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The GreenChill Partnership, meant to reduce ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases in supermarket refrigeration, now includes more than 6,500 stores in 47 states. However, although widely used in industrial applications, ammonia in supermarket cascade systems still meets State and local barriers, as well as strong industry hesitation, the EPA confirms.

According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) press release published last week, the number of participants in its GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership has quadrupled. As a result, the programme now includes more than 6,500 stores in 47 states, while in 2008 the programme partners reduced their aggregate emissions by 8.5%.

“This is the beginning of a partnership that is going to help us reduce significant amounts of ozone depleting refrigerant and other emissions, cut costs for supermarkets and consumers, and protect our health and the environment, “ said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

The potential of the programme

“EPA officials estimate that if all U.S. supermarkets reduced emissions to the current GreenChill average, the nation could save the equivalent of 22 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and 240 ozone-depleting potential tons each year -- equal to the annual emissions from more than 4 million cars. This carries a cost savings of $108 million in refrigerant expenses annually”, reads the press release.

GreenChill recently implemented a Store Certification Awards Program that rewards top-performing participants. Gold- or silver-level certification is awarded to retail stores that achieve at least 50% reduction in refrigerant charge and a 75% reduction in refrigerant emissions. Top performers will be recognised by the EPA at the Food Marketing Institute’s 2009 Sustainability Summit in San Francisco.

Ammonia progress moving slowly

Although most GreenChill participant retailers have focused on reducing refrigerant charges rather than the use of natural refrigerants, the use of ammonia, CO₂, or hydrocarbons is now sparking first interest from retailers. While supermarket chains are now starting to invest in secondary CO₂ systems, the use of ammonia still meets legal and financial barriers, as an EPA programme coordinator confirms. Although ammonia is technically legal for use as a primary refrigerant in secondary loop systems, local and State permitting problems and ordinances have so far prevented retailers from pursuing this opportunity. According to EPA, one food retailer is now interested in using ammonia in the first-ever US supermarket to do so.

In March, Organic Valley joined the GreenChill partnership. America’s leading organic farmers cooperative is already using ammonia in two creamery and distribution centres.

Potential legislation on HFC

Phase-down currently under consideration in the US is likely to raise the cost of HFCs and put pressure on the industry to adjust those applications where alternative refrigerants are available and accelerate the deployment of natural refrigerants in the US.

About the GreenChill Partnership

The GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership is an EPA cooperative alliance with the supermarket industry and other stakeholders to promote advanced technologies, strategies, and practices that reduce refrigerant charges and emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases.