International. In an online survey conducted by Danfoss of equipment manufacturers, known as OEMs, 84% stated that CO2 is a viable alternative in refrigeration for certain applications, such as supermarkets, industrial, transport and distribution.
The preliminary survey, called the "CO2 Industry Indicator," was designed to assess the industry's readiness for CO2 in subcritical and transcritical refrigeration systems. The survey gathered input from equipment manufacturers, consultants, contractors and end users to estimate the level and speed at which CO2 systems are already being deployed in the United States.
Final data included contractors (36%), end users (30%), equipment manufacturers (21%) and consultants (13%).
According to the survey, the deployment of CO2 systems is motivated by a variety of factors, including demand for greater energy efficiency (25%) and the possibility of phasing out HFCs, and other regulations (24%).
Consultants and end users also pointed to the importance of CO2 as a means of knowing and employing corporate sustainability initiatives, with improving the public image a key concern. U.S. contractors, on the other hand, have found CO2 safety to be highly desirable.
Finally, 32% of people say that the main barriers to implementing this technology are the costs of the systems and 40% say that the lack of contractors familiar with the technology is another drawback.
