DC Pro Engineering UAE, a renowned sustainability leader in the field of Green Building MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) designs in the region, has returned to the region’s largest construction event, The Big 5, to create awareness on adoption of tri-generation within the global district cooling industry.

Addressing an audience of construction professionals during a session entitled ‘Architecture & MEP Services: Significance of MEP - What's Next For District Cooling?’, DC Pro’s chief executive George Berbari, urged the industry to consider a renewable and more sustainable future.

"The growth of Dubai has created an increasing demand for district cooling services across the emirate, becoming one of the biggest markets within the region," stated Berbari.

"Dubai’s reliance on precious resources provides an opportunity to develop a more sustainable method for the industry that not only saves money, but also addresses the current stagnating District Cooling technology through innovative designs," he noted.

“Tri-Generation not only utilises waste products which would otherwise be discarded, but generates increased efficiencies from around 40 per cent to more than 80 per cent, thereby reducing primary energy use which saves money and preserves the environment,” stated Berbari.

In addition to utilising natural gas, tri-Generation can effectively run on diesel fuel, bio fuel, bio methane and ethanol, removing reliance on natural resources. Where the technology excels is in its recovery of heat from the exhaust or jacket of a generator, turbine, which is then used for heating or is converted into cooling energy via absorption chillers.

While there are success stories of its use in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, the GCC region currently provides 150,000 ton of installed capacity from tri-generation and distributed generation, representing only three per cent of GCC district cooling market, said the top official.

"Despite the benefits, tri-generation and renewables are completely ignored by the district cooling industry. Dubai is at a position where it can make a difference and lead the region in developing such technology that can drive district cooling into the future,” Berbari added.-TradeArabia News Service