IIR takes on new EU funded project AGRI-COOL!

The IIR will partner with 13 other establishments on this new research project focused on improving quality of life for African communities and industries. The project is financed by the European Commission’s funding programme Horizon Europe (Grant Agreement ID: 101147102) and is coordinated by the University of Twente.

 

Large parts of sub-Saharan Africa have no, or only limited, access to the electricity grid. As such, many farmers cannot adequately cool their harvest. This results in an enormous loss and waste of food, which is responsible for more than 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.  

 

Two green objectives: 

1. Reduce food loss and waste. 
2. Reduce the use of fossil fuel powered generators.  

 

AGRI-COOL, which stands for Advancing sustainable AGRIculture through off-grid energy and COOLing solutions in Africa, will aim to empower rural African communities and industries by enhancing food security, reducing waste and fostering economic growth, while contributing to achieve the African countries’ targets of the Paris Agreement. 

 

The four-year project AGRI-COOL, which will officially begin in June this year, will develop a containerised solution in which food can be stored and cooled. It will combine the use of photovoltaic technology, thermal energy storage by phase change materials, chillers, and smart control strategies to offer an affordable, scalable and climate-friendly solution.  

 

Once built, the AGRI-COOL system will be demonstrated in rural communities in South Africa, Cape Verde, Somalia and Zimbabwe, showcasing its adaptability to different climatic conditions.  

 

The IIR will be the Leader of Work Package 8 dedicated to Stakeholders’ engagement, dissemination and outreach. 

 

More to come on AGRI-COOL soon!