We recently hosted the first-ever Sustainable Refrigeration Summit, bringing together supermarket refrigeration stakeholders, government agencies, and policymakers to address the challenges to achieving zero emissions in supermarket refrigeration.
NASRC members can now access the session slides and recordings in our Member Resource Library, but we've also compiled our top 5 takeaways from the Summit below:
1. Natural refrigerants are becoming standard in new stores
A growing number of food retailers are choosing natural refrigerants in new store construction. However there are still challenges that need to be addressed, and given the very low rate of new construction we can't achieve zero emissions without addressing existing stores.
2. Existing stores need more solutions
Existing stores represent the greatest opportunity for HFC emissions reduction, but also the greatest challenge. Retailers need more solutions in the market to modularly transition existing facilities, such as natural refrigerant condensing units and codes and standards updates to allow a higher R290 charge limit.
3. Service workforce is a limiting factor
Even if all other barriers were removed, service workforce constraints will significantly limit the rate of the transition away from HFCs. There is a need for workforce development solutions to build a robust technician workforce with access to natural refrigerant training.
4. Funding is needed to accelerate the transition
Upfront cost premiums of natural refrigerant technologies remain one of the leading barriers in both new and existing stores. There is a need for new funding sources to support and accelerate the transition, especially for small and independent food retailers.
5. Effective policies can remove challenges
Increasing regulatory pressures at the state and federal levels are driving the transition to low-GWP and natural refrigerant technology solutions. Effective policies can address challenges and support the transition to move the industry forward together.
Most importantly, it was clear across the summit that solutions to these challenges will required a coordinated effort with all stakeholders. NASRC is leading that effort together with our members and partners.
Contact us to get involved.