- Home
- Aid by Sector
- Industry
- Energy generation, distribution and efficiency - general
- Energy conservation and demand-side efficiency
Aid by Sector
The cold universe as a renewable energy resource: developing smart radiative control coating technologies in South Africa
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Across the world, keeping buildings cool and energy-efficient is becoming one of the biggest technological and environmental challenges of our time. In rapidly growing African cities, air-conditioning and heating already comprises 30 ? 60 % of electricity consumption during peak demand periods. The proposed project brings together the University of the Free State (South Africa) and the University of Southampton (United Kingdom) to tackle this urgent issue by developing a new class of passive, self-regulating infrared (IR) coatings that can automatically control how much heat a surface emits or absorbs without the use of any external power. South Africa has much to gain from the future use of this technology and has world leading physics research capabilities that can provide extremely valuable contributions to this area of research. However, international collaboration is essential to strengthen capacity in expertise and resources so that these important contributions can be realised. The development of engineered radiative surfaces is a physics challenge combining advanced materials with electromagnetic design. A key challenge lies in understanding and controlling these materials at the nanoscale and produce thin-film coatings with high performance and long durability. Traditional thermal-control materials are static: their reflectivity and emissivity do not change with temperature. In contrast, certain ?smart? materials undergo reversible changes in their electronic and optical properties when heated or cooled. By carefully adjusting these materials characteristics, it is possible to create coatings that regulate heat flow naturally. This represents a distinct Sub-Saharan African (SSA) research challenge, as rising urban temperatures and energy costs make passive thermal regulation critical for sustainable living across the region. Addressing this challenge requires smart materials engineered to operate effectively within the 20?60 °C climatic range typical of SSA environments, reducing reliance on powered cooling systems and supporting equitable access to energy-efficient infrastructure. The goal of this collaborative Africa?UK project is to design, fabricate, and study multi-material thin films to produce smart radiative cooling solutions that autonomously regulate thermal radiation. The main objectives are to: Develop and optimise deposition methods for high-quality oxide films and multi-material stacks and characterise structure, composition, and phase transitions of materials using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy. Use computational models to understand the link between microstructure and thermal behaviour and design smart multi-material electromagnetic designs for different application requirements. Experimentally fabricate a variety of multi-material coating prototypes and evaluate their response. Work with stakeholders and end users to explore applications within the South African context using locally sourced materials and supply chains, reducing the need for imports. The two universities will develop a partnership to co-develop this critical technology, train postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers and generate societal impact. Our project addresses equity, diversity and inclusivity including female and under-represented groups and their training in cutting-edge materials science and photonics, building long-term scientific capacity in Africa. The project will be the starting point of new international collaborations, drive further research, and strengthen innovation pathways linking academia, industry, and policy. By combining materials physics, environmental sustainability, and equitable collaboration, this project addresses a central question for the 21st century: how to control energy and heat more intelligently. It will generate scientific insights, technological prototypes, and human expertise that contribute to cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive societies. Thus, we will be demonstrating how advanced physics can serve both planetary and human well-being.
TEA - Transforming Energy Access
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
TEA is the flagship FCDO research and innovation platform supporting early-stage testing and scale-up of innovative technologies and business models that accelerate access to affordable, clean, and modern energy in developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, enabling sustainable and inclusive growth. TEA seeks to improve clean energy access for 25 million people, create 170,000 green jobs, and leverage £1.3 billion of additional investment into clean energy technology research, innovation and scale-up. It contributes to International Climate Finance (ICF) objectives and it is the main FCDO platform for delivery of the £1 billion UK Ayrton Fund for clean energy innovation between 2021 and 2026. TEA is delivered by four lead FCDO partners - Carbon Trust, Innovate UK, Shell Foundation, and ESMAP – and a network to date of more than 750 downstream partners delivering research and innovation activities in more than 60 countries.
Increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Eastern Caribbean
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
To increase the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures and to improve energy security in the Eastern Caribbean
MECS - Modern Energy Cooking Services
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
MECS is the FCDO research and innovation programme that accelerates the uptake of clean and modern energy cooking practices in Africa, South Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, in alignment with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 7. Targeting the 2.1 billion people who still lack access to clean cooking solutions in developing countries (especially women), MECS develops research around modern energy cooking, funds pilots to scale up new clean cooking technologies and business models in developing countries, and conducts policy research to inform and influence national strategies and planning. MECS is delivered via two lead organisations - Loughborough University and the World Bank ESMAP – in collaboration with hundreds of regional and local downstream partner organisations (including 16 other universities). It contributes to International Climate Finance (ICF) objectives and is one of the main FCDO programmes contributing to the £1b Ayrton Fund for clean energy innovation.
Good Governance Fund (Phase 3) Eastern Neighbourhood: Supporting Governance and Economic Reform
UK - Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO)
The Good Governance Fund Phase 3 will deliver demand-led support to governance reforms that allow open societies and economies to flourish. The Good Governance Fund will focus on improving democratic and economic governance, primarily through strategically targeted technical assistance. The Good Governance Fund programme will deliver interventions on a flexible basis, based on identified needs and/or requests from government counterparts or civil society in beneficiary countries (Armenia, Georgia and Moldova) in support of governance and economic reforms. This will support delivery and seek to prevent/reverse democratic backsliding. The Good Governance Fund is part of an integrated portfolio of programmes operating in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate region and supports the delivery of four National Security Council strategies and the Integrated Review.
Advanced filters
To search for Programmes in a specific time period, please enter the start and end dates.