CCME - October 2023

EMPOWER PAYS AED 425 MILLION IN DIVIDENDS TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS FOR H1 2023 EUROVENT MIDDLE EAST LAUNCHES HVACR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

October-November 2023

The tantalising relationship between technology and sustainability Daxita Rajcoomar, Chief Sustainability Officer, ENGIE Asia, Middle East and Africa

Gatekeeping of refrigerants Amir Naqvi, General Manager, Honeywell Advanced Materials (META region)

Thermal comfort for women is not just a physical aspect; indeed, its potential impact on cognitive performance and workplace efficiency cannot be ignored

EDITORIAL CAMPAIGN

POST-EVENT REPORT

COP28:

Data Centre Cooling

India

Dr Rajendra Shende, Former Director, UNEP

Refroid Immersion Cooling Solution Conference

India’s HVACR growth narrative can be attributed to rampant infrastructure development

COUNTRY REPORT

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VOL. 18 NO. 10  OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023

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COVER STORY

BATTLE FOR THE THERMOSTAT Thermal comfort for women is not just a physical aspect; indeed, its potential impact on cognitive performance and workplace efficiency cannot be ignored

EDITORIAL CAMPAIGN

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COP28: GLOBAL SHOCK-TAKING IN NEW YORK, GLOBAL STOCK-TAKING IN DUBAI “If nothing changes, we are heading towards a 2.8 degree temperature rise – towards a dangerous and unstable world with horrendous heat with horrendous effect,” was the outcome of the global ‘shock-taking’, during the Climate Ambition Summit, in New York, points out Dr Rajendra Shende, Former Director, UNEP

PERSPECTIVES

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THE TANTALISING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY Daxita Rajcoomar, Chief Sustainability Officer, ENGIE Asia, Middle East and Africa, says the central role of data, coupled with technological advancements and innovation, is the driving force behind a green transformation

GATEKEEPING OF REFRIGERANTS Amir Naqvi, General Manager, Honeywell Advanced Materials (META region), says companies, through choosing better refrigerants, can profoundly reduce greenhouse gas emissions

POST-EVENT REPORT

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INDIA’S HVACR GROWTH STORY The consensus is that India’s HVACR growth narrative can be attributed to rampant infrastructure development, increasing urbanisation, technological advancements, rising disposable incomes and a growing tourism appeal

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FEATURE WATER AS A REFRIGERANT

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REFROID IMMERSION COOLING SOLUTION CONFERENCE Refroid Conference highlights increasing importance of immersion cooling systems with enhanced Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and explores the future of data centres and sustainable energy management

GUEST COLUMN

COUNTRY REPORT

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“WIN-WIN OR NO DEAL” Fair budgets, timely payments and equitable contracts are indispensable in the quest for better building performance, says Omnia Halawani, Co-Founder & CoCEO, GRFN Global

A new Indirect/Direct Evaporation Cooling (IDEC) approach makes it possible to achieve a more profound cooling effect than traditional adiabatic approaches, while reducing humidity levels by up to 70%, Oxycom says

REGULARS 04 Editor’s Note 34 Regional News 44 Global News 54 Quoteyard www.climatecontrolme.com

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Freezing cold in Riyadh

A

Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACR EMPOWER PAYS AED 425 MILLION IN DIVIDENDS TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS FOR H1 2023 EUROVENT MIDDLE EAST LAUNCHES HVACR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

October-November 2023

The tantalising relationship between technology and sustainability Daxita Rajcoomar, Chief Sustainability Officer, ENGIE Asia, Middle East and Africa

Gatekeeping of refrigerants Amir Naqvi, General Manager, Honeywell Advanced Materials (META region)

Thermal comfort for women is not just a physical aspect; indeed, its potential impact on cognitive performance and workplace efficiency cannot be ignored

EDITORIAL CAMPAIGN

POST-EVENT REPORT

COP28:

Data Centre Cooling

India

Dr Rajendra Shende, Former Director, UNEP

Refroid Immersion Cooling Solution Conference

India’s HVACR growth narrative can be attributed to rampant infrastructure development

Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle East early!

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US$15

Visit our website: climatecontrolme.com/digital Also available at

little over 200 of the 1,300 delegates attending a food safety summit in 2014 in Baltimore, in the United States, fell ill after eating a chicken dish, which news reports later said was contaminated with Clostridium perfringens, a pathogenic bacterium that produces a toxin causing stomach cramps, diarrhoea and fever. The bacterium manifests in meat, poultry and in other foods that are cooked in substantial batches and maintained at a lesser-than-prescribed temperature.

The irony of the episode was that all those that fell ill were top food safety experts, including representatives from the US Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control. Baltimore city health officials, after arriving at the conclusion of food contamination, handed the catering company responsible for preparing the dish a penalty for allowing condensation to drip from an ice machine in the kitchen.

The Climate Control Conference, on October 10 in Riyadh, was an interesting experience, in that it threw up a parallel to Baltimore. No, no, there was no episode of food contamination. The episode had to do with thermal comfort, with many delegates in the conference hall complaining of frigid conditions and of being unable to focus on the proceedings. The situation required urgent intervention, and the hotel staff responded by periodically switching off the air conditioning. As organisers, the irony was not lost on us, for amongst other topics, the discussions revolved around Indoor Environmental Quality. As Khalid Mulhim, affiliated to Saudi-based consultancy firm, Suhaimi Design (Protecooling Division), and the Chairperson of the Conference, wryly noted, the situation had arisen owing to a combination of obsolete technology and the lack of FM supervision.

By the way, FM was one of the topics of discussion, along with lifecycle costs.

The Riyadh episode was emblematic of the severe disconnect plaguing the HVACR and building construction and performance industries. The lack of an integrated approach to air conditioning design and the absence of proper FM protocols, in many instances, are hampering progress in terms of lowering direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, improving thermal comfort and of reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The situation deserves serious attention. With COP28 as a context, it is one thing for the world’s policymakers to gather in a bid to contain runaway emissions, but what about the grassroots? What needs to be done to bring about a change in mindset amongst multiple stakeholders, including building owners? And what can be done to address unreasonably tight timelines and financial outlays? While fiscal budgeting is important for the business sustainability of enterprises – be they real estate companies, healthcare facilities or hospitality groups – there is a need for looking at the entire picture and adhering to a certain discipline when it comes to building design, construction, supply of equipment, MEP installation, testing and commissioning and FM. Field performance needs to match design intent to keep the globe from warming any further.

Climate Control Middle East magazine proudly supports the UAE President’s initiative of declaring 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’.

Co-Founder & Editorial Director Surendar Balakrishnan surendar@cpi-industry.com Editor

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October-November 2023

EMPANELLED COLUMNISTS

Published by

Dr Iyad Al-Attar Independent air filtration consultant, writes on specific science and technology issues relating to Indoor Air Quality, including airborne particles.

Krishnan Unni Madathil Auditor, Bin Khadim, Radha & Co. Chartered Accountants, carrying out an analysis of the market, writes on business opportunities for the HVACR industry.

Kandasamy Anbalagan Managing Partner, Proleed Engineering Consultants, writes on the need for upholding time-tested engineering principles, which would only serve to complement advances in technology.

Jeremy McDonald Principal of Guth DeConzo Consulting Engineers, in New York. He served as the technical consultant to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in development of an IAQ guideline for Higher Education in NY: “Covid-19 Response Guide, State University of New York”.

Antonios Dimitracopoulos Partner, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates LLP, writes on legal affairs pertaining to the construction industry.

Omnia Halawani Co-Founder & Co-CEO, GRFN Global, writes on MEP consultancyrelated issues.

Dan Mizesko Managing Partner/President, US Chiller Services International, writes on issues relating to chilled water systems, including operation & maintenance.

Nabil Shahin International Technical Director, AHRI MENA, writes on HVACR-specific regulation issues.

Head Office PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE Web: www.cpi-industry.com Printed by: Jaguar Printing Press L.L.C © Copyright 2023 CPI Industry.

All rights reserved.

While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

EDITORIAL CAMPAIGN

COP28

GLOBAL SHOCKTAKING IN NEW YORK, GLOBAL STOCK-TAKING IN DUBAI “If nothing changes, we are heading towards a 2.8 degree temperature rise – towards a dangerous and unstable world with horrendous heat with horrendous effect,” was the outcome of the global ‘shock-taking’, during the Climate Ambition Summit, in New York, points out Dr Rajendra Shende

H

ISTORY was made eight years ago. The global cooperation under multilateral environmental agreements took a turn when the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015.

That moment will go down in history as a unique case study on how the United Nations leveraged its convening power to get all 196 countries in the world under one roof to seek and explore a collective solution to the planetary crisis. Though it is known well that the global climate crisis is caused mainly by the rich countries – predominantly developed countries – due to their indiscriminate consumption of fossil fuels, both developed and developing countries, and even the least developed countries, agreed to take action to reduce the use of fossil fuel without differentiated timetables. Earlier global agreements – for example, the Montreal Protocol – aimed at protecting the Ozone Layer, stipulated that developed countries would take action first and that developing countries would follow suit.

Indeed, before the Paris Climate Agreement, the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 had adopted such a differentiated timetable. The reduction in emissions was to be led by developed countries, who were historically responsible for the majority of the emissions.

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October-November 2023

The unprecedented collective commitments, in the form of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), were then provided by each of the developed and developing countries under the Paris Climate Agreement. That heralded the possible era of global coalitions to rescue the planet from the climate crisis.

Never before had the world witnessed such solidarity by all nations faced with an emergency of a pandemic scale.

Strangely, it is also for the first time in the history of global environmental agreements that even after such a show of global solidarity, the reduction in emissions, the key objective of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has not been achieved. After three decades of agreement on the Convention, 25 years after the Kyoto Protocol and eight years after the Paris Climate Agreement there has been no sign of any reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases.

To be fair, however, the Paris Climate Agreement for the first time rightly stipulated cross-checking and stock-taking to assess the progress of implementation of commitments under NDCs. Article 14 of the Paris Climate Agreement stated that the first global stocktake of commitments made by the countries under NDCs would take place

Dr Rajendra Shende is Former Director, UNEP; Coordinating Lead Author of IPCC-2007, which won the Nobel Peace Prize; and Founder Director, Green TERRE Foundation. He may be reached at shende.rajendra@gmail.com.

in 2023 at COP28, in Dubai, and every five years thereafter. It also stated that the outcome of the global stocktake shall help the Parties to upgrade their NDCs and enhance global cooperation.

COP28 is, therefore, famed as the ‘Global Stock-taking COP’.

The objective of the Global Stocktaking is to assess the progress under the Agreement, particularly in meeting short- and long-term goals. The UNFCCC Secretariat has formed a special expert group for data analysis, received from the countries and other agencies, so that a consolidated report could be discussed at COP28 to enable countries to update their NDCs. The elements of Global Stock-taking in COP28 were very well defined during the time of the Paris Climate Agreement itself. They include, inter alia, mitigation levels achieved by each country, adaptation efforts made at national level and climate finance provided to the developing countries by the developed countries.

Unfortunately, the Global Stocktaking exercise will be taking place at the time when the world is fractured and conflict-torn. The focus of the world leaders is more on geopolitical greed than ecological need. ‘Fundamental reforms’ and ‘Complete Overhaul’ of the global multilateral system, within which

the United Nations and international financial institutes operate, have been discussed by all the world leaders, but they have remained wishful thinking.

The good news is that weeks before COP28, world leaders had key opportunities to develop alliances and strategies to deal with the ‘climate pandemic’. The key reports that matter to all the governments were released well before the vital meetings of power groups, like G7, BRICS and G20. The Climate Ambition Summit, on September 20, 2023, convened by the UN Secretary-General, as part of the 78th UN General Assembly, also benefitted from these reports. The IPCC’s ‘Synthesis Report of AR6’, in March 2023; the World Meteorological report, titled ‘Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update’ of May 2023; the ‘United in Science 2023’ – a multi-agency report, coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of Sept 2023; and the report that matters for Global Stocktaking, called the Synthesis Report of the Technical Dialogue on the first Global Stock-taking, coordinated by UNFCCC, were all available for countries in time to strategise on a climate solution.

The Synthesis Report of the Technical Dialogue lists 17 findings that highlight shortfall in emission reduction, adaptation measures and the gap in financing from developed countries to the developing countries, so crucially necessary for the latter’s emission mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage mitigation efforts. These findings point out that the planet is on a downward spiral and that the window of opportunity to take action is fast closing.

The key findings are: • Based on current NDCs, the gap in emissions, consistent with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C in 2030, is estimated to be 20.3-23.9 Gt CO2 eq. So, the current global emission that continues to rise without any sign of abatement – except for a small dip, observed during COVID-19, when the world literally came to halt – is about 55 Gt CO2 eq.

• Global emissions have not yet peaked. They need to peak between 2020 and 2025, as per IPCC AR6, to limit warming to

the Paris Agreement temperature goal. All Parties need to undertake rapid and deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the decades after peaking • Much more ambitious targets in NDCs are needed to reduce global emissions by 43% by 2030 and, further, by 60% by 2035, compared to 2019 levels and reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, globally.

