Tabreed wins at Asian Power Awards 2024

The company was presented with two major awards for its groundbreaking initiatives in renewable energy and game-changing efficiencies.

Tabreed is a long-established champion of sustainable cooling, which has earned them the District Cooling Initiative of the Year - UAE and Geothermal Power Project of the Year - Gold honours at the Asian Power Awards 2024.

Advancements in District Cooling

District cooling represents a significant advancement over traditional cooling methods and Tabreed, the world's leading district cooling company, embodies a commitment to sustainability which drives its focus on energy efficiency.

The company recently completed a pioneering pilot study at one of its Abu Dhabi district cooling plants in collaboration with Ireland’s HT Materials Science (HTMS), to explore the potential of a revolutionary nanofluid technology known as Maxwell, which has been engineered to enhance heat transfer. Tabreed discovered that by replacing just 2% of the heat transfer fluid with Maxwell, it achieved an impressive increase in cooling system efficiency of approximately 15%.

Maxwell, named after James Clerk Maxwell, the pioneering scientist who first developed the concept of nanofluids in the 19th century, is an engineered suspension of sub-micron aluminium oxide particles in a base fluid of water or water/glycol (‘nanofluid’) – a drop-in additive for cooling and heating systems that works by enhancing heat transfer efficiency in cooling systems without requiring complex tools or equipment replacement. For Tabreed’s plant used in the pilot study, this meant replacing only 2.94 cubic metres of the system fluid with the nanofluid.

In assessing the impact of Maxwell, Tabreed utilised an internationally recognised Energy Efficiency Analysis (EEA). This method focusses on two key metrics, namely Chiller COP (C-COP) which measures the ratio of thermal power output to electrical power input of the chiller; and System COP (S-COP) which measures the overall efficiency of the entire chiller plant. The post-installation analysis yielded impressive results: a 13.9% improvement in chiller performance (C-COP) and an 8.4% increase in overall system energy efficiency (S-COP).

Further fuelled by these outcomes, the company is now exploring the implementation of Maxwell fluid in other plants in its considerable international portfolio. As Tabreed's pursuit of sustainability continues, its adoption of Maxwell nanofluid exemplifies its commitment to a greener future.

A New Era of Sustainable Cooling

Tabreed, in partnership with ADNOC, is leading the way in sustainable cooling with its ‘G2COOL’ Geothermal Project in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Launched in December 2023, this innovative facility uses geothermal energy to provide cooling services and integrates with a pre-existing district cooling network. It is the first district cooling plant in the Gulf region to utilise geothermal energy, supported by ADNOC’s US$23b investment in low-carbon solutions. G2COOL not only helps decarbonise cooling in Masdar City but also aligns with the United Arab Emirate’s National Energy Strategy 2050.

Tabreed built the pilot plant with a capacity of 700 refrigeration tons in Masdar City, whilst ADNOC ensured the integrity of the dormant geothermal wells, which were originally drilled more than a decade ago. This plant utilises extremely hot water from geothermal sources deep underground to power a special absorption chiller, which achieves an impressive cooling efficiency of 0.5 to 0.55 kW per refrigeration ton (RT), compared to the typical 0.85 kW per RT in conventional systems.

Notably, building cooling accounts for up to 70% of the UAE's electricity consumption, making district cooling a more sustainable alternative. It is approximately 50% more energy-efficient than traditional methods and incorporating geothermal energy can further reduce grid electricity demand for cooling.

The G2COOL project is expected to achieve a reduction in electricity consumption for cooling of approximately 30%, which will prevent an estimated 1,129 tons of CO2 emissions annually, resulting in a carbon reduction benefit of around $100 per ton of emissions avoided.

Geothermal energy produces minimal emissions compared to traditional methods, supporting the UAE's goals to diversify energy sources and lessen reliance on fossil fuels. It also positions its stakeholders as leaders in sustainable energy solutions, driving innovation in the region's energy sector by setting new standards and inspiring global efforts to combat climate change.

The Asian Power Awards is a prestigious event that recognises the innovative, ground-breaking projects and initiatives by power companies. It honours those who have taken game-changing steps to address the effects of the climate crisis and meet the growing demand for energy. The awards ceremony also provides a platform for industry players to network, share their experiences, and learn from one another.

The Asian Power Awards is presented by Asian Power Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's revolutionary innovations and initiatives in the power industry in Asia, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].