4. Cooling networks

Cooling networks supply air-conditioning and cooling systems in urban centers, where building density is high. They supply cooling to offices, tertiary buildings, hospitals, universities, airports, etc., which are major consumers of cooling, and to a lesser extent to apartment blocks. Centralized air-conditioning production enables equipment to be pooled, thereby limiting architectural, health and environmental impacts. Centralized equipment provides a clear gain in energy efficiency compared with stand-alone building air-conditioning. From an environmental point of view, cooling networks reduce the water consumption required for cold production, and cut the loss of ozone-depleting refrigerants. They also eliminate the need for air-cooling towers, which are unsightly and a potential source of Legionella contamination.