SIRAC event to shape the future of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry

(11/11/2008)

The future of refrigeration and air conditioning is the focus of a national event being organised by SIRAC – the Sustainable Innovation in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning network.

A specially convened panel of experts made up of leaders from industry, research, the supermarkets and energy supply sector, together with specialists on the environment, economics and social change, will map the key drivers impacting the sector.

The high profile event will be chaired by Baroness Perry of the House of Lords, who has a keen interest in climate change and related technology issues. The event is open to all to contribute their knowledge and views to help develop a vision of how best to address the challenges and opportunities for the future.

“The world is changing rapidly, in terms of technology, legislation, social trends and, not least, the environment and energy,” said Prof Graeme Maidment of London South Bank University and SIRAC. “These forces will have a profound impact on the refrigeration industry in the future – with implications for all those who use, design, manufacture, install and service cooling technology.”

The aim of the one-day Futures Event is to identify the key drivers for change over the next ten to twenty years, and assess their likely impact on refrigeration.

Questions to be addressed include:
• How is the future being led by the technology decisions of multinational companies?
• How do supermarkets see their role in influencing technology choice for the wider industry?
• What are the key economic and social drivers, and how can we deliver solutions that meet the needs of society and industry in the future?
• How can commercial organisations harness the expertise and ideas of academia to come up with more sustainable products and technologies?
• Which technologies need to be fast tracked to get new products onto the market within months instead of years?

Panel members include Bob Arthur, refrigeration manager for M&S, Alexander Cor-Pachai, business development manager at Johnson Controls, Andy Pearson, managing director of Star Refrigeration Contracting, Thierry Gaudin of Prospective 2100, and Prof Graeme Maidment, of SIRAC and LSBU. The keynote address will be given by a speaker from the Greater London Authority, which is taking a lead in developing sustainability strategies.

Judith Evans, FRPERC Bristol University and a member of SIRAC’s steering group, said: “The event brings together some of the best brains in the industry. It is an opportunity for all those who earn their living from refrigeration, or whose business depends on it, to get a fix on the long view – and the coming changes that will shape refrigeration over the next generation.

“It’s an opportunity to be part of a planning process with wide significance for your business, your research and the future shape of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. We expect a strong turnout.”

The event takes place on 5 February, at the London Chamber of Commerce, 33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP.

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