Delivering energy wins through cooling innovation

The Design Prototyping for Decarbonisation (DPfD) study found that it is technically feasible for both new and existing office buildings, hotels and mixed-use developments to achieve a collective 80% improvement in energy efficiency based on 2005 levels.

The six-month study partnered selected consultants with a building owner to explore decarbonisation pathways to bring the selected building towards an 80% energy efficiency improvement.

Arup Singapore worked with a hotel owner; Building System and Diagnostics Pte Ltd partnered with the owner of a new mixed development (office and retail); Gensler Singapore Pte Ltd worked with an existing office building; and, GreenA Consultants Pte Ltd worked with the owner of a new office building.

• Read more about the scope and process here.

Plug load management and ACTs were identified as key strategies for dialling back energy consumption. Currently cooling accounts for between 40 to 60% of a building’s energy use.

The researchers found ACTs including Passive Displacement Cooling (PDC) and Hybrid Cooling systems can reduce building cooling energy consumption by 30% to 50% while maintaining thermal comfort.

The BCA states that as of July 2026, there were at least 33 public buildings and 14 private buildings in Singapore that has adopted ACTs.

“The findings from the DPfD study gives the industry the evidence it needs to act with confidence,” says Mr Tan Chee Kiat, Deputy CEO (Industry Development) of BCA.

“We now know that achieving 80% energy efficiency improvement is technically feasible for new and existing office buildings, new hotels and mixed developments. ACTs alone can cut cooling energy consumption by up to 50% – the technology is ready, and the business case is clear.

“With extreme weather patterns and rising temperatures increasing the urgency to act, I strongly encourage building owners and developers to take that next step towards adopting ACTs in their buildings.”

A public report detailing the DPfD study and its findings is planned to be released before the end of 2026.

Early adopters of ACTs have included Dulwich College in Singapore, which utilises PDC in classrooms, the auditorium and collaborative spaces. This has achieved a 49.5% energy savings for the air-distribution system.

The Green Mark Platinum-rated Super Low Energy Building, Paya Lebar Green, is a commercial office complex that installed a hybrid cooling system combining perimeter active chilled beams with interior Variable Air Volume (VAV) Air Handling Unit (AHU) systems and a high-efficiency dual-temperature chiller plant. This has delivered 45% energy savings, according to the BCA.

Developer Singapore Land Group, which was involved in the DPfD study, is planning to test PDC in retail areas of The Clifford redevelopment under the Green Building Innovation Cluster Demonstration program.

The BCA says Singapore’s “best-in-class” buildings have so far achieved a 72% improvement in energy efficiency from 2005 levels, with a 2030 target set at 80%.

A public report detailing the DPfD study will be available by the end of 2026.

Main Image: photo by StockSnap via Pixabay

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