In Brief

  • Challenge: SDG 13 Challenge
  • Challenge Type: SFI Future Innovator Prize
  • Status: Active

The Challenge

Our project, named REHEATZ, wants to recycle heat that is currently wasted during the production and preparation of meat in Zambia. The aim is to reduce the energy, cost and carbon dioxide emissions of food products. Large volumes of hot water are used producing meat and preparing meat-based food. Most of the energy in this hot clean water at 40-50 C is discarded. 

The Solution

We want to recycle that energy instead through the development of wastewater heat recovery technology (WWHR). With WWHR, the energy used to heat the cold water for food service use will be brought back into the local heating system, lowering the cost of food production and reducing energy and carbon dioxide emissions. REHEATZ offers a viable developing country solution for Zambia as it develops low-cost technology for the benefit of the local community. 

UN SDG Alignment  

13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. 

Specifically the project contributes to target 13.2.2 aiming to help countries reduce their total greenhouse gas emissions per year, via lowering the contribution arising from food production. The project will also contribute to target 13.3 by raising awareness and building human and institutional capacity on the potential for climate change mitigation in food production via the recovery of heat from wastewater.

The Team

  • Team Lead: Prof. Aonghus McNabola, Trinity College Dublin
  • Partner Country Team Lead: Dr Godfrey Hampwaye, Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (Zambia)
  • Team Co-Lead: Prof. Padraig Carmody, Trinity College Dublin

Societal Impact Champion

  • Ms. Mangiza Chirwa Chongo, Hivos Zambia