As part of a project carried out with the Nigerian Ministry of Environment, Centro Studi Galileo has launched an intensive training program for cooling technicians aimed at enabling the implementation of the European certification model. This project, which includes both Training of Trainers (ToT) and technical training, is conducted under the aegis of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In 2023, a group of Nigerian professionals was hosted in Italy for advanced training as part of the Training of Trainers project. They then returned home to contribute to the development of local skills. For the training of technicians in Nigeria, Max Vanderhenst, an expert trainer from Centro Studi Galileo, was hosted in Nigeria. He conducted two sessions in July, with another two sessions planned for August.
The sessions in Nigeria are held at Cool Plus, managed by Ade Awujoola, a long-standing collaborator of Centro Studi Galileo. The project was made possible thanks to effective communication and continuous support from the Nigerian Ministry of Environment and the local National Ozone Unit (NOU).
Training Program The program is structured to provide a combination of theory and practice, with a particular focus on RACHP (Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pumps) best practices, energy efficiency, and new flammable refrigerants.
Detailed Program:
- Definition of Efficiency
- Essential Elements for Good Efficiency
- Refrigerants and Lubricants
- Refrigeration Cycle
- Refrigeration Circuit
- Accessories
- Appropriate Tools and Equipment
- Vacuum, Leak Detection, Charging
- Initial Start-Up and Commissioning
- Monitoring and Recording Performance
- Maintenance Criteria
- Maintenance Program
- Maintenance Procedures
- Troubleshooting
- Refrigerant Recovery
- International Agreements and Protocols
- European Legislation
- Retrofit
- Practical Demonstrations
Objectives and Expected Outcomes The primary objective of this project is to transfer advanced knowledge and skills to Nigerian technicians, enabling them to improve energy efficiency and operational practices in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector. Additionally, the initiative aims to create a sustainable certification framework that the country can adopt independently in the future.
The training also focuses on the use of new flammable refrigerants, a crucial area for reducing environmental impact and improving operational safety.
