khaleej times | ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
Viable medium for chilled energy District cooling plays an essential role in industry operations in the country » Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri
D
istrict cooling in the UAE is a unique and technically viable option to maintain cooling in centralised premises. It also pertains to production and distribution of chilled energy in the form of water through specially insulated mediums. The concept has taken roots in urban development and is one of the most sustainable methods of cool energy for building, industrial plants and other associated concerns. Chilled water is delivered through an undergroundinsulated pipeline, which helps in cooling the indoor air within a district/unit. The same energy,
i.e., chilled water is used to lower the temperature of air passing through the building’s air conditioning units. It is of economic utility as one cooling plant is enough to meet the cooling-energy demand of many units/buildings in a district. The cooling is run on electricity or natural gas, and can use either regular water or seawater. It constitutes a new form of energy service, and is becoming a constant in changing times of technology. District cooling is measured in refrigeration tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,000 BTUs per hour. The phenomenon is apt and can be a leading alternative in air-
conditioning systems. It features a built-in structure, composition and technique that it does not need enormous amounts of electricity or gas supplies. It is a compressed form of energy evaluation that can compete with air-cooled reciprocating chiller systems serving large buildings. District cooling is capable of dealing with extreme temperatures, weather conditions and humidity. The equipment installed is specially insulated, and extra care is taken to ensure that it does not get corrupted underneath the soil or in open-air temperature, as it conducts and flows chilled water. The system is suitable for largescale, high-density developments and that too on commercial scales. Such plants utilise a variety of conventional fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. The interesting point is that district cooling is a convertible avenue and can use renewable fuels such as biomass, geothermal, and combined heat and power. — mehkri@khaleejtimes.com
The district cooling process ■■ A central plant chills the water ■■ Water circuit distributes the chilled water to units through insulated pipes ■■ A parallel circuit in the unit circulates the cold water ■■ Turbines then work to produce chilled or conditioned environment using air ■■ Energy, i.e., water is constantly re-chilled and recycled
Economic solutions for Dubai Health Care City Empower receives Dubai Healthcare City Authority Excellence Awards for sustainable approach to district cooling
T
he Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) recently recognised Empower’s efforts and achievements for its cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions in Dubai Health Care City (DHCC). The chilling plant set in the zone has a total capacity of 56,000 RT. “This recognition is a reflection of our constant efforts to develop solutions that facilitate sustainability and best cooling solutions for the healthcare professionals in Dubai Health Care City,” said Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower. The UAE-based district cooling provider continues to adopt new methodologies to provide environmentally-friendly cooling, rather than simply implementing standard district cooling technology. “District cooling solution is the way forward to achieve the
government’s vision of a sustainable development. We are pleased that our reliable and efficient solutions have succeeded in delivering cooling services in accordance with highest standards of efficiency and environmental sustainability for Dubai Health Care City. We look at this initiative as the ideal channel to demonstrate our stand in this regard,” added Shafar. Empower currently operates more than 1.250 Million RT, providing environmentally responsible district cooling services to large-scale real estate developments such as Jumeirah Group, Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai
International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World Trade Centre Residences, Dubai Design District, among others.
Key progress in green initiatives
Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 aims to generate 75 per cent of total energy output from clean resources
T
he energy sector in the UAE is undergoing change to improve the industry and add a boost to trends. The 43rd meeting of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) took place to discuss progress in several key projects, initiatives and programmes, notably the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), as well as a hydroelectric power station in Hatta area, and the Dubai Green Mobility Initiative. “This is aligned with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and also one of the cities with the lowest carbon footprints worldwide by 2050,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of DSCE. Other discussions included an approved roadmap to implement the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to generate 7 per cent of Dubai’s total energy output from clean resources by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050. In addition, WGEO formally signed a collaboration agreement with UNDP to seek partnerships with private, government, civil, banking, NGOs and educational bodies.
khaleej times | ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
Viable medium for chilled energy District cooling plays an essential role in industry operations in the country » Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri
D
istrict cooling in the UAE is a unique and technically viable option to maintain cooling in centralised premises. It also pertains to production and distribution of chilled energy in the form of water through specially insulated mediums. The concept has taken roots in urban development and is one of the most sustainable methods of cool energy for building, industrial plants and other associated concerns. Chilled water is delivered through an undergroundinsulated pipeline, which helps in cooling the indoor air within a district/unit. The same energy,
i.e., chilled water is used to lower the temperature of air passing through the building’s air conditioning units. It is of economic utility as one cooling plant is enough to meet the cooling-energy demand of many units/buildings in a district. The cooling is run on electricity or natural gas, and can use either regular water or seawater. It constitutes a new form of energy service, and is becoming a constant in changing times of technology. District cooling is measured in refrigeration tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,000 BTUs per hour. The phenomenon is apt and can be a leading alternative in air-
conditioning systems. It features a built-in structure, composition and technique that it does not need enormous amounts of electricity or gas supplies. It is a compressed form of energy evaluation that can compete with air-cooled reciprocating chiller systems serving large buildings. District cooling is capable of dealing with extreme temperatures, weather conditions and humidity. The equipment installed is specially insulated, and extra care is taken to ensure that it does not get corrupted underneath the soil or in open-air temperature, as it conducts and flows chilled water. The system is suitable for largescale, high-density developments and that too on commercial scales. Such plants utilise a variety of conventional fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. The interesting point is that district cooling is a convertible avenue and can use renewable fuels such as biomass, geothermal, and combined heat and power. — mehkri@khaleejtimes.com
The district cooling process ■■ A central plant chills the water ■■ Water circuit distributes the chilled water to units through insulated pipes ■■ A parallel circuit in the unit circulates the cold water ■■ Turbines then work to produce chilled or conditioned environment using air ■■ Energy, i.e., water is constantly re-chilled and recycled
Economic solutions for Dubai Health Care City Empower receives Dubai Healthcare City Authority Excellence Awards for sustainable approach to district cooling
T
he Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) recently recognised Empower’s efforts and achievements for its cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions in Dubai Health Care City (DHCC). The chilling plant set in the zone has a total capacity of 56,000 RT. “This recognition is a reflection of our constant efforts to develop solutions that facilitate sustainability and best cooling solutions for the healthcare professionals in Dubai Health Care City,” said Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower. The UAE-based district cooling provider continues to adopt new methodologies to provide environmentally-friendly cooling, rather than simply implementing standard district cooling technology. “District cooling solution is the way forward to achieve the
government’s vision of a sustainable development. We are pleased that our reliable and efficient solutions have succeeded in delivering cooling services in accordance with highest standards of efficiency and environmental sustainability for Dubai Health Care City. We look at this initiative as the ideal channel to demonstrate our stand in this regard,” added Shafar. Empower currently operates more than 1.250 Million RT, providing environmentally responsible district cooling services to large-scale real estate developments such as Jumeirah Group, Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai
International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World Trade Centre Residences, Dubai Design District, among others.
Key progress in green initiatives
Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 aims to generate 75 per cent of total energy output from clean resources
T
he energy sector in the UAE is undergoing change to improve the industry and add a boost to trends. The 43rd meeting of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) took place to discuss progress in several key projects, initiatives and programmes, notably the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO), as well as a hydroelectric power station in Hatta area, and the Dubai Green Mobility Initiative. “This is aligned with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and also one of the cities with the lowest carbon footprints worldwide by 2050,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of DSCE. Other discussions included an approved roadmap to implement the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to generate 7 per cent of Dubai’s total energy output from clean resources by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050. In addition, WGEO formally signed a collaboration agreement with UNDP to seek partnerships with private, government, civil, banking, NGOs and educational bodies.