Industry Leaders at ISHRAE CoOL Conclave Call for Cooling Security as a National Priority

Industry leaders, policymakers, urban planners, utilities, developers, academics, and sustainability experts convened at the ISHRAE CoOL Conclave 3.0 in Coimbatore to address India's growing cooling demand amid urban expansion. Hosted and moderated by Grundfos, the roundtable centered on the theme 'Accelerating Net Zero Cities of the Future: The Role of District Cooling in India' and explored how district cooling can support sustainable growth and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Participants noted that India's cooling demand is rising rapidly due to economic development, urbanization, and increasing living standards, placing significant pressure on electricity infrastructure and peak power requirements. A key challenge highlighted during the discussions is meeting cooling demand during evening and nighttime hours when solar generation is unavailable, tying energy security directly to cooling security.

Experts pointed out that district cooling systems can improve energy efficiency through load diversity, centralized operations, optimized equipment utilization, and thermal energy storage. Additional economic benefits discussed include reduced electrical infrastructure requirements, lower operating costs, decreased maintenance burdens, and extended equipment lifecycles. Furthermore, the integration of treated wastewater and recycled water into district cooling systems was highlighted as a method to reduce pressure on freshwater resources.

Despite these technical and economic advantages, adoption of district cooling in India remains limited. Stakeholders noted that the primary barriers are no longer technological, but rather involve the need for stronger policy alignment, institutional coordination, awareness, and long-term planning. Participants observed that district cooling still lacks clear utility status and does not consistently fit within existing regulatory frameworks governing urban infrastructure development.

To accelerate adoption, attendees called for feasibility assessments to become a standard component of planning processes for greenfield cities, large mixed-use developments, industrial townships, campuses, and major infrastructure projects. Proposed policy actions include recognizing district cooling as a public utility, integrating it into urban planning frameworks, providing rights-of-way for distribution infrastructure, supporting feasibility studies, clarifying tariff structures, and encouraging domestic manufacturing of equipment.

Ronak Monga, Global Sales Development Director, District Energy at Grundfos, stated that India's cooling challenge is also a significant opportunity. He emphasized that district cooling is a strategic infrastructure investment capable of strengthening energy security, improving resource efficiency, and supporting sustainable urban growth as part of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

"As India urbanizes rapidly, integrating cooling security into national infrastructure planning is a vital economic and environmental imperative. District cooling offers a structured pathway to manage peak electricity demand and optimize resource efficiency across future cities. For policymakers, developers, and investors, treating cooling as an essential public utility from the master-planning stage will unlock long-term operational savings and support sustainable, resilient urban development." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes