The I-FERME (Intelligent Infrastructure Design for a Multifunctional Efficient Farm) project, which is funded by the Polisocial Award 2022, aims to upgrade the infrastructure of a multifunctional farm in Mpangala village, Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative is being developed by Politecnico di Milano’s Department of Energy in collaboration with its DMEC, DICA, DEIB departments, as well as the Catholic University of Congo. The project’s goal is to improve food security through sustainable energy solutions.

A central aspect of the project is the efficient preservation of food in the absence of a reliable electricity grid. To this end, Department of Energy researchers conducted an experimental campaign on a cold room powered by renewable sources and using propane (R290) as a refrigerant. The study tested various solutions to optimise system performance and improve defrosting efficiency, helping to make this technology more sustainable and effective.

Special thanks go to Carel, Copeland, Frigomec and Lu-Ve for donating the components, and to SCAR Refrigerazione for their support with installing and commissioning the refrigeration machine. This collaboration between academia and industry is crucial for developing innovative, practical solutions in the refrigeration sector.

The results of this research aim to optimise cold room performance in different climatic contexts and promote off-grid system use, which is crucial for food preservation in remote areas.