Industrial sobriety, combined with rising energy prices, is forcing companies to rethink their approaches, particularly when it comes to thermal management of industrial buildings. While heating remains the priority in winter, summer heat waves amplify the need for a cooling solution that combines energy efficiency, sustainability and comfort. OberA, expert in industrial cooling, takes a look at the most efficient and sustainable solutions to help companies achieve optimized and responsible thermal management.
Sommaire
The challenges of energy efficiency in cooling
The importance of energy efficiency in cooling systems
The industrial sector consumes around a third of the world’s energy, and a significant proportion of this is used to cool buildings. In this context, the energy efficiency of cooling systems is becoming crucial, both from an environmental point of view, to support the energy transition, and from an economic point of view, to improve the competitiveness of companies by reducing their production costs.
Economic impact
Energy-efficient cooling systems offer significant economic benefits, not least through their ability to reduce energy consumption. Lower energy requirements translate into lower operating costs, a clear advantage in a context of rising energy and fuel prices. Admittedly, the installation of these technologies represents an initial investment, but this financial effort is quickly offset by the savings made on long-term operating and maintenance costs. By optimizing production costs, these systems boost companies’ competitiveness on international markets and enhance their brand image, an important competitive advantage in the current climate.
Environmental impact
Energy-efficient cooling systems play a key role in reducing energy use and CO₂ emissions. These solutions not only reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but also participate in the energy transition. What’s more, by limiting urban heat islands, these technologies lower temperatures in dense areas, improving residents’ quality of life. Theenergy efficiency of new coolingtechnologies helps to reduce the carbon footprint, while playing an essential role in the fight against climate change.
Regulations in the industrial sector
France is aiming for a 27% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. In line with the Paris Agreement, companies must reduce their energy consumption andCO2 emissions. To achieve these ambitions, the 2015 Energy Transition Act establishes a legislative framework to encourage industries to adopt sustainable and innovative solutions.
Large companies are required to carry out audits every four years, enabling them to analyze their energy expenditure, identify savings opportunities and implement targeted strategies to improve their environmental performance. They can also adopt standards such as ISO 50001, the SMÉnergie approach, and benefit from energy saving certificates (CEE) to structure their approaches and enhance the value of their sustainability and energy efficiency efforts.
Energy-efficient cooling solutions for industry
Adiabatic cooling
Adiabatic cooling uses the evaporation of water to lower the air temperature. As the water evaporates, it absorbs the sensible heat in the air, producing a flow of cooled air. Consuming up to 90% less energy than a conventional air-conditioning system, this cooling is particularly effective for large industrial spaces such as workshops and warehouses. By making liquid water its main cooling lever, it offers a sustainable, energy-efficient solution.
Passive cooling system
Passive cooling regulates building temperatures without the use of active energy, relying on innovative materials such as reflective coatings, silica aerogels and composite insulation, as well as techniques such as green roofs, intelligent glazing and natural ventilation. By limiting heat gain and promoting heat dissipation, this approach reduces dependence on energy-hungry air-conditioning systems and enhances the sustainability of buildings. It is particularly effective in “intelligent” structures capable of managing their thermal needs autonomously. It is best integrated at the design stage, to maximize long-term performance.
District cooling networks (district cooling)
District cooling networks, or cold distribution systems, operate like district heating networks, but distribute cold at temperatures of 5 to 15°C. A central plant cools a fluid (water or glycol) and transports it via insulated pipes to users for applications such as air conditioning, cooling of industrial processes or production units. The heated fluid is then returned to the power station for further cooling.
More energy-efficient than individual air-conditioning systems, these networks reduce heat loss, lighten the load on the power grid and reduce the carbon footprint. They therefore offer a sustainable solution to the growing need for refrigeration, particularly in densely populated and industrial areas.
Integration of renewable energies in cooling systems
Cooling systems are increasingly integrating renewable energies. For example, solar energy can power absorption systems, where heat captured by solar panels is converted to cold via thermodynamic cycles. Wind turbines and heat pumps can also be used to cool facilities or support urban networks, providing a sustainable energy source and reducing dependence on electricity. At the same time, the use of environmentally-friendly refrigerants reduces the environmental impact of these systems by limiting GHG emissions.
Optimizing existing systems for greater energy efficiency
The role of connected thermostats and home automation
Connected thermostats enable precise temperature reduction according to actual needs, helping to avoid over-consumption of energy. Home automation controls various equipment to maximize energy efficiency while ensuring optimum comfort. Integrating these technologies into existing systems optimizes energy management and reduces theenvironmental impact of buildings and industrial facilities.
The importance of thermal insulation
Insulation is crucial to optimizing a building’s energy efficiency. Good insulation reduces heat loss in winter and heat penetration in summer, lowering heating and cooling requirements. By improving the insulation of walls, roofs, windows and floors, buildings consume less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature. The integration of modern materials, such as eco-friendly insulation and double-glazed windows, optimizes energy efficiency and promotes sustainability.
Heat recovery
Heat recovery is an effective solution for improving energy efficiency by capturing excess heat generated by industrial machinery, production equipment or even heating and air-conditioning processes. This heat, often considered an unused by-product, can be redirected to other applications, such as heating water or optimizing industrial processes in buildings.
Case studies
Free cooling of a data center
Data center cooling represents a major energy challenge, accounting for between 30% and 40% of total consumption. These infrastructures, important for data storage and distribution, generate a great deal of heat due to the continuous operation of servers, requiring high-performance cooling equipment. This high energy consumption is a major contributor to digital pollution, with significant greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020, the electricity consumption of data centers in France was equivalent to that of a town of 50,000 inhabitants.
Free cooling is an effective cooling solution for data centers. Free cooling relies on the use of outside air (or sometimes water) to cool facilities directly, without the need for energy-intensive cooling devices. When it’s cold outside, the air can be used to maintain a low temperature in server rooms, significantly reducing energy consumption and limiting the use of compressors and other energy-intensive technologies to produce cold.
Adiabatic cooling for large industrial surfaces
In large industrial spaces, where the heat generated by production equipment and processes can become problematic, adiabatic cooling (based on the evaporation of water) represents an economical and ecological alternative, far surpassing conventional air-conditioning systems . Air-conditioning has a number of drawbacks, including high energy consumption, particularly in hot weather, as well as significant environmental impact, incompatibility in open spaces, complex and costly maintenance, and questionable comfort.
Adiabatic cooling with water evaporation reduces energy consumption, improves worker comfort and reduces the carbon footprint. This system is particularly well-suited to sectors such as food processing, printing, automotive and logistics, where temperature control is frequently required. Mobile adiabatic units also offer great flexibility, making it possible to target specific areas or meet one-off refrigeration requirements.
