An exhibition showcasing recent development in district cooling (DC) solutions opened today (December 15) in Dubai, UAE.

The two-day sixth Idea international district cooling conference is being organised by the International District Energy Association (Idea) and hosted by Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), at Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Rob Thornton, president and chief executive officer of Idea, delivered the opening remarks followed by the welcome address by Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO, Empower Energy Solutions and general conference chair.

“We are delighted to throw light on the district cooling industry in the region. There has been enormous progress in this field, mainly in the UAE and particularly in emirate of Dubai. We will also highlight the competiveness of this industry that is becoming a real alternative to conventional cooling in many parts of the world, including the UAE,” said Thornton.

“We take pride in bringing this global conference and its companion exhibition to Dubai. Bringing this conference to the emirate is clear evidence of the global recognition we have attained in the district cooling industry and the international appreciation for our efforts and vision,” said bin Shafar.

“All participants are keen to exchange expertise and knowledge throughout the conference. We have also arranged tours to our major DC plants over the coming days. Moreover, we put together, in collaboration with Idea, key discussions tackling various district cooling challenges and advancements,” he said.

“The trade exhibition will see participation of 32 companies, serving as a platform for interaction with key players in the industry as well as to open the door for visitors to keep abreast of the latest district cooling solutions and products,” he added.

The first day of the conference includes a plenary panel entitled ‘District Cooling – A Global Solution for More Sustainable Cities; a panel entitled ‘District Cooling - Cleaner Energy and Greener Cities’; and a solutions-focused panel entitled “The Energy-Water Nexus.”

It will also include two other sessions to focus on “The Customer as a Partner” and discuss “Technology Innovations and Solutions.”

“This conference will be hailed as one of the best organised and most successful, compared to all previous editions, driven by the UAE’s strong track record in hosting landmark international events,” emphasised bin Shafar.

Key topics on sustainability in district cooling services are also being discussed on day one to encourage industry leaders to share successful case studies and key global and regional achievements. - TradeArabia News Service