PROCESS COOLING THE METRICS OF EFFICIENT COOLING


As industries continue to innovate and optimise their energy use, adopting SEPR as a key metric will be essential for staying competitive and sustainable in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace


consumption. This makes SEPR an effective and transparent metric for businesses looking to reduce costs while maintaining the high standards required for product quality and safety.


Chris Ferriday, Business Line Manager, Process Cooling Solutions, Atlas Copco, explains how SEPR is redefining energy efficiency in process cooling


n industries that use cooling systems in their production processes, energy use is a major concern. Energy costs have always been a factor in the profitability, but recent events and price spikes have brought this into sharper focus. As well as cost, environmental concerns and the need for UK businesses to achieve Net Zero status by 2050 are also causing headaches.


I


These cooling systems, comprising industrial chillers to refrigeration units, are crucial for ensuring product quality and safety, yet they can be energy-intensive. As businesses increasingly prioritise energy use and sustainability, the need for more accurate and comprehensive data to evaluate chiller performance has never been greater. One metric that provides such data is the Seasonal Energy Performance Ratio (SEPR) which is emerging as an essential measurement tool in process cooling, providing businesses with a better understanding of energy use over time. What is SEPR? SEPR is used to evaluate the


efficiency of industrial chillers throughout an entire year. Unlike traditional metrics such as the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), which measures efficiency at a single operating point under controlled conditions, SEPR accounts for real-world variations. It assesses chiller performance across different cooling loads and fluctuating ambient temperatures, providing a more holistic view of its actual energy consumption throughout a typical year. This is particularly important in industries where cooling demands vary seasonally. How Does SEPR Differ from SEER? While SEPR is gaining traction in industrial applications, it is often confused with SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), which is more commonly applied in comfort cooling systems like air


conditioning. The main difference lies in their application: SEER focuses on energy efficiency in residential and commercial cooling, taking into account outdoor temperature variations. By contrast, SEPR is designed specifically for process cooling applications, accounting for the unique challenges of industrial environments. SEPR considers a broader range of factors and provides a more accurate picture of efficiency in these settings. For instance, chillers may operate under different cooling loads throughout the year, working harder during summer months and less during winter, which is why SEPR’s seasonal approach provides a more realistic view of their energy consumption.


This is especially relevant given the typical lifecycle of industrial chillers, which are generally replaced every 10 years. By using SEPR, businesses can ensure that they choose equipment that will provide optimal efficiency and cost savings throughout its lifecycle. In industries such as food and beverage and pharmaceuticals, cooling systems play a crucial role in ensuring product safety and consistency. These sectors rely on precise temperature control to meet strict regulatory standards and maintain product quality. While energy-efficient chillers reduce energy consumption and lower operational costs, their real value comes from providing more reliable and consistent cooling. This ensures that temperature-sensitive products maintain their integrity throughout the production process. Focusing on equipment with a higher SEPR allows companies to make smarter choices that contribute to long-term sustainability while meeting regulatory requirements. A higher SEPR score indicates that a chiller provides more cooling with less energy


30 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 | PROCESS & CONTROL


When selecting process cooling equipment, some businesses may still choose to focus solely on the initial purchase cost, often overlooking the long-term costs associated with energy consumption, maintenance, and potential downtime. This is where a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approach becomes invaluable. By considering not only the upfront cost but also the operational expenses over the chiller’s lifecycle, companies can make smarter decisions that deliver savings. SEPR reflects the real energy consumption of a chiller throughout its operational life. This makes it easier to identify models that will use less energy and improve efficiency, thereby lowering the overall TCO. By selecting chillers with higher SEPR ratings, businesses can make long-term savings, especially in industries where cooling is a critical part of production. Calculator tools are now available that allow businesses to compare the SEPR of different chiller models, enabling data-driven decisions to be made that will maximise both energy savings and efficiency. By considering the SEPR ratings at the time of equipment selection, companies can choose solutions that deliver the best return on investment over time. For example, consider the comparison between a high-efficiency TCS260 A HT chiller (SEPR 6.03) from Atlas Copco and a conventional chiller with a lower SEPR rating of 5.01. The difference in efficiency is substantial, with the TCS260 A HT having the potential to save 72,298 kWh of energy annually. At today’s cost of £0.30 per kWh this would equate to a cost saving of £18,097 and a reduction of 18.88 tons of CO2 emissions per year, which is the same as charging 1,249,297 smartphones over the course of one year.


Looking at these savings over a 10-year period, the benefits become even more pronounced. Over the span of a decade, the TCS260 A HT chiller could save 722,975 kWh of energy, which translates to a net cost saving of £168,487. In terms of environmental impact, this represents the carbon sequestered by 7,552 trees. This is the equivalent of avoiding the CO2 emissions from 45 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year.


Atlas Copco www.atlascopco.com/en-uk/compressors/ process-chillers


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40