ATMOsphere FRIGAIR 2018
Welcome to #ATMOFrigair 2018 — the first ATMOsphere Event held in Africa!
The commitment of major end users and manufacturers of HVAC&R technologies to rolling out natural refrigerants will herald a bright future for these environmentally friendly alternatives to HFCs in South Africa, attendees heard at ATMOsphere Network event in Johannesburg held on 7 June 2018.
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CONCLUSION & NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Summary of the conference and conclusions by Alvaro de Oña, shecco and Wynand Groenewald, CRS. The event ended with a networking drinks reception.
FUTURE OF INDUSTRY SESSION
Starting with individual presentations by the key speakers to set the scene, the session will discusss key experiences from a selection of end users, a representative from the local government and CRS, followed by an interactive panel discussion.
Rounding off the presentations round in this session is Wynand Groenwald, speaking on behalf of CRS, saying also that South Africa is only the fourth country in the world to install CO2 transcritical systems but also the fourth largest installer of CO2 transcritical systems in the world.
“We’ve only scratched the surface. There is a long way to go. 2017 was the world’s most expensive on record in terms of climate damage.”
“Today our clients are posting energy savings of up to 40% by using CO2 TC systems.”
“We’re currently installing our fourth system in Australia having installed the first one earlier this year. We’re currently also busy with a four-rack project in California which will be the biggest CO2 transcritical installation in the world.” — Wynand Groenewald, Commercial Refrigeration Services (CRS)
Eagerly awaited by the audience, taking to the stage now is Obed Baloyi from South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs, saying that South Africa has an opportunity to leapfrog from HCFCs to natural refrigerants, and also that legislation to regulate HFCs would be in place within a year.
“The formula for success is government and industry working together with commitment. We, as South Africa, know what we need to do.”
“HFCs are an environmental problem. The good news is that alternatives to HFCs do exist. South Africa has an opportunity to leapfrog from HCFCs to natural refrigerants.”
“Within a year, we’ll have in place some kind of legislation to regulate HFCs.” — Obed Baloyi, Chief Director of Chemicals Management, Department Of Environmental Affairs for South Africa
The second end user presentation folllows form In2Food with Malcolm Moore speaking on behalf of the retailer:
“We’re on a journey with Woolworths. A good food journey.”
“We look forward to growing our business to greener and greater heights.” — Malcolm Moore, In2Food
“CO2 has given us a better return on investment than ammonia” explaining why Woolworths decided to opt for CO2 transcritical for its new food processing plant.
First off, Alex Kuzma from Woolworths is informing the audience about their experience with CO2:
“In South Africa, we have an opportunity to leap straight from HCFCs to natural refrigerants. We have to make sure that whatever refrigerant we put in, it gives a good energy performance. CO2 offers that.”
“When we retrofit an old store, we also put CO2 in there. It pays for itself within a couple of years. CO2 is sustainable and future-proof. You put it in, and you don’t have to worry about it any more.”
“Anyone putting in HFC plants now, brace yourselves, because it’s going to get ugly.”
“Sourcing of components was a huge issue. Skills development was a massive thing too — the biggest thing was to get the contractors on board. Now they understand it, it’s fine.”
Read up more about Woolworths’ journey with CO2 on www.r744.com: http://r744.com/articles/8336/co2_at_heart_of_woolworths_store_in_johannesburg
GLOBAL TRENDS ON NATURAL REFRIGERANTS
Next up Grant Laidlaw, president, South African Institute for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SAIRAC), speaking of the state of play regarding training for natural refrigerants in South Africa, revealing that specific training on NH3 already exists, with CO2 training in the pipeline.
“In the training sector, the philosophy is that industry themselves must tell us what they want.”
“We’re a third-world country and we must recognise that not everybody is going to be able to reach the same level of qaulifications. So we also do part-qualifications.”
“We’ll soon have a new qualification for the CO2 people. This is really exciting for us here in South Africa. It’s a big deal for the industry.”
“For safe handling of refrigerants that are flammable and high pressure, the training providers, industry and industry associations will have to get together to decide what constitutes a safe handling license. Training is going to be a huge issue. Let’s face it. There are challenges in front of us.” — Grant Laidlaw, president, South African Institute for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SAIRAC).
Outlining why global refrigerant trends represent a huge opportunity for South Africa to adopt natural refrigerants in both commercial and industrial refrigeration, Alvaro de Oña from shecco takes the stage:
“Flammable refrigerant standards don’t necessarily reflect the technology that’s available on the market. Efforts to address this are underway at international level.”
“Competition between different natural refrigerant systems is increasing. Low-charge ammonia systems are growing around the world but CO2 transcritical is becoming increasingly competitive in these larger capacities.”
“In South Africa, there are already 102 CO2 transcritical systems. The main protagonist here is Woolworths, so congratulations to them. In fact, CO2 represents about 1% of the total number of food retail stores in South Africa. This has happened with no government incentives at all.”
