4. Green energy solutions for essential services

How can health care facilities, supermarkets and data centers manage their significant and growing energy use? And how can they overcome the challenges posed by limited access to green electricity? This chapter explores innovative solutions tailored for these essential services, highlighting the critical need for benchmarks and standards to better understand and mitigate their environmental impact.

Introduction

High-demand sectors in critical need of energy reliability and resilience

Supermarkets, health care facilities and data centers, despite serving vastly different purposes, share a critical commonality: they all demand reliable, uninterrupted energy to operate effectively. These sectors are energy-intensive, outstripping most other private, commercial and public building types (Gimeno-Frontera et al., 2018; Delgado et al., 2021.; McGain and Naylor, 2014).

Supermarkets, health care facilities and data centers share a critical commonality: they all demand reliable, uninterrupted energy to operate effectively

They also have strict requirements for maintaining temperature control, supporting essential equipment and ensuring the safety and well-being of their users or customers. Any disruption in power can have significant consequences, from spoiled food and compromised patient care to data loss and operational downtime.

This dependency on consistent energy supply also makes them prime candidates for clean energy solutions. Integrating renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency and adopting advanced energy storage technologies can not only reduce their environmental impact but also bolster their resilience against power outages and fluctuations in energy costs.

Essential but energy-intensive sectors can no longer be overlooked

Another commonality for the sectors covered in this chapter is that their energy demand is growing. Supermarkets are trending toward smaller convenience stores – which can be about half as efficient as larger ones – and more frozen food, which demands more electricity for cooling (Kolokotroni et al., 2019). Hospital energy consumption is steadily increasing, driven in part by the increase in critical equipment and rapid adoption of advanced information technology (IT) (Suárez et al., 2022). And Google reported a 13 percent increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2023, primarily due to rising data center energy use and supply chain emissions (Google, 2024).

With limited renewable energy use in many regions and fossil fuels still maintaining an 82 percent share of global primary energy production (Energy Institute, 2024), a broader array of solutions is needed to drive the sustainable energy transition for these high-demand sectors. In this chapter, we delve into low-carbon energy solutions, often tailored for each service area.

Overcoming decarbonization challenges with decentralized energy supply

Decentralized energy systems, such as hybrid renewable energy systems incorporating solar photovoltaics (PVs) and batteries, are increasingly being adopted to provide clean and reliable energy in end-use sectors. For example, in Zimbabwe, over 400 health centers have installed solar arrays. Similarly, several supermarkets utilize rooftop solar panels and participate in micro-grids to stabilize their energy supply and reduce GHG emissions. Data centers, with their high energy demands, can benefit from modular and off-grid solutions like solar power, micro-grids and battery energy storage systems but are yet to do so on a large scale.

All these subsystems benefit from advances in intelligent energy management systems, which are essential for ensuring they work together efficiently and reliably, especially in critical situations like maintaining operations during extreme conditions such as natural disasters (Kyriakarakos and Dounis, 2020). The level of self-sufficiency achieved through renewable energy integration often hinges on effective energy storage. For example, in supermarkets, integrating PV plants can cover up to 20 percent of energy consumption without storage, but with appropriately sized battery storage systems, this figure can rise to 75 percent (Franco and Cillari, 2021).

Cooling and refrigeration shifting toward greener solutions

In addition to significant heating, cooling and ventilation needs, these essential services face unique challenges with regard to the need for cooling of food, hardware and medicine. Health care facilities also require higher ventilation standards. Cooling and ventilation is where much of the innovation is happening, with efficient medical freezers, subcritical CO₂ boosters and liquid cooling technologies, to name a few of the technologies described in the chapters.

Simple and effective solutions like simply equipping supermarket cabinets with doors can sometimes offer the highest energy savings

New advances are further enabling better cooling efficiencies in hot and humid climates. Technologies that manage airflow and humidity in data centers and hospitals, for the benefit of heat dispersion and patient health, are becoming more sophisticated. However, simple and effective solutions like simply equipping supermarket cabinets with doors can sometimes offer the highest energy savings. Making use of natural elements, through free cooling that uses cold outdoor air or water bodies, is another promising trend that can help reduce demand for mechanical cooling.

Benchmarks and standards catching up

Energy efficiency standards and labeling schemes significantly impact the adoption of energy-efficient technologies. For instance, European Union (EU) minimum energy performance standards and energy labels reportedly increased the market share of efficient cold appliances by 15 to 38 percentage points (Schleich et al., 2021). Data centers, hospitals, as well as supermarkets, can now earn energy efficiency labels, for instance through Energy Star, by adopting energy-efficient products and practices.

However, more work is needed in terms of benchmarks, coordinated action and greater transparency to fully understand their energy footprint and evaluate the effectiveness of their climate investments. For health care facilities and supermarkets, they have only recently started their sustainability journeys. The energy consumption of data centers has been understood and assessed for longer, but the general lack of transparency by privately owned tech companies means real figures are hard to come by. These findings underscore the importance of policy measures, labeling schemes and public awareness in promoting low-carbon and energy-efficient technology adoption.

Energy-efficient supermarkets

Supermarkets are among the biggest energy consumers of all commercial building types. Grocery stores, wholesalers, convenience stores and other food retailers need energy for keeping produce fresh, illuminating their shops and controlling temperatures and humidity. By adopting low-carbon energy technologies, supermarkets and other food retailers can significantly reduce their climate impact and lower energy costs.

Technological developments and trends

Supermarkets’ unique energy challenge

Supermarkets have been growing rapidly in number, having emerged in the United States of America and Western Europe in the 1920s–40s, and in developing areas in the 1980s–90s (Lu and Reardon, 2018). Making use of economies of scale, they offer fresh and easy-to-prepare foods and save customers multiple trips to specialty shops. They also contribute to new supply chains and market arrangements, with repercussions for both large-scale food producers and small farmers growing perishable crops (das Nair et al., 2018). Innovative solutions have now enabled e-commerce to enter the food retail market, allowing consumers to browse and select food items online for delivery or pickup.

Supermarkets are among the biggest energy consumers of all commercial building types

With the vast number of daily visitors, supermarkets can be a place of influence, facilitating green diets and sustainable sourcing of food (Bauer et al., 2022). But supermarkets also take their toll on the environment, not least through food waste production, fugitive refrigerant emissions, excessive plastic packaging and energy consumption. The challenge of food waste in supermarkets has received global recognition and interest (Huang et al., 2021). In comparison, the high energy consumption of supermarkets, attributed mainly to the vast refrigeration needs (Karampour et al., 2016), has gone largely unnoticed. This is despite the fact that food retail stores can have 20 times higher global warming potential (GWP) per square meter than non-commercial buildings Gimeno-Frontera et al., 2018). Supermarkets are also among the most electricity-intensive types of commercial buildings (Khare et al., 2019).

While the supermarket industry has been growing, earlier data indicated that supermarkets in the United Kingdom accounted for about 3 percent of national electricity consumption (Tassou et al., 2011). This warrants a better understanding in terms of benchmarking the energy consumption of supermarkets, and standardizing energy efficiency measures across the many food retail chains across the world (see box 4.1). Several food retailers have now pledged carbon neutrality by various timeframes, and adoption of innovative energy technologies can help accelerate their energy transition.

Smaller supermarkets consume twice the energy of larger ones

In many countries, energy intensity in supermarkets has been reduced with the help of energy efficient technologies for lighting, refrigeration, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). A global trend that is hampering such progress is the growing number of smaller food stores such as convenience food shops, which also happen to have a higher energy intensity. In London, supermarkets of around 300 m² have an energy intensity of 840–1200 kWh/m² per year compared to larger supermarkets that average about 400 kWh/m² annually (see box 4.1) (Kolokotroni et al., 2019).

Another growing trend is frozen food, which performs particularly well during disruptions such as the pandemic and periods of economic turmoil. The higher the percentage of frozen food, the higher the total energy usage due to more demand for lower temperature refrigeration (Kolokotroni et al., 2019.; Mylona et al., 2017). On the somewhat positive side, excess heat from refrigeration and lighting systems means that supermarkets have lower heating needs. In fact, electricity needs for cooling and refrigeration can be on average 70 percent higher than the need for heating (Rosén and Borgqvist, 2015).

Refrigeration the biggest energy consumer

Refrigerator systems are energy-consuming and often dependent on refrigerants with a high GWP. The type of refrigeration system adopted by a supermarket has an important impact on energy consumption, considering they account for 35 to 50 percent of the total energy use (Karampour et al., 2016). The best available cooling equipment consumes 80 percent less electricity than comparable technology using outdated technology (U4E, 2024a). Even simple retrofits, such as installing low-E glass doors for refrigerators, can save up to 40 percent of energy consumption (Saengsikhiao and Taweekun, 2021).

Stand-alone plug-in cabinets, condensing units (with “split systems” connected to a remotely located condenser) and centralized systems using high-GWP refrigerants are common among supermarkets. While condensing units use more refrigerants, plug-in options often consume the most energy (CCAC, 2023a). A refrigeration technology which has gained in popularity in the last decade is the transcritical CO₂ booster system which uses natural CO₂ refrigerants. The technology is recognized for its potential to reduce refrigerant-based GHG emissions and generate at least 20 percent on energy cost savings (CCAC, 2023a).

Supermarket refrigeration technologies of the future

Between 2008 and 2020, the adoption of transcritical CO₂ refrigeration systems in Europe grew from 140 to 35,500 systems, with 55,000 reported in 2022. In Europe, transcritical CO₂ refrigeration systems have gained industry-wide acceptance, with over 18 percent of the food retail market having adopted the technology (Patenaude, 2022; ATMOsphere 2022). While they are not yet the norm in most other parts of the world, CO₂ refrigeration systems are spurred by policies promoting the use of natural refrigerants, including the Kigali Amendment which limits the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Developed country investments since the 2010s have brought down production costs of the technology to nearly equal those of HFC systems, and enabled uptake in middle-income countries (CCAC, 2023a).

Between 2008 and 2020, the adoption of transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems in Europe grew from 140 to 35,500 systems, with 55,000 reported in 2022

While medium-sized supermarkets have been the main adopters of CO₂ refrigeration systems, a noticeable trend involves the development of units that are suitable for smaller stores (shecco, 2020). This will be relevant not least in countries with high population densities where smaller convenience stores are common. Another trend is multifunctional integrated systems providing combined refrigeration, heating and even air conditioning (Karampour et al., 2016). Self-contained cases of R290 (propane refrigerant, which has low GWP), subcritical CO₂ and R290 water-loop systems are other technologies expected to play a bigger role in the future (see list of technologies for details) (shecco, 2020).

