Publication - State of Play and Innovations in Off-Grid Refrigeration Technology: Lessons Learned from Current Initiatives

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Title

State of Play and Innovations in Off-Grid Refrigeration Technology: Lessons Learned from Current Initiatives

Author

Nyamolo Abagi, Yasemine Erboy Ruff, Jennifer Corry Smith & Michael Spiak

Published in

March 2019

Abstract

Energy efficiency enables distributed off-grid renewable energy systems—from solar home systems to renewable micro-grids—to deliver energy services that otherwise might be economically or technically infeasible in resource-constrained settings. When superefficient appliances are used, the total cost of solar home systems and their associated appliances can be reduced by as much as 50%.

The paper explores the broader interplay of energy access and energy efficiency for off- and weak-grid settings by sharing learnings from the Efficiency for Access Coalition and the UK aid funded Low-Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) program.

To serve as a concrete example among off-grid appliance technologies, this paper will then explore the work of LEIA and other Coalition partners to accelerate cost and efficiency improvements in off-grid refrigeration. Refrigeration presents significant technical challenges to off-grid energy systems because of high-energy demand in addition to the lack of consistent and comparable performance data to help market stakeholders make effective and informed decisions about product selection.

To help address this knowledge gap in the market, this paper presents the findings of a baseline product testing effort used to establish a foundational understanding of the field performance of commercially available off-grid refrigerators. The paper further explores the role of innovation cash prizes in catalyzing technology innovation

and market expansion of off-grid refrigeration analyzing them through the lens of the Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP) Off-Grid Refrigerator Competition.

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