WASHINGTON - The 18th annual Evening With the Stars of Energy Efficiency, a black-tie dinner and awards program hosted by the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) recognized the contributions and innovations of nine leading companies that have advanced the cause of energy efficiency.

Danfoss received the Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency Award during the event held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, Sept. 14, 2010. More than 500 energy leaders from industry, government, and academia were in attendance to witness the award, which was accepted on behalf of the company by Robert Wilkins, president, Danfoss North America.

Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and former president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) presented the award. Tonko, also the vice-chair of the ASE said, “The mission of the Alliance to Save Energy is an honorable one; the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act has been the down payment for energy efficiency for this country’s future. Danfoss has been recognized with an unprecedented nine Innovation Awards from industry peers at gatherings of the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigerating Exposition, and the company’s continuing contributions are well-recognized tonight with the Innovative Star award.”

Accepting the award, Wilkins said, “Good evening, Congressman Tonko, Senator Shaheen, Assistant Secretary Zoi, Alliance President Callahan, and distinguished guests. It is an honor to be here tonight among so many people who, like Danfoss, are committed to energy efficiency and believe that, with education, advocacy, and the right technologies, we can make a positive impact on the fate of our environment and climate as well as energy and financial security, and for that matter our national security.”

Wilkins reinforced a core message of the alliance as he told the audience, “Of all the energy used annually in the United States, 40 percent is related to buildings - primarily for heating and cooling. Building energy consumption makes a substantial impact on our total national energy use, so we must find ways to reduce energy use in buildings. It will take more than just technology. We need policy innovations to stimulate building owners, developers, architects, and engineers to recognize the long-term benefits and work together to bring energy efficiency to life.

“Stronger and better enforced building codes that support a systems approach to energy efficiency, an effective building energy rating system, and incentives to encourage the installation of modern technologies - all of these are needed to promote the design and construction of energy-efficient buildings,” said Wilkins.

STARRING ROLES

The Innovative Star award recognizes an emerging technology or service that has the potential to transform a sector of the energy-efficiency market but which, given the early stage of the innovation, has yet to generate proven savings.

Danfoss was presented with this year’s Innovative award for the company’s patented EcoFlow™ valve, Performer® VSD compressor, and ERC102 control - all revolutionary products designed to advance energy efficiency.

The Danfoss EcoFlow Adaptive Distribution System solves one of the main challenges in air conditioning: achieving balanced distribution of refrigerant in air conditioning systems and avoiding maldistribution in evaporator circuits.

The EcoFlow uses advanced algorithms to continuously monitor and optimize the performance of the evaporator. The data retrieved and calculated enables EcoFlow to create a hypothesis about the refrigerant flow in the individual circuits, and then distribute the exact amount of refrigerant necessary for each circuit to perform optimally.

The result is a consistent, low superheat level in each circuit, which enables near-perfect performance throughout the entire evaporator.

Danfoss’ contribution to the advancement of compressor technology is aimed at enhancing efficiency and environmental safety while reducing noise emissions. The new Performer® VSD solution delivers optimal ducted system performance with load matching from 900-4,500 rpm using a newly designed highly efficient permanent magnet motor (95 percent motor efficiency) and optimized drive designs for the U.S. market. Energy savings of up to 35 percent are typically achieved compared to other available compressor technologies.

The ERC102 from Danfoss is designed for the glass door merchandisers and vending machines in the commercial refrigeration sector. The controller manages all energy-consuming parts in the appliance and is designed to cut energy consumption by approximately 35 percent.

Kateri Callahan, president of the ASE capped the evening ceremonies to remind all present that their collective efforts are important. “We celebrate and honor not just the award winners but everyone who is advancing the cause of energy efficiency. We have dubbed this the Decade of Energy Efficiency. Energy efficiency is really packing a wallop these days. I am certain that, with the leadership you have seen on the stage tonight, we will pass the necessary legislation to continue our advancement, if not this congressional session, then certainly in the next.”

Publication date: 10/11/2010