Refrigeration systems in warmer climates

While transcritical CO₂ systems were previously considered unsuitable in warmer climates due to lower efficiencies, new innovations and cost competitiveness have allowed use of CO₂ refrigeration systems regardless of climate (UNEP Ozone Secretariat, 2015). Technological advances include cascade systems which use a combination of natural refrigerants in a setup that enables two or more refrigeration cycles to be combined to reach lower temperatures in a more efficient way.

Other efficiency-enhancing technologies which allow the use of transcritical CO₂ systems in warmer climates include ejectors and parallel compression, the latter which could enhance efficiency by more than 10 percent (Fritschi et al., 2016). These are expected to become standard features in transcritical systems (shecco, 2020).

Compared to regular transcritical CO₂ refrigeration systems, adiabatic refrigeration systems incorporate an additional cooling step to enhance efficiency, particularly in warmer climates. A study in Chile pointed to an adiabatic transcritical CO₂ refrigeration system being 44 percent more energy efficient than one using a conventional R507 HFC refrigeration solution (MoE Chile, 2018).

Efficient heat recovery and simple dehumidification techniques

In supermarkets, as in most energy-consuming sectors, a significant amount of energy is lost as waste heat. The use of heat recovery from refrigeration systems is gaining traction, but still remains underutilized despite great potential for energy and cost savings (van der Sluis, 2017). For instance, one supermarket in Denmark reportedly reduced their annual heating bill by nearly 90 percent by making use of heat recovery, highlighting a significant decarbonization potential across the sector (Danfoss, 2022). Several technology companies have now developed specialized heat recovery units that allow supermarkets to recover heat to warm the stores and provide hot water.

Another often overlooked efficiency measure relates to managing humidity. Humidity in supermarkets can lead to more frost formation on refrigeration coils in food display cabinets, which reduces their efficiency. Many supermarkets have not adopted solutions to dehumidify air. For those that have, dehumidification itself contributes to energy consumption, warranting a full analysis of net energy costs of the store.

Solutions can involve a combination of dehumidifiers, improved refrigeration design, anti-sweat glass doors, humidity sensors or the use of water-absorbing materials like silica gel that are incorporated in the ventilation systems (van der Sluis, 2017). Hot gas defrosting or electric defrosting can be equipped with precise controls that allow stores to reduce the frequency and energy consumption of defrost cycles.

However, sometimes the solution is far simpler. In fact, studies have shown that equipping display cabinets with doors to avoid frost formation on coils can offer energy savings of almost 40 percent, which is far greater compared to other dehumidification measures (Markusson and Ollas, 2013). Technology and service providers now offer solutions for retrofitting glass doors onto open display cases in supermarkets, to avoid changing the entire refrigerator.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), daylighting and automation

Lighting represents about 13 percent of electricity consumed in a supermarket or related establishment. Compared to other investments, lighting measures such as switching to LEDs is often considered a low-hanging fruit with potential to save up to 50 percent on lighting energy (Energy Star, 2008). LEDs can also be used in food display cases and cabinets. Today, LED tube lights can be fitted into conventional lighting armature fixtures making the switch easier.

Beyond switching to LEDs and training personnel in energy efficient behavior, energy consumption can be reduced further by installing motion and daylight sensors. Automated control systems can adapt lighting to occupancy rate and opening hours of the shops. Further, placement of photoelectric cells outside to measure light intensity enables shops to reduce indoor lighting when it is dark outside. This offers more comfortable lighting as the contrast is less harsh for consumers whose eyes have adjusted to the darkness outside. Combining daylighting with artificial lighting and suitable control systems such as dimmers also helps enable a more cost-effective and efficient lighting level.

On-site energy production for food retailers

While energy conservation and efficiency measures are a priority, supermarkets and food retailers have the option of producing their own clean energy to further mitigate energy-related GHG emissions. The profitability of such initiatives is higher for larger supermarkets and is largely dependent on the price of electricity. On-site electricity production can be particularly suitable for supermarkets as they have predictable energy consumption patterns, with the only variance being whether the store is open or closed. Supermarkets also often have large parking facilities and ample space for rooftop solar.

Solar, off-site wind and geothermal energy are all options for provision of electricity, heating and cooling. However, given the excess heat generated from refrigeration and lighting systems, technologies for on-site heat production are often of low interest (Rosén and Borgqvist, 2015). Supermarkets can also participate in or develop micro-grids to combine renewable energy sources with battery storage for increased energy security and resilience. On the simpler end, solar-powered food storage units are replacing diesel generators in several urban markets around the world to enable retailers and wholesalers to avoid food loss.

Automation and monitoring systems

In modern building management, various technologies can be seamlessly integrated into building systems to achieve greater energy efficiency. Using smart meters, supermarkets can track electricity consumption at regular intervals throughout the day or in real time, enabling them to identify opportunities for optimization. Integrating such meters with building management systems can enable automated demand response programs, allowing utilities and building systems to communicate to dynamically manage electricity demand during periods. This also allows adjustment of energy-intensive activities based on peak and off-peak periods, price signals or grid conditions. Beyond energy savings, this promotes grid stability and reliability. Automation is in fact among the most sought-after technologies for supermarkets to adopt (box 4.2).

Calculation and comparisons of energy consumption is also useful for identifying the right refrigeration system. Off-the-shelf simulation tools are available to integrate load profiles and weather data to compare the performance of different refrigeration systems and configurations. Other innovations enable multiple appliances in supermarkets to be monitored and managed through an internet of things (IoT)-based solution that collect data from appliances. Supermarket kitchen equipment such as vent hoods equipped with sensors can save energy by detecting when the stove is in use, to avoid sucking out dry air throughout the day.

Innovation examples

Energy-efficient refrigeration systems in Jordan

Source: UNIDO

A supermarket in Jordan, with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Ministry of Environment in Jordan, installed a transcritical CO₂ refrigeration system to demonstrate the feasibility of such systems in high temperature environments. The Al Salam military supermarket in Amman was the first in its region to install this technology in 2018, using a system supplied by Italian manufacturer Enex Srl. In addition to avoiding climate-hazardous refrigerants, the CO₂ refrigeration system was more energy efficient than the previously used conventional system using HFCH-22 refrigerant. A state-of-the-art ejector technology was integrated to ensure high efficiency during warm summer months. Also known as a jet pump, the ejector is a device that can use energy in a high-pressure refrigerant to compress a low-pressure refrigerant, increasing overall efficiency (UNIDO, 2024a).

Solar at South Africa’s largest retailer

Source: Shoprite Holdings

The Shoprite Group, South Africa’s largest retailer with over 2,900 stores in 11 African countries, is making use of solar energy to cut operational costs. Given that South Africa’s energy grid is predominantly coal-powered, the installation of solar systems at on-site and off-site locations offers a good option for low-carbon energy supply. In 2022, solar systems had been installed at over 60 sites in South Africa and beyond, with a total installed capacity of 26.6 MW (Shoprite, 2022).

Proven technology solutions

Energy efficiency: retrofitting refrigerator doors

Koolmax Group

Source: Getty Images/Михаил Руденко

The simple switch from open to closed refrigerator cases at supermarkets have shown to have a tremendous impact on energy efficiency. Rather than replacing the entire system, technology and service providers can be identified to retrofit doors onto existing display cabinets. Koolmax Group offers several designs of double glazed hinged or sliding doors that can be retrofitted onto existing cabinets.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: Low

• Country of origin: United Kingdom

• Availability: Worldwide

• Contact: WIPO GREEN Database

Energy efficiency: low-E glass doors

Loreco System

Source: Getty Images/Hitra

Low-E glass doors can enhance energy efficiency in supermarkets as they reduce heat transfer, helping to maintain cold temperatures inside refrigeration cabinets. This special type of glass has a coating that blocks infrared and ultraviolet light while letting in visible light, which keeps the temperature more stable and results in lower energy costs. Additionally, these doors are less prone to condensation, avoiding moisture build-up and making them easier to maintain.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: Low

• Country of origin: Spain

• Availability: Spain

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Energy efficiency: transcritical CO₂ refrigeration

SCM Frigo

Source: Getty Images/alacatr

SCM Frigo, an Italian manufacturer that specializes in refrigeration technologies based on the natural refrigerant CO₂ has recently introduced a new line of transcritical CO₂ booster systems for commercial use. The technology can be adapted with optional heat recovery as well as energy meters, and works in all climates due to a dynamic vapor injection technology which helps handle gases that typically weaken transcritical refrigeration systems.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Italy

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: transcritical CO₂ refrigeration

Arneg Andina

Source: Arneg

Arneg offers different kinds of transcritical CO₂ refrigeration systems for grocery stores of all sizes: the Globo, Globo+, Mini Booster, Booster and Booster XL. The standard systems are suitable for all climates, while those with an adiabatic post-cooler are designed for hotter climates. The other systems, either having a parallel compressor or a parallel ejector and compressor, optimize energy performance through different mechanics to address varying needs for reducing energy use. The systems also come with optional accessories for recovering waste heat or producing cold water to use in other applications in the store, such as in the HVAC system.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Colombia

• Availability: Latin America

• Contact: WIPO GREEN Database 

Energy efficiency: compact transcritical CO₂ system for smaller supermarkets

Advansor

Source: Advansor

For smaller supermarkets with limited space, Advansor offers a line of compact transcritical CO₂ refrigeration system units. They are the Value Pack (VP), VP Light, VP II and the Minibooster. At their upper ranges, these systems deliver medium temperature cooling capacities between 45 kW and 136 kW. Additionally, all systems come with optional accessories allowing for functions such as waste heat recovery.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Denmark

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: destratification fans

Airius

Source: Airius

Conventional heating and cooling systems can lead to an uneven temperature distribution in supermarkets and stores, leading to warm air rising to the ceiling and cooler air settling at surface level – so-called stratification. This exerts extra pressure on the heating and cooling systems, leading to unnecessary losses. Destratification fans support air circulation in stores, providing a more consistent temperature and saving in HVAC energy costs. Company Airius provides a wide range of fans, with a specific series relevant for grocery stores.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: Medium

• Country of origin: United States

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy supply: solar-powered cold storage units

ColdHubs

Source: ColdHub

Solar-powered cold storage units are critical for avoiding food waste in many markets and farms. The technology is particularly relevant in rural regions in developing countries where temperatures soar high, and off-grid locations create challenging conditions for food retailers. However, urban markets can also benefit from adopting the technology to store food and reduce waste.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: Medium

• Country of origin: Nigeria

• Availability: Nigeria

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Energy efficiency: adiabatic subcooler for supermarket refrigeration systems

MITA Cooling Technologies

Source: MITA Cooling Technologies

To boost the efficiency of CO₂ or natural refrigerant systems, MITA Cooling Technologies offers patented adiabatic subcoolers. These subcoolers can be installed in supermarket to increase efficiency without major system changes. They are plug-and-play solutions that are added downstream of the condenser or gas cooler in CO₂ chillers. In addition to energy savings, the coolers include functions such as a software for calculating return on investment as well as a compact, modular design with simple maintenance.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Italy

• Availability: Italy

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Energy efficiency: daylighting in supermarkets

Sundowner Skylights

Source: Getty Images/beekeepx

Supermarkets can reduce their energy use and costs by installing light-capturing domes on their roofs. The Tube Skylights from Sundowner Skylights funnel sunlight directly into the indoor environment through these domes. They come with a range of diffusers to adjust for desired intensity, a built-in lamp for nighttime illumination, and an optional attachable ring to turn the light off. The skylights are compatible with a wide selection of roof types, including corrugated iron or cement tiles.

