The document discusses a blended learning program called REAL Alternatives that provides training on alternative refrigerants. It aims to address safety, efficiency, reliability and containment of alternative refrigerants through e-learning, classroom instruction, and an e-library. The program was developed in response to industry needs and addresses critical safety factors of alternative refrigerants like flammability and toxicity. It provides training modules and encourages technicians, employers, and training providers to utilize the resources.

1. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Marino Bassi
Refr. Advisor
BLENDED LEARNING FOR ALTERNATIVE REFRIGERANTS
in new equipment
safety, efficiency, reliability and containment
Milano, June 2015

2. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
BLENDED LEARNING FOR ALTERNATIVE REFRIGERANTS
in new equipment
safety, efficiency, reliability and containment
REAL
Alternatives
e-learning
classroom
practice
e-library

3. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
A European project co-funded by the EU Leonardo Life Long
Learning programme to address skills needs in technicians in
the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector in:
• Carbon dioxide CO2 R744
• Ammonia NH3 R717
• Hydrocarbon HC R600a-R290-R1270
• “Mildly” Flammables (HFOs/R32 etc)
Blended learning for ALTERNATIVE REFRIGERANTS
in new equipment

4. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
(EU 517/2014) Need of training on
Alternative Refrigerants
To encourage the use of technologies with no impact or lower
impact on the climate, the training of natural persons who carry out activities
involving fluorinated greenhouse gases should cover information on
technologies that serve to replace and reduce the use of fluorinated
greenhouse gases. Given that some alternatives to fluorinated greenhouse
gases used in products and equipment to replace and reduce the use of fluorinated
greenhouse gases can be toxic, flammable or highly pressurised, the
Commission should examine existing Union legislation covering the training of natural
persons for the safe-handling of alternative refrigerants and, if appropriate, should
submit a legislative proposal to the European Parliament and to the
Council to amend the relevant Union legislation.
Source EU No 517/2014

5. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Addresses safety, efficiency, reliability and containment
aspects of service and maintenance.
Critical safety factors associated with alternative refrigerants:
• Flammability
• Toxicity
• Higher system pressures
BLENDED LEARNING FOR ALTERNATIVE REFRIGERANTS
in new equipment

6. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Sharing best practice across Europe for an INDEPENDENT training and
education in Alternative Refrigerants
Institute ofInstitute of
RefrigerationRefrigeration
London SouthLondon South
Bank UniversityBank University
Air Conditioning andAir Conditioning and
Refrigeration EuropeanRefrigeration European
AssociationAssociation
InformationszentrumInformationszentrum
für Kälte- Klima- undfür Kälte- Klima- und
Energietechnik gGmbHEnergietechnik gGmbH
Foundation forFoundation for
the Protection of thethe Protection of the
Ozone Layer, PolandOzone Layer, Poland
AssociazioneAssociazione
Tecnici delTecnici del
Freddo, ItalyFreddo, Italy
Limburg CatholicLimburg Catholic
University CollegeUniversity College

7. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
First step – ask industry what it needs
• How well prepared are your technicians ?
• What are the most important technical issues for you?
• What proportion of your workforce have already
undergone sufficient training?
• What type of knowledge / training works best for you ?
• Would a training Certificate be necessary?
• What existing material would you recommend / share ?

8. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
AREA
The indisputable voice of European RACHP contractors
• Funded in 1988 in Brussels, Belgium
• Represents RACHP contractors
• AREA in figures:
 20 national member associations
 17 countries from EU and beyond
 > 13,000 companies (mainly SMEs)
 +/- 110,000 work force
 +/- € 23 bn annual turnover
Design, installation, maintenance and repair of all Refrigeration,
Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps RACHP systems

9. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
The need for REAL Alternatives
(104 responses)
Source –REAL Alternatives survey (Jan 2014)

10. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
•clear need for improved skills – especially for Carbon Dioxide
and HFO/low flammable refrigerants
•high awareness of retraining to address safety, reliability and
leakage
•strong emphasis on assessed and certificated classroom based
training, with supporting on line technical information
•high interest levels and commitment by smaller businesses
Conclusions - industry needs

11. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
• flexible learning programmes for use by individuals,
companies or training providers.
• multi-lingual website
• interactive e-learning in five languages (more countries
interested to translate it)
• searchable e-library with over free 100 downloads you can add to
• tracking spreadsheets, report formats and other tools
• standard on-line tests and controlled assessment papers with
optional certification
• opportunities for stakeholders to contribute and update the
materials and resources
• downloadable guides and training booklets
REAL Alternatives blended learning resources:

12. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Real Alternatives Europe programme modules:
1. Introduction to Alternative Refrigerants - safety, efficiency,
reliability and good practice
2. System design using alternative refrigerants
3. Containment and leak detection of alternative refrigerants
4. Maintenance and repair of alternative refrigerant systems
5. Retrofitting existing systems
6. Checklist of legal obligations when working with alt refrigerants
7. Measuring the financial and environmental impact of leakage
8. Tools and guidance for conducting site surveys
Technical content of materials

13. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
E-learning piloting ended in Jan 2015

14. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
Opportunities for stakeholders
www.realalternatives.eu

15. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
E-LEARNING LAUNCHED IN MARCH 2015
Website and e-library already available
www.realalternatives.eu

16. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
www.realalternatives.eu

17. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
www.realalternatives.eu

18. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
www.realalternatives.eu

19. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
How you can get involved
• become a stakeholder
• add technical material to the e-library now
• sign up technicians for the FREE e-learning
courses
• register to deliver classroom training courses using
these materials as an employer or training provider
• register for updates at the website, follow us on
twitter
• translate in other languages
• spread the word…
.
www.realalternatives.eu

20. Latest Technologies in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVI European Conference Milano, 12th - 13th June 2015
THANK YOU!
REAL
Alternatives
e-learning
classroom
practice
e-library
www.realalternatives.eu