Sustainable CO₂-based heating and cooling for a greener future

Triveni Turbine Limited powers Thermal Revolution in India with Transcritical CO₂ Heat Pumps and Chillers. These systems use natural refrigerant CO₂ to deliver high efficiency, low emissions, and regulatory compliance. It empowers industries to reduce carbon emissions, save energy, and align with India’s sustainable growth and global decarbonization goals.

In the global race to net-zero emissions, attention often centers on electricity generation and transport. Yet, quietly consuming nearly half of all global energy, heating and cooling remain one of the Largest untapped opportunities for decarbonisation. In India—a nation balancing economic growth with climate commitments—the challenge is even more acute. Industrial heat, space cooling, and process temperature control are essential but still heavily dependent on fossil fuels.

India’s ambition to achieve net zero by 2070, coupled with its commitment to reduce emissions intensity by 45 percent by 2030, demands a seismic shift in how thermal energy is produced, managed, and distributed. That is where the tCO₂ (transcritical carbon dioxide) heat pump and chiller technology step in, with Triveni Turbines leading the charge. Globally, heating and cooling systems account for nearly 48 percent of energy consumption in buildings, contribute 30 to 40 percent of industrial energy use, and emit more than 2 billion tons of CO₂ annually.

Despite these numbers, the sector has not been recognised historically for its due importance in clean energy planning. Traditional systems still rely on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases with Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) ranging from 1,000 to 4,000. With the tightening of international controls, such as the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the pressure to adopt natural refrigerants and efficient systems is mounting.

tCO₂ heat pumps and chillers are a game changer—with the use of carbon dioxide (CO₂, or R744), a natural refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of just 1. CO₂ is abundant, non-toxic, non-flammable, and climate-safe.

It is not just about climate safety.

These tCO2 systems offer:

• Simultaneous and instant high-temperature heating (90°+ C) and cooling
• Superior energy efficiency viz. High coefficient of performance (COP)
• Minimal maintenance due to compact and robust design.
• No dependence on phased-out synthetic refrigerants

In industrial environments, tCO₂ Heat Pumps and chillers can replace fossil-fuel boilers and legacy chillers in a single integrated solution—transforming thermal systems from high-carbon liabilities into green assets.

Recognising this shift early, Triveni Turbine Limited, a leader in industrial steam turbine and related heat and power systems drawing from decades of thermal engineering expertise, has invested in building industrial-scale tCO₂ heat pump and chiller solutions.

Triveni Turbine’s transcritical CO₂ (tCO₂) heat pumps and chillers are now ready for deployment across various sectors, including dairy, beverages, and food processing, as well as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles, and pulp and paper industries. These advanced systems are also suitable for use in distilleries, breweries, and marine applications, as well as commercial and institutional buildings. While the capital cost of a system may be higher than traditional equipment, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is dramatically lower owing to –

• 30–60 percent energy savings
• Natural Refrigerant (CO2: R744) is associated with a low Global Warming potential, a low cost of refrigerant, and statutory compliance.
• Increased Carbon Credits (no carbon penalties)Lower operating expenses and higher reliability

For Indian firms participating in global supply chains, ESG rankings, and export-linked decarbonisation audits, investing in tCO₂ heat pump technology is not just optional; it is strategic. Triveni’s tCO₂ heat pump and chiller solution fits like a glove within India’s evolving sustainability framework, as per ICAP, and complies with the Kigali Agreement. As carbon markets and refrigerant bans tighten globally, early adopters in India will gain a regulatory and cost advantage that could define their competitive edge.

Countries like Japan, Sweden, and Germany have made headways with CO₂-based heat pump deployment in buildings, supermarkets, and industry. India’s case is unique: it has the scale and the industrial demand. Now, through Triveni Turbines, the domestic capability to build, deploy, and even export tCO₂ heat pumps and chillers.With a push from the government and demand from industry, India could leapfrog into global leadership in sustainable thermal technologies, turning a traditionally hard-to-abate sector into a climate innovation hub. From factories to cities, heating and cooling are where the carbon lies hidden—and where the solutions must rise. With tCO₂ Heat pump technology and Triveni’s engineering expertise, India is poised to heat, cool, clean, and lead boldly into a net-zero future.