Researchers from Trinity College Dublin's School of Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, and Trinity Business School have secured second place in the Science Foundation Ireland-Irish Aid Sustainable Development Goals Challenge, focused on SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The REHEATZ team, led by Professors Aonghus McNabola, Padraig Carmody, and Paul Coughlan, has pioneered the first hybrid wastewater heat recovery technology for Zambian food production. Collaborating with Dr. Godfrey Hampwaye of the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research and Ms. Mangiza Chirwa Chongo, the team will utilize €650,000 in additional funding over the next two years to complete pilot plants and foster local green job creation.

Above: REHEATZ team members from Trinity with some of their Zambian partners in Africa.

The team, in close partnership with Zambeef PLC—the largest vertically integrated food retailing company in Zambia—aims to reduce the country’s reliance on coal boilers for hot water in food processing. With coal combustion accounting for over 32% of Zambia’s national emissions, this innovation has significant potential to reduce the country's carbon footprint. The WWHR technology transfers heat from hot wastewater to incoming cold feedwater, thereby decreasing the fuel needed to reach required temperatures for food processing.

This initiative marks the first operational deployment of WWHR technology in a tropical climate food processing environment. The project aspires to demonstrate the societal benefits of wastewater heat recovery in Zambia and broader Southern Africa.

Professor McNabola expressed his delight at winning the runner-up prize, emphasizing the privilege of working on climate emission reductions and green-tech solutions for Zambia’s food industry. He extended gratitude to SFI, Irish Aid, and the Irish Ambassador to Zambia, H.E. Ms. Bronagh Carr, for their support in facilitating key connections in Zambia.

"We expect the technology to reduce the cost and emissions from steam production in Zambian food processing by up to 15%, and to establish a new Zambian-led, non-profit venture to roll out the technology in the sector," McNabola stated. He highlighted the potential for new skills training, green jobs, and increased opportunities for corporate social responsibility investments.

The project stands as a testament to the positive impact of interdisciplinary collaboration and industry partnerships in the developing world.