Seed Funded Projects - Round 2
Discover innovative, sustainable solutions from our seed-funded projects, advancing cooling technologies and decarbonization across industries and cities.
We’re pleased to announce the projects selected for Round 2 of Reef-UKC seed funding!
01- Community Cooling Hubs (CCH)
The Community Cooling Hubs project addresses the growing risks of extreme heat on vulnerable groups, who are disproportionately affected and have fewer resources to adapt. While some local authorities, such as Manchester and Westminster, have begun designating libraries and other buildings as “cool places,” there remains limited understanding of which building types are most suitable.
Working with Newham Council, Repowering London, and Community Energy Newham, the project will assess around 20 public buildings (e.g. schools, community centres) through site visits and temperature monitoring. The aim is to identify building typologies with characteristics that make them effective community cooling hubs and to co-design solutions with local residents.
The project will generate guidance for local authorities on selecting and adapting buildings—considering factors such as construction, orientation, and community connectivity—and explore integration with wider decarbonisation strategies, including renewable-powered cooling (e.g. reverse-cycle heat pumps), passive design, and heat networks.
Aligned with the Reef-UKC network’s Objectives, expected impacts include:
- Advancing community-based, renewable-powered, affordable cooling solutions.
- Supporting local authorities with strategic guidance to develop cooling hubs.
- Linking cooling initiatives with equity, emissions reduction, and future-readiness, consistent with Newham’s Just Transition Plan.
- Offering scalable, UK-wide replication potential.
This project is led by Kristina Roszynski, London South Bank University
02- Efficient data centre cooling from renewable power using thermal energy storage
The Efficient Data Centre Cooling project seeks to improve the energy efficiency of data centres through the integration of thermal energy storage and renewable energy optimisation. With global data centre capacity expected to double by 2030—and 30–40% of their electricity consumption dedicated to cooling—sustainable solutions are urgently needed to decarbonise this rapidly expanding sector.
The project proposes a novel approach using phase-change materials (PCMs) to store heat output during the day when cooling efficiency is lowest and release it at night when conditions are more favourable. By combining thermal and electrical storage, the system can align energy demand with variable renewable energy supply, maximising efficiency and utilisation of wind and solar resources.
A simulation model will be developed to test operational performance under different renewable availability scenarios, complemented by a techno-economic analysis. Metrics will include return on investment, power usage effectiveness, and water usage effectiveness. Preliminary estimates suggest the approach could improve data centre energy efficiency by 23–33%, reducing emissions by up to 1,000–1,300 tonnes of CO₂ annually for a large-scale facility.
This project aligns with the Reef-UKC mission to deliver efficient, renewable-powered cooling system-level solutions in fast-growing sectors.
This project is led by Alexander R. P. Harrison, University of Oxford
03- Dual-Function Piezoelectric Membrane Ventilators for Self-Powered Cooling (π-Cool)
The π-Cool project pioneers a new approach to cooling modern electronics and data centres, where thermal management can consume over 40% of total electricity use. Conventional rotary fans are energy-intensive, noisy, and prone to mechanical failure, making them unsuitable for compact or maintenance-sensitive systems.
π-Cool introduces a flexible, non-toxic multilayer PVDF-based nanocomposite reinforced with BaTiO₃, ZnO, and upcycled graphene. This advanced material enables higher strain tolerance (1–2%), larger vibration amplitudes, and longer lifetimes compared to brittle ceramic-based piezoelectrics. The system delivers two breakthroughs:
- Improved airflow (~0.75 L/s, ~50% greater than ceramic fans).
- Energy harvesting (1–5 mW average power) from membrane vibrations, enabling self-powered or hybrid cooling.
Uniquely, π-Cool combines airflow generation with renewable energy harvesting through a closed-loop vibration–electricity cycle. Once initiated, the membrane recovers mechanical energy via the piezoelectric effect, storing and reusing it to sustain operation with minimal external power. This reduces reliance on grid electricity and batteries, providing a low-carbon, self-sustaining cooling solution aligned with the UK’s Net Zero goals.
The project exemplifies circular, resource-efficient innovation by using upcycled graphene derived from captured CO₂ and advancing materials-driven clean cooling technologies. It also fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across materials science, clean energy, and device engineering while supporting early-career researcher development and industry engagement.
Looking ahead, π-Cool establishes a foundation for next-generation smart cooling systems with autonomous regulation, compact fan design, and nanoscale airflow technologies. Beyond a single project, it initiates a transformative research pipeline contributing to renewable-powered, sustainable cooling infrastructure across the UK.
This project is led by Mohammad Sajad Sorayani Bafqi, University of Birmingham
04- Integrated renewable-powered green hydrogen liquefaction system using multi-stage active magnetic regenerative cryocooler
The UK Government projects an annual demand of 250–460 TWh of hydrogen by 2050 to meet Net Zero targets. Current hydrogen liquefaction methods, however, consume ~35% of hydrogen’s energy content, creating a major barrier to large-scale adoption.
This project proposes a renewable-powered, decentralised green hydrogen liquefaction system based on a multi-stage active magnetic regenerative cryocooler (AMRC) design. Powered by wind and solar with battery storage, the system provides round-the-clock, zero-emission cryogenic cooling. It integrates liquid nitrogen pre-cooling, cold thermal energy storage, and an ortho- to para-hydrogen converter, with novel magnetocaloric materials applied across stages (70 K–20 K) for high-efficiency cooling.
A digital twin will optimise system performance in real time, ensuring reliability, maximising renewable utilisation, and reducing maintenance. Alongside, a business modelling package will assess techno-economic feasibility, scalability, and commercial potential for liquid hydrogen (LH₂) storage.
The project directly advances Reef-UKC’s mission by delivering:
- A zero-GWP, renewable-powered liquefaction pathway to replace energy-intensive conventional methods.
- System-level integration of cryogenics with renewables for scalable, decentralised applications.
- Evidence to support UK hydrogen strategy and policy engagement through techno-economic analysis.
By combining breakthrough cryogenic technology with renewable power, the project enables substantial energy savings, emissions reductions, and cost efficiencies, supporting a resilient hydrogen economy and wider cryogenic sectors such as quantum computing. Its multi-disciplinary approach—spanning materials science, thermodynamics, renewable integration, and business modelling—lays the groundwork for scalable, sustainable cooling infrastructure in the UK.
This project is led by Armin Esmaeilzadeh, Aston University
Seed Funded Projects - Round 2
- Community Cooling Hubs (CCH)
- Efficient data centre cooling from renewable power using thermal energy storage
- Dual-Function Piezoelectric Membrane Ventilators for Self-Powered Cooling (π-Cool)
- Integrated renewable-powered green hydrogen liquefaction system using multi-stage active magnetic regenerative cryocooler