implementation of the american innovation and
TRANSCRIPT
DOCKETED Docket Number: 21-IEPR-06
Project Title: Building Decarbonization and Energy Efficiency
TN #: 239473
Document Title:
Presentation - IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Building
Decarbonization Embodied Carbon and Refrigerants Reducing
Hydrofluorocarb
Description: S2.4A_Helen Walter-Terrinoni_AHRI
Filer: Raquel Kravitz
Organization: Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
Submitter Role: Public
Submission Date: 8/25/2021 3:29:29 PM
Docketed Date: 8/25/2021
IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Building Decarbonization: Embodied Carbon and RefrigerantsReducing Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Emissions
Helen Walter-Terrinoni
VP Regulatory Affairs
The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute
l
l
finalized in 1987
2015-2016:HFC Rules 2016 global commitment to
phase down supply of HFCs
Montreal Protocol
U.S. EPAMontreal ProtocolKigali Amendment
Monumental Success
Strong stakeholder input → Strong stakeholder support
The AIM Act & The Kigali Amendment
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 2055
HFC Phasedown Schedule as % of Baseline
AIM Act
Success!
Process allows for significant Industry and other stakeholder input → strong stakeholder support
The HFC phase-down is designed to create an
economic supply imbalance with demand.
Reduced Supply Economics
• Scarcity
• Increased Prices
A Chaotic TransitionLessons Learned in Europe
European Union Fluorinated Gas (F-Gas) Regulations
Supply reductions outpaced demand reductions!!!
37.5% 2018
European Impact: Retailers, End-users and OEMs
- The Cooling Post 2020
How do we proceed with an orderly transition in the United States?
There are options.
Doing nothing isn’t one of them.
Balancing supply and demand Be Proactive!
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
2024: AIM Act PetitionsReclaimed refrigerantsSmaller charge sizesRetrofit equipmentReduce leaksNew Architectures for retailers
Demand reductions coordinated with supply reductions
Regulations limiting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) use for equipment (e.g. heat pumps)
• HFC or refrigerant blend banso EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB)
HFC Regulations
• Global Warming Potential (GWP) limits• 2nd CARB HFC Regulations
• AHRI AIM Act Petition to limit GWP to 750 in 2025
Better refrigerant management:Increased recovery and reuse of reclaimed refrigerants
Courtesy of A-Gas
Better Refrigerant Management: Less leaks
Global: ~52% of global “GWP” is used to charge
leaking equipmentUnited Nations Environment Program Fact
Sheet86% GWP = RACHP
60% of the 86% = topping up leaks = 52%
Micro / Macro Distributed
Integrated Case (A/W/R Cooled)
Existing System Designs In Commercial
Refrigeration (US/Canada) – Retail and Food Service
CO2
CO2 Transcritical
17
A1 Non-Flammable
A2L Mildly Flammable
A3 Flammable
A1 (~10s lbs)
A3 (150 g)
A1 (~10s lbs)
A3 (150 g)
CO2 A1 (~1000s lbs)
LT
MT
A1 (~100s lbs)
Hybrid/Cascade
Indirect (Glycol, CO2 or other sec fluid)
Packaged Units – Cold Rooms
Remote Condensing Units
A1 (up to 100s lbs)
MT
LT
MT LT
LT/MT LT/MT
A1 (~100s to ~1000 lbs)
Distributed Units
MT LT
LT/MT
LT/MT
A1 (~1000s lbs)
Central Racks
LT and MT racks
Micro / Macro Distributed
Integrated Case (A/W/R Cooled)
Future System Designs In Commercial RefrigerationWith Updated Mechanical, Electrical & Refrigerant Flammability Safety
Standards/Codes
CO2
CO2 Transcritical
17
A1 (~10s lbs)
A3 (300 g)
A1 (~10s lbs)
A3 (300 g)
CO2 A1 (~1000s lbs) ?
LT
MT
Hybrid/Cascade
Indirect (Glycol, CO2 or other sec fluid)
Packaged Units – Cold Rooms
Remote Condensing Units
A1 (up to 50 lbs)
MT
LT
MT LT
LT/MT LT/MT
A1 (50 lb)
Distributed Units
MT LT
LT/MT
LT/MT
A1 (~1000s lbs)
Central Racks
LT and MT racks
A2L (~4 kg)A2L (~170 lb)
A2L (~170 lb) A2L (~170 lb)A2L (~100’s lb)
A1 Non-Flammable
A2L Mildly Flammable
A3 Flammable
A2L (~4 kg)
AIM Act: The EPA “To Do List”
American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020: “To Do List”
Process allows for significant stakeholder input → Strong stakeholder support
Low-GWP RefrigerantsWhat is the hold up already?!?
