Case Study: CalNEXT advances GHG reductions with VEIC’s lifecycle refrigerant management research

CalNEXT targets 3 million metric tons in GHG savings with VEIC

VEIC partnered with CalNEXT, a California emerging electric technologies program, to address a critical challenge. As the state promotes heat pumps to meet climate goals, the high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants used in these systems can leak, potentially undermining up to 50% of the GHG reductions the heat pumps provide. This unintended consequence threatened to significantly hinder California's decarbonization efforts.

VEIC conducted comprehensive research, emissions modeling, and market assessments for CalNEXT. This work provided vital insights, including identifying that adopting propane (R-290) air-to-water heat pumps could help meet nearly half of the state's HFC reduction target. VEIC developed actionable recommendations and a roadmap for governments and program administrators, enabling them to design more effective, holistic heat pump programs that maximize GHG reductions and ensure the benefits of decarbonization are not weakened by refrigerant leaks.

CalNEXT