APUEA
9
LESSONS FROM QATAR'S DISTRICT COOLING REVOLUTION: BUILDING A COMMAND-ANDCONTROL SUCCESS STORY by QatarCool
13
CLIMATE-INDUCED ECONOMIC STRESS AND THE NEED FOR DISTRICT COOLING by TABREED
21 CUTTING COSTS WHILE IMPROVING SUSTAINABILITY IN A DOWNTURN by BlueBee Technologies
29
DRIVING ASIA-PACIFIC’S ENERGY TRANSITION: SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR A LOW-CARBON FUTURE by KTJS
35 ROAD TO ASEAN ENERGY BUSINESS FORUM (AEBF-25): SET THE STAGE FOR THE NEXT WAVE OF INNOVATION IN THE ENERGY SECTOR! by AEBF
39 WHY DISTRICT COOLING IS KEY IN NET-ZERO CITIES OF THE FUTURE by Grundfos
45 ADVANCED DISTRIBUTED FIBER OPTIC LEAK MONITORING (DTS): ENHANCING LEAK DETECTION IN THERMAL INSULATION PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION by Xingbang
52 APUEA MEMBERSHIP FORM
49 EVENT CALENDAR
51 MEMBER DIRECTORY
Editorial Mikael Jakobsson
PRESIDENT
ASIA PACIFIC URBAN ENERGY ASSOCIATION (APUEA)
Chill, Baby, Chill!
While President Trump withdraws from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time, we must stay focused and continue on the relatively positive path of integrating more renewable energy and developing sustainable, resilient urban energy systems. As I wrote in an earlier editorial, nothing good comes from panicking. Let’s move forward toward a better future!
In contrast to developments in the U.S., 86% of China’s newly installed electric power capacity in 2024 came from renewable energy sources— accounting for a record-high 56% of total installed capacity. As China progresses toward its "double carbon" goals—carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060—it is actively developing a green economy. Analysts even foresee China reaching its carbon peak goal earlier than expected.
In Thailand, 64 solar farms and 8 wind farms, generating more than 2 TW of electricity, were recently approved—despite earlier signals that the purchase of clean energy would be put on hold. Vietnam and Thailand have both doubled their renewable energy capacity over the past decade, taking the lead in Southeast Asia.
An interesting development in distributed, community-based energy production and distribution is being considered in Indonesia. These energy schemes are expected to enhance sustainable energy resilience while also boosting productivity in businesses, agricultural processing, plantations, and fisheries.
we refine our program to include key stakeholders. In recent years, real estate developers have joined the conversation, and this year, we plan to emphasize urban planning to an even greater extent.
Our collaboration with Informa Markets is not only continuing but intensifying as we enter 2025. Several joint events are planned across the region throughout the year. You can find more details in the event calendar presented in this magazine and on our online portal.
We encourage our members and partners to reach out to us for tailormade activities that support the development of sustainable and resilient urban energy solutions. We are happy to assist with awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives across the region—beyond our scheduled events.
The Global District Energy Climate Awards (#25GDECA) are now open for applications, celebrating best-in-class solutions that drive sustainable urban energy systems. These awards recognize and highlight urban energy initiatives that are crucial to achieving climate-neutral societies. Winners will be honored at the awards ceremony, taking place February 17–20, 2026, during the Campus Energy Conference in Washington, D.C., USA. Submit your application by May 15, 2025, at [https://www.districtenergyaward.org/] (https://www.districtenergyaward.org/).
In this issue of APUEA Magazine, explore insightful articles on the latest trends and innovations in energy and district cooling:
- Lessons from Qatar's District Cooling Revolution: Building a commandand-control success story
- Climate-induced economic stress and, the need for district cooling
- Cutting costs while improving sustainability in a downturn
- Driving Asia-Pacific’s energy transition: sustainable solutions for a lowcarbon future
- Road to ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-25): Set the stage for the next wave of innovation in the energy sector!
- Why District Cooling is key in Net-Zero cities of the future
- Advanced Distributed Fiber Optic Leak Monitoring (DTS): Enhancing Leak Detection in Thermal Insulation Pipeline Construction
We extend our gratitude to Qatar Cool, Tabreed, Bluebee Technologies, KJTS Group, Grundfos, and Xingbang for their valuable contributions to this issue.
Secretariat
GET IN TOUCH
Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association 2 Silom Edge, 11th Floor, Silom Road, Suriyawong, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 info@apuea.org
www.apuea.org
Mikael Jakobsson President
Peter Lundberg Executive Director
Peter Anderberg APUEA Academy Officer
Nathinee Roongsitong Publications Manager
Muhammad Ali APUEA Australasia Advisor
Sanjay Prasad India Representative
Teruhisa Oi Policy Advisor
Guan Xin China Advisor
For more information about APUEA and how to become a member, contact info@apuea.org
www.apuea.org
ASIA PACIFIC URBAN ENERGY ASSOCIATION
The Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association (APUEA) was launched in 2017 to promote the development of sustainable Urban Energy Systems in the Asia Pacific region. The APUEA platform promotes public and private sector collaboration to develop sustainable urban energy systems that support livable cities across the Asia Pacific region. Our membership and activities serve as an information hub to support city policymakers, program managers, and other stakeholders in the design, development, and implementation of sustainable urban energy systems. Through our activities, including APUEA events, conferences, and continuous outreach to our members, we share international and regional best practices for planning and implementing sustainable urban energy systems—including policies and regulations, business models, and technologies for implementing district heating and cooling, smart grids, energy efficiency improvements, and renewable energy systems.
The APUEA membership provides a unique opportunity to liaise with governmental agencies and important stakeholders and get access to valuable information and intelligence on urban energy developments, business opportunities, trends, and financing in one of the fastest growing energy and infrastructure markets in the world. Membership benefits include a marketing platform, newsletters, APUEA Magazine, Annual Publications, Annual General Meeting including Trade Exhibition and Direct Assistance.
ASIA PACIFIC URBAN ENERGY ASSOCIATION
The Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association (APUEA) is a platform to collect and disseminate knowledge, best practices, and tools related to the development of sustainable urban energy systems, and thereby support the development of livable cities in the Asia Pacific region.
APUEA serves a broad range of members including but not limited to utilities, manufacturers, investors, engineering companies, donor agencies and sector associations that are active in the urban energy sector. Members can choose among several membership categories, depending on their sector and level of engagement in APUEA.
PREMIUM MEMBER
Premium membership includes an active role in the governance of the association through the APUEA Executive Committee and during the APUEA Annual General Meeting.
Premium membership also includes special recognition in APUEA publications and marketing channels, and free participation at APUEA events.
CORPORATE MEMBER
Corporate membership includes influence on the association’s activities during the APUEA Annual General Meeting, recognition in APUEA publications and marketing channels, and discounted participation at APUEA events.
AFFILIATE MEMBER (Invitation only)
Individual or agency invited by the Association to participate as an individual member; and entities such as regional NGOs, development agencies, and utility organisations. An Affiliate Member benefits from the Association but does not take an active role in the Association in terms of its governance and operation.
THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE DEPENDS ON THE MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY AND ORGANIZATION SIZE:
CORPORATE CATEGORY PREMIUM MEMBER
MEMBER
BENEFITS
Advocacy and Representation
Matchmaking and Referrals
Direct Marketing
Market Intelligence
Knowledge and Best Practices
Regional and International Events
Direct Assistance
OPERATING ACROSS TWO MAJOR DISTRICTS, QATAR COOL’S COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE (CCC) SERVES AS THE NERVE CENTER FOR MANAGING ALL ITS COOLING PLANTS AND ENERGY TRANSFER STATIONS (ETS). BY CENTRALIZING OPERATIONS, THIS FACILITY ENSURES SEAMLESS OVERSIGHT, OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY ACROSS THE NETWORK.
By Mohiuddin Shaikh Technical Manager
LESSONS FROM QATAR'S DISTRICT COOLING
REVOLUTION: BUILDING A COMMAND-AND-CONTROL SUCCESS STORY
The development of a state-of-theart Command and Control Centre (CCC) offers a blueprint for success in modernizing district cooling operations. This journey underscores the importance of strategic planning, technology integration, and a focus on scalability and innovation. By leveraging advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, the project demonstrates how challenges in operational efficiency, system reliability, and real-time oversight can be transformed into opportunities for growth and excellence.
Operating across two major districts, Qatar Cool’s Command and Control Centre (CCC) serves as the nerve center for managing all its cooling plants and Energy Transfer Stations (ETS). By centralizing operations, this facility ensures seamless oversight, optimizing performance and reliability across the network. The CCC’s advanced infrastructure reflects Qatar Cool’s commitment to delivering world-class district cooling services with precision and efficiency.
PHASE 1: LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR INNOVATION
The project began with a comprehensive gap analysis to identify deficiencies in existing processes and operational technology (OT) infrastructure. A specialized team conducted detailed workshops, analyzing operational sequences, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), and OT systems.
This assessment led to notable advancements, including SCADA redundancy for increased reliability, optimized PLC control logic to streamline operations, and a significant expansion of monitoring instruments integrated into the SCADA system. The communication network was also fortified to handle real-time data flow, ensuring robust connectivity across chillers, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), water treatment systems, and more.
PHASE 2: BUILDING THE NERVE CENTER
Phase two focused on constructing the state-of-the-art CCC. Designed with operator comfort and efficiency in mind, the facility boasts ergonomically designed control desks and advanced technological features such as UHD video walls and GPS-synchronized clocks.
The CCC establishes seamless connectivity across plants, Energy Transfer Stations, condition monitoring systems, and CCTV networks. This integrated setup enables comprehensive oversight, breaking down silos and fostering better coordination.
PHASE 3: CENTRALIZED OPERATIONS WITH ADVANCED SYSTEMS
The final phase brought the CCC to life with the deployment of advanced systems like centralized SCADA, a historian for operational data, and an Operations HUB for real-time data management.
Centralized SCADA: Built to ISA-95 standards, this system uses virtualization to optimize hardware and ensure scalability. High-speed connectivity, supported by fibre optics, MPLS, and 5G, ensures uninterrupted communication, while modern protocols such as OPC UA and REST APIs facilitate seamless integration.
Historian System: Serving as the cornerstone for analytics and reporting, the historian integrates AI, ML, and cloud platforms for predictive insights, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Operations HUB: By unifying SCADA, historian, and other critical systems, the HUB empowers operators with actionable insights to enhance responsiveness and efficiency.
HARNESSING AI FOR PREDICTIVE EXCELLENCE
AI technology was a critical enabler throughout the project, facilitating advanced data analysis and predictive maintenance. Machine Learning algorithms detect patterns in operational data, identifying anomalies and suggesting preemptive actions to prevent downtime. AI-powered forecasting tools also assist in optimizing energy consumption and improving system performance, ensuring the CCC operates at peak efficiency.
THE CCC IS MORE THAN JUST A CENTRALIZED FACILITY; IT’S A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN SCALABILITY, SAFETY, AND EFFICIENCY.
A GUIDE FOR FUTURE SUCCESS IN DISTRICT COOLING
The success of this Command-andControl Centre illustrates the power of a methodical approach to innovation. By addressing foundational gaps, prioritizing advanced technology integration, and embracing AI-driven analytics, the project serves as a case study for organizations aiming to enhance their operational capabilities.
The CCC is more than just a centralized facility; it’s a strategic investment in scalability, safety, and efficiency. This success story highlights the value of foresight and adaptability, offering key lessons for other district cooling providers aiming to build smarter, more resilient systems for the future.
Qatar Cool is the leading district cooling company’s in Qatar. Since its inception, Qatar Cool has aimed for operational excellence in every aspect of its business. Over the past 21 years, the company has developed solid technical and operational experience and has refined its approach on both businessto-business (B2B) and business-toconsumer (B2C) fronts. Currently, Qatar Cool is the leading commercial provider of district cooling services in Qatar.
Qatar Cool currently owns and operates five cooling plants covering the West Bay and The Pearl-Qatar districts with the combined capacity of 240,500 tons of refrigeration.
A cade m y
P ROF E S SIONA L TRAIN I N G
Is provided to Government agencies and Public institutions, including the following training module categories:
Introductor y training Concepts and Technologies Advanced training
VOC ATIONA L TRA I NI N G
Is provided in collaboration with educational institutions.
COOLING, PROJECTED TO ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 45% OF INDIA’S PEAK ELECTRICITY DEMAND BY 2050, RISKS CREATING A FEEDBACK LOOP OF HIGHER EMISSIONS, GRID INSTABILITY, AND ECONOMIC STRAIN..
CLIMATE-INDUCED ECONOMIC STRESS AND THE NEED FOR DISTRICT COOLING
By Sudheer Perla Managing Director, Tabreed Asia & Country Manager, Tabreed India
The ripple effects of climate change are felt across the economy. From the migration and displacement of millions across the sinking coastline of Bangladesh, resource disputes such as between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the Cauvery River water and shifting agricultural patterns which is leading to desertification and food insecurity in regions like North Africa, each contributing to the mounting toll on the economy. Nearly 70% of all economic losses worldwide over a 50-year period (1970-2019) have been a result of climate change.
For a tropical country like India with a growing economy, increasing heat waves pose a significant challenge. Rising temperatures are not only disrupting daily life but also driving up energy demand, especially for cooling—a critical requirement for urban productivity and public health. Cooling, projected to account for nearly 45% of India’s peak electricity demand by 2050, risks creating a feedback loop of higher emissions, grid instability, and economic strain. There’s a need to view the challenge more holistically by acknowledging the interlinkages between the various systems, going beyond carbon related mitigation and net-zero targets.
Traditional air conditioning solutions, while effective in the short term, only solve a fragment of the larger systemic problem, instead causing even more issues that have a ripple effect across sectors and agents. Within the urban context, increased concretisation and lack of green cover create urban heat islands that require to be cooled further. These needs are presently being met by conventional air conditioning systems which are energy hungry and release toxic refrigerants producing great amounts of greenhouse gases and exacerbating a vicious cycle. Unequal access to cooling unfortunately continues the marginalisation of lower income groups, affecting their productivity and health, and worsening the overall economy. In parallel, mounds of decomposing municipal waste and untreated sewage effluent that makes their way into waterbodies further contaminate the air and the environment and add to cities’ dilemma. Left unaddressed, these issues will snowball us into catastrophic consequences.
District Cooling as a Pillar of India’s Net-Zero Vision and Sustainable Urban Development
District Cooling (DC) is a promising solution that allows much of the issues to be simultaneously addressed. DC is much more than just an efficient air conditioning solution; it is a scalable infrastructure model that supports the goals of India’s energy transition to bring about economic resilience and sustainable urban growth by promoting circularity through a system’s thinking approach.
