Government of Canada
2002/38
April 8, 2002

CHILL OUT WITH NEW, COOL TECHNOLOGY

OTTAWA — A Government of Canada investment in the latest in refrigeration compressor technology will bring us more efficient air conditioning in commercial and industrial buildings. Clifford Lincoln, Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Louis, on behalf of Natural Resources Canada Minister Herb Dhaliwal and Environment Canada Minister David Anderson, today announced funding of $1,984,000 to Turbocor Inc. toward a development project to test the new, more energy-efficient technology.

Government of Canada funding comes from Natural Resources Canada's Industry Energy Research and Development Program ($478,000) and the Technology Early Action Measures component of the Government's Climate Change Action Fund ($1,506,000).

"Refrigeration and air-conditioning systems in homes and industry result in significant energy consumption," said Mr. Lincoln. "This project is a convincing example of how Government support for private-sector technology solutions to problems of excessive energy demand can contribute to a healthier environment and job creation at the same time. What we are witnessing here is sustainable development in action."

"The development of this innovative, world-leading technology will lead to increased use of energy-efficient cooling — with environmental benefits for all of us," said Minister Anderson. "It is a winning scenario — greenhouse gases are reduced, air quality is improved and Canadian industry makes money in the process. Companies like Turbocor are creating benefits for the environment, the economy and society."

The one-year project will demonstrate the new twin turbine compressor (TTC) in prototype air-cooled chillers through field trials and project monitoring. The TTC uses oil-free technology and is projected to use 30 to 50 percent less energy than current compressor technologies. This translates into a potential reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide - a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change - by 4.1 million tonnes per year, over ten years. Turbocor has already successfully applied TTC technology to water-cooled chillers. Using it in air-cooled chillers will offer even more energy savings and a more reliable product, since air-cooled equipment accounts for 70 percent of the North American chiller market today.

The TTC uses a direct-drive motor and oil-free magnetic bearings, making it more energy-efficient. It also has an advanced sensor and electronic control system, and a high-efficiency electric motor. It uses R134A refrigerant, an environmentally benign replacement for CFC12. The TTC is priced competitively with conventional compressors and has the potential to be installed in approximately 20,000 existing older-model chillers in North America.

Government of Canada funding for this project is built into the existing financial framework. The Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) program is one of the Government of Canada's Climate Change Action Fund components. TEAM focuses on investments in developing and deploying technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while sustaining economic and social development.

Turbocor specializes in the manufacture of compressors for air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration that meet new standards for chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) elimination.

Revised April 17, 2002

For more information, media may contact:

Heather Bala
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 996-7252

Roger Richmond-Smith
President and CEO
Turbocor Inc.
cell (514) 577-7371

Kelly Morgan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Ottawa
(819) 997-1441

To find out more about the Government of Canada's action on climate change, visit our Web site at http://www.climatechange.gc.ca