Ibrahim Mohammed A Al Al Sada
The District Cooling Services Department at Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) to issue new law and regulations of district cooling (DC) system soon to overcome the challenges of supplying treated sewage effluent (TSE) to DC plants and also to find appropriate solution for discharging used water and to further streamline the market.
“Qatar, which is a leading district cooling regulator in the Gulf region due to its fast response to energy efficient and eco-friendly cooling system, will be able to secure top position in the best DC regulating countries,” Manager of District Services Department at Kahramaa, Ibrahim Mohammed A Al Sada, told The Peninsula in an exclusive interview.
He said that Kahramaa made significant steps towards developing a DC regulatory framework for technical, contractual and economic relationships among DC market stakeholders.
“The regulatory framework was developed by a team of international consultant’s consortium, which consists of legal, administrative and technical consultants. This regulatory framework will be implemented after the approval of DC law which is in final stage of Ministerial approval,” said Al Sada.
“Under the guidance of the President of Kahramaa, Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al Kuwari , the District Cooling Department has drafted DC law which will be an effective tool in the management, control, and regulate all DC activities in Qatar,” said Al Sada.
He said that Kahramaa issued district cooling design and water management code in 2016. District cooling design and water management standards are mandatory making minimum requirements for the design of DC Systems and setting Key Performance Indicators ( KPIs) for efficient DC plant operation.
“Following a Ministerial decision, Kahramaa established the District Cooling Services Department (CD) 2012 to regulate and promote district cooling services in Qatar by utilising best-in-class operational efficiencies in a more sustainable way,” said Al Sada.
“The Department conducts inspection on DC plants to check design standards and performance levels. The department is responsible for regulating the DC activities in Qatar, including all commercial and private district cooling plants.”
Al Sada said that regulating the district cooling market means controlling the district cooling market by enforcing rules and regulations to help to achieve long-term water security of state.
“It also aims at monitoring the district cooling markets to make sure it operates efficiently and effectively and compliance of DC plants and systems to the district cooling code.”
“The objective of the regulations is to enhance market competition in the district cooling sector and the prevention of market abuse and/or monopolistic activities or behaviour.”
Al Sada said that it also mandates district cooling in certain service areas and promotes healthy competitive district cooling market that provides social, economic and environmental benefits to country.
“The current structure of the District Cooling Services department includes two sections (Planning and Permit Section) led by the department Manager.”
“CD intended functions and responsibilities are supporting the mission to achieve the QNV 2030 pillars of Economic & Environmental development.”
He said that increased use of district cooling (water cooled air-conditioning system ) to meet high demand of cooling load, which is best in saving of electricity consumption but it pose a serious threat to water resources in the region.
“Cooling towers in the central plants are the major consumers of potable water, bearing in mind that Qatar water resource is 100 percent from desalinated water, which in turn have negative impact on the environment.”
“In 2013, Kahramaa paved the way for a Ministerial directive on the prohibition of potable water usage in cooling systems.”
Al Sada said as per Ministerial Directive 20/2013, the use of desalinated water for cooling purposes was prohibited and cooling plant operators shall use of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) instead of desalinated water .
“Replacing the use of fresh water for cooling purposes with recycled water has economical and environmental benefits, while contributing to increased water security of the country.”
“In coordination with the Public Works Department (Ashghal) the company managing wastewater treatment services – Kahramaa District Cooling Department are acquiring TSE and paving the way toward eliminating the use of potable water in DC systems.”
Kahramaa has started Best Performance Award for District Cooling System in Qatar competition in 2019. This is the second year of this award. This Award aims to promote Sustainable district cooling system in Qatar and ensure Energy and Water resources Efficiency in district Cooling systems .DC plant with exemplary performance in efficiency, reliability, flexibility and sustainability will be recognised in this competition
He said that Cooled Central Air conditioning Systems for comfort cooling is applicable to all existing and new DC plants.
“It is intended to set key minimum requirements deemed critical for achieving key performance indicators in the areas of human health and environmental safety; reliability; efficient water use; efficient energy use,” said Al Sada.
