HELSINKE, FINLAND—Halton, a global leader in HVAC innovation and indoor air comfort solutions, and Phononic, a global leader in sustainable solid-state cooling, announced a strategic licensing partnership in relation to the commercial launch of Terminal Treatment of Air with Peltier (TTAP) technology, an HVAC solution that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Leveraging Halton’s experiences in indoor climate solutions to productize the concept, Phononic’s solid state technology further perfects the TTAP concept as the refreshing innovation it brings to the commercial HVAC infrastructure. The new approach eliminates global-warming refrigerants and provides building owners and real estate developers with a sustainable solution that significantly reduces a building’s CO2e over the life cycle.
HVAC can often consume as much as 40 percent of a commercial building’s energy use and generates significant greenhouse gas emissions due to refrigerant leaks with up to 2000 GWP (Global Warming Potential). With global temperatures routinely setting records and rising at alarming rates, the timing is excellent for launching this new sustainable solution that lowers a building’s net CO2e while providing comfort and high-quality indoor climate conditions.
The Peltier Thermoelectric Effect
The TTAP concept is designed to leverage the sustainable fundamentals of the Peltier thermoelectric effect for HVAC cooling and heating. Together, Phononic and Halton have taken the TTAP concept to the necessary performance levels to disrupt the market through lower CO2e and lower total cost of ownership. It’s estimated that more than half of the world’s population lives in temperature zones ideal for the TTAP technology platform.
The TTAP concept was developed by Dominique Bense, one of France’s most respected HVAC experts. “The role that HVAC plays in climate change is significant and the Peltier effect has long been investigated as a promising source of sustainable cooling,” said Bense. “The technology was invented to push solid state boundaries (semiconductor) into HVAC, and with Halton and Phononic we have an ideal partnership to introduce TTAP as a desperately needed sustainable HVAC innovation that will make a real and positive environmental impact.”
The TTAP is a modular solid-state platform that can be integrated into existing building retrofits or as a feature in new build construction. The air handling approach enables the use of fresh air ventilated throughout the building, which is then cooled or heated by the TTAP units, based on occupant-specific settings. This method provides a combination of energy efficiency, comfort, silent operation, air quality and attractive aesthetics.
A More Economical Solution
Laboratory benchmark technology testing and LCA analyses of the first TTAP units have shown a dramatic reduction in CO2e compared to traditional HVAC systems, including fan coils and chilled ceilings. An HVAC installation using the TTAP technology costs 18 percent less to install and operate for 20 years, results in 20 percent less CO2e during production and installation, and 13 percent less CO2e during operation.
“Halton has a long history of innovating HVAC solutions that combine sustainability and indoor air quality,” said Anu Saxén, Halton Vice President. “The TTAP concept is the next step in our design, manufacturing and delivery of indoor environmental solutions that promote wellbeing and sustainability.”
The very first TTAP technology installation will be introduced in an 8,500 m2 commercial office building in Paris, France in the coming months. Featuring more than 150 kW of installed heating and cooling capacity, this world class showcase in sustainability and comfort is being developed in partnership with Europe’s leading real estate developers, architects and general contractors including Balzac Reim, Betec, DTACC, Fayat and Costa.
“In an era of unprecedented global temperatures and climate crisis, the time is now to cut emissions and reach new climate goals,” said Tony Atti, Phononic CEO. “With rigorous laboratory and real-world benchmarking, third party Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), the TTAP technology is a revolutionary opportunity to dramatically impact rising CO2 levels without sacrificing comfort all while disrupting a more than $20B commercial and residential HVAC market.”