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• Technology level: Medium

• Country of origin: South Africa

• Availability: South Africa

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Frontier technology solutions

Energy efficiency: simulation tool for refrigeration systems

IPU

Source: Getty Images/AlexLMX

Pack Calculation Pro is a simulation tool for calculating and comparing the yearly consumption of refrigeration systems and heat pumps. The tools use load profiles and weather data to compare the performance of different refrigeration systems and their configurations.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: Medium

• Country of origin: Denmark

• Availability: Denmark

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Energy efficiency: real-time monitoring of energy consumption

Memoco

Source: Getty Images/MartinPrescott

Memoco’s Energy Box has been designed to reduce energy costs in the retail sector, by giving energy operators an insight into real-time energy consumption in the shops via a web interface. The Box is also provided via a leasing agreement where the cost is recovered through the energy and cost savings made by the store.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: Medium

• Country of origin: Belgium

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: wireless sensors for supermarket temperature monitoring

Ruuvi

Source: Ruuvi

RuuviTag is a wireless thermometer designed for use in grocery stores and supermarkets. It allows users to monitor temperature, manage cooling and heating systems, receive alerts and review past temperature data. The device supports remote monitoring through the Ruuvi Gateway and Cloud service, providing flexibility in overseeing temperature conditions.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: Medium

• Country of origin: Finland

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: integrated refrigeration, air conditioning and heating unit for supermarkets

Daikin

Source: Daiki

Daikin’s Conveni-Pack system is an innovative solution tailored for supermarkets, combining refrigeration, cooling, heating and ventilation into one compact unit. Utilizing CO₂ as a natural refrigerant with a GWP of just 1, the system is highly energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Its CO₂-specific swing compressor boosts energy efficiency by 5 to 15 percent and extends the compressor’s lifespan. The Conveni-Pack is flexible in installation, space-saving and operates quietly, making it suitable for supermarket environments.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Japan

• Availability: Worldwide

• Contact: WIPO GREEN Database 

Energy efficiency: heat recovery from refrigeration installations

Danfoss A/S

Source: Getty Images/Sheikoevgeniya

Heat is typically a by-product of refrigeration processes. By recovering this heat, supermarkets can reduce their CO₂ footprint and grid-energy consumption. Danfoss offers the Heat Recovery Unit, a combined CO₂ refrigeration and water heating system that captures waste heat from the cooling process to meet the supermarket’s space and water heating needs. Excess heat can also be sold to the local district heating system.

• Contracting type: For sale/service

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Denmark

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: actively cooled refrigerated and frozen containers for last-mile delivery

Phononic

Source: Phononic

Phononic has developed actively cooled and temperature-sensitive tote freezers and refrigerators which use CO₂ as a natural refrigerant. The totes use wireless contact charging and real-time temperature insights, enabling better transportation of perishable goods for grocery stores that have adopted e-commerce. For instance, data can be used to manage demand-based energy savings by only cooling or freezing the number of customer orders needed rather than an entire cooler or transport truck.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: United States

• Availability: Puerto Rico, United States

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Energy efficiency: ultra-low superheat module for supermarket refrigeration system

Advansor

Source: Advansor

Advansor’s Ultra-Low Superheat Module enhances supermarkets’ refrigeration efficiency by allowing the cooling units to operate at higher temperatures without causing them to overflow with refrigerant, using less energy. The module includes three main components: a suction accumulator, an internal heat exchanger, and an optional ejector. The suction accumulator captures any returning liquid from the units and separates it from the gas. The internal heat exchanger then evaporates and superheats the gas and liquid CO₂ from the accumulator, while also cooling the liquid line. This leads to energy savings of up to 30 percent with a two-year payback time.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Denmark

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: demand control kitchen ventilation

Melink Corporation

Source: Melink Corporation

Kitchen hood fans typically waste energy by operating either at full capacity or not at all, and they also expel air that has already been heated or cooled at a cost. Demand-control kitchen ventilation systems address this inefficiency by retrofitting hood fans with advanced controls that automatically adjust the fan speed based on the cooking activity. This technology lowers energy bills, creates a more comfortable environment for staff and customers, and reduces the need for “make-up air” the fresh air that replaces the exhausted air.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: Medium

• Country of origin: United States

• Availability: Worldwide

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Horizon technology solutions

Energy efficiency: integrated IoT-based data monitoring and management for supermarkets

Tietoevry

Source: Tietoevr

Tietoevry is a Finnish IT software and service company that has piloted a solution to harness the power of data for energy efficiency in a supermarket. In collaboration with retailer REWE Austria, Tietoevry transformed a store in Austria into an energy-efficient “Supermarket of the Future” by leveraging data integration. The project focused on gathering data from various store appliances, which were previously unconnected, to optimize energy use and maintenance processes. Tietoevry developed an IoT-based solution that collects and analyzes the data, presented through a user-friendly dashboard on Microsoft’s Azure platform. This system not only simplified store management but also reduced energy and maintenance costs by up to 25 percent.

• Contracting type: For service

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Finland

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: Smart energy management tool for supermarket distribution centers

Star Refrigeration

Source: Star Refrigeration

Star Refrigeration and the UK’s largest supermarket chain, Tesco, joined forces in trialing the Ethos system, an AI-driven monitoring and performance optimization system, at eight of Tesco’s supermarket distribution centers for 21 months. This achieved an average cut of 10% in energy use, corresponding to a total of 4 GWh of energy savings and an 835 tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions. The Ethos system gathers and analyzes data from heating and cooling equipment to generate a cloud-based digital twin, which provides managers with detailed insights on system performance, inefficiencies, trends, as well as recommended corrective measures coupled with estimated financial and CO₂ savings. The continuous monitoring and resulting insights also help with maximizing the operational lifetimes of Tesco’s refrigeration plants, further minimizing costs.

• Contracting type: For service

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: United Kingdom

• Availability: United Kingdom

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Energy efficiency: Quantum computing in grocery optimization

D-Wave Quantum Inc.

Source: D-Wave Quantum Inc

In grocery retail, quantum computers can help minimize waste and carbon footprint by optimizing tasks like product placement, efficient resource use, and delivery of perishable goods. D-Wave is a quantum computing company offering a full-stack technology solution, including systems, cloud services, development tools, and professional services to benefit business and society. They help businesses identify and solve problems that benefit from hybrid quantum technologies, providing online training, professional services, and access to the Leap quantum cloud. Save-On-Foods, a leading grocery retailer in Western Canada, is piloting innovative grocery optimization solutions in their business by leveraging D-Wave hybrid quantum algorithms. A key optimization task is now being completed in just 2 minutes each week—a task that previously took 25 hours. D-Wave is exploring quantum computing applications in various fields, including optimization problems relevant to energy management and refrigeration systems.

• Contracting type: Under development

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Canada

• Availability: N/A

• Contact: WIPO GREEN Database 

Energy efficiency: Device for energy-efficient refrigeration cabinets

Aerofoil Energy

Source: Getty Images/Andrii Atanov

Aerofoil Energy is a technology company supplying energy solutions to grocery retailers worldwide by transforming the performance of display refrigeration, reducing energy consumption and associated emissions. Jetseal is Aerofoil Energy’s latest innovation in green-retrofit technology, designed to enhance the energy efficiency of refrigerated cabinets with doors. After thorough research, Aerofoil Energy identified why these cabinets often underperform in energy savings and developed Jetseal to tackle a key issue: warm air leakage through door gaps. Retailers implementing Jetseal in their refrigerated cabinets can anticipate a return on investment in under a year. This technology works by harnessing the fridge’s own cold air flow to effectively block warm air from entering through the door gaps, thereby creating a more efficient thermal barrier. Currently undergoing trials with several international grocery chains across the USA and Europe, Jetseal delivers an additional 15-25% energy savings. It is entirely passive and maintenance-free, and replaces door wiper seals for better merchandising and hygiene. It is quick and easy to install, even during store operating hours.

• Contracting type: Under development

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: United Kingdom

• Availability: N/A

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Green energy solutions for health care facilities

Health care facilities play a vital role in patient care. While health-care delivery remains a priority, there is growing awareness of the environmental and climate impact of the facilities’ essential functions like heating, cooling, lighting and waste management. These functions determine health outcomes beyond the facility level. At the same time, the always-on requirements of health care facilities heighten their vulnerability to extreme weather events which can disrupt health care services and damage infrastructure. This requires resilient energy infrastructure and back-up systems to safeguard health and protect lives.

Technological developments and trends

The health care sector’s carbon footprint

The health care sector, constituting 10 percent of the world’s gross domestic product, emits a significant amount of GHGs. If the global health care sector were a country, it would be the fifth-largest carbon emitter (Karliner et al., 2019.; Leal Filho et al., 2024). Emissions are produced during various activities of the sector, including product manufacturing and transport, daily operations and waste management. See box 4.3 for more information on health care spending and emissions.

