Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to develop a unified and globally approved District Cooling Standard.
This global standard will be adopted by various countries with emerging district cooling infrastructure by 2025 and will serve as the global reference for design professionals, including specialists, utility engineers, and system designers.
It will provide in-depth guidance on the design, operation, and maintenance of District Cooling systems, along with strategies for system improvement and thermal storage integration.
The MoU was signed by His Excellency Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, and Ginger Scoggins, President of ASHRAE, during Empower’s participation in the ASHRAE Conference 2024.
Speaking about the announcement, Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, said: “Recognizing the immense potential of district cooling for environmental, economic, and social improvement, the industry must collaborate to drive its adoption. Expanding its reach will make these benefits tangible for diverse urban environments and communities worldwide. A crucial step forward is the strategic partnership between ASHRAE and Empower, driven by a shared humanitarian vision. By establishing adaptable professional standards, they equip stakeholders in different countries to implement district cooling systems optimized for their specific climates, environments, and contexts”.
“Driven by an innovation-based approach, our strategic partnerships with international stakeholders seek to develop advanced, practical solutions to improve energy efficiency, enhance indoor cooling services, and support sustainability efforts. This will ultimately contribute to sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation, and carbon emission reduction through the implementation of the Demand Side Management Strategy, a key initiative focused on reducing energy and water consumption by 30% by 2030”, he added.
Ginger Scoggins, 2023-24 ASHRAE President of ASHRAE, commented: “ASHRAE is pleased to collaborate with Empower in crafting this standard and shares in a commitment to promoting sustainability through district cooling on a global scale.”