Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), a UAE-based district cooling services provider, has announced that it that it has connected the world’s tallest observation wheel, Ain Dubai, to its district cooling network.
Despite Bluewaters Island having opened its doors to tourists and residents, the massive Ferris wheel is yet to begin operations. In August 2017, Bluewaters Island was connected to Empower network; and this was followed by the successful operations for ‘Ain Dubai’ Ferris wheel, a statement from Empower said.
CEO Ahmad Bin Shafar said: “All operations for providing the project with district cooling services have been successfully completed; and the wheel building was efficiently and professionally connected with 850 Refrigeration Tons (RT).”
He pointed out that the operations that were performed recently are part of fulfilling the obligations of the contract signed with ‘Meraas’ in 2015 to provide the island project with a total capacity of 25,000 Refrigeration Tons (RT).
Empower provides district cooling services to over 1,180 buildings and 120,000 customers, with a total cooling capacity of 1,530,000 Refrigeration Tons (RT).
“With an investment of $1.63 billion, the ‘Bluewaters Island’ project, which embraces the Ain Dubai Wheel, in addition to many luxurious residential and hotel buildings including the Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai and the distinctive shopping and entertainment centres, is indeed a qualitative addition to company’s portfolio,” he stated.
Bin Shafar said Ain Dubai and Bluewaters Island were supplied with eco-friendly district cooling services from the recently modernized plant of Empower in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).
The plant was upgraded to the second-generation district cooling systems which significantly saves power, improves efficiency, and reduces carbon emissions.
The plant in JBR leverages the latest technologies in district cooling systems, including Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technology that monitor and adjust the water flow to and from the cooling plant and helps reducing the burden on the state power grid during peak hours