Edward Yusko

Pilot study with HTMS to explore the potential of Maxwell nanofluid technology, which achieved an impressive 15% increase in cooling system efficiency

ABU DHABI, UAE (BUSINESS WIRE) – October 25th, 2024

Tabreed, the world’s leading district cooling company, has been honoured at the prestigious 2024 Asian Power Awards, held this week in Singapore. Recognising Tabreed as a long-established champion of sustainable cooling, judges awarded the company with two significant awards: ‘Geothermal Power Project of the Year – Gold’ and ‘District Cooling Initiative of the Year – UAE’.

“Our pursuit of energy efficiency knows no limits”

The Asian Power Awards is a prestigious event that recognises innovative, ground-breaking projects and initiatives by power and energy companies. It honours those who have taken game-changing steps to address the effects of the climate crisis while meeting the growing demand for energy. Representing Tabreed and accepting the two awards on the night was Irshad Hussain, Vice President – Projects.

Geothermal Power Project of the Year

With its strategic partner, ADNOC, Tabreed is leading the way in sustainable cooling with its ‘G2COOL’ Geothermal Project in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Operations commenced in December 2023, with this innovative facility using geothermal energy to provide cooling services and integrating with a pre-existing district cooling network. It is the first district cooling plant of its kind in the Gulf region, helps decarbonise cooling in Masdar City and aligns with the UAE’s National Energy Strategy 2050.

This plant utilises hot water from geothermal sources deep underground to power a special absorption chiller, which achieves an impressive electrical efficiency of 0.5 to 0.55 kW per refrigeration ton (RT), compared to the typical 0.85 kW per RT in conventional district cooling systems. Geothermal energy produces minimal emissions compared to traditional methods, supporting the UAE’s goals to diversify energy sources and lessen reliance on fossil fuels.

District Cooling Initiative of the Year – UAE

This award honours a pioneering pilot study at one of Tabreed’s Abu Dhabi plants in collaboration with Ireland’s HT Materials Science (HTMS), to explore the potential of a revolutionary nanofluid technology known as ‘Maxwell’, which has been engineered to enhance heat transfer. Tabreed discovered that, by using Maxwell in the chilled water loop, it achieved an impressive increase in cooling system efficiency of approximately 15%.

Maxwell, named after James Clerk Maxwell, the pioneering scientist who first developed the concept of nanofluids in the 19th century, is an engineered suspension of sub-micron aluminium oxide particles in a base fluid of water or water/glycol (‘nanofluid’) – a drop-in additive for cooling and heating systems, that works by enhancing heat transfer efficiency in cooling systems without requiring complex tools or equipment replacement.

Commenting on the awards, Tabreed’s Chief Executive Officer, Khalid Al Marzooqi, said they serve as important reminders that the company’s pursuit of sustainable operations exemplifies its wider commitment to a greener future. “Our pursuit of energy efficiency knows no limits,” he said. “We lead this essential industry with our innovative approach, in which we leave no stone unturned to reduce energy consumption and our impact on the environment. I’m very proud of what everyone at Tabreed achieves and being honoured with these awards is an acknowledgement of the vital steps we’re taking to decarbonise the building sector.”

Tabreed has previously stated its aim to expand its international presence, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia. The company, which was founded in 1998, is already operating in six countries with a growing portfolio of district cooling plants, currently numbering 91. As more countries experience the adverse effects of rising global temperatures, the demand for cooling is rapidly increasing. As the world’s leader in sustainable district cooling, Tabreed’s operations prevent millions of tons of CO2 emissions through its substantial energy savings.

About Tabreed:

Tabreed provides essential and sustainable district cooling services to iconic developments in the Middle East and Asia – a leading driver of progress for people, communities and environments around the world towards a more sustainable future. Founded in 1998 and publicly listed on the Dubai Financial Market, it is one of the UAE’s strongest growth companies.

Through its extensive regional and international operations, industry-leading reliability and efficiency, R&D programmes and investment in AI technology, Tabreed is the district cooling industry’s global leader. In addition to district cooling, Tabreed’s energy efficiency services extend the company’s sustainability impact, helping businesses and organisations to improve their overall energy consumption, in turn preventing CO2 emissions and assisting in the achievement of carbon neutrality objectives.

Reposted from FMLink (Facility Management News and Resources from the McMorrow Reports

by Janet B. Stroud — October 21, 2024

Dublin-based HT Materials Science (HTMS) recently announced the successful deployment of Maxwell, a ground-breaking heat transfer fluid for commercial and industrial cooling and heating systems, at an industrial plant. The plant, located in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is owned and operated by Almatis GmbH, a world leader in the development, manufacture and supply of premium alumina (aluminum oxide) and alumina-based products.

Maxwell increased segments of the plant’s cooling system capacity by approximately 20%, which results in an increase in production capacity by an estimated 10% or more per year. The Ludwigshafen plant produces high-quality materials for the refractory, ceramic and polishing industries, and is one of the company’s eight production facilities.

