2008 International Star Award Winner: Embraco

Embraco, recipient of the Alliance’s I-Star award for an overseas entity, is the world market leader in energy-efficient reciprocating compressors for refrigeration and is known for its state-of-the-art high-efficiency products. An example is the Embraco VCC – Variable Capacity Compressor – which reduces refrigeration system power use by up to 40 percent compared with a conventional compressor. According to Embraco, the average annual power consumption of a typical high-efficient side-by-side refrigerator with a standard on-off compressor would be around 570 kwh a year, while the Embraco VCC consumes only 480 kwh, to save $18 a year in home energy costs. On a cumulative basis, the energy saved in 2006 by Embraco VCCs around the world would power all the houses in a city the size of Washington, D.C., for 37 days.

“It's an honor for us, a Brazilian-based, global organization, to receive such a prestigious award and recognition of our efforts on energy-efficiency initiatives,” said Embraco President Ernesto Heinzelmann. “VCC is just one of Embraco’s innovative products working to advance energy efficiency in noteworthy and creative ways.”