Procool – eco-efficient cold appliances for the commercial use

Bernd Schäppi and Herbert Ritter, AEA -The Austrian Energy Agency
Claus Barthel, Wuppertal Institut for Climate, Environment and Energy
Laurenz Hermann, Deutsche Energieagentur
Oswald Streif, Verein für Konsumenteninformation

Keywords

eco-efficiency, commercial plug-in cold appliances, supplier competition, technical procurement, HFCs, global warming potential

Abstract

Pro-Cool is an EU-wide demonstration project which supports the development and market penetration of eco-efficient plug-in cold appliances for the commercial use. These products should be both highly energy efficient, free of HFC-containing refrigerants and -foaming agents and eco-efficient in a general sense. Thus the project corresponds with the EU Integrated Product Policy which aims at improving products by considering the ecological impact along the product life cycle.

Besides ecological criteria, which are central for the project, other aspects relevant for purchasers like warranty and functionality are taken into account to guarantee the acceptance of the products by the demand side target groups. The so called "voice of the customer" has been considered in the development of the criteria

To achieve the necessary stimulation of the supply and demand side market a combined competition and procurement approach is developed addressing both manufacturers and buyers respectively users of the products. The central measure of the project is a European competition for suppliers what offers leading manufacturers of the market the opportunity to present themselves as innovative companies which provide eco-efficient equipment.

Eight leading manufacturers which have a high market share in the selected product categories are taking part in the competition. Furthermore three large companies representing the demand side branches of super market chaines and drinks industry already have signed a general agreement to support the project and to consider the products resulting from the competition in their procurement activities. Thus major supply and demand side target groups which are capable to support market transformation have joined the project. The competition terminates by December 2005 and the award of the winning products takes place in spring 2006 at an international fair or conference event.

The paper presents the objectives and the concept of the project. Relevant markets, current potentials for energy savings as well as the concept and the criteria of the competition are described.