Polish scientists are developing a cooling system based on innovative refrigerants and an innovative energy storage system. Work on the COOLSPACES 4 LIFE project is taking place at the Faculty of Mechanics and Energy of the Wrocław University of Science and Technology.

The scientists will cooperate with partners from Poland and Spain, including scientists from the Spanish University of Almeria and Solar Energy Research Center, employees of the PROZON Climate Protection Foundation, and the Spanish industrial partner Hedera Helix Ingeniería y Biotecnología.

The team will implement the COOLSPACES 4 LIFE project. Its purpose is to design, assemble and test a pilot system for alternative cooling consisting of a 70 kW cooling unit powered by renewable energy and connected to energy storage and intelligent control system. The system will use waste refrigerants recovered from recycled refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

The project will last five years. The works will be financed by the European Commission and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

The project is a response to the increased energy demand resulting from the need to cool apartments, houses and commercial buildings. The associated energy consumption has more than tripled over the past 25 years. The trend will continue with increasing temperatures due to climate warming.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted, that by 2050 energy consumption for cooling buildings will account for 16% of. total electricity demand. Thus, at peak loads in hot summers, the risk of energy shortages will increase significantly.

Adrian Andrzejewski