An energy-efficient cooling system developed by scientists at Northumbria University has been crowned one of the most ground-breaking innovations of the year.
Optimum Air Con won the Innovation of the Year – Thermal Comfort category, at the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Building Performance Awards 2025. Optimum Air Con is an innovative cooling system developed in response to the global climate emergency.
Global air-conditioning energy demand is projected to triple by 2050. Therefore the need for affordable, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives has never been more pressing.
Optimum Air Con is a pioneering cooling system from EcoTechX. EcoTechX is currently in the process of spinning out from Northumbria University.
Innovating for results
The system is known as a Novel Indirect Evaporative Cooler (NIEC) and represents a significant breakthrough in cooling technology.
Dr Muhammad Wakil Shahzad, Associate Professor at Northumbria University and Founder of EcoTechX, has been working with a team to develop water and cooling technology solutions for the last decade. He explained: “Our Optimum Air Con system addresses the constraints of current IEC systems through simplified design and optimised airflow.”
Optimum Air Con ensures stable indoor temperatures, typically around 23°C, ideal for human comfort, equipment performance, and building health. “By using a natural process to cool the air, the NIEC avoids the dryness often associated with conventional air conditioning,. It creates a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment”, added Dr Shahzad.
The NIEC contributes to substantial energy savings, consuming up to 65% less energy compared to conventional air conditioning systems. This not only lowers operating costs but also reduces the carbon footprint of the building. The system’s simplicity and robustness mean minimal maintenance, reducing long-term operational costs and downtime. Optimum Air Con can be integrated with existing air conditioning systems as a pre-cooler. This further enhances overall energy efficiency by up to 45%.
The CIBSE Building Performance Awards judges noted that the entries this year were of a high quality and demonstrated innovation. Optimum Air Con was praised for its excellent performance which “demonstrated genuine innovation with broad applicability”.
They were also impressed by how its design integrated with existing systems. This enhances efficiency and sustainability without requiring a full replacement.
Support on the commercialisation journey
Dr Shahzad secured Northumbria University funding, followed by a Northern Accelerator proof of concept award. The funding enabled him to develop a prototype of the Novel Indirect Evaporative Cooler (NIEC), which showed exceptional performance.
Dr Shahzad’s achievements earned him a place in Innovate UK’s prestigious pre-accelerator programme, Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe). This enabled further technological refinement and a comprehensive market survey. He went on to secure a place on ICURE Exploit. This 12-week programme provides intensive company formation and business growth support.
This achievement paved the way for a £2.8 million Ayrton Challenge funding opportunity to develop and scale up an innovative cooling solution for Pakistan. Additionally, the ICURe Grand Scale Kick Start program was secured to utilise Innovate UK’s network for market expansion.
Work to scale-up and commercialise the patented Optimum Air Con device via upcoming spinout company EcoTechX, which will be able to supply communities worldwide, follows the successful commercialisation of the team’s Solar2Water system. The system uses solar energy to extract moisture from the air and turn it into clean, safe drinking water.
Professor Louise Bracken, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Northumbria University, said: said: “Northumbria’s commitment to research excellence provides a supportive environment for the development of groundbreaking innovation. Through collaborations like Northern Accelerator, research endeavours with commercial potential are nurtured into spinout businesses, fostering economic growth while addressing pressing global challenges.
“The successful development of advanced, research-informed products such as those developed by Dr Shahzad and his team underscores the importance of university links with industry which drive innovation and deliver tangible solutions to real-world problems.”
