Cool is the Rule

Substantial efficiency and energy savings reported from using ABB drives

A German manufacturer specializing in modernized HVAC/R equipment recently reported substantial energy savings using ABB's variable frequency drives. SECON uses natural refrigerants in its chillers and heat pumps, relying on ABB variable frequency drives for energy-efficient operation, stepless capacity control and improved reliability. According to an October 28 ABB press release, "one (SECON) customer achieved annual energy savings of 300,000 kWh."

Since its founding in 2010, SECON GmbH has worked exclusively with natural refrigerants. The company specializes in "safe, energy-efficient, customized refrigeration and heating solutions that meet demanding safety and efficiency requirements."

As European operations continue to spearhead efficiency efforts, it's somewhat fitting that SECON's headquarters in Gondelsheim, Baden-Württemberg, house sales, engineering, R&D, and in-house production of small series, prototypes, and special-purpose systems. Larger systems are also produced at its site in Zagreb, Croatia.

SECON's portfolio includes liquid chillers, heat pumps, and complementary products and services. The company uses R290 (propane) and other natural refrigerants with very low global warming potential. These refrigerants are PFAS-free and suitable for a wide range of temperatures and capacities.

SECON's systems are used in building and process cooling, data centers, refrigerated logistics and product cooling, as well as heat generation and waste heat recovery. Specialized applications include pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, hydrogen, biogas, and freeze-drying. Across these applications, the goal is to provide environmentally friendly, safe, energy-efficient, and cost-effective cooling and heating processes.

A key strength is SECON's customer-specific engineering approach, according to the press release, which continued by saying that "each system is designed around operating conditions, safety requirements, and installation location, with components, hydraulics, and controls matched from the outset. High-quality components and extensive standard equipment, including stainless steel piping and integrated hydraulics, are combined with in-house engineering, control cabinet construction, and PLC programming to deliver flexible, tailored solutions from a single source."

“The decisive factors in our choice are the price-performance ratio, the extensive standard equipment, Europe-wide availability, and intuitive operation,” explains Marco Funes, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at SECON. All SECON chillers and heat pumps are equipped with one or more ABB variable frequency drives. These include ACH480 HVAC drives up to 7.5 kW and ACH580 HVAC drives up to 110 kW, as well as ACQ580 series drives up to 45 kW. Around 400 units are installed annually.