Data Centers at a Crossroads: Energy, Cooling, and Policy Challenges

 

1. Background

As data centre infrastructure expands rapidly across Southeast Asia, the related cooling demand has emerged as a critical challenge for the region's sustainability agenda. Data centres are among the most energy-intensive facilities globally, and cooling systems typically account for a significant share of their total power consumption. Without targeted intervention, this growth risks undermining the clean energy commitments of ASEAN Member States.

The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), as the leading intergovernmental organisation dedicated to refrigeration, heat pumps, and cooling science, and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), as the region's principal intergovernmental body on energy cooperation, are uniquely positioned to convene expertise on this issue. Together, we bring echnical rigour and regional policy relevance to advance sustainable cooling in the data centre sector.

 

2. Objectives

• Examine the energy and climate footprint of data centre cooling and its implications for regional decarbonisation goals.
• Present state-of-the-art cooling technologies and best practices applicable to data centres
• Foster knowledge exchange between IIR, ACE, and regional and international stakeholders on sustainable cooling pathways.
• Strengthen the IIR - ACE partnership as a platform for ongoing technical dialogue on cooling and energy efficiency in Southeast Asia.

 

Speakers

 

Prof. Shuangquan Shao is affiliated with Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China and focuses on engineering, particularly in several specialised subfields. His research activity prominently includes mechanical engineering, renewable energy, sustainability and the environment, building and construction, electrical and electronic engineering, and computational mechanics.

 

 

Yudiandra Yuwono is a Senior Energy System Modeller at the ASEAN Centre for Energy, where he examines the dynamics between energy systems and climate across Southeast Asia. He holds an MRes in Ecosystem and Environmental Change from Imperial College London. His work explores how existing development pathways can be redesigned to fit within finite material, energy, and carbon budgets. He is interested in questioning how regional energy planning can move past GDP-linked demand projections toward frameworks grounded in sufficiency and decent living standards, asking what kinds of development the remaining budgets should actually serve.

 

 

Analaura Ransdale works in Public Affairs at Danfoss Climate Solutions, focusing on policy and advocacy related to energy‑efficient and sustainable data centers. Since joining Danfoss in 2023, she has also covered relevant EU digital policy files. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

 

Souhir Al-Hammami is an international energy and climate policy expert and Director of Scientific and Technical Information at the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) in Paris. With over 15 years of global experience, including roles at the United Nations Environment Programme and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, she works at the intersection of science, policy, and innovation to advance sustainable cooling.