The installation was commissioned to demonstrate that Maxwell could reduce the plant’s maintenance requirements and increase production capacity during certain periods of high ambient temperature. This is the second industrial plant in which Maxwell has been used to achieve similar results.

Maxwell is an engineered suspension of sub-micron particles in a base fluid of water or water/glycol (“nanofluid”). Maxwell is a drop-in additive for cooling and heating systems, that works by enhancing heat transfer resulting in reduced energy consumption and increased thermal system capacity.

Almatis’ Ruediger Bastian, global director of Process Technology, stated:

This project is a testament to our pursuit of energy efficiency at every level of our operations. We are always looking for ways to accelerate the energy transition and provide more efficient services that benefit our customers, our stakeholder and the communities in which we operate. This successful project proves the power of international partnership and technological collaboration, and we look forward to working with HTMS to further the application of their technology to advance sustainable cooling solutions.

How Maxwell Works In a Chilled Water System

When added to a chilled water loop at 2% concentration, Maxwell increases the system’s cooling capacity by up to 20%, explains HTMS. This increased cooling capacity allows chillers, pumps, heat exchangers and other process equipment to operate more efficiently, reducing electrical energy consumption and carbon emissions. Maxwell is non-toxic, non-corrosive, fully recoverable and recyclable.

Thomas Grizzetti, CEO of HTMS, remarked:

Thanks to the ease of installation, and use in both new and existing cooling and heating systems, Maxwell can have a material impact on energy usage and the carbon footprint of a broad range of industries and sectors globally. Maxwell is a significant step forward for businesses wishing to drive down energy use, increase system capacity and meet regulated energy efficiency targets increasingly promulgated by governments globally.

HTMS is one of 15 start-ups from across Europe picked to be part of this year’s bigger-than-ever Amazon Sustainability Accelerator. HTMS is among the participants hoping to grow by helping other businesses reduce their impact on the environment.

Sustainability considerations now permeate the entire property value chain

CONSTRUCTION WEEK (Middle East) – by Medea Nocentini July 09, 2024

With growing sustainability concerns and heightened scrutiny over various sectors’ contributions to climate change, the property sector’s impact is under the spotlight. As the largest asset class globally, with a market size exceeding $338 trillion in 2022, the property sector’s status quo is being re-evaluated through the lens of sustainability.

Sustainability considerations now permeate the entire property value chain, affecting designers, developers, property managers, regulators, residents, and tenants.  Currently, 43% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions stem from the real estate sector, with building operations accounting for approximately 70% and construction contributing the remaining 30%.

Investors are increasingly prioritising sustainable practices, recognising both the potential value and profitability in properties managed with a focus on sustainability. Among these investors, 63% are exploring the adoption of building and IoT sensors, while 62% are investigating automated energy management as well as sustainability monitoring and reporting.

Innovative approaches to sustainability in the property sector

The sustainability shift within the property sector is compelling, driven by cutting-edge solutions in material sciences, 3D printing, water management and energy efficiency. As the third-largest contributor to CO2 emissions, the potential for a net-zero paradigm shift in property development is significant, promising climate-conscious developments that enhance efficiency and affordability.

Beyond material choices, there is a clear move towards sustainability in building amenities and central HVAC systems. Lighting and other energy-efficient systems are being integrated from the early stages of the value chain.

Initiatives like the UAE’s Al Sa’fat and Pearl rating systems, Saudi Arabia’s evolving national building codes, and the Africa Green Building Finance Initiative emphasise the need to incorporate sustainability into decision-making processes.

On the water management side, Ireland’s HT Materials Science, with Saudi Aramco as one of their clients in the GCC region, develops advanced heat transfer fluids, focusing on enhancing the efficiency of cooling and heating systems.

Their primary product, Maxwell™, is a nanofluid additive that improves thermal performance by up to 15%, leading to lower energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions.

Maxwell™ can be integrated into existing systems without significant modifications, making it suitable for a range of applications including commercial buildings and data centers.

The shift towards sustainability in the property sector is not just a response to environmental concerns but a comprehensive strategy to enhance efficiency, profitability, and affordability.

By embracing innovative materials, advanced manufacturing techniques, and energy-efficient practices, the property sector can significantly reduce its carbon footprint while meeting the growing demand for sustainable and affordable living spaces.

Calling all real estate managers, factory operators, hospitals and data centers: This new heat transfer fluid can take 15% off your energy bill

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Karin Kloosterman in Green Tech and Gadgets, Technology

Dublin based HT Materials Science (HTMS) has developed a breakthrough energy savings solution called Maxwell that can slash operating costs, increase system capacity in new and existing builds and offer carbon credits.

