Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, stated that it witnesses remarkable successes in terms of Artificial Intelligence solutions, acknowledging the company’s early investment in technological advancements, which enabled it to achieve unparalleled accomplishments in production, district cooling plant operations and remote working, as well as customer services. The achievements are the outcome of company’s proactive vision to deal with the future challenges by keeping pace with rapid changes and improving performance, productivity and quality.

Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO of Empower said: “Inspired by the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to rely on AI to upgrade future services, sectors, and infrastructure, Empower continues its efforts to support the Smart Dubai initiative to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world, driven by its capabilities to adapt to global developments, foresee the future and harness all potentials to achieve prosperity and happiness. Dubai relies on AI to enhance energy sustainability and efficiency, and Empower is keen to be a key contributor to achieve this goal.”

Bin Shafar added: “We are committed to research and develop everything related to district cooling operations, and will spare no effort or time in adopting modern innovations to effectively contribute to supporting the national innovation strategy, while continuing to provide services of outstanding quality to customers, residents, developers and building owners. The efforts of our teams in the field of innovation have been recognized locally and globally. Empower won international award recently in recognition of company’s outstanding contributions in adopting AI based advanced technologies in district cooling operations.”

Command Control Centre (CCC)

Empower successfully integrated the Parallel Working Environment (PWE) technology in its district cooling operations to enhance the efficiency of company’s Command Control Centre (CCC). The centre also monitors the operations of smart systems that includes accuracy of temperature measurement of residential and commercial units​, maintenance of the  measurements devices and verification of thermal sensors.

. The PWE technology enables the operations team to monitor company’s all district cooling plants across Dubai at same time. This new technology, serving as a completely independent backup of the CCC, provides a holistic smart monitoring of all the operations of Empower plants in Dubai to ensure smooth, reliable and sustainable district cooling services, in addition to accurate remote monitoring of all operations in different DC plants across the Emirate.

The Command Control Centre, leverages the advanced features of SCADA system that allows analysis of up to two million data from, chillers, transformers, water supplies and cooling towers. The Centre also features a highly efficient smart network that provides a precise and quick response to any urgent situation in the cooling plants. The new and alternative PWE technology relies on a fully independent system equipped with cutting-edge technologies, and will provide self-control for all the operations of the Command Control Centre. The two systems together will ensure an accurate monitoring of district cooling operations and, in turn, ensures uninterrupted services to Empower customers.

AI based technology for TES operations

Empower has also succeeded in developing a new system that employs Artificial Intelligence technologies in operating Thermal Energy Storage (TES) tanks and is planning to adopt this technology across its DC plants in Dubai. Following its successful application at Empower’s Business Bay plant, that the  new system  will save electricity.

TES technology is one of the most effective ways to store energy. This system in district cooling helps shaving off peak-time pressure on the state power grid through producing chilled water during off-peak hours and using it during peak hours. The new AI based technology that provides more accurate decisions of TES timing of operation based on data from weather predictions. This will help to optimize electricity consumption and increase efficiency.

Unmanned Self-operating plants

Empower has recorded a globally unprecedented achievement by developing the world’s first unmanned district cooling plant at Jumeirah Village Circle in Dubai, which serves 52 buildings with a total cooling capacity of 38,000 Refrigeration Tonnes (RT). Residents of 30 new buildings will also be supplied with district cooling services from this plant, bringing the total number to 82 buildings, with a total cooling capacity of 49,000 RT by the end of 2020. The Jumeirah Village Circle plant is the first in the ambitious plan of Empower to convert all it’s plants to autonomous operation under a predetermined timetable.

Smart services for customers

Empower also provides advanced smart solutions to facilitate its customers access to various online transactions and payment services through its own and partner’s platforms. Through the smart platforms, customers can obtain final bills, choose a method of deposit recovery, review and pay consumption bills, print payment receipts, submit applications, and update their data in an easy-to-use and safe environment without the need to visit customer service centers.

Despite the shift to a remote work system in line with the government’s recent precautionary measures, the Company keeps communicating with it’s customers to perform their transaction through the smart channels, and continues to provide uninterrupted, high quality cooling services.

Comprehensive solutions

Empower also devised the comprehensive AI Metering System (AIMS 360), and the Optimal Energy Flow Control System for heat exchangers using smart statistical processes. The two solutions won the honorary innovation award at the 109^th annual conference and tradeshow of the International District Energy Association.

Empower provides district cooling services to over 1,180 buildings and 120,000 customers, with a total cooling capacity of 1,530,000 RT. Empower provides its environmentally friendly district cooling services to many landmark projects in Dubai, including Dubai Waterfront, Bluewaters, Jumeirah Group, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Business Bay, Dubai Healthcare City, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Palm Jumeirah, Discovery Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Design District, International Media Production Zone and many others.