- Air conditioning systems powered by electricity are more efficient and can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70%.
- Endesa X presented its 360º electrification proposal, designed to make projects in the industrial and tertiary sector accessible, with fully made-to-measure solutions.
Endesa X, Endesa's energy services subsidiary, and AFEC, the Association of Air Conditioning Equipment Manufacturers, organised the first forum on the decarbonisation of thermal installations entitled "Electrification of demand in industrial and tertiary sectors", aimed at engineering companies, installation companies and equipment manufacturers, and where a leading role was played by decarbonisation through heat pumps to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere associated with thermal installations.
Electrical technologies in air conditioning systems make more efficient use of energy than alternatives that use fossil energy, with the possibility of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 70% compared to the emissions by equipment that needs to be renovated.
Endesa's headquarters played host to more than 200 professionals from the sector, serving as a meeting point to exchange opinions and listen to the points of view of a number of experts. Along these lines, representatives of AFEC and Endesa X outlined the current context of electrification and the potential for heat pumps, while representatives of the IDAE (Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving), MITECO (Ministry of Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge) and ANESE (National Association of Energy Service Companies) explained the different financing tools, both in the form of current and future aid programmes, and in the form of CAEs (Energy Saving Certificates), the latter being a more structural, long-term mechanism.
Endesa X, in its commitment to lead the transformation of the electricity sector in Spain and Portugal with the aim of offering society solutions to achieve an energy model that is digital, innovative and sustainable, informed those present how to integrate a 360º electrification proposal, so that industrial and tertiary projects become accessible.
In the words of Jorge Bistué, Head of the Decarbonisation and Flexibility Area at Endesa X B2B: "We wanted to explain how Endesa X addresses decarbonisation projects, making a comprehensive analysis of each client, and offering a plan adapted to its current situation and objectives, always placing energy efficiency at the forefront. In this regard, Energy Savings Certificates (CAE in Spanish) are an excellent lever to help encourage our customers to make savings." As an example, Roberto Díaz, Head of Thermal Installations at Endesa X B2B, clarified: "Between 40% and 60% of the energy costs for a tertiary building are related to air conditioning and domestic hot water installations, and both can be made considerably more efficient by replacing fossil fuel boilers with heat pumps."
ATECYR (Spanish Technical Association for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) described the different itineraries for the decarbonisation of buildings, highlighting the need for a rigorous, in-depth analysis of each action, so that each solution is optimal and guarantees a maximum reduction of the carbon footprint, the important role of the heat pump in the tertiary sector and increasingly in the industrial sector, as higher temperatures are reached with this technology, to conclude that "we are in a technically exciting moment".
The most practical outlook and real examples came from the manufacturers, representatives of AFEC's heat pump promotion plan, and engineering companies, who first reviewed different heat pump solutions using different refrigerants, advocating for establishing sustainability objectives and respecting technological neutrality. They also explained the advantages, disadvantages and recommendations for installers and prescribers; and then focussed on the challenges for electrification, mainly with regard to the rehabilitation of the industrial and tertiary sectors, finishing with a wish list to overcome these barriers, related to the limitations of electrification, flexibility in some regulations in the case of highly complex projects, etc.
Luis Mena, former Chairman and Director of AFEC, highlighted the role played by the diffusion of heat pump technology, which has been practised by the association for many years, and said that to achieve the decarbonisation of the economy we need a communication plan and very close collaboration between the administration, manufacturers and the energy and engineering companies. Marta San Román, General Manager of AFEC, pointed out that, with the new, lower value of the primary energy factor, recently published, electrically operated, installed, new heat pumps already use more renewable energy, contributing to a greater extent to decarbonisation.
This forum the first meeting for is now an unavoidable obligation: The decarbonisation of thermal installations through the electrification of the industrial and tertiary sectors.
About Endesa
Endesa is a leading electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. The company is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an end-to-end electricity generation, distribution and marketing business. Through Endesa X, it also offers value-added services aimed at the electrification of energy usage in homes, companies, industries and Public Administrations. It is also the leading operator of charging stations in Spain through Endesa X Way, a business line dedicated entirely to electric mobility. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and strongly supports the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, the digitalisation of grids through e-distribución, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Endesa Foundation is also active in CSR. Our workforce numbers about 9,260 employees. Endesa is a division of Enel, the largest electricity group in Europe.
Endesa X is Endesa's business line dedicated to energy efficiency. Endesa X is a division of Enel X Global Retail and a leader in the development of innovative solutions in support of energy transition. It is aimed at consumers, companies and administrations, providing a modular and integrated offer based on their needs and promoting the electrification of energy uses and digitalisation as motors driving the creation of new value. Endesa X's ecosystem of solutions includes products and services for the optimisation and self-generation of electricity and premium energy efficiency solutions, with the aim of helping customers to create their energy roadmap. Globally, Enel X Global Retail manages demand response services, with 8.1 GW of total capacity. It has installed more than 3 million street lighting points worldwide and provides energy services to 67 million residential customers on a daily basis.
About AFEC
Founded in 1977, AFEC, the Association of Manufacturers of Air Conditioning Equipment, is a national, non-profit business association that defends the common values of the heating, air conditioning, ventilation, indoor air quality systems and air treatment, regulation and control sector and manufacturers, providing a reference point for the sector with official bodies and institutions. AFEC's activities include technical and legislative advice, communication, promotion of training and the organisation of sector forums to enhance cooperation among companies, legislators and standardisation and certification bodies at the national and international levels. It contributes to the development of effective legislative policies and promotes the use of clean and energy-efficient technologies based on renewable energy sources, while also addressing other universal issues such as comfort, health and safety, and promoting sustainable development actions.