Water is the universal heat transfer fluid for commercial and industrial HVAC systems. While water is plentiful and cheap there are additives to water which can improve its thermal capacity and that’s the elegant and planet-smart idea from Irish-Italian company HT Materials Science based in Dublin, Ireland.

HTMS has developed a heat transfer fluid branded Maxwell to increase the thermal capacity of water –– allowing it to store up to 20% more energy than water alone. At only a 2% additive to water, Maxwell can provide up to a 20% increase in performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in no small way.

HT Materials Science was founded in 2018 to develop a heat transfer fluid for commercial and industrial HVAC markets. Among its investors are Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, which led a €15M Series A round in 2021, and Barclays Bank, via its Sustainable Impact Capital portfolio.

HT Materials Science CEO Tom Grizzetti tells Green Prophet: “There has certainly been development activity in heat transfer fluids over the last decade-plus. However, the combination of product stability, proven performance and client engagement has been elusive.

“With Maxwell, a multi-patented product, we bring to market a solution that was developed to satisfy both the science and the business sides of the equation. These efforts have resulted in a stable product with provable performance and ultimately significant client engagement,” he adds.

Maxwell is an engineered suspension of sub-micron aluminum oxide particles in a base fluid of water or water/glycol (that last part is significant since it means Maxwell can be used in systems that use either water or glycol as their base fluid)—resulting in reduced energy use, emissions, maintenance and costs; and an increase in system capacity.

Same temperature, less energy

Consider that heating and cooling are attributed to almost half of our planet’s energy consumption, and about 40% of carbon dioxide and equivalent carbon emissions.

Among HT Material Science’s first industrial clients is the German based alumina producer Almatis. By installing Maxwell into the plant’s cooling system, HTMS increased the system capacity by up to 20% while increasing operational output.

HT Materials Science is on a mission looking to expand throughout the Middle East as countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia develop manufacturing and technology parks to keep production facilities like electric cars close to home.

Maxwell is a pretty neat fluid that will be a game changer for carbon accounting globally.

Dublin-based start-up HT Materials Science has joined the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, aiming to expand its retrofit solution for heating and cooling systems

Dimitris Mavrokefalidis
Energy Live News
05/29/2024 10:30 AM

Dublin‘s HT Materials Science has been selected to participate in the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, joining 15 other European start-ups in the initiative’s third edition. The accelerator offers a four-week programme designed to empower start-ups addressing global sustainability challenges.

HT Materials Science, founded in 2018, has developed a retrofit solution that enhances heating and cooling systems’ efficiency.  This technology, named Maxwell heat transfer fluids, can be integrated into existing commercial and industrial systems, delivering significant energy savings of up to 15% while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The expanded accelerator programme, a partnership between Amazon, EIT Climate-KIC and Founders Intelligence, aims to support entrepreneurs in scaling their sustainable solutions.

Thomas Grizzetti, Chief Executive Officer of HT Materials Science, said: “Between 1990 and 2020, energy used for cooling tripled and will continue to increase as global economies expand and temperatures rise.”

Zak Watts, Amazon’s International Director of Sustainability said: “The scope of businesses involved means we can support even more entrepreneurs to reach their potential.  “Not to mention the one of a kind opportunity to test their technology directly with parts of Amazon’s business.”

Copyright © 2024 Energy Live News Ltd

What’s New In May – Liquid solution aims to take the heat out of data centres

A supplier of heat transfer liquids for commercial and industrial use has developed an innovative liquid solution that can benefit large-scale data centre cooling.

HT Materials Science (HTMS) says its Maxwell product has been shown in a range of case studies to allow for an expansion of the existing capacity of liquid-based cooling systems by up to 15 percent. This suits the solution to data centre operations looking for additional capacity, says the manufacturer.

In addition, Maxwell has been proven to cut energy demand in chillers, pumps and fan systems, especially for functions where free cooling is not available.  “Maxwell has already established a strong track record with cooling systems that are comparable to those that data centres will need to adopt”, the company states.

Maxwell uses aluminium oxide nanoparticles that HTMS claims offers a significant improvement in performance over other heat transfer fluids.

HTMS, which is based in Ireland and has manufacturing capabilities in Italy, is working with companies in European and other markets to use the technology in a variety of commercial and industrial projects.  It has already worked with leading HVAC companies such as Daikin, Carrier, York and Trane to test their products.

In the UAE, for example, HTMS partnered with district cooling giant Tabreed to use Maxwell in a plant that serviced a multi-building, 600,000 sq. ft. campus in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Maxwell was used in the system’s dual-centrifugal water-cooled chiller with two compressors with a total cooling capacity of 2,500 tonnes.

HTMS says that the Abu Dhabi project was found to have had a notable impact on the energy efficiency of the cooling system.  The company states that this was represented by a 13.6 percent improvement in the coefficient of performance based on more than 2,250 equivalent full load hours used to predict seasonal load from a system.

For more information visit www.htmaterialsscience.com