Page 30 - RSB Annual Report 2019 English Final

EFFICIENT COOLING Water-cooled technologies continue to offer the highest energy efficiency, especially when using recycled water, so we are pleased to report an increase in the market share of DC to 21%. Meanwhile, cooling demand met from other technologies dropped 2.2% in the year. We estimate that Dubai’s DC contracted capacity increased by 3.6% to over two million refrigeration-tons (7,254MWc), and output was up 2.9%. The increased output, driven by new DC schemes along the Al Qudra corridor, was moderated by lower demand per square meter of cooled space. A second consecutive year of cooler weather coupled with energy efficiency initiatives resulted in an 8% drop in demand per square meter. The reduction in demand for cooling from other technologies meant overall demand, inclusive of DC, was down 1.2% on the previous year. Cooling load density (CLD) is an important measure of how well cooling capacity is matched to demand and of the quality of insulation in buildings served by DC. It can also highlight where excessive capacity is contracted for or installed in cooling schemes. Three new schemes introduced in 2019 set new standards for CLD, with the average load for the best scheme dipping under 99W/m2. These schemes improved the average CLD from 141W/m2 to 135W/m2 and they illustrate the degree to which cooling loads can be reduced where buildings are constructed and operated efficiently. 21% market share of DC Contracted Load 7,254 MWc 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Figure 12 overall cooling demand 3 new schemes 135 99 W/m2 141 30 RSB MWc