Growing Demand for Cooling Could Spur Technology Breakthroughs
IEA supports new efficiency standards
The global demand for cooling is growing exponentially, which could place serious strains on electrical grids around the world. This increasing demand is coming primarily from developing nations in hotter parts of the world, such as India, where the peak electricity load for air conditioning could reach 45 percent in 2050, up from 10 percent today.
According to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) entitled “The Future of Cooling,” global energy demand from air conditioners is expected to triple by 2050, requiring new electricity capacity the equivalent to the combined electricity capacity of the U.S., the European Union, and Japan today. The report predicts that the global stock of air conditioners in buildings will grow to 5.6 billion by 2050, up from 1.6 billion today — which amounts to 10 new air conditioners sold every second for the next 30 years.