Introduction

Scientific reports have been sounding the alarm for decades about the threats of climate change, including intense and prolonged heatwaves. Niger’s climate risk profile indicates that temperatures are expected to increase by 2.0°C to 4.6°C by 2080 compared to pre-industrial levels, with higher temperatures and more extreme heat in the southwestern part of the country. The portion of the population affected by at least one heatwave per year is expected to rise from 1.7% in 2000 to 12% in 2080. Heat-related mortality is estimated to triple by 2080. This situation poses major risks to the population, the environment, and the economy. The cost of direct health damages is estimated between 2 and 4 billion dollars per year by 2030. Countries with weak health systems, mainly developing countries, will be the least able to cope, with negative impacts on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health and health equity. How can we turn this dire situation into a favourable one? By betting on solar and geothermal energy! For one of the sunniest countries in the world, it only makes sense to turn to photovoltaics! Thus, the adoption of solar heat pumps and the exploration of geothermal potential represent essential levers to address climate change challenges. These innovative technologies, adapted to local conditions, offer sustainable solutions to improve the comfort of populations, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and contribute to the country’s energy transition.

Solar and Geothermal Heat Pumps: What Are They?

The solar heat pump is an ecological and economical system that can cool a home, heat it, or provide domestic hot water. It is a combination of a basic heat pump and a solar panel; they are among the latest innovations in heat pump technology. As for the geothermal heat pump, it is a system that transfers heat from the ground to cool or heat your home.

What Are the Advantages of a Heat Pump?

First, the solar heat pump is a high-performance device that produces more energy than it consumes. It provides optimal thermal comfort because it can heat or cool your home. It can be easily used for heating during the dry and cold season (November to February). Moreover, they are particularly reliable. Their operational safety and therefore their ability to supply hot water and heat without interruption are extremely high. Also, during the dry and hot season (March to June), these pumps can be used to passively cool our homes. They draw their energy from sunlight, which is a natural, renewable, and free resource. The geothermal heat pump acts like a conventional central heating or cooling system. It converts heat from the earth, also coming from a renewable and ecological source. To do this, it requires either a deep borehole or an underground register. The glycol/water heat pump is generally used for geothermal systems (borehole mode). Knowing that the temperature at the bottom of the borehole remains more or less constant regardless of the season, glycol/water heat pumps are extremely energy-efficient and safe. They are reversible, which means they can be used in any season. It should also be noted that glycol/water heat pumps are characterized by a long operating lifespan. These two systems are ecological (emit no fine particles, use only renewable energy sources, minimal CO2 emissions); efficient; economical (when long-term profitability is taken into account, even though the purchase and installation costs can be a bit high); and reliable (low maintenance required).

What Are the Disadvantages?

Although solar and geothermal heat pumps offer considerable potential, their development is not without challenges. Initial investment costs can be high, and technical skills are sometimes lacking. Also, there may be a risk with solar heat pumps regarding the amount of heat converted. Will it be enough to power an entire building, considering all the devices used? I dare to believe it will be, since we have sunshine in abundance!

Conclusion

Solar heat pumps and geothermal energy undoubtedly represent promising solutions to meet the country’s energy needs. With an ambitious energy policy, combined with public-private partnerships, the deployment of these still largely unexplored technologies can be accelerated. These solutions could not only revolutionize access to energy but also improve living conditions for the population, especially in rural areas, and contribute to the country’s energy transition.