Project performance
| Building institutional capacity | |
Expected Outcomes
| ResultsAccording to the Ozone Secretariat data based on MNRE’s country report, RF’s target levels for 2015 have been achieved. The institutional component ensured the major part of this result. During the implementation of the Project, the Russian statutory and regulatory environment covering ODS met the following changes:
The implementation strategy developed by the Russian Government with assistance of the project team was to avoid adoption of HFCs by encouraging and facilitating adoption of low GWP solutions, emphasizing natural refrigerants such as ammonia and hydrocarbons used in appropriate applications supplemented by the use of HFOs which are currently in the developmental phase. Amendments to technical regulations of the Customs Union, which will form the basis of the establishment of a standard package in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, were prepared and adopted. State ODS record keeping is based on ODS export/import data provided by the Federal Customs Service and on reporting of legal entities and sole traders that produce, use, transport, store, recover, reclaim and recirculate ODS on the territory of the Russian Federation submitted in compliance with order of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 228 dated 24.03.2014. The reporting forms were developed in cooperation with UNIDO–Business working group and corrected by the group at their introduction. MNRE was submitted e-record procedures developed on the bae of experience of EC countries and the Republic of Turkey. To this end, an ODS accounting software was additionally developed with UNIDO’s support. This data collection system may further be used to analyze HFC consumption. In order to determine the level of residual demand for HCFCs, in June 2014 a draft MNRE order established a procedure to calculate the annual ODS production volume necessary to ensure operation of RAC equipment, foam production, degreasing and cleaning operations, and other processes was prepared with UNIDO’s support. A respective questionnaire was placed at MNRE’s website, https://www.ozoneprogram.ru/novosti/urlicam_ip_minprirodi/, and sent to more than 30,000 companies. Based on obtained data, MNRE allocated ODS 2015 quotas between market players in the second part of 2014. UNIDO-Business working group, important intermediary between the state and business, participated in:
To improve/raise awareness the following means were used:
In 2013, MNRE, Ministry of Education and Science and UNIDO organized all-Russian competition “Protect the ozone layer and Earth climate”. Proposals on organization of customs control over ODS and ODS-containing product import/export to/from the territory of the Customs Union were prepared. UNIDO–FCS working group was created to strengthen control over ODS import/export and equipment of ODS checkpoints with instrumental control means and combat illegal ODS circulation in the Russian Federation. The cooperation between licensing authorities and customs services of Russia and China was organized. Meeting “Prevention of illegal ODS import into the Russian Federation and reduction of ODS leakage and emissions during maintenance of ODS-containing equipment” was organized. Day-to-day interaction between MIA and business (producers and suppliers of refrigerants) was set, and key illegal schemes of ODS import were specified; and cooperation as part of UNIDO–MIA working group was agreed (Moscow, 25.01.2013). 72-hour training course “Tools and methods for detecting ozone depleting substances” was developed with respective presentations, films, and a training laboratory was equipped for training of MIA’s and FCS’s officials. Assistance in selection of a specialist and provision of equipment necessary for respective duties to Main Office for Combating Economic and Corruption Crimes was provided. In January 2014, operations staff of the Main Office for Combating Economic and Corruption Crimes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation clamped down on an attempt of illegal import of ODS. Assistance in selection of a specialists provision of equipment necessary for respective duties to FCS. Consulting for FCS’s officials in matters of illegal ODS circulation was performed. |
Expected Outputs
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| HFC and HCFC life cycle performance analysis | |
Expected Outcomes
| The climate change mitigation policy was accepted by the Government. Analysis of HCFC/HFC life cycle using equipment installed at facilities of various scale was performed: from industrial enterprises to international airport. Following the analysis, report “Design and Selection of Equipment for Minimizing Climate Impact” (submitted to MNRE and Ministry of Industry and Trade) was prepared. The report reflects front-end methods of improving energy efficiency in systems; analysis of superheating and subcooling; arrangement and installation of equipment; equipment service instructions; system commissioning; refrigerant charging; customization of control systems; comparison of climate effect of refrigeration systems; computer model of comparison of climate effect; dependence of energy consumption of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment from weather conditions; example of TEWI calculation. The concept of creation of energy efficient demo projects in the refrigeration sector using natural refrigerants was developed and formally supported by MNRE. In 2015, the ideas of the concept were implemented as part of demo projects based on natural refrigerants and 2 feasibility studies were prepared. Scenarios and mechanisms of HCFC phase out may be used for HFC phase out and be adapted to developing phase out scenarios, international climate agreements and technology developments. Currently, the Russian government considers various F-gas phase out scenarios. All the Project sub-projects use both non-HCFC and non-HFC energy efficient technologies in refrigeration and air-conditioning and foam sectors. These technologies demonstrated high performance, energy efficiency and commercial acceptability for the Russian market. Results of the Project implementation may lay in the basis of F-gas focused actions. |