District Cooling systems can reduce dependency on potable water by using treated sewage effluent (TSE) from Sewage Treatment Plant (STPs), which is often dumped in rivers and lakes. DC as a platform can also integrate alternate sources of energy such as harnessing waste heat (up to 70% of the total heat/ energy produced) from Waste-to-Energy Plants, increasing the viability of power
produced through W2E plants, while maximizing resource utilization. Similarly, gas from City Gas Distribution (CGD) network can be used as a fuel source enhancing its viability.
In addition to these energy inputs that minimize dependence on the grid, DC allows for the easy integration of solar power and in fact encourages greater generation of clean energy by freeing up rooftop space for solar panels which is traditionally taken up by cooling equipment. The intermittency of renewable energy can be met through Thermal Energy Storage (TES) solutions which shave off peak power demand by releasing stored chilled water from TES tanks which reduces stress on power distribution grids and cost of peak power tariffs. These circular economy principles give a glimpse of the ability of DC to repurpose resources aiding the regeneration of our ecosystems.
Resilience Amid Climate-Induced Economic Stress: Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Sustainable Cooling
Climate-induced economic stress strain infrastructure investments and threaten progress on India’s energy transition. These pressures exacerbate costs for businesses and municipalities, diverting resources from more sustainable infrastructure projects, which are critical to a “just transition”, to run of the mill fossil-dependent solutions.
In this context, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) play an instrumental role in financing and ensuring implementation of more sustainable projects such as District Cooling. PPPs allow the public and private sectors to pool their resources, mitigate risks, and share financial responsibility. By structuring agreements to allocate risks— such as demand variability or regulatory changes—between the public and private sectors, these partnerships can make District Cooling projects financially viable and resilient to climate-related disruptions.
India has already seen promising examples of PPP-driven District Cooling. In Telangana, the government initiated the re-location of the pharma industries from within Hyderabad to a dedicated zone outside the city to address the industry’s worsening impact on the environment and the city’s deteriorating liveability. The Hyderabad Pharma City project utilised the PPP model to incentivise investments ensuring the project’s financial viability. Tabreed, a leading DC provider, has collaborated with the state government to use District Cooling to meet large-scale cooling needs while reducing energy use and emissions, demonstrating how PPPs are unlocking potential for largescale sustainable cooling solutions in India’s high-growth zones. Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, the state government partnered with Tabreed to bring India’s first District Cooling system to Amaravati, the upcoming state capital. This partnership demonstrates how PPPs can drive progress on cooling projects that deliver both environmental and economic benefits.
Moreover, by centralising cooling needs, DC offers cost savings and operational efficiencies to all stakeholders, reducing expenses associated with cooling infrastructure and energy use.
A Sustainable, Resilient Future for Cooling in India
India's urban centres are set for rapid growth, demanding resilient, sustainable infrastructure and the reinvention of economic, social and ecological contracts to balance economic and environmental stability. District Cooling offers a transformative solution—addressing immediate cooling needs, enhancing urban liveability, and creating more circularity in resource use. However, achieving widespread adoption of District Cooling will require stronger collaboration between the government and private sector, backed by clear regulatory frameworks and incentives.
As India accelerates its journey toward a greener and more resilient energy future, District Cooling will play a vital role in transforming the cooling landscape. By embracing this solution and integrating it into urban planning and policy frameworks, India can build cities that are not only cooler but also more sustainable, resilient to the challenges of a warming world.
Hyderabad Pharma City is going to be home to Asia’s largest District Cooling System
DC IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST AN EFFICIENT AIR CONDITIONING SOLUTION; IT IS A SCALABLE INFRASTRUCTURE MODEL THAT SUPPORTS THE GOALS OF INDIA’S ENERGY TRANSITION TO BRING ABOUT ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN GROWTH BY PROMOTING CIRCULARITY THROUGH A SYSTEM’S THINKING APPROACH.
National Central Cooling Company PJSC (DFM: Tabreed)
is a leading international district cooling utility headquartered in the UAE that provides energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly year-round cooling solutions in 6 countries, including Indian markets, through its 89 plants, delivering 1.35 million refrigeration tons (RT) of cooling services to major residential, commercial, government and private developments, eliminating over 1.4 million tons of CO2 emissions annually through its sustainable approach to cooling.
Tabreed India Private Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tabreed Asia Central Cooling Company a 75-25 joint venture between Tabreed UAE and World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC). Tabreed India is actively engaged with several leading real estate developers and institutional investors across the country, for implementing and operating district cooling or stand-alone central cooling plants.
One of the world’s largest public listed cooling utilities
Project design and delivery
Technology and OEM agnostic
Strong R&D and Innovation Focus
Life-cycle cost view
Financing & Capital Structure
$4 BN Consolidated Asset Base
Investment Grade (Fitch-BBB)
Green Bonds Financing Framework
Capital recovery tariffs over 30 years
Operations track record
SLA/KPI based service delivery
Automation, Unmanned, Central teams
25 years, oldest plant in operation
99.8% cumulative average reliability
90 plants In 6 countries
475 MN+ Sft of area served
1.3 million RT of delivered cooling capacity
1.5 mn tons Elimination of CO2 emissions in 2022 vs alternative approaches
Primary Shareholders
Government of Abu Dhabi’s investment fund.
Centralized Maintenance
In-house with minimal OEM reliance
Reliability Centered Processes
1.1 GW Power infrastructure avoided
2.5 billion kWh energy consumption saved in 2022 compared to alternatives
Largest independent power producer (c. 100 GW) and leader in low-carbon services.
Asia Presence through IFC Partnership
Cooling Services provider to several iconic buildings
Accelerating market adoption of sustainable cooling technologies through match-making and grant funding (in partnership with IFC)
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Yas Marina Circuit
Dubai Metro
Dubai Mall
Burj Khalifa World Trade Center
Etihad Towers
Footprint & Impact
THERE WAS A DOOR TO WHICH I FOUND NO KEY, THERE WAS A VEIL THROUGH WHICH I COULD NOT SEE
- OMAR KHAYYAM
CUTTING COSTS WHILE IMPROVING SUSTAINABILITY IN A DOWNTURN
In economic downturns, industrial facilities and utilities face the challenge of cost reduction while needing to invest in improvements. Blind cost-cutting can lead to operational inefficiencies, compliance issues, and unintended cost increases. This often results in misalignment between management and technical teams. Here, we explore these challenges from an Asset Management and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) viewpoint, focusing on how digital solutions can be used to drive cost reduction in Asia.
Improvement is everywhere
Bluebee Tech's extensive experience in Asia shows that improvement opportunities are omnipresent at every stage of a plant lifecycle. Across thousands of client sites, we have identified significant savings potential through audits, surveys, benchmarking and improvement projects. Savings in terms of direct costs like labor and parts, as well as indirect or incidental costs like downtime and regulatory penalties. This is particularly true in Asia, where maintenance has traditionally been under-optimized. In an economic downturn, this opportunity for cost reduction is good news!
Challenges in cost cutting
The subject of cost cutting often stirs fear and causes misunderstanding across departments, from top management to technical teams, leading to resistance and inefficiency in execution. Technical managers might struggle when asked to provide ROI justification for projects. Since in most cases, only direct costs are measured, companies favor stricter purchase controls: additional approvals, delayed decisions, fixed top-down budget cuts, supplier changes… that, without technical foresight, can backfire with high consequential costs, impacting production or regulatory compliance.