• Achieving net-zero CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions requires scaling up renewable energy – as per IEA, tripling the generation from renewable sources – while phasing out fossil fuels; ending deforestation; reducing non-CO2 emissions, like HFCs, from cooling systems and methane from refineries.

The WMO’s report, ‘United in Science’ stated that the “planet is far off track from meeting its climate goals. This undermines global efforts to tackle hunger, poverty and ill-health, improve access to clean water and energy and many other aspects of sustainable development”. The most fearsome statement came from WMO reports that the annual mean global near-surface temperature for each year between 2023 and 2027 is predicted to be between 1.1 degrees C and 1.8 degrees C higher than the 1850-1900 average. There is a 98% chance of at least one in the next five years beating the temperature record set in 2016, when there was an exceptionally strong El Niño.

So, where do we from here? That exactly is what COP28 in Dubai is all about.

Sarcasm is not intended, but as Global Stock-taking continues, humanity is facing global ‘shock-taking’. The intensity and frequency of climate disasters are escalating without any signs of waning. From Algeria to Australia, from Bulgaria to Brazil, from Croatia to California and from Hunan to Hawaii, the wildfires continue to spread, aggravated by higher temperature. The effect of El Nino, which should have started much later in the year, has entered the disaster zone much earlier and may stay longer.

From the Arctic to the Antarctic and from the Himalayas to the Swiss mountains, the glaciers are melting.

The United States of America, the richest country in the world, has set a new record for billion-dollar climate disasters in a single year. As of September 11, 2023, the country has experienced extreme weather events, costing USD 1 billion or more already this year, passing the previous mark of 22 disasters, in 2020.

There were 81 weather-, climate- and water-related disasters in Asia in 2022, of which over 83% were flood and storm events. More than 5,000 people lost their lives, more than 50 million people were directly affected, and there was more than USD 36 billion in economic damages, according to the WMO report.

The G7 meeting in April, the BRICS summit in August and the G20 summit in September were timely opportunities in 2023 for countries with more than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions to develop emergency plans and draw battlelines against the common enemy of climate change. Unfortunately, the developing and drawing did not happen. The closest the countries came to such a muchneeded strategy was during the G20 meeting, where they agreed to pursue the tripling of renewable energy capacity globally by 2030, as recommended by the International Energy Agency, and accepted the need to phase-down unabated coal power, but stopped short of enhancing the much-needed climate efforts, as per the reports released in 2023. All these meetings successfully avoided naming and blaming Russia and Ukraine but could not succeed in naming and blaming those developed countries responsible for not providing promised climate finance of USD 100 billion, annually, starting from 2020.

“If nothing changes, we are heading towards a 2.8 degree temperature rise – towards a dangerous and unstable world with horrendous heat with horrendous effect,” was the outcome of the global ‘shock-taking’ in New York, during the Climate Ambition Summit that concluded on September 20. The hungry, burnt, sick and flood-swept world is now waiting for the outcome of Global Stock-taking in Dubai.

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

www.climatecontrolme.com

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PERSPECTIVE

THE TANTALISING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY Daxita Rajcoomar, Chief Sustainability Officer at ENGIE Asia, Middle East and Africa, says the central role of data, coupled with technological advancements and innovation, is the driving force behind a green transformation

T

HE MIDDLE EAST is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with nations setting ambitious benchmarks for a sustainable future.

The UAE’s goal to achieve net zero by 2050, echoed by Saudi Arabia’s aim for 2060, stands out. These commitments are not merely pledges; they mirror the growing urgency of the critical role the Middle East plays in shaping the global sustainability narrative. As a company operating in the region, it is imperative to align with these national visions, integrating sustainability into the core of business strategies. This alignment necessitates a deep understanding of the mutual relationship between technology and sustainability, a relationship that promises to redefine the future of the industry in the region.

In today’s world, the integration of technology and sustainability is becoming increasingly vital. A recent World Economic Forum (WEF) report underscores this trend, revealing that 40% of business leaders acknowledge the positive impact of digital technologies on their sustainability objectives. These technologies serve as powerful tools to optimise resource usage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enabling the transition towards a circular economy.

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October-November 2023

The central role of data, coupled with technological advancements and innovation, is the driving force behind this transformation. Businesses are encouraged to adopt data-driven business models, moving away from traditional cost management strategies and towards approaches that significantly boost business productivity and efficiency. This shift in perspective not only offers potential environmental and operational benefits but also raises the quality of service and delivery, while reducing costs.

energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency and taking steps to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

• Service Management: Effectively handling client requests and reporting, along with supervising onsite operations, boosts both customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Leveraging digital platforms streamlines service requests and reporting, fostering greater transparency and agility.

Industrial focus areas include: • Asset and Spaces Monitoring: Condition-based maintenance, facilitated by sensors and analytics, optimises equipment performance and maximises energy savings. This strategy is crucial for companies looking to cut operational costs, as it monitors asset conditions in realtime, enabling prompt interventions and minimising downtime.

• Energy Performance: By managing consumption and production commitments, we can substantially reduce our carbon footprint – a vital move towards global sustainability goals. This includes embracing renewable

Leveraging digital technologies and data analytics allows organisations to transition from traditional cost management to a data-driven business model, enhancing overall business productivity. This provides environmental and operational efficiencies, improves the quality of service and decreases costs. These solutions pave a smoother path to decarbonisation, promote health and wellbeing, and foster a future marked by innovation and efficiency.

Building a greener future with smart technology Tapping into the potential of digital technologies not only enhances organisational efficiency but also plays a pivotal role in transforming the built

environment and construction sectors in the Middle East. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), these sectors notably contribute to global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, representing over a third of global final energy use and nearly 40% of combined direct and indirect CO2 emissions.

Lighting plays a pivotal role in sustainability efforts, as it is responsible for up to 17% of a building’s energy consumption.

A shift to LED lights instead of incandescent bulbs can reduce energy consumption by 53%, translating to substantial savings over several years.

Retrofits extend beyond buildings to encompass city-wide initiatives. For instance, street lighting can represent up to 40% of municipal electricity bills and account for 15% of global power consumption along with five per cent of greenhouse emissions. By replacing traditional streetlights with smart LED energy-efficient luminaires, electricity savings can reach up to 80%.

Moreover, since 1990, the energy demand for space cooling has tripled, making it the fastest-growing energy consumption sector within buildings.

In 2019, cooling systems in residential and commercial buildings were responsible for 8.5% of all emissions related to electricity consumption, according to the IEA. Businesses would, therefore, do well to take the lead in implementing eco-friendly retrofitting strategies, in harmony with the wider integration of smart technologies. By simply improving the energy efficiency of lighting and mechanical systems, and strengthening insulation standards, companies can contribute to establishing a sustainable future.

Financing a sustainable transition Transitioning to clean energy is no longer a financial burden, thanks to innovative financing options that shift the capital expenditure from the customer to Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) in the Middle East. These entities stand as reliable allies, offering turnkey solutions that encompass engineering, design, implementation and commissioning of

energy projects through various models, facilitating a seamless transition to a greener future with minimised risks and costs. These financing models, such as the Guaranteed Savings Model and the Shared Savings Model, provide flexible options for companies to invest in sustainable energy projects without bearing the upfront costs, thereby accelerating the transition to a green economy.

As we stand at the threshold of a new era, industry leaders in the Middle East remain committed to leading the energy transition and advancing renewable energy projects. The journey towards net zero is a collective endeavour, with the building and construction sector playing a pivotal role. Together,

we can forge a sustainable future, characterised by innovation, inclusivity and environmental stewardship, with technology at its core. This future is not just a vision, but a tangible reality that is being shaped through concerted efforts and collaborations among governments, industries and communities. By embracing the relationship between technology and sustainability, we can unlock new opportunities for growth and development, fostering a region that is resilient, prosperous and sustainable for future generations.

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

www.climatecontrolme.com

9

PERSPECTIVE

GATEKEEPING OF REFRIGERANTS Amir Naqvi, General Manager, Honeywell Advanced Materials (META region), says companies, through choosing better refrigerants, can profoundly reduce greenhouse gas emissions

M

ORE than 130 countries, accounting for about 83% of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by the middle of the century, according to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Included are the United Arab Emirates and Oman, which have set 2050 net-zero target dates, and Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia with plans to reach net zero by 2060.

Many large regional corporations and affiliates of international companies have decided not to wait for the coming wave of regulatory requirements. As responsible corporate citizens, they recognise the importance of reducing their environmental impact and meeting the high expectations of investors, employees and customers.

The formidable task of mapping a company’s path to net zero and identifying, assessing and prioritising decarbonisation strategies often falls on the shoulders of the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO).

CSOs manage their organisations’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts, engage with internal and external stakeholders, and measure and report the results to regulators and others.

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Striving to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions Regardless of industry, most CSOs focus first on strategies to reduce the size of their company’s operational GHG footprint, which means addressing the Scope 1 emissions created by their direct operations. They also need to measure and report Scope 2 indirect emissions resulting from purchased energy, which can be reduced through various energy efficiency measures.

Finally, companies must account for Scope 3 emissions, which are outside their direct control and include the entire value chain.

The challenge CSOs face is finding the right mix of strategies and initiatives to deliver the biggest possible return for their ESG investment, which enables the company to pursue game-changing environmental improvements and harvest decarbonisation opportunities in the “low-hanging fruit” category.

For example, adopting a more effective approach to space cooling, process cooling and product refrigeration requires a relatively small investment but can deliver enormous environmental and energy efficiency benefits.

With their extensive range of responsibilities, CSOs cannot be expected to also be air conditioning

experts, so they may not be aware of the ongoing evolution in HVAC technologies. The combination of higher-efficiency AC equipment and the transition to next-generation, ultra-lowGWP refrigerants is an easy and costefficient way to decarbonise without sacrificing process integrity, energy efficiency or cooling performance, which is so essential to life in the Middle East.

The road to reducing emissions by up to 99.9% Energy consumption and GHG emissions from space cooling, process cooling and product refrigeration have grown exponentially over the last several decades. These activities now account for more than 10% of global GHG emissions, a number that will continue to rise due to our warming climate, growing economies, expanding populations and increasing urbanisation.

The hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants now used in almost all the world’s air conditioning and refrigeration systems are the main culprit in the sector’s ever-expanding environmental footprint. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases linked to global warming, so most countries have pledged to do away with them under

the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

New-generation hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants are ready-now replacements for HFCs. The transition to HFO refrigerants is already underway in the European Union and United States, so CSOs in the Middle East will be able to leverage their experiences to deploy ultra-low-GWP refrigerants in this region.

HFOs reduce GHG emissions by as much as 99.9%, compared to legacy HFC refrigerants. HFOs also have zero ozone-depleting potential and a short atmospheric life, which further reduces their environmental impact. They also are more energy efficient than conventional refrigerants, which can have a significant impact on an organisation’s Scope 2 emissions and monthly electric bill.

Ultra-low-GWP choices for cooling, refrigeration HFO refrigerants are a near dropin replacement for high-GWP refrigerants currently used in most AC systems. This means they can be used with only minor modifications to system hardware. In addition to their use in building cooling systems, HFOs are used as refrigerants for supermarket freezers and refrigerators, mobile air conditioning for cars and trucks, blowing agents for thermal insulation, propellants for personal and household products and as solvents for cleaning solutions.

To cite a few examples...

• Saudi Arabia-based appliance manufacturer, Al-Essa Industrial Company has adopted an ultralow-GWP liquid-blowing agent to apply insulation in its products, which meet energy standards in Saudi Arabia and other countries.

• Organic Foods and Café, a Dubaibased grocery retailer, is retrofitting its stores with an HFO blend that offers a GWP 68% below legacy HFC refrigerants.

• Pure Harvest Smart Farms is using a lower-GWP refrigerant to cool its indoor produce farm in Al Ain,

enabling the company to meet the latest standards and deliver fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to consumers.

• Companies in the UAE have avoided about 42,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year by transitioning to HFO refrigerants in their chiller systems.

CSOs play a critical role as Midde East-based companies look for ways to achieve their decarbonisation objectives, comply with current and emerging standards and regulations, and deliver air conditioning and

refrigeration capabilities to their customers, employees and visitors.

Progress can be accelerated by moving sustainability discussions from the boardroom to the operational level and considering the environmental impact of every decision. Companies can also expand relationships with like-minded partners, stakeholders and suppliers who share the firm’s netzero vision and can contribute to its achievement.

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

www.climatecontrolme.com

11

COVER STORY Thermal comfort and gender preferences

Thermal comfort for women is not just a physical aspect; indeed, its potential impact on cognitive performance and workplace efficiency cannot be ignored. Indu Revikumar, Features Writer, Climate Control Middle East, has the story...

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October-November 2023

I

N T H E Middle East region, where scorching summers and chilly or mildly chilly winters are a part of life, the pursuit of thermal comfort is an essential aspect of wellbeing. Amid this climatically diverse backdrop, the debate over indoor temperature preferences, often labelled the “battle for the thermostat”, has captured the attention of households. In 2019, a global study, titled “Battle for the Thermostat: Gender and the Effect of Temperature on Cognitive Performance”, cast fresh light on this debate, and its findings not only underscored the significance of the thermostat tussle beyond mere physical comfort but also unveiled its potential impact on cognitive performance and workplace efficiency. The study suggested that in workplaces striving for gender balance, the strategic adjustment of temperature settings above traditional norms might be the key factor to optimising cognitive performance and overall productivity.

Overcooling of office buildings is a prevalent and critical issue in the Middle East region, as the search for relief from soaring temperatures in the region often leads to excessively cooled workplaces, impacting not only energy consumption and costs but also the wellbeing and productivity of individuals within these spaces, says Pakinam Eid, Senior Sustainability Consultant, AESG. She further says that despite technological advancements and significant improvements in our

Pakinam Eid

understanding of thermal comfort in buildings, many people still feel uncomfortable in the work environment. She says: “Indoor thermal comfort can be influenced by several factors, including building physics and orientation, building location and structure, occupant density, ventilation strategy and mode of operation. And we require a holistic approach that considers gender-sensitive perspectives and climate-specific considerations.”

Eid also highlights the importance of including HVAC systems that allow individuals to control their immediate environment, considering individual preferences for temperature, airflow and humidity. She says that office spaces should be divided into zones to provide adjustable temperature controls within these zones and allow employees to personalise their immediate environment. Furthermore, she touches upon the topic of dress codes, and she says that businesses should establish flexible dress codes that permit appropriate office attire, considering different temperature preferences and variations in how men and women experience thermal comfort, as well as educate employees, particularly women, about the importance of dressing in layers to manage their thermal comfort.

Joining the conversation, Sangeetha B, CEO & Founder, Amantra FM, says sweltering hot summers and high levels of humidity drive building owners and operators in the Middle East

region to significantly reduce indoor temperatures, inadvertently leading to sub-optimal temperatures in offices, particularly for women, whose clothing styles tend to be poles apart from men’s. Furthermore, underlining the fact that women tend to feel colder or hotter than their male counterparts due to lower metabolic rates, she says that strategies to keep the internal temperatures at optimal level must be implemented, such as avoiding large windows on the west side, where the heat from the setting sun could be higher than in other directions, or setting up optional gendered workspaces with different thermal settings.

She says, ”Ideally, the optimal temperature range must be from 22-24 degrees C, depending on the work being carried out — working with heat or heavy-duty labour may require lower temperatures.” She adds that maintaining an equilibrium is challenging, unless the cause and effects are identified and discussed in forums within and outside the organisation. Sangeetha says, “If the organisational discourse also includes humidity control and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), that will help improve the cognitive capabilities and health of people working in these spaces while ensuring gender equity in thermal comfort.”

Maryam Bakhsheshi Akhlaghi shares a similar perspective as Sangeetha and Eid and says that a multifaceted approach is required to combat the issues of overcooling in office buildings and

Sangeetha B

Maryam Bakhsheshi Akhlaghi

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COVER STORY Thermal comfort and gender preferences address its impact on women’s wellbeing and productivity. Akhlaghi, who is the Manager of Maryam General Maintenance and Yazdan Contracting, and Owner and Manager of Aflak Alkhyr Technical Services, says that office design should begin by creating thermal zones within the office and allowing temperature variations to cater to different preferences, ensuring women’s comfort. She says, “Providing individual or zone-level temperature control for occupants, using occupancy sensors to optimise cooling based on room occupancy, investing in research about gendersensitive thermal comfort solutions to account for physiological differences between genders, encouraging breathable clothing and educating employees about the importance of thermal comfort will foster a balanced, inclusive thermal environment, benefiting everyone in a region with challenging climatic conditions.

Joining the conversation, Sandra Bou Madi, Head, Business Development, Taqeef, says Taqeef has been researching the issue of perceptions of thermal comfort since 2020 and says that according to the outcome of the research in the form of a report, a slightly cooler temperature of 22 degrees C aids the highest level of work productivity for men, whereas, women have better mental agility at higher temperatures (26 degrees C).

She says, “A difference of up to 4 degrees C between women and men

Sandra Bou Madi

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is significant and raises questions of over-cooling and the impact this has on energy use.” Madi further says that businesses in the Middle East region can address the issue of overcooling in office buildings with a combination of awareness about controlled parameters and variations in individual thermal needs and by investing in smart cooling technologies, which will help to reduce the environmental impact of cooling and make comfort more tailored, responsive and automated.

Shifting the discussion to how the gender pay gap in the Middle East region intersects with the impact of heat-related income losses, Sangeetha says women in the region predominantly work out of offices due to existing social norms. She points out that despite the diverse career choices available today, women remain primarily confined to offices, partly due to self-limiting beliefs. She says that breaking those barriers and increasing women’s participation across sectors will enable them to voice their concerns about thermal discomfort and other issues.

“Encouraging participation will require the creation of women-centric office spaces and reserved roles for women,” she says. “That way, we can treat the problem instead of the symptoms.”

For her part, Akhlaghi says the existing gender pay gap in the Middle East region intersects with the impact of heat-related income losses in a way that exacerbates women’s financial instability and overall wellbeing.

Women in the region, she says, often earn lower wages than their male counterparts for similar work, contributing to income disparities.

“When heat-related challenges, such as reduced productivity due to extreme temperatures or health issues like heat-related illnesses, affect income levels, women are disproportionately affected,” she says. “They may face lower earnings and reduced career advancement opportunities, further exacerbating financial instability.” Furthermore, she

says, the intersection of the gender pay gap and heat-related income losses has broader implications for women’s well-being in the region, as it can lead to increased economic vulnerability, limited access to healthcare and education, and reduced overall quality of life. Akhlaghi also emphasises the importance of addressing gender pay disparities and heat-related challenges and says it is crucial to improving financial stability and wellbeing for women in the Middle East region.

Awareness of thermal sensitivity Sangeetha, Akhlaghi and Eid share similar thoughts on women’s awareness of the importance of thermal comfort and the issues of over-cooling. While Sangeetha points out that women’s awareness of thermal issues is growing, albeit at a lower rate than is necessary for positive change, Akhlaghi and Eid underline the fact that the awareness among women is influenced by educational, cultural, geographical and socio-economic factors.

Sangeetha further says that while education does correlate to higher awareness, its impact can be hindered by sociocultural, geographical and economic roadblocks. She says that only through multipronged approaches can women’s understanding of complex subjects like thermal comfort be effectively and decisively addressed, and that institutional and individual efforts will be necessary.

For her part, Eid says that physiologically, women perceive temperature changes and are influenced by factors like hormonal fluctuations, and it is important to understand that the lack of thermal comfort can lead to discomfort, fatigue, decreased productivity and increased stress levels among female employees, impacting their overall wellbeing and job satisfaction.

She says that awareness encompasses a broad spectrum of factors in society, ranging from

comprehension of policies to equitable access to heating and cooling resources and adherence to workplace regulations. In addition, she says, environmental awareness extends to encompass the effects of climate change and the imperative of sustainability.

“Education plays a pivotal role in fostering understanding, while culture significantly shapes our perceptions, and one’s geographical location often influences personal experiences,” Eid says. She also points out that elevating awareness levels and ensuring equitable access to resources can catalyse deepening comprehension and spur action concerning thermal sensitivity issues, benefiting women and society.

Strategies for thermal comfort To integrate thermal comfort into discussions about gender equality and economic empowerment in the Middle East, Eid says, governments and organisations can take holistic approaches, such as researching specific thermal comfort needs of women and understanding how temperature affects their productivity, health and overall wellbeing. Moreover, she says, raising awareness and educating communities and organisations about the impact of thermal comfort on women’s productivity and health is key. Eid also highlights the role of governments and says they must incorporate thermal comfort considerations into urban planning, building codes and workplace regulations to ensure appropriate thermal comfort integration in indoor and outdoor spaces, especially with the specific needs of women. She also says that governments should encourage and promote energyefficient industries and sustainable heating and cooling solutions, which will aid in improving women’s health and wellbeing by addressing thermal comfort and promoting sustainable practices.

For her part, Sangeetha says, any effort to shape the narrative

of thermal comfort in the context of women’s workplace experience will fail to yield desired outcomes without the presence of key stakeholders – that is, women. So, she says, the first order of business should be the creation of a womenchaired committee consisting of female leaders across economic sectors to bring diverse, firsthand experiences to the table, get an interdisciplinary perspective, and co-create actionable policies.

Concurrently, she says, challenges like gender pay gaps should be tackled methodically. “It will help if regulatory bodies mandate equitable pay and transparency in grading structure,” she says.

Sangeetha also touches on the fact that climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, including women.

That, she says, underscores the need to prioritise a climate change-linked phenomenon like frequent heat waves, and therefore, human resource departments of organisations should be mandated to periodically submit progress reports of women’s workplace wellness, including thermal comfort.

Meanwhile, Akhlaghi says governments and organisations in the Middle East region can advance gender equality and economic empowerment by acknowledging the pivotal role of thermal comfort in women’s wellbeing and productivity.

“This will necessitate incorporating gender-sensitive cooling strategies into policies, bolstering awareness campaigns, conducting relevant research, offering financial incentives, developing gender-responsive infrastructure, providing targeted training programmes, cultivating strategic partnerships, and rigorously enforcing existing regulations,” she says. Furthermore, Akhlaghi underlines the fact that these comprehensive measures ensure that women’s health, wellbeing and financial security are given due consideration and will ultimately contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society.

The importance of inclusive indoor workspaces Creating comfortable, productive and inclusive indoor workspaces in the Middle East region for women involves considering cultural, environmental, and ergonomic factors, says Eid. She says that implementing flexible work hours to accommodate diverse responsibilities, designing spaces considering gender-specific requirements, ensuring appropriate facilities, privacy and safety for women and providing ergonomic furniture to reduce physical strain, especially for pregnant women, can ensure inclusive indoor work spaces.

For her part, Sangeetha says, technology will play an integral role in creating indoor workplace environments that are comfortable, productive and inclusive. She says that the deploying of datadriven, cloud-enabled solutions can proactively tackle indoor contaminants and enable working in unison with HVAC systems.

She further says that such an infrastructure can provide adaptive comfort based on real-time analysis of external temperature, indoor contamination and occupant requirements, ensuring the well-being of women and men alike.

Meanwhile, Madi says, indoor workspaces in the Middle East region can be made more comfortable, productive and inclusive of women’s needs by encouraging comfort, controlling the thermal environment and creating awareness to ensure cultural or behavioural change.

Elaborating, Madi says that through ensuring that the temperature is set to a comfortable level for both men and women; providing employees with the ability to control their thermal environment through activities, such as positioning desks strategically, according to the proximity of sources of cooling; and creating office-awareness campaigns to raise awareness about summer AC consumption in offices, employers can create workplaces that are more comfortable, productive and inclusive of gender-specific needs.

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India

INDIA’S HVACR GROWTH STORY 16

October-November 2023

A

The consensus is that India’s HVACR growth narrative can be attributed to rampant infrastructure development, increasing urbanisation, technological advancements, rising disposable incomes and a growing tourism appeal.

Indu Revikumar, Features Writer, Climate Control Middle East, has the story

MARKET report published by P&S Intelligence in November 2022 attributes the growth of the Indian HVACR market, which has a CAGR of 15.8% between 2021 and 2030, to rampant infrastructure development, increasing urbanisation, technological advancements, rising disposable incomes and tourism in the country, says Vikash Sekhani, Director Sales & Marketing, Dry All-India. Elaborating, Sekhani says the increasing urbanisation has led to higher demand for air conditioning and refrigeration systems in residential and commercial buildings, and the rising disposable incomes have enabled more individuals and businesses to invest in HVACR systems for comfort and productivity, contributing to market growth.

The construction sector in India, he says, has been predicted to become the world’s third-largest by 2025, primarily driven by residential construction; this factor will ultimately push the Indian HVACR market to a massive 16% CAGR till 2030. In addition, Sekhani says, HVACR systems are now indispensable in various industries, such as food services, cold storage, data centres, transportation, industrial facilities, pharmaceuticals and sports facilities, where temperature and humidity control is critical for efficient operations.

Weighing in, Milind Mate, AVP (Sales & Marketing), Zeco Aircon Limited, says the shift in the economic growth patterns in India, in the aftermath of the pandemic, had a tremendous impact

on the growth of the HVACR industry, as its growth mirrors the expansion of industrial and commercial businesses.

Mate says the HVACR industry has been witnessing significant growth in tier-two cities in the last two years, far outnumbering the tier-one cities.

Moreover, he says, the tier-two cities are experiencing robust development in commercial construction, including malls, institutions, hospitals, hotels and other commercial facilities. Mate says, “While we’ve seen double-digit growth in recent years, it’s important to acknowledge that this high growth rate is partly due to a rebound from the pandemic’s impact.”

Highlighting how the pharmaceuticals and the electric vehicle manufacturing sector are contributing to the growth of the HVAC industry, he says their positive growth trajectory, along with progress in semiconductor chip manufacturing, is expected to boost the HVAC industry further. He says that the commercial HVAC industry is poised for higher growth in the next 5-6 years, after which its trajectory may stabilise unless new growth drivers, such as tier-three cities or other industries, emerge.

