Researchers Develop Eco-Friendly Air Conditioning to Combat Europe's Heat Waves
Europe is grappling with intense heat waves, pushing temperatures in cities like Paris, London, and Madrid close to 40 degrees Celsius for extended periods. This surge in heat has reignited debates about installing air conditioning in private homes, a practice still uncommon in Europe compared to the US and Israel. However, concerns extend beyond comfort and public health to environmental impacts, including high energy consumption, damage to historic cityscapes, and contribution to urban heat islands due to heat expelled into streets.
Currently, only about 20% of European households have air conditioning, with the UK at roughly 4%, compared to 90% in the US and 94% in Israel. The International Energy Agency projects that by 2050, two-thirds of global households will have air conditioning. Despite their cooling benefits, traditional air conditioners use refrigerant gases that have a greenhouse effect thousands of times stronger than carbon dioxide, significantly worsening global warming. Professor Emeritus Evitar Arel from Ben-Gurion University highlights the environmental urgency of reducing refrigerant leaks and reliance on such systems.
In response, researchers and startups are developing new cooling technologies that eliminate the use of harmful refrigerant gases. One promising innovation, called Solid-State Cooling, uses materials that change temperature when exposed to mechanical force, magnetic fields, or electric currents, transferring heat without refrigerants. A notable project at Saarland University in Germany, funded by the European Union's ERC Starting Grant, is advancing Elastocaloric Cooling technology. This method uses a nickel-titanium alloy that cools when stretched and returns to its original shape, absorbing heat. The system, combined with flexible polymers, aims to create compact, efficient cooling units for buildings, vehicles, and electronics, potentially lowering room temperatures by about 10 degrees Celsius and outperforming conventional air conditioners.
If successful, these technologies could be integrated into new constructions within a few years. For Israel, where air conditioning is widespread, adopting environmentally friendly cooling solutions could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. Professor Arel notes that while these innovations are still in the research phase, they offer promising benefits such as reduced noise and improved energy efficiency. He concludes, "If there is a system that is quiet, energy-efficient, and clean, it is certainly desirable."
