Honeywell announced that its ultra low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant technology is supporting a new cooling system at the Eiffel Tower. The installation, which uses Honeywell's Solstice ze (R-1234ze) refrigerant, provides the tower's west pillar with an energy efficient and cost-effective solution that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The pillar is home to the Eiffel Tower Visitor Information Center as well as a souvenir shop and a hydraulic lift that ascends 300 meters to sweeping views over the city of Paris.
The Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), which operates the tower, replaced its aging system run with higher-GWP refrigerant R-407C with a contemporary system incorporating Honeywell's solution and equipment provided by component manufacturer AF Energy and French refrigeration specialist ALM Froid. The solution met SETE's strict criteria to transition to a high-performing, sustainable system with increased reliability, energy efficiency and improved safety to meet EU regulations and reduce its carbon footprint.
In combination with the variable speed of AF Energy's compressors and condensers, Solstice ze delivered energy efficiency far surpassing SETE's previous cooling system. In comparison to R-407C, which has a high GWP of 1774, Solstice ze has an ultra-low GWP of 1, which is 99.9 percent lower than the legacy refrigerant.
"The cooling system introduced by Honeywell, ALM Froid and AF Energy provides a unique blend of sustainability, safety, energy efficiency, durability and low maintenance," said Fabrice Fevai, ascent department manager at the Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE). "The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited sites globally, and we have implemented many initiatives to lower carbon footprint, beginning in 2015 with the installation of wind turbines to provide a clean source of energy. Using a new cooling system will allow the site to become even eco-friendlier for future generations to enjoy."
"Solstice ze provides a long-term, environmentally preferable and cost-effective solution to tourist landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, helping them to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions," said Julien Soulet, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Fluorine Products Europe. "Globally, demand is growing for solutions like Solstice ze and Honeywell's other Solstice solutions, which have been chosen to cool major structures, including the Eurotunnel, because of the benefits they provide for companies to meet sustainability goals."
