Harnessing net-zero thermal energy storage for improved temperature regulation in low-income educational buildings

Summary

A safe and conducive environment is important to support equitable quality education. This includes the provision of suitable thermal conditions, which has a significant influence on human productivity and academic performance. However, almost all South African schools suffer from poor construction (Figure 1 in the attached PDF) that are ill-suited for the harsh climatic conditions that pupils are exposed to daily, and which will worsen under global warming. In addition, funding deficits places conventional energy intensive cooling technologies far out of reach. In response, this project proposes to continue with current work that considers a fully passive net-zero energy and carbon cooling method that can be retrofitted to existing structures, and which regulates classroom interiors at a constant temperature. The intended outcome is improved education environments that will help break poverty cycles in under-resourced communities.

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