City Pulse

Thane, Maharashtra: T​hane is gearing up to reduce its carbon footprint by becoming the first city in the country to implement district cooling system (DCS) in residential and commercial enclaves. The technology promoted by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in developing countries is expected to reduce energy usage by up to 40% while helping maintain the ecological balance. 

Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) will be supported by the central government in implementation of this pilot project, which will be extended to other cities that have potential for future real estate development. At present, studies are being conducted in Thane to assess efficient ways to implement this community cooling project.

“We have divided the study for community cooling mechanism into two parts, called as brown field project and green field project. Brown field project includes existing commercial buildings and green field projects include upcoming residential and commercial complexes. Initially, we are targeting malls, hospitals, IT parks and big factories, where energy consumption is maximum,” says Sunil Pote, deputy city engineer (Electrical) at TMC.

Pote says the study is in an initial stage at present and TMC plans to implement the project by June.

Talking about the green field projects, Pote says, “It is easy to implement this project in upcoming residential/commercial projects. But, a lot of things have to be taken in consideration in brown field projects.”

District cooling system involves circulation of chilled water to subscriber’s air conditioners/chillers to generate cool air. One centralised compressor generates chilled water to air conditioners, thereby saving the need of several ACs. The DCS is already functional in countries like Japan, Germany, Dubai and other European nations and has proved to be environment friendly.

However, despite the discussed benefits of such cooling systems, commercial establishments in Thane have several questions about implementation of this project.

“Community cooling is definitely a good idea. If it will reduce power consumption and is cost-effective, then we are definitely for it. However, our concern is about the existing mechanism that is in place. If there is a problem how will it be managed?” questions an admin official from a Thane mall, seeking anonymity.

He says, “At present, apart from direct electrical usage we also use solar power for 35% of common area lighting. A proper study should be undertaken. There has to be efficient coordination to handle maintenance issues or breakdown. This will require a lot of alteration to the existing system.”

According to a study conducted by the UN, usage of refrigerators and air conditioners increases global warming. The technology used in refrigerators and air conditioners uses greenhouse gases such as hydrofluorocarbons and is not environment friendly. So, the aim of the UNEP was to find a cost-efficient and environment-friendly way for cooling.

As economy and population grow in Southeast Asia, the need for cooling and refrigeration is also rising. The UN is of the view that moving to alternatives that improve energy efficiency could prevent carbon emissions by several million tonnes in the coming decades.   

Pote of TMC says Thane has been chosen for pilot project because there are many commercial and residential buildings coming up in the city.

“Tata Consultancy Services complex in Hiranandani estate would be the first to have DCS from beginning, the first green field project,” ​he adds.