Theory and practice of CMMS usage
The cheap cloud CMMS phenomenon
What if cost cutting could be driven by systematic technical analysis? This requires skills, methodologies, and tools. A CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) should ideally form a feedback loop that connects failure records and preventive actions (including various forms of technical improvement) taken to avoid failures.
It allows the plant management team to study associated costs, direct and indirect (consequences), and to make better technical-financial decisions. However, few companies implement their CMMS that way. In most plants, the CMMS is an administrative tool seeing limited usage both on the shop floor (leading to inaccurate data) and in the board room (bosses never get to see reports from the system), thus missing out on the potential to drive continuous improvement.
The generally poor usage of CMMS/EAM in the industry (some talk about 80% failure rate, others say 100%) has led to the emergence of low-cost, cloudbased solutions. Virtually identical, they all promise cookie-cutter ROI, offer free trials, low per-user prices, and no service required. When something is free, the purchase decision is easy to make. Yet, technical departments don’t have the time and skills required to implement a CMMS in-house. Projects invariably fail (and most cheap suppliers go bust).
This cheap cloud CMMS phenomenon has reinforced the misconceptions that CMMS initiatives are doomed to fail, that cost cutting means buying cheap. The opposite of ROI through improvement and a major setback for the industry. It's time to close this sad parenthesis and move on.
The key: ISO 55000
A series of standards dedicated to Asset Management, in the sense of physical assets, ISO 55000 provides a structured approach emphasizing risk-based strategies. It aligns corporate objectives with maintenance strategies, offering a pathway for cost reduction alongside compliance and sustainability, throughout the plant lifecycle. Through decades of experience, Bluebee Tech developed a practical 5-step method to implement ISO 55000, starting with an initial assessment of the company's current state.
ISO 55000 mandates the establishment of a feedback and improvement loop
between shop floor and management. This calls for a supporting system, an IT system.
Lifting the veil: CMMS as a tool for visibility
Can the CMMS be designed and implemented that way? As a continuous improvement tool, to assist technicians in their onsite work, while bringing valuable data from the field, enabling decisions. Yes, this is what we call Smart O&M and why we have developed the bluebee® solution, starting around 2007 in China.
Essentially, bluebee® is designed and implemented based on ISO 55000. The solution emphasizes usability, by technicians in their daily work, by managers to make decisions and to assess their effectiveness. Let’s explore two aspects of applying ISO 55000 and bluebee® for cost savings.
ACROSS THOUSANDS OF CLIENT SITES, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS POTENTIAL THROUGH AUDITS, SURVEYS, BENCHMARKING AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
Improvement from systematic analysis
While there is so much talk about AI, simpler analytical tools like Pareto charts are still vastly underutilized and can yield significant insights when based on accurate field data from tools like bluebee®.
The methodology shown here helps identify quick wins and has delivered substantial savings for many plants, in some cases achieving ROI within weeks.
Is there a solution to the old chickenand-egg dilemma of workers being too tied up with emergencies to spend time on improvement? Industry benchmarks show that up to 70% of technicians' working time is spent on administrative tasks, looking for parts, manuals, people… At the same time, employees may be worried that time-saving initiatives would threaten their job. bluebee® addresses this by streamlining administrative tasks, allowing technicians to focus on preventive maintenance and value-added activities. By promoting productivity and skills upgrade instead of reducing the workforce, Bluebee Tech proposes a truly human-centric sustainable approach, well-adapted to the needs of Asian clients.
Real-world results
Our clients have seen significant benefits and continuous improvement over the years. Saint-Gobain Proppants achieved a 60% reduction in maintenance costs per ton. Essilor Optical reduced downtime by 13% in the first year and an additional 38% the next. Yingde Gases improved reliability from 98% to 99.75% over four years, also cutting IT costs.
Chonburi Clean Energy has become the best-performing waste-to-energy plant among Veolia’s global fleet. Our 2023 customer survey also reflects high satisfaction rates (above 95%) in decisionmaking, optimized resources allocation, and risk reduction.
Navigating Challenges
Obstacles remain to launch a project. In our experience, resistance from corporate IT can be mitigated by demonstrating success through pilot projects, vested interests across departments need alignment through incentives, and top management’s decision paralysis can be addressed by a phased implementation using ISO 55000 as a guiding framework.
In conclusion, using ISO55000 as the key and Smart O&M to “lift the veil”, companies are able to identify and realize savings through industrial improvement rather than blind cost cutting. This sustainable approach may prove crucial for companies to emerge stronger from the recession.
Bruno Lhopiteau is the CEO of Bluebee Technologies. Bluebee Technologies designs and implements a Smart O&M solution known as bluebee® to support Industrial Risk Management, Asset Management and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) by enabling industrial decisions based on true data from mobile workers, connected objects and external systems. The company has offices in Singapore, Bangkok and is expanding its partner ecosystem worldwide.
French-invested Bluebee Technologies was founded in 2013. It is headquartered in Hong Kong, with R&D center in Shanghai, offices in Singapore and Bangkok, value-added partners all over Asia.
www.bluebeecloud.com
This article was published in the APUEA Magazine issue 21 | February 2025. www.apuea.org
Welcome to Smart O&M
Bluebee Tech
C o n t r o l y o u r i n d u s t r i a l r i s k s w i t h
Sm a rt O &M solutions!
O v e r 1 , 0 0 0 c l i e n t s i t e s u s e b l u e b e e ® i n
E n v i r o n m e n t , E n e r g y , M a n u f a c t u r i n g ,
I n f r a s t r u c t u r e s a n d F a c i l i t i e s M a j o r c l i e n t s i n
A s i a i n c l u d e A s t r a Z e n e c a , A r k e m a , H y u n d a i
E n g i n e e r i n g , K e p p e l I n f r a s t r u c t u r e s , S u e z ,
T a i y o N i p p o n S a n s o , R a n h i l l P o w e r , S P G r o u p ,
PUB Singapore, e t c . I n T h a i l a n d : C h o n b u r i
C l e a n E n e r g y , V e o l i a , D a r a m i c, E s s i l o r ,
C e n t e r O n e Shop p ing Plaza e tc.
Blu e b e e Te chnolog ie s d e sig n innovative ye t
p r a c t i c a l D i g i t a l T w i n f o r O & M s o l u t i o n s
know n as b lu e b e e®.
b l u e b e e ® s u p p o r t s I n d u s t r i a l R i s k
M a n a g e m e n t , A s s e t M a n a g e m e n t a n d
E n v i r o n m e n t a l , S o c i a l a n d G o v e r n a n c e
( E S G ) , O p e r a t i o n & M a i n t e n a n c e b y
e n a b l i n g i n d u s t r i a l d e c i s i o n s b a s e d o n t r u e d a t a f r o m m o b i l e w o r k e r s , c o n n e c t e d ob je cts and e xte rnal syste m s
Talk to our B an gkok te am for your re q uire m e n ts on :
✓ CMMS / EAM / Maintenance 4.0
✓ Mobile solutions for O&M
✓ BIM for Asset Management
✓ Partnering with us
F r e n c h - i n v e s t e d B l u e b e e T e c h n o l o g i e s w a s
f o u n d e d i n 2 0 1 3 . I t i s h e a d q u a r t e r e d i n H o n g
K o n g , w i t h R & D c e n t e r i n S h a n g h a i , o f f i c e s i n
S i n g a p o r e a n d B a n g k o k , v a l u e - a d d e d
p a rt n e r s a l l o v e r A s i a . T h r o u g h o u r p a r t n e r s h i p
w i t h C h u l a l o n g k o r n U n i v e r s i t y ’ s S c h o o l o f
To se e b lu e b e e ® in action (m ovie te stim onial) and le arn m ore in Eng lish and Thai, scan the Q R cod e , visit w w w b lu e b e e clou d com or m ail info@ b lu e b e e clou d .com
I n t e g r a t e d I n n o v a t i o n , B l u e b e e T e c h b e n e f i t s from a strong Thai e cosyste m .