If the global health care sector were a country, it would be the fifth-largest carbon emitter

Emissions from health care facilities themselves represent approximately 30 percent of the global health care sector’s total carbon emissions. The other 70 percent are outside of the scope of this chapter and relate to emissions from the health-care supply chain, including production of pharmaceuticals, hospital equipment, textiles and food (Karliner et al., 2019). ⁽¹⁾Supply chain emissions are highly relevant and important to address, but for the sake of narrowing down the target group we have chosen to focus on the energy transition within health care facilities themselves. While there are numerous building design principles that enable lower energy use for health care facilities, this chapter will focus on reducing carbon impact during their operational phase, through integration of renewable energy sources and use of energy-efficient technologies. 

Hospitals have high energy-use intensity

Compared to other commercial building types such as schools and offices, hospitals have nearly three times higher energy-use intensity. More than half of the energy consumption is spent on HVAC (Delgado et al., 2021; McGain and Naylor, 2014). Lighting and energy-hungry medical machinery and IT equipment are another key area to decarbonize (Pichler et al., 2019), with medical equipment accounting for up to 20 to 30 percent of hospital’s electricity consumption (McGain and Naylor, 2014).

Global initiatives for green hospitals

Public buildings can be forerunners in the energy transition. We are already aware of the very damaging impacts of climate change on human health across the world, with for instance 37 percent of heat-related deaths being attributed to climate change (Vicedo-Cabrera et al., 2021). It is therefore within the very mandate of the health care sector to not only provide care to the victims of climate change impact, but to engage fully in the low-carbon energy transition to prevent further harm.

Localized application of technology and innovation play a vital role in the energy transition of a hospital

In the European Union it will soon be mandatory for all but the smallest hospitals to disclose information on their energy and resource use through annual sustainability reports, and global organizations such as Healthcare Without Harm (HHWH) work directly with hospitals to reduce their negative impact on the environment. At COP26, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) to build climate-resilient and sustainable health systems. While the climate footprint of a hospital is highly influenced by the emission intensity of the energy system in that country (Pichler et al., 2019), localized application of technology and innovation still play a vital role in the energy transition.

Air quality and humidity a primary concern in hospitals

Maintained and properly designed ventilation systems are critical in hospitals, given the risk of hospital-acquired infections and the direct relationship between certain air pollutants and health problems (Delgado et al., 2021). Often, the design of such systems is determined by stringent standards and guidelines such as minimum ventilation rates proposed by the WHO (Rahman et al., 2021). Systems must also be able to adapt ventilation settings to various rooms for critical care patients, operating rooms, physical therapy rooms and other procedures (Delgado et al., 2021). But technological advances have enabled better use of energy without compromising patient care.

Debate persists regarding the optimal humidity levels in hospitals, and their connection to airborne viruses. Several technologies offer efficient solutions for maintaining both high and low humidity levels. For instance, to avoid high humidity levels, a double heat pipe heat exchanger system is recommended over conventional heat exchangers. This not only reduces the risk of fungal growth but also reduces energy consumption (Ghani et al., 2018).

Adaptive and demand-controlled ventilation

Hospital ventilation is often left running continuously, including within unoccupied areas of the hospital overnight (McGain and Naylor, 2014). An HVAC solution which can help minimize ventilation’s energy consumption is adaptive variable air volume (VAV) systems. Traditional VAV systems installed in hospital rooms often operate at a constant air volume. Adaptive VAV control systems adjust the volume of airflow to different zones or areas depending on the heating or cooling needs, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. The adjustment is based on parameters such as occupancy level or temperature variations.

Ventilation can also be further optimized in real time. Demand-controlled ventilation adjusts ventilation rates based on real-time demand and makes use of sensors to monitor factors such as CO₂ levels, humidity or occupancy level. Further energy savings could be made by retrieving heat or coolness from exhaust air and transferring it to incoming fresh air, through energy recovery ventilation systems, or by making use of natural ventilation (box 4.4).

Heating and cooling consume half of hospitals energy 

Improving air conditioning systems is often the most direct and effective way to save energy in health care facilities (Ji and Qu, 2019). Refrigeration and air conditioning can account for about 40 percent of hospital’s total electricity consumption (Rahman et al., 2021). Efficient air conditioners only use half as much energy as the average ones on the market, meaning that the mitigation potential is significant. Traditionally, hospitals have often relied on a combination of chillers and boilers that are dependent on on-site fossil fuel combustion. Heat pump systems run on electricity and tend to be more energy-efficient than conventional heating and cooling. Heat pumps are key technologies in the energy transition with a potential to significantly reduce hospital’s energy cost.

The integration between heat pumps and solar energy, such as a solar PV or solar thermal heat pump system, has great potential to save both energy and enable renewable energy integration (Rahman et al., 2021). In addition to electricity, the solar PV panels produce heat that can be absorbed by heat collectors and reused for heating and cooling purposes. Some hospitals opt for ground source heat pumps (also called geothermal heat pumps), such as the Queen’s Medical Centre in the United Kingdom. While expensive up-front, the technology is expected to reduce the hospital’s GHG emissions by 30 percent by replacing a gas-fired heating system (Phipps, 2023).

Innovations such as solar absorption chillers, air curtains and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems – which circulate only the minimum amount of refrigerant needed during a single heating or cooling period – are also gaining acceptance in the health care market. While VRF systems are helpful in controlling the temperature for individual spaces and are useful for smaller health care facilities, chillers can be more advantageous for larger hospitals  (LG, 2022). Another innovation involves making use of ice; capturing waste cold and embracing thermal storage methods like ice or snow “thermal batteries” in order to provide cooling. Carbon emissions can be mitigated by creating ice during low load times, and using the ice for cooling during peak energy load times (where usually more carbon-intensive fuels are used) (K-CEP, 2018).

Optimizing medical freezers and laboratory refrigerators

Health care facilities rely on laboratory fridges and medical freezers to store samples, medicines and vaccines. Medical deep freezers, or ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers that go as low as minus 80 degrees Celsius, are particularly energy-consuming, especially as they age. Their market expanded substantially due to the enormous vaccine storage need brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic (Udroiu et al., 2022).

Advances in refrigeration technology for health care facilities means more energy-saving alternatives are available on the market today. Energy-efficient cascade refrigeration systems, better cooling processors, air circulation systems and advanced microprocessor controls for temperature monitoring all contribute to reducing the energy footprint in this area. Furthermore, old freezer models generate more heat to the surrounding room. Replacing them therefore has the bonus of reducing the need for AC, resulting in further energy savings.

Addressing the challenge of 24/7 lighting needs

Health care facilities often require round-the-clock lighting, 365 days a year. Each area of a hospital has its own lighting design needs and requirements with regard to intensity and color. Commonly used fluorescent light tubes are not energy efficient, and also contain traces of mercury. LEDs can reduce energy usage by up to 70 percent (Aghajari and Chen, 2023) and for certain functions, such as surgical lighting fixtures, LED lighting has now become the industry standard (PAHO, 2020). Technological developments have led to a diverse range of products and features.

One development is the ability to integrate LEDs with building automation systems. Sensors and IoT integration for adaptive and automated lighting controls are starting to become increasingly relevant for accommodating various lighting needs at different points of the day. Also called luminaire level lighting controls, such data-supported and connected lighting products are gaining in popularity in the health care space (Lorenzi, 2022). LED light fixtures can even adapt to a patient’s care schedule.

Such adaptive lighting settings may have joint benefits with regard to energy savings, patient care and staff productivity if designed effectively. For instance, rooms may often be more brightly lit than necessary. Studies suggest that very low illuminance (5–60 lx) warm lighting is ideal for night-time conditions in patient rooms and that moderate illuminance (60–300 lx) with high intensity in the red spectrum is more suitable for non-patient areas at night. This so that night shift workers’ circadian rhythms (determining our sleep–wake cycles) are not interrupted, enabling them to remain alert (Delgado et al., 2021).

Possibilities for daylighting, meaning the use of natural light, often depend on the design and positioning of the building and rooms. In addition to reducing electrical lighting needs and save energy, daylighting can have important benefits for patient recovery due to its ability to regulate circadian rhythms. In fact, patients located in rooms with greater exposure to daylight are likely to recover more quickly and with less medication (Park et al., 2018).

Technology can help enhance or optimize the impact of daylighting while saving energy. Adaptive glazing technology or window treatment such as low-E films help control glare and excessive solar heat gain, consequently regulating energy use for cooling (Sadek and Mahrous, 2018). In new buildings, fiber-optic cables can be installed to channel sunlight into spaces which would normally not receive natural light. However, in terms of energy-efficiency, such solutions should be compared with LED options which are cheaper and easier to install.

Energy-efficient medical equipment

Energy-efficiency is perhaps not considered a priority when designing medical equipment and machinery for patient monitoring, diagnostics and X-rays. Yet, there have been some important technological advances. This is significant, as medical imaging equipment alone accounts for 5 percent of health care facilities’ total energy use. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) units, in particular, offer an opportunity for significant energy savings as they are highly energy consuming and up to 40 percent of their energy is consumed when they are not being used during nights and weekends (DOE, 2023).

MRI units are highly energy consuming and up to 40 percent of their energy is consumed when they are not being used during nights and weekends

Innovative MRI units are now on the market using intelligent magnet technology, built-in sleep mode and reduced scan times that contribute to energy conservation. Remaining measures like replacing cathode ray tube monitors with liquid crystal display monitors that use less energy may be small in impact but add up in numbers. Adopting energy-efficient medical equipment is crucial, as it may also be the determining factor for whether health care facilities can rely completely on solar energy or not.

Managing energy consumed by plugged-in devices

A surprising amount of energy can be saved by avoiding electricity “leaks” in machines and appliances and optimizing their use. Plug loads, meaning energy that is consumed by equipment in stand-by mode that is plugged into an outlet, consume a significant portion of energy in hospitals. The expected load can be difficult to predict and manage, sometimes leading to oversized electrical circuits and poorly designed HVAC systems.

New technology areas like learning behavior algorithms and automatic load detection could result in more efficient electricity delivery and use, but further work is needed to scale such solutions on the market (Trenbath and Doherty, 2019). Meanwhile, more can be done about leaks and standby electricity use. Standby electricity consumption can account to up to 90 percent of total energy consumption of medical equipment (Jensen and Petersen, 2011).

Smart power strips with automatic shutoff functions are commonplace alternatives to at least help avoid phantom leaks from plugged-in devices. However, such measures need to be implemented in a way that does not jeopardize the health and safety of patients, as some devices cannot easily be turned off in a hospital environment due to complicated recalibration settings.