Expected Outputs
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| Phase out of HCFC consumption in the key consuming sectors of Foam and Refrigeration | |
Expected Outcomes
| According to the Montreal Protocol and resulting Government resolution No. 228 dated 24.03.2014, consumption rates were to be reduced to 399.69 ODP tonnes. Conversion of enterprises, together with changes to the Russian legislation, ensured compliance with this value. Thus, according to the Ozone Secretariat, 2015 consumption was equal to 344.67 ODP tonnes. Reduction of GHG emissions was ensured by phase of out ODS which are greenhouse gases with high GWP, so decreasing their use resulted in decrease in GHG emissions. Conversion to non-HFC technologies and obtaining of institutional support in tranfer to energy efficient natural refrigerants and solutions based on their use helped to achieve this objective. To ensure phase out of HCFC (21, 22,141b and 142b) complex approach and consistent implementation of all the Project components (adoption of the federal law aimed at fulfilment of Russia’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol; conversion of the Project beneficiaries to non-HFC technologies; training and energy efficiency improvement measures, and measures against illegal ODS import to the Russian Federation) were required. The conversion, particularly, included, implementation of institutional and investment demo projects in the refrigerating equipment sector (conversions of air-conditioning manufacturing plant to HC, conversion of commercial refrigerating systems to CO2 and provision of extra equipment, supply, installation and commissioning of monitoring and other equipment). The conversion involved 14 enterprises, at 12 of them foam equipment was converted, and at the reminder, production lines for refrigeration equipment were converted:
To ensure the replication, agreements with the involved enterprises on access to the production facilities and conversion results, local availability of equipment and technical support, were signed. The conversion included development of ToRs and technical specifications (in cooperation with enterprises receiving technical aid), supply, installation and commissioning of equipment and training of the personnel. All the solutions are sustainable so return to HCFCs is not unprofitable. The training component was also realized in the form of workshops. |
Expected Outputs
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| Development of ODS destruction facility and supporting recovery network | |
Expected Outcomes
| Key market participants familiarized with commercial attractiveness calculation mechanism for creation of ODS destruction facilities developed by UNIDO and with practice of operation of ODS destruction facilities in EC countries. The commercially attractive waste treatment measures were established by Federal law No. 458 “On amending Federal law “On production and consumption waste” dated 29.12.2014. The Steering Committee of the Project selected the beneficiary for a ODS refrigeration equipment disposal plant, which earlier had refrigeration equipment collection programs on the territory of the Russian Federation in cooperation with largest chain stores. Sustainability of the plant is ensured by:
The practical guide on management and destruction of ODS in the Russian Federation was prepared and submitted to MNRE and Ministry of Industry and Trade. UNIDO and UNIDO-Business working group made proposals on disposal, regeneration, recirculation, and destruction of ODS and ODS-containing equipment. Government’s decree No. 228 “On measures of state regulation of consumption and circulation of substances that depleted the ozone layer” dated 24.03.2014 provides for creation of ODS banks. Since the ODS consumption monitoring function is entrusted to the Federal Supervisory Natural Resources Management Service, in 2015 its inspectors were trained as part of the Project. General supervision of ODS accounting is performed by MNRE via the ODS accounting system. Proposals on alternative funding mechanisms for cutting GHG emissions were formulated at UNIDO-Business group meetings and submitted to MNRE. New laws—No. 458-FZ “On amending Federal law “On production and consumption waste” dated 29.12.2014 and No. 226-FZ “On amending Federal Law ‘On Environment Protection’ and certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation” dated 23.07.2013—oblige producers/importers to either pay significant environmental fees or organize corporate collection and disposal systems with possible involvement of a specialized disposal company as provided for by regulations and which is much more attractive in terms of commerce. The disposal company may also make profit from selling secondary resources obtained from processing of ODS and ODS-containing equipment. |
Expected Outputs
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| Stimulating market growth for energy efficient refrigeration and air conditioning equipment | |
Expected Outcomes
| The nature of the market has made it more challenging to get stakeholders to prioritize energy efficiency without any legal or financial imperative to change. Therefore the Project strategy was first to create the legal imperative to phase out HCFCs, and then to demonstrate the potential energy and operating cost savings that can be achieved by efficient natural refrigerants and foaming agents. MNRE supported the joint launch of energy-efficient demo projects using natural refrigerants. New refrigerants (HFO) were procured and distributed among key HVAC&R stakeholders for purposes of demonstration and testing. They were also used in implementation of a demo-project based on hydrocarbons and HFO1234yf as part of phase-out of HCFC-22 and HFC 134a. The ban of equipment containing HCFCs highlighted the importance climate impact as well as ozone layer protection in the selection of new equipment and led to increase of the share of EE equipment supplied and manufactured. The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation has issued an instruction to develop and market low GWP refrigeration equipment including small-scale ammonia as part of the federal target programme, a unique information portal, was created for this development. Widespread celebration of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer with participation of secondary schools, secondary and higher vocational institutions and federal executive bodies was organized. Decrease of GHG emissions in the refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment sector was also ensured by:
Case study presentations and workshops describing demo projects made it possible to present their results to numerous specialists of the refrigeration and air-conditioning sectors, federal officials and potential customers. Following the conversion to CO2 or hydrocarbons and presentation of demo-projects and distribution of their results, large Russian customers such as Magnit, Metro, etc. took interest in new technologies, so contracts for equipping their facilities with energy-efficient systems were concluded. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment informed the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Economy and Trade, Ministry of Culture, Chamber of commerce and industry, Russian Council of manufactures and entrepreneurs, Federal tourism agency, Russian hotel Association, Russian Council of the Tourism Industry about new opportunities related to these energies efficient and environmentally safe technologies. A separate letter was sent to the Major of Moscow who charged the Moscow innovation agency with studying its potential for use. Prepared information packages with recommendations of Rossoyuzkholodprom was sent to potential customers. The projects results were presented at the press-conference at RIA Novosti, the largest Russian information news agency. Measures to support creation of the association/working group of foam manufacturing companies with the aim of reducing ODS and F-gas consumption allowed to demonstrate energy-efficient solutions in the foam sector to the major part of the majority of the market. Increased knowledge and awareness level was reached via
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Expected Outputs
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| Technology Transfer | |
Expected Outcomes
| As part of the Project implementation, technology transfer of non-HFC alternatives to HCFC applications was performed:
Training of employees at enterprises that use HFC-based technologies, and technical assistance to such enterprises to ensure that they conduct their production activities in a manner that poses the lowest risk to the global environment (e.g. limiting emissions of HFCs during foam production, servicing RAC equipment, etc.) was organized. Two-day workshop “Training of personnel of Russian enterprises producing preinsulated pipes in conversion to ozone-safe technologies” took place on September 9–10, 2015. (RFP No.7 of the ICSTI Third progress report and Final report). Dissemination of energy efficient systems in the RAC sector was supported by Federal law No. 261-FZ dated 23.11.2009 “On energy saving and energy efficiency and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation.” To support dissemination of energy efficient systems demo projects based on natural refrigerants were implemented, national standards were developed and regular training at training centers was organized. Activities on creation of certification courses for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) equipment installation, repair, and maintenance technicians were completed. On June 17–18, 2014, Professional placed two-day UNIDO’s workshop “Establishment of the certification and accreditation system for technicians engaged in installation, maintenance and repair of refrigerating, air-conditioning equipment and heat pumps.” The presentation covered 4 levels of professional development programs for professionals engaged in current maintenance and servicing of refrigerating installations as well as management, training and knowledge assessment of staff. These programs were updated to comply with professional standards, and digitized for online access to cover maximum audience. Specialized courses on natural refrigerants were developed. A unique training certification center was created to transfer technologies for the whole territory of the Russian Federation. Training courses based on UNIDO certification courses were developed with account of new professional standards and adapted for publication at a specialized training website. In cooperation with UNIDO-Business, activities on development of the Russian legislation and regulatory framework with regards to promotion of natural refrigerants (ammonia, propane, CO2) and foaming agents (cyclopentane, methyl formate, methylal, etc.), and equipment that uses them were held in 2013–2015 for the private sector were conducted. This ensured improvement of energy efficiency of manufactured equipment by 20–28% depending on selected technology. |
Expected Outputs
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| Feasibility study to determine the best and most integrated strategy for dealing with HCFC production closure | |
Expected Outcomes
| Concept “Phase-out of production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons at enterprises of the chemical sector in the Russian Federation in 2013–2014 and 2015–2020” was developed. Cooperation agreements in principal with Russian HCFC producers were reached. The Russian Government was submitted proposals on organization of production of ozone-safe HC and synthetic refrigerants with low GWP. Government decree No. 228 dated 24.03.2014, inter alia, banned design (since 1.07.2014) and construction (since 1.01.2015) of any facilities used for economic or other activity where ODS or ODS-containing eqiument are produced and established available consumption volume for 2015-2019 to be equal to 399.69 ODP tonnes. Closure of HCFC production at VOAO Khimprom allowed to reduce production by 1,840 metric tons. |
Expected Outputs
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