Joining the conversation, Vikram Murthy, Director, Univac Environment Systems, and Chair, ISHRAE Environment Protection Committee, sharing an overview of the air conditioning market in India, says the key driver for the growth of the air conditioning industry in India is the rise of residential buildings in India’s fastest-

Vikash Sekhani

Milind Mate

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India

manufactured goods while clamping down on imports from other countries.

Government policies

Vikram Murthy

Jagdeep Singh

growing tier-one and tier-two cities. Air conditioners operating in India in 2022, he says, consumed about 175 Tera Watt Hours (TWH) of energy. That figure, he says, is expected to grow to 600 TWH by 2038, as per the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) released by the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change, in 2019. Murthy also points to the fact that rising incomes lead to purchasing electrical appliances and says that in India, once a family’s annual income rises above USD 10,000, they purchase their first air conditioner.

Shifting the discussion to the trends shaping the future of the HVACR industry in India, Jagdeep Singh, Managing Director, Rosemex Ecotech, says a focus on energy efficiency through advanced technologies, like variable-speed compressors and improved insulation; the integration of IoT for smart HVACR systems; the transition to eco-friendly refrigerants for reduced environmental impact; heightened emphasis on Indoor Air Quality and health-related solutions; increased demand from expanding sectors like construction, retail and healthcare; and the growing significance of data centres and green building standards are some of the drivers for the progress of the HVACR market in the country.

Weighing in, Mate says that in today’s commercial and industrial buildings, there’s a strong focus on sustainability, particularly decarbonisation. Achieving net-zero

carbon emissions, he says, is the ultimate goal, although it may be challenging to attain fully. He says there’s a growing emphasis on highefficiency systems, driven by smart technology and IoT, to work towards this goal. Thus, he adds, there is a push for innovations in components like motors and fans, as fans, in particular, play a crucial role in determining a building’s energy consumption.

Furthermore, he says, chillers are also undergoing constant developments to enhance efficiency. Mate also says that manufacturers are regularly introducing new technologies, such as tube axial fans and advanced Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). He further says that Building Management Systems (BMSes) have evolved from compliance tools to connected systems that collect and leverage data for enhanced efficiency.

Giving a broader perspective, Sekhani says the Make in India initiative of the Government has also significantly impacted the HVACR industry in India. The initiative, he says, aims to promote domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports; as a result, several domestic manufacturers have emerged in recent years, offering high-quality HVACR products at competitive prices.

In addition to this, he points out that recently, the Government of India has banned the import of air conditioners with climate-damaging refrigerants and says this move will come as a push for self-reliance and promotion of locally

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As in any other country or region, policies are determining the course of the HVACR industry in India. Speaking on how government policies are contributing to the HVACR industry, in general, and green technologies, in particular, Murthy says it is essential to understand the background of the Green Movement in India, since the founding of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), in 2000. The IGBC, Murthy says, has reached a significant milestone by registering over one billion square feet of green building area across 1,505 projects. He says various other green rating agencies have also certified hundreds of buildings for their sustainable and environmentally friendly features, underscoring India’s growing emphasis on green and sustainable construction practices and net-zero buildings. To elucidate, he points to the example set by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate of India by its flagship office, Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, in New Delhi, as a net-zero energy installation.

Furthermore, Murthy says, another growth driver behind Green Buildings is the Government Regulated Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), released by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in 2007, and updated in 2017. The ECBC, he points out, has been adopted by most Indian State Legislatures. In addition, BEE had set up the Star Labelling of air conditioners as a voluntary programme in 2006 and made it mandatory in 2009. The BEE, for its part, began a voluntary Chiller Labelling Programme in 2019, which will become mandatory in January 2024.

The programmes, Murthy says, have created a positive impact for businesses as well as consumers – by creating a meritocracy of products that drive sales for manufacturers and create choices for consumers.

Weighing in, Sekhani says India is one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the world, and the government target of installing 100 GW of solar power by 2022 created a massive demand for

solar panels, inverters and other solar technologies. In addition, he says, the Government of India had set a target of installing 60 GW of wind power by 2022, which has contributed to the growing demand for wind turbines, generators and other wind power technologies in the country.

Furthermore, Sekhani says, the Green Building Rating System, which promotes the development of Green Buildings and energy efficiency initiatives through the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE); the National Cooling Policy, established in 2020; and the initiatives

by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) are among the key drivers with regard to the increasing popularity of green technologies and energy-efficient HVACR solutions in India. He says: “India now stands fourth globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity (including Large Hydro), fourth in wind power capacity and fourth in solar power capacity, as per the REN21 Renewables 2022 Global Status Report. The country had set an enhanced target at the COP26 of 500 GW of non-fossil fuelbased energy by 2030. This has been a key pledge under the Panchamrit, the world’s largest expansion plan in renewable energy.”

For his part, Singh says Government initiatives aimed at the HVACR industry are having several positive impacts on businesses and are creating a favourable environment for market growth. The government initiatives, he says, include the establishment of energy efficiency standards, regulation of environmentally friendly refrigerants, incentives and subsidies for energy-efficient systems, the enforcement of building codes promoting HVACR solutions, smart city programmes, eco-friendly building certifications, and consumer awareness campaigns. These are further driving the demand for energy-efficient HVACR technologies. Additionally, government support for research and development is fostering innovation in the industry.

In India, Mate says, the landscape of policies and regulations regarding energy efficiency has evolved significantly in recent years. The Indian government, he says, has taken the initiative to develop

policies and documents relating to energy efficiency and building codes, which are now updated every two to three years. Mate further says that these policies are designed to suit the unique needs of a tropical country like India, and many are on par with – or surpass – international standards. While there isn’t a specific policy exclusively for HVAC initiatives, he adds, compliance with the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) is essential, and it encompasses various regulations and incentives to promote greener and more energy-efficient products and practices.

“Moreover, the focus has shifted towards private bodies and organisations in driving these initiatives, with ECBC being a key reference point for compliance,” Mate says.

India’s commercial HVACR market In India, Sekhani says, the Government is offering several incentives to support the growth of the commercial HVACR market, including tax breaks, grants and loans, under schemes like Mudra Yojana and Start-Up India. These incentives, he says, are helping businesses reduce the cost of installing and operating commercial HVAC systems, making them more affordable and accessible.

In addition, factors such as growing population and urbanisation, rising disposable incomes, and increasing awareness of the importance of energy efficiency are also contributing to the growth of the commercial HVAC market in India. Furthermore, Sekhani says, Government campaigns, such as Atithi Devo Bhava and Digital India, are resulting in a high inflow of tourists, thus leading to growth in hospitality and tourism-related businesses and a greater demand for commercial spaces and commercial HVAC systems. The commercial HVAC market in India, he says, is being disrupted by several new technologies, including smart HVAC systems, heat pumps, ventilation with heat recovery, desiccant cooling and geothermal HVAC systems.

Murthy says that disruptive technologies, like advanced cooling methods and super-efficient residential air conditioners, are poised to reshape

the commercial HVAC market. “Some of these are controlled single-stage and two-stage evaporative cooling, radiant cooling, District Cooling and superefficient residential air conditioners,” he says. “The latter, which is also the winner of a Global Cooling prize, is currently under rigorous field testing and shall consume less than half the energy of the most efficient current air conditioners.” Murthy says he believes there is no need for the Government to incentivise the growth of commercial air conditioning projects, as the demand is already increasing, and contracts are typically awarded through competitive tendering or by choosing a preferred Large Build, Operate and Transfer Contractor.

Weighing in, Singh says the commercial HVAC market in India is transforming due to the emergence of various technologies like VRF systems, smart controls, energy recovery ventilation, green refrigerants, integrated BMS, solar HVAC and geothermal solutions. To excel in this market, he says, businesses can adopt strategies such as promoting energy efficiency to align with environmental regulations, customising HVAC systems to individual client needs, offering proactive maintenance services, embracing IoT for smart controls, emphasising sustainability benefits, and leveraging government incentives and subsidies for energy-efficient installations and renewable energy integration.

The Indian export market The export market for Indian HVACR products is driven by several key factors, such as the growing global demand for cooling solutions due to rising temperatures and urbanisation, and India’s robust manufacturing capabilities, which position it well to meet this demand, Sekhani says.

Indian HVACR products, he says, tend to offer competitive pricing, thanks to lower labour and manufacturing costs, and the fact that Indian manufacturers are increasingly adopting high-quality standards, enhances the reputation of their products in international markets.

Furthermore, he says, the Government of India’s strong support

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COUNTRY REPORT

through financial assistance, export promotion councils and trade fairs further bolster the sector. “To succeed in exporting HVAC systems, Indian businesses need to comply with international standards like ASHRAE Standard 16, ISO 5149, ARI Standard 1100 and EN 13537, and obtain certifications like CE mark, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark, Canadian Standards Association (CSA) mark and Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) mark,” Sekhani says. “They can also navigate compliance complexities by working with consultants, training employees and maintaining records.

Building relationships with foreign buyers, participating in trade fairs, utilising online platforms and delivering excellent customer service are additional strategies to enhance export success.”

Mate says the export market for HVACR products in India is flourishing due to several key drivers, such as China’s diminished reputation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created opportunities for Indian manufacturers to expand their market presence. He adds that India’s application-focused manufacturing approach, coupled with

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India

the adaptability of Indian engineers to international standards, is bolstering its competitiveness. Mate says strong Government support, including incentives and assistance from organisations, like the Federation of Indian Exports, is further strengthening the industry. In addition, he says, Indian HVAC exporters are increasingly targeting emerging markets in Africa, capitalising on the region’s diverse opportunities. “The economic challenges and localised manufacturing have diminished the appeal of European markets,” he says.

“The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remain pivotal markets for Indian HVAC exporters.”

Adding to the discussion, Murthy says Indian manufacturers of chillers, VRF units, air-handling units and data centre air conditioners are increasingly finding opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. This growth, he says, can be attributed to India’s manufacturing capabilities and product quality, which now meet global standards. “In response to the demand in the Indian market, certified products have been long sought after,” Murthy says. “AHRI and Eurovent are two internationally recognised

institutions that have been operating in India for many years, and they provide certifications for various HVAC and refrigeration products, with AHRI certifying various products and Eurovent primarily focusing on air-handling units (AHUs). These certifications ensure that HVAC and refrigeration products meet the standards required by the countries where they are exported, facilitating access to markets that mandate certified product imports.”

For his part, Singh says Indian businesses aiming to navigate the complexities of compliance in the international HVACR market can take several strategic steps. He says these include seeking expert guidance, conducting rigorous testing and certification processes in collaboration with accredited laboratories, maintaining comprehensive documentation of compliance, partnering with experienced export counterparts, and staying wellinformed about evolving international standards and regulations. He further says that these measures will collectively facilitate smoother access to global markets and ensure adherence to the necessary product import requirements.

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FEBRUARY 6-8

POST-EVENT REPORT Refroid Immersion Cooling Solution Conference

IMMERSIVE T EXPERIENCE Refroid Conference highlights increasing importance of immersion cooling systems with enhanced Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and explores the future of data centres and sustainable energy management

By Indu Revikumar, Features Writer, Climate Control Middle East

HE REFROID IMMERSION COOLING Solution Conference, on September 21 in Dubai, and organised by a consortium comprising AG Engineering, Lexzander, Refroid, 2CRSI, and Noorvia, discussed the evolving landscape of data centre cooling.

The conference highlighted the increasing importance of immersion cooling systems with enhanced Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and explored the future of data centres and sustainable energy management. Moreover, the discussions were driven by the rising demand for expanded storage

L-R: Mahmoud Qammaz, Sathik Batcha, Srikanth Kanduri, Alain Wilmouth, Nirmal Menon, Elie Al Chami, Ehab Ibrahim, C V Ramana Murthy, Jeán van Loggerenberg, V Sekhar Reddy, and Muhammad Naveed Saeed, who joined the conference virtually

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October-November 2023

capacity, fuelled by digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and related technologies.

V Sekhar Reddy, Managing Director, Lexzander, kicked off the discussions by sharing an overview of the conference and emphasising the importance of addressing energy generation and consumption for sustainable energy management. He said the conference underlines how next-generation data centres can enhance sustainability by reducing consumption and improving data input efficiency.

Furthermore, Reddy said that with the rise of artificial intelligence and digital solutions, there is a growing need for cost-effective, sustainable, energy-efficient data centres, and the objective of the conference is to address this and offer a ground-breaking solution.

Reddy said: “The objective is to create carbon-neutral data centres that are cost-effective and well-coordinated. Moreover, we [as a consortium] aim to provide end-to-end solutions, including software engineering, construction management, and more, and the critical elements of our approach will include anticipating challenges, realistic project forecasting, and maximising efficiency and return on investment.

Additionally, Reddy provided insights into the consortium, shedding light on its role and contributions.

