HVAC Breaking News

Sept. 23, 2014: Florida Institute Funds Sarasota-based Cool Flow Dynamics

Company’s Retrofit Device Creates a Wall of Fast Moving Air Over Open Refrigerated Display Cases

GAINESVILLE and BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research announced that it has finalized a funding agreement with Cool Flow Dynamics, a Sarasota, Florida-based company that is developing an energy efficiency solution for open refrigerated display cases used by food and beverage retailers. The institute supports new company creation based on publicly-funded research, and bridges early funding gaps for companies spinning out of Florida-based universities and research institutions.

Open refrigerated display cases are a major source of wasted energy in the retail sector in the United States, noted Cool Flow Dynamics. In the U.S., convenience and grocery store open case refrigeration costs can make up 35 percent to 55 percent of their total energy consumption. With technologies licensed from the University of Florida, Cool Flow Dynamics is developing what it says is a low-cost, easy-to-install, retrofit “plug and play” device that attaches to the outside of an existing open refrigerated display case.

Using extremely low power plasma, a wall of fast moving air similar to a waterfall is released over the open area of the unit, creating a separation wall so that neither cold air in the unit, nor the warm air from the outside, can penetrate the moving air. The Cool Flow Dynamics retrofit solution features no moving parts.

“Open case refrigeration has become such a substantial problem that the U.S. Department of Energy tried to write new legislation in an attempt to curb inefficiencies, but were unable to find a suitable solution that met their standards. This provides a tremendous opportunity for us when we go to market,” said company CEO Kalu Watanabe. “Customers will yield energy saving and will be able to comply with the increasingly stringent energy efficiency standards.”

“Cool Flow Dynamics is developing a product that is addressing both economic and environmental issues,” said Jamie Grooms, Florida Institute chief executive officer. “With increasing regulation they will allow convenience and grocery stores to meet the energy standards implemented while benefiting from the cost savings; estimates show a 30 percent savings on refrigerator energy costs alone.”

For more information about the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research, visit www.florida-institute.com.

For more information about Cool Flow Dynamics, visit www.coolflowdynamics.com.

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