“Legislation is key to creating pressure on industry to switch away from HFCs. Countries globally are moving forward with the HFC phasedown.” — Alvaro de Oña, shecco
Starting the presentations with an overview from Kenneth Bank Madsen, Danfoss, arguing that increasing HFC prices will trigger wider interest in CO2 systems, but costs must come down and training must be improved if they are to fulfill their potential in South Africa.
“The reductions of HFCs are becoming quite significant, leading to large price increases.”
“With the Kigali Amendment, the world has agreed that we need to find a way to get HFC usage under control.”
“We need more training of service and design people [and] cost needs to come down.” — Kenneth Bank Madsen, Danfoss.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
shecco’s Group COO Alvaro de Oña and CRS’s Wynand Groenewald welcoming a large audience to Africa’s first ever ATMOsphere event.
“The pressure on HFCs is becoming global. Chemicals that harm the environment are on the way out on a global scale.”
“Kigali is a golden opportunity for South Africa to leapfrog directly from HCFCs to HFCs.” — Alvaro de Oña, shecco
Wynand Groenewald adds “I’m delighted to have shecco here for the first ATMOsphere Africa.”
ATMOSPHERE FRIGAIR PRESS RELEASE
Johannesburg, 7 June — The commitment of major end users and manufacturers of HVAC&R technologies to rolling out natural refrigerants will herald a bright future for these environmentally friendly alternatives to HFCs in South Africa, attendees will hear at today’s ATMOsphere Network event in Johannesburg.
The ATMOsphere events series on natural refrigerants is making its debut in Africa today at ATMOsphere Network Frigair 2018.
Over 125 leading experts from across the spectrum of HVAC&R stakeholders including government, end users, technology manufacturers and contractors will gather in Hall 3 of the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand this afternoon.
Representing the policymaking world, Obed Baloyi of the South African Department Of Environmental Affairs will outline the steps being taken worldwide to phase down HFC consumption in the context of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and set out South Africa’s contribution in this regard.
Representing end users of natural refrigerant-based technology, Alex Kuzma, from food retailer Woolworths and Malcolm Moore of food supplier In2Food will outline why adopting CO2 made sound business sense for their firms.
Álvaro de Oña from event organiser shecco will present market trends for natural refrigerants around the world, while Wynand Gronewald of event host Commercial Refrigeration Services (CRS) will go into more detail regarding CO2 trends in South Africa and beyond.
Other speakers include Grant Laidlaw, president of South African Institute for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SAIRAC), and Kenneth Bank Madsen from Danfoss.
ATMOsphere is proud to journey to a new continent this year — ATMOsphere Network FRIGAIR 2018 marks the series’ African debut.
ATMOsphere Network FRIGAIR 2018 is being held in collaboration with exclusive sponsor and host Commercial Refrigeration Services (CRS) during the FRIGAIR tradeshow in Johannesburg, South Africa to promote the uptake of natural refrigerants in South Africa and beyond.
The event will take place in Hall 3 of the Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg, on Thursday 7 June 2018 from 15:00 until 19:00. Registration for the event is free of charge but must be made in advance.
Packed with knowledge and networking opportunities, ATMO Network FRIGAIR 2018 will showcase global developments with natural refrigerants and assess how South Africa measures up against the rest of the world, with expert speakers:
- Obed Baloyi, South African Department Of Environmental Affairs
- Grant Laidlaw, President of South African Institute for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SAIRAC)
- Alex Kuzma, Woolworths
- Malcolm Moore, In2Food
- Wynand Groenewald, CRS
- Kenneth Bank Madsen, Danfoss
- Alvaro de Oña, shecco
The event will kick off with a welcome and introduction at 15:00. The first session, ‘Global Trends on Natural Refrigerants’, sees expert speakers will give an overview of opportunities and challenges in South Africa.
After a 30-minute networking break, the ‘Future of the Industry Panel’ will take place with leading end users sharing their experiences with natural refrigerants, followed by an interactive panel discussion.
The event will conclude with a networking drinks reception taking place between 18:00–19:00.
Click here for registration and here to see the programme.
For more information, please visit www.atmo.org/FRIGAIR2018 or contact us.
About FRIGAIR Exhibition 2018
Africa’s only dedicated HEVAC&R tradeshow, FRIGAIR Expo is Africa’s largest heating, energy, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration exhibition. The expo takes place every three years and is organised in partnership with the South African Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SAIRAC). Various industry bodies, including the South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (SARACCA), South African Air-conditioning Suppliers Association (SAASA), South African Smoke Ventilation Association (SASVA), Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Manufacturers and Suppliers Association (RAMSA), and the Southern African Refrigerated Distribution Association (SARDA), also endorse it.
FRIGAIR 2018 is expected to draw thousands of industry professionals from all levels and industry sectors, including consulting engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, contractors and builders, architects and interior designers, property developers, facility managers, industry associations, government officials and many more.
