 buoni@centrogalileo.it

*** ISK-SODEX ISTANBUL HVAC & R exhibition in the Eurasian Region May 4-7, 2006 Fax +90 212 290 33 32, info@hmsf.com, www.hmsf.com or www.hf-turkey.com

*** IKK 2006 Will take place in Nürnberg from 18 to 20 October

***

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