THE future of air conditioning and refrigeration is to be mapped out at a London event organised by SIRAC, (the Sustainable Innovation in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) network.
With the aim of identifying the key drivers for change over the next ten to twenty years and assessing their likely impact on refrigeration, the one-day Futures Event, will bring together industry leaders, leaders in research, representatives from supermarkets and the energy supply sector and specialists on the environment, economics and social change.

Chaired by Baroness Perry of the House of Lords, the invitation is opens to all to contribute their expertise and views on how best to address the acr challenges and opportunities for the future.

'The world is changing rapidly, in terms of technology, legislation, social trends and, not least, the environment and energy,' said Professor Graeme Maidment of London South Bank University and SIRAC.

He added 'These forces will have a profound impact on the refrigeration industry in the future - with implications for all those who use, design, manufacture, install and service cooling technology.'

Questions to be addressed include:

·How is the future being led by the technology decisions of multinational companies?

·How do supermarkets see their role in influencing technology choice for the wider industry?

·What are the key economic and social drivers, and how can we deliver solutions that meet the needs of society and industry in the future?

·How can commercial organisations harness the expertise and ideas of academia to come up with more sustainable products and technologies?

·Which technologies need to be fast tracked to get new products onto the market within months instead of years?

Panel members include Bob Arthur, refrigeration manager for M&S, Alexander Cor-Pachai, business development manager at Johnson Controls, Andy Pearson, managing director of Star Refrigeration Contracting, Thierry Gaudin of Prospective 2100 and Professor Graeme Maidment of SIRAC and LSBU.

The keynote address will be given by a speaker from the Greater London Authority, which is taking a lead in developing sustainability strategies.

Judith Evans, FRPERC Bristol University and a member of SIRAC's steering group, said: 'The event brings together some of the best brains in the industry. It is an opportunity for all those who earn their living from refrigeration, or whose business depends on it, to get a fix on the long view - and the coming changes that will shape refrigeration over the next generation'.

She added 'It's an opportunity to be part of a planning process with wide significance for your business, your research and the future shape of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. We expect a strong turnout.'

The event takes place on February 5, at the London Chamber of Commerce, 33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP. For more details and to register, visit www.sirac.org.uk