Stolz Engineering is advancing efforts to improve the energy efficiency of existing industrial cooling towers through its new “Smart Cooling Tower Internet of Things (IoT) Sustainability Framework.” The technology-driven solution, which integrates existing sensors with non-invasive IoT devices, aims to optimize cooling tower operations and reduce energy consumption, with plans for deployment by the first quarter of 2027.
The Singapore-based engineering services provider, established in 2007, has developed the platform amid growing industrial pressure in the ASEAN region to meet decarbonization and sustainability targets. The framework focuses on a “retrofit-first” approach, emphasizing enhancements to existing cooling infrastructure rather than costly and disruptive replacements.
The system collects real-time data on temperature, water usage, pressure, weather, and mechanical conditions from IoT field sensors installed on cooling towers. This data is transmitted via an IoT gateway to a cloud platform where artificial intelligence processes the information into actionable insights. These insights allow the automated optimization of cooling tower functions, such as adjusting fan speeds, and provide operators with detailed dashboards, alerts, and reports to further enhance facility performance.
Stolz’s platform was validated in a proof-of-concept demonstration at Singapore Polytechnic, where it operated under actual conditions on a cooling tower unit. Results indicated substantial potential savings, projecting annual cost reductions of up to S$2 million for a 40-cell cooling tower system delivering 60,000 refrigerant tonnes of cooling power. The technology is estimated to reduce fan energy use by 47.5 percent, save approximately 836 kilowatt-hours per fan each year, and lower carbon emissions by 0.36 tonnes annually per fan.
Mark Tan, chief operating officer of Stolz Engineering, highlighted the significance of consistent and sustainable cooling solutions, particularly for emission-sensitive sectors such as AI data centers and semiconductor manufacturing plants. He noted that the challenge lies not in increasing cooling capacity but in delivering it more responsibly from an environmental perspective.
Stolz’s client portfolio includes semiconductor facilities in Woodlands, pharmaceutical manufacturers such as Pfizer, Lonza, and GSK, as well as data centers operated by Global Switch and Singtel. The company currently supports over 1,000 cooling facilities in Singapore and more than 100 across Malaysia and Thailand.
Looking ahead, Stolz plans to extend the framework’s application throughout ASEAN, leveraging its presence in Malaysia and Thailand. The initiative aligns with Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 by addressing sustainability through improvements in existing infrastructure rather than solely relying on new developments. The company positions its solution as a scalable means to enhance operational resilience, reduce energy demand, and contribute to climate adaptation efforts in the region’s vulnerable environments.
Stolz Engineering recently received recognition for its environmental efforts with an Impact Enterprise Excellence Award (SME) at the 2026 Sustainability Impact Awards, which honors businesses making positive contributions to environmental and community sustainability.