National Energy Efficiency Expert

This position is located under the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development/Montreal Protocol Division (TCS/MPD).

 

TCS/MPD is responsible for planning, developing and implementing activities for developing countries and countries with economies in transition to facilitate compliance with the Montreal Protocol and in particular its Kigali Amendment, and to support countries to achieve their nationally determined contributions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases under the Paris Agreement through activities related to the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment. The services of the division are focusing in particular on transformative approaches for manufacturing in refrigeration, air conditioning and insulation foam sectors; related working fluids and chemicals; total greenhouse gas emissions caused by related products; their green design to extend their lifetime and reduce further their greenhouse gas emissions; as well as related capacity building and policy support.

 

PROJECT CONTEXT

 

SAP ID 230350

 

In 2016, a modification to the Montreal Protocol, the Kigali Amendment (KA), an international instrument in which countries committed to reducing the production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the next 30 years, was adopted in Kigali, Rwanda. It is estimated that the adoption of these measures will represent climate benefits of more than 80 billion tCO2e by 2050, which could prevent an increase of up to 0.5 °C in global temperature by the end of the century.

 

The KA establishes that all Parties to the Montreal Protocol must gradually reduce the use of HFCs according to a schedule stipulated in the Protocol (see: https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1365924O/unep-fact-sheet-kigali-amendment-to-mp.pdf). Mexico, as a Country operating under Article 5 and a member of Group 1, must freeze its baseline consumption (average of the county’s 2020, 2021 and 2022 annual consumptions) in the year 2024 and progressively reduce it to 80% of its baseline for the year 2045, in accordance with the reduction schedule established by said instrument.

 

Decision XXVIII/2 related to KA, establishes that A5 Parties will have flexibility in how to prioritize HFC phase-down, i.e. define sectors, select technologies/alternatives, develop and implement strategies to meet their agreed HFC-related obligations, on the considering their specific needs and national circumstances. The above principle has been incorporated into the guidelines of the Executive Committee, consequently, at the 87th meeting of the Executive Committee for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol (ExCom) held in July 2021, the general guidelines that countries must comply with were approved. A5 for the preparation of the Kigali Phase 1 Strategies (KIP for its acronyms in English) with a compliance horizon of 2029.

 

In the same ExCom 87 and in line with the request of the Government of Mexico, submitted through UNIDO, the ExCom approved funds for the preparation of the KIP of Mexico.

 

The Secretariat reviewed stage I of the KIP for Mexico in light of the existing policies and guidelines of the Multilateral Fund, including decisions 91/38 and 92/37, stage II of the HPMP, and the 2023–2025 business plan of the Multilateral Fund.

 

At its 93rd meeting, the Executive Committee decided to approve, in principle, stage I of the Kigali HFC implementation plan (KIP) for Mexico for the period 2023 – 2029 to reduce HFC consumption by 10 per cent of the country’s estimated baseline by 2029. In the same meeting, the Executive Committee of the MLF approved the “Mexico: Energy-efficiency strategy for the Kigali HFC implementation plan” for the implementation of energy efficiency activities to maintain or enhance the energy efficiency while phasing-down the HFCs.

 

The Mexico: Energy-efficiency strategy for the Kigali HFC implementation plan includes 6 projects addressing 3 relevant items related to the HFC and the EE: a) Institutional coordination with energy efficiency authorities and capacity building of NOUs, b) MEPS, Plan to strengthen EE standards for RAC equipment with alternatives to HFCs, and, c) Training and technical support for service sector and assembly incorporating EE actions.

 

The proposal to strengthen the EE standards includes the revision/upgrade of the 7 NOMs which currently apply for most common RAC equipment.

 

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Under the direct supervision of the Ozone Unit Coordinator and in close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the expert will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

 

To review of the current status of the “Mexican Official STANDARD NOM-026-ENER-2015, Energy efficiency in split-type air conditioners (Inverter) with variable refrigerant flow, free discharge and without air ducts. Boundaries, testing and labelling methods.” and identify areas of opportunity for updating/ modifying the standard by including increased EE and guidelines on HFCs and low-GWP alternatives.

