THE government is currently considering the integration of the district cooling system into its planned government building projects, it was revealed today (Oct 25).
The Works Ministry is now assessing and studying its implementation, as it plans to have it incorporated within new government buildings and projects in the near future.
A district cooling system (DCS) distributes thermal energy in the form of chilled water or other media from a central source to multiple buildings through a network of underground pipes for use in space and process cooling.
 The cooling or heat rejection is usually provided from a central cooling plant, thus eliminating the need for separate systems in individual buildings.
The ministry's buildings construction projects include clubs, schools, health centres and hospitals and police stations, in addition to ministries and government organisations' compounds and facilities.
Ministry Under-Secretary Nayef Al Kalali said today (Oct 25) that DCS integration would have huge benefits on the government's construction projects, but this won't happen until proper studies are complied.
"We have many development projects that are planning to use the new cooling technology in, but this would not happen until ministry officials complete a comprehensive study detailing the impact of its use in co-ordination with other concerned utility parties."
Mr Al Kalali said that the system has many environmental and economic benefits that would revolutionise the government building construction process.
"From what we have learned, this system is cost saving and at the same time would give us more useable or leasable space, since the central cooling plant would be outdoor rather than occupying a storey on the building.
"It also means that it would be less noise pollution within a building and reduced carbon dioxide emissions, in addition to controlled refrigerant leaks; thus helping to conserve the environment in the wake of emerging economic and ecological challenges."
A DCS consists of three primary components: the central plant, the distribution network and the consumer system.
The central plant may include the cooling equipment, power generation and thermal storage.
Mr Al Kalali chaired the ministry's delegation to the Third International District Cooling Conference organised by the International District Energy Association in Dubai last week to get an insight to projects were the new system has been introduced in and the benefits it gained.
He was accompanied by ministry Assistant Under-Secretary for Construction Projects and Maintenance Mohammed Al Mubarak and construction projects director Mona Al Mutawa, in addition to other construction specialists from the ministry.