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Technology Adoption
Climate-Friendly Technologies
Technologies using refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 10 are considered ultra-low, or 'climate-friendly' technologies for new stores and remodels. Refrigerants like carbon dioxide (R-744), hydrocarbons such as propane (R-290) and isobutene (R-600a), and ammonia (R-717) all have GWPs less than 10. If U.S. supermarkets adopt technologies using only ultra-low GWP refrigerants in all new stores beginning in 2025, they can cumulatively avoid emissions of 45.7 million MTCO2e by 2030. Examples of such technologies include:
Conversions of Existing HFC Systems
Increasing Energy Efficiency
There is a tremendous opportunity for leading companies to pair adoption of low-GWP refrigerants with other technologies to enhance the overall efficiency of refrigeration systems. In many cases low-GWP refrigerants are also more energy efficient than HFCs and can contribute to energy savings and reductions in total cost of ownership. Hydrocarbons and ammonia are extremely efficient refrigerants in all temperature conditions. Carbon dioxide is very energy efficient in temperate climates and can be used efficiently in warm or tropical regions either as a secondary refrigerant or when paired with energy enhancing technologies. Complimentary energy enhancing technologies and design choices include parallel compression, adiabatic coolers, liquid/gas ejectors, heat reclaim, and design improvements like LED lights and installing doors and night shades on open display cases. Adoption of low-GWP refrigerant technologies should be a key component of a company’s overall strategy to decrease energy use and minimize the total warming impact of cooling. For more information and case studies read EIA’s report on energy efficiency in HFC-free supermarket refrigeration.