New refrigerants, the use of intelligent electronics in system components, increased energy efficiency requirements for refrigeration and air conditioning systems, stricter regulations, new system concepts and client-specific solutions are all challenges facing the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Given the increasing complexity of components and system solutions, including those arising from integrated frequency inverters, electronic components and compressors with natural refrigerants such as CO2, solid training is becoming ever more crucial. The need for specialist personnel to receive further training is just as great. The Schaufler Academy is therefore set to make a significant impact with its needs-based program of seminars, giving the participants – including planners, system manufacturers, and service staff and operators – the necessary skills to deal with the demands of their day-to-day tasks.
Using modern refrigeration systems, the application engineers will provide instruction and training for specialist personnel and service staff from all over the world at the new Schaufler Academy. The fact is that modern technology is only truly sustainable if it is used correctly. Having competent staff is an absolute prerequisite for the reliable and efficient operation of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
"Refrigeration and air conditioning technology is once again facing major changes and the challenges that come with them," according to Bitzer chief technology officer Rainer Große-Kracht in his speech at the official inauguration, which was attended by guests from academia and politics, as well as society figures. Bitzer believes that it has a duty to offer its customers both innovative products and the highest standards of technical support.
"Thanks to our training, participants will be prepared for the challenges that they will face, and they will be able to practice working with new refrigerants and technology," explains Große-Kracht.
Outstanding instruction opportunities
With the creation of the Schaufler Academy at Peter-Schaufler-Strasse 3 in Rottenburg-Ergenzingen Bitzer now has the perfect base for providing outstanding instruction opportunities. The three-storey, ten-meter-high new complex has five rooms for theoretical work and three rooms for practical training, allowing several training sessions to take place at the same time. The building was designed in such a way that it can be used for a variety of purposes. For instance, three training rooms can be connected to form a large lecture hall which can accommodate up to 120 people. Moreover, the Schaufler Academy contains office space for the instructors and a canteen with seating for 110 training participants as well as employees at the production facility. With its appealing architectural design, the Schaufler Academy also serves as a striking new reception building for the production facility at Rottenburg-Ergenzingen, the international competence center for Bitzer screw compressors.
This very proximity feeds into the practical nature of the opportunities for further learning on offer at the new training center.
"Here we can not only show off the theoretical advantages of our pioneering technology, but also demonstrate modern compressor and electronic components in action. This opens up the possibility of practical training under real system conditions," says Volker Stamer, director of the Schaufler Academy. Through the new Schaufler Academy, the company seeks to deepen its close and constructive relationship with schools and universities within the region. This helps to make young people enthusiastic about technology from an early age.
Ideal energy concept
In the energy concept for the new training center building heating is provided by efficient heat pumps, underground latent storage (ice storage), a solar thermal collector and a combined heat and power system.
"This concept underlines our commitment to developing products for sustainable energy use and climate protection. As such, the Academy allows us to present systems that use Bitzer components in a direct way to our customers," says Große-Kracht.
The ice storage system collects temporarily available cooling and thermal energy, which can be retrieved when it is required. This enables Bitzer to balance the fluctuating energy supply, while also using renewable sources of energy for space heating and cooling.
