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Researchers at the University of South Australia, in collaboration with an Australian company specialising in innovative, sustainable cooling solutions for commercial and industrial applications, have developed an innovative, energy-efficient refrigeration system poised to revolutionise cooling in supermarkets, hospitals, abattoirs and other facilities.
Heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems are significant contributors to electricity consumption and peak demand, representing up to 70% of customers’ electricity usage and about 24% of Australia’s total electricity production. This project aims to address these challenges by developing energy-efficient refrigeration solutions that also integrate operational technology (OT) to enhance efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr Tim Lau, a sustainable energy researcher at UniSA and the project’s Chief Investigator, notes that heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration can comprise up to 70% of a customer’s electricity usage and 24% of Australia’s overall electricity consumption. The DP-CO2 system leverages dew point coolers to pre-cool ambient air, enabling efficient operation even in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. During summer months, this system can reduce energy usage by over a third compared to traditional systems.
A computational model has been created to evaluate the system’s potential across various sectors, including hospitals, meat processing plants, cold storage facilities, and aquariums. The most significant benefits are anticipated in hot, dry climates such as central Australia. Dr Lau believes that this project lays the groundwork for more environmentally friendly and cost-effective commercial refrigeration on a global scale.
The project aims to address the substantial electricity consumption and peak electricity demand caused by heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems. The goal is to develop energy-efficient refrigeration solutions to mitigate high electricity consumption, peak demand, and the associated greenhouse gas emissions.
The project is projected to enhance refrigeration system efficiency by 16% and reduce peak electricity demand by 24%, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced operational costs for the host site.
If these outcomes are realised, it could encourage other HVAC-R owners to adopt the DP-CO2 refrigeration system, thereby decreasing electricity consumption, peak demand, and greenhouse gas emissions related to cold chains. A2EP will aid in raising awareness and understanding of the system’s benefits for consumers and the cold chain industry.
The global commercial refrigeration market was valued at US$29.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$56.2 billion by 2035, with a CAGR of 5.6% from 2024 to 2035. Commercial refrigeration involves removing excess heat from a source or material to maintain a temperature lower than the surroundings. Significant market growth is anticipated as existing equipment is replaced with more energy-efficient and sustainable technology.
