Efficiency for Access at the 2024 S-@ccess Conference: All You Need to Know
Members of the team from Efficiency for Access will be in attendance at this week's S-@ccess Conference, taking place in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
As previously announced, members of the Efficiency for Access team will be present at the 5th International Conference on Solar Technologies and Hybrid Mini-Grids, taking place between 4 – 6 September, hosted at the University of the Balearic Islands.
We have organised an interactive half-day workshop on solar cooling technologies on the first day of the conference. This workshop offers interactive training on solar cooling technologies, including real-world examples and discussions, enabling participants to share ideas and deepen their understanding while building new connections. It is designed to provide the space for you to openly share and discuss your ideas and learnings from your experience of working in the off-grid sector. Read more about the workshop here.
During the event, we will be sharing insights from team members on a number of recent projects and reports. Below we have included further reading and viewing opportunities for those attending, as well as those who are unable to attend our workshop at the S-@ccess Conference.
Empowerment through Appliances: Insights from the Humanitarian Energy Sector
Our Empowerment through Appliances study delves into humanitarian energy challenges, highlighting the need for reliable energy in refugee camps in which 94% lack electricity. Off-grid solutions, supported by collaborations between various stakeholders, are essential for improving living conditions and creating resilient humanitarian settlements, as demonstrated by initiatives like UNHCR’s Human Settlements Group of Friends.
The report study aims to amplify the voices of off- and weak-grid electrical appliance companies, providing a comprehensive understanding of experiences, business models, funding sources, and challenges in the humanitarian sector. Dive into the full report here.
Lifecycle Assessment of Low Carbon Walk-In Cold Rooms
The first of two pieces dedicated to exploring the advancements in walk-in cold room technology is in the form of a webinar from our recent cross-topic Research Expo. We devoted a session to the topic of development and field-testing of a net-zero concept for solar-powered walk-in cold rooms. This also included insights into the pilot testing of a cold room with a minimal carbon footprint.
Watch the discussion on the topic hosted by Efficiency for Access here.
Walk-In Cold Rooms: A Practitioner’s Technical Guide
In the Global South, agriculture is vital for livelihoods, and an effective cold chain, including cold rooms, is crucial for preserving food quality and boosting incomes. Wider access to pre-cooling and cold storage can reduce post-harvest losses and improve food security, but challenges exist in remote areas lacking reliable power and technical support, especially in hot climates.
In collaboration with the International Institute of Refrigeration, and with contributions from the ESMAP Efficient Clean Cooling Program of the World Bank, Walk-In Cold Rooms: A Practitioner’s Technical Guide outlines 12 steps to follow when specifying, delivering and operating a walk-in cold room, covering both the technical and business perspectives.
Find out more in the Guide which you can download here.
Say hello!
If you are attending this year’s S-@ccess Conference and our interactive workshop, be sure to introduce yourself to the Efficiency for Access team on site! We look forward to connecting and discussing these topics, and always welcome opportunities to explore further collaboration in the solar cooling sector.