Last updated on February 28th, 2022 at 01:22 am
What is District Cooling?
It’s a worldwide goal to find more efficient and environmental-friendly solutions to using energy for cooling and heating as through district energy systems (DES). District cooling, one part of DES, is now the “modern, efficient way to air condition a network of buildings in cities or campuses,” as found on International District Energy Association.
Absorption chiller is an integral part of District Cooling.
In place of cooling systems for multiple buildings, “central cooling plants” are being configured to accommodate the “industrial-grade equipment” to process “chilled water” to flow through a network of pipes, located underground, beneath the buildings. In some district cooling systems, the water passes through absorption chillers to enter into a building’s air conditioning system.
A Scaling Impact on Cities Around the World
Electric grids, around the world, are realizing a significant relief of electrical strain when there is high demand for air conditioning. The efficiency delivered using district cooling is helping global cities to scale their energy infrastructures with healthier “electric loads, and lower “fuel costs.” Not to mention, the cost savings of capital expenditures on cooling systems for individual organizations.
It’s Not A New Innovation
The idea is not new to the United States, historical records reveal that Denver had “the world’s first district cooling scheme in 1889.” It is also documented, “in the 1930s, New York City Rockefeller Center and Washington DC’s capitol buildings also featured district cooling systems for which absorption chillers is integral part .”
Water: Important to District Cooling
As with any chiller system, maintaining the quality of the liquid is vital to the lifespan of any district cooling schematic. An advantage of district cooling is the use of the same water is what circulates throughout the system. The key is to begin the process with quality water, which is “free of any contaminants,” to begin the cooling process. Frequent water quality checks are recommended to keep the district cooling system clean of corrosion and rust.
Benefits of District Energy Systems
So many systems within industries, around the world, are advancing with new technology. New technology is also helping district energy systems (DES) to evolve, inclusive of district cooling, as found on Burnham. “According to the United National Environmental Programme (UNEP), District Energy in Cities (UNEP Report), “space heating and cooling as well as hot water are estimated to account for roughly half of global energy consumption in buildings” so methods for more efficient systems are essential.” An array of benefits can be realized by integrating district energy systems.
- Greenhouse gas emissions are lowered.
- System upgrades are more efficient to upgrade and integrate new technology.
- Peak load demands are balanced and more controlled.
- Air pollution is lowered.
- Global warming is decreased.
- Urban growth increases that also increases DES sustainability.
- Energy costs are more easily forecasted.
- “Decreased the need for investments in power generation and transmission infrastructure.”
- It opens up space that would have been used for huge, building cooling systems.
As with any major system overhaul, it is the “initial capital investment” that is hindering the expansion of DES, but “there is increasing deployment of district cooling systems which can reduce electricity consumption and the use of HFCs, both major contributors to climate change.” The city of Chicago is the metropolis in the United States that has initiated district cooling systems.
J.C. Younger Manufactures Absorption Chillers of the Highest Quality
At J.C. Younger (JCY), we manufacture and remanufacture chillers for many commercial and industrial applications. With over six decades of experience and training, we offer any type of chiller system your organization may need. We can manufacture and customize absorption chillers to meet the needs that our customers’ applications require.
If you’re looking for absorption chillers, call the team at J.C. Younger, and find out more about everything we offer to end your chiller search. If you are in urgent need of one, we have rental absorption chillers designated for quick turn-around. We look forward to servicing you.