Decentralization enables energy security and renewable energy integration

In order for energy to be decarbonized and used efficiently, it must first be made available. But in fact, close to 1 billion people in low- and lower middle-income countries are served by health care facilities without electricity access or with unreliable electricity. In sub-Saharan Africa, only half of hospitals have access to reliable electricity (WHO, 2023). Technologies that support decentralized energy generation can address both energy access and energy security needs.

Close to 1 billion people in low- and lower middle-income countries are served by health care facilities without electricity access or with unreliable electricity

The main cause of power outages in the electric grid are extreme weather events and natural disasters (Ali et al., 2023). Decentralized energy and back-up systems have always been crucial for hospitals, as they rely on a steady power generation for many critical care-giving functions. Technologies that strengthen energy security are particularly needed in countries experiencing frequent extreme weather events, aging infrastructure, power outages and other disturbances.

Traditionally, on-site energy and back-up systems have been based on fossil fuels. Diesel generators connected to the utility electric grid are less expensive up-front and are the most common form of back-up energy in hospitals. However, where the integration of renewable energy in the grid is slow, several hospitals are moving toward hybrid renewable energy systems to improve the quality and reduce the energy cost of power supply. Advances in solar PVs, batteries and modularity make such systems easier and more affordable for hospitals to adopt (SEforALL, 2024). For instance, in Zimbabwe, more than 400 health centers have installed solar arrays through a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiative, and in South Africa the private health system Netcare provides 10 MW of power through solar panels (Karliner et al., 2019).

Mini-grids and cogeneration

Among mini-grid options, the trend appears to favor hybrid mini-grids over solar mini-grids (SEforALL, 2024). New-generation mini-grid systems are often solar hybrid systems with smart meters and remote monitoring systems. A number of facilities have also adopted on-site cogeneration, or combined heat and power (CHP) plants, which are seen as an effective way to convert energy. Usually driven by gas turbines, systems can also be designed to integrate grid-connected PV, biomass and batteries (Peirow et al., 2022).

Technological advances have further enabled the combination of fuel cells and CHP systems, which can be particularly relevant for reducing emissions in countries that rely on coal-fired power (Olabi et al., 2020). CHP plants capture waste heat from electricity generation and use it to generate steam for heating and cooling. While they have high capital costs and must be configured to enable back-up capabilities, cogeneration can have reasonable payback times and is particularly ideal for hospitals which require continuous electricity and heat (Johnson, 2010).

Innovation examples

The impact of LED replacements in hospitals

Source: Getty Images/EvgeniyShkolenko

Upgrading from compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to LEDs in hospitals presents significant energy-saving opportunities. St. Anthony Hospital (Gig Harbor, Washington, United States) replaced 1,262 CFLs with LED lamps, resulting in a more than 50 percent reduction in energy usage. The LED replacements fit into existing CFL sockets, maintained compatibility with electronic ballasts, and improved lighting quality with consistent color temperature and better rendering of saturated colors. The hospital’s calculated return on investment was 26.3 percent, with an estimated annual energy savings of 131,279 kWh and USD 10,424 in cost savings. With a utility rebate, the project achieved a simple payback period of less than three years (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 2015).

Energy-saving measures at Egyptian hospital reduced energy consumption by 20 percent

Source: Shefaa Al-Orman Oncology Hospital

The Shefaa Al-Orman Oncology Hospital in Egypt, as a member of the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH) initiative, has implemented an ambitious energy efficiency program. In addition to staff awareness raising and training measures, the hospital invested in a number of technological solutions to reduce energy consumption. Changes in equipment included the installation of timers to operate fan coil units more efficiently, scheduling HVAC systems via a building management system, switch to LED lighting, standardization of temperature settings and incorporation of photocell sensors for external lighting. In total, the measures resulted in energy savings amounting to approximately 20 percent, operational cost savings of more than USD 20,000 and a reduction of more than 260 metric tonnes of CO₂ emission in a six-month period between 2022 and 2023 (GGHH, 2023).

Autoclave water and energy recovery at Somerset hospital in Cape Town

Source: Getty Images/MykolaSenyuk

Autoclaves are used by hospitals to produce steam from potable water; water which eventually ends up as waste. As the water remains both clean and hot throughout the process, there are significant opportunities for reusing it. An autoclave typically uses about 200 liters of water per cycle, which is eventually discharged as waste at about 40°C. The Somerset Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa installed a heat pump to address this challenge. Clean water is captured through a so-called “Jo-Jo tank” and cooled using a water-to-water heat pump. The cooled water is then pumped back to the autoclave. This installation has resulted in not only water savings but the production of 6,000 liters daily of domestic hot water from waste heat from the autoclaves. Cost savings have amounted to approximately USD 15,750 per year, with a two-year payback period. Roll-out to nearby hospitals is currently underway.

Proven technology solutions 

Space heating and cooling: biomass boilers in hospitals

Lasian

Source: Getty Images/imantsu

Biomass boilers have been adopted by several hospitals as a more low-carbon alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based heating systems. These boilers burn organic materials such as wood pellets, wood chips or other biological waste products to generate heat. Lasian offers a range of domestic and industrial biomass boilers of varying sizes that work with wood pellets, firewood and even olive pits and almond shells, which have a low ash content.

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Space heating and cooling: condensing boilers in hospitals

AERCO

Source: Getty Images/imantsu

Boilers are required in hospitals for various heating needs such as sterilization, laundry and heating of buildings. As the majority of hospital boilers rely on fossil fuels, alternatives that integrate renewable energy as well as reduce energy consumption are crucial for the energy transition. Condensing boilers are a boiler type that are designed to be more efficient by capturing and reusing heat that would otherwise be lost through a heat exchanger. AERCO’s Benchmark condensing boilers also feature a patented combustion technology that continuously monitors boiling conditions and automatically adjusts combustion processes to maintain ideal oxygen levels and improve system efficiency.

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Space heating and cooling: automatic blowdown controls

Trilan Energy

Source: Getty Images/surasak petchang

Large health care facilities may need industrial steam boilers to cater to their various needs. In a boiler, so-called blowdown can control the build-up of solids in boiler water, protecting the boiler’s surface and improving heat transfer. Often, blowdown is not optimized, which leads to unnecessary energy loss. Trilan Energy provides installation of automatic blowdown controls in industrial steam boilers to continuously monitor boiler water conductivity and ensure that the blowdown rate is appropriate.

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Space heating and cooling: air pre-heater for boiler combustion air

Thermodyne

Source: Getty Images/Dmytro Kudnietsov

Thermodyne supplies air pre-heaters which can be used to pre-heat air before it is supplied to the boiler for fuel combustion. This increases combustion temperatures, which leads to more complete and efficient fuel combustion and lower emissions. The heat exchanger heats the incoming combustion air using heat recovered from the boiler’s fuel gases.

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Lighting: LED surgical lighting

STERIS

Source: Getty Images/MDV Edwards

Operating rooms require bright lighting with minimal heat loss for both comfort and practicality, making LED surgical lighting systems and headlamps suitable as they can emit intense white light while emitting low amounts of heat. STERIS’s new lighting system, the HarmonyAIR G-series, uses 70 percent less energy in comparison to previous LED technologies, with a heat-to-light ratio of 3.4.

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Machines and appliances: medical grade power strips

Leviton

Source: Getty Images/Elis-Blanca

For powering medical equipment in health care facilities, medical grade power strips may be required. Levinton provides such power strips featuring Inform™ Technology – LED indicators which enable real-time monitoring of the load imposed by connected devices, for protection against excess power draw and for compliance with safety regulations. The power strips are also available with surge protection which protects any connected device from damaging voltage spikes.

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Machines and appliances: energy-efficient medical freezers

Meling Biomedical

Source: Meling Biomedica

The ULT freezers from Meling Biomedical can reach down to –181°C and work with dual compressors to ensure stability in case one would fail. This makes them suitable for medical and lab applications where freezers that can hold stable conditions over a wide range of temperatures are required. These freezers cool with an energy-saving auto-cascade system, using two different refrigerants and dual compressors to reach low temperatures quickly.

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Machines and appliances: energy-efficient autoclaves

Consolidated Sterilizer Systems

Source: Getty Images/grafvision

Autoclaves utilize steam and variations in pressure to disinfect equipment for health care facilities. The medical autoclaves from Consolidated Sterilizer Systems come with several energy- and water-saving features, including software to schedule startup and shutdown, and automatic temperature regulation between cycles. Energy is saved both during the autoclave’s use phase and because of minimized heat losses to the surrounding environment.

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Machines and appliances: energy-saving mini cold storage unit

Ningbo Juxin ULT-Low Temperature Technology Co., Ltd.

Source: Ningbo Juxin ULT-Low Temperature Technology Co., Ltd.

The Ruibao Platinum Portable ULT Cold Chain Box leverages advanced military-grade Stirling refrigeration technology, functioning as a compact and mobile mini cold storage unit. Designed for versatility, this product is ideal for a range of applications, including ULT storage and transport for laboratories, pharmaceutical cold chain logistics, biological sample preservation and transport and life sciences cold chain operations. Key features of the Ruibao Platinum Cold Chain Box include its broad temperature range compatibility, precise temperature control, high energy efficiency, and a lightweight, compact design.

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Frontier technology solutions

Space heating and cooling: temperature monitoring sensors for hospitals

E-Control Systems

Source: Getty Images/hxdbzxy

E-control Systems offers temperature monitoring and data management solutions designed specifically for hospitals. The system uses wireless sensors placed in key areas to continuously collect data on temperature, humidity and pressure. The data are analyzed in real time, allowing for immediate alerts if a reading falls outside acceptable ranges. In addition to enabling energy savings by avoiding excess heating and cooling, the solution helps hospitals maintain optimal storage conditions for temperature-sensitive items.

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Space heating and cooling: solar absorption chiller for hospitals, data centers and shopping malls

Hope Deepblue Air Conditioning Manufacture Corp., Ltd.

Source: Getty Images/Auttawit Jindaloung

In the context of air-conditioning and cooling, solar absorption refers to the use of captured solar heat using solar panels or collectors. The heat is then used to power a cooling cycle which drives a chemical process to create a cooling effect, resulting in chilled water which can be used to cool air or other spaces in buildings. Hope Deepblue Air Conditioning Manufacture Corp., Ltd. supplies a solar absorption chiller particularly suitable for hospitals, data centers and shopping malls.

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Space heating and cooling: antimicrobial cooling towers

Delta Cooling Towers, Inc.

