The GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership

GreenChill &Natural Refrigerants

U.S. Food Retail Refrigeration

Environmental Impact 35,000,000 lbs. of supermarket

refrigerant emissions annually DX (direct expansion) systems R-22 refrigerant (at least 50% of stores) High GWP substitute refrigerants

(maybe 50% of stores)

Clean Air Act & Regulations to reduce supermarket refrigerant emissions Leak repair trigger for equipment that

leaks 35% of its charge annually

The GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership

Voluntary partnership program with food retailers to reduce their impact on the ozone layer and climate change

Measure emissions → set goals → measure again

Store Certification Program

Promoting advanced refrigeration technology, strategies, practices

GreenChill Expansion

Launched with 10 founding partners in Nov. 2007

Less than 2 years later:

46 partner companies

6533 food retail stores

47 of 50 states (+DC)

about $120 billion in sales

GreenChill Food Retail Partners

GreenChill Partner Achievements

GreenChill’s supermarket partners emit on average 12.3% of their charge (vs. 25% national average)

If every supermarket in the nation reduced refrigerant emissions down to 12.3%...

Potential greenhouse gas savings of 22,000,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent PER YEAR

Potential to save 240 ODP tons PER YEAR

Over $108,000,000 industry savings PER YEAR

Recent Progress for Natural Refrigerants

►CO2 use as primary refrigerant – EPA’s SNAP Program

►CO2 use as secondary refrigerant►Propane use for “stand alone

commercial refrigeration equipment” is going to be found acceptable by SNAP program

►Natural refrigerant protocol being implemented for GreenChill platinum level certification

►Signs of increased interest over past few months

Price Chopper - Saratoga, NY Store

CO2 Cascade Remodel►First CO2 Cascade System in the

U.S. (low temp. only)►Positive results with the system►Low carbon footprint►Low cost of refrigerant ($.50/lb.)►Smaller line sizes►Reduced copper piping►Increased system efficiency

Price Chopper - Saratoga, NY Store

CO2 Cascade Remodel

Food Lion - Columbia, SC StoreCO2 Cascade

Food Lion - Columbia, SC StoreCO2 Cascade

Food Lion - Atlanta, GA StoreCO2 Cascade

Food Lion - Atlanta, GA StoreCO2 Cascade

Food Lion - Atlanta, GA StoreCO2 Cascade

Other Factors Affecting Acceptance

►US proposal to phase down HFC use under Montreal Protocol

►US Greenhouse Gas Legislation is expected

►Price pressure due to R-22 phaseout?

►Isobutane use is going to be found acceptable for home refrigerators and freezers by SNAP program

General Challenges

►Need application to start SNAP process

►Lack of svc. tech experience/training►Lack of data►Fear of liability, esp. for NH3 & HCs►Publicity about dangers, toxicity,

flammability►Higher costs of natural refrigerant

systems►No economies of scale yet, low volume►High prices for European equipment►No manufacturer cross over among US

manufacturers

General Challenges

►No “drop-in” retrofits available for existing systems

►Multiple layers of complicated regulations-federal, state, local, building codes, permitting

►No understanding among local officials about advantages and disadvantages of natural refrigerants

►No good guidelines for safe implementation

►Philosophical debate: stop leaks or move to low GWP refrigerant?

General Challenges

►Reluctance to change – satisfaction with chemical refrigerants►Inexpensive►Readily available►Lots of training by chemical

companies►Chemical systems are very forgiving

and safe – natural refrigeration systems require more care with system design, installation, servicing

Specific Challenges – CO2►No US manufacturer for transcritical

systems►ASHRAE has very specific language

for design pressures – US Guidelines are stringent & conservative; liability

►Trying to adapt it for cascade systems►Transcritical standards are a long way off

►No Underwriters Laboratory approval yet

►Energy penalty esp. in warmer climates

►Hard to explain difference between “good” CO2 and “bad” CO2

Specific Challenges for Natural Refrigerants -

hydrocarbons

►Not yet SNAP approved for commercial refrigeration

►Very high charges would be needed – flammability; liability

Specific Challenges for Natural Refrigerants -

Ammonia►SNAP-approved for use as primary

refrigerant in secondary loop commercial applications; no demand

►Use in industrial areas; supermarkets located in residential neighborhoods

►Must have engineer on-site 24/7/365 & process safety management plan

►Difficulties servicing equipment► Lg. industrial plants can shut down facility for inspections/maintenance

►No service tech. cross over - different education, pay levels

►Different end-user needs► Industrial systems - durable, expensive, long-term► Supermarket systems – remodeled every 10 years, short-term, cheap

For More Info

►Keilly Witman►Stratospheric Protection

Division►U.S. EPA►Tel: (202) 343-9742►witman.keilly@epa.gov►www.epa.gov/greenchill