As the planet gets hotter, businesses everywhere are looking for ways to keep our earth cool. Since so many companies rely on fossil fuels, the planet is continuing to warm up. That’s why there’s a big push for new, clean cooling technologies. British inventors are stepping up to the challenge.
A cool new invention
One cool idea (literally) comes from a garage in Bishop’s Stortford: a supermarket chiller truck that uses liquid nitrogen to stay cold. Sainsbury’s is kicking off tests with this new truck this weekend.
Some other cool inventions by entrepreneur-inventors include an ice-cooled fridge and a battery-powered food delivery van. Experts say these innovations are leading the way in a tech market that could be worth £100 billion a year in the coming decades.
There’s some debate about whether cooling will be the “number one” energy challenge, but it’s definitely a major issue, which makes the nitrogen-cooled truck a real trendsetter.
This truck’s engine uses waste liquid nitrogen at -200°C (-328°F) left over from making liquid oxygen. The nitrogen is stored in a tank and used to cool the chiller compartment, replacing the usual polluting diesel engine.
Additionally, the truck features a new type of engine powered by the expansion of liquid nitrogen, which expands 700 times to become a gas. This process generates electricity for extra cooling, making the truck even more efficient.
Rethinking energy waste
The system was created by amateur inventor Peter Dearman, who’s been recognized by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He says it could use waste liquid nitrogen that’s already available, but there are concerns about the costs if new supplies had to be produced.
The company behind it suggests using excess cheap energy from wind turbines or nuclear plants at night to create the liquid nitrogen. This way, it acts like an energy store, similar to a battery.
On the simpler side, two backyard inventors in Lampeter, Wales, came up with another chiller truck system called Perpetual V2G. Their invention swaps the diesel engine for a secondary battery that can be charged overnight with off-peak electricity or boosted by an extra alternator.
Sainsbury’s is testing out their system too.
Meanwhile, the creators of an ice-cooled fridge are working to bring their invention into our kitchens.
The Surechill fridge has a cool design: it has a plastic sleeve filled with water around or on top, depending on the model. When cheap electricity is available, the water freezes. Then, when electricity is expensive during the day, you can turn off the power, and the ice keeps the food cool.
Their most advanced product is a vaccine fridge that can stay cold for two weeks without any power.
Surechill started manufacturing in India and South Africa, which led to the closure of their original plant in mid-Wales, where the product was first developed.
A new type of air conditioning
A practical use of water to store heat or cool can be found in many UK hotels and offices. They get cheaper energy rates if they turn off their air-conditioning systems during peak times.
Marriott Hotels say guests don’t notice the slight temperature change because the water in the system’s pipes stays cool even when the fans are off for a while.
Some of these innovations have government backing, with at least £50m allocated for smart tech innovations.
“We’re investing in a variety of innovative ideas like those from the Cold Economy to help provide secure, affordable, and clean energy now and for the future,” the Department of Energy and Climate Change told the BBC.
However, some experts believe a broader approach is necessary. Prof. Freer emphasizes that the cold economy should ensure that waste from one process becomes the fuel for another.
With global warming increasing every year, it’s crucial that more companies consider their impacts on the earth. Utilizing cooling waste and other sources can really make an impact. Let’s see how this invention pans out in the future.