Locations
Demonstrating Digital Monitoring and Management Tools to Enhance Energy Efficiency and Reduce Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in Space Cooling
The Digital Tools in Cooling Project is advancing Trinidad and Tobago’s transition toward energy-efficient, climate-friendly cooling solutions. Funded by the Government of Luxembourg and implemented by the UNDP Trinidad and Tobago Multi-Country Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs, and Development, the initiative pilots the use of digital and IoT-based technologies to monitor and improve the performance of air-conditioning and refrigeration (RAC) systems.
The systems will be implemented primarily at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), two key tertiary institutions serving as demonstration and learning sites. By integrating digital monitoring tools within these campuses, the project generates real-world data, builds local technical capacity, and creates replicable models that can inform national energy efficiency and refrigerant management policies.
By combining data-driven insights with sustainable practices, the project helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy consumption, and strengthen compliance with national climate goals. It also enhances technician training, public awareness, and private-sector engagement, ensuring that households, businesses, and communities can adopt safer, more efficient cooling practices.
Ultimately, Digital Tools in Cooling contributes to Trinidad and Tobago’s commitments under the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement, driving innovation, protecting the ozone layer, and building a more resilient, low-carbon future.
Project Objective
The project aims to harness digital tools and IoT solutions to drive climate action in Trinidad and Tobago by improving the energy efficiency of cooling systems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At its core, the initiative emphasizes inclusive innovation, empowering both women and men in the RAC sector through gender-responsive training and scholarships to ensure equal participation.
By piloting these solutions at UTT and UWI, the project not only strengthens institutional and technical capacity but also generates valuable evidence and lessons learned that can be scaled nationally and shared across other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), paving the way for replication and long-term impact.
Completed Activities:
1. National Survey of Cooling Systems
A comprehensive survey was carried out across tertiary institutions to assess air conditioning and refrigeration systems. The findings provided insight into how digital tools are currently applied and helped identify key beneficiaries for the project’s pilot phase.
2. Digital Cooling Reports
A consultant was engaged to produce in-depth reports on energy use, equipment configurations, and opportunities for digital upgrades. These analyses are shaping the selection of pilot technologies and informing future training programmes.
3. Technician Training Modules
In partnership with the Energy Chamber, a specialized course for refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians was designed. The course emphasizes practical skills for applying digital tools to improve system performance and energy efficiency. It is currently being integrated into the Energy Chamber’s Learning Platform.
4. Gender-Disaggregated Data Collection
Data on technician roles and gender representation were collected at two pilot institutions. This information supports inclusive participation in the project and ensures training opportunities are responsive to the needs of women in the sector.
Project Team:
Programme Office – Energy, Environment and Disaster Risk Management
Programme Manager- Rosemary Lall
Project Coordinator - Viveka Jackson
Communications - Solange Fletcher-Herber