Source: Getty Images/primeimages

A cooling tower is a large structure used to cool down water by bringing it into contact with air. The cooled fluid is then reused to lower temperatures in for instance HVAC systems. Delta Cooling Towers, Inc. has developed an innovative cooling tower for hospitals that combines cooling with antimicrobial features, as they come with shells made of anti-microbial high-density polyethylene resin to inhibit bacterial growth. The design of the tower also reduces risk of Legionella bacteria colonization.

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Lighting: intelligent lighting in hospitals

XAL

Source: Getty Images/izusek

In health care facilities, lighting is a major energy consumer. Advanced and intelligent lighting systems can enable smarter use of lighting by making sure it is only used when and where it is needed the most. XAL provides sensor-controlled lighting technology for hospitals that can lower energy costs by adjusting brightness based on room occupancy and activity levels. IoT-sensors can be further integrated to allow for analysis of indoor climate in order to connect with and optimize ventilation and air-conditioning use.

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Machines and appliances: energy-efficient MRI machines

GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.

Source: Getty Images/nimon_t

MRI scanners require helium, a non-renewable resource, to cool the magnet to suitable working temperatures. GE Healthcare Technologies has developed the SIGNA™ 3T MRI scanner, which, compared to its predecessors, is stated to require 67 percent less helium and features a magnet that is 1.4 times more efficient. This increased efficiency translates into potential energy savings due to the reduced time required for scanning. Furthermore, the company offers retrofitting options for their scanners, enabling material savings through initiatives such as the SIGNA™ Continuum™ program.

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Energy supply and storage: internet portal for monitoring of renewable energy integration

SMA Solar Technology

Source: SMA Solar Technology

Integrating solar and wind energy systems in hospitals is possible, but relies on a number of enabling technologies. For instance, the energy system may need to be monitored to understand its performance. The sunny WebBox is such a product that enables energy system monitoring, remote diagnostics, data storage and visualization. A large display unit with data of interest can be installed in the hospital foyer for the general public interested in knowing the amount of energy generated and carbon emissions avoided to date. While not reserved for hospitals, the Khayelitsha hospital in South Africa is an example of a hospital which has installed the system.

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Horizon technology solutions

Energy supply and storage: hydrogen back-up for hospitals

EODev

Source: EODe

The GEH2^® hydrogen genset, developed by EODev, provides a solution for continuous or back-up decarbonized electricity production. It delivers 100 kVa of clean energy with zero emissions of CO₂, NO_x or fine particles, making it ideal for urban settings, hospitals and construction sites. The genset operates with low noise, no odors and immediate startup, and the thermal energy produced can be used for heating. While hydrogen storage is managed separately by the customer, distributors and partners assists in defining appropriate storage and supply solutions according to regulations. 

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: France

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Energy supply and storage: solar-powered sterilization of medical equipment

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay

Source: Zhao et al. (2020) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2020.10.007)

The use of solar thermal energy for autoclaves is not new and has been used since the 1970s (Ituna-Yudonago et al., 2021). In recent years, more innovators have been trying to find new and cost-effective designs suitable for rural health care purposes. Among them are researchers from MIT and IIT Bombay, who developed a novel solar-powered system that sterilizes medical tools, making it particularly valuable for regions lacking reliable energy sources. The system uses a portable solar energy collector and a transparent, thermally insulating aerogel to generate high-temperature, high-pressure steam, which drives a small-clinic autoclave. Unlike conventional solar-powered sterilization systems, this innovative design is entirely passive, with no moving parts, and offers high energy efficiency. While not commercialized yet, the system’s simplicity, modularity and potential for low-cost mass production could make it an ideal solution for sterilizing medical equipment in remote areas.

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: United States and India

• Availability: N/A

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Space heating and cooling: air-sourced electric boiler for decarbonized steam

AtmosZero

Source: AtmosZer

The Boiler 2.0 is a new alternative to combustion and electric resistive boilers with zero on-site emissions. It is a modular and drop-in heat pump solution, utilizing the heat in ambient air and electricity to generate up to 200°C steamwith a cascaded vapor compression cycle. The process has an efficiency of more than 100%, meaning that the output in heat energy is greater than the input of electrical energy. This contrasts with combustion boilers, which operate at lower efficiencies and emit pollutants that reduce local air quality. The Boiler 2.0 can be used in various applications and industries, with examples such as pasteurization in food processing, distillation in chemicals, or sterilization and heating in healthcare facilities. A 650-kW thermal installation will be tested at an American brewery in Q1 2025.

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Energy smart data centers

Data centers, the backbone of our digital lives, are notorious for their substantial energy consumption and environmental impact. This chapter explores innovative climate solutions aimed at managing data centers’ power consumption, cooling and operations to mitigate their climate change impact.

Technological developments and trends

Data centers – climate friend or foe?

Whenever we scroll social media, send an email or use ChatGPT, servers in a data center are working behind the scenes to store and process the data. From small corners in an office building to hyperscale data centers, thousands of racks of equipment are in constant need of electricity and cooling. As artificial intelligence (AI), the gaming industry, the metaverse and other digital sectors expand, the demand for data is increasing. And as more and more servers must be cooled, the substantial water and energy consumption of data centers has become a serious concern (see box 4.5).

As more and more servers must be cooled, the substantial water and energy consumption of data centers has become a serious concern

In China, regulators have mandated the adoption of innovative energy-saving technologies and use of renewable energy sources for data centers (Ni et al., 2024). In the European Union, new energy and sustainability reporting requirements have recently been introduced for data centers (IEA, 2023c). And in the United States, lawmakers in several states have recently proposed more stringent requirements in terms of carbon emissions (Piedmont Environmental Council, 2024; Rogoway 2023)).

While AI is an important driver behind data centers‘ growing energy demand, it also offers promising new thermal cooling solutions for data centers that are ready to integrate AI into their own operations (Siemens, 2023). Google has reportedly reduced energy consumption for cooling at one of its data centers by 40 percent, using AI algorithms and machine learning (see innovation example). Data and AI are also integral to many modern climate solutions, enabling advancements in precision farming, weather forecasting, industry 4.0 and digitalization of the energy sector.

At the same time, the applicability of AI is broad, meaning it can contribute to driving up emissions in several ways. For instance, by enabling more fossil fuel exploration, or by simplifying the design of targeted digital ads toward consumers that ultimately increase consumption. The combined effect of such activities is not yet well researched, and as such the net climate impact of AI and data usage on climate change is largely uncertain (Kaack et al., 2020).

What we do know is that data and AI use is here to stay. Since 2010, the global number of internet users has more than doubled (IEA, 2023c). Technological innovations can help manage demand for data and support data centers in their energy transition. This chapter explores how; from on-site renewable energy generation to the adoption of energy-saving technologies and processes such as efficient cooling systems, server virtualization and power management measures.

Location of data centers impacts energy consumption

The energy demand from data centers is highly uneven across regions and countries. In Ireland, data centers are expected to consume nearly a third of the nation’s electricity by 2028 (EirGrid). However, Ireland is also considered Europe’s data center capital, hosting more than 80 data centers with another 50 underway. Globally, there are currently more than 8,000 data centers, with about 33 percent of these located in the United States, 16 percent in Europe and nearly 10 percent in China (IEA, 2024c).

Data centers risk causing grid congestion or impacting the availability of connection points for other users such as renewable energy parks

The number of data centers is relatively small in Africa. But grid and internet expansion is expected to cause the regional data center market to double in the next two years alone, presenting an opportunity to implement climate-smart and resilient solutions from the start (ADCA, 2024).

The geographical location of data centers plays an important role for their energy consumption and climate impact, with the local energy mix being a key determinant. Countries with a cool climate and secure supply of green electricity such as Canada and the Nordic countries are attracting cloud computing centers and hyperscale facilities, with major companies such as Google, Meta and Amazon having established facilities there in recent years (Payton, 2023). Varying prices on green electricity between countries is another important draw. Areas like Spain or California are similarly gaining traction for installation of data centers due to favorable electricity prices driven by their substantial renewable energy production capacities.

Moreover, the local climate plays an important role. Maintaining hardware and servers within recommended temperature and humidity guidelines is essential to avoid overheating and damage. Data centers in warm countries require more energy for cooling, which is why even locations such as the Arctic have become the subject of interest. The location also has an impact on the type of cooling technology used at a data center, with certain cooling techniques demanding specific geographical conditions such as cold outside temperatures or access to a lake, river or sea (see sections on cooling below).

Finally, it is relevant to note that the location of data centers in turn can have an impact on grid efficiency and renewable energy deployment. As major energy consumers, data centers risk causing grid congestion or impacting the availability of connection points for other users such as renewable energy parks. However, smart planning can mitigate this challenge. Strong collaboration with electricity transmission system operators can enhance grid optimization and stability, by for instance co-locating data centers in nodes with high renewable energy production, allowing the centers to draw from these installations instead.

Energy-efficient hardware and software

Energy-efficient hardware and software can help data centers significantly reduce their power demand, as IT equipment such as servers, storage devices and networking equipment accounts for a significant amount of the energy consumption (Li et al., 2023). Standards and green labels such as the ASHRAE standards and the ENERGY STAR® label can guide data center operators in identifying IT equipment and servers that meet maximum operating temperatures and energy efficiency standards. In the European Union, a voluntary European Code of Conduct for Energy Efficiency Centres (Joint Research Centre et al., 2024) sets ambitious standards for companies willing to participate, but in the rest of the world efficiency measures are largely unregulated.

In addition to the hardware itself, IT accessories that can enable higher efficiencies and reduce energy loss include couplings, insulation and high-efficiency cable connectors designed to ensure a smooth flow of electricity and secure connections between cables.

Identifying energy-efficient software is more challenging, but forecasting and measurement tools for such purposes are being developed, and approximations can be drawn based on the power draw from hardware to achieve results. Writing more lean software codes and avoiding overly complicated codes are examples of energy-saving practices. Once methods for measuring power consumption of software are in place, programming language can be adapted to develop more energy-efficient software (Aalborg University, 2022). Software can also play a more active role in energy optimization, by enabling dynamic power management in data centers and making it easier to identify and analyze energy consumption in real time.

Furthermore, significant energy could be saved through advanced power semiconductors and other innovations that help enable high data processing performance. New materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) are being explored in semiconductors to increase efficiency and power density in data centers (White, 2023).

