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The SKILLSAFE EU project counts on a small but strong network of 4 partners, all together to support the project ‘s mission to develop a comprehensive, industry-wide guideline for the safe design, storage, transport, installation, inspection, maintenance, servicing and disposal of R290-based monobloc heat pumps for residential use.
Daikin Europe N.V. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, including heat pumps and refrigeration. Daikin Europe N.V. (DENV) is a part of Daikin Industries, Ltd. In Japan. DENV’s production site in Ostend, Belgium, is responsible for the development, digital connection, testing, production and commercialisation of climate solutions for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
We are devoted to providing high-quality products and total climate solutions to create comfortable and sustainable interior environments for all of the people and regions of the world. We lead the way in reducing environmental impact. This is why we incorporate green practices and sustainable solutions at the heart of everything we do.
Role in the project:
DENV is project coordinator and WP1 leader, he is in charge of the financial management, communication with the EC, overall supervision of all WPs, monitoring progress towards objectives, monitoring KPIs, timely delivery of the deliverables according to quality standards, risk management and taking the corrective actions.
Conducting risk analyses of processes in the lifecycle management of R290 heat pumps. DENV is also leader of WP5 about the sustainability and replication of the project as well as the exploitation of project results.
The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) was established in 2000 and represents most of the European heat pump industry. Its members (224+) comprise heat pump and component manufacturers, research institutes, universities, testing labs, utilities and national associations. Its key goal is to promote awareness and proper deployment of heat pump technology in the European market for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. All EHPA activities aim to overcome market barriers by disseminating information to speed up the market development of heat pumps for heating, cooling, and hot water production. The association has an extensive experience in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and heating and cooling policy fields. This is documented by the many projects and activities undertaken by EHPA at the National and European levels. EHPA has a proven track record of dissemination and communication of EU project results, research, policy, and implementation. EHPA has a solid network of contacts which include among others: energy, environment,construction stakeholders’ associations, EU policymakers and national, regional, and local representatives all over Europe and beyond.
Role in the project:
The profile of EHPA fits perfectly in line with the tasks of the proposal, as the organization was created and focuses on liaising with Heat Pump manufacturers, designers, consultants, developers, market retailers, installers, experts (e.g. communication staff from other organizations) and the public.
Furthermore, EHPA has already participated and participates in projects that focus on the dissemination of work as well as the communication of the results to a diverse and vast audience, bringing together specialized teams in the fields of Project Management, EU policy and public relations and offering a complete and agile package that represents an asset to any project. TASKS: WP2 Leader (guidelines development) and WP6 Leader
A RACHP vertical and sector specific consultancy, training, inspection and construction supervisor firm, acting in Italy, with local and global customers. Working with main Bodies and lobbying at MS level, we deliver our services from 2012. The company is part of a little group of companies aiming to provide innovation and value added to the sector putting safety first, environment care and performance just after to sustain our decarb effective Kelvin compression cycle solutions.
Role in the project:
CSIM will be responsible for the risk assessment and will lead WP4.
NVKL is the Dutch Association of companies in the field of Refrigeration Technology and Air Treatment. We are a representative industry and employers’ organization of more than 430 companies in professional refrigeration technology and climate control. Companies from the entire chain, both suppliers and contractor companies, consultancy firms and educational institutions, are affiliated with NVKL. This project matches our main role to facilitate and support our >300 contractor members with adequate information and guidelines to work safely with highly flammable refrigerants. With the revised f-gas regulation coming into force in 2024 industry will respond rapidly and starting to develop, produce and supply equipment charged with highly flammable refrigerants like R290. Contractors are confronted with safety requirement to keep their employees and their customers safe. This project will make a major contribution to that objective. In addition to that NVKL is a member of European Contractors umbrella association AREA and will involve all AREA members (24 from 22 member states) in the execution and results of this LIFE PROJECT.
Role in the project:
NVL will be responsible for the 5 pilot trial training programmes. NVKL will be leading WP3, on testing and validating the guidelines and wi collaborate with AREA as associated partner in involving training schools.
The ‘SKILLSAFE EU’ project aims to develop industry-wide guidelines across the EU to help manufacturers and installers design, store, transport, install and dispose of monobloc heat pumps containing R290 (Propane) as the refrigerant for residential applications. To do that, is going to involve relevant stakeholders from the sector.
The project has set up a Joint Industry Expert Group (JIEG) comprising representatives of the heat pump industry, such as heat pump manufacturers, heat pump component manufacturers, installers, building owners, certification bodies, etc., that have an interest in developing these standards and guidelines.
Currently we have around 60 different stakeholders who are part of the JIEG.
The group, coordinated by The European Heat Pump Association, meets regularly online and physically in Brussels, to discuss and share knowledge to develop strong guidelines to follow.
This process will last over three years (the project will run for 3 years but the JIEG will only exist until the guideline is developed, which would hopefully be published in early calendar year 2025) and will lead to the improvement of existing guidelines in terms of health and safety of workers and to the development of the first unified EU guidelines for handling heat-pumps with natural refrigerants R290 monobloc heat pumps during all phases of their life cycle.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
