Tag: Cold Chain Philippines

CCI Hub Presented at 2022 World Cold Chain Symposium 2022

by Mae Valdezin Uncategorized

The Global Partnership for Improving the Food Cold Chain in the Philippines (FCC) project participated in the 2022 World Cold Chain Symposium (WCCS), a side event of the Open-ended Working Group of Parties Meeting of the Montreal Protocol organized by Global Food Cold Chain Council (GFCCC) and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Held July 10, 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand, the theme of this year’s WCCS is “Pursuing the Food Cold Chain Action Agenda: Emergence of Finance Mechanisms”.

Mr. Jan Dusek, FCC Project’s Head of Global Partnerships, joined the event as a panelist introducing this Manila based initiative to enable sustainable food cold chain and similar initiative taking place currently in Africa, India and Vietnam. He presented the goals and latest developments taking place under the FCC project including the establishment of the Cold Chain Innovation (CCI) Hub which exemplifies the role of private-public partnerships on innovation for a climate-friendly and energy efficient cold chain development. His presentation focused on the importance of capacity building and industry collaborations to create opportunities for promoting natural refrigerants as the best cooling alternative.

The event also tackled the Joint UNEP OzonAction/GFCCC database and modelling program, the work of the UNEP Cool Coalition under the Cold Chain Working Group, the Rome Declaration on the Contribution of the Montreal Protocol to Food Loss Reduction through Sustainable Cold Chain Development, and efforts to promote public and private sector finance mechanisms.WGP

Transcritical CO2 Refrigeration Technology to be Showcased at CCI Hub

by Mae Valdezin Uncategorized

Transcritical CO2 condensing unit and showcase chiller from Hussman-Panasonic will be among the “next generation” cold chain technologies that will be featured at  Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) CCI Hub through the Global Partnership for Improving the Food Cold Chain in the Philippines (FCC) project..

On July 13, 2022,  Hussman-Panasonic Australia Mr. Gregory Malcolm, together with the Philippine Panasonic Management team, visited the CCI-Hub to inspect and survey the site  for the installation of a Transcritical CO2 Condensing Unit and Chiller.  They were welcomed by TESDA Regional Training Center – National Capital Region (RTC-NCR) Administrator Mr. Rizal Bautista, CCI-Hub Focal Person Engr. Nico Nuevo, and  CCI Hub Coordinator Mr. Manuel P. Azucena. An orientation was given by Mr. Bautista on the operation and structure of the RTC-NCR where the CCI-Hub is housed.

CO2  released in the atmosphere causes global warming, but as a refrigerant, it could be also be a solution to global warming. Unlike hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), CO2 refrigerants have very low Global Warming Potential (GWP) and is considered climate-friendly. It is non-flammable and non-toxic, and it has good heat transfer properties. Concerns in using CO2 for refrigeration systems are due to its high pressure requirements, but this can be addressed by safety standards and proper training of technicians. Transcritical CO2 Refrigeration is mostly used for commercial and retail. 

The transcritical CO2 condensing unit and showcase chiller will be available at the CCI Hub in August, while a training of trainers and technicians will be conducted in September. 

R600a Solar Driven Refrigerator Featured at CCI Hub

by Mae Valdezin Uncategorized

The Global Partnership for Improving the food Cold Chain in the Philippines (FCC) project features a technology showcase in the Cold Chain Innovation (CCI) Hub located at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – National Capital Region (TESDA-NCR) Compound, Taguig City. Among the first batch of technologies exhibited is an R600a Solar Driven Refrigerator contributed by Vestfrost Solutions, a key global player in the refrigeration industry based in Denmark. 

The R600a Solar Driven Refrigerator is an energy efficient unit designed for off-grid use. It uses R600, a hydrocarbon refrigerant, with low Global Warming Potential (GWP). The unit is equipped with 200 watts 12-24 DC volts compressor designed to pull down the cabinet temperature to -15 C. This type of technology is suitable for preserving produce from geographically disadvantage areas with no electricity. 

