Articles tagged with "sustainable-cooling"
Liquid-based cooling beats limits of solid-state refrigeration
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Prof. Li Bing, have developed a novel refrigeration method based on the dissolution barocaloric effect that promises zero carbon emissions and improved cooling efficiency. Traditional refrigeration systems, which rely on vapor-compression, contribute significantly to global carbon emissions, while solid-state cooling—though environmentally friendlier—has been limited by poor heat transfer. The new approach overcomes this by integrating solid cooling effects with liquid flow, using the salt ammonium thiocyanate dissolved in water. Applying pressure causes the salt to precipitate, enabling a reversible cycle that produces continuous cooling with efficient heat transfer, combining refrigerant and heat-transfer medium in a single flowing liquid. Laboratory tests demonstrated remarkable performance, with temperature drops of nearly 30 kelvins in 20 seconds at room temperature and up to 54 kelvins at higher temperatures, surpassing existing solid-state barocaloric materials. Simulations indicated a cooling capacity of 67 joules per gram and an efficiency
energyrefrigerationcooling-technologybarocaloric-materialscarbon-emissions-reductionheat-transfersustainable-coolingNLR Analysis Identifies Reservoir Thermal Energy Storage as a Solution for Data Center Cooling Needs - CleanTechnica
A recent study by researchers at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) presents reservoir thermal energy storage (RTES) as an innovative and efficient solution for data center cooling, addressing the growing electricity consumption driven by AI, cloud computing, and data processing. RTES works by storing cold energy underground during cooler periods using equipment like dry coolers or chillers, then pumping this cold water back up during peak-demand times (typically summer) to cool data centers via heat exchangers. The warmed water is returned underground to a designated "hot well" and recharged during the next cold cycle, creating a balanced, reliable cooling system that reduces energy costs and grid stress. The system leverages brackish or saline aquifers at depths of up to about a kilometer, which are ideal for long-term thermal storage due to their stability and containment. The study modeled two RTES cooling scenarios over 20 years, both using dry coolers that provide "free cooling" without water consumption or energy-intensive refrigeration
energythermal-energy-storagedata-center-coolingreservoir-thermal-energy-storageenergy-efficiencysustainable-coolingenergy-consumption-reductionHow to Keep Subways and Trains Cool in an Ever Hotter World
As global temperatures rise, cooling underground trains and subway systems has become a pressing challenge, with existing infrastructure often exacerbating heat issues. Jonathan Paul, a researcher at Royal Holloway, University of London, highlights that London’s Tube tunnels, carved through dense clay, retain heat generated by trains, sometimes reaching temperatures as high as 42°C (107.6°F). Traditional air-conditioning on trains risks worsening tunnel temperatures by releasing warm air into these confined spaces. To address this, Paul is developing a novel cooling system that leverages groundwater, which remains at a cool 10°C, to absorb and carry away excess heat from underground stations. This approach involves pumping water from subterranean aquifers through heat exchangers installed above platforms, where hot air transfers its heat to the water, which is then gently circulated away. Paul and his team are testing this technology in a chalk quarry near Reading, simulating the conditions of the Tube tunnels. Their prototype has demonstrated the ability to reduce room temperatures by about 10
energycooling-technologypublic-transportationclimate-change-adaptationheat-managementunderground-infrastructuresustainable-coolingSlash Energy Consumption Costs with Exhale Fans - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights an innovative energy-efficient HVAC solution developed by Exhale Fans, led by CEO and Founder Richard Halsall. Exhale Fans has created a bladeless ceiling fan that uses a unique vortex effect to draw air from below and circulate it evenly in a 360-degree pattern throughout indoor spaces. Unlike traditional ceiling fans that push air straight down, this design provides a smooth, whisper-quiet breeze that reaches every corner of a room, enhancing comfort while reducing energy consumption. This technology is applicable across various environments including offices, hotels, airports, data centers, restaurants, schools, and homes, aiming to support year-round comfort with a modern, discreet aesthetic. The article also references a detailed discussion on CleanTech Talk, where Halsall elaborates on the fan’s design and benefits. Overall, Exhale Fans represents a promising advancement in HVAC efficiency, offering a quieter, more energy-saving alternative to conventional ceiling fans.
