Cold Storage; Bio-Sourced Materials; Solar Cooling; Dynamic Thermal Simulation; Energy Efficiency; Sahel Region
Abstract :
[en] The Sahel region faces significant post-harvest food losses due to inadequate cold storage infrastructure and limited access to electricity, which threaten food security in agricultural communities. However, conventional storage systems are often constructed from imported synthetic materials with a high environmental footprint. To address these challenges, this study numerically evaluates the thermal and energy performance of a 2×2×2.5 m (10 m³) solar-powered cold storage prototype for preserving tomatoes and mangoes in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, designed using local geo-and bio-sourced materials as sustainable alternatives. Using dynamic thermal simulations with local meteorological data, eight variant models were compared to a reference model whose envelope is constructed with conventional polystyrene insulation. The variables included insulation materials and thicknesses, straw bales, rice husks, and sugarcane bagasse, as well as roof geometry, flat and vaulted. Target hygrothermal conditions were set at 10-13°C and 90-95% relative humidity. The results show that 38 cm thick bio-sourced insulation, coupled with a 14 cm CEB envelope, reduces annual energy demand for cooling by 25.7% compared to the conventional design (1458-1521 kWh vs 1999 kWh). This improvement decreased the power requirements from 215 W to 133-138 W, reducing the required solar cooling units from three to two, due to the increased thermal resistance of the envelope, which improved from 3.2 to 7.5-8.5 m²•K•W⁻¹. During power outages, bio-sourced variants maintain a stable temperature for 5-6 times longer than the reference model.
Research Center/Unit :
Laboratoire Eco-Matériaux et Habitats Durables (LEMHaD)
Disciplines :
Energy
Author, co-author :
Ouedraogo, Arnaud; Laboratoire Eco-Matériaux et Habitat Durable (LEMHaD), Institut International de l'Ingénierie de l'eau et de l'environnement (Institut 2iE), Burkina Faso
N'Guiro, Sjoerd Moustapha ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Urban and Environmental Engineering ; Institut International d'Ingénierie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement > Département Génie Civil - BTP > Laboratoire Eco-Matériaux et Habitat Durable
Hema, Césaire; Laboratoire Eco-Matériaux et Habitat Durable (LEMHaD), Institut International de l'Ingénierie de l'eau et de l'environnement (Institut 2iE), Burkina Faso
Ouedraogo, Rosina; Groupement Génie civil, Transports Aménagements-Hydraulique et énergie (GTAH)/Power Energy Consultancy (PEC), Ouagadougou
Nshimiyimana, Philbert ; Université de Liège - ULiège ; Groupement Génie civil, Transports Aménagements-Hydraulique et énergie (GTAH)/Power Energy Consultancy (PEC), Ouagadougou
Touré, Alhassane; Groupement Génie civil, Transports Aménagements-Hydraulique et énergie (GTAH)/Power Energy Consultancy (PEC), Ouagadougou
Arbi, Hama; Groupement Génie civil, Transports Aménagements-Hydraulique et énergie (GTAH)/Power Energy Consultancy (PEC), Ouagadougou
Messan, Adamah; Laboratoire Eco-Matériaux et Habitat Durable (LEMHaD), Institut International de l'Ingénierie de l'eau et de l'environnement (Institut 2iE), Burkina Faso
Language :
English
Title :
Numerical Assessment of the Thermal and Energy Performance of Solar-powered Cold Storage Prototype Made of Local Materials in Burkina Faso
Alternative titles :
[fr] Évaluation numérique des performances thermiques et énergétiques d'un prototype de chambre froide solaire fabriqué à partir de matériaux locaux au Burkina Faso
Original title :
[en] Numerical Assessment of the Thermal and Energy Performance of Solar-powered Cold Storage Prototype Made of Local Materials in Burkina Faso
Publication date :
10 May 2026
Journal title :
Journal of Renewable Energy and Environment
ISSN :
2423-5547
eISSN :
2423-7469
Publisher :
Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC) Iranian Association of Chemical Engineering (IAChE)
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Development Goals :
2. Zero hunger 7. Affordable and clean energy 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure 11. Sustainable cities and communities 12. Responsible consumption and production
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