Green Energy Initiatives

28th March 2025

The Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Refrigeration Plant

Following the collaboration between GIZ and The Nairobi National Polytechnic, the Polytechnic recently received a donation of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Refrigeration Plant, the only one of its kind in the country since other plants use refrigerants as opposed to CO2.

What is a CO2 Refrigeration Plant?

The CO2 Refrigeration Plant (often referred to as transcritical CO2 system), is a cooling system that utilizes Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as a natural refrigerant. It offers sustainable and energy efficient alternative to the traditional refrigerants by absorbing and removing heat from space through a cycle of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation, all operating at high pressures due to the unique properties of Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

Why Use CO2?

Has as a very low Global Warming Potential thus a climate friendly.

Helps mitigate significantly the Green House effect and minimizes climate change concerns.

It does not contributed to the depletion of the Earth’s Ozone Layer.

Allows customized cooling systems.

Ensures compliance with the evolving international environmental mandate.

The Polytechnic is therefore ready to cascade this new technology within and beyond our borders amongst other modern refrigeration concepts such as the lock ring technology for handling systems with inflammable refrigerants.