Ankit Kalanki
Ankit Kalanki’s first exposure to the HVACR industry was about 10 years ago. He started his career in India as an energy engineer in the industrial utilities department of a global food and beverage company, where he supported operation, maintenance, and energy efficiency improvement projects for chiller and air handling systems.
“Those times helped me build a robust foundation,” Kalanki said. “And when, six years ago, the opportunity came to join RMI team to contribute to their Global Cooling Prize initiative, I decided to jump right in.”
Throughout his 10 years in the HVACR industry, Kalanki co-authored a report dedicated to combatting the climate threats posed from room air conditioners, and led the development of the Global Cooling Prize technical evaluation criteria, “presenting innovators and industry alike with a challenge to develop a residential cooling technology that would have five-times lower climate impact through lifetime operation than today’s products while still being affordable,” he said.
He’s also assisted HVAC companies raise critical venture capital funding for their product development, who now continue to advance in that sector.
“I continue to build awareness and amplify the urgent need to provide access to efficient cooling for all in my communications,” Kalanki said. “My goals are to make cooling super-efficient and affordable for people globally and do so by collaborating with the manufacturers, innovators, policymakers, and market makers.”
Working as part of a coalition to establish the right pre-conditions for commercialization of uber-efficient room air conditioners — products that effectively manage not only temperature, but humidity, while reducing lifecycle emissions and costs — is a key focus area for Kalanki at RMI.
“And we are doing this by demonstrating the need to update testing standards and performance rating systems through provision of scientific data and developing confidence among buyers about the performance of these products in real world conditions,” Kalanki said. “Achieving this transition means win-win-win scenario for everyone - governments, people, and the climate.”
