Güllü Hüseyn, a young Azerbaijani engineer and the global winner of our #DestinationZero competition, shares her story about how she started researching and producing temperature-regulating panels to fight against the climate change.
Güllü is producing energy efficient, temperature-regulating wall and ceiling panels. Her Climasel panels are made from phase change material (PCM). On a hot day these panels absorb the heat in a room and decrease the temperature. They then release the heat at night, when the temperature drops. Air-conditioning is a major contributor to energy consumption. Güllü's panels reduce the use of energy consumption for air conditioning by 25%.
How I came up with the idea
When I was a second-year student, I participated in the science conference about the environmental issues, mainly our over-consumption of energy and its consequences. I was super impressed and started to do research into energy consumption and sustainable solutions. I found out that residential buildings are responsible for a major part of the energy consumption, especially due to the air-conditioning systems. I was so surprised by the results and focused all my energies on finding a solution.
Ultimately, I found out the heat storage capacity of the phase change material (PCM) and figured out that we can utilise it.
I knew that Elmar, a project manager at the Baku Higher Oil School, is already experienced and informed about the material, so I contacted him directly and we started this project together. We have since taken part in bootcamps, workshops, and studied the basic marketing and business strategies to support our project. Finally, we created a small working prototype and entered the startup "ecosystem" by participating in various national and international competitions.
Starting with the problem
A significant portion of our daily energy consumption is produced by the residential buildings, to provide thermal comfort for its many occupants. Energy that is consumed by the conventional air conditioning is increasing substantially around the globe. Several research papers demonstrate that residential and commercial buildings produce 32% of the total of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. This is increased substantially when the emissions from electricity end-use are also included, e.g., heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; lighting; and appliances.
My solution
Our product minimises the demand for cooling energy, and shifts the peak-time cooling load to off-peak time, without compromising the comfortable conditions indoors. By using the Climasel panels, the building is protected from the excess heat in warm climates, and reduces the heat escaping the buildings in cold climates. Implementation of this project will decrease the overall energy consumption by the commercial and residential buildings, and the CO2 emissions overall.