TABLE OF CONTENTS

2007, by the Swiss Confederation, the Swiss Cantons and
the Principality of Lichtenstein. It mandates proof of energy
performance of heating, hot water, ventilation, refrigeration
and air conditioning systems. For open cooling
shelves a maximum energy consumption of 4 MWh
per metre is stipulated. A widely accepted trademark for
new and refurbished buildings Minergie. Leading retail
chains Migros and Coop have announced that they will
only build stores complying with the Minergie standard.
Since 2004 “substances stable in the air”, such as HFCs
have been tightly regulated in Switzerland, making alternative
refrigerants such as CO 2
attractive as cooling
solutions. The HFC regulation is contained in the Ordinance
on Risk Reduction related to Chemical Products
(ORRChem) and encompasses licensing, reporting, leak
checks, servicing and end-of-life requirements for equipment
containing more than 3kg of such refrigerants.
UK
Unlike Denmark and Switzerland, the UK does not tax or
regulate high GWP refrigerants. However, CO 2
transcritical
refrigeration in supermarkets has rapidly been gaining
ground. The first UK system was installed in 2006 in
Swansea in a Tesco supermarkets. Since then the number
of installations has grown steadily, with over 200 systems
now operational. UK retailers have led the adoption
of R744 refrigeration systems, and are ahead of many of
their UK counterparts. UK climate change regulation,
preparation for upcoming legislation, and NGO pressure
have likely incentivised investments in CO 2
refrigeration.
UK climate change legislation includes the 2001 Climate
Change Levy (CCL) aimed at encouraging energy efficiency
and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions;
and the 2008 Climate Change Act, which sets a target for
the UK to reduce carbon emissions to 80% below 1990
levels by 2050. Both encourage investments in climate
friendly, energy saving refrigeration technology. In addition
momentum is growing in the UK for HFC phase
out or taxation. In 2010 a “Hydrofluorocarbon Limitation
Bill” was launched. It may be expected that the UK will
introduce stricter f-gases regulations, which will provide
an impetus for a faster uptake of natural refrigerants in
the country.
In addition the Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) provide
businesses with enhanced tax relief for investments
in equipment that meets published energy-saving criteria.
There is a predetermined list of products (including
commercial service cabinets and compressors) for which
if installed, a business could qualify for receiving the allowance.
Products that may be included in the ECA list
have to meet certain criteria as prescribed by “The Energy
Technology Criteria List” (ETCL).
Finally, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (previously
known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment) mandates
carbon emissions reporting for all organisations
using more than 6,000 MWh per year, equivalent to and
electricity bill of around £500,000 (€600,000). As from
2012 organisations covered by the scheme will be required
to purchase ‘allowances’ from the Government
each year to cover their emissions from the previous
years. The money raised by the sale of allowances will be
cycled back to CRC participants.
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