International District Energy Association (Idea) ME chapter will release the first district cooling best practice guide, a 200-page technical guidebook for energy professionals, at the '3rd International District Cooling Conference & Trade Show.'

The event will be hosted by 'City Cool' from October 19 to 21 at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City.

Several industry leaders will provide presentations and panel discussions on important strategic issues such as water and power conservation technologies, construction techniques and more sustainable business solutions at the event.

One of this year’s Idea conference highlights will be the release of the 'Best Practice Guide' representing thousands of man-hours of collective industry contributions and decades of practical business operations experience, said the organisers.

'Intended to be a guide book to the business of designing, constructing and operating a district cooling system, the guide is not just a series of technical codes and standards, but addresses the variety of challenges and opportunities involved in a complex and fast-moving industry,' said Rita Chahoud, executive director, Idea Middle East Chapter.

Other main features of the book also include system design, marketing and business development, permitting, construction, commissioning, operations, controls and optimisation of district cooling schemes, she noted.

“The Middle East is currently the largest market for district cooling in the world and has been growing at an astronomical pace. Idea believes that the Middle Eastern market will soon overtake the North American market based on the overall cooling load and number and scale of district cooling facilities,” Rita opined.

'The region’s unprecedented growth is one of the driving forces for Idea to produce the guide to support the district cooling industry in the Middle East.'

She pointed out that the current real estate boom and hot climate in the region were the main drivers behind such growth for district cooling technology.

'Presently, Idea Middle East has more than 160 members and is growing quickly as well. The past two successful conferences held in the UAE have attracted hundreds of participants from more than 25 countries,” she added.

The members include representatives from Amana, City Cool, DC Pro Engineering, Evapco, FVB, Palm District Cooling, PAL Technologies, Perma Pipe, Stanley, Stellar, TAS, Trane, and Tabreed and its numerous subsidiaries.-TradeArabia News Service