The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) has been rolling out “cool surfaces” across the country over recent years, aiming to provide a low-tech, but energy-efficient cooling solution to communities. Many partnerships and collaborations have enabled the coverage of thousands of square metres, coating roofs and walls with a heat-reflective substrate designed to lower indoor air temperatures without the use of air-conditioning.

Important local study

“While provisional studies and data from other countries showed us that cool surfaces were a good investment, we felt it was important to formally document the results of non-SANEDI initiated South African projects, to further demonstrate the impact of local cool surface interventions,” explains Denise Lundall, project officer for energy-efficiency cool surfaces at SANEDI.

Having worked extensively with the German Development Agency in South Africa (the South African – German Energy Partnership within the Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit, or GIZ, GmbH), SANEDI made a request to them to procure the services of an expert consultant to document the results of two projects undertaken by stakeholders in the hot and humid KwaZulu-Natal province.

Two different sites

“Two sites were chosen – one industrial and one in the hospitality sector – to study the results of cool surface interventions in these applications. The assessment process included qualitative (survey-based) and quantitative (statistical) components. This enabled a holistic review and analysis of the technology applied, its measurable and perceived effects, and acceptance among researchers, manufacturers and prospective users,” Lundall says.

Hospitality project

At the St. Lucia Ecolodge along the St. Lucia Estuary, isolated controlled experimental metering proved to be successful in determining the effect of the technology.

The study looked at the specific electricity requirements for one coated and one uncoated hotel bungalow. “Over the examined 24-hour period, a reduction of 1,3kWh or 5% was observed. When you look at what this means over an average year in St. Lucia, the lodge would gain a potential reduction of cooling energy consumption in the order of 600 to 670kWh, translating to a cost reduction of between R1 200 and R1 340,” explains Lundall.

Industrial project

The second study also took place in KwaZulu-Natal at Genkem, a manufacturer and supplier of paints. They have developed a cool paint which was used in the pilot project, looking at both the maximum temperature and the average temperatures over several days.

“This helped to establish the impact of cool coating technology in reducing the indoor temperature, energy consumption and demand. The study compared two repurposed containers – one coated and one uncoated,” says Lundall. It was found that the mean average daily temperatures differed by 1,9°C and the mean maximum temperatures differed by 7°C.

Validated findings

“This study clearly demonstrates the significant potential for reducing electricity demand for cooling and improving thermal comfort during hot South African summers.]

These results have further motivated SANEDI to continue promoting cool surfaces as an energy-efficient alternative to mechanical heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.

SANEDI has also rolled out cool roofing projects in communities where local, unemployed people are trained as coating applicators to support the project, further adding to job creation. “There is local capacity and capability in South Africa, which can be leveraged to support the widespread application of cool coating in various sectors and building types,” concludes Lundall.

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For more information, contact SANEDI:
Tel: +27 011 038 4302
Email: information@sanedi.org.za or DeniseL@sanedi.org.za
Website: https://www.sanedi.org.za/

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