energyenergy-efficiencyHVACbladeless-fanclean-technologysustainable-coolingindoor-air-circulationUnderground Heat, Urban Cool: The Physics & Promise of Geothermal Cooling - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the innovative geothermal cooling project, G2COOL, in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, which addresses the extreme energy demands of air conditioning in the Persian Gulf region. Air conditioning consumes up to 70% of the UAE’s electricity, making efficient cooling solutions critical. Unlike conventional geothermal power plants that generate electricity, G2COOL uses moderate-temperature geothermal water (80° to 100°C) from an underground aquifer directly to produce chilled water for district cooling through an absorption chiller system. This system leverages the absorption cooling cycle, where heat from geothermal water drives a lithium bromide-water solution to produce chilled water, which then cools buildings. Currently, G2COOL supplies about 10% of Masdar City’s cooling needs. The absorption cooling cycle involves heating a lithium bromide solution to release water vapor, which condenses and evaporates at low pressure to absorb heat from building cooling loops, effectively producing chilled water. Although the system’s coefficient of performance (
energygeothermal-energydistrict-coolingabsorption-chillerrenewable-energyMasdar-Citysustainable-cooling‘People Are So Proud of This’: How River and Lake Water Is Cooling Buildings
The article highlights the innovative use of river and lake water to cool buildings, focusing on Paris’s extensive district cooling network that draws on the River Seine. This system is crucial for maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels in landmarks like the Louvre, which requires significant cooling capacity to preserve priceless artworks. Water-based cooling is highly efficient due to water’s density and avoids exacerbating the urban heat island effect, unlike traditional air conditioning. Paris’s network currently serves around 800 buildings over 100 kilometers of pipes, with plans to expand to 3,000 buildings and 245 kilometers by 2042. Similar systems are emerging in cities like Toronto and Rotterdam, where river water is used to cool various public and private buildings. However, the article also discusses challenges posed by climate change. Rising temperatures increase cooling demand while simultaneously warming water sources, reducing their effectiveness for cooling. This paradox threatens the long-term viability of water-based district cooling systems. Despite these concerns, demand for such sustainable cooling solutions is growing, driven by
energydistrict-coolingclimate-changesustainable-coolingurban-heat-islandwater-based-coolingrenewable-energyOld Ideas Lead To New Thinking About Comfort In Homes & Buildings - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights how traditional, passive cooling techniques are being rediscovered and adapted to improve comfort in homes and buildings amid rising summer temperatures. It draws on historical practices, such as those used in Spain and Persia, where thick stone walls, awnings, and qanat systems—ancient underground water channels that cool air flowing through buildings—help maintain indoor comfort without relying on modern air conditioning. For example, in Seville, these methods keep indoor temperatures significantly lower than the outdoor heat, and similar principles are applied in hospitals using updated cooling technologies. Additionally, the article notes cultural adaptations like the revival of the siesta in Spain and government regulations mandating heat-related work breaks, emphasizing the need for humans to adapt to climate change rather than expecting the environment to adjust. It also references expert Lloyd Alter’s discussion on the importance of mean radiative temperature—the average temperature of surrounding surfaces radiating heat—as a critical factor in thermal comfort. Alter advocates for revisiting ancestral methods that effectively manage
energypassive-solar-designsustainable-coolingbuilding-materialsthermal-managementenergy-efficiencytraditional-architecturePhòng thí nghiệm Anh tạo ra chất làm lạnh mới trong điều hòa
energymaterialscooling-technologybarocaloric-materialsgreenhouse-gas-reductionenergy-efficiencysustainable-cooling