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TIL CreativesAI representative image India faces record-breaking heat each summer, driving up electricity use and increasing the risk of grid blackouts. Cooling, once viewed as a luxury, has become essential to everyday life. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s demand for cooling is expected to grow almost eightfold by 2038, making up as much as 45% of peak electricity load in some areas. As more homes, hospitals, and offices depend on air conditioners, the pressure on the power grid continues to rise. The challenge now is not whether India needs more cooling, but how to make it more efficient.The rise of electricity-free coolingA new solution is emerging through clean technology, electricity-free cooling. Instead of using energy-intensive compressors or refrigerants, this method relies on passive reflective coatings that deflect solar radiation and release heat into the atmosphere. This helps lower both surface and indoor temperatures without consuming electricity.How the technology worksThe concept behind the cooling solution is straightforward. When the coating is applied to rooftops, walls, or glass surfaces, it prevents heat absorption. This lowers the need for air-conditioning, which in turn reduces electricity bills and carbon emissions. With an estimated return on investment within three years, it offers both environmental and financial advantages.A scalable solution for IndiaIndia’s large and growing construction sector makes this innovation particularly relevant. The coatings can be applied to existing buildings without major structural changes, allowing industries, hospitals, and housing developers to use the solution easily. As India continues to add millions of square metres of new building space annually, adopting electricity-free cooling could make a significant impact on national energy savings.Live Events“India’s need for sustainable cooling is both a climate and development priority. Leading Hospitality Services (LHS), in collaboration with i2Cool, has tested this technology in commercial and healthcare buildings. The trials showed that these nanoparticle-based coatings reduced surface temperatures by up to 20°C and delivered 20–25% savings in electricity use. Electricity-free cooling offers a practical pathway to reduce grid pressure while making thermal comfort accessible to millions who currently lack it. The goal is not just efficiency, it’s equity and resilience,” said Bonnie Leung, Marketing Director of Hong Kong-based firm i2Cool.A potential billion-dollar opportunityExperts believe this innovation could lead to the next major growth area in India’s green technology sector. The local manufacturing of reflective materials, installation services, and monitoring systems could together form the base of a new billion-dollar industry. More importantly, its wide-scale adoption could help prevent power shortages and reduce the frequency of blackouts during peak summer months.A path toward climate resilienceAs heatwaves become more frequent, the need for sustainable and affordable cooling is growing urgent. Electricity-free cooling could help India manage climate challenges while supporting its development goals.“India’s built environment can become a catalyst for climate resilience. If we can turn every rooftop into a cooling surface, we not only reduce energy use but redefine how sustainability works in practice,” said Atul Kapil, Group General Manager of LHS.The next phase of India’s green growth may not come from new power plants or advanced air-conditioning systems, but from a simple idea, keeping buildings cool without using electricity.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onpassive reflective coatingsclimate resilience in Indiaclimate changeheat management solutionsgreen tech revolution (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onpassive reflective coatingsclimate resilience in Indiaclimate changeheat management solutionsgreen tech revolution(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online....moreless
