Managing FGases The Way Forward

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Managing F-Gases The Way Forward
Concert Noble, Brussels 16th April 2002

• Sustainability and F-Gases
• Energy Efficiency
• by Paul Ashford, Caleb Management Services
  Limited

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F-Gases The way forward

• Elements of Sustainability
• Economic
• Social
• Environmental
• HFC debate is encapsulated in the
  environmental dimension because of the linkage
  between HFC efficiencies, energy use and CO2
  emissions.

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F-Gases The way forward

• HFCs are important in energy efficiency terms
  because.
• As blowing agents they have the best
  gaseous thermal efficiency
• As refrigerants they are also highly efficient
  
• Both of these applications of HFCs impact
  energy use in
• buildings
• industrial processes
• domestic appliances
• transport (MACs and refrigerated
  containers)

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F-Gases The way forward

• CO2 emissions in these sectors are critical.

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F-Gases The way forward

• In 1990 industrial and building accounted for 74
  of the total global CO2 emissions.

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F-Gases - The way forward

• Reversing the growth in CO2 emissions is the key
  objective, but will HFCs help?
• Not only the same environmental dimension
  but the same units so we can assess!
• Need to assess by way of lifecycle
  analysis
• LCCP and TEWI are methodologies for doing
  this
• However, we need an assessment for each
  application and comparative option

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F-Gases - The way forward

• Some argue that comparative options can always
  perform as well as HFC solutions
• True in some cases, but usually involves
  greater thickness and/or weight
• Internal space is at a premium for housing,
  refrigerated transport and domestic fridges
  
• Assessment cannot be made generically and
  specific cases will favour HFC use

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F-Gases - The way forward

• Cost of HFCs will be an important factor
• All of the sectors discussed are particularly
  cost-conscious
• HFCs will only be used where they uniquely
  enhance overall performance
• One of the key problems in stimulating energy
  efficiency is the period of assessment
• Ironically, HFCs may be de-selected on cost
  grounds even where they are the best
  environmental option!

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F-Gases - The way forward

• Conclusions
• The economic element of sustainability is
  never far away!
• HFC use will be limited and tightly targeted
  for cost-effective energy efficiency benefits
  
• Attention needs to be addressed into how
  energy efficiency measures can be more
  widely stimulated
• HFCs need to remain a part of the mix of
  options