The project uses patented heat recovery and airflow technology, coupled with solar thermal technology for agri-processing in Kenya. Working with producers and processors in value chains such as Moringa and mango - the project will deliver value for smallholder farmers by reducing post-harvest losses that occur when products are spoiled before they can reach the market.
The project will demonstrate the effectiveness of solar-thermal drying for Moringa processing by designing, building and commissioning a high capacity dryer able to operate 24/7 powered entirely by renewable energy at a Moringa facility that serves 500 farmers. The solar thermal system has considerable benefits in comparison to existing technology - including faster drying, the delivery of a constant temperature that can be remotely monitored; lower cost and ease of installation. This will facilitate the production of higher-quality products that meet the quality requirements of international buyers looking to expand supply chains in the East-African region. Besides this, the project will carry out capacity building and training, including practical demonstrations of the solar thermal drying systems to increase awareness of the potential for renewable energy to deliver economic and social benefits in agricultural value chains.
The project will examine the potential for using innovative solar thermal technology to be utilised in key agri-processing industries in Kenya and to a lesser extent, the wider East Africa Region. The study will focus on several important segments of the agri-food sector; namely tea (Kenya is the largest exporter of tea globally), Mango and Moringa - with the aim of demonstrating how the technology can drive improvements in sustainability, reduce post-harvest losses and increase revenues for farmers.
FREECOOL+ is an innovative, passive air-cooling system that can combat the issue of thermal heat and energy access in Kenya. It is based on state-of-the-art technology solutions developed by UK SME Free Running Buildings Ltd (FRB), for markets in the Far East. This will be adapted to provide a lower-cost, efficient, zero-energy alternative to mechanically ventilated air conditioning systems. FREECOOL+ is housed within a roof-mounted wind tower, using heat pipes and a cold sink to continually cool incoming air to provide fresh air supply and cool environments by up to 15 degrees Celsius. The project, led by FRB, will be supported by world-leading experts from the Building Environment Group at the University of Hull, humanitarian aid organisations and energy consultancy and social enterprise firms that operate within Kenya. The technology will be trialled within refugee camps in Kenya, validated on-grid and off-grid and progressed to TRL8/9\.
The resulting impact entails far-reaching social, economic, health and environmental benefits. In the short term this will include delivering heightened thermal comfort and optimum air quality in schools, healthcare facilities and office complexes in Kenya's refugee camps. This will have particular advantages, in terms of equality and social progression, for school children and also impact vulnerable groups that are most effected by thermal heat and poorly ventilated conditions (associated with the spread of pulmonary diseases and heat stroke). In the medium term, it is expected that uptake of the commercialised product will extend to Kenya's dominantly rural population and penetrate the hospitality and tourism industry. This will realise significant cost-savings for end users, in comparison to mechanically powered systems, and generate profit for manufacturing businesses and supply chains in Kenya. Longer term, the development and commercialisation of a disruptive new technology will be a catalyst for further investment and economic prosperity in Kenya and enable corporate expansion for FRB, reaping financial returns for the UK Economy. Moreover, the uptake of passive technology and development of this market in Sub-Saharan Africa, reduces CO2 emissions and aligns with Kenya's commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030\.
Awaiting Public Project Summary
Awaiting Public Project Summary
The collaborative InSET4KTI project among two UK industries EnSO and CoolSky, one Kenyan industry, Eenovators, and one UK university, Brunel University London (BUL), aims to deliver a radically innovative compact solar thermal technology to harness Kenya’s vast solar resource to supply heating energy required in the Kenyan tea sector. Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) managed 67 tea factories are facing serious challenges to replace currently used wood fuel due to regulatory, economic and environmental requirements. The InSET4KTI solar technology is proposed as a cost effective and technologically viable solution. InSET4KTI project will design, manufacture and install a prototype solar field at KTDA’s Kagwe Tea Factory (KTF). A successful demonstration at KTF will enable rolling out solar thermal technology to all 67 KTDA factories providing a direct route to pass cost savings to 560,000 smallholder farmers who receive a bonus payment based upon the profitability of the tea catchment they supply – any reduction in the energy cost of tea production will therefore result in increased incomes to farmers. This grant will unleash an opportunity for solar heat technology in African and global tea industry, growing UK’s solar energy business.