BeCool: Clean cooling for markets in Kenya

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Recording of Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | The smarter E Europe | Exhibition Program | Language: English | Duration: 9:18 .

Phaesun GmbH Wins Smarter E Award for Innovative Solar-Powered Cold Rooms in Kenya

Geraldine Quelle from Phaesun GmbH presented their award-winning BeCool project, which involves the implementation of solar-powered cold rooms in Kenya. Phaesun, a German company specializing in PV systems for rural electrification since 2001, has developed Self-Chill technology—a modular DC-powered solution for solar cooling primarily aimed at agricultural products. The system uses photovoltaic modules to power water chillers that store thermal energy and provide cooling through an air-water heat exchanger or milk tank. In collaboration with local partners like WeHub Victoria Limited and Solar Cooling Engineering, as well as support from the Efficiency for Access Initiative and architects from Kenya and Switzerland, they installed two cold rooms near Lake Victoria. The first room operates on a "cooling-as-a-service" model where vendors rent space to store produce. For the second room, efforts focused on minimizing greenhouse gas emissions by using natural refrigerants and materials like wood and straw instead of conventional PU foam panels—achieving close-to-net-zero carbon output while maintaining effective refrigeration solutions essential for preserving perishable goods such as leafy vegetables.

Automated summarization by AI Conver

Geraldine Quelle
Research and Innovation Manager
Phaesun GmbH

The smarter E AWARD is one of the most prestigious awards in the energy industry. Once again, numerous companies that have developed visionary and pioneering products and projects that are among the finalists in 2025. They will present their products and projects to the exhibition audience in ten-minute pitches at the Intersolar Forum. Innovations in the Photovoltaics category include advancements in module technology, inverters and balance of systems. The finalists in the Smart Integrated Energy category will also be featured.

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Christian Comes
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Dr. Wilhelm Stein
CEO
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Gautier Moulin
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Aevy

To Talk

Video is not available.

Video is not available.

Video is not available.

Video is not available.

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Frank Stegmueller
Lead Industry Decarbonisation & Energy Island Solutions
GIZ Indonesia

To Talk

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