Estimation of greenhouse gas mitigation potential from refrigerant switching and energy efficiency improvement in Thai air conditioners

Abstract

Thailand is an important manufacturing and export center of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC), especially wall-typed air conditioners (ACs). Environmentally friendly refrigerant such as Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have become the future substitute potential due to their zero-ozone depleting potential (ODP) with lower global warming potential (GWP). In this paper, we focus on country-wide GHG mitigation potential from refrigerant switching from R-32 to R-290 in Thai air conditioners. We found that there are GHG mitigation opportunities with overall 1.48 MtCO 2eq from the switching in the year 2020 from two concept as follows; (i) GHG mitigation from refrigerant leakage results at around 0.50 MtCO 2eq, (ii) GHG mitigation from energy efficiency improvement result at around 0.98 MtCO 2. However, there are some safety concerns of R-290 which is flammable refrigerants, hence, the relevance government agencies have to be seriously considered especially the installation and operation of R-290 in Thai air conditioners. The well-designed capacity building and awareness for manufacturers, technical service, provider, and user have to be set. Technology transfer from industrialized country to Thailand is essential. All activities have to be implemented along with the Kigali Amendment which will be aligned with the national NDC Roadmap.