Refrigeration as a service

19 June 2023
Focus area: Energy
Program stream: Sustainability
Project number: 2022-1071
This project aimed to demonstrate the viability and feasibility of Refrigeration as a Service (Raas) as a commercially attractive and more environmentally beneficial alternative to conventional plant ownership on three processor sites. Under the RaaS model, responsibilities including maintenance, insurance, and energy cost would reside with the RaaS service provider, rather than the processor.

Detailed monitoring of each of the three sites was conducted. This monitoring data was then used to conduct a detailed engineering study to determine optimum design recommendations for either a replacement refrigeration plant, or the upgrading/retrofitting of existing plants.

The project has demonstrated a methodology that can be utilised to determine if RaaS will be a viable option for a processing site, whilst also providing insights on energy usage and energy savings opportunities. A key recommendation on completion was for a second phase RaaS project to trial a new Industry 4.0 smart device as a service for automating refrigeration energy efficiency actions.   

 
Previous in this focus area 17 October 2021 Race for 2030 B4 opportunity assessment – flexing industrial refrigeration, a feasibility study for Next in this focus area 23 November 2021 Refrigeration energy efficiency opportunities