Cooling is an important part of our daily lives, contributing to our comfort and providing necessary temperature control for key infrastructures such as data centers and pharmaceutical manufacturing. However, it is important to note that the technologies used for cooling can also have an impact on the environment. The World Green Building Council reports that 28% of global CO2 emissions come from heating, cooling, and lighting in buildings. In Singapore, for instance, buildings are responsible for more than 20% of the country’s carbon emissions.
As construction continues to grow, the need for a more efficient and environmentally-friendly cooling solution becomes more pressing. In the next 30 years, the demand for cooling is anticipated to triple. It is essential that building owners prioritize a sustainable and intelligent cooling solution, and this is where Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) can be useful.
What does Cooling-as-a-Service entail?
Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) offers building owners an alternative method for obtaining cooling inside their buildings without the need to purchase, install, and maintain the equipment themselves. CaaS is a business model that allows building owners to achieve more efficient and environmentally friendly cooling while also reducing operational costs.
Under this model, the user is relieved of the burden of upfront investment and performance risk, as these responsibilities are assumed by the Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) provider. The provider will also choose the most suitable cooling system to align with the user’s sustainability goals. Additionally, the service allows for the flexibility to redistribute equipment as needed to conserve resources, a benefit that building owners appreciate. Essentially, all the building owner has to do is specify the desired temperature and pay for the cooling on a pay-per-use basis. It’s that simple!
The role of Cooling-as-a-Service in promoting sustainability
Promoting sustainability is a top priority in today’s world, and Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) helps to do just that. By utilizing big data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), CaaS leverages advanced technology to optimize the efficiency of a cooling system. Those technologies create optimal indoor temperatures that can adapt to changing conditions. This level of efficiency is difficult to achieve with traditional cooling systems, such as district cooling, which primarily focus on hardware usage.
CaaS enables the use of solar power and recycled water in the cooling system. An AI-powered chilled water system that relies entirely on solar energy can be implemented by CaaS providers to cool retail centers, factories, offices, educational buildings, and community spaces.
In addition to a solar-powered cooling system, CaaS providers can also offer building owners a water-cooled chiller plant system. This type of system can assist building operators in meeting their sustainability goals.
Comparing CaaS to district cooling systems
Traditional cooling solutions for buildings, such as district cooling systems, can be costly. Building owners are responsible for the purchase, installation, and operation of the system, and they often need to hire multiple contractors for repairs or maintenance.
With multiple contractors involved, each only responsible for certain equipment, it can be difficult to hold anyone fully accountable for the system’s performance. Additionally, implementing measures to improve the efficiency or sustainability of the cooling system may not be a priority due to the high costs associated with doing so.
The importance of sustainable cooling solutions
Currently, cooling accounts for 10% of global electricity consumption. In Southeast Asia, it is projected to consume 30% of ASEAN’s peak electricity by 2040. In order to prevent an excessive increase in electricity usage and mitigate climate change, building owners must prioritize clean and efficient cooling methods.
Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of cooling, enabling building owners to access sustainable, innovative cooling solutions that benefit individuals, businesses, and the environment.