Under the patronage of
7
Conferences at Middle East Energy
Unlocking the Global Innovation and Investment Ecosystem
Middle East Energy Leadership Summit
Your Gateway to Innovation and Success in the Power Sector
The Battery Show Middle East
Unlocking the Power of Next-Gen Battery Technology
Scan me to register
Technical Seminar
Embracing Transformation in the Power Sector
Intersolar & ees Middle East Conference
The Leading Solar and Energy Storage Event in the Middle East
Global Innovation Forum
Uniting Innovators and Investors to Shape the Future of Energy
Africa Business Leaders Forum
Powering Africa: Investing in Energy for Sustainable Growth and Prosperity
A CORNERSTONE OF OUR STRATEGY INVOLVES DISTRICT COOLING SYSTEMS AND LONG-TERM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) AS ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS IN REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND SUPPORTING CLIMATE GOALS.
DRIVING ASIA-PACIFIC’S ENERGY TRANSITION: SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR A LOW-CARBON FUTURE
By KJTS Group Berhad
As the world navigates a path toward a sustainable future, the Asia-Pacific region emerges as a pivotal player, with countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand taking strides to accelerate their energy transition.
KJTS Group Berhad, with its commitment to sustainability through integrated building support services, finds itself at the heart of this movement. Our emphasis on cooling energy solutions, cleaning services, and facilities management services offers insights into how the energy transition in the region can progress, especially amid economic uncertainties. A cornerstone of our strategy involves district cooling systems and longterm operations and maintenance (O&M) as essential components in reducing energy consumption and supporting climate goals.
DISTRICT COOLING SYSTEMS ARE AMONG THE MOST EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR REDUCING ENERGY USE IN URBAN AREAS. THESE SYSTEMS UTILISE A CENTRALISED PLANT TO DISTRIBUTE CHILLED WATER TO BUILDINGS, ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR INDIVIDUAL COOLING UNITS, WHICH ARE TYPICALLY ENERGY INTENSIVE.
The urgency of this transition is underscored by recent shifts in government policies across Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, each of which has implemented significant measures to promote sustainable development—a critical step for a region heavily dependent on traditional energy sources. Malaysia has reinforced its commitment to a lower-carbon economy with an ambitious net-zero target by 2050, while Singapore, a leader in energy efficiency, has introduced initiatives leveraging technology to meet rigorous sustainability standards, including its goal to green 80% of buildings by 2030. Thailand's Energy Efficiency Development Plan (EEDP) sets progressive targets advancing clean energy and reducing CO2 emissions, aiming for net-zero carbon by 2065. These policies promote energy-efficient technologies that are integral to the country's economic and environmental resilience.
As countries in the Asia-Pacific look to expand sustainable energy practices, district cooling systems and comprehensive O&M programmes offer resilient pathways, especially valuable in times of economic uncertainty. This approach is particularly relevant in urban areas, where air conditioning demand soars, and resource usage
must be balanced with environmental considerations. In these challenging times, district cooling provides a consolidated cooling solution that reduces energy use, stabilises grid demand, and ultimately lowers operational costs. Simultaneously, longterm O&M services support efficiency, prolong equipment life cycles, and reduce unexpected expenses, making them strategic tools in both economic and environmental resilience.
DISTRICT COOLING SYSTEMS: A CENTRALISED SOLUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN COOLING
District cooling systems are among the most effective solutions for reducing energy use in urban areas. These systems utilise a centralised plant to distribute chilled water to buildings, eliminating the need for individual cooling units, which are typically energy intensive. This centralisation not only lowers energy use but also enables the integration of renewable energy sources, such as thermal energy storage or solarpowered cooling, which reduces reliance on traditional power sources. The combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy integration makes district cooling an attractive solution for urban areas in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, where urbanisation rates are high, and tropical climates drive yearround cooling needs.
KJTS Group has been at the forefront of implementing district cooling solutions across multiple facilities, ensuring that operations are optimised for peak energy efficiency. Our approach integrates real-time energy monitoring and predictive maintenance, allowing for timely interventions that minimise energy waste. In the long term, district cooling
can offer cities significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to national and regional climate goals while creating sustainable urban environments.
Beyond environmental benefits, district cooling systems also enhance urban resilience by addressing peak demand challenges. By centralising and optimising cooling needs, district cooling can significantly reduce peak power loads during the hottest times of the day, when energy demand is at its highest. This stabilises the grid, ensuring a reliable supply of energy even during times of high demand, such as extreme weather events or economic downturns. In this way, district cooling systems are not only beneficial for energy efficiency but also crucial in building resilient infrastructure that supports the broader goals of sustainable urban development.
LONG-TERM O&M: ENSURING PERFORMANCE AND COMPLIANCE
The sustainability of any energy solution lies not only in its initial implementation but in its capacity to perform efficiently over time. Long-term O&M services offered by KJTS Group ensure that facilities and energy systems operate at optimal performance, preventing energy wastage. By incorporating technologies such as predictive analytics, we can anticipate equipment failures before they occur, reducing both the frequency of maintenance and operational downtimes. Predictive maintenance further allows us to forecast equipment performance, ensuring that systems are always running efficiently, and mitigating risks before they become costly issues. Furthermore, long-term O&M strategies play a key role in maintaining compliance
with evolving environmental standards, an area where Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand have been increasingly proactive. As environmental standards become more stringent, regular maintenance and timely upgrades make it feasible for facilities to align with regulatory requirements, ensuring both energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. KJTS Group’s O&M programmes also include regular audits and performance reviews, which allow facilities to remain adaptable to new environmental regulations and industry standards as they evolve.
INTEGRATED BUILDING SUPPORT SERVICES: REDUCING REDUNDANCIES AND CUTTING ENERGY COSTS
For the Asia-Pacific region to lead in sustainable development, it is essential to prioritise integrated building support services. The combined effect of district cooling and O&M allows for optimised building performance, especially in resource-intensive sectors such as commercial real estate, manufacturing, and healthcare. Facilities that rely on KJTS Group’s expertise benefit from integrated solutions that streamline processes, reduce redundancies, and significantly cut down on energy expenditures. An integrated approach not only delivers immediate savings but also ensures future cost-effectiveness. As each component of a facility's operations is optimised, the demand for energy is stabilised, reducing the impact on the broader energy grid and minimising peak demand costs. Over time, this creates a framework for sustainable development that can adapt to future energy demands while remaining resilient in economic downturns. In essence, integrated building services are not just beneficial
for today’s energy needs but are also essential in preparing facilities to meet the demands of tomorrow’s economy, where energy efficiency and sustainability will be non-negotiable.
