INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
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Danfoss
New white paper released by Danfoss
systems could help level out these peaks from the supply and demand side . As an example , active and intelligent energy efficiency measures in buildings , such as digitally controlled space heating or cooling , allow us to shift demand and thereby shave the peaks .
In the same vein , integrating sectors allows for the surplus heat generated in one sector ( for example , the excess heat from a data centre ) to be used in another sector ( for example , the heating of local homes ), thereby lowering the demand in peak periods .
Third , given the increase in demand for green electricity in the years to come , there are challenges in moving towards renewables at the pace needed . Renewable energy build-out requires space , public support and raw materials . In the case of raw materials , there is increasing demand for resources like nickel , cobalt , copper , lithium and rare earth elements used to make renewable energy technologies .
In the EU , which relies heavily on imports of many of the raw materials required for the green transition , the European Commission has warned that current decarbonisation scenarios could be endangered by weaknesses in future supply security for several materials .
Energy efficiency is key to reducing these challenges . An early analysis found that for every dollar spent on energy efficiency we can avoid spending more than 2 dollars on energy supply . In sum , without early action on efficiency , the transition to net zero emissions will be more expensive and much more difficult to achieve .
When looking at the improvements in energy intensity – a key measure of the economy ’ s energy efficiency – during the past decades , it is clear that efficiency measures have been neglected . To reach net zero emissions the rate must double .
In the following section , we deep dive into one area that clearly demonstrates the danger of overlooking the demand side , namely the growing demand for cooling .
COOLING : A BLIND SPOT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
Cooling is essential for life across the planet . It is essential for storage and transport of food and medicine . In warmer parts of the world , space
cooling keeps people healthy and comfortable at work , school and home , and is just as necessary for human well-being and productivity as space heating .
But cooling remains a global blind spot in climate change mitigation . If urgent action is not taken , growing demand for cooling could drive one of the most substantial increases in greenhouse gas emissions we have ever seen . As recent analysis from the IEA has shown , demand for cooling will make the second largest contribution to the overall rise in global electricity demand over the coming decades .
The ignorance of the growing demand for cooling demonstrates exactly why we need more attention on the demand side of the green equation . The need for cooling is increasing rapidly around the world , particularly in developing countries . The increase is caused by economic development and adaptation to a warmer planet due to climate change .
The years from 2013 to 2021 ranked among the 10 warmest on record and in 2022 , intense and prolonged heatwaves were experienced across the globe . Heat and lack of cooling pose a significant risk . According to a study in the journal The Lancet , around 500 000 people die from non-optimal temperatures each year . There have been warnings that the number of deaths due to extreme temperatures – heat as well as cold – will increase in the coming years .
At the same time , 13 % of all food produced globally is lost due to a lack of cold chains , the continuous series of refrigerated transport and storage that keeps food at the correct temperature . This is particularly significant in developing countries where access to refrigeration is much lower than in developed countries . It is estimated that this lost food could feed 950 million people a year .
Lack of cold storage and refrigerated transport also contributes to 1.5 million vaccine-preventable deaths . With the potential to impact health , well-being , productivity and food security the need for cooling is clear . It is a necessity , not a luxury .
Due to global warming , population growth , urbanisation and rising incomes , it is projected that demand for cooling will increase rapidly over the next decades . But cooling consumes large amounts of energy and this energy use could increase rapidly without targeted actions to increase efficiency .
In terms of space cooling , the energy use of the roughly 2 billion AC units in operation is already having a significant impact on both overall and peak energy demand . Space cooling accounted for nearly 16 % of the total electricity used in buildings , or around 2000-TWh of final electricity consumption in 2021 .
This places pressure on electricity grids , particularly during extreme heat days when equipment is used at full capacity . Space cooling can represent more than 70 % of peak residential electrical demand on extremely hot days in some countries . Energy demand for space cooling in buildings could more than triple by 2050 – consuming as much as all of China and India today .
Despite improvements in efficiency and less carbon-intensive energy production , CO 2 emissions from cooling continue to rise . Emissions from space cooling more than doubled to 1Gt between 1990 and 2020 . This leads to a vicious feedback loop : as the world gets warmer , demand for cooling increases and this drives yet further warming .
The question is , how do we break the cycle so that the world has access to affordable cooling and still becomes climate neutral in 2050 ? The short answer is that we employ energy efficient cooling solutions that make it possible .
Energy efficient cooling For food storage and transport , available cold chain technology can reduce food loss by up to 40 % in developing countries according to Danfoss ' estimates . Packing , storing and transporting perishables at the right temperature extends their lifetime and ensures that more food reaches the tables of today ’ s growing population .
For space cooling , we can also do much more to promote more energy efficient solutions . The energy performance of air conditioning units can vary up to 70 %. We can almost halve global energy consumption for cooling simply by choosing efficient options . District cooling is another promising solution .
Singapore has the world ' s largest district cooling system and the nation has reduced its energy bill by 40 % and the country ' s emissions by the equivalent of 10 000 cars per year . District cooling also offers the potential to replace dangerous refrigerants with efficient and climate-neutral alternatives – for example , natural refrigerants such as propane .
We already have the technology available to cut the energy demand of cooling technology ; now the focus must be on action . Investments in energy efficient cooling solutions will reduce emissions , energy bills and pressure on the electricity grid while ensuring that we can all live healthy and comfortable lives .
Cooling is just one example of the risk of neglecting the demand side . Reducing energy consumption is possible across multiple sectors and it offers significant potential for reducing emissions , improving livelihoods and creating jobs . CLA
The complete white paper document can be downloaded from the Danfoss website freely that in addition includes an executive summary , solutions , and policy recommendations .
With the potential to impact health , well-being , productivity and food security the need for cooling is clear .
COLD LINK AFRICA • January / February 2023 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za11