Geothermal cooling system installed to cool Kenyan housing

In the second phase of their research, a team of RGU researchers travelled to Homa Bay in Kenya to install a geothermal cooling system which works by drawing in hot air, cooling the air in underground pipe and releasing it into hot rooms.

Prof. Mamdud Hossain from the School of Engineering designed the underground piping systems and supervised the installation, while Prof. Eyad Elyan from the School of Computing installed activity trackers and temperature sensors to develop AI based predictive model. This project, which is being funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the Global Challenges Research Fund with a grant of almost £35,000, is focused on the installation of a cooling system which involves a series of underground pipes bringing cooler air from under the ground into peoples’ homes. Other members of the multidisciplinary teams include Prof. Gokay Deveci from Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Dr. Katherine Burgess, School of Health Sciences carried out a field visit in March and selected homes for installing the geothermal system. Work on the project began in January.

Researchers from RGU are investigating the effects of installing this system on a variety of measures of heat stress and wellbeing using fitness trackers which will include activity levels, heart rate, skin temperature and quality of sleep. Furthermore, they will be asked to complete a questionnaire about heat stress called the Heat Strain Score Index (HSSI) and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. 

The geothermal cooling system has been installed in six homes during the visit in July and was facilitated by the local collaborator Dr Mark Okowa from Toma Mboya University, Homa Bay, Kenya.

Following the visit, Prof Stephen Vertigans said: “It was a very successful trip, following the field visit in March, seeing the geothermal cooling systems installed in the homes.  Working with local people was particularly rewarding to hopefully deliver together to improve conditions for participants living in marginalised spaces and to improve household well-being.”

Prof. Mamdud Hossain said: “I am a theoretical researcher, and this is the first time, my theoretical design has been put into real-world problem solving and I was very pleased to witness installation under my supervision”.

Prof. Eyad Elyan said: “ This is the best project I have ever been involved with and meeting the local participants was a joyful experience”,

RGU’s research is focused on making a positive impact on the world by applying collaborative interdisciplinary research expertise to improve quality of life, deliver innovative solutions for business and industry, and contribute towards global sustainability. The University’s research strategy is focused on growing the quality and impact of its research excellence around five key themes - inclusive and creative societies; the environment, energy, and sustainability; health and wellbeing; living in a digital world and pedagogical research.