The 2022 Research Programme
Plans, priorities and how you can shape the outcome
The Energy Technology List Research Programme is due to commence its final consultation in regards to updates and additions to criteria from the 2022 Research Programme. The consultation is due to run until 3rd April 2023 giving manufacturers the opportunity to help shape and influence the criteria wording before it comes into effect.
Find out which sub-technologies the proposed additions and changes feature, and how to get involved in the consultation below.
Criteria under review
As part of the changes, the ETL has reviewed the criteria for the below sub-technologies:
- Hot Water Boilers
- Burners with Controls
- Air Blast Coolers
- Evaporative Condensers
- Variable Speed Drives
- Uninterruptible Power Supplies
- Evaporative Air Coolers
- White LED Lighting Modules for Backlit Illuminated Signs
- Professional Refrigerated Storage Cabinets
- Refrigerated Display Cabinets
- Lighting Controls
- Packaged Chillers
It’s also reviewing the criteria for the below family of heat pump technologies:
- Air source: gas engine driven split and multi-split (inc. VRF) heat pumps
- Air to Air Heat Pumps, Split, Multi-Split and VRF
- Water to Air Heat Pumps, Split, Multi-Split and VRF
- Water or Brine to Water Heat Pumps
- Air to Water Heat Pumps
- Air to Domestic Hot Water Heat Pumps
- Packaged Air to Air Heat Pumps
- Heat Pump Driven Air Curtains
As well as changes to the above, the consultation looks into the addition of the following new sub-technologies:
- Tank & Vessel Insulation
- Showers
- Battery Energy Storage
- Thermal Energy Storage
- Professional Hobs
- Professional Grills
What’s changing?
Reviews to technical criteria take place approximately every four years, at least. These changes usually cover a wide variety of areas, such as raising product performance thresholds in a bid to boost efficiencies, adding new functionality requirements to products, amending definitions, expanding product scopes and updating test and measurement standards.
Two of the potential new sub-technologies, Professional Hobs and Professional Grills, would be a clear continuation of the ETL’s focus on Professional Food Service Equipment, given the launch of the new PFSE technology last year. These new sub-technologies could potentially be the 5th and 6th to sit under the PFSE technology family.
The New Technology Proposal Process has sparked some of these changes, with suggestions for additions being put forward by manufacturers.
Why is this important?
Buyers of equipment across all industries could potentially benefit from these changes. Not only does it give purchasers access to better, energy efficient equipment, enabling them to save on their energy costs, but it could also provide the opportunity for more manufacturers to obtain further visibility of their products.
Not only would the opportunities to access independently verified energy efficient equipment increase, but the impact this could have on energy costs for the end user is also potentially huge. Lighting and heating are essential equipment for everyone, perhaps being two of the most widely used. Space heating, provided by boiler equipment, can typically be the most energy consuming and therefore expensive of all building services, making the introduction of energy efficient boilers a huge milestone for potential savings.
Large industries such as food retail and hospitality could also benefit from the introduction of energy efficient equipment such as refrigerated cabinets and hobs and grills.
What comes next?
As the consultation is still in progress, there will soon be the opportunity for manufacturers to comment on the wording used in the final versions of the criteria, helping to shape the final outcome. The consultation is due to run until 3rd April 2023
If you’re a manufacturer interested in contributing to the consultation, or would simply like to find out more, get in touch with us at: info@etl.beis.gov.uk