District Cooling in KSA Could Present a Solution to Reducing Energy
Consumption Levels
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, April 12, 2010/PRNewswire/ --
- Could Implementing a Less Expensive and Greener Alternative to Air
Conditioning Really Have Such a Significant Impact?
Media are invited to join district cooling experts at District Cooling
Summit Saudi Arabia on 18 - 21 April 2010 at the Park Hyatt Hotel Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia. Program will be opened by the event's chairman George Barbari,
CEO, DC Pro Engineering followed by a presentation by Abdul Hamid Al
Mansour,
CEO, Saudi Tabreed.
GCC countries share a climate that regularly exceeds 45
degrees Celsius, and have densely populated cities that place high demands
on
energy resources. To counter these high temperatures, the Middle East region
is currently heavily dependant on the cooling provided by air conditioning.
Published data states that as much as 70% of the power used during peak
times
can be attributed to cooling systems.
Distributing heating or cooling to multiple locations from one
generator source is not a new concept and their have been numerous
successful
and sustainable projects globally that have proven both the feasibility and
reliability of such schemes.
In the GCC, the UAE can boast successful examples of district
cooling implementation to both residential and commercial developments,
where
close to 1 million tons of refrigeration capacity have been developed.
However, some of these new district cooling schemes have been severely
affected by the economic downturn, due to both financing structures and the
close link between many of the district cooling providers and the master
developers. On the other hand, many schemes are generating demand capacity
and energy revenue in excess of AED 1.5 billion annually which will ensure
healthy long-term district cooling utility business.
So, despite the bad press that district cooling has received
recently, it still remains the most cost-effective and energy efficient
solution to the cooling requirements of the region. It is critical, however
that the mistakes are not repeated and that the perceived risks are
mitigated
prior to implementation. New regulations and preferential utility rates are
also required to boost the district cooling industry.
George Berbari, a regional industry pioneer, stated that the
industry is adapting fast to the new situation and has developed new
engagement rules prior to any investment. Examples include insuring
guaranteed anchor loads, avoiding investment in the networks and properly
forecasting actual cooling demands.
In KSA, improved understanding of project economics,
government legislation and the business environment can help to identify and
mitigate the perceived threats to a cooling project's success. Combined with
improved planning, design, maintenance and energy efficiency initiatives
like
co-generation, this will enable cost-efficiency, sustainability and energy
savings.
IQPC Middle East's District Cooling Summit Saudi Arabia 2010
taking place on 18 - 21 April 2010 at Park Hyatt Hotel Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
will provide a platform for benchmarking regional district cooling project
best practice. Executive speakers from Saudi Tabreed, Chescor Capital, TAS,
Kamstrup, Cool Tech, Baltimore Aircoil, Trane and Johnson Controls will
share
regional and international district cooling expertise and technology
innovations. This outstanding four-day event will provide what many other
events do not deliver: A 360 degree perspective from the client, contractor,
consultant and solution provider.
The District Cooling Summit Saudi Arabia will take place 18-21
April 2010 at the Park Hyatt Jeddah, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. If
district
cooling is on your agenda for 2010 ensure that you join our VIP Client
Guests