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The journey to a sustainable Asia-Pacific requires collaborative action across sectors, involving governments, private entities, and industry leaders like KJTS Group. Each country in the region has unique challenges and opportunities, but all share a common goal of securing a low-carbon future. KJTS Group is committed to actively supporting this transition through strategic partnerships, knowledge sharing, and ongoing investment in advanced energy solutions.
KJTS Group operates across Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, where our collaborations with diverse clients and organisations enable us to expand the reach of district cooling systems across multiple sectors. Through these strategic alliances, we drive scalable, sustainable solutions that meet the distinct energy needs of each region, reinforcing our commitment to an energy-efficient Asia-Pacific. By working closely with governments, clients, and regional industry groups, we ensure that our efforts align with national sustainability goals, allowing for a more unified approach to the energy transition.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE LEGACY FOR THE REGION
As the Asia-Pacific region advances towards a sustainable energy revolution, KJTS Group remains dedicated to contributing to this transformative
journey. By prioritising district cooling systems and long-term O&M, we provide energy-efficient, cost-effective solutions that support both economic resilience and environmental stewardship. Our commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in our operations, and through strategic investments and collaborations, we aim to build a legacy of innovation and sustainability in the region. By implementing district cooling systems and long-term O&M, we lay the groundwork for a sustainable Asia-Pacific that not only meets today’s energy demands but also anticipates tomorrow’s challenges. Through these initiatives, KJTS Group is helping drive the energy transition forward, ensuring that our clients and the broader community can participate in a low-carbon future. Our efforts are focused on building a legacy of resilient, energy-efficient systems that will serve the region for generations to come, creating a lasting impact on AsiaPacific’s journey towards a sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
LONG-TERM O&M SERVICES
OFFERED BY KJTS GROUP ENSURE THAT FACILITIES AND ENERGY SYSTEMS OPERATE AT OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE, PREVENTING ENERGY WASTAGE. BY INCORPORATING TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS, WE CAN ANTICIPATE EQUIPMENT FAILURES BEFORE THEY OCCUR, REDUCING BOTH THE FREQUENCY OF MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONAL DOWNTIMES.
I N T E G R A T E D
B U I L D I N G S U P
S E R V I C E S
Malaysia | Singapore | Thailand
K J T S G r o u p p r o v i d e s o n e - s t o p i n
s u p p o r t s e r v i c e s o n a r e g i o n a l s
c o m b i n a t i o n o f c o o l i n g e n e r g y
s e r v i c e s , a n d f a c i l i t i e s m a n a g e m e n
f o c u s o n q u a l i t y , s a f e t y , a n
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , w e w o r k c l o s e l y w i t h c l i e n t s t o d e l i v e r
c u s t o m i z e d s o l u t i o n s t h a t h e l p b u s i n e s s e s s a v e e n e r g y
r e d u c e c o s t s , a n d i m p r o v e p e r f o r m a n c e
A t K J T S G r o u p , w e a r e d e d i c a t e d t o i n t e g r a t i n g
E n v i r o n m e n t a l , S o c i a l , a n d G o v e r n a n c e ( E S G )
p r i n c i p l e s i n t o o u r o p e r a t i o n s O u r f o c u s o n
e n v i r o n m e n t a l s u s t a i n a b i l i t y e n t a i l s i m p l e m e n t i n g
m e a s u r e s t o r e d u c e e n e r g y c o n s u m p t i o n a n d c a r b o n
e m i s s i o n s e f f e c t i v e l y w h i l e a d d r e s s i n g b r o a d e r
e n v i r o n m e n t a l c o n c e r n s T h i s c o m m i t m e n t a l i g n s w i t h
o u r d e d i c a t i o n t o t h e N e t Z e r o m i s s i o n
C O O L I N G E N E R G Y
O u r c o o l i n g e n e r g y m a n a g e m e n t
i n v o l v e s s u p p l y i n g c h i l l e d w a t e r
f o r s p a c e c o o l i n g , m a n a g i n g
e n e r g y u s a g e e f f i c i e n t l y , a n d
p r o v i d i n g O & M f o r c o o l i n g
e n e r g y s y s t e m s .
+ 6 0 3 - 2 7 1 6 6 8 6 6
F A C I L I T I E S M A N A G E M E N T
W e h a r n e s s o u r t e c h n i c a l
e x p e r i e n c e a n d
c e n t r a l i z e d
c o m m a n d c e n t e r t o d e l i v e r
c o m p r e h e n s i v e a n d c o s t -
e f f e c t i v e f a c i l i t i e s m a n a g e m e n t
s e r v i c e s .
C L E A N I N G S E R V I C E S
O u r d e d i c a t e d t e a m s t r i v e s t o
p r o v i d e a r e l i a b l e , h o l i s t i c a p p r o a c h t o a l l c l e a n i n g s e r v i c e s , e n s u r i n g y o u r c o m m e r c i a l
p r o p e r t i e s c o n s i s t e n t l y r e m a i n i n
t o p c o n d i t i o n .
w w w k j t s c o m m y e n q u i r y @ k j t s c o m m y
WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE UPCOMING 25TH ASEAN ENERGY
BUSINESS FORUM (AEBF-25)
25-26 SEPTEMBER 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
ROAD TO ASEAN ENERGY BUSINESS FORUM (AEBF-25):
SET THE STAGE FOR THE NEXT WAVE OF INNOVATION IN THE ENERGY SECTOR!
As an intergovernmental organisation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS)’ interests in the energy sector, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) has a strategic role as a catalyst of regional energy cooperation which bridge not only collaboration within AMS but also with other external partners including the private sector.
One of the notable flagships of ACE is the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF), which is an international conference and exhibition that promotes the development of the ASEAN energy sector. AEBF has grown over the years to become a high-level platform for information exchange and cooperation opportunities for the stakeholders of the ASEAN energy including policymakers, business players, and researchers from the region and beyond.
In 2024, the 24th ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF-24) was held from 25-27 September 2024 at the Lao National Convention Centre, hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) of Lao PDR as part of the country’s ASEAN Chairmanship.
Held in conjunction with the 42nd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM-42), the forum aligns with Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” providing a platform for knowledge exchange among government officials, academics, industry leaders, investors, and energy experts.
Expand Your Reach Across ASEAN—Don’t Miss the Region’s Premier Energy Event of the Year!
Seize the unparalleled opportunity to enhance your brand’s presence at ASEAN’s leading energy conference. Maximize visibility, forge influential connections, and take a front-row seat in shaping the future of energy across the region.
Enhance Your Brand's Presence Across ASEAN!
Our doors are open for collaborative partnerships and sponsorship opportunities. Let’s work together to make a lasting mark in the energy sector, with custom packages designed to amplify your influence and deliver measurable value. For partnership and sponsorship opportunities, reach us at: partnership@event-aebf.com. SAVE
25th ASEAN Energy Business forum (AEBF-25) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 25 - 26 September 2025
BY 2030, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 350 MILLION BUILDING UNITS WILL BE CONNECTED TO DISTRICT ENERGY NETWORKS GLOBALLY—A SIGNIFICANT LEAP FROM CURRENT LEVELS.
WHY DISTRICT COOLING IS KEY IN NET-ZERO CITIES OF THE FUTURE
By Ronak Monga Global Sales Development Director
Grundfos
– District Energy
A COOLING REVOLUTION FOR A WARMING PLANET
By 2050, global cooling demand is projected to triple, driven by rising populations, urbanization, and increasing temperatures. This surge in demand poses a significant challenge to achieving net-zero emissions, as conventional cooling systems are energy-intensive and rely heavily on refrigerants with high global warming potential.
