Solid-State ACs: A Cool Future or Hype?
After three years of record-breaking heat, this one is set to be yet another scorcher . Air-conditioning? Not going anywhere. The International Energy Agency projects that the number of AC units will triple by 2050 . That’s good for health— one Lancet study estimated that AC prevented nearly 200,000 premature deaths in 2019 alone—but bad for the planet. Artificial chill already accounts for 7% of global electricity use and 3% of greenhouse-gas emissions, and if improperly di
After three years of extreme heat, air conditioning remains essential as global demand is expected to triple by 2050. While AC improves health, it also contributes significantly to energy use and emissions. Scientists and startups are exploring solid-state cooling as a potential alternative. This technology uses materials like gadolinium and bismuth telluride to transfer heat without refrigerants. However, its efficiency compared to traditional systems is still uncertain. Researchers are testing various approaches, including thermo-electric and magneto-caloric methods. Some prototypes show promise, but experts remain skeptical about their performance. The challenge lies in achieving the efficiency of current HVAC systems, which have a coefficient of performance of 3. Solid-state cooling could offer a cleaner alternative if it can meet these standards.
The development of solid-state cooling could significantly impact energy consumption and environmental sustainability if it proves viable.
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