On Wednesday, 27th November, the conference «Renewable Refrigeration for a Sustainable Future» took place at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). Hosted by researchers from ITACA as part of the COOLING DOWN project, the event gathered leading voices in the energy sector to discuss challenges and opportunities for achieving a sustainable cooling model in Europe over the coming decades.
The conference was inaugurated by Borja Badenes, researcher at ITACA-UPV and professor at UPV, Nuria Campos Moragón, First Deputy Mayor of Paterna, and Philippe Dumas, Secretary-General of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) and coordinator of the COOLING DOWN project.
During the opening session, speakers emphasized the critical need for collaboration among municipalities, institutions, and private organizations to propel the energy transition forward.
Focus of the Day
Javier F. Urchueguía, ITACA-UPV researcher, presented the COOLING DOWN project, which promotes renewable cooling technologies to mitigate climate change impacts and the urban heat island effect. He emphasized the necessity of these technologies in reducing energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and stress on electricity grids.
«The increasing demand for cooling, exacerbated by climate change and the urban heat island effect, poses significant challenges for the stability and capacity of electricity grids«, said Urchueguía.
He cited case studies from Crevillente and urban simulations in cities like Munich and Padua, which highlight the urgent need for efficient and renewable solutions to manage energy consumption peaks.
Joan Aguado, from the Diputació de València, stressed the pivotal role of municipalities in the energy transition.
«Local action is not just essential: it is the only pathway to an effective and equitable energy transition», highlighted.
Technological Innovations for Energy Optimization
The event also showcased cutting-edge technological tools. SITE Platform was presented by Lorenzo Toldrá, CTO of Geminis Tools.
“SITE is a digital platform for data collection, emissions quantification, target-setting, and report generation”, said.
After Leticia Ortega, Instituto Valenciano de la Edificación, explained the main features of the FACILITA Program, that provides technical, financial, and legal advisory services to local and regional public administrations in the Valencian Community, Madrid, and Extremadura to promote energy-efficient building refurbishments.
Additionally, tools like RenUEva and IMPULSE, which focus on promoting energy savings and efficiency in buildings, were introduced.
Case Study: Paterna Campamento Clinic
Miguel Á. Mateo Pla, researcher at ITACA, presented a sustainable cooling system implemented at the Paterna Campamento Clinic. This innovative system combines aerothermal and geothermal energy while leveraging real-time monitoring through a sensor network.
«Post-installation, we can assess energy efficiency and CO₂ emission reductions, providing critical indicators to optimize performance”, Mateo Pla explained.
Finally, the conference concluded with a discussion on the impact of cooling on electricity grids and CO₂ emissions. Speakers reaffirmed the collective commitment of municipalities, institutions, and businesses to implement sustainable energy solutions.