Weekly Wrap-up: Panasonic R290 Heat Pumps Heat Up a Retirement Home, LU-VE Joins NASRC, Danfoss CO₂ Smart Store Energy Use and More

Panasonic Provides R290 Heat Pumps for Retirement Home in Germany

Six Panasonic Big Aquarea M-Series propane (R290) air-to-water heat pumps have been installed at a retirement home in Leipzig, Germany. The system has a total capacity of 150kW (42.6TR) and provides heating and hot water to 89 apartments, which range from 41 to 72m² (441 to 775ft²). Panasonic’s proprietary Total Capacity technology allows the units to keep capacity at a flow temperature of 55°C (131°F) with outside temperatures as low as −15°C (5°F). Four of the six heat pumps supply the main building, while the other two units supply the annex, with the systems operating in a cascade of four or two units.

Danfoss CO₂ Smart Store in Denmark Cuts Energy Use by 60% Compared to ‘Benchmark Store’

Danfoss’s CO₂ (R744) Smart Store in Nordborg, Denmark, has recorded 60% lower net energy consumption than the company’s benchmark store three years after its opening. To achieve energy efficiency, the Danish smart store uses a CO₂ (R744) refrigeration system, consisting of two CO₂ racks, solar energy, electronic controls and sensors, heat recovery and cloud-based monitoring. The R744 system recovers heat and reuses it for heating and hot water, while excess heat is used for local district heating. Additionally, a Danfoss study found that over a 15-year period, the Smart Store can achieve 39% fewer emissions in comparison to other CO₂-based stores and 68% less than HFC-based stores. 

Australia Proposes New GWP Limits

Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has released a proposal to limit the GWP of refrigerants used in stationary air-conditioning and heat pumps, domestic and commercial refrigeration systems and mobile air-conditioning (MAC) applications. Split, ducted and light-commercial systems face a GWP limit of 750 starting in 2028, which drops to 150 in 2036. All other stationary AC and heat pumps would be limited to refrigerants with a GWP of less than 150 starting in 2028.

Passenger cars and other small vehicles, as well as domestic and commercial cold chain units, would have to use refrigerants with a GWP less than 150 starting in 2028. The use of HFCs in transport and marine refrigeration, large MAC and ultra-low temperature refrigeration is set to be reviewed after 2032. The DCCEEW is calling for feedback on the proposed decisions. The survey for providing input will close on October 23, 2026 at 5 pm AEDT.

LU-VE Joins NASRC as Gold Member

Italian heat exchanger manufacturer LU-VE has joined the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) as a gold member. The manufacturer is expanding its footprint in the U.S., literally and figuratively. LU-VE US recently expanded its Jacksonville, Texas, facility from 70,000 to 290,000ft² (6,500 to 27,000m²), allowing it to produce all of its CO₂ outdoor units in the U.S., including gas coolers, condensers and dry coolers. NASRC is a non-profit organization aiming to accelerate the transition to environmentally friendly refrigeration. The membership allows LU-VE to participate in the promotion of natural refrigerants and the development of sustainable refrigeration systems through technical and educational programs, industry discussions and engaging with stakeholders in the commercial and industrial refrigeration sectors.

“Joining NASRC is a natural step for LU-VE,” said Ronald Bekker, Managing Director of LU-VE North America, in a press statement. “We are proud to support an organization that is helping drive the adoption of natural refrigerants through education, collaboration and industry engagement.”