By Sabine Lobnig, Nov 09, 2011, 09:53 • 1 minute reading
The German Ministry for the Environment, together with Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety initiated its fourth innovation competition in the area of refrigeration technology. A total sum of €52,500 will be granted this time specifically aiming at small businesses.
Since 2008, German Environment Ministry has subsidized the refrigeration award to encourage the adoption of innovative low-carbon technologies in the commercial refrigeration sector. The last three German Refrigeration Awards recognized several technologies using hydrocarbons and other natural working fluids.
The award this time will be granted in 3 categories:
Innovation in the area of air-conditioning or refrigeration technology
Installation of refrigeration or air-conditioning systems by small enterprises
Special application of refrigeration or air-conditioning technology
What is new for the forth award is the creation of a new category addressing small businesses with less than 50 employees.
The application deadline is 31 December 2011 and outcomes will be announced in March 2011.Interested companies can access to the application form through the website www.co2online.de/kaelte and submit the application by email to kaeltepreis@co2online.be.
Refrigeration & air-conditioning: crucial actors in energy conservation and emission reduction
In Germany, the electricity consumption of the 120 million of refrigerators accounts for 15 % of the total consumption figure. Refrigeration and air conditioning systems are responsible for around 70 million tons of CO2 emissions each year.
By 2020 the Merkel Administration hopes to reduce the electric power consumption in the country by 11%. Just as Tanja Loitz, the general director of co2online GmbH, the non-profit company responsible for the practical organisation of the project said: “Experts believe that energy savings of 35% and sometimes even 75% are possible through introduction of energy efficiency measures. The refrigeration and air conditioning industry can make a significant contribution to climate change targets set by the federal government.”