In emerging markets such as sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, blackouts are as common as monsoons and the harsh Kalahari sun. It’s an inconvenient truth, but it is a reality. Add to a rapid rate of urbanisation that continues to place demand on the already strained electricity infrastructure, and just like that you’re in dark. According to Worldbank data, Nigeria alone experiences somewhere in the region of eight-hour no power days for an average of 25 days per month. To prevent illness caused by food contamination as well as enable hospitals to continue to provide critical healthcare in the form of temperature- controlled medication, society needs refrigeration that addresses such challenges. Enter Coolfinity.
Nominated in the 2016 Accenture Innovation Awards, Coolfinity is a large 600 L fridge that has been specifically designed to handle extensive power outages – cooling for up to 24 hours at any given time. This intuitive refrigeration feature is currently not consistent or reliable in other brands. Due to the ice bank, items such as food, beverages and life-saving vaccines can be preserved resulting in a higher rate of vaccination, minimised rates of food poisoning and less food waste. Beverages and food must be cooled at stable temperatures to prevent bacteria from growing (2-8 dC), and the advanced ice bank can keep it cold for 48 hours before power is needed.
Technical specifications
Integrated thermal battery withstanding power outages of 12 to 20 hours per day.
Ice bank technology freezes 50 kg water that functions as a cold battery to maintain temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees Celsius. It releases cold air gradually and when power is restored, the ice bank immediately recharges.
You can show your support for creativity by voting for Coolfinity. Voting is open until 21 October 2016.
