Building Cooling: Toward a Systemic Approach to Energy Demand and Integrated Strategies

In recent years, building cooling has assumed an increasingly central role in energy management, moving from a seasonal requirement to a structural component of consumption. Rising average temperatures and the greater frequency of extreme weather events are driving a steady growth in cooling demand , with direct impacts on electricity grid management and system design.

This scenario requires a broader reflection on the role of cooling in energy systems , pushing the sector towards solutions that do not simply satisfy demand, but are capable of managing it more efficiently and sustainably.

From the refrigeration system to the building-plant system

The European CoolLIFE project, funded by the LIFE programme and developed by an international partnership, was born with the aim of analysing and managing more efficiently the growing demand for cooling in buildings .

In this context, cooling is no longer considered solely as a function of the system, but rather as the result of the interaction between building, technologies, and operating conditions. This approach broadens the scope of design, introducing an integrated vision in which active and passive solutions work together to reduce energy requirements.

Elements such as the building envelope, solar control, and ventilation complement air conditioning systems, contributing to the overall level of comfort. For the refrigeration industry, this means moving from a focus on the performance of a single system to a broader vision, where cooling is part of a complex energy ecosystem.

Data and tools for advanced cooling management

One of the project's most important aspects involves the development of digital tools capable of analyzing and representing cooling demand at different scales. The use of climate data, building characteristics, and usage profiles allows for the construction of predictive models useful for design and planning.

This approach allows us to anticipate needs, optimize system solutions, and reduce the impact on energy consumption, transforming cooling from a reactive response to a strategic component in energy management.

Impacts on the refrigeration supply chain

For refrigeration designers, installers, and operators, the change is significant. The growing complexity of systems requires cross-functional skills and a greater ability to integrate different technologies.

Cooling can no longer be approached as an isolated system, but must be included in a comprehensive energy flow optimization strategy, in which energy production, distribution, and use are closely interconnected.

In this context, the role of refrigeration is evolving : from an enabling technology for comfort to a key element in building more efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy models.