Well known for his expertise in energy efficiency, Scantec Refrigeration Technologies managing director, Stefan Jensen, was ideally placed to win the Emerging Leader in Energy Savings Award.
A pioneer of ammonia systems both here and overseas, Jensen has decades of engineering experience especially in industrial refrigeration.
He has been involved in a long list of innovative projects including five completed low charge NH3 projects with another three NH3 plants currently under construction.
Jensen co-founded Scantec Refrigeration Technologies in 1996 and achieved widespread recognition for his work as an engineer especially with natural refrigerants.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) in Washington, United States.
“Peer recognition is always pleasant because work activities should be more about satisfaction than merely financial rewards,” Jensen said.
“Hopefully this award will encourage others to develop new technologies and share these initiatives so that they can also enjoy peer recognition and at the same time contribute to lifting the industry as a whole.”
Originally from Denmark, Jensen emigrated to Germany before settling in Australia. In 1978 he completed a mechanical engineering degree majoring in thermodynamics and heat pumps.
“On the last day of the exams I was offered a position at Danfoss and that was the start of my involvement in industrial refrigeration,” he said. “In 1983 I emigrated to Australia with seven suitcases and very little money.”
Fortunately Jensen has enjoyed a successful career in Australia.
When asked what contributed to winning this award, Jensen gives a reply that is well suited to a leader in the field of energy savings.
“The documented superior energy performance of dual stage, low charge, state of the art NH3 refrigeration plants compared with industry standard, single stage air cooled HFC based systems with electric defrost,” he said.
Jensen believes the climate impacts of the working fluids employed by the HVACR industry is driving global concerns around emissions.
“We have seen a polarisation of interests and views surrounding chemical and natural refrigerants,” he said.
“The significant commercial interests of manufacturers of synthetic refrigerants have become much more evident now that synthetic refrigerants are facing global control measures as a result of environmental concerns.
“The overriding emphasis that now seems to emerge is energy efficiency.”
Asked to explain the qualities of a leader in energy savings, Jensen is quick to respond.
“In terms of the HVACR industry this is an individual who understands how to take advantage of the excellent transport and thermodynamic properties of the low GWP working fluids available to develop systems with superior energy performance.”