shecco founder and CEO, Marc Chasserot, explains how the CO2 equator is beginning to disappear.
We estimate that over 7,200 stores are currently using CO2 transcritical solutions worldwide. And this is a conservative estimate.
While use of CO2 transcritical technology is now widespread, it is unwise to assume that the trends being observed in different parts of the world are homogenous. Instead, we are seeing a plethora of worldwide innovation driven by different regional needs and conditions.
The greatest generalisation that is typically made about this technology is that there is a north/south divide – the so-called CO2 equator.
Europe, the global leader in CO2 transcritical adoption with over 5,500 stores, benefits from a climate in the north in which the positive thermodynamic properties of CO2 can shine. A winning combination of efficiency, environmental credentials and increasingly competitive initial costs has allowed this technology to flourish in the northern half of Europe.
However, in the south, CO2 transcritical is not used as intensively. This distinction can be found throughout the world. Where mild weather typically flourishes, so too does CO2 transcritical technology.
This is true of Japan and Canada, the 2nd and 3rd biggest adopters of CO2 transcritical technology after Europe, with over 1,500 and 159 installations respectively.
But now all this is beginning to change: the CO2 equator is moving further south and may soon disappear over the horizon.
Now that the business case for CO2 has been made for supermarkets and convenience stores in temperate climates, it is well-established as a clear alternative amid intense scrutiny of fluorinated gases globally.
This success has fuelled research into solutions for warmer climates – where CO2’s remarkable energy-efficiency performance is typically weakened. System options that improve CO2’s performance include ejectors, water spray systems and adiabatic air-cooling, parallel compression and high-pressure sub coolers.
In recent years, these systems have been successfully introduced in warmer European countries like Spain, Italy and Romania – not to mention the US state of Atlanta.
While cost premiums still exist for CO2 transcritical – just like at its inception – as the technology proliferates and further proves its credentials, these differentials are expected to evaporate.
Southern regions may be taking longer to fully adopt CO2 transcritical solutions. Yet amid increased investment and progressive innovation – and with pressure from government mounting at both national and global level – 2016 may well be the year in which the CO2 equator begins to disappear from the map as new horizons are sought.
About the Author - Marc Chasserot is founder and CEO of shecco, a global market accelerator of natural refrigerant-based technologies. He has 15 years’ experience in the HVAC&R sector. In 2006 he founded the industry website for CO2 cooling and heating experts worldwide: www.R744.com. This was followed by three platforms for hydrocarbons, ammonia and water. He has chaired and organised numerous international workshops known as ‘ATMOsphere’ which is coming to Australia for the first time on May 16. He has also launched a new monthly magazine for the North American market, called Accelerate America.