Project Overview

The project addresses Lebanon’s growing cooling-related energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions by demonstrating and piloting digital monitoring, Internet of Things (IoT), and data-driven management solutions for space cooling and cold chain systems.

It focuses on real-time monitoring, energy performance optimization, early fault detection, and improved maintenance practices, while building national capacity and generating evidence to support scaling up digital solutions in the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector.

The project also integrates gender-responsive capacity building, with targeted support to female Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) professionals, and contributes to Lebanon’s commitments under climate, energy efficiency, and the Montreal Protocol / Kigali Amendment frameworks..
 

Project Objective

• Enhance the energy performance of space cooling and cold chain systems through real-time monitoring, optimization, and improved maintenance practices.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cooling systems by lowering electricity consumption and improving operational efficiency.
• Demonstrate and integrate IoT-based digital tools to enable continuous monitoring and data-driven management of cooling systems.
• Identify and validate cost-effective digital cooling solutions that reduce operational costs and support scalability.
• Strengthen national technical capacity, including women RAC professionals, to adopt and apply digital and energy-efficient cooling technologies.
   

Achievements & Key Figures

•  Completed field surveys and technical assessments across 21 supermarkets and convenience stores in Beirut and Greater Beirut, collecting data on refrigeration systems, energy consumption, refrigerant use, operational practices, and digital readiness to establish project baselines. (May–September 2025).
• Analyzed the survey findings and completed a comprehensive technical assessment, identifying opportunities for digitalization, energy efficiency improvements, predictive maintenance, refrigerant leak detection, and enhanced cold chain performance across the assessed facilities. (September–October 2025).
• Selected Happy Supermarket (Tallet El Khayyat) as the pilot demonstration site based on the technical assessment, energy-saving potential, operational characteristics, and suitability for replication. (October 2025).
• Completed Deliverable 4: Designing Tailored Digital Solutions to Meet Site-Specific Needs, including the preparation of detailed technical specifications and system architecture for the pilot site. The design includes IoT-enabled monitoring equipment, sensors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), IoT gateways, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, cloud connectivity, data analytics, testing, commissioning, and staff training requirements. (November 2025).
• The project will proceed with the procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and operation of the digital monitoring system at Happy Supermarket. This phase will include training of technical staff, real-time monitoring of refrigeration equipment, performance verification, and evaluation of energy savings and refrigerant management benefits to support replication in additional supermarkets.
   

GESI Component (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion)

The project promotes gender equality and social inclusion by integrating inclusive approaches across all project activities. While strengthening digitalization in the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector, it aims to increase the participation of women in a traditionally male-dominated field. Capacity-building activities include hands-on training on digital technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and energy-efficient cooling practices for both women and men, with targeted technical assistance and certification opportunities for female technicians, female students, and female industry management professionals. 

These activities are designed to enhance women's confidence, technical competencies, and career opportunities in the RAC sector. The project also engages government institutions, the private sector, academia, NGOs, and women's organizations throughout implementation to ensure inclusive stakeholder participation and transparent decision-making. 

By promoting equal access to digital skills and supporting the wider adoption of energy-efficient cooling technologies, the project contributes to a more inclusive green transition while improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening food security for vulnerable communities in Lebanon.