Virtualization and load balancing enhances both energy efficiency and climate resilience

A data center runs on multiple hardware and server configurations. Virtualization is a technology that allows data centers to create virtual versions of these physical resources. These virtual versions (or “virtual machines”) can then run on a single machine, optimizing their use and enhancing efficiency. A so-called virtual machine monitor (VMM) then acts as the operating system, which can also help manage power use and facilitate an efficient allocation of hardware resources.

By going further and allowing each virtual machine to manage its own energy management strategy, and by using a system for managing computer resources (or a virtualization infrastructure provider) , significant power can be saved. Such a system can save up to 27 percent energy and run programs that require a lot of processing power up to 32 percent faster compared to standard settings in a VMM (Katal et al., 2023).

Another practice that can enhance efficiency is load balancing, involving optimization of workload between data centers. This balancing of load on servers helps improve the performance of data centers and minimize energy use and processing time in cloud systems (Udayasankaran and Thangaraj, 2023).

In the context of climate adaptation, both virtualization and load balancing can contribute to enhancing data centers’ resilience. In addition to the remote management opportunities, virtualization simplifies the process of moving and replicating virtual machines, enabling more efficient recovery processes after disasters and extreme weather events. Load balancing, on the other hand, allows data centers to distribute workloads across multiple servers and locations. In the event of extreme weather affecting one location, workloads can be dynamically shifted to unaffected data centers.

Greening back-up generators, or avoiding them altogether

Many data centers are dependent on back-up generators, often run on fossil fuels such as diesel, to guarantee consistent power supply. Fossil-free back-up alternatives and battery-based systems are still limited but are becoming more common, with innovative sources such as hydrogen being explored. The advantage of a battery-based system is that compared to diesel generators they can avoid startup times and don’t need to sit idle when there are no power outages, but could potentially be used as assets to strengthen the electric grid by banking renewable power and balancing variability (Kava, 2020).

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell generators are currently being developed by energy companies in collaboration with data centers. To date, a number of demonstration units have been piloted to test the technology. However, this often uses hydrogen made from natural gas and not green renewable hydrogen (Calma, 2022). Given the substantial global demand for green hydrogen, and with most large-scale electrolyzer plants already having entered into long-term agreements with their end-users, the production of green hydrogen would need to accelerate significantly to make this an option for data centers. And while hydrogen fuel cells are promising, they are still in the early stages of adoption.

From air cooling to liquid cooling

Today, the sheer size of data centers means standard air conditioning systems are no longer sufficient. Instead, conventional data centers frequently use computer room air handlers or computer room air conditioning units to cool down hardware. Implementing control systems that take factors such as cooling load and air temperature into account can help optimize the cooling system in real time. Many of these units now have the option to connect their control systems and run together to work more efficiently.

In addition to air conditioners, more specialized cooling technologies are needed for the hottest most power-hungry components of data centers. A typical shift in the sector can be seen in terms of moving from air cooling to liquid cooling which generally provides more efficient cooling (Joint Research Centre et al., 2024). Liquids such as water have a much higher heat capacity compared to air, and are more adequate for cooling servers (Koronen et al., 2020). The technology is not new, and several different systems of liquid cooling technology have been developed, with various types of liquids and cooling techniques. These are for example:

Immersion liquid cooling: this cooling technology has gained in popularity. It cools by submerging equipment directly in coolant, which makes heat transfer more efficient. The coolant has high thermal conductivity and stable temperatures, reducing energy use, noise and the need for fans. This technology is ideal for large data centers, supercomputing and research institutions needing high cooling efficiency and energy savings. It’s particularly useful in cold, high-altitude areas with limited space and in data centers near offices and residential areas due to its low noise  (Li et al., 2020). A more recent innovation, two-phase immersion cooling, relies on the phase change of a liquid (between boiling and condensing) and offers even higher heat transfer efficiency due to the latent heat of vaporization. However, it can be more complex to design.

Cold-plate liquid cooling: direct-to-chip cooling refers to liquid coolant being delivered directly via tubes to cold plates directly on chip surfaces. This method provides more targeted cooling for high-performance components, resulting in better thermal management. Pipes connect liquid to cooling plates on the computer’s high-power parts, while other parts are still cooled by air. This method is more efficient, quieter and cheaper than using air alone  (Li et al., 2020).

Spray cooling: this also involves direct contact with liquid, similar to immersion cooling, but here the dielectric liquid is sprayed directly onto the hottest parts of the servers. The servers are kept at an inclination to allow the liquid to then flow down and be collected in a small tank at the bottom, filtrated and fed through a heat exchanger. Being a more recent innovation, spray cooling is not as common as immersion and cold-plate liquid cooling  (Li et al., 2023), but offers the advantage of more targeted cooling. Table 4.1 shows a breakdown of the estimated energy consumption of various components in a data center, with a comparison between an air-cooled and a spray-cooled data center, highlighting significant energy savings for spray cooling.

Free cooling technology makes use of the natural elements

The need for enhanced efficiency has led to the development of adiabatic and free cooling technology for data centers. By making use of naturally available air and water, free cooling can replace part or all of data centers mechanical cooling needs. This necessitates locating the data center in a cold climate or close to a body of water that can act as a cooling source (Koronen et al., 2020).

Adiabatic cooling – or evaporative cooling – uses the process of water evaporation to cool the air, where warm air is passed over water-soaked pads or misted with water, reducing the air temperature before it is circulated through the data center. This method is particularly energy-efficient and effective in regions with low humidity. However, while this may save on energy it is very water-consuming. As an attempt to overcome this challenge, pilot demonstrations in recent years have even tested underwater data centers that use sea water as a natural cooling source (Warren, 2018; Bowen, 2023). There is also a growing interest in free cooling based on air cooling, particularly in colder climates. This simply involves bringing in fresh outside air into the data center to provide cooling, unless the outside air is too warm, in which case a mechanical cooling system takes over.

Geothermal cooling has been around for a while but its use in data centers is limited due to geographic constraints. These systems cool data centers by using the ground as a heat sink, operating a closed-loop piping system filled with water or coolant which transfers heat to underground wells.

Managing airflow

While the choice of cooling technology is central, various design measures can help enhance the airflow within the data center. Good airflow means operators can avoid unnecessarily low cooling temperatures or excessive air volumes, and further enhances cooling efficiency. The purpose is to circulate only the necessary amount of air to remove heat generated by the IT equipment. For instance, solid doors can be replaced with perforated doors where needed to ensure better cooling airflow.

Other measures help contain and separate cold air from heated return air, for instance by enclosing either the hot or cold aisles, installing curtains or using blanking plates in areas where there is no equipment to reduce hot air recirculating through gaps in the cabinet. In one specific case, designing closed aisles to deliver cold air to IT equipment reduced the cooling energy consumption by nearly 60 percent (Li et al., 2023).

During early stages of designing a data center, computational fluid dynamics can contribute to optimizing airflow design. Further, using thermography and computer modelling to create images of hot and cool zones in a data center, ideal positioning of equipment can be found to help optimize cooling (Joint Research Centre et al., 2024).

Waste heat recovery in data centers

Data centers are more often equipped with heat pumps to enable efficient heat recovery. This is partly spurred by the current shift from air cooling to liquid cooling in data centers, which has opened up better heat-capturing possibilities. Captured waste heat can have many uses, including being reused to heat nearby buildings and pools or feeding into district heating networks. For instance, a data center in Switzerland warms a nearby swimming pool, another one in Paris sends waste heat to a neighboring science lab, and a Danish data center in Odense is being designed to recover heat for a local community. The most efficient ways of reusing waste heat in data centers are for the heating supply in nearby buildings directly after pre-heating, and for supplementing district heating networks  (Yuan et al., 2023). As heat doesn’t travel well, various innovations are now focused on enhancing the efficiency of waste heat recovery. This involves innovations such as developing materials that can soak up water vapor and release heat more efficiently.

Innovation examples

Data center heat recovery for local community

Source: Getty Images/alacatr

Stockholm Data Parks is a pioneering initiative in Sweden that effectively utilizes waste heat from data centers to meet the heating needs of thousands of residential apartments. This project, a collaboration between the City of Stockholm, Stockholm Exergi (district heating and cooling provider), Ellevio (power grid operator), and Stokab (dark fiber provider), demonstrates the economic and environmental feasibility of repurposing excess heat from data centers for direct building and community heating. When data centers set up operations within Stockholm Data Parks, Stockholm Exergi captures the waste heat, which would otherwise be vented away, and channels it into the district heating system. This recovered heat is then used to provide heating for residential and commercial spaces (Stockholm Exergi, 2024).

Energy efficient data center in Germany

Source: F. Löchner

A good example of an energy-efficient data center is the Super MUC-NG in the Leibniz Supercomputing Center (LRZ) at the Bavarian Academy of Science and Humanities in Garching, Germany. The data center utilizes direct warm-water cooling (40°C–45°C) and waste heat is captured to heat about 40,000 m² of office space. Waste heat is also used for generating cold water through adsorption chillers, which in turn is used in heat exchangers to capture heat from other IT equipment in the data center. As the innovative cooling system means the data center can operate with reduced mechanical cooling and without the need for fans, cooling power consumption is reduced, saving around 30 percent of energy. The racks are insulated to reduce radiation to the environment given the high supported water temperatures (ASHRAE, 2021).

Proven technology solutions 

Energy efficiency: efficient uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system for data centers

ABB

Source: ABB

UPS systems maintain power to data centers in the event of a utility power disruption. They typically rely on batteries as a back-up power source and are part of a data center’s electrical distribution system. As electrical distribution system losses can account for 10 to 12 percent of the total energy consumed by the data center, the right UPS system can help data centers save energy. For instance, ABB’s UPS system provides a highly efficient power supply, reducing the usual power losses. The UPS system provides continuous power of up to 24 kW, suitable for data centers, while protecting loads and reducing downtime to enhance efficiency.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Sweden & Switzerland

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: data center energy monitoring

ABB

Source: ABB

ABB Ability™ is a cloud-based connectivity platform that provides remote data collection for energy and asset monitoring. Those data are then analyzed and accessible on a fully integrated ABB platform. The data, refreshed every 30 seconds, are rolled into a preconfigured dashboard for data centers where users can find all the information about their operation. This includes data points for power usage effectiveness, input and output power, energy trends, peak power and so on. In addition to producing reports and analyses, the system provides insights that enable smarter (and even automated) energy consumption decision-making.

