Entries open for lower GWP innovation award

USA/FRANCE: Entries are now being accepted for the 2020 ASHRAE and UNEP OzonAction Lower GWP Innovation Awards for refrigeration and air conditioning projects in developing countries. 

The award promotes innovative design, research and practice by recognising people who have developed or implemented innovative technological concepts applied in developing countries to minimise global warming potential (GWP) through refrigeration and air conditioning applications. 

“With the phase out and phase down of many refrigerants currently used in developing countries, it is critical that the refrigeration and air conditioning industry promote a rapid transition to energy efficient solutions that lessen the impact of ozone depletion and lowering global warming potential,” said ASHRAE President Darryl K Boyce. “By identifying innovation, ASHRAE and UNEP believe the awards will hasten adoption of lower GWP technologies in developing countries.”

James S Curlin, acting head/network and policy manager for OzonAction, described this as a watershed moment with developing countries needing to find long-term solutions to replace HCFC refrigerants while simultaneously minimising climate impacts. “It is vital to empower the research community to identify new approaches and alternative refrigerants that work for those countries,” he said. 

Information about the award and the online submission form can be found at www.ashrae.org/lowerGWP. Entries will be judged by an international jury of experts in the field of refrigerant research and management selected by ASHRAE and UNEP. The closing date for entries is September 1.