Green chillers and energy efficiency
Project description
Project title: NAMA – Green chillers and industrial energy efficiency
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB)
Country: Indonesia
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR)
Overall term: 2014 to 2018
Context
In Indonesia, use of cooling systems in industry, business and households – for example, for refrigerators and air conditioning units – is increasing by around 15 per cent a year. For the most part, appliances are inefficient and employ outdated technology. Not only do they consume a large amount of energy but they also continue to use fluorinated or chlorinated hydrocarbons as refrigerants. Leaks in appliances allow these gases to damage the climate and the ozone layer. They are also responsible for the equivalent of around two to three million tonnes of direct CO2 emissions.
It is estimated that Indonesia could cut its energy consumption for cooling by 15 to 30 per cent if modern technology were put in place.
Although modern energy-saving technology and green chillers are available which are climate and ozone-neutral, the market for these is yet to be developed. Local producers of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems do not have sufficient expertise in green cooling. In order to establish green refrigeration and air conditioning technology, Indonesia has to refine the relevant standards, create economic incentives, and ultimately ensure continued demand for such products. The introduction of green cooling technology offers an opportunity to achieve energy security through energy efficiency, decouple emissions from economic growth, and thereby support Indonesia’s ambitious emission reduction targets.
Objective
A nationally appropriate mitigation action (NAMA) is in place for industrial and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems. This action is making a significant contribution towards achieving Indonesia’s targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Approach
The project team is working with the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, relevant institutions, the private sector and civil society to develop a nationally appropriate mitigation action (NAMA) for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Once this step is completed, the NAMA will be incorporated into the country’s overarching NAMA strategy.
The project is informing lobby groups, associations and the relevant officers in ministries about how NAMAs can be used to reduce the emissions caused by the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. In an effort to promote green cooling technologies, the project is advising those responsible on possible incentives and funding for efficient cooling and air conditioning systems.
Pilot projects are showcasing the possible ways in which green cooling can be used. Businesses, engineers, technicians and the general public can visit these to gain information about solutions.
To give specialists and businesses the necessary expertise in green cooling, the project team is devising training courses on how to plan, operate and maintain innovative cooling systems. An information platform on refrigeration and air conditioning technology is being set up and rolled out.