Cresstec
REED™
2021
Research, Concept, Development + Production
Cresstec REED™
Regulating Energy Efficiency Device
Cresstec and D+I have worked together to develop REED™ (Regulating Energy Efficiency Device) — a revolutionary energy saving and leak mitigating technology developed for commercial HVAC-R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) systems. REED™ was designed around the second law of thermal dynamics utilising normally wasted energy to improve system efficiency whilst eliminating refrigerant leaks. A sustainable technology that can significantly reduce emissions. D+I worked with the Cresstec engineering team to take a proven engineering prototype and transform it into a manufacturable finished product ready for release to the market. REED was awarded dual Gold accolades in the 2021 Australian Good Design Awards (Product Design + Engineering Design), as well as Gold in the international NY Product Design Awards (2021) and the MUSE Design Awards (2022).
A new way of using energy.
Design Challenge: Vapour compression refrigeration and air conditioning is the largest single sector user of electricity globally.
The world requires refrigeration + air conditioning for nearly every aspect of modern life. From food production and storage, data and telecommunications, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mining, and environmental control. Vapour compression refrigeration and air conditioning is a simple and effective solution that has been around for decades. But there are problems, it is the largest single sector user of electricity globally and the refrigerants used are normally environmentally destructive. The design challenge was to invent a new way of using energy that is normally wasted during operation to optimise system performance in a way that was novel to the industry.
“D+I slotted into the Cresstec engineering development team allowing seamless collaboration throughout the project. The team at D+I took our engineering prototype design and created a manufacturable (DFM), serviceable, ergonomic, finished product, with all ratings and compliance. From a brand and styling perspective, D+I created a design vision and DNA for Cresstec REED™ that can be carried across all future products. The product design language developed reflects the high value proposition of our company and solutions.”
- Ian Nankivell, CEO, Cresstec (Carbon reducing energy saving solutions)
The second law of thermodynamics.
Design Solution: Energy created from the compressor work could be stored instead of lost.
HVAC-R is essential, but a major cost to business and strain on the environment. REED™ is extremely effective as a stand-alone device within the HVAC-R environment, however, also can function in coordination with any current energy-saving technologies being employed to date, compounding these energy savings. The theoretical basis for the REED™ design is on the application of the second law of thermodynamics. It was discovered that the energy created from the compressor work could be stored instead of being lost during normal system operation in the form of pressurised liquid refrigerant. The brief was met and exceeded when we discovered a passive way to store this energy without requiring additional work from an external pump by utilising the system’s compressor during normal operation.
The REED™ system can be easily retrofittable to any existing or newly installed HVAC-R system and instantly benefits with reduced electrical costs providing immediate benefits to the environment.
With only 2 pipe connections to the resident system and a 240v power connection, the system can be installed extremely quickly with no downtime to the existing infrastructure. Once installed, real-time monitoring + control can be performed through the Cresstec Cloud Portal.
Accessibility to the accumulator has been ergonomically designed so that it can be extracted from the REED™ cabinet with minimal obstruction. A specific loading hook has been designed to assist in enabling alignment of the large accumulator prior to attaching to the load cells.
A ‘master’ REED™ cabinet can be easily connected to control ‘slave’ units using only one pipe connection and one data connection.
The brief requested that the aesthetic features of the device mimick high-end computing systems, representative of a high-value
solution that would stand bold within the HVAC-R environment.
REED is the first device in the Cresstec family, design language choices such as the selection of a white high gloss finish,
‘Cresstec blue’ accents, paired with the signature full-length graphic panel (reverse acrylic rear printed lens) assist in
positioning Cresstec as a market-leading innovator in HVAC-R efficiency solutions.
The design language of the REED™ cabinet is reflected in other associated equipment such as the manifold device to ensure a
consistent product family DNA. This can be seen in the longitudinal white panel design and full-length graphic strip on the REED™ cabinet reflected on the manifold device. REED™ production materials have been selected to ensure longevity in potentially extreme environmental conditions, in many instances, the device will be installed on top of high-rise buildings resulting in exposure to extreme sun, wind, rain, and varying temperatures (i.e. -40°C to 80°C). A cradle-to-cradle design philosophy was employed on the REED™ product with most components able to be infinitely recycled.
Innovating to solve wicked problems.
Innovation + Commerciality: An innovative solution helping to reduce the energy consumption of commercial HVAC-R systems.
REED™ is a world-first patented product (US Patent No: US 10,401,063 B2) with patents also pending in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, China, India, UAE, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Mexico and Brazil accounting for all first world and emerging markets. REED™ uses a simple design to accomplish a completely new way to achieve energy savings within the HVAC-R industry as well as industry-leading leak detection and world-first leak mitigation. REED™ technology revolutionises the way refrigerant is optimised and managed in vapour compression refrigeration and air conditioning systems with energy-saving of up to 27.6%. REED™ is not only able to reduce the operating costs to business but also protects the environment through reduced energy requirements and its ability to detect harmful refrigerant micro leaks at a level not previously seen and actively mitigates these leaks.
“…With mass adoption of the REED™ technology, in Australia alone, would be the equivalent of removing 1,300,000 cars annual CO2 emissions from the atmosphere.”
- Ian Nankivell, CEO, Cresstec (Carbon reducing energy saving solutions)