Building Codes
Adoption of Safety Standards
With Lower GWP comes Flammability
R-404A
3,943 GWP
(not to scale)
R-407A
R-407C
R-407F
R-452A
R-407HR-448A (N40)
R-449A (XP40)
R-449B (ARM-32)
R-455A (HDR-110)
R-454C (DR-3)
R-457A (ARM-20a)
R-290
R-134aR-513A (XP10)
R-450A (N13)
R-515A
R-1234yf
R-1234ze
R-516A
37%
49%
62%
74%
87%
99%
111%
124%
60%
80%
100%
120%
140%
160%
180%
200%
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Mid
po
int
Cap
acit
y (%
vs
R-4
04
A)
Mid
po
int
Cap
acit
y (%
vs.
R1
34
a)
GWP=150
100 Year GWP
Chart courtesy of Emerson Climate Technologies
CO2 1 GWP (not to scale)
A1- Non-Flammable
A2L- Mildly Flammable
A3- Flammable
Examine all aspects of supply chain to ensure a safe transition to low GWP refrigerants
> $7 Million in Next Generation Refrigerant ResearchTechnical CommitteesStanding Standards Project CommitteesLow GWP Refrigerant Multidisciplinary Task Group
Safe Refrigerant Transition Task Force
Research and Technology Committee
Flammable Refrigerant Subcommittee
Safe Use of Flammable Refrigerants
Refrigerant Leak Characterization
Validation of
Mitigation &
Standards
Refrigerant
Ignition
Properties
Refrigerant Ignition
By-products Refrigerant Leak Detection
Technology
Flammable Refrigerant Handling,
Storage, Service, Installation
Tube Joining Assessment
Risk of System in a Building Fire
Flammable Refrigerant
Product Risk Assessment
A2L refrigerants:• Difficult to ignite, • Slow flame speed • Low heat of combustion
Refrigerant Flammability Properties
Hairspray
Propane
AHRI / AHRTI Research
Refrigerant release + Competent ignition source = Ignition
Eliminate one (or both) to prevent ignition
Safety standards are developed to prevent the combination.
© AHRI 2021, Subject to Terms of Use
Quick summary of how standards work together
Equipment designed using UL 60335-2-40 incorporates refrigerant type
Installation is covered by ASHRAE 15
Building CodesIAPMO and ICC Codes
Standards and Building Codes Relationships
• State
• Local
• Municipal
Building Codes
ASHRAE• ASHRAE 34
• ASHRAE 15
IEC
• IEC 60335-1
• IEC 60335-2-24
• IEC 60335-2-40
• IEC 60335-2-89
• UL 484
• UL 1995
• UL 60335-1
• UL 60335-2-40
UL
National adaptation of IEC standards
Model Building Codes
• Int’l Mechanical Code (IMC)
• Int’l Residential Code (IRC)
• Int’l Fire Code (IFC)
ICC
Model Building Codes
• Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC)
IAPMO
Model Building Codes
• NFPA 1 Fire CodeNFPA
International
Product Safety Standards
US
Product Safety Standards
US/Canada Refrigerant Safety Classification
US Application Safety Standard
California codes do not enable AC Low GWP Refrigerants
Technical
Committee
2024 UMC
2-year proce
ss
Hearing/ Vote
Oct 2021
Technical
Committee
May 2022
Hearing/ Vote
4Q 2022
CSFM Proposal
DueJuly 2023
Public Hearings
November 2023
Final California
State Building Codes
July 2024
FAIL
XTechni
cal Committee
ICC 2 1-
year processes
Hearing/
Vote
Sep 2021
Electronic Vote
4Q2021
PASS
✓
California State Fire Marshal can propose building code changes
IMC CARB Deadline January 1, 2025
UMC
By statute, California adopts the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) which does not yet have a clear pathway for low GWP refrigerants.
International Mechanical Code (IMC) may have a clear path by year end
Industry needs at least 2 years to transition (normally has 6 years)
• Use low-GWP alternatives in new equipment
• Change architectures in stores
• Consider smaller charge sizes
• Retrofit existing equipment to lower GWP
• Reduce leaks
• Use recovered/reclaimed refrigerant
Please contact us with any HFC questions!Helen Walter-Terrinoni
VP Regulatory Affairs [email protected]
302-598-4608