#London #United Kingdom #Dr Dermot Cotter #Star Technical Solutions #IOR Medal

Dr. Dermot Cotter Honored with Kenneth Lightfoot Medal

On February 12, 2026, during the Institute of Refrigeration's Annual Dinner in London, Dr. Dermot Cotter, the Managing Director of Star Technical Solutions, was awarded the prestigious Kenneth Lightfoot Medal. This honor recognizes his significant contributions to the understanding and advancement of energy use in the UK industrial refrigeration sector.

Dr. Cotter's award was shared with Dr. Catarina Marques, a Senior Research Fellow at London South Bank University, marking a notable collaborative achievement in the field. The medal was granted in recognition of their comprehensive research paper titled 'Energy Usage in the Industrial Refrigeration Sector Food, Drink, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Refrigeration'. This paper was part of a UK government-funded initiative aimed at analyzing ways to reduce carbon emissions from refrigeration technologies across various sectors.

The research conducted by Drs. Cotter and Marques represents one of the most thorough investigations into the real-world operations of industrial refrigeration systems to date. Unlike previous studies that often relied on theoretical models or self-reported data, this research utilized direct engineering site surveys across multiple facilities in the foods, drinks, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals industries.

The findings from their research revealed alarming insights about the state of refrigeration energy use across the UK. It highlighted that a significant amount of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from refrigeration processes are not accurately measured or understood. Many surveyed facilities lack effective sub-metering systems and fail to leverage available data to manage their refrigeration performance, resulting in overlooked energy efficiency opportunities in energy audits and decarbonization strategies. Refrigeration is a critical component of energy consumption, often representing a substantial share of the total electricity demand.

Dr. Cotter and Dr. Marques identified that significant energy and carbon savings could be achieved without the need for major system overhauls. Their analysis across various sites indicated that compressor power could be reduced by 20% to 50% through relatively straightforward interventions. Common issues identified included fouled heat exchangers and excessively conservative operating setpoints, as well as outdated design assumptions that did not take into account current operational conditions. The researchers advocated that modest adjustments to system design or maintenance could yield payback periods of less than a year.

Furthermore, their research challenged conventional wisdom around refrigeration design, asserting that the specifications for evaporating temperatures in process equipment often result in decades of inefficiency. This inefficiency could have been mitigated through a minimal increase in initial investment aimed at reducing energy costs over the equipment's lifetime. Based on empirical data, the authors argued that flawed design choices compounded by insufficient real-time operational data and inadequate maintenance protocols are hampering the UK's progress towards achieving Net Zero emissions, particularly in its energy-intensive manufacturing sectors.

In Dr. Cotter’s words, “This work was about understanding what is truly occurring on industrial sites, as opposed to relying on assumptions. Refrigeration plays a vital role in food security, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, but it has often been treated as secondary infrastructure rather than as a crucial asset for meeting net-zero goals. The evidence clearly points to practical opportunities for reducing energy usage and emissions; however, these can only be realized if performance is accurately measured and prioritized.”

In a generous gesture, Dr. Cotter donated the accompanying £500 prize back to the Institute of Refrigeration, aimed at promoting training and skills development within the industry. This award not only reflects his commitment but also emphasizes Star Technical Solutions' dedication to advancing knowledge and delivering independent, evidence-based insights to industry stakeholders, policymakers, and regulators.

Looking ahead, further guidance and practical sector roadmaps stemming from the TICR initiative are set to be published later this year. These guidelines will assist manufacturers in bridging the gap between research findings and actionable steps towards improved energy efficiency in refrigeration systems. For those interested in learning more about the TICR project, additional details can be found at netzerorefrigeration.uk.