He said the companies that are part of the consortium will offer comprehensive, costeffective solutions and services, such as feasibility studies, risk management, design, procurement, construction, testing and maintenance. Reddy pointed out that there are nuanced benefits of collaborating with the consortium, which recognises the importance of energy management in today’s world. The consortium, he said, would mean unified systems, integrated solutions,

‘With rising demand for computing power, traditional methods of power management won’t suffice’ The consensus is that advanced solutions, like immersion cooling, are necessary to meet these escalating requirements

O

NE of the highlights of the Refroid Immersion Cooling Solution Conference, organised by the consortium comprising AG Engineering, Lexzander, Refroid, 2CRSI and Noorvia, was a panel discussion on emerging technologies in the domain of data centre cooling. Moderated

by V Sekhar Reddy, Managing Director, Lexzander, it featured C V Ramana Murthy, Managing Director, Al Moyyed International; Jeán van Loggerenberg, Partner, CKR Consulting Engineers; Muhammad Naveed Saeed, Vice President, Global Service Management; Ehab Ibrahim, Regional Director, Meinhardt Group; Elie Al Chami, Director, Business Development, Uptime Institute; Sathik Batcha, Senior Vice President – Electrical, AG Engineering & Power; Srikanth Kanduri, CEO & Co-Founder, Refroid Technologies Private Limited; Alain Wilmouth, CEO, 2CRSi; Mahmoud Qammaz, Senior Vice President – Mechanical, AG Engineering & Power and Nirmal Menon, Director – Channel and Sales, Noorvia.

Naveed Saeed, who joined the conference virtually, said data centre technologies and lifecycles are in a phase of evolution, especially in the Middle East, but this trend is observable worldwide. Data centres, he said, are rapidly evolving, growing denser and facing increasing regulatory demands that must be carefully balanced by the teams responsible for their design, operation, construction and ownership. He said that these demands encompass aspects like efficiency, sustainability, total cost of ownership and data security. Furthermore, he said, engineers are pushing previously unchallenged boundaries, and some of the technological innovations influenced by data centre engineers are also making strides in commercial cooling. He said: “This technology promises to deliver significantly improved efficiency, even in regions with extreme temperatures, such as the Middle East, where average temperatures can reach as high as 48 degrees Celsius.

This signifies a crucial effort to bring sustainability to future data centre designs, focusing on practical and implementable solutions, even in areas with limited water resources and high temperatures.”

Al Chami said, “The surge of new technologies, such as AI and blockchain, puts data centres under huge pressure to increase the computing capacity and load capacity per cabinet.” Ibrahim, sharing a consultancy perspective, said: “I believe that addressing these two crucial aspects has been a long-awaited endeavour, and we currently encounter challenges, particularly in regions where power infrastructure and high-density labs for data centres are lacking. It’s clear that the system [immersion cooling] still faces certain obstacles.” Therefore, he said,

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POST-EVENT REPORT Refroid Immersion Cooling Solution Conference

Mahmoud Qammaz

Prakasha Rudrappa and Sathik Batcha

Jacob John

Srikanth Kanduri

Alain Wilmouth

V Sekhar Reddy

Andrew Schumer

Nirmal Menon

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October-November 2023

energy efficiency and a focus on sustainability beyond just data centres.

Andrew Schumer, CTO, 7Ci, making the Keyonte Address, gave an overview of the energy landscape in the GCC region, the challenges, and the need for sustainable and reliable energy projects. Speaking on the topic, ‘Powering up: Technological Innovations for Energy Efficiency and Reliability in the GCC region’, Schumer underlined the substantial energy consumption in the GCC region, driven by factors like population growth and a need for a high-quality life.

Schumer emphasised the critical intersection of technology and energy consumption in fields like Bitcoin mining and blockchain technology. Furthermore, pointing to the challenges in the GCC region relating to implementing renewable energy sources, he highlighted the importance of technological innovations.

He said they are essential to improve the efficiency of energy production, transmission and distribution, reduce waste and increase the use of renewable energy sources.

Schumer’s presentation also delved into emerging technologies, such as solar power, hydrogen, smart grids, and the role of AI and automation in efficient energy management while underscoring the significance of energy efficiency in various sectors. He further said government initiatives in the UAE could be crucial in promoting technological innovations for energy efficiency and reliability in the GCC region. The government, he said, can provide funding, incentives and regulatory frameworks to encourage the adoption of innovative technologies. Moreover, he said, the UAE government’s commitment to sustainability, and various initiatives and incentives for energy efficiency,

consultants, professionals and solution providers worldwide are responsible for collaborating and working towards comprehensive solutions in these areas. Al Chami said immersion cooling is a matter of great interest, adding that stakeholders are eager to embark on the journey of innovation in power infrastructure and data centre expansion. Ibrahim said: “I anticipate numerous discussions to explore potential solutions and overcome the challenges. We are enthusiastic about engaging with our partners and colleagues to develop a holistic and effective solution for the entire system.”

Murthy said that while the main discussion revolves around immersion cooling solutions, it’s essential to understand that the demand for these solutions comes from diverse sectors like finance, healthcare, government and businesses, as these sectors increasingly require high computing power for their services. He spoke of a need for efficient solutions capable of handling heavy workloads to meet this demand. “Immersion cooling,” he said, “whether customised or standardised, addresses these growing needs.

With the rising demand for computing power, traditional methods of power management won’t suffice. Advanced solutions, like immersion cooling, are necessary to meet these escalating requirements.”

In the latter half of the panel discussion, Reddy posed questions to the members of the consortium through a structured Q&A session. Excerpts…

Reddy: What is it about Refroid that you feel makes it better than your competitors?

Kanduri: When assembling our immersion cooling system, we addressed various concerns regarding coolant management and safety, and we opted for a single-phase system to ensure that water remains far from the IT equipment, enhancing user confidence. This choice was deliberate, as we wanted to avoid using harmful chemicals associated with two-phase dielectric coolants. Moreover, our selection is centred on sustainability and eco-friendliness, and our system has been fine-tuned accordingly. These key points highlight our differentiation from competitors.

Reddy: What are your thoughts on the consortium approach? Where do you perceive its strengths? How do you view the collaborative effort that has been meticulously developed over the past year and is now being implemented? What advantages does this collective culture bring?

Qammaz: At AGI (Al Ghurair Investment), we prioritise innovation and sustainability, with a strong focus on the MSSQL system. Moreover, as data centre pioneers, we have extensively researched machine cooling systems. We offer a one-stop solution through the consortium to address past client challenges like information gaps and coordination issues. Clients can provide their data centre details, and we will handle design, execution, testing and coordination, delivering a certified, Uptime-guaranteed data centre. Our immersion cooling system also has an impressive PUE of around 1.05.

Reddy: How does the Refroid Pod align with customer requirements in various scenarios, whether they lean towards green, brown or hybrid solutions? In situations where data centres demand has increased storage capacity, where the footprint significantly influences investor returns and the need for faster ROI, how does your product and approach address these challenges?

Wilmouth: Refroid excels in listening to its customers, a crucial factor in any industry; by understanding market needs and consistently delivering, it establishes itself as a reliable long-term partner. Refroid has developed a wide range of products and launched essential products tailored for the

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POST-EVENT REPORT Refroid Immersion Cooling Solution Conference are addressing challenges like the skills gap and cultural barriers. He concluded his speech by discussing the future of data centres, stressing the shift towards distributed data centres and IoT networks and their potential application in data-intensive tasks.

Speaking after Schumer and giving the Plenary Address, Jacob John, CEO, Construction & Services, Al Ghurair Investment (AGI), shared a detailed overview of the various verticals of AGI. John spoke on the Group’s initiatives and showcased AGI’s data centre and District Cooling projects. John highlighted AGI’s involvement in the construction of data centres. He also discussed the challenges associated with data centre construction, including the need for substantial power and infrastructure. He spoke of how AGI offers comprehensive solutions, such as data centre construction, highvoltage power substations and District Cooling plants, with a fast-track approach and commitment to uptime and safety standards.

In the latter half of his Plenary Address, John was joined on stage

by Prakasha Rudrappa, Executive Vice President, AG Engineering & Power and by Sathik Batcha, Senior Vice President- Electrical, AG Engineering & Power, who gave a detailed overview of the core solutions offered by the company in the domains of data centre design, execution and maintenance. Batcha said the solutions encompass the entire data centre lifecycle – from design to maintenance. He spoke of how the company boasts a substantial workforce, along with the necessary licences and certifications. He further said the final phase of a project – testing and commissioning – is vital for ensuring data centre functionality, capacity and seamless integration.

In their presentation, Rudrappa and Batcha also outlined AGI’s approach to data centre design, encompassing concept design, schematic design and construction phases. Batcha said that collaboration with leading data centre designers was a highlight of AGI’s approach, where the emphasis was on

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October-November 2023

the importance of involving the project team and conducting walkthroughs to ensure a deep understanding of the design intent. Rudrappa and Batcha concluded their presentation by underlining the significance of coordination and accessibility during installation, which is crucial for facility maintainability and certifications and for shaping the future of the data centre landscape.

While the first few presentations of the day delved into the various aspects of data centres, ranging from the current landscape to the need for emerging technologies in ensuring sustainability in energy management, the presentation by Srikanth Kanduri discussed in detail the workings of the Refroid pod and sustainable cooling solutions for data centres. Kanduri, CEO and Co-founder of Refroid Technologies Private Limited, began by discussing the diverse portfolio of Refroid, including electrical switch gears, air conditioners and transport applications and by pointing out how this product portfolio complements the company’s expertise in electrical equipment for data centres. A significant highlight of his presentation was the part in which he discussed the challenges associated with traditional data centre cooling and the advantages of immersion cooling.

Kanduri said some challenges include high OPEX, low or medium rack intensities, increased water usage and significant CO2 emissions. He further elaborated on the advantages of immersion cooling while pointing out that the technology dates back to the 1950s but has seen recent innovations.

The advantages of immersion cooling, he said, include superior heat dissipation capabilities, lower water usage, reduced power requirements, compact server arrangements, improved IT hardware life, efficient operation at higher temperatures and up to 95% reduction in cooling power. In his presentation, Kanduri also introduced the EcoPod, MiniPod and ISOpod and said the key components of an immersion cooling system include pods, cooling

distribution units, and the dielectric liquid. He concluded his presentation by underlining immersion cooling as an efficient and sustainable cooling solution for data centres, highlighting its advantages, components and potential benefits for the industry.

He said adopting the technology aligns with the response to evolving computing needs and environmental concerns.

Joining the discussions, Nirmal Menon, Director - Channel and Sales, Noorvia, underlined how disruptive technologies can be leveraged to drive business growth. Menon also gave an overview of Noorvia and said the company works to engage various stakeholders in the technology ecosystem, including system integrators, consultants, end-users and channel partners. The company, he said, aims to provide opportunities for testing disruptive technologies in real time to showcase their value.

Furthermore, Menon delved into the importance of disruptive technologies in various sectors, including high-performance computing, edge computing, enterprise cloud, and blockchain and crypto mining. He said these technologies are expected to bring benefits, such as increased processing power, reduced energy consumption and quicker project implementation.

Menon also said Noorvia offers valueadded services, such as training and certification, consultancy, softwaredefined data centres and third-party logistics. He also pointed out the importance of events and conferences in the GCC region to promote sustainability and collaboration among stakeholders.

Alain Wilmouth, CEO, 2CRSi, delivered the last technical presentation of the day, in which he underlined the need for a shift in the data centre industry due to increasing demands for computing power and the challenges related to energy consumption and sustainability. He said reducing power consumption through using innovative technologies, like immersion cooling is essential to

address the challenges confronting the data centre industry. In addition, Wilmouth addressed the data centre industry’s evolving needs with innovative sustainability efforts and power-efficient server solutions and said 2CRSi explores ways to reuse heat generated by data centres,

such as providing hot water and distributing excess heat to nearby buildings. He further said his company aim to contribute to sustainability by generating electricity from solar farms and using hydrogen boilers for data centres. His presentation also delved into the potential benefits

rapidly growing edge cloud market. This adaptability and foresight sets it apart. Another significant advantage is the competitive pricing. Unlike some manufacturers who raise prices excessively, Refroid maintains affordability while delivering quality. It understands that total savings from cooling systems must exceed tank costs to be truly beneficial.

Furthermore, Refroid’s approach includes offering tank leasing options, allowing customers to see immediate savings, often around 60% in just one month. This financing flexibility makes adopting the technology more accessible and attractive to investors. Additionally, Refroid’s immersion technology and data centre designs, requiring minimal AC, significantly reduce data centre costs, ultimately benefiting investors.

Moreover, it’s essential to note that high-end solutions, while impressive, are only necessary for some. Refroid aims t\o cover 85% of the market’s needs, making the technology accessible and practical to many businesses. This inclusivity is crucial for the industry’s success and aligns with the interests of consulting and technical professionals who rely on versatile solutions.

Reddy: As one of the team leads, how do you plan to guide the consulting team when clients prefer conventional systems but need encouragement to explore emotional innovation?

Batcha: Our purpose at AG Engineering is to enhance lives and continually pursue improvement, and we recognise that immersion cooling systems are advancing, thanks to insights like those stated by Wilmouth on cost. However, these discussions should occur on a project-by-project basis, considering factors such as project capacity, location and purpose. By approaching these qualities holistically, we can better assess costs. As contractors, we believe consultants must specify the system’s speed to facilitate smooth implementation. This collaborative process helps ensure a successful first step.

Reddy: Considering your experience with 2CRSi and your extensive footprint throughout the GCC region, how do you envision addressing key components and maintainability in this initiative?

