Singapore Revives 19th-Century District Cooling Technology to Combat Climate Change
Singapore Brings Back 19th-Century Tech to Beat Warming Climate

Image: Financial Post
Singapore is implementing a 140-year-old district cooling technology in Punggol to reduce energy consumption as temperatures rise. This system, which uses chilled water to cool buildings, is part of a broader S$100 billion plan to combat climate change and improve energy security amid rising global temperatures.
- 01District cooling uses less electricity than traditional air conditioning, making it ideal for Singapore, which imports nearly all its energy.
- 02The local market for district cooling could double from 323,000 refrigeration tons in the next decade.
- 03The technology was first introduced in Denver in 1889 and has evolved to use water as a cooling medium since the 1960s.
- 04Singapore's government has a S$100 billion ($77 billion) plan to address climate change and rising sea levels.
- 05Challenges include high construction costs and competition for water resources, especially with the rise of data centers.
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Singapore is adopting a 140-year-old district cooling technology in its northeastern Punggol district to address rising temperatures and energy consumption. This system, which pumps chilled water to cool buildings, aims to reduce reliance on traditional air conditioning, which contributes to climate-warming emissions. The city-state has already installed such systems in eight neighborhoods, including the world's largest underground network in Marina Bay, operational since 2006. With energy security becoming increasingly critical due to global crises and a projected 'Super El Niño,' Singapore's district cooling network is expected to grow significantly. Experts estimate the local market for this technology could double in the next decade, driven by urbanization and increased cooling demand. However, challenges such as high construction costs, competition for water resources, and initial technical issues must be addressed. The government’s S$100 billion plan to combat climate change highlights the importance of efficient solutions like district cooling in adapting to a warmer climate.
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The implementation of district cooling technology is expected to significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in Singapore.
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