Australian scientists unveils solar-powered system to make air-conditioning more efficient

Australian researchers have unveiled a solar-powered air-conditioning system that will help commercial buildings achieve much greater energy efficiency.

Developed by scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the system uses solar thermal technology to produce energy used to power the system.

The system has been tested at a shopping center in Ballarat, 100 km northwest of Melbourne, and has proved successful so far, according to CSIRO Energy Director Peter Mayfield.

"CSIRO's energy research is driving down costs of renewable technologies, accelerating the transition to a lower-emissions future," Mayfield said in a media release on Friday.

"We are pioneering new technologies and this project is a world-first demonstration of a desiccant air-conditioning system using roof-mounted concentrating solar thermal correctors."

The closed loop system uses two desiccant wheels which absorb moisture from the air as dehumidifiers while two other wheels, one of which is powered by solar heat, are used to regenerate cool air.

Researchers on the project hope that the system will help to reduce the large amount of energy required to heat and cool large commercial spaces such as hotels and shopping centers.

CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), who partly funded the project, Ivor Frischknecht said he was excited by the potential impact of the research.

"It has the potential to further improve the efficiency of solar thermal energy systems and storage to provide clean and reliable heating and cooling in commercial buildings," Frischknecht said.

"ARENA is committed to supporting innovative projects like this and helping share lessons learned amongst the wider RD&D (research, development and deployment) sector, powering Australian renewable energy well into the future."

The CSIRO will spend the next 12 months monitoring and assessing the system to establish long-term commercial operations of the system. Endit