Menon: Only some people require an immersion solution initially, and it’s crucial to acknowledge this from the start to meet each client’s specific needs.

In addition, it is also essential to understand that only some things fit the same formula. We primarily

of disaggregated data centres and edge computing for more efficient computing power distribution. His presentation underlined the increasing power demands of modern GPUs, especially for AI applications and emphasised the need for more energyefficient solutions.

address a niche market where immersion cooling is the only viable option, especially for high-density requirements. This might sound aggressive, but it aligns with the reality of the situation. Additionally, for those expanding, whether in hyperscale or co-location, it’s advisable to prepare for the future, even if we can’t impose it on them.

The next session of the panel discussion featured another round of Q&A in which the members of the panel representing the public sector, consultants and end users asked questions to the members of the consortium. The discussions revolved around several key topics such as standards for certification when implementing the immersion cooling solution in data centres, especially considering the mentioned advantages and Uptime certification; efficiency, redundancy and reliability of an immersion cooling system potentially used in data centres; the design and reliability of immersion cooling systems in data centres, emphasising the system’s success, particularly in avoiding leaks, handling maintenance and replacements, and ensuring uptime and electrical connectivity; limitations and energy inefficiencies of conventional cooling systems in data centres, and the need for immersion cooling due to its efficiency in reducing energy consumption and heat generation; and the challenges in achieving a complete transition to immersion cooling, especially in regions with existing infrastructure. Furthermore, the discussion touched on various topics, including data centres and high-performance computing; challenges and considerations involved in brownfield retrofitting; comparison between data centre projects in terms of cost, capacity and technology; future computing demands; and the need to consider vertical expansion in data centres.

The panel discussion ended with the consortium members responding to questions from members of the audience. Some major highlights of this session included the discussions around converting additional façades into immersion cooling without changing the surface; a brownfield retrofitting scenario; the need for compatibility of hardware components with immersion cooling systems; certifications and standards related to data centre design and operation; the importance of resilience and concurrent maintainability in immersion cooling systems; and the need for redundancy, environmental impact, and the adoption of immersion cooling in different regions, including Asia and Africa. – IR

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MARKET FEATURE

Adiabatic cooling

WATER AS A REFRIGERANT

A new Indirect/Direct Evaporation Cooling (IDEC) approach makes it possible to achieve a more profound cooling effect than traditional adiabatic approaches, while reducing humidity levels by up to 70%, Oxycom says

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October-November 2023

No legionella The new system takes legionella out of the equation, Foekens says. Legionella occurs in aerosols, but in the new system, no aerosols are released, he says. The water evaporates from the surface of the heat exchanger. There are simply no droplets released, so there are no aerosols that can spread through the air stream.

T

HERE is a touch of disbelief when Kor Foekens, Commercial Director at Oxycom, says: “Installers still exhibit a degree of caution when considering adiabatic cooling. The unfamiliar often breeds scepticism.” He goes on to say that installers may not be sufficiently acquainted with the system or its suitable applications. Additionally, there exist several misconceptions surrounding adiabatic cooling, he says.

“There is a misconception that it creates a sub-tropical indoor environment that is neither sustainable nor hygienic, potentially leading to Legionella infections,” he says. “Moreover, there is a belief that adiabatic cooling is expensive, intricate and ineffective in humid conditions. We aim to clarify that none of these assumptions are accurate.”

Adiabatic cooling, also known as evaporative cooling, involves the cooling of air through the process of water evaporation. Foekens says this method, though centuries old, remains relatively unknown to many installers, despite its simplicity. In today’s world, the focus is on exploring innovative approaches to minimise the environmental impact associated with traditional cooling methods as the world strives to reduce carbon emissions.

Foekens says it has been possible to innovate on existing adiabatic cooling technology. He says the innovation offers remarkable energy savings, cutting down on energy consumption and CO2 emissions by as much as 90% in comparison to conventional air conditioners. Addressing a limitation of traditional adiabatic cooling technology,

loss of valuable food items, among other concerns. The new system is positioned in front of existing condensers, effectively reducing air temperature by up to 25 degrees C. This results in a remarkable reduction in energy consumption, up to 40%, and an enhancement in cooling capability of up to 20%. The new system, Foekens says, can be applied in supermarket chains and in energy-intensive data centres, significantly lowering their substantial energy consumption.

Higher productivity and comfort cooling

which often faced challenges with humidity management, is a new Indirect/ Direct Evaporation Cooling (IDEC) approach, with which it is possible to achieve a more profound cooling effect of up to 7 degrees C while reducing humidity levels by up to 70%. Foekens says the technology is exceptionally efficient, generating up to 695 kWh of cooling power by evaporating just 1 m3 of water. This results in savings on energy costs and CO2 emissions of approximately 90% compared to conventional air conditioning methods.

Notably, the new adiabatic cooling system scales its cooling capacity in response to rising temperatures, he says. As the mercury climbs, the system delivers progressively greater cooling power, ensuring optimal performance when it is needed the most, he adds.

Foekens says that when temperatures continue to rise, the cooling capacity of current cooling systems becomes inadequate, resulting in operational issues and the potential

The cooling of buildings and production halls is becoming increasingly important, Foekens says, adding that summers are getting hotter and hotter. “When it gets hot in the working environment, it affects people,” Foekens says.

“Productivity drops, and employees start making mistakes. If the temperature and humidity are right, it’s more pleasant to work. Foekens says that Oxycom, in cooperation with Dosan, installed the new system in three of the newly built stores of eXtra in Saudi Arabia. It proved to be a good solution for highly efficient, sustainable comfort cooling at 54% net cost savings, he says. With outdoor temperatures reaching 43 degrees C, the average supply temperature remained around 12 degrees C, he says. The fresh air, along with low energy consumption, was key for eXtra in this project, he says, adding that eXtra understands what kind of impact fresh air can have on employee productivity and customer satisfaction.

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

GUEST COLUMN Inside-Out

“WIN-WIN OR NO DEAL” Fair budgets, timely payments and equitable contracts are indispensable in the quest for better building performance, says Omnia Halawani

I

n his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R Covey emphasises the importance of seeking mutually beneficial solutions for interactions in general. The concept of “win-win, or no deal” is a principle he highlights in Habit No. 4: Think Win-Win. Any arrangement other than the one that benefits all parties involved would ultimately be detrimental to all parties or at least one of them, resulting eventually in failed relationships, discontinued partnerships, and crippled success.

I was contemplating this concept in the business context and specifically against the backdrop of the difficulties and challenges the construction industry ecosystem is facing. Fair budgets, timely payments and equitable contracts are central to the path of success. And those three elements are at the core of a win-win agreement.

By exploring the nuanced benefits and challenges of these principles, I aim to interpret how adopting them can cultivate an environment conducive to excellence and innovation in the construction sector.

Fair budgets The first core element this article explores is fair and comfortable budgets. Comfortable budgets do not, by any means, imply over budgeting, but rather a budget comfortable enough to provide a highquality service and accommodating reasonable profit margins. Budgets allocated for projects should strike a balance between financial prudence and enabling quality construction.

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Healthy financial metrics form the cornerstone of any successful project delivery model. From a service provider’s point of view, they enable the assembly of a team of experienced professionals, enhancing the capability to provide exceptional value to clients and the capacity to provide insightful recommendations and strategic guidance.

In practice, while it’s natural for clients to seek cost savings, limiting budgets to the extent that minimises or diminishes profit margins will undoubtedly impact service levels, innovation and the room for flexibility.

Reduced budgets translate into one of two scenarii: Compromised team experience levels or reduced resources, both of which would undoubtedly affect projects in term of delays, diminished quality and higher risks. Not only do unrealistically squeezed budgets affect service level, but they also reduce the capacity to invest in innovative solutions, hampering the industry’s potential to benefit from novel solutions that could significantly benefit the project and the client in the short term and in the long run. Finally, and perhaps the most evident impact, is that constrained budgets with no provisions for contingencies hinder the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. In an industry that is inherently dynamic with evolving client requirements, this flexibility is required; the lack of it regularly results in conflicts and, eventually, unsatisfied clients on one hand and a resources-exhausted service provider on the other.

Omnia Halawani may be contacted at omnia@grfn.global.

It is, hence, essential for clients to recognise the delicate balance between budget constraints and service expectations. Transparent communication between clients and consultancies is crucial to align expectations, explore cost-saving alternatives and to ensure that budget reductions do not inadvertently impede the project’s success.

Timely payments Timely payments form another crucial facet of the ‘win-win or no deal’ philosophy. This principle highlights the importance of ensuring a steady cash flow within the construction ecosystem. Unhealthy cashflows undoubtfully have a ripple effect throughout the projects and can potentially hinder progress and overall delivery.

Bolstering cash-flow management allows service providers to invest in resources and maintain the expected professional skill force. It is vital for service providers to continue investing in the expertise of their team members, access essential resources and to stay technologically up-to-date. These elements are essential for offering comprehensive and insightful services to address the clients’ needs and project requirements. Additionally,

healthy cashflows mitigate financial uncertainty, enabling stakeholders to manage and plan resources effectively.

It is also essential to clarify the responsibilities regarding project financing. The financial planning of construction projects inherently lies with the client, as they are the ultimate stakeholders and beneficiaries of the project’s outcomes. Clients are responsible for securing the necessary funding, ensuring that budgets are aligned with project requirements, and for managing cash flow in a manner that enables payments to be made to all project participants, including consultants and contractors. By acknowledging and fulfilling these

responsibilities, clients can foster a harmonious project environment, ensuring that consultants and contractors can focus on delivering excellence without undue financial burden or delays.

Equitable contracts Fair contracts constitute a recurring topic and an unwavering requirement for a healthy relationship among stakeholders. I identify them here as the third pillar for a win-win approach.

Prioritising equitable relationships among parties and outlining conflictresolution mechanisms are the route to minimising the likelihood of costly legal battles.

Fair contracts encourage the formation of long-term partnerships, driving collaborative efforts towards shared project goals. They also establish a level playing field, promoting trust and cooperation among project participants. There is no doubt that equitable contracts are those that recognise the obligations and rights of each party without maximising the superiority of one party over the other. They also provide a structured framework for addressing conflicts. Unfortunately, it is not foreign to encounter contracts where clients reserve significant leverage in drafted contracts that leave consultants and contractors with limited recourse in the event of conflicts. These contracts, while aiming to protect the interests of clients, sometimes create an imbalance that can be challenging to rectify, should disagreements or disputes arise during the project’s lifecycle.

Conclusion The ripple effect stemming from the ‘win-win or no deal’ philosophy is profound, shifting the industry from a stressful, cost-driven model to one that fosters innovation and excellence.

The industry’s boundaries are pushed forward, and the reduced stress levels result in better project management, contributing to successful quality projects and overall satisfied clients.

While I focused this article mostly on the service provider’s point of view, it is vital to examine it from the viewpoint of other stakeholders: Contractors, suppliers and the remaining stakeholders in the construction ecosystem.

It is equally important to highlight that the responsibility to reach this favourable environment lies on the shoulders of all stakeholders. I remind myself before everyone else that it is time to embark on the path of ‘win-win or no deal’ for sustainable progress.

CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this column, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here.

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33

REGIONAL

NEWS

SCAN FOR MORE NEWS STORIES AND EVENT UPDATES

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION

UAE appreciates consensus of GCC region countries to ratify Kigali Amendment The consensus takes into consideration the unified position of the GCC region, the UAE Government says

By CCME Content Team

T

HE UNITED Arab Emirates has expressed its appreciation of the consensus reached by GCC region nations to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. Making the announcement through a Press release, the UAE Government said the consensus takes into consideration the unified position of the GCC region and the annexe to the mechanisms for ratifying the Kigali Amendment.

The Press release said the consensus came during the participation of H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE, in the 25th meeting of the GCC Region committee of the ministers responsible for climate and environment affairs. The meeting, the release said, was hosted by the Sultanate of Oman in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.

Addressing the meeting, H.E. Almheiri said: “The phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) is one of the most important topics we have been discussing over the past years, and to reach a consensus. Our cooperation has yielded results, and the UAE applauds the agreement to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The UAE also hopes to work to speed up the ratification process with the GCC nations.”

H.E. Almheiri further said reaching the consensus highlights the commitment of the nations in the GCC region to reducing emissions and mitigating the effect of climate change.

The release also said that she invited all ministers and officials to attend the upcoming COP28 Conference in the UAE, which will have a significant impact on showcasing the region’s stature in promoting global climate action.

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The UAE Government said the Kigali Amendment will help curb up to 0.4 degrees C of global warming in this century while continuing to protect the ozone layer, and the amendment will substantively contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Additionally, the release said, HFCs are organic compounds frequently used as refrigerants in air conditioners and other devices as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol. While HFCs, the release said, do not deplete the ozone layer, they are highly potent greenhouse gases with global warming potential three times higher than carbon dioxide.

The release said the agenda of the meeting included sessions on several key themes, such as the environmental landscape and trends in the GCC region countries, the decision regarding nontariff restrictions on the environment, the decisions of the Ministerial Council at its 154th session to establish a Gulf Pavilion at COP28, other strategic plans of the Committee and the Gulf Environmental Portal.

