Targeted Grants for Your Energy Efficiency
Reducing primary energy consumption in industry requires investment—but you don’t have to bear the cost alone. Those who invest today in resource-efficient refrigeration technology and industrial heat pumps benefit from attractive incentive programs. In particular, the consistent use of natural refrigerants is substantially subsidized through programs such as the Federal Funding Program for Energy and Resource Efficiency in Industry (EEW). cold.world ENGINEERING not only designs your system based on sound thermodynamic principles, but also ensures it optimally meets the formal and technical eligibility criteria for funding.
Why Natural Refrigerants Make a Difference
The subsidy landscape in Germany (BAFA / KfW) pursues a clear regulatory goal: the complete phase-out of synthetic F-gases in favor of natural alternatives. For you as an operator, this means that industrial systems using ammonia (NH₃), carbon dioxide (CO₂), or propane (R290) generally receive significantly higher funding rates than conventional systems.
- Relevant Investment Grants: Depending on the size of your business (SMEs vs. non-SMEs) and the selected funding module, 20% to 30%—and in some cases up to 50% for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—of eligible investment and ancillary costs can often be reimbursed as a non-repayable grant.
- Economic Payback: The investment subsidy significantly reduces the system’s ROI (return on investment), which provides a sound business case for using higher-quality, more efficient components.
What is funded?
We help you navigate the complexities of the funding landscape. Typical eligible measures in our industrial projects include:
1. New Construction & Replacement Investments (BAFA Module 4) The construction of new, highly efficient central cooling systems or the strategic replacement of older systems with systems using natural refrigerants. In most cases, eligibility for funding requires demonstrating a specific potential for savings in final energy consumption or CO₂ emissions, which we, as a planning firm, will calculate for you.
2. Industrial Heat Pumps The smart use of industrial waste heat for your processes is a key focus of funding programs. The reason is simple: Because large heat pumps can often replace traditional fossil-fuel-fired gas boilers in operation, the subsidies available here are particularly attractive.
3. Components & Optimization (Retrofit) Targeted individual energy-efficiency measures for existing NH₃ or CO₂ systems are also eligible for funding, including:
- Retrofitting frequency converters (FCs) for stepless partial-load operation.
- Installation of heat recovery systems for waste heat utilization.
- Optimization of measurement, control, and regulation technology (MSR).
- Thermal insulation of piping systems, tanks, and valves (cold and heat insulation).
The most important rule: Submit the application before placing the order!
A procedural error that costs you money in practice: You must apply for subsidies (and obtain approval to begin work early) before placing a legally binding order. As soon as you sign a supply contract, hire a plant manufacturer, or order a major component, your eligibility for funding is generally irrevocably forfeited.
Our Engineering Services for Your Grant Application
We won’t leave you to handle the complex technical documentation for the BAFA or KfW on your own:
- Eligibility Analysis: As early as the initial concept phase (Service Phases 1–2), we assess whether your project is fundamentally eligible for funding and which module offers the best chance of receiving a grant.
- Technical Calculation (Energy-Saving Plan): We prepare a well-founded energy-saving plan (including a comparison of the existing system and the new system), which is required as the mandatory technical basis for applications under Module 4.
- Partner Network: To ensure a legally valid, formal application process, we work closely with certified energy efficiency experts (EEE) and energy consultants, who handle all communication with the funding agencies.
Schedule an Initial Consultation
Schedule a free initial consultation now.
“Note: We do not provide legal advice. Funding requirements are subject to change on short notice. Only the funding agency (e.g., BAFA) can make binding statements.”