Digital conference Q&A
So....no excuse anymore not to install CO2 in supermarket... Or am I wrong?
Yes correct, the new technologies for the application of natural refrigerant-based systems with CO2 cover all the climate conditions and any store size. With LIFE C4R solutions, namely FTE Full Transcritical Efficiency and ETE Extreme Temperature Efficiancy, we succeeded to close all gaps of efficiency and performance at any climate, cost of the equipment, simplicity, reliability and store size, thus removing any barrier for the application of CO2 all over the world, even in the hottest areas.
Where does the efficiency of FTE starts from?
The core of the solution is operating the medium temperature cabinets with flooded evaporators, which allows an increase in evaporation temperature about 5K all year round, 365days/year. This is how FTE ensures important energy savings (2,5-3% each K). This advantage in energy efficiency is independent of the external ambient temperature, and in particular pushes the adoption of the FTE technology even in the north of Europe and in the cold regions, where the basic CO2 transcritical systems have so far been considered an optimized solution.
So, FTE is a solution beneficial only in warm climates? And not for cold climate?
The increase in efficiency of FTE is independent of the external ambient temperature, so it is beneficial both in the warm and in the cold areas. In the northern European markets in particular we have succeeded to prove that it is possible to do better than a basic transcritical booster system and without adding significant costs or complication in the equipment.
Which is the maximum temperature where you installed FTE and ETE?
When the external ambient temperature reaches 40°C and above, we recommend the adoption of both the FTE and the ETE systems. We are successfully operating these technologies in the hottest places on earth, like UAE, South East Asia, Australia. In this precise moment we have installations running at optimized energy efficiency with more than 45°C ambient.
How many installations of FTE or ETE in the world so far?
More than 500 stores are successfully using FTE and ETE evenly distributed all over the world, in the 5 continents.
What is the minimum size of a shop/supermarket for your system being feasible? // Is your technology feasible for small supermarkets and stores?
From a technical point of view, FTE and ETE systems are feasible in any store size. However these solutions are suitable for medium and large stores, so they are beneficial for stores above 500 sqm.
For the energy savings, what are you comparing your systems to?
In the last years the most commonly adopted solution for medium and large stores is CO2 transcritical, so the benchmark is the basic standard booster system.
Do you have any confirmation by component manufacturers, like compressors for example, that your system is indeed safe and easy to maintain?
With the FTE and ETE solutions the lifetime of the principal components is extended because the whole refrigeration system works in less stressful and demanding operating conditions. In fact, FTE and ETE ensure a substantial reduction of the discharge temperature of the compressors and their perfect lubrication level is ensured all the time as the oil circuit is uninterrupted. For this reason the FTE solution is officially endorsed by Bitzer, confirming that, thanks to the usage of standard components typical of refrigeration systems, the reliability of the compressors is guaranteed.
What is the difference between parallel compression and ETE?
FTE and parallel compression are 2 different solutions that target different tasks. ETE is working with the gas cooler pressure, meanwhile the parallel compression is working with flash gas tank pressure.
Will the EU give grants to retailers to adopt these new technologies?
The incentives and/or tax relief schemes for the use of environmentally friendly solutions are decided at members state level, so each country may decide to apply any kind of incentive that may accelerate the adoption of solutions that may reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.
Are you seeing a fast uptake in the FTE & ETE technologies, with interest from other parts of the world?
We are receiving enquiries and performing installations in several different countries in all continents, and we have an ambitious market uptake plan ongoing for the next years to come.