Phase out of HCFCs and Promotion of HFC-Free Energy Efficient Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Systems in the Russian Federation through Technology Transfer

Full name	Phase out of HCFCs and Promotion of HFC-Free Energy Efficient Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Systems in the Russian Federation through Technology Transfer
Implementation period	2011-2015
Sponsor	GEF
Beneficiaries	14 Russian enterprises
Goal	HCFC phase out and transfer of innovative technologies as part of conversion of production facilities using HCFC
Contact	Marina Tumanova, deputy director of the International Centre for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI), info@icsti.su
Website	www.ozoneprogram.ru, www.foamunion.ru, www.hvaccenter.ru

The Project aims primarily at the direct phase out of 600 tons of ozone-depleting potential (ODP) of HCFCs (for the most part, HCFC-21, HCFC-22, HCFC-141b, and HCFC-142b) in the sectors engaged in production of foam and refrigeration equipment to achieve the 2015 target values envisaged by the Montreal protocol. As of January 1, 2015, 490 tons of ODP were phased out. Considering that HCFCs are strong greenhouse gases, this would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15,6 mln tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The second objective of the Project is to transfer innovative technologies within the framework of conversion of industrial enterprises that use HCFCs in the manufacturing process, produce polyurethane insulation (pre-insulated pipes, sandwich panels), domestic, medical, commercial, and industrial refrigerating equipment, and repair and service air-conditioning and refrigerating equipment. In 5 years these activities will decrease greenhouse gas emissions by about 10 mln tons of CO₂ equivalent at the account of reduced energy consumption.

The Project was initiated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and organized by UNIDO and GEF that directly implement and co-finance the Project.

Since March 4, 2015, functions of the Executing Agency of the Project under a respective agreement with UNIDO are carried out by the International Centre for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI), an international, intergovernmental organization based in Moscow. ICSTI was selected in this capacity in keeping with rules and procedures of GEF and UNIDO and with account of ICSTI status and experience in implementing international and national projects

The project activity is performed in six directions

Assistance in institutional capacity strengthening
Transfer of technologies to Russian enterprises
HCFC phase out in the foam production sector
HCFC phase out in refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment production and servicing sectors
Strategy generation for ODS destruction and creation of the ODS recovery network
Information of the public, and promotion of the market share growth for energy-efficient refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment

As part of component “Institutional capacity strengthening”, the Russian Government and federal executive bodies concerned are rendered assistance in elaboration of draft legal and regulatory instruments, sectoral and federal programs and action plans, etc. In this regard, UNIDO–Business working group of associations, self-regulating organizations, commercial companies, research institutes, and educational institutions was established.

As part of components “Transfer of technologies to Russian enterprises”, “HCFC phase out in the foam production sector”, and “HCFC phase out in refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment production and servicing sectors”, Russian producers and manufacturers of refrigerating equipment and foam are provided support in conversion to ozone-safe substances and technologies.

Component “Strategy generation for ODS destruction and creation of the ODS recovery network” provides for creation of a pilot facility on ODS destruction and ODS-containing equipment processing.

Component “Information of the public, and promotion of the market share growth for energy-efficient refrigerating and air-conditioning equipment” is aimed at dissemination of information about transition of the Russian economy to ozone-safe substances and technologies as well as provision of access to information resources created in this regard.

Impact and results

Restriction, licensing and quoting of production and use of ODS and ODS-containing equipment on the territory of the Russian Federation

Design and construction of business and other facilities engaged in production of ODSs and ODS-containing items were banned.
ODS use is allowed only in refillable containers (excluding ODS in containers of less than 3 liter capacity for laboratory and analytical use).
Legal entities and private entrepreneurs are obliged to account produced, used, transported, stored, recuperated, reclaimed, recirculated, and destructed ODS.
State control over production, import, export, and use of ODS was introduced.

Strengthening customs control over illegal ODS import

Criminal liability for illegal ODS import (smuggling) into the Russian territory was introduced.
The number of customs check-points for ODS import into the Russian territory was limited.
Analytical equipment for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and rapid-response analyzers for officials of law-enforcement organizations and specialists of educational institutions and businesses of the refrigeration sector were supplied.

