Samsung unveils new energy efficient, hybrid refrigerator

[Courtesy of Samsung Electronics Co.]

South Korea’s tech giant Samsung Electronics Co. on Thursday unveiled the industry’s first refrigerator that utilizes semiconductor elements, in addition to compressors, for cooling.

Samsung Electronics presented its new Bespoke AI Hybrid refrigerator on Thursday, boasting the product’s energy efficiency maximization technology.

The refrigerator achieves optimal energy efficiency, breaking away from the conventional trend of refrigerators consuming much power as they run 24 hours a day.

The Bespoke AI Hybrid refrigerator features a Peltier element as a second power source in addition to the compressor that serves as the heart of the refrigerator. Operation is similar to hybrid cars that use both internal combustion engines and electric motors.

The Peltier element cools without refrigerants, using only electricity by running a current through two different semiconductors, causing one side to absorb heat and the other to release it.

This is the first time Peltier elements are applied to large refrigerators. They have been used in water purifiers and small refrigerators.

Under normal conditions, the refrigerator’s AI inverter compressor operates alone to maintain consistent energy consumption, but in situations that require a sudden surge of energy, such as during a heatwave when ice consumption surges, the Peltier element kicks in to provide rapid and efficient cooling, the company said

“The energy consumption efficiency of this refrigerator can reduce power consumption by 30 percent compared to first-grade energy-efficient products, saving around 28,000 won in annual electricity costs,” said Wee Hoon, vice president and head of advanced development at Samsung Electronics‘ Digital Appliances (DA) division. “Savings could be even greater during summer when progressive rates apply.”

The company added that using the AI Savings Mode of its Internet of Things (IoT) platform SmartThings will allow AI algorithms to autonomously identify situations requiring maximum cooling and optimize the operation accordingly.