From 8 to 12 August 2022, a delegation from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) took part in a study trip to Frankfurt and Berlin. The visit aimed to further strengthen knowledge and for the exchange of information on innovative approaches to cooling, heating, and energy efficiency.

Representatives of GIZ Proklima and NAMA Facility met the delegates to discuss cooperation and the support needed to promote sustainable development of the “Green Cooling Initiative” in Thailand. The meeting took place at GIZ headquarters in Eschborn. Afterwards, the delegates were taken to see the hydrocarbon heat pump in GIZ’s building.

Miss Sriwan Buranachokepisal, Chairman of EGAT Cooling Innovation Fund, explained that EGAT had set up the Cooling Innovation Fund (CIF) to manage the remaining budget of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (RAC NAMA) financing to further promote sustainable innovation and market transformation to climate-friendly and energy-efficient cooling technologies using natural refrigerants. Under this fund, EGAT and the Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) III Project funded by International Climate Initiative (IKI) and implemented by GIZ have been cooperating to enhance the sustainable cooling sector.

Representatives of the NAMA Facility have also pointed out the potential of EGAT’s experience as an example to its NAMA projects that are also coming to an end, showing how a national fund recipient can continue to have a positive and transformational effect on a sector.

The study trip included visits to different private enterprises which focused on the management of equipment and the use of natural refrigerants in the commercial and industrial sectors.  The delegates also saw examples of integrated energy concepts for heating and cooling as well as the use of renewable energy sources therein and they plan to apply the knowledge from this study trip to efficiently manage CIF further in the future.