Disposal of HCFCs and HCFC-based equipment

Landfilling of deteriorated ODS-containing products without ODS recovery was banned.
A disposal plant for domestic and commercial refrigerators and freezers, and air-conditioners was purchased. Before 2016 the plant will be installed, commissioned and put into operation, including personnel training.
Development of the legal framework for creation of an ODS disposal and reclamation mechanism, and introduction of measures to develop logistic schemes for ODS collection, train in environmentally-safe approaches to ODS disposal and reclamation, and stimulate consumers to stop using ODS are carried out.

Transfer of technologies and stimulation of use of ozone-safe substances and HCFC phase out in the foam sector

Twelve beneficiaries in the foam sector had the opportunity to convert foam production to methyl formate, two of them (systems houses) received support in development, adaptation, and adoption of ozone-safe systems for production of PU foams.
The Union of Eco-Friendly PU Product Manufacturers and Consumers was created, training courses developed, technical support center organized, and provision and promotion of ozone-safe systems of PU components facilitated.

Transfer of technologies and stimulation of use of ozone-safe substances and HCFC phase out in the refrigerating sector

Two demo projects—a working model of a CO₂ refrigerating unit for a retail food store, and a working model of a standard mini-hotel with a shop and laundry using hydrocarbon refrigerants—were implemented.
Two beneficiaries in the refrigerating sector had the opportunity to organize manufacture of refrigerating equipment based on carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons.

Promotion of use of ozone-friendly refrigerants

A number of conferences and workshops dedicated to ozone-safe technologies, natural refrigerants, and sector standards were held in cooperation with MNRE.
The annual celebration of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
In 2013 all-Russian competition “Protect the Ozone Layer and Earth Climate”, drawing competitions for schoolchildren, and trainings in use of natural refrigerants for college and university students were held.
www.ozoneprogram.ru, the largest information website presenting information about international and Russian legislation on protection of the ozone layer and ozone-safe technologies, description of implemented projects, and free online training courses, was created.
Two specialized websites — www.hvaccenter.ru for the refrigerating and www.foamunion.ru for the foam sectors—with databases of ozone-safe solutions and online training courses were launched.

Training, assessment and obligatory certification of specialists working with refrigerants

Sector standards, draft certification, and natural refrigerant courses were developed in cooperation with major associations and self-regulating organizations of the air-conditioning and refrigerating sectors.
Six training facilities for the air-conditioning and refrigerating sectors were created in Moscow and Russian regions in cooperation with representatives of business and educational institutions. These facilities are used for training of college and university students, and advanced training of technical specialists, officers of federal executive bodies and law-enforcement organizations.
Regular master classes and training in handling natural refrigerants for the refrigerating sector were organized.
Training courses for officials of the Federal Customs Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Natural Resources Use were developed, and respective training delivered.
Support in promotion of WorldSkills competition in the Russian Federation was provided

Project beneficiaries

Dow Izolan, Vladimir
NVP Vladipur, Vladimir
PO Sergo plant, Zelenodolsk, Republic of Tatarstan
SEPO-ZEM Machine-Building Plant of Saratov Electric Generating Unit Production Association, Saratov
Pipe insulation plant, Peresvet, Moscow region
KZKh Biryusa, Krasnoyarsk
Polyus Company, Yoshkar-Ola, Republic of Mary El
TPK Orsk plants, Orsk, Orenburg region
Ostrov-Komplekt, Moscow region
KPP Nord, Moscow region
Tsentrtranstekhmash, Ryazan
Shumerlya purpose-built vehicle plant, Shumerlya, Chuvash Republic
Krasnogorsky van plant, Krasnogorsky, Republic of Mary El
Ariadna-Yug, Leningradskaya, Krasnodar region

Other participants and partners

Ministry of Internal Affairs, Federal Customs Service, Ministry of Education and Science, Federal Service of Russia on Hydrometeorology and Monitoring of the Environment of the Russian Federation, Russian Union of the Refrigeration Industry Enterprises, Belarus Ministry of Natural Resources, self-regulating organization NP ISZS–Montazh, Association of Electronics and Computer Hardware Commercial and Manufacturing Companies (RATEK), Daikin, Elastokam, Kontakt, Podolsktorgtekhnika, Kholodbyt association, State Engineering College No. 23, International Refrigeration Academy, International Higher Education Academy of Sciences, Institute of Refrigeration and Biotechnologies (IKhBT) of the Saint-Petersburg National Research University of Information, Mechanics and Optics (SPbNIU ITMO), D. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, WorldSkills, GAOU UTs Professional, National Association of PU Panel Manufacturers (NAPPAN) and Association of Preinsulated Pipe Manufacturers and Consumers (APPTIPI).

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