Industrial cooling accounts for a significant portion of global energy consumption, and this demand is projected to increase substantially. Heating and cooling now account for 50% of global energy consumption, surpassing electricity (20%) and transport (30%) and contribute over 40% of energy-related CO₂ emissions, as reported by the Financial Times. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) forecasts that global energy demand for cooling will rise by 45% by 2050, increasing from 7 to 12 exajoules (EJ)—equivalent to Japan’s total annual energy consumption (around 12–13 EJ annually, according to the International Energy Agency).
This growing demand for cooling underscores the urgent need for more efficient, sustainable solutions. Industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, data centres and chemical manufacturing rely heavily on cooling systems to maintain optimal operations. Unfortunately, traditional cooling methods, often powered by fossil fuels, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and rising operational costs. At the same time, rising energy costs make it even more important to explore clean, decentralised energy solutions to keep operational expenses under control.
The EnergiCell®: Leading the Way in Sustainable Industrial Cooling
At ENG8, we are transforming industrial energy use with our innovative EnergiCell technology. Building on our advancements in sustainable heating, the EnergiCell represents a revolutionary approach to industrial cooling. While still in the developmental phase, the EnergiCell has the potential to generate clean, efficient energy, enabling industries to meet their cooling needs while reducing carbon emissions and operational expenses. The EnergiCell is not only a clean energy source but also a flexible solution, powering refrigeration systems, compressors and absorption chillers—creating a path to more sustainable energy use across various sectors.
Integrating the EnergiCell with Absorption Chillers: A Sustainable Cooling Alternative
The EnergiCell’s versatility extends to its potential integration with absorption chillers, which offer a sustainable alternative to traditional electricity-intensive cooling systems. Absorption chillers utilise heat energy to drive the cooling process, making them an ideal match for the EnergiCell’s clean energy output. This integration offers several key benefits:
- Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Absorption chillers powered by the EnergiCell could achieve heat recovery efficiencies of up to 173%, providing hot water up to 85°C.
- Reduced Operational Costs: By utilising waste heat, industries can significantly lower their cooling expenses, leading to substantial cost savings.
- Combined Heating and Cooling: The EnergiCell is particularly suited for industrial applications requiring both heating and cooling, optimising energy use and overall system efficiency.
Applications Across Industries: The EnergiCell in Action
The EnergiCell’s integration with absorption chillers offers transformative potential across a range of industries, enhancing both cooling and heating processes.
- Food Processing
- Heating: Pasteurisation, sterilisation, drying
- Cooling: Refrigeration, cold storage
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Heating: Distillation, chemical reactions, solvent recovery
- Cooling: Vapour condensation, process cooling
- Pharmaceuticals
- Heating: Sterilisation, tablet drying, chemical synthesis
- Cooling: Freeze-drying (lyophilisation), cold storage
- Data Centres
- Heating (Waste Heat Source): IT equipment heat, backup power systems
- Cooling: Air conditioning, rack cooling, battery room cooling, liquid cooling
- Data centres, particularly those relying on high-performance computing (HPC) and AI processing, generate significant amounts of heat. These high-demand applications require robust cooling systems to maintain operational efficiency. The EnergiCell’s clean energy output can help optimise cooling for these systems while significantly reducing energy consumption. AI-driven cooling management systems can be applied across all industries to ensure cooling processes remain optimised, reducing energy waste and improving system performance.
- Steel & Aluminium Production
- Heating: Smelting, forging, annealing
- Cooling: Quenching, mould cooling, facility air conditioning
- Power Generation (Thermal Plants)
- Heating: Steam generation for turbines
- Cooling: Condensation cooling, district cooling
Why Sustainable Cooling Matters Now
With industrial cooling energy use projected to rise by 45% by 2050, businesses must adopt smarter, more efficient solutions. The EnergiCell enables industries to:
- Lower Cooling Costs: By leveraging waste heat, industries can cut down on cooling expenses and mitigate the impact of rising energy prices.
- Enhance Sustainability: The EnergiCell’s low-carbon approach reduces CO₂ emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals.
- Boost Energy Resilience: The EnergiCell offers decentralised, clean power, making businesses more energy-resilient and less dependent on conventional energy sources.
Join the Energy Revolution
ENG8 invites industries to explore this innovative approach to industrial cooling. By considering the EnergiCell technology, businesses can achieve their sustainability targets, reduce costs and contribute to a cleaner, more efficient future. Together, we can redefine industrial energy use and pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow.