In a groundbreaking partnership, Plaksha University, a leading technology institution in India, has joined forces with Tabreed India to develop a living laboratory on campus. This initiative marks a significant step towards reimagining higher education and research in India with a focus on clean energy solutions.
The project will establish a first-of-its-kind “Cooling as a Service” (CaaS) program for a university campus in South Asia. Tabreed India will assume responsibility for Plaksha’s existing cooling systems, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and guarantee reliability exceeding 98%.
Focus on Thermal Storage and Behavioral Change
Beyond just improving efficiency, the partnership will serve as a testing ground for innovative energy storage technologies. The initial focus will be on integrating Phase Change Material (PCM)-based thermal energy storage with solar power in a hostel building. This approach aims to decarbonize residential cooling and minimize reliance on the traditional grid.
Plaksha University will also experiment with consumption-based billing within the hostel. This initiative hopes to encourage residents to adopt more energy-conscious behaviors.
Sustainable Campuses of the Future
“We are thrilled to partner with Plaksha University on this project that merges technological and business model advancements,” said Sudheer Perla, Managing Director of Tabreed Asia. “By implementing these planned innovations, we aim to showcase the economic and environmental benefits of using thermal energy storage (TES) instead of battery storage systems.”
The project aligns with Tabreed India’s broader partnership with IFC’s TechEmerge Program through the Cooling Innovation Lab (CIL). This collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative cooling technologies by implementing pilot programs and exploring new business models.
The Plaksha University project serves as a model for other large campuses, industrial parks, and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to achieve greater grid independence and sustainability. By demonstrating how TES can address the challenges of variable renewable energy generation and nighttime cooling demands, the project paves the way for a future with sustainable, grid-independent buildings and communities.