During the summer of 2025, widespread heat waves strained power grids across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, prompting renewed interest in radiative cooling technologies as a potential solution. Radiative cooling, a process where surfaces dissipate heat without requiring additional energy, is being explored through advanced paints, coatings, and textiles. This approach aims to reduce reliance on air conditioning, which consumes significant power and exacerbates grid stress.

Qiaoqiang Gan, a professor of materials science and applied physics at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, explained that radiative cooling is a universal phenomenon. "Radiative cooling is universal—it exists everywhere in our daily life," Gan said. He noted that objects absorb heat from the sun during the day and radiate it back at night. This process, he added, is responsible for the condensation often seen on cars parked outside overnight, as their metal roofs dissipate heat and cool below the ambient air temperature, leading to dew formation.

Humans have utilized radiative cooling for millennia. Ancient desert civilizations in Iran, North Africa, and India produced ice by leaving pools of water exposed to clear night skies, leveraging the natural cooling process. Modern technology is now enhancing this ancient technique.

The development of advanced materials is central to improving radiative cooling efficiency. Researchers are focusing on paints, coatings, and textiles that can effectively scatter sunlight and dissipate heat. These materials reflect solar radiation, preventing heat absorption, and emit thermal radiation, allowing heat to escape into the atmosphere.

The implications of widespread adoption of radiative cooling technologies are significant. Reduced demand for air conditioning could alleviate pressure on power grids, particularly during peak summer months. This could lead to fewer power outages and a more stable energy supply. Furthermore, decreased energy consumption would lower carbon emissions, contributing to efforts to mitigate global warming.

Gan emphasized the potential for these technologies to make a substantial impact. He and other researchers are working to optimize the performance and scalability of radiative cooling materials, aiming to make them more accessible and affordable for widespread use. The latest developments include the creation of coatings that can be applied to existing buildings and infrastructure, making it easier to retrofit structures for improved cooling performance.