The national expert will prepare a report on trends in the regulation of split-inverter equipment, a market study of the equipment in the Mexican market and a technical proposal to modify the current version of NOM-026-ENER to be incorporated when it is established (an update working group determined according to the Energy Efficiency Authority in Mexico (SENER and CONUEE)).

 

 

MAIN DUTIES	Concrete/measurable Outputs to be achieved	Expected duration (if WAE)
Work progress 10%   Elaborate a work program, describing the activities and execution time.	Deliverable 1. Work program	3 w/d
Work progress (30%) Review and analyze the latest version of the NOM-026-ENER Review of the EE level in the current NOM-026-ENER Review of the safety guidelines Review equivalent standards in other countries Comparison with the Mexican version. Revision of safety guidelines (NOM and international standards) Revision of inclusion of HFCs and low GWP alternatives Analyze EE and safety procedures with alternatives to HFCs, as well as the description of new technologies Consult with related Mexican authorities (SENER, CONUEE, SE, SEMARNAT, etc.) Consult with industry (manufacturers, importers, other stakeholders) Benchmarking of the split inverter technology (available technologies, refrigerants and EE)	Deliverable 2. Progress report containing: Main findings Analysis after reviewing EE level and safety guidelines Analysis of international standards including safety guidelines and HFCs and low GWP alternatives New technologies available Results of consultants made among Government and Industry	25 w/d
Work progress 25%   Analysis of the impact to be achieved by the modifications proposed (market, energy savings, mitigation, etc.) Analysis of the costs associated with modifications.	Deliverable 3. Partial report (assessment and impacts)	20 w/d
Work progress 25%   Consult/verify with test-laboratories the feasibility of the changes proposed to the NOM.   Draft version to upgrade the current version of the NOM (guidelines and modifications, e.g. the safety test, incorporation of flammable refrigerants, maximum charge in case of HC, etc.).   Propose a work plan to implement the modifications.	Deliverable 4. Final report (assessment and impacts) and proposal of modifications to the NOM	20 w/d
Work progress 10%   13. Prepare and coordinate a workshop (webinar) to dissemination the upgrade proposal of the NOM   PowerPoint (PPT) presentation, material, agenda, attendance list, etc. Workshop coordination Workshop report	Deliverable 5   Work shop report including list attendance PPT and other materials	5 w/d
Total	73 working days

 

Support information

 

The following information will be provided by the NOU to the consultant for the purpose of the project:

 

• Precedent studies related to EE while phasing down the HFCs
• Reports on EE regulations and standards for the safety use of low GWP alternatives carried out by the NOU.

 

Additional information should be obtained by the consultant from other sources such as official pages of EE authorities, CONUEE, DOF, INEGI, Ministry of the Economy, etc.

 

Verification document

 

The final report should include:

 

• The analysis of the NOM-026-ENER-2015 and the comparative review with equivalent international standards.
• Assessment of the Mexican market, benchmarking, impacts, cost of possible modifications/upgrade to the current version of the NOM-026-ENER, and work plan to implement modifications.
• Proposed contents (guidelines and modifications) to be included in the upgrade to the NOM-ENR-026.
• PPT and Report of the workshop (attendance list, comments, questions, etc).
• Minutes of meetings with stakeholders.

 

Considerations:

The final report must be presented in English and Spanish.

All deliverables must comply with the expected quality and must attend comments and recommendations made by the NOU and the implementing agency (UNIDO).

 

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Education: Advance degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial, preferably), applied sciences, environmental sciences or environmental management is required. A Bachelor’s degree plus an additional three years of relevant work experience on top of the minimum requirement may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

 

Technical and Functional Experience:

 

• At least three (3) years of work experience in the relevant field of: energy efficiency, or standards development, or energy/environmental regulation is required.
• Knowledge of the development/analysis of MEPS or standards (1 related project/course/working group participation) is required.
• Knowledge of RAC equipment technology and/or standards for RAC equipment (3 related projects) is required.
• Previous experience in stakeholders’ consultation (3 related projects) is required.

• Basic knowledge of the Montreal Protocol requirements for Mexico is desirable

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English is required.

 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

 

Core values:
WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key competencies:
WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.