Epta Completing Curriculum for CO₂ Training Centers in U.S.

Italian OEM Epta reports that its Kysor Warren Epta US subsidiary has launched most of the courses for its two U.S. transcritical CO₂ (R744) technician training centers and plans to soon finalize a full course catalog.

The two facilities – the Dale Sizemore Training Center in Columbus, Georgia, where Kysor Warren Epta US is based, and the West Coast Training Center in Orange, California – were opened last year. “The opening and development of these centers represent a significant milestone for Epta in advancing natural refrigeration training within the U.S. market,” said Gianluca Brusa of the Epta Press Office.

Epta manufactures a range of transcritical CO₂ refrigeration systems for commercial applications, including the FTE, ETE and XTE technologies for improving the efficiency of CO₂ systems in warm ambient climates. The company recently launched a new transcritical CO₂ refrigeration rack, the ECO₂Compacta, for small supermarkets or convenience stores, filling a space between its ECO₂Mini condensing unit and its larger CO₂rack systems, ECO₂Small+, ECO₂Middle and ECO₂Large.

“In an industry characterized by rapid changes driven by technological innovation and regulatory evolution, a constant professional update for refrigeration technicians is necessary, [from the] perspective of life-long learning.”

Dale Sizemore, Director of Technical Support, Kysor Warren Epta US

The key figures responsible for CO₂ transcritical training are Ignacio Chaparro, R&D and New Technologies Manager at Kysor Warren Epta US, and Dale Sizemore, Director of Technical Support at Kysor Warren Epta US. Chaparro is dedicated to “guiding attendees through the complexities of CO₂ systems, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their functionality,” said Epta, adding that Sizemore “provides essential insights into the practical aspects of CO₂ systems, equipping participants with the necessary skills for effective installation, maintenance and troubleshooting.”

“In an industry characterized by rapid changes driven by technological innovation and regulatory evolution, a constant professional update for refrigeration technicians is necessary, [from the] perspective of life-long learning,” said Sizemore.

The courses are provided in collaboration with Southern Californian Edison (SCE) and the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC), and are certified by the Instructure (Canvas) learning management system. The are free for Epta technicians and available for a fee for external technicians; participants can earn 2.5 training credits per unit.

NASRC held its most recent natural refrigerants training event in Seattle, Washington, November 12–14.

By opening a training hub in California, Epta recognizes the aggressive stance the state has taken in reducing HFC emissions and thereby supporting the uptake of natural refrigerant systems. California “stands out” for its participation in the U.S. Climate Alliance since 2017 and “its goal to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement,” said Chaparro.