Next Generation Refrigerants Workshop

Agenda

TimeEventLocation
Day 1:Wednesday, April 8th, 2026ORNL Main Campus, Oak Ridge, TN,37830
8:45 - 9:15 a.m. Board busSpringHill Suites/Homewood Suites parking lot,10955 Turkey Dr, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37934
9:15 - 9:30 a.m.Bus to ORNL main campus and security check-pointHotel parking lot to ORNL main campus in Oak Ridge, TN
9:30 - 10:00 a.m.Arrival/ Badging /RegistrationORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
10:00 - 10:45 a.m.Part 1 - Introduction 
  • Introduction and agenda
  • Welcome Remarks – Robert Wagner, ORNL
  • DOE CMEI overview and interest in this topic (DOE)
  • Summary of the 2024 working group activities
  • Recognition for Dr. Reinhard Radermacher
  • Q&A / discussion
ORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Part 2 - Summary of Current Activities
  • DOE/ORNL projects – Kashif Nawaz
  • AHRI research activites – Xudong Wang
  • CARB research activities – Aanchal Kohli
  • Potential Impacts of A3 Refrigerant on System Design and Consumers – Michael Petersen
  • Q&A / Discussion
ORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.Networking LunchORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Part 3 – European and US Market Updates

  • European Research Activities - Bjorn Palm, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, representing IEA HPT Annex 64
  • ASHRAE Ad Hoc Committee on A3 Refrigerants – Doug Reindl, University of Wisconsin
  • UL 60335-2-40 Harmonization Committee – Rusty Tharp, Aozora Consulting
  • University R&D Activities and Test Lab Capabilities – Riley Barta, Purdue University
  • Review of test lab capabilities
  • Q&A / discussion
      		ORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      3:00 - 3:15 p.m.BREAK
      3:15 - 5:00 p.m.

      Part 4 – Manufacturer, State, and NGO Perspectives

      • Geothermal HVAC Perspective - Shawn Hern, Climate Master
      • CEC research activities - Ram Narayanamurthy
      • Enabling Next Generation Refrigerant Heating and Cooling  - Chris Douglass, EIA
      • Timelines for industry updates
      		ORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      5:00 - 5:30 p.m.Day 1 wrap up 
      • Recap of discussions, review agenda for the next day
      		ORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      5:30 p.m.Networking, Buses leave for hotels. No host dinnerORNL Main Campus to Turkey Creek Hotels
      Day 2:Thursday, April 9, 2026ORNL Main Campus, Oak Ridge, TN,37830
      7:30 a.m.Board bus to ORNL main campus
      8:00 - 8:30 a.m.Arrival and check-inORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      8:30 - 10:00 a.m.Part 1 - Technology, Market, and Policy Context / Working Breakfast
      • Keynote Presentation – Terry Alger, UL Solutions
      • Introduction to Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC) – Melissa Lapsa, ORNL
      • Advanced Thermal System Design – Dean Edwards, ORNL
      • Current Technology, Market, and Policy Gaps  - Nick Mislak, Danfoss
      • Review of test lab capabilities
      		ORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      10:00 - 11:15 a.m.

      Part 2 – R&D Needs for Lifecycle Affordability with Next-Generation Refrigerants

      • Discussion on priority research topics to address safety, implementation, and lifecycle cost barriers
      • Breakout groups discuss how to manage affordable HVAC and WH systems with next-gen refrigerants throughout the equipment lifecycle (e.g., purchase, installation, maintenance, decommissioning)
      		ORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      11:15 - 11:45 a.m.Break / Breakout Summary PrepORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Part 3 - Breakout Group Summaries 
      • Group summaries 
      • Q&A/Discussion 
      		ORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      12:00 - 12:15 p.m.Part 4 - Where do we go from here?
      • Brief review and discussion:
        • Higher vs. Lower priority areas or initiatives?
        • Who should be involved or notified of these efforts?
        • What partnerships could be made?
        • Who should be part of a project advisory committee or group?
        • When is the right time to engage with the safety organizations?
      • Wrap up / lab tour information
      		ORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      12:15 - 1:00 p.m.Working Lunch - Lab tour informationORNL Main Campus: Bldg. 8600, Rm: A103 (Iran Thomas)
      1:00 - 4:00 p.m.Lab ToursORNL Main Campus
      4:00 p.m.Buses leave for hotels to pick up items then drop off at TYS airport