DISTRICT COOLING IMPLEMENTATION IN INDONESIA: A GATEWAY TO COLLABORATION

As urban centers around the world grow, energy efficiency and sustainability have become pressing concerns. One proven solution to address these concerns is the implementation of District Cooling Systems (DCS). DCS offers centralized cooling for multiple buildings or regions, providing significant environmental and economic benefits. However, until recently, Indonesia had not adopted this concept. The good news is that Indonesia is now beginning its journey towards integrating DCS.

By Rana Yusuf Nasir, Founder & President Commissioner, AP Buildings,
and Rahman Wirajaya, Marketing Communications Manager, AP Buildings

Published in Hot Cool, edition no. 7/2024 | ISSN 0904 9681 |

This article will delve into Indonesia’s nascent implementation of DCS, its opportunities for stakeholders, and the potential to foster collaboration in this transformative sector.

The Move Towards District Cooling Systems in Indonesia

As of 2022, no large-scale project in Indonesia employed the District Cooling System (DCS) concept. This changed with the announcement of the country’s decision to move its current capital from Jakarta to the new capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan. The relocation is part of a broader effort to address several of the nation’s most critical challenges: overpopulation, congestion in Jakarta, environmental sustainability, and economic decentralization.

The move to Nusantara offers Indonesia a unique opportunity to showcase its commitment to green infrastructure, including DCS. The Indonesian government has mandated that all government complexes in Nusantara must utilize DCS, marking the country’s first significant step toward widespread adoption. As a result, the demand for DCS is expected to rise dramatically, making Nusantara a flagship for future cooling infrastructure development.

Why Relocate the Capital?

The relocation of Indonesia’s capital to Nusantara is driven by several factors:

• Overpopulation and Congestion: Jakarta, one of the most densely populated cities globally, is home to over 30 million people in the metropolitan area. This overcrowding has led to severe traffic congestion, overstretched public services, and significant pressure on existing infrastructure. Moving the capital to Nusantara is seen as a way to alleviate some of this strain.
• Environmental and Geographic Concerns: Jakarta is vulnerable to flooding, with 40% of the city below sea level. Land subsidence and the over-extraction of groundwater only worsen this issue. Nusantara, on the other hand, is less prone to such environmental challenges and offers a more sustainable alternative.
• Decentralization and Development of Other Regions: The Indonesian government aims to promote more balanced economic development across the archipelago by relocating the capital to East Kalimantan. Currently, economic activities are concentrated in Jakarta and Java.
• Environmental Sustainability: Nusantara will be designed as a green city, utilizing renewable energy, eco-friendly architecture, and smart technologies. DCS will play a crucial role in achieving these sustainability goals.
• Strategic Location: Nusantara’s central location within the Indonesian archipelago could help reduce imbalances in economic development while offering better protection from natural disasters.

Figure 2: Bird-eye view of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) District

District Cooling for Nusantara: A New Paradigm

The total area of Nusantara is approximately 320,000 hectares, and its projected population is estimated to reach 2 million once fully developed. Construction of the new capital began in 2022 and is expected to continue until 2045.

To ensure sustainability, the government has outlined several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Nusantara:

• All public buildings must implement DCS and be certified as green buildings.
• 68% of the area will be allocated for greenery and forest preservation.
• 70% of energy consumption must come from renewable sources.
• 50% of water use must come from alternative water sources.
• All public areas will be within a 10-minute walk, and 70% of the space will be dedicated to green, open areas.

From Centralized DCS to Cluster Cooling Systems

The original plan for Nusantara envisioned a single, centralized DCS that would provide cooling across the entire region. However, this was later revised to a more localized Cluster Cooling System (CCS). In this model, smaller DCS units are strategically located across various clusters, each serving a specific area.

For example, four CCS units are planned in the new capital, each catering to a different Coordinating Ministry Office Complex. This decentralized approach allows for greater flexibility in managing each area while still reaping the benefits of the DCS concept.

Why Move to Clustering?

The shift to a clustered approach was driven by several factors:

• Budget Constraints and Scheduling: Budget limitations and varying construction timelines across government buildings made implementing a single, centralized system difficult.
• Geographical Challenges: Nusantara’s hilly terrain made constructing the underground piping required for a centralized DCS difficult. Localized clusters allow for easier installation and maintenance.
• Project Phasing: Each building has its own construction schedule, making implementing a system that can grow organically easier.

While clustering offers advantages in redundancy and scalability, it also introduces integration complexities and higher initial costs. Nevertheless, this approach provides localized control and flexibility, which are essential for a project of Nusantara’s magnitude.

Case Study: DCS in the Presidential Complex

One of the first DCS implementations in Nusantara will be within the Presidential Palace Complex. This system will serve eight buildings and provide a centralized cooling solution.

A closer look at the current implementation reveals that the Presidential Palace Complex is still utilizing a smaller-scale version of the District Cooling System (DCS), which we refer to as a Cluster Cooling System (CCS). Below is a more detailed elaboration on this approach.

