IJR Editorial: Solar energy, the energy of the future for refrigeration

Because of global warming and the major role that energy production and use play in the emission of greenhouse gases, the world is at a turning point. Traditional energy sources such as coal and oil are declining sharply. Gas, which is less polluting, may continue to be used, provided that it undergoes a thorough transformation (biomethane, hydrogen production). Nuclear power seems likely to stagnate. Renewable energies, especially solar energy, are starting to grow rapidly and should soon become the energy of reference. The refrigeration sector is directly concerned by this trend. Two technologies exist: thermal solar energy, which directly transforms the sun's heat into refrigeration, thanks to an absorption/adsorption system; photovoltaic solar energy, which transforms heat into electricity to power conventional vapour compression refrigeration equipment. Both systems exist but the second is developing far more for cost reasons, as photovoltaic panels are becoming less and less expensive.

 

The IIR has long been investigating these technologies as they can be considered “green” and well suited to hot climates and remote locations without a reliable electricity grid, which is often the case in developing countries. As early as the 1990s, the IIR published a technical guide and briefing note on solar cooling and sponsored conferences. Given the impetus given by the Paris agreement in 2015 and some successful achievements, the IIR published a new Informatory Note in 2017 and has just updated it at the end of 2020. This note is available on the IIR website (https://iifiir.org/en/iir-informatory-notes). It has just published on its website a new technical guide written by one of its members. The IIR has included more than 700 documents on solar cooling in its Fridoc database. Beyond this information effort, the IIR has also decided to become a committed player in concrete development projects. In September 2020, the IIR signed a partnership agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a new intergovernmental body created in 2015 at the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change in Paris, at the initiative of India and France. Several members of the IIR have been appointed to the ISA Expert Group on the evaluation of solar cooling projects to be financed in developing countries, which I have been asked to co-chair.

Projects are being set up and awaiting funding, involving ISA and IIR.

 

Solar refrigeration should become a means of providing cleaner air conditioning and developing cold chains for food and health products where they are still deficient. We need to accompany this development while continuing to improve the technology, including through lower costs and proper consideration of energy storage.

 

This is a concrete, immediate and future challenge that we must all take up.

 

Didier Coulomb
IIR Director General