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May 17,2012

International specialized HVAC exhibition Climate World – 2012. The International HVAC Trade Fair.

Index » Press about Exhibition » Conference ‘UNIDO/GEF/MINPRIRODY OF RUSSIA project presentation’ at Climate World Expo
 

Conference ‘UNIDO/GEF/MINPRIRODY OF RUSSIA project presentation’ at Climate World Expo

Early in March, within the framework of Climate World exhibition, under the auspices of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation, a conference devoted to the presentation of the project of UNIDO/GEF/Minprirody of Russia for ozone-depleting substances phase out took place. During the conference, representatives of government authorities, international organizations and major companies in HVAC&R industry discussed the most urgent issues related to Russia’s fulfilling its obligations under the Montreal Protocol.

Perhaps, none of the previous events held by Minprirody and UNIDO earlier saw such intensity of emotions and interest on the part of the audience. Russia started implementing its obligations under the Montreal Protocol and, in the very peak of the abnormal heat of 2010, many market players faced deficit of and price rise for a popular refrigerant, R22. That is why, UNIDO’s conference held at the largest industry-specific exhibition, Climate World, attracted so much attention on the part of the industry specialists. Everybody—from managers of large companies to low-level managers—is concerned about what the situation with R22 is like and what refrigerants will be used in the future. This and other questions were addressed by UNIDO’s experts from Russia and Austria, by scientists and representatives of refrigerant manufacturers.

The Conference opened with the report by the Director of the UNIDO Centre for International Industrial Cooperation in the Russian Federation, Sergey Korotkov. He told about UNIDO’s activities and reminded the audience about Russia’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol. According to those, the level of annual hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) consumption determined for Russia starting from January 1, 2010, as being equal to 999.23 ozone-depleting potential (ODP) tons, is to be decreased down to 399.63 ODP-tons by January 1, 2015. This means that the aggregate volume of HCFC annual consumption will decrease by 600 ODP-tons. In our country, two substances prevail in the industry: R141b and R22. In 2009, Russia consumed 10,960 metric tons of R22 (602 ODP-tons) and 2,840 mt of R141b (312 ODP-tons). So, in order to achieve the target it is necessary to phase‐out more than half of the volume of each of HCFC.

Vladimir Ivlev, representative of Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Division, reminded that on June, 23, 2011, the session of the Government of the Russian Federation on the Organization of State Regulation of Ozone-Depleting Substances and ODS-Based Products Circulation within the Russian Federation is to take place. He also said that to date Minprirody of Russia had been analyzing the current circulation system of ODS and ODS-based products in the Russian Federation. Measures are being taken to provide institutional support to activities aimed at the fulfillment of obligations under the Montreal Protocol. During the first half of 2011, it is planned to develop and adopt a set of regulatory documentation regulating the procedures for controlling ODS circulation within the Russian Federation, quota allocation for refrigerant production and importation, and to resolve a number of other important issues. During 2011, the Government of the Russian Federation intends to adopt decisions to improve the co-ordination of activities of related federal executive bodies and economic entities in the field of the ozone layer protection.

The concept of the UNIDO/GEF/Minprirody of Russia project for ozone-depleting substances phase out was introduced by its head, Yuriy Sorokin. The goal of the project is direct phase out of HCFCs (R21, R22, R141b, and R142b) in the amount of 600 ODP-tons in the sectors of foam materials and refrigeration equipment. Several tasks are to be resolved in the course of the Project implementation: decrease greenhouse gas emissions by about 15.6 million tons of CO2 equivalent, transfer of required technologies to Russian industrial enterprises within the framework of their modernization, and improve qualification of specialists involved in this modernization. The full text of the Project can be found at the web-site of Global Environmental Facility, http://www.gefonline.org.

Stefan Verstappen, Business Development Director of DAIKIN Europe N.V., familiarized the audience with the results of the ongoing alternative refrigerant research conducted by DAIKIN. According to DAIKIN’s specialists, there is no alternative to HFC in case of HCFC phase out. This is why, special attention should be paid to R32 refrigerant. UNIDO’s experts do not completely share this opinion, since, as everybody knows, the Project provides no support to transition to f-gases. Besides, exponents of Climate World brought a large number of ozone-friendly pieces of equipment using refrigerants with GWP lower than that of HFCs, which, again, proves the existence of some alternative to the transition solutions.

Vasiliy Tselikov, UNIDO Consultant, advisor of the Directorate of FGUP Ecology, told the attendees of the current situation and particular measures taken by UNIDO and government authorities. There also arose a new issue related to the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belorussia. As of now, Kazakhstan has not yet joined the Copenhagen, Beijing, and Montreal Amendments to the Montreal Protocol. At the XV Meeting of the Parties held in November of 2004 (Nairobi, Kenya), a decision was adopted according to which the member states that agreed on the Beijing Amendment were to ban from January 1, 2005, any export and import of HCFCs and methyl bromide from and to the countries which have not yet adopted the Copenhagen and Beijing Amendments. Russia and Belorussia come completely under this obligation and will not be able to trade HCFCs and HCFC-based products with Kazakhstan. The opinion of other Parties to the Montreal Protocol on the trade of HCFCs with Russia and Belorussia, which have a common customs territory with Kazakhstan, will be known soon later. Since the number of parties to the Beijing Amendment amounts to 166 countries, external economic interests of member states of the Customs Union may suffer a serious damage.