CCI Coordinator Mr. Manuel Azucena facilitated the establishment of the said unit at the CCI Hub. It operates via an off-grid power supply designed by Mr. Jerry O. Taroy, photovoltaic (PV) trainer of TESDA’s Regional Training Center (RTC) -NCR.  The equipment was set-up with 450 watts of solar panel, 24 volts 200 Ah battery and a charger controller. The unit was run for two (2) days as initial testing and the cabinet was able to reached the target temperature of -15 C after an hour of operation. The set up can lead to 12 hours of operation when there is low or no sunlight, such as night time, cloudy and rainy days. The RTC-NCR plans to set up more solar powered systems for small refrigeration units at the CCI-Hub.

The R600a Solar Driven Refrigerator and CCI Hub’s technology showcase is part of the FCC project’s goal of establishing the best in class systems and components from around the globe presented as technology product examples, exhibited on site and used for education. The said equipment will be used for training refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians on climate-friendly and energy efficient cold chain technologies

Cold Chain Industry Stakeholders Participates in CCI Hub Soft Launching

by Mae Valdezin Uncategorized

June 16, 2022 – Cold chain industry stakeholders were the first to have a look at the newly established Cold Chain Innovation (CCI) Hub at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Complex in Taguig City. This facility was built through the Global Partnership for Improving the Food Cold Chain in the Philippines (FCC) project.

The soft launching of the CCI Hub started with discussions on TESDA’s thrusts in relation to skills upgrading, industry development and TESDA’s commitment to sustaining the Hub, followed by introduction of industry stakeholders and a tour of the facility.

Mr. Jan Dusek, shecco Head of Asia and the Pacific, provided also discussed the status of the Philippine cold chain industry and opportunities in terms of sustainable technologies. This was followed by a discussion on the challenges the industry face when it comes to sustainable cold chain technologies and what the FCC project contributes in terms of addressing them.

The CCI Hub will be a “one stop shop” of cold chain technology training, research and showcase. An initial batch of equipment has arrived in the facility. The technological showcase is expected to be completed by September wherein a main activity will be conducted.   

FCC and TESDA Conducts Stakeholders Conference on Optimization of Commercial Refrigeration 

by Mae Valdezin Uncategorized

May 5-6, 2022 – The Global Partnership for Improving the Food Cold Chain in the Philippines (FCC) Project conducted its first face-to-face activity entitled “Stakeholders’ Conference on the Recommendation on Refrigeration System Operation and Optimization for the Philippines Commercial Food Retail Sector” at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – National TVET Trainers Academy in Marikina City. 

The first day opened with a welcome remark by Ms. Maria A. Roque, Center Chief of the National TVET Trainers’ Academy, as well as key messages from FCC Project Manager Mr. Adnan Atwa, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones delivered by Environmental Management Bureau Assistant Director Engr. Vizminda Osorio; and shecco Head of Asia and the Pacific Mr. Jan Dusek.  Mr. Edward M. Dela Rosa – Chief TESD Specialist of TESDA’s Technology Research and Development Division also welcomed and acknowledged the participants. Mr. Manuel Azucena, FCC Project’s National Project Coordinator gave the program overview, while Project Lead Engr. Gilda Garibay presented an overview of the FCC project. Engr. Jaypee Cabañas of ColdfrontTechnologies Asia, Inc. discussed the Royal Duty Free Shop Study on the First R290 waterloop system in in the Philippines which uses R290, a natural refrigerant deemed more climate friendly for its zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) and energy efficiency. shecco Head of Asia and the Pacific Mr. Jan Dusek discussed the Data Collection and Analysis of HFC-free and Energy Efficient Equipment Options for the cold chain that the industry can leapfrog to in pursuit of sustainability. 

In the afternoon, sessions include Carbon Emission from a Supermarket’s Perspective presented by Engr. Gilda Garibay; Updates on the Policies and Standards for Commercial Refrigeration presented by FCC Project Coordinator for Policy and Regulation Ms. Mae Valdez; and New Training Regulations on Refrigeration and Air-conditioning presented by Mr. Manuel Azucena.

Participants visited the Royal Duty Free in Subic, Zambales on the second day. Engr. Jaypee Cabañas, Ms. Jennifer Gonzalez Lao and Mr. Emilio Gonzalez Lao of Coldfront Technologies Asia, Inc. gave a detailed tour and discussion of the supermarket’s R290 waterloop system and R290 chillers.

This activity is an initial step on engaging RAC experts and practitioners in developing training curricula for the refrigeration and air conditioning sector which will prepare the industry in its shift to climate-friendly and energy efficient technologies in the cold chain.