In 2016, air-conditioning accounted for nearly 20% of the total electricity demand in buildings worldwide and is growing faster than any other energy consumption in buildings. If measures are not taken to counteract this increase, the space cooling demand will almost triple by 2050; the demand can reach 6,200 TWh, or 30% of the total electricity use in buildings.
Although latest studies are calculated using the most recently available conventional technology, further attention should be directed at advancing components and systems. Solar cooling, either thermal or electrical driven systems, tend to cater mainly to niche markets.
To foster affordable, safe and reliable Solar Cooling systems for the Sunbelt regions requires a combination of cost reduction, simplifications of the systems and stimulation of market conditions through policies. The implementation/adaptation of components and systems for the different boundary conditions should be forced by cooperation with industry and with support of target countries like UAE through Mission Innovation (MI) Innovation Challenge “Affordable Heating and Cooling of Buildings” (IC7).
The Task 65 aims at covering the small to large size segment of cooling and air conditioning (between 2 kW and 5,000 kW). Both technologies, solar thermal and PV, can be integrated to support a HVAC system accordingly and both systems can be competitive against reference systems when they are well designed, and boundary conditions are favourable.
The project is focusing on SUNBELT REGIONS with its different boundaries worldwide (sunny and hot, and humid climates, between the 20th and 40th degrees of latitude in the northern and southern hemisphere) by using solar energy either solar thermal or solar PV.
The innovation driver and the keyword is ADAPTATION of existing concepts to the SUNBELT REGIONS, which is defined in the next chapter of the document.
To be able to make use of solar heat in industry and to support this market sector for the solar thermal industry, it is necessary to integrate solar thermal systems into the energy supply schemes in a suitable way.
Objectives
The goal of the Task 65 is to focus on innovations for affordable, safe and reliable Solar Cooling systems for the Sunbelt regions worldwide. Generally, this requires a combination of cost reduction, simplifications of the systems and stimulation of market conditions through policies. The implementation/adaptation of components and systems for the different boundary conditions is forced by cooperation with industry and with support of target countries like UAE through Mission Innovation (MI) Innovation Challenge “Affordable Heating and Cooling of Buildings” (IC7). It is the expectation that this new approach of linking SHC Task work with MI IC7 activities and funding opportunities for Solar Cooling helps to develop a market uptake of Solar Cooling in the Sunbelt regions. The innovation driver and the keyword is Adaption of existing concepts/technologies to the Sunbelt regions using solar energy either solar thermal or solar PV.