The “new” R-32 AC systems are here! A first for Grenada.

April 12th, 2018, St. George’s, Grenada:  Grenada is among the first countries in the Caribbean region to have installed the low global warming potential (GWP), zero ozone depleting potential (ODP) air condition cooling technology. Twenty-five (25) R-32 mini splits air condition units have been installed at a small hotel in the south of the island.  This is the first known facility to have installed the ozone friendly, low GWP, energy efficient cooling technology in Grenada. R-32 refrigerant has an ODP of zero and a GWP of 675 and is classified by many as a low GWP refrigerant.

Parties to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer are encouraged to transition to longer term low or zero GWP alternatives in the phase out of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in the refrigeration an air conditioning (RAC) sector .

This decision poses challenges for low volume consuming countries like Grenada who are essentially technology takers and with very limited options, especially in the mini-split air conditioning sub sector. The current refrigerant technology of choice operates with R-410A as the refrigerant. R-410A has a GWP of 2088 – much too high.

The most practical options available for that sub-sector are natural refrigerants, such as, hydrocarbons  (R-290) with zero  (ODP) and negligible GWP or low GWP options, such as R32. Many developed countries have already set as a policy to transition to R-32 refrigerants in the air-conditioning sector.

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) of Grenada has set as its policy to transition to natural refrigerants as the ozone and climate friendly, energy efficient alternative for the RAC sector.  However, many challenges are experienced in accessing AC units using natural refrigerants.  This novel initiative by the private sector can certainly open the floodgates for others to invest in such environmentally friendly, energy efficient technologies as a mid-term replacement for the high GWP,  hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.

 

National Ozone Offcer Visits Silver Sands Project

St. George’s Grenada: April 6th, 2018: The National Ozone Officer for Grenada, Mr. Leslie Smith along with GIZ Technical Expert for the Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change (C4), Project, Mr. Curllan Bhola paid a visit to the Grenada Silver Sand Project to discuss refrigeration and air-condition cooling technologies to be installed at the facility under construction. The team met with Chief Engineer Mr. Don Cramer, who outlined the plans for meeting the cooling needs at the facility.

The Silver Sands Project which is due to commence operation in 2018 would be a 5 Star hotel with 44 hotel suites and 9 Luxury Private Villas.

Mr. Smith outlined to Mr. Cramer Grenada’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol and gave a brief over view of the current status in meeting those obligations.  A discussion ensued on the different types of low global warming potential (GWP) options that are available globally and the applicability of them here in Grenada.

This is the first engagement that the NOU has had with a development project of this size.  The NOU, Grenada encourages dialogue and engagement with all project developers to to ensure that environmentally friendly, energy efficient technologies are used in the refrigeration and cooling sector.

Evaluation of the refrigeration servicing sector: National Ozone Unit Hosts Consultant’s Visit

At its 79^th meeting, the Executive Committee of the Multilateral fund Secretariat for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol randomly selected Grenada as a low volume consuming country of ozone depleting substances to participate in a survey for the evaluation of the refrigeration servicing sector. This evaluation was planned in two stages:  stage one which has already been completed focused on a desk study. Stage two, which is currently ongoing, consists of country evaluation reports following the field visits, which would be based on the findings and recommendations of the desk study.

The field visit for Grenada is scheduled for April 9^th – 13^th, 2018.  The field visits will focus on key issues stressed in the desk study and will collect updated information about the project implementation, based on direct observation and discussions with various stakeholders.

The objective of the second stage of the evaluation is:

(a) To provide a thorough analysis of the project implementation in the refrigeration servicing sector;

(b) To formulate lessons learned for improving future similar projects; and

(c) To further assess potential issues that could be related to the phasing-down of HFCs in the servicing sector.

Furthermore, the evaluation will strive to provide quantitative data on the impacts and the costs of the activities in the servicing sector to the extent possible.

The evaluation will address the following issues:

1. a)Project implementation;
2. b)Policy, legal and regulatory frameworks
3. c)Technology related issues
4. d)Demonstration projects for the servicing sector
5. e)Training and sustainability of training results
6. f)Energy efficiency
7. g)Refrigerant containment
8. h)Awareness raising and dissemination of information
9. i)Funding

The Multilateral Fund Consultant, Mrs Martha Comte will pay a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary as well as, the Head of the Energy Division in the Ministry of Infrastructural Development, Public Utilities, Energy, Transport and Implementation to outline the scope of her mission.

Consultations and field visits have been planned for:

1. Customs and Excise Division
2. Grenada Bureau of Standards
3. The Grenada Refrigeration, Air-conditioning Association (GRAVA)
4. T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC)
5. New Life Organisation (NEWLO)
6. Recovery and Recycling Centres at:
   • Maurice Bishop International Airport
   • St. George’s University
   • BL International
   • Cooling tech Limited

The National Ozone Unit will facilitate the visit and make all the logistical and other arrangements.

 

Consultant’s Visit to Cooling Tech Limited

Meeting with Faculty at TAMCC

Meeting with Technicians at St. George’s University

 

Women in the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Sector

Women in the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Sector – Call for stories

 OzonAction, in cooperation with UN Women, is launching a global initiative to raise awareness of the opportunities available to women in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector (RAC). We are seeking short ‘stories’ about women working in the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector, explaining their motivations, training and education, the challenges they may have faced, their experience and day to day details of their working lives and to recognise their successes.

 All the accepted submissions will be compiled into an official publication and outreached to a broad range of stakeholders in the Montreal Protocol and RAC community. The authors of the two most relevant and interesting submissions will be invited to attend an award ceremony and side event organised by UN Environment OzonAction at an international Montreal Protocol meeting.

 Completed entry forms with descriptions and photos should be received by 31st July 2018.

 Further information can be found in the attached flyer and submission form, or visit our website at:

http://web.unep.org/ozonaction/news/ozonaction-launches-initiative-highlight-women-refrigeration-and-air-conditioning-sector