The participants in the meeting also discussed cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the need to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, as well as the Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and their Natural Habitats in the GCC region countries, the 16th Conference of the parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and how to strengthen cooperation between the GCC region countries and other nations, the release further said.

The release further said the resolutions made at the meeting include:

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•

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•

•

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•

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Assigning specialised committees within the GCC region to measure the implementation of the environmental guidelines by all the member states.

Committing to provide full support to the Middle East Green Initiative, as underlined by the Supreme Council of the GCC region during its 42nd session.

Promoting collaboration with the General Secretariat to share initiatives in combating climate change and to highlight them at the General Secretariat’s pavilion at COP28, from November 30 to December 12.

Continuing to host seminars, conferences and workshops at the national level, specifically aligned with the strategic plan of the Ministerial Committee.

Conducting regular meetings with environmental and media experts in the GCC region countries.

Approving the GCC region’s position and annexe regarding implementing the United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution (5/14) on ending plastic pollution, including marine plastic pollution, “towards a legally binding instrument”.

Approving the unified system on substances depleted of the ozone layer by the GCC region countries.

Approving a unified Gulf position and annexe regarding the mechanisms for ratifying the Kigali Amendments to the Montreal Protocol.

Announcing the consensus of GCC region countries on ratifying the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

// REGIONAL NEWS

ELIPS, a subsidiary of Empower, celebrates its 15th anniversary Empower says ELIPS has completed over 200 projects inside and outside the UAE

By CCME Content Team

E

MIRATES Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) announced the qualitative industrial achievements over the past 15 years recorded by ELIPS, a subsidiary of Empower.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Empower said ELIPS has produced and supplied pre-insulated pipes exceeding 720 kilometres to more than 300 customers from the local and international markets during the tenure. ELIPS, Empower added, has also completed over 200 projects inside and outside the UAE. Empower said the announcement of the results of ELIPS aligns with the 15th anniversary of the commencement of ELIPS’ operations in its facility in Jebel Ali, Dubai.

The achievements, Empower said, put ELIPS at the forefront of preinsulated pipes manufacturers as the only company in the Middle East using carbon emission-free materials to produce pre-insulated pipes and fittings. In recognition of its environmentally friendly practices, Empower added, ELIPS has received various international certificates,

H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar

notably the ISO certifications in Occupational Health and Safety (ISO45001), the Environmental Management System (ISO14001), and the Quality Management System

(ISO9001). Empower further said ELIPS has also achieved the EuroHeat & Power certification, which is granted in accordance with the guidelines for evaluating the quality of pipes, in addition to renewing its commitment to the specifications of the European International Network for District Cooling and Heating.

H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, Chairman, ELIPS, said: “During the past 15 years, ELIPS has expanded its reach to several markets, including Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt. Moreover, it has moved forward steadily to consolidate the brand’s reputation in producing and supplying pre-insulated pipes that primarily serve District Cooling projects.”

H.E. Bin Shafar further said ELIPS is driven by great ambitions and is determined to become the first and largest pre-insulated pipes provider for all District Cooling companies and the companies operating in the oil and gas sector in the region.

Empower said that based in the Jebel Ali Industrial Area, ELIPS’ factory covers an area of approximately one million square feet and leverages the latest roboticsbased manufacturing technologies.

Furthermore, the District Cooling utility provider said, ELIPS produces pre-insulated pipes and fittings with specifications that fully comply with the standards of energy efficiency to meet the needs of District Cooling, oil and gas industries and marine and industrial installations.

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// REGIONAL NEWS

Amantra FM announces partnership with AtmosAir Company says it aims to achieve optimal Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) using bi-polar ionisation technology

By CCME Content Team

A

MANTRA FM, a facilities management company, announced a partnership with US-headquartered AtmosAir, indoor air quality technology provider and its authorised reseller, Circulus, a managed office solutions company. Making the announcement through a Press release, Amantra FM said the strategic partnership makes Amantra Middle East the authorised distributor and promoter of AtmosAir’s bi-polar ionisation technology, which, AtmosAir claims, has a pathogen reduction rate of up to 99% in indoor environments.

Amantra FM said it has been a proponent of good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in the Middle East, and its advocacy draws upon the growing incidences of sickbuilding syndrome (SBS) and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases linked to poor IAQ in residential and commercial facilities worldwide. Considering humans spend 90% of their lives indoors, on an average, the company said, and a person in a closed room can add about 37 million bacteria to the air every hour, solutions that can demonstrably optimise IAQ are the need of the hour.

Sangeetha B, CEO, Amantra FM, said: “Indoor environments can be a cesspool of contaminants and pathogens, yet seem clean and liveable to the naked eye. As a result, contaminated indoors have been silent killers since time immemorial. The market is rife with stop-gap solutions that reactively combat pathogens that have already contaminated indoor spaces.

Conversely, bi-polar ionisation technology neutralises contaminants at the source, such as HVAC inlets and ducts, before they can cause any harm indoors.

This proactive approach to optimising IAQ, combined with the solution’s interoperability with existing HVAC systems, has remarkable implications for public health, utility costs, and sustainability in the Middle East.”

The facilities management company said that charged ions in AtmosAir’s

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October-November 2023

L-R: Syed A Rehman, Peter Kenny and Sangeetha B

proprietary technology actively seek out pathogens at the source and eliminate them, thereby mimicking Nature’s way of cleansing air outdoors. Moreover, Amantra FM said it can be retrofitted in relatively old facilities where chances of contamination are high. The company further said that the IoT-based integration allows owners or operators to understand and visualise the complex relationship between HVAC systems, occupant safety, energy consumption, and operational costs.

Peter Kenney, CEO, Circulus, said: “Facilities must proactively rid the indoor environments of pathogens while reducing energy usage and associated carbon emissions — an integrated approach built on social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainability. We have championed that vision through bi-polar ionisation, which, as per documented results, saves up to 30% on HVAC energy costs and reduces up to eight per cent on entire utility expenses. Combined with optimal IAQ, such possibilities can help facilities comply with LEED and WELL, among other building standards. We are glad to partner with Amantra FM to make that vision a reality in the Middle East.”

Syed A. Rehman, SVP, Circulus, said: “The multi-fold benefits from bi-polar ionisation complement the ESG trajectory companies are taking today. Moreover, AtmosAir has observed improvements in IAQ and

occupant productivity levels in large hospitals, stadiums, building portfolios, warehouses, etc., while working in unison with AI-driven solutions optimising energy consumption and reducing GHG emissions.”

The release said facility management teams and owners could determine the feasibility of bi-polar ionisation in their buildings by responding to a questionnaire presented by AtmosAir in conjunction with Amantra FM. A certified AtmosAir team, the company said, will subsequently conduct an onsite inspection, after which a proposal is presented. After client approval, installation schedules are discussed, followed by production go-live, and stakeholders can monitor the systems round-the-clock and accurately measure ROI afterwards, the company further said.

Amantra FM said the arrival of this IAQ solution in the Middle East complements the growing emphasis on “liveability” in residential and commercial buildings following the pandemic. Recent studies, the company said, have established the irrefutable correlation between good IAQ and business bottom lines. Optimal IAQ, the company said, has been linked to reduced absenteeism and employee churn in offices and increased tenant retention and rental yield in residential facilities. The company further said that the accompanying sustainability outcomes make bi-polar ionisation a potential catalyst for the broader net-zero goals in the region.

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// REGIONAL NEWS

ALEC announces appointment of Barry Lewis as CEO The company says Lewis will replace Kez Taylor, who led ALEC Group for over 22 years

By CCME Content Team

A

LEC Engineering and Contracting LLC (ALEC), a part of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), announced the appointment of Barry Lewis as its new CEO and the transition of Kez Taylor, former CEO, into an advisory position on the board as a Non-Executive Director of ALEC. Making the announcement through a Press release, ALEC said that Lewis will lead ALEC’s growth strategy with a focus on diversification into construction-adjacent lines of business, further penetration across the GCC region, including into Saudi Arabia, and expansion into new geographies.

Commenting on the change in leadership, Khalifa Al Daboos, Deputy CEO, ICD, said: “Under Taylor’s leadership, ALEC has firmly established itself as one of the leading players in the region’s construction sector. With Barry Lewis as CEO, ALEC will be led through its next phase of growth, marking a new and significant milestone in ALEC’s journey.”

“Having worked closely with Taylor

for over two decades and having expertly led ALEC’s operations, Lewis has proven himself a competent leader with a strong reputation in the industry. As CEO, I am confident that Lewis will take the company from strength to strength, maximising ALEC’s value proposition to our clients and distinguishing the group as the leading provider of world-class construction and related services in the region.”

ALEC further said it has been on a steady upward growth trajectory in recent years, and the company has recently been awarded major projects, including the Wynn Resort in Ras Al Khaimah, and has achieved a year-to-date growth in revenue of 25%. The company further said that the current work is at a record level of over AED20 billion. To effectively deliver its impressive pipeline of projects, the company said, it continues to expand its workforce of over 22,000 employees.

In addition, ALEC said the CEO transition plan has been in place for over four years, during which Barry Lewis has played a vital role in enabling these successes and

Eurovent Middle East launches HVACR Leadership Academy Association says education and training for HVACR professionals a much-felt need for achieving better energy efficiency

By CCME Content Team

E

UROVENT Middle East announced the launch of its new HVACR Leadership Academy. Making the announcement through a Press conference held at Le Meridian Beach Resort and Spa, in Dubai Marina, Eurovent Middle East said the academy is an open platform to bundle course programmes for the professional development of HVACR technicians and

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October-November 2023

engineers, considered a critical missing link between technology and energy savings in the fight for lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Eurovent Middle East said the initiative will implement certified training courses for engineers and technicians, as well as knowledge development programmes for other HVACR professionals to

Barry Lewis

will now lead the company through its “next golden phase.”

In the months ahead, ALEC said, Lewis will focus on overseeing three company-defining initiatives currently in progress — ALEC’s focused expansion into Saudi Arabia; the continued diversification and growth of its business in areas such as modular and data centre solutions; and enhancing activities at TARGET, the recently acquired subsidiary, as a leader in the Energy, Oil & Gas and Marine Industries.

Outlining his longer-term strategies, ALEC said Lewis highlighted his intentions to develop greater synergies between the Group’s multiple industryleading lines of business to create highly comprehensive and compelling value for clients. Furthermore, ALEC said, Lewis aims to nurture the company’s culture and make further investments into its people development, innovation and the adoption of digital technologies — three areas which he believes give ALEC the definitive edge when it comes to attracting the industry’s best talent and delivering key iconic projects in the region.

increase the understanding of products and technologies, standards and best practices in an industry which is crucial not only for health and comfort but whose energy footprint is rapidly growing around the world. Eurovent Middle East said it estimates that 25% energy savings can be achieved through simple preventive maintenance, 15% through better installation and 20% through better operations of HVACR equipment.

Commenting on the launch of the academy, Tariq Al Ghussein, President, Eurovent Middle East, said: “The fight for better energy efficiency to mitigate the impact on climate change is now omnipresent at all government levels. Our industry is investing heavily in better and

// REGIONAL NEWS

Johnson Controls introduces its CaaS model

OHNSON Controls unveiled its Cooling as a Service (CaaS) solution that revolutionises the traditional cooling model. Making the announcement through a Press release, Johnson Controls said the company will fully manage the cooling solution, covering the entire cooling lifecycle from equipment upgrade to ongoing operation, service and maintenance – ensuring optimal performance and customer satisfaction.

Commenting on the unveiling of the cooling solution, Mohammad Khalid, Vice President and General Manger, Middle East and Africa region, Johnson Controls, said: “With record temperatures in the region and across many parts of the globe, the launch of CaaS marks a pivotal moment – allowing businesses to quickly transform their buildings into more efficient and sustainable assets while spreading the cost of capital. Moreover, in a world where buildings contribute around 40% of global emissions from heating and cooling, upgrading equipment is key to

reducing carbon footprint and meeting sustainability targets.”

According to Johnson Controls, CaaS will offer customers a complete cooling solution, including consultancy, design, equipment installation, digital connectivity, and a full range of flexible and scalable services to suit customer requirements. The company said CaaS is suitable for new and existing facilities and can be tailored to a range of business sectors, including property management, residential, commercial offices, retail,

hospitality, and more. Johnson Controls added that as a true pay-per-use model, customers only pay for what they use to cool their premises and have full transparency over usage, performance, and efficiency. When paired with Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue platform and its cloud, edge and AI technologies, CaaS can digitally transform buildings and further enhance energy efficiency and usage, the company further said.

Devrim Tekeli, General Manager of Service for Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Johnson Controls, said: “Traditional cooling systems often entail considerable maintenance costs and the perpetual race to keep pace with evolving technologies. CaaS eliminates the barriers of upfront costs and complex maintenance requirements, making sustainable building technology more accessible and affordable for businesses. This service-oriented solution delivers consistent, eco-friendly cooling – minimising downtime and delivering tangible results. Customers can focus on their core activities while advancing toward a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.”

