Integrating ageing into minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for sustainable and efficient refrigeration in East Africa

Abstract The biggest growth in residential electricity consumption across Africa is projected to arise from the increased proliferation of cooling devices such as air conditioners, fans, and refrigeration units. This growth is due to rising urbanisation, economic development, electrification expansion and climate change effects. This study investigates the performance of four domestic freezers at a residential site in Kenya, focusing on efficiency degradation evaluation and its implications for long-term energy consumption. Based on appliance temperature evolution measurements, the Bonn method is discussed as a means of evaluating energy efficiency decline over time due to insulation degradation. An ageing model for refrigeration appliances that predicts energy consumption increase of 23% over a 10 year lifetime and 28% over a 20 year lifetime is discussed, highlighting the need for efficiency standards and policies that account for appliance ageing. To address this gap, revised minimum energy performance standards for East Africa that incorporate an ageing factor are presented. It is envisaged that integrating ageing provisions, which should be done globally, will promote efficiency in refrigeration, thereby mitigating electricity demand growth, enhancing energy system reliability, and supporting sustainable cooling.