District cooling offers a transformative solution. Centralized and efficient, it consumes 20–35% less electricity than traditional air-cooled systems and provides a sustainable pathway for cities aiming to decarbonize their energy systems.
THE MECHANICS OF DISTRICT COOLING
District cooling is a centralized system that distributes chilled water through an insulated network of pipes to cool multiple buildings. By consolidating cooling generation at a single location, district cooling achieves economies of scale, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes environmental impact. For instance, in Singapore's ST Ang Mo Kio TechnoPark, the country's largest industrial district cooling system will provide efficient cooling for up to 36,000 refrigerant tons. This setup is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by up to 120,000 tons, equivalent to removing 109,090 cars from the road. The project not only cuts costs and emissions but also offers a more sustainable cooling solution for the semiconductor manufacturing facility.
THE ECONOMICS OF DISTRICT COOLING
One of the most compelling arguments for district cooling in net-zero cities is its economic advantage, particularly in terms of energy storage costs. Thermal energy storage systems, which are integral to
district cooling, have emerged as a more cost-effective solution compared to battery storage on a per-kilowatt basis. According to recent data, the global average capital expenditure (capex) for thermal energy storage is $110/ kWh, significantly lower than the $270/ kWh for four-hour lithium-ion battery storage. This cost advantage makes district cooling a key accelerator in the urban energy transition, allowing cities to store and utilize energy more efficiently and economically, especially as cities undertake the transition away from fossil fuel to wind and solar energy.
ENHANCED RELIABILITY AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
District cooling systems not only offer cost benefits but also provide increased reliability and efficiency. The centralized nature of these systems allows for professional operation and maintenance, ensuring optimal performance. Unlike individual building systems, which may suffer from poor maintenance or improper operation, district cooling networks are managed by specialized teams with a vested interest in maximizing efficiency. This professional management translates to better energy
utilization and more consistent cooling performance across connected buildings.
Furthermore, the incentive structure for district cooling operators encourages continuous improvement in energy efficiency. As the operators bear the energy costs, they are motivated to implement the latest technologies and operational strategies to reduce consumption, benefiting both the environment and the bottom line.
ADDRESSING THE SKILLS GAP
A critical challenge in the HVAC industry is the shortage of skilled labor, which often results in suboptimal installation and operation of traditional cooling systems. Many commercial buildings with chilled water air-conditioning systems are not operating to their design intent due to this skills gap. District cooling offers a solution to this problem by centralizing expertise and maintenance. By adopting district cooling, large commercial spaces can ensure their cooling systems are optimized and running efficiently, without relying on in-house technical expertise that may be difficult to acquire and retain.
GLOBAL ADOPTION AND SUCCESS STORIES
District cooling is making significant strides globally, with particularly notable examples in the Middle East:
Dubai, UAE: The emirate has been a pioneer in district cooling, with several large-scale projects. Empower, Dubai's district cooling provider, serves over 1,180 buildings and has more than 1.53 million refrigeration tons of cooling capacity.
The Dubai International Airport's district cooling system, one of the world's largest, has a capacity of 125,000 refrigeration tons.
Qatar: The Lusail City district cooling project is one of the largest in the world, with a planned capacity of 500,000 refrigeration tons. This system will serve the entire city of Lusail, including residential areas, commercial districts.
THE CASE FOR DISTRICT COOLING IN NET-ZERO STRATEGIES
1. ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
District cooling systems are inherently more efficient. They leverage advanced technologies like heat pumps and thermal storage, allowing cooling production during off-peak hours when renewable energy is more abundant.
2. CARBON EMISSION REDUCTIONS:
By replacing individual air-conditioning units with centralized systems, district cooling significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. For example, integrating renewable energy sources such as solar thermal or geothermal into district cooling networks can further decarbonize urban cooling.
3. ECONOMIC BENEFITS:
While district cooling systems require substantial upfront investment, they offer long-term cost savings. The lower levelized cost of storage (LCOS) makes district cooling increasingly attractive for long-duration energy storage applications.
4. URBAN HEAT ISLAND MITIGATION:
District cooling reduces heat emissions from individual air-conditioning units, helping to combat the urban heat island effect—a critical issue in densely populated cities.
CHALLENGES TO SCALING DISTRICT COOLING
Despite its benefits, several barriers hinder the widespread adoption of district cooling:
1. HIGH INITIAL COSTS:
The capital-intensive nature of district cooling infrastructure can deter investment, particularly in regions without mature markets. Innovative financing models and government subsidies are essential to overcome this hurdle.
2. POLICY GAPS:
Many regulatory frameworks are tailored to fossil fuel-based systems, slowing the transition to renewable-powered district networks. Policymakers must prioritize incentives for renewable integration.
3. TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION:
Incorporating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) for operational efficiency remains underexplored but could significantly enhance system performance.
ACTIONABLE STEPS FOR SCALING DISTRICT COOLING
To unlock the full potential of district cooling in net-zero cities:
POLICY SUPPORT: Governments should establish clear policy frameworks that incentivize renewable integration into district energy systems and provide financial support for initial investments.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIPS
(PPPS): Collaboration between governments and private entities can accelerate the deployment of district cooling infrastructure.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION:
Investing in AI-driven optimization tools and thermal storage solutions can improve efficiency and reduce costs.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Implement training programs to address the skills gap in the HVAC industry, ensuring a workforce capable of managing advanced district cooling systems.
THE ROAD AHEAD – ACCELERATING THE ENERGY TRANSITION IN CITIES BY CREATING THE FUTURE OF DISTRICT COOLING NETWORKS
District cooling is not just an alternative; it is an imperative for cities striving toward net-zero emissions. By 2030, it is estimated that 350 million building units will be connected to district energy networks globally—a significant leap from current levels. This expansion could provide up to 20% of global space heating needs while simultaneously decarbonizing urban cooling. For cities aiming to balance economic growth with climate commitments, investing in district cooling is a strategic move.
As urban populations grow and climate challenges intensify, the question is no longer whether we need sustainable solutions but how quickly we can implement them. District cooling stands as a cornerstone of this transformation— efficient, scalable, and essential for the net-zero cities of tomorrow.
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE
SYSTEMS, WHICH ARE INTEGRAL TO DISTRICT COOLING, HAVE EMERGED AS A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION COMPARED TO BATTERY STORAGE ON A PER-KILOWATT BASIS.
Grundfos in brief Grundfos develops, produces and sells pump solutions, which help reduce water-related challenges globally. We create research and product development-based solutions to meet growing demands of customers and the outside world for minimizing the consumption of resources as well as the emission of CO2.
Our solutions are used for heating, cooling and ventilation in buildings, and industrial purposes among other things. They are also used in the water supply, water treatment and wastewater sectors.
To minimize energy consumption, several pumps are equipped with intelligent built-in electronics ensuring that the pumps provide no more no less than what is needed. Some of them are powered by solar energy.
An annual production of more than 15 million units positions the Grundfos Group as one of the world’s largest pump manufacturers. The Group employs approximately 20,000 people located in companies in 56 countries.
The company was founded in 1945 and today the Poul Due Jensen Foundation is the main shareholder. Profits are re-invested in the company as a means of continued growth.
