BCDA eyes new tech to lower power use in New Clark City

MANILA  -The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has partnered with Qatar-based firm United District Energy International L.L.C. (UDEI) and Marubeni Corp. (Marubeni) of Japan to use low-carbon district cooling technologies at the New Clark City in the province of Tarlac.

The BCDA said Monday it had signed during a business mission in Tokyo last September a memorandum of understanding with the two firms to conduct a technical and commercial feasibility study on the viability of a district cooling technology for New Clark City.

It said that this sustainability initiative aims to help address high energy consumption during the dry season, which it said was associated with the hot temperature in the Central Luzon region.

“To help reduce energy consumption and make use of greener energy sources, BCDA has tapped the expertise of UDEI, a regional leader in low-carbon district cooling technologies, and Marubeni, our reliable Japanese partner in power distribution in New Clark City, to explore low-carbon cooling solutions in our development,” BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang said in a statement.

“A district cooling system in this sustainable metropolis will enable us to provide the most environmentally friendly and cost-efficient solution to future residents and locators,” he added.

The BCDA said that the district cooling system technology they were looking into integrates highly efficient centralized chillers, thermal energy storage tanks, and advanced control systems as a greener and smarter alternative to decentralized air conditioners.

It said further that this technology will cut electricity consumption by future residents and locators by as much as 50 percent, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving air quality and temperature control.

Under the one-year agreement, the BCDA said all three parties had agreed to discuss, share knowledge and explore potential opportunities for collaboration. INQ