in demand management (Cool and Solar

ENERGY EFFICIENCY WILL PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN DEMAND MANAGEMENT (COOL AND SOLAR)

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To cut greenhouse gas emissions and tackle the climate crisis, we need to rapidly change how we produce and consume energy. Using energy more efficiently and sourcing energy through renewables (rather than fossil fuels) can play a massive role in reducing global emissions.

But as the world warms, cooling services will also be needed more and more. And with that, the demand for energyintensive technologies such as air conditioners will grow, thereby exacerbating the sector’s impact on the climate. The people of Myanmar show a strong preference for air conditioning in major cities. Whether going to a shopping mall or a small grocery shop, air conditioning is perceived as representative of a certain standard of living.

Rooftop solar energy is a versatile solution for buildings and cities, and is probably the sustainable local energy source with the largest global potential. In cities with a warm

climate, energy efficient and passive cooling solutions are one of the major sources of ‘negawatts’– energy that we don’t have to produce or use. While cooling is essential to meet sustainable development goals, it also presents a very significant threat to the climate. Nearly 20 per cent of the total electricity used in buildings across the globe is spent on cooling technology like air conditioners and electric fans. Over the next three decades, the demand for cooling is expected to become one of the top drivers of increased energy demand. Especially in tropical cities like Yangon and Mandalay, air conditioning is usually estimated to account for 40-50 per cent of a city’s electricity consumption.

It doesn’t need to be like this – cooling can be much more efficient and demand less energy. This can be done by reducing our need for cooling through improved ‘passive’ cooling solutions (such as better building insulation, optimized shading solutions and cool roofs), implementing robust standards for cooling appliances and installing more rooftop solar to meet the growing electricity demand. Especially in Yangon, many rooftops become high-end restaurants and bars which can easily utilize rooftop power. Both solutions create the perfect pairing. The hotter the sun, the higher the solar production and the greater the need for cooling. Solar energy can directly provide energy to cooling systems, thereby reducing the need for electricity from large power stations far away and alleviating pressure on power lines.

Energy efficiency measures can be done in every household or building. Here are three steps we recommend:

Step 1: Understand your electricity consumption

Step 2: Reduce consumption by focusing on cooling

Step 3: Install solar

Contrary to local myths, most of the time rooftop solar does not lead to grid issues. On the contrary, by reducing the electricity load of buildings when electricity demand is peaking, solar and efficient cooling actually alleviate pressure on the grids.

Jean-Philippe Denruyter and Jenny Calder, WWF

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