SHARM El-SHEIKH, Egypt, 15 November 2022: Take District Energy and add renewable energy sources. That way, you have the key ingredients that cities can use to provide cooling for citizens in a carbon-neutral way – not least in the Global South, where cooling is more urgent than ever. Danfoss said this while speaking in a panel discussion, during the ongoing COP27 Summit, in Sharm el-Sheikh.

This approach, Danfoss said, constitutes important information when you consider the fact that energy demand for space cooling alone is right now on a course where it may triple by 2050, then consuming as much as all of China and India do today.

Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Vice President & Head of Public Affairs, Danfoss Group Communication & Sustainability, Danfoss, speaking in the Panel Discussion, urged world leaders to act on this knowledge.

Kristensen said: “District cooling is extremely effective in urban areas and, typically, reaches efficiency levels that are five or 10 times higher than individual cooling systems. It offers benefits from an urban planning perspective, too: It takes up less space and reduces noise levels from buildings, where individual air-conditioners are no longer necessary, as cooling is created at a central plant.”

Kristensen said air conditioners also emit excess heat when they operate. And, in densely populated areas with individual air conditioners operating inside thousands of buildings, this puts further pressure on temperature levels, with each building’s air conditioning system emitting its excess heat outside, he said.

District cooling is based on chilled water running through insulated underground pipes and can be powered by electricity, Kristensen said.  If this electricity comes from renewable sources such as solar or wind, it will make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of cooling, he added.

Kristensen said: “If cities in the Global South combine District Energy from renewable resources with higher energy efficiency in buildings, they can provide cooling to their citizens without sacrificing climate goals.”  Danfoss is physically present in Sharm el-Sheikh to meet political leaders and NGOs at some of the supporting events alongside COP27. The panel debate about carbon-neutral District Energy systems took place at The Danish Pavilion. On the agenda was the work which the District Energy in Cities Initiative and UNEP CCC have done to implement energy-efficient District Heating and Cooling systems in over 70 cities. Danfoss said it has supported this work with technical knowledge. The Bitten and Mads Clausen Foundation, it said, has provided financial support.