Figure 3: Presidential Complex facade

Presidential Palace Complex Chiller Performance Review

In evaluating the chiller performance at the Presidential Palace Complex, the DCS, which operates based on the Total Instantaneous Buildings Cooling Load approach, demonstrates significant efficiency compared to the conventional Individual Chiller Plant System (ICPS), which is based on the Total Buildings Cooling Peak Load approach.

At 2:00 PM, the DCS required only 2,027 TR (Ton of Refrigeration), whereas the ICPS demanded 2,374 TR. This comparison highlights the ability of the DCS to dynamically adjust to real-time cooling demands, resulting in a more energy-efficient system.

The DCS achieves 14.6% energy efficiency compared to the ICPS, underscoring its superior performance in optimizing cooling load and reducing energy consumption.

Table 1: One-Year Hourly Simulation: 8,760 individual simulations were conducted for each building based on the Energy Plus Cooling Load Profile.

Table 2: Comparison between conventional Individual Chiller Plant System (Building Peak Load approach) vs District Cooling System (with Instantaneous Cooling Load approach)

Future Potential of DCS in IKN: Unlocking Greater Efficiency

The current implementation of the DCS in IKN, including key areas such as the Presidential Palace Complex, the four Coordinating Ministry Office Complexes, etc.), is still considered modest in scale. This is because these systems operate as Cluster Cooling Systems (CCS), serving specific groups of buildings rather than an entire district.

Figure 4: Presidential Complex Site plan consists of 8 buildings with one modest-DCS

While the CCS approach already shows significant benefits—such as the 14.6% energy efficiency improvement over the traditional Individual Chiller Plant System (ICPS)—the full potential of DCS remains untapped. At present, each cluster functions independently, limiting the broader advantages of a fully integrated cooling system.

Figure 5: Coordinating Ministry Office Complexes, each complex with one modest-DCS

The Vision of a Centralized DCS

To understand the transformative impact of a centralized DCS, we should envision what could happen if all the current clusters in IKN were connected to a single, large-scale system. A fully centralized DCS would serve an extensive area, optimizing cooling load distribution across the entire new capital, fulfilling the true definition of “district” in the DCS.

• This centralized approach offers several key advantages: Increased Energy Efficiency: A large, singular DCS would allow for greater efficiency in balancing cooling loads. Rather than operating several smaller systems, which can lead to redundancies or inefficiencies during off-peak hours, a centralized DCS can dynamically allocate cooling where and when needed most.
• Lower Operational Costs: By consolidating cooling operations into one central plant, operational and maintenance costs could be significantly reduced. Fewer chillers, pumps, and related equipment would be required, decreasing both capital investment and ongoing operational expenses.
• Optimized Resource Use: Centralizing the cooling system would optimize energy use and lower environmental impact by reducing the need for separate, localized plants, thus minimizing waste and carbon emissions.
• Scalability: A singular system is easier to scale as IKN grows. Rather than expanding several smaller cooling clusters, a centralized DCS could accommodate new developments with greater ease, ensuring efficient cooling for the entire capital.

A Roadmap to Greater Efficiency

While the Cluster Cooling System implementation in IKN has already brought noticeable efficiency improvements, a more ambitious, centralized DCS has the potential to deliver even greater savings. Connecting all clusters into a singular cooling network would not only enhance energy efficiency beyond the current 14.6% but also streamline operations, reduce costs, and align with IKN’s green and sustainable vision for the future. This approach could serve as a global model for large-scale urban cooling systems, showcasing Indonesia’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in urban infrastructure.

Figure 6: Clusters in IKN with District Cooling System

The Future of District Cooling in Indonesia

With the introduction of DCS in Nusantara, Indonesia is poised to expand this technology to other regions. Potential areas for future DCS projects include major cities like Jakarta and Surabaya, particularly in urban satellite developments. Collaboration with established DCS companies from Singapore, Qatar, and other regions will be key to driving this expansion.

Barriers and Challenges

Despite its potential, the implementation of DCS in Indonesia faces several challenges:

• Lack of Awareness and Expertise: The absence of widespread knowledge about DCS is a significant barrier. Solutions include awareness campaigns, workshops, and international collaboration.
• Regulatory Challenges: The current regulatory framework for DCS is unclear, and standards and incentives must be established.
• High Initial Capital Investment: To alleviate these financial hurdles, the government must provide incentives and promote public-private partnerships (PPPs).
• Market Perception and Demand Uncertainty: Perceived risks and demand uncertainty must be addressed by demonstrating successful pilot projects.

Conclusion: A Call for Collaboration

Indonesia’s introduction of DCS, starting with the Nusantara capital project, opens the door to an exciting opportunity for stakeholders, including experienced institutions and advanced technology providers, to work together to boost the speed of DCS realization. As Indonesia embarks on this journey, there is a growing need for collaboration to overcome challenges and capitalize on the potential of DCS.

DCS offers significant benefits, from reduced energy consumption to lower operating costs and improved environmental outcomes. It is now up to the stakeholders to work together, share knowledge, and bring this transformative technology to life across Indonesia.

For further information, please contact: Rana Yusuf Nasir, ranayusuf.nasir@gmail.com