Dnata has successfully installed an innovative cooling technology in its facilities at Singapore Changi Airport, which is expected to save at least 650 tonnes of carbon, which equivalents to the greenhouse gas emissions from 530 petrol-powered cars for one year, as well as 1.5 million kwH of electricity per year.
The introduction of Cooling as a Service (CaaS) provides chilled water and air conditioning through a reliable, efficient and sustainable solution. Dnata Singapore implemented the CaaS, supplied by provider Kaer, in January 2022 to offer cool water and air to its cargo, catering and support facilities.
CaaS provides chilled water and air conditioning through a reliable, efficient and sustainable solution. (Photo: Dnata)
Under the CaaS model, Kaer retrofitted the cooling systems serving the two facilities with high efficiency, low-global warming potential (GWP) technology and have deployed their data mining, machine learning and carbon monitoring software.
The company said this has brought about a 54% reduction in energy consumption at its cargo base, and a 35% reduction at its catering and support offices. The technology also allows for real-time monitoring and reporting of service levels, as well as energy use and carbon emissions for ESG reporting.
Dnata has already cut its electricity-related carbon emissions in Singapore by 20% through a rooftop power plant which comprises of 6,500 solar panels, generating over 4,300 Mwh of green power each year. The energy savings achieved by the new cooling systems is the equivalent to installing an additional 2,400 rooftop solar panels.
As Dnata looks to make its operations even more efficient and sustainable, its Regional CEO Charles Galloway is proud of the company’s early adoption of low-GWP refrigerants in Singapore.
“We have plans to expand our CaaS initiatives to additional areas of our operations, and look forward to working with our partners to further reduce our environmental footprint,” he said.
Dnata recently announced that it was on track to lower its carbon footprint and waste to landfill by half by 2030 as part of its 8-year green operations strategy. The firm has committed US$100 million to implement green technology and initiatives across its businesses globally to achieve its goals, which include significant investment in infrastructure, green ground support solutions and process improvement.
