Danfoss broke ground on a new state-of-the-art laboratory for the testing of HVACR equipment. The new center also will facilitate training and serve as a research and development center for future innovation.

The 22,000-square-foot “Engineering Tomorrow Application Development Center” will be built in Tallahassee, Fla., expanding the existing facility that houses the engineering and manufacturing of Danfoss Turbocor oil-free, magnetic bearing compressors.

“One of the major drivers behind this significant investment is the increasing needs of our customers to comply with the unprecedented number of U.S. EPA and DOE regulations and testing requirements,” explained John Galyen, president, Danfoss North America. “We feel it is critical for us to help our industry prepare for the transition ahead to meet low-GWP refrigerant targets and higher energy efficiency levels.  There is not enough existing lab capacity in the United States to meet the demands, so this investment will enable our customers to accelerate the path of their next-generation equipment.”

The center will include three sets of psychrometric rooms with the capability of testing air-conditioning systems, including residential equipment and rooftop units from 2.5 to 50 tons and air-cooled chillers up to 150 tons.

“The investment in this Application Development Center coincides with the launch of a new global brand—Engineering Tomorrow—providing technologies and solutions that do more with less today and a broad portfolio and expertise to meet the world’s growing set of challenges in infrastructure, a safe food supply, energy efficiency and low-GWP, climate-friendly solutions. Toward that end, we are helping the industry prepare for the regulation and standards shaping our future,” said Galyen.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Danfoss Turbocor Compressors facility in Tallahassee. Local officials, including Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Leon County Commissioners, as well as representatives from the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, Leon County Research & Development Authority, and Florida State University, were onsite to mark the occasion.

Ricardo Schneider, president of Danfoss Turbocor Compressors, commented, “The launch of the Application Development Center in Tallahassee signifies further collaboration with Florida State University and their magnetic laboratory, bringing advanced innovation to the market.”