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Sweden & Switzerland

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Energy efficiency: automated storage tiering (AST) for energy-efficient storage in data centers

DataCore Software

Source: Getty Images/Ole_CNX

AST is a software management feature that can help data centers save energy on storage. It dynamically moves data between different disk types and back-up levels to meet capacity, performance and cost requirements. Their SANsymphony system improves this process by adding features that reduce duplicate data and compress files, continuously analyzing data access patterns to optimize both speed and storage space. This system ensures that critical data perform well while keeping storage usage low for less active files, making it an effective solution for data center efficiency.

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: United States

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Energy efficiency: thermal insulation for data centers

Armacell

Source: Armacell

Insulation in data centers (for piping, HVAC, chilled water etc.) is essential for maintaining stable temperatures and optimizing energy efficiency. It helps minimize heat exchange with the external environment, reduces the workload on cooling systems and lowers overall energy consumption. Effective insulation also supports consistent operational conditions. Armacell specializes in comprehensive thermal insulation solutions for large-scale engineering projects, with portfolio packages designed particularly for data centers.

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Cooling: air-cooled free cooling chiller for data centers

Vertiv

Source: Getty Images/baibaz

Free cooling for data centers refers to a method where outside air is used to cool IT equipment instead of traditional mechanical cooling systems. This approach leverages naturally lower temperatures of cold outside air to reduce energy consumption. The Vertiv™ Liebert^® HPC-S is a turnkey cooling solution designed for small and medium-sized data centers with a cooling capacity ranging from 80 to 500 kW. It utilizes refrigerants with a low GWP and features enhanced free cooling capabilities, significantly reducing electricity consumption from mechanical cooling.

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Cooling: single-phase immersion cooling for data centers

Engineered Fluids

Source: Engineered Fluids

Immersion cooling is a technique used to cool computer servers in data centers by submerging them in a special liquid. This liquid is non-conductive, meaning it won’t cause electrical disruptions. As the servers run and generate heat, the liquid absorbs the heat and carries it away, keeping the servers cool. This method is very efficient, reducing the need for air conditioning and saving energy. Engineered Fluids provides single-phase immersion cooling. Here, the liquid remains in a single liquid state, as opposed to double-phase immersion where the coolant boils and vaporizes at it absorbs heat, only to condense and turned to liquid again.

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Frontier technology solutions

Cooling: two-phase immersion cooling for data centers

Opteon

Source: Opteon

Opteon’s solution for data center cooling leverages two-phase immersion cooling technology, using their Opteon™ 2P50 dielectric fluid. This approach significantly enhances energy efficiency, reducing cooling energy use by over 90 percent compared to traditional air cooling methods, according to the technology provider. The process involves immersing servers and electronics in tanks of dielectric fluid, which absorbs heat, vaporizes and then condenses, allowing for effective heat removal. Opteon™ 2P50 is chemically stable, safe with no flammability risks and compatible with most server materials. It also supports sustainability with zero ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential.

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Australia

• Availability: Worldwide

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Cooling: direct-to-chip cooling for data centers

Asetek

Source: Asetek

Direct-to-chip cooling is a method used to cool computer servers in data centers. Instead of using air to cool the whole room, this method involves placing cooling plates directly on the computer chips. These plates carry a liquid coolant that absorbs heat from the chips and then moves it away. This method is more efficient and keeps the servers from overheating. Asatek’s direct-to-chip cooling technology makes use of an integrated pump and cold plate design for cooling high-power components within servers.

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• Country of origin: Denmark

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Energy efficiency: efficient modular edge data centers

Edge Centres

Source: Getty Images/wir0man

Edge Centres is developing a global network of modular and edge data centers strategically positioned across Asia-Pacific, North America, and other regions. These “Edge Pods” deliver ultra-low-latency connectivity and computational resources directly to end-users. They fill connectivity gaps left by centralized hyperscale data centers, particularly in rural and underserved areas where reliable coverage is lacking. The modular data centers include features such as solar energy, free cooling and custom sun shielding, while aiming to reach a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.1 during peak load operations aiming for a PUE target of 1.1 during peak load operations, compared to the effectiveness of data centers of around 1.5–1.8.

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Australia

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Energy efficiency: energy management system for data centers

Sunbird DCIM

Source: Sunbird DCIM

Sunbird DCIM utilizes a patented electronic dashboard to visualize temperature sensor data within data center rooms, facilitating better management of temperature increases and cooling settings. The technology automates data collection from buildings and IT equipment from multiple data centers and tracks the PUE in real time. Users can promptly assess the impact of energy efficiency measures, compare yearly PUE metrics internally and against industry benchmarks, and identify and deactivate energy-wasting servers.

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: United States

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: AI-driven data center optimization software

EkkoSense

Source: EkkoSense

Ekkosense provides an AI-driven software for optimizing various functions within a data center, such as cooling and waste heat minimization. Their product EkkoSoft Critical is a thermal management solution that can gather highly granular cooling, power and space data for more informed decision-making. It uses digital twins and 3D visualization to interpret complex data and highlight anomalies within the data center, and leverages AI and machine learning to translate the data points into actionable insights. For a more comprehensive assessment of the data centers operations, the product EkkoSense Digital Twin generates a broader real-time visualization and suggested recommendations on airflow and cooling.

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• Country of origin: United Kingdom

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Energy efficiency: data-reducing software for data centers

Pure Storage

Source: Getty Images/Veit Störmer

Pure Storage^® Purity Reduce is a software that employs various techniques to save space in data center storage systems, which can contribute to significant energy savings. First, it identifies and removes repetitive patterns in data to reduce the amount that needs to be processed further. Next, it uses a high-speed process to find and store only unique blocks of data, which helps save space on the flash storage. Then, it uses various data compression algorithms to maximize space savings. Lastly, it efficiently handles copies of data, using metadata to create instant, space-efficient copies for tasks like back-ups and data replication.

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• Country of origin: United States

• Availability: Worldwide

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Cooling: heat recovery solution for data centers

Qarnot

Source: Qarnot

Qalway by Qarnot uses waste heat from computer servers to heat new and existing buildings and supply domestic hot water efficiently. Their digital heater and boiler convert server heat into usable energy, creating a circular economy where computer heat becomes a resource. Qalway solutions are adaptable for social housing, property development, local authorities, swimming pools and various types of residential, commercial and institutional buildings.

• Contracting type: For sale

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: France

• Availability: Worldwide

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Cooling: spray liquid cooling with heat recovery for data centers

AIRSYS

Source: AIRSYS

AIRSYS’ patented cooling system, LiquidRack, is the world’s first spray liquid cooling solution that offers 100 percent heat recovery, capturing waste heat as usable hot water. The technology features information and communication technology for precise temperature control, and sprays fluid directly onto central processing units to eliminate uneven temperatures and remove heat faster.

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: United States

• Availability: Worldwide

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Energy efficiency: GaN power transistors for data centers

Infineon Technologies

Source: Getty Images/adventtr

Infineon Technologies has developed new GaN transistors which can significantly improve energy consumption and reduce heat generation of data centers, compared to traditional silicon-based components. GaN semiconductor material is known for its superior electrical properties compared to silicon. It enables faster switching speeds, higher conductivity and better overall performance in electronic components. Infineon’s GaN devices, which can handle high voltages from 40 V to 700 V, are designed for a wide range of applications, including data centers.

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Germany

• Availability: Worldwide

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Cooling: two-phase cold plate liquid cooling

Xiangyang Guangre Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.

Source: Xiangyang Guangre Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.

The pump-driven two-phase cold plate liquid cooling technology utilizes fixed-point refrigerant phase change cooling and heat dissipation, specifically designed for high-power devices such as server chips. This system effectively circulates coolant to cool low-power components on the server motherboard. By eliminating the need for central or precision air conditioning systems, this technology significantly reduces energy consumption by 60 to 80 percent and lowers the annual PUE value to below 1.15. The technology can manage heat dissipation temperatures exceeding 45°C, making it suitable for heat recovery and recycling applications.

• Contracting type: For service

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: China

• Availability: Worldwide

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Horizon technology solutions

Hydrogen fuel cell back-up generators for data centers

Plug Power

Source: Plug Power

Plug Power has developed a hydrogen fuel cell system that serves as a zero-emission back-up power source for data centers. This innovative system, housed in 40-foot-long shipping containers, recently demonstrated its capability by delivering 3 MW of power – enough to support critical data center operations during power outages without relying on traditional diesel generators. Plug Power’s GenSure fuel cells support mission-critical applications and emergency power needs but also contribute to reducing the environmental impact of data centers. With the prototype testing complete and concept proven, Plug is focused on rolling out an optimized commercial version of such high-power stationary fuel cell systems.

• Contracting type: Service

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: United States

• Availability: N/A

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Energy efficiency: ultra-low power chips for extended device lifespan

SureCore

Source: SureCore

SureCore is developing solutions to address the power consumption of data centers. The company creates energy-efficient chips for devices that use AI, machine learning and IoT, and that need to be on all the time. Their goal is to extend device battery life from days or weeks to months or years. They are redesigning memory components (static random-access memory) and system-on-chip designs to significantly reduce power consumption, even at very low voltages. This innovation helps devices run longer on a single charge, enhancing efficiency. For data centers, these advancements are important as they can significantly reduce overall energy usage and operational costs.

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• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: United Kingdom

• Availability: N/A

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Energy efficiency: tool for enhancing processing speeds in data centers

KTH

Source: KTH

Researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology and Ericsson have jointly developed a software called Reframer that demonstrates a potential to reduce the energy consumption in data centers by 50%. The accomplishment is made possible by the Reframer first delaying incoming traffic by 10-100 milliseconds, during which it inspects the individual data packets and sorts them into queues of similar flows. This reordering of packets allows for enhanced processing speeds of up to 86%, resulting in the lowered energy consumption. The Reframer source code and experimental data is publicly available for further testing and development.

• Contracting type: Under development

• Technology level: High

• Country of origin: Sweden

• Availability: N/A

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Energy efficiency: Silicon-embedded liquid cooling for high-power chips

JetCool

Source: JetCool

JetCool’s patented microconvective liquid cooling technology meets the requirements of AI infrastructures, where chips can consume upwards of 1,000W or more. The single-phase, direct-to-chip cooling solution has effectively been applied through their SmartPlate product, reportedly reducing total IT power consumption by an average of 15%. The company is now developing the SmartSilicon, where the microconvective cooling technology has been integrated into the chip substrate to provide direct on-chip cooling. The company regards SmartSilicon to be on track to handle chips consuming 3500W+.

• Contracting type: Under development

• Technology level: High 

• Country of origin: United States

• Availability: N/A

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