However, the attendees were much more concerned by another issue: will import of R22-based equipment be banned, and if yes, when? Unfortunately, there remains some uncertainty. The position of government authorities may be expressed as ‘no ban imposed now, but it is possible in the future’. Such situation—de‐facto cessation of R22 importation and, at the same time, complete freedom of equipment importation—dents the situation with HCFCs consumption in Russia. As until 2015, even new appliances will require servicing more than once. This is why UNIDO recommends banning importation of ozone-depleting substances and equipment using such substances as early as possible.

Oleg Tsvetkov, professor of St. Petersburg State University of Refrigeration and Food Engineering (SPbGUNiPT), member of IAR, presented his report devoted to the properties and features of all refrigerants and ozone-depleting substances available at the market. Main characteristics of refrigerants currently in use, as well as alternatives for them, were discussed in detail. The conclusion was disappointing: there simply is no universal substitute for HCFCs. In each case a new solution has to be found taking into account surrounding conditions, features of the project and tasks to be resolved.

Igor Dragunskikh, Chief Engineer at FGUP PO Sergo Zavod (POZIS), told about experience of his enterprise.

POZIS is the only manufacturer of refrigeration equipment and technology‐intensive medical refrigeration equipment in the Republic of Tatarstan, and one of three Russian manufacturers of this sort.

On December 10, 2009, UN Organization for industrial development (UNIDO) and the Republic of Tatarstan signed the Memorandum on Cooperation; later POZIS joined the Project of UNIDO/GEF/Minprirody of Russia for HCFC phase out. In 2010, 70.5% refrigerators manufactured at the enterprise were charged with isobutane. Isobutane-based refrigerators are equipped with compressors manufactured by famous foreign companies (Danfoss, ACC, Samsung). By 2014, the enterprise management intends to complete the transfer of all production facilities for refrigeration equipment and medical equipment to cyclopentane. Currently, R141b is used as a foaming agent in production. Besides, the management also intends to increase energy efficiency of refrigeration equipment manufactured at POZIS.

Dmitri Kuzin, executive Director of Association of Professional Companies in Industry of Climate (APIC), told about cooperation between APIC and UNIDO in the field of HCFC phase out. APIC has a long history of supporting UNIDO’s initiatives; moreover, thanks to the fact that all major stakeholders of HVAC&R are its members, it can actively participate in all the aspects of the Project. At APIC Business Center, specialists are trained to work with refrigerants.

The speech of UNIDO’s expert, Viktor Shatrauka (Vienna), who spoke about technologies for refrigeration equipment and refrigerants disposal, attracted active interest of the audience. In his speech, a brief description of the advantages and disadvantages of each ODS disposal technology was given as well as the example of a simple refrigerator disposal was examined. The disposal process turned out rather complicated. He also told about a new approach to refrigerant disposal that is related to emissions trade. The recovered gas with high global warming potential (for instance, HFC R11 or R12) can be converted in tradable emission quotas. This way, ozone-depleting substances disposal in Russia may become a new and profitable type of business.

Alexander Lubeshkin, national Coordinator of the Project of UNIDO/GEF/Minprirody of Russia, presented plans for creating a system of obligatory certification of technicians and officers working in the field of HCFC circulation. It’s no secret that the qualification of specialists of HVAC&R industry leaves to wish better: more than 70% of those specialists have no professional education at all. Of course, under such condition, the transition to the use of more toxic and fire-hazardous refrigerants is simply out of question. At best, this would lead to huge emissions of R22 to the atmosphere, and in worse cases, to accidents in attempts to construct a new system using an old approach.

It is necessary to establish the All-Russian Common Registry of Technical Specialists, develop training programs and ensure training of industry specialists. The Commission for training and certification affiliated to the Steering Committee of the Project of UNIDO/GEF/Minprirody of Russia will be created which will be responsible for coordination of activities within this part of the Project. Federal executive bodies, self‐regulating and public organizations, HVAC&R stakeholders will be involved in the development and implementation of the program. In future, unqualified specialists will not get involved in works related to CFC, HCFC, HFC, and ozone-friendly refrigerants at all.

Artem Koushnerev, National Expert of the Project, noted the importance of proper public disclosure. Today, all efforts of the global community for ozone-depleting substances phase out are, at best, perceived as useless, but more often they are seen as destructive. Many people just don’t believe that the ozone layer is depleting. Various conspiracy theories spread like wild fire and can be confronted only by fundamental systemic work for raising public awareness on the project progress, its tasks and results achieved.

In his closing speech, Sergey Korotkov invited all interested persons to take part in the Project of UNIDO/GEF/Minprirody of Russia. HCFC phase out is a task that can be resolved only by joint efforts.

Full versions of presentations can be downloaded at http://www.unido-russia.ru/archive/num1/konferencija/

Article prepared based on materials of UNIDO in Russia magazine

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