In cities around the world, district cooling is integral energy infrastructure to reduce strain on the electric grid caused by increasing demands for air conditioning, which typically create 50%-70% of peak electricity demand. By aggregating the cooling need of a network of buildings, district cooling creates an economy of scale that drives efficiency, balances electric loads, and reduces fuel costs.
Aggregated cooling loads also make feasible creative technologies such as sustainable lake- or ocean water cooling, grey water recovery, treated sewage effluent, and thermal energy storage which reduce costs and environmental impact associated with air conditioning. Additionally, central plants skirt the sunk costs of oversized, individual chiller plants and the capital costs of installing chillers and cooling towers, freeing up valuable rooftop and building space.