Sustainable solutions through district cooling the main agenda at IDEA’s 5th International District Cooling Conference and Trade Show, hosted by Qatar Cool

• Greener Buildings, Smarter Grid theme of international district energy conference to be held in Qatar for the first time
• Doha-based district cooling company Qatar Cool sponsoring conference to ‘bring international best practice to Qatar and the region’
• Largest district cooling plant in the world to be inaugurated during conference

Mr Rob Thornton, CEO IDEA (left) and Mr. Fayad Khatib, GM Qatar Cool

Doha, Qatar November 1: Reducing emissions from air conditioning through district cooling and efficient energy use will be discussed at the 5th International District Cooling Conference and Trade Show in Qatar early November 2010.

The International District Energy Association (IDEA) will hold its 5th Middle Eastern conference “Greener Buildings, Smarter Grid” for the first time in Doha on 8-9 November 2010, with Qatar District Cooling Company (Qatar Cool) as the main host.

Leading district energy professionals from around the world will be in attendance.

Qatar Cool’s General Manager, Fayad Al Khatib said his company was proud to be the principal sponsor of the conference and looked forward to hosting the 150–plus international delegates.

‘’At Qatar Cool, we are aligning ourselves with international best practices and striving to bring that knowledge to Qatar and the region,’’ Al Khatib said.

IDEA will honour key players who participated in the IDEA District Energy Space Awards, with the United States Ambassador to Qatar presenting the US Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award at the conference.

The Middle East is heavily dependent on air conditioning systems; industry insiders agree that up to 70% of the power used during peak times can be attributed to air conditioning systems.

Said Al Khatib: “District cooling systems have become the preferred infrastructure solution, especially now that most government leaders and developers are advocating more sustainable energy techniques to optimise energy efficiency and conserve natural resources.

“Through the IDEA conference, industry professionals will be able to learn valuable and practical information directly related to building, owning and operating highly reliable district cooling systems that set the stage for a more sustainable city.”

Expert speakers will discuss a range of topics about the importance of robust energy infrastructure, sustainable development and strategies for district energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the risks of climate change.

Speakers include Juan Ontiveros, a past IDEA Chair, and who is with the University of Texas at Austin, USA; IDEA President Robert Thornton; Adib Moubadder, MD of Emicool; Clay Nessler, Johnson Controls and Fayad Al Khatib, General Manager of Qatar Cool.

The conference will culminate in the official inauguration of Qatar Cool’s integrated district cooling plant (IDCP) on The Pearl-Qatar. The IDCP will be the largest district cooling plant in the world, servicing some 41,000 residents on the island with a capacity of 130,000 TR of refrigeration.

Guests at the inauguration ceremony and experts from around the  world will tour the plant and be treated to a video animation spectacular.

This is the fifth major conference organised by IDEA’s Middle East Chapter, with participants expected to come from Belgium, the USA, Canada, Denmark, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

The IDEA Middle East Chapter  includes representatives from Qatar Cool, Amana, Johnson Controls, ADC Energy Systems, Evapco, Emicool, FVB, PAL Technologies, Perma Pipe, Stanley, Stellar, TAS, Trane, and Tabreed and its numerous subsidiaries.

Places at the conference are limited, and on-site registration may be restricted once attendance capacity is met.  For information on the programme and registration, visit www.districtenergy.org.