International News
PROJECT UPDATES FROM
THE FIVE WINNING CAAS
INCUBATOR COMPANIES
In a continuous drive to promote the uptake of this model,
BASE launched the CaaS incubator in January, 2020, and is now
supporting five technology providers from around the world to
implement their respective projects.
These providers were selected among 35 applicants from
various regions and sectors to integrate Cooling as a Service
(CaaS) into their business strategies. The projects include airconditioning
and refrigeration for commercial and industrial
buildings (university, retailers, malls, offices, hotels); as well as
off-grid cold-rooms for agriculture; and off-grid small freezers for
small budget users.
The selected providers were GrupoClima (Costa Rica),
CoolingTech (Grenada), BGH (Argentina), CoolCrop (India),
and KoolBoks (Nigeria). These companies have since set
up a dedicated team to work with the Basel Agency for
Sustainable Energy (BASE) on technical, legal, fiscal,
commercial and financial aspects, with the aim of launching
the first demonstration projects by the third quarter of 2020.
This includes support to develop contractual arrangements,
a pricing strategy, financial structures, risk mitigation
mechanisms, and communicating with investors and
potential adopters.
Law firms were identified for each project and work has
started to draft tailored CaaS contracts in each location. Potential
projects have been identified, and BASE has been involved
in several meetings with potential customers as well as with
implementing partners (including investors) to explain the
characteristics and benefits of the CaaS model. In addition, the
selected companies, together with BASE, have been working on a
pricing model for the respective projects.
therefore bringing more value to them and the products
they offer.
CoolCrop estimates that the farmers’ incomes will increase
by at least 50% thanks to this service, because they will be able
to preserve vegetables and fruits for longer durations, while post
harvest wastage will decrease to below 5% (from more than 25%
previously). Moreover, this infrastructure will help employ at least
two to three additional farm workers to operate and maintain the
refrigeration units.
COOLING TECH
Cooling Tech is modelling to implement the solution to customers
who have old cooling technologies installed (some of which
are using ODG and high GWP refrigerants). One of the projects
looks to serve one of the flagship buildings in the region, which
would, through CaaS, benefit from state-of-the-art service Energy
Efficient technology.
2
1
COOLCROP
CoolCrop is looking to implement CaaS for farmers in India
who do not have the means to access refrigeration for storing
their produce. Traditionally, traders or external parties process
(ripening, cleaning, packaging) and market the products to sell
these at higher premiums.
The farmers however, do not get any part of the value that
is added to the process. CoolCrop aims to provide off-grid
solar-powered refrigeration through CaaS to these farmers who
otherwise do not have the means to implement refrigeration,
All photos by CaaS
1 & 2: CoolCrop estimates that farmers’ incomes will increase by at
least 50% thanks to this service.
Continued on page 17
www.hvacronline.co.za RACA Journal I September 2020 15