Dubai, UAE–Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, has entered into a strategic global partnership with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
This collaboration was announced following a high-level meeting in Dubai, where both organizations laid down their commitment to jointly develop strategies and action plans aimed at the global expansion of the district cooling sector.
The meeting, held at Empower’s headquarters, was graced by the presence of notable industry leaders including Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, Ginger Scoggins, President of ASHRAE, Dennis Knight, the new presidential candidate of ASHRAE, Eng. Farouk Mahboub, former president of ASHRAE, and Dr. Ahmed Alaa El-Din, director and president of the Greater Region Al-Kubra and member of the board of directors of ASHRAE.
The discussions focused on enhancing energy efficiency within the cooling and heating sector, underscoring the importance of shared knowledge and best practices in achieving this goal.
A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to develop a standardized District Cooling Guide applicable in various countries. This guide aims to ensure environmental, climatic, and economic benefits for investors, customers, and the public by offering safe, effective, and economical cooling services.
The guide, expected to become a critical reference for district cooling operators, consultants, and industry experts, will help improve operational efficiency across the globe.
The next step in this collaborative journey is a second meeting scheduled to take place in Chicago, Illinois, during the ASHRAE annual conference from January 20 to 24, 2024. This meeting will finalize the agreement on standardizing the District Cooling Guide.
Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “The meeting served as a valuable opportunity to strengthen the ties that bind Empower and ASHRAE. Sharing issues of common interest was particularly fruitful given ASHRAE’s standing as a global force for district cooling technology and it brings together numerous leading companies in the field under its umbrella. In addition to being a global reference for best practices in this industry, ASHRAE possesses a deep understanding of the critical challenges facing the refrigeration sector across the globe.”
This groundbreaking partnership between Empower and ASHRAE marks a pivotal moment in the district cooling industry, promising to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability on a global scale.