PhilEnergy is the most comprehensive and the most attended energy trade event in the Philippines, focusing on 5 main energy profiles, namely Renewable Energy (RE), Energy Efficiency (EE), Electric and Power (E&P), Electric Vehicle (EV), as well as Energy Storage (ES). Alongside with the exhibition, seminars and conferences are being held to gain more knowledge about the industry.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH:
For inquiries, please contact:
Mr. Michael Clemente +63 2 8581 1927 michael.clemente@informa.com
Ms. Sitinee Kulvivat (Ms. Kat) +66 83 257 0539 (WhatsApp) sitinee.k@informa.com
Ms Danah F Castillo +63 2 8581 1921 danah francisco@informa com
ADVANCED DISTRIBUTED FIBER
LEAK MONITORING (DTS): ENHANCING LEAK DETECTION IN THERMAL INSULATION PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION
Qiu Huawei, Hu Chunfeng, Wang Shuai, Li Guangshan
Tangshan Xingbang Pipeline Engineering Equipment Co., LTD
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, the global district heating and cooling pre-insulation pipeline in rapid development, has been widely used, pipeline leakage detection is obviously an important part of maintenance activities, has been a difficult task. In most case, it is necessary to carry out on-site inspection of the pipeline and find the leak point, and once the leakage accident occurs, it will always threaten the operation of the entire pipe network and safety of personal and a real-time and reliable means of leakage monitoring is imminent. In the past few years, the distributed temperature monitoring technology using optical fiber has proved to be an effective method to detect and locate pipeline leaks by using the technology of optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR).
PIPELINE LEAKAGE DETECTION IS A CRUCIAL ASPECT OF MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES BUT REMAINS A CHALLENGING TASK. IN MOST CASES, ON-SITE INSPECTION IS REQUIRED TO LOCATE THE LEAK, AND ANY LEAKAGE INCIDENT CAN THREATEN THE OPERATION OF THE ENTIRE PIPELINE NETWORK AND COMPROMISE PERSONAL SAFETY.
1. PRINCIPLE OF DISTRIBUTED
DTS fiber distributed pipeline monitoring system, using fiber as a sensor, by monitoring the temperature change outside the pipeline, to achieve the discovery of pipeline leakage point. The main application principle of DTS fiber distributed pipeline monitoring system in Raman effect. Raman scattering light is caused by molecular vibration under the influence of heat. Backscattered light carries information about the local temperature at which the scattering occurs. In fact, Raman backscattered light has two frequency shift components: the stokes component and anti-stokes component. The amplitude of the antistokes component is closely related to the temperature, while the amplitude of the stokes component is not.
THE DTS FIBER
DISTRIBUTED PIPELINE MONITORING SYSTEM USES FIBER AS A SENSOR TO DETECT TEMPERATURE CHANGES OUTSIDE THE PIPELINE, ENABLING THE IDENTIFICATION OF LEAKAGE POINTS.
2. COMPOSITION OF THE SYSTEM
The system structure can be divided into two parts: DTS distributed optical fiber temperature measurement system and monitoring cloud server system (see figure1).
Monitoring cloud server system: Alibaba cloud server system is adopted to transmit data to the platform through 4G wireless communication, and analyze and configure, so as to obtain relevant data.
DTS distributed optical fiber temperature measurement system: the system is mainly composed of: distributed optical fiber temperature demodulation instrument, temperature measurement cable. Distributed optical fiber temperature demodulation instrument is a continuous distributed temperature measuring optical fiber ambient temperature demodulation system(Distributed Temperature Sensing
System (DTS),It used advanced OTDR technology and Raman scattering light to detect the temperature changes along the different positions of the optical fiber, to achieve a truly distributed temperature measurement and positioning.
As a mature fiber distributed temperature measurement means, the device has the advantages of long measuring distance, high measuring precision, fast response speed, anti-electromagnetic interference, portable, etc., and can be widely used in the leakage monitoring of heating pipe network.
3 .1 The temperature measuring medium uses armoured optical cable, no external power supply, convenient construction no later maintenance.
3.2 The pipe network has no dead Angle monitoring,24 hours real-time online, can realize multiple leakage points at the same time positioning, high positioning accuracy can be within 1 meter.
3.3 Platform software can obtain the changing trend of pipeline insulation effect through big data accumulation and intelligent analysis.
3.4 The system can give alarm feedback at the initial stage of pipe network leakage, and accurately locate the leakage position to minimize energy loss.
Figure1 schematic diagram the system structure.
3. MAIN ADVANTAGE OF DTS MONITORING SYSTEM
4. MONITOR PLATFORM DISPLAY AND FUNCTION
Through 4G wireless communication, the data is transmitted to the management platform of Alibaba cloud server, and analyzed and configured, so as to generate intuitive and concise monitoring screen and query and retrieval function window, pipeline temperature data summary, alarm summary, historical cure and other interfaces.
It can realize real-time monitoring of the temperature status of each pipeline partition through the monitoring software, temperature measurement alarm, high temperature alarm location, real-time curve query, historical cure query and other functions, to achieve the first warning of pipeline leakage, and positioning in the real map.
5. CONCLUSION
With the development of science and technology and needs of market competition, the advanced accurate and efficient distributed optical fiber leak monitoring system is of great significance for improving construction efficiency, reducing energy consumption and minimizing the losses of secondary excavation, which has laid a solid and reliable foundation for improving the high-quality development of pipe network.
This article was published in the APUEA Magazine issue 21 | February 2025. www.apuea.org
Distributed Fiber Heating Insulation Pipeline safety inspection system
EVENT CALENDAR
APUEA EVENTS
ASIA URBAN ENERGY ASSEMBLY 2025
3-4 JULY 2025
19-21 MARCH
7-9 APRIL
3-5 JUNE
PHILENERGY
Manila, The Philippines
19-21 MARCH 2025
MIDDLE EAST ENERGY DUBAI
Dubai
7-9 APRIL 2025
EUROHEAT & POWER CONGRESS
Prague, Czech Republic
3-5 JUNE 2025
JUNE 2025 TBC JUNE
ASIA CLEAN ENERGY FORUM
Manila, The Philippines
2-4 JULY
ASEAN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WEEK
Bangkok, Thailand
2-4 JULY 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
15-17 JULY
BUILD 4 ASIA
Hong Kong
15-17 JULY 2025
ARCHIDEX
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
21-26 JULY 2025 21-26 JULY
ELECTRIC & POWER INDONESIA
Jakarta, Indonesia
17-20 SEPTEMBER 2025 17-20 SEPTEMBER
5-7 NOVEMBER
HVACR VIETNAM
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
5-7 NOVEMBER 2025
VIETNAM ENERGY WEEK, Ho Chí Minh City, Vietnam
12-14 NOVEMBER 2025 12-14 NOVEMBER
MEMBER DIRECTORY
PREMIUM MEMBERS
MEMBERS
PARTNERS AND SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
• Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• International Energy Agency (IEA)
• United Nations Environment
• Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
• REN21
• C40 Cities
ABB
International District Energy Association (IDEA)
Engie
Euroheat & Power (EHP)
Becis Qatar Cool
Danish Board of District Heating (DBDH)
Gradyent
DEVCCO
Thai ESCO Association
Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC)
Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies
tabreed
Chongqing Renewable Energy Society
YOKOGAWA
Kamstrup
Bluebee Technologies
Hydraulic analysis group
NXITY
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE)
Asia LEDS Partnership
Grundfos
KJTS Group
China District Heating Association (CDHA)
XINGBANG
Keppel DHCS
Marketing
Postal
General
Specify:
| February 2025