Khalid added: “CaaS signifies a new era in cooling technology with efficiency and environmental responsibility at the forefront. With the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 25%, this solution underscores our commitment to delivering sustainable and innovative solutions to customers throughout the region.”

more efficient products. The transition to alternative refrigerants is becoming a more pressing matter, as well. All these developments depend heavily on HVACR professionals trained and educated in new technologies. Without capacity building, we cannot achieve the sustainability targets set by national governments.”

In line with its educational initiatives, Eurovent Middle East said it has signed a cooperation agreement with the Italian training centre, Centro Studi Galileo (CSG).

The association further said that since the 1970s, CSG has been conducting training in Europe, the USA, Africa, and the Middle East and is accredited to certify HVAC/R technicians under the EU F-gas certification and the REAL Alternatives

programme, in cooperation with the consortium and the European Association of RAC contractors AREA. For his part, Marco Buoni, Managing Director, Centro Studi Galileo, said: “In the Middle East region, as globally, there is an increasing need for competence in commissioning, installing, maintaining, and repairing HVAC/R systems. CSG has been helping several GCC region countries in tight cooperation with the United Nations in setting up a national certification and training scheme through their legislation. The cooperation with Eurovent Middle East is the natural followup, and we are keen and honoured to be part of this important and needed process, thanks to this partnership”.

Furthermore, Eurovent Middle East said that another partner in the academy is Dr Iyad Al-Attar, an independent consultant specialising in indoor air quality and air filtration and a lecturer at several highly renowned universities and institutes.

During the press conference, Dr Attar said: “Raising the bar of IAQ has become a pressing issue facing our well-being and livelihood. Ultimately, the emphasis has shifted towards clean air and the methodologies that avail it.

Therefore, it is imperative to embark on professional learning journeys where science meets the industry to take air quality and filtration selections, practices and policies to the next level.”

The company says it will launch the solution in 2023 with a UAE-based customer

By CCME Content Team

J

Mohammad Khalid

www.climatecontrolme.com

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Refrigeration 2022

• All highlighted companies are paid for.

BUYERS’ GUIDE

Your reference hub to the refrigeration industry in the Middle East

// REGIONAL NEWS

Naser Al Sayer & Company LLC Nice Refrigeration Devices Ind. LLC Nucore Group Prolink Middle East FZE Qingdao Haier Biomedical Co., Ltd Qplan Refrigeration Solutions LLC Rivacold Seckin Sogutma Smart Cool Snowman By CCME Content Spectro Line TradingTeam LLC Technical & Trading LLC Tecumseh Products EG has announced that it has Thani Murshid Establishment won a contract to supply a Thermozone Technical Services fleet of W22 motors to upgrade Thermozone Technical LLC the air-handling units atServices the Al Adan Tiger Profiles & Insulation LLC Hospital, the main public general TPmec in Al Ahmadi Governorate, hospital Trade Circle Technical Industries Kuwait.

Making the announcement Transcool Refrigeration Ind.itLLC through a Press release,Devices WEG said Trimac Inc supplied W22 motors for the project, TSSC from 1.5KW to 75KW, and the starting Vacker LLC motors are designed to offer not only lower energy consumption but lower VAST Ltd Viessmann Williams Refrigeration ZANOTTI spa

Bin Dasmal General Trading Co. LLC Bureida Trading & Refrigeration Co. Cargostore Containers Carrier Middle East Limited Coldstores Group of Saudi Arabia (CGS) Continental Technical Supplies LLC Coolpoint Ref & A/C Devices Trading LLC Daikin Middle East and Africa FZE Danfoss FZCO Danlesco Gulf LLC Embuild Materials LLC EMELCO Technical Services LLC EPTA Middle East noise and vibration, higher reliability, Fawaz Refrigeration & Airconditioning Co easier maintenance and lower cost of Friterm A.S. ownership. The company further said Haste Trading the motor frame LLC is designed from cast Hengel Industries iron to provide high levels of mechanical HYDRACOOLING strength to cater for the most critical JJSR Project Consultants Privatesystems.

Limited applications — such as HVAC JK Engineering Solutions targets and With tough commercial KELVIN CONTROLS LLCthe release said, delivery requirements, Kilfrost Middle East branch was up to WEG’s Kingspan Insulated Panels motors in the challenge of supplying the hospital’s air conditioning Koldkraft Climate Technologiesunits.

Limited KTI-Plersch Kaltetechnik GmbH Leo Technical LLC Lowe Refrigeration LLC M.T.H. SRL Mercatus Naser Al Sayer & Company LLC Nice Refrigeration Devices Ind. LLC Nucore Group Qingdao Haier Biomedical Co., Ltd Qplan Refrigeration Solutions LLC Rivacold Seckin Sogutma Smart Cool Snowman Spectro Line Trading LLC Stepstone Technical Services LLC Tecumseh Products Thani Murshid Establishment

WEG Middle East supplies motors for Al Adan Hospital project in Kuwait

The company says reliable motors are essential to maintain air quality in healthcare settings

W

WALK-IN REFRIGERATORS

Abu Saeed Trading Company LLC Adearest LLC AHI Carrier FZC Al Arz Refrigeration Trading Co LLC Al Hathboor Group Al Waleed Refrigerant Gas Industry LLC Al-Ameen Dev. & Trade Co. Albwardy Engineering Alfa Laval Middle East Limited All-Rite Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Inc. Ampex Engineering Services LLC Andrews Sykes Climate Rental

Thermozone Technical Services Thermozone Technical Services LLC The release further said these Tiger Profiles & Insulation LLC units depended on SKM fans and chiller units Trade Circle Technical Industries fitted with WEG motors.

Trimac Inc Anil Kumar, Development Sales TSSC Manager-UAE, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar, Vacker LLC WEG, said: “WEG is a well-respected VAST Ltd industrial equipment supplier and Viessmann solutions provider across the entire Williams Refrigeration Middle East region. Moreover, in Kuwait, ZANOTTI spa we’re mainly known for our work in the oil and gas sector, and we’re proud WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT to continue expanding our footprint in the HVAC sector through SYSTEMS (WMSes)high-profile projects such as this one.”

Carel Industries Quality of product, Carel Middle East technical support and after-sales support, he said, were Fromfroid key to winning the prestigious project.

Stepstone Technical Services LLC Furthermore, Kumar said, WEG Technical Supplies & Services Co.worked LLC closely with SKM Air Conditioning LLC Zenatix Solutions and the contractor during the tender stage to ensure all technical details WAREHOUSES were correct and met the customer’s ABB specifications.

The system, he added, Abu Saeed Company needed to beTrading robust, reliable andLLC Adearestenough LLC powerful to heat and cool the hospital needlessly wasting Advancewithout World Group energy.

AFS Air Conditioning LLC (Air Flow Middle East) WEG also said the heating, Al-Ameen Dev. & Trade Co. ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units play a significant role in ensuring Alfa Laval Middle East Limited every spaceInc. in the clinical and nonBacharach clinical departments Baltimore Aircoil Gulfin the hospital are correct temperature are Binthe Dasmal General Tradingand Co. LLC ventilated in line with safety guidelines.

Bureida Trading & Refrigeration Co. WEG further said this is essential to Cantas Refrigeration ensure the most Carel Industries vulnerable patients are protected from East airborne illnesses and Carel Middle that temperatures around the building Coldstores Group of Saudi Arabia (CGS) are maintained to guarantee that Continental Technical Supplies LLC sensitive medical equipment does not Direct Coil INC malfunction.

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www.refrigbuyersguide.com October-November 2023

59

// REGIONAL NEWS

Empower CEO delivers keynote speech at LATAM2023 Empower says H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar underscored the importance of implementing energy-efficient solutions like District Cooling to combat climate change at the conference

By CCME Content Team

E

MIRATES Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) announced that His Excellency Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, was the keynote speaker at the District Energy Conference 2023 (LATAM2023). Making the announcement through a Press release, Empower said the conference was held under the theme, Sustainable Solutions for Latin America and the Caribbean, in the presence of representations from the Ministries of Mines & Energy and Environment & Sustainable Development in Colombia.

Empower said the opening of the conference and exhibition was attended

by His Excellency Salem Rashid Al Owais, the UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia, in addition to the representation from the Swiss Embassy in Colombia and various associations and organisations such as ACAIRE, UNIDO, UNEP, and the delegation from the International District Energy Association (IDEA) headed by Rob Thornton, President and CEO, IDEA. During the conference’s inaugural day, Empower said H.E. Bin Shafar, who is also serving as a Special Advisor on District Cooling to

the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for its District Energy in Cities initiative, participated in a panel discussion titled, A Global Perspective on Energy Districts. The discussion, Empower said, was moderated by Thomas Stetter, an International Expert on Energy Districts and Consultant to the Economic Cooperation and Development Office (SECO) at the Embassy of Switzerland in Colombia.

The District Cooling utility provider further said that the panel also featured contributions from the other panellists, representing Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) in Switzerland, Enwave in Canada, the Sustainable Energy Agency-ASE in Chile, and the Energy District Project in Colombia.

Furthermore, Empower said, H.E. Bin Shafar addressed pressing environmental challenges facing the world today during the panel discussion and underscored the critical importance of implementing energy-efficient solutions like District Cooling to combat climate change.

H.E. Bin Shafar said that as the Middle East region consumes up to

70% of its energy for space cooling in buildings, District Cooling plays a pivotal role in conserving electricity, reducing consumption by as much as 50% compared to traditional air conditioning systems. Dubai, boasting a total cooling capacity of nearly two million refrigeration tons, stands as a global exemplar in Energy District execution. The government, he added, has set an ambitious target of achieving 40% penetration for district cooling by 2030. He further said Empower stands at the forefront of contributing to Dubai’s sustainable objectives, operating over 1.5 million refrigeration tons. He also added that Empower achieves greater operational efficiency, with around 25% of district cooling water requirements met using recycled water by utilising advanced control systems and technologies.

Empower also said that H.E. Bin Shafar’s insights gathered substantial engagement from participants in the panel discussion. Addressing esteemed global leaders and decisionmakers in the district energy sector, H.E. Bin Shafar said, “Increased investment in energy systems and infrastructure as well as accelerating the pace of work is a need of the hour to transition to a low-carbon future.”

H.E. Bin Shafar further said: “It is important to continue working to expand the district energy activity in all countries of the world to enable communities to make the most of their economic, social, and health gains and to continue their efforts to protect resources, confront climate change, and create a healthy environment for future generations.”

L-R: Thomas Stetter, Willy Villasmil, H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar, Carlyle Coutinho, Rosa Riquelme and Cristina Mariaca

www.climatecontrolme.com

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// REGIONAL NEWS

Clima Uno installs 420.75 kWp solar plant in Dubai Leminar says initiative is in line with the company’s sustainability and energy-efficiency commitments

By CCME Content Team

C

LIMA UNO, manufacturer of air-handling units and fan-coil units, and the manufacturing arm of Leminar Air Conditioning Company, announced the installation of a solar plant in its manufacturing facility in Dubai Investments Park.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Clima Uno said the

420.75 kWp solar project reflects the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, energy efficiency and sustainability.

Clima Uno said it is aligned with DEWA’s (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) Shams Solar Policy and Dubai Municipality requirements, and that its new solar plant will reduce

Clima Uno is dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment, for the community and its customers.

We are ever-proud to be making a move to solar-powered manufacturing, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices, as we continue to provide the GCC region market with advanced HVAC solutions.

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October-November 2023

its carbon footprint by a whopping 275,000 kgs and result in an overall 90% of expected energy savings. The installation, the company added, will operate under the net-metering policy, with surplus energy generated during daylight hours being automatically exported to the grid for future use.

Kartik Raval, Senior General Manager, Leminar Air Conditioning Company, said: “Clima Uno is dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment, for the community and its customers. We are ever-proud to be making a move to solar-powered manufacturing, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices, as we continue to provide the GCC region market with advanced HVAC solutions.”

Speaking on the occasion, Pramodh Idicheria, COO, Leminar Global, sharing an overview of the sustainability direction of Leminar, said the total capacity of the renewable energy plants installed across the various facilities under the Al Shirawi Group of Companies is 22 megawatts. Leminar Global functions under the Al Shirawi Group of Companies.

ARABIC SPEAKING GM LOCATION: DUBAI • B.E Mechanical Engineer • UAE driving license.

• 10 to 15 years of work experience in Manufacturing, HVAC, or MEP Industry.

• At least 5 years’ experience in managing teams and in leadership roles.

• Prior experience Ventilation equipment

NOW HIRING GENERAL MANAGER ARABIC SPEAKING DIVISION MANAGER LOCATION: RIYADH • B.E Mechanical Engineer • KSA driving license, transferable Iqama/NOC. • Prior experience in the district cooling industry and heat transfer equipment of at least 8-10 years will be an added advantage • Develop new business opportunities for Plate heat exchangers, Cooling towers, Filtration system, valves and hydronic balancing solutions.and in leadership roles.

• Prior experience Ventilation equipment

SENIOR SALES ENGINEER LOCATION: JEDDAH • B.E Mechanical Engineer • KSA driving license, transferable Iqama/NOC. • Prior experience in the district cooling industry and hydroponics of at least 5-7 years will be an added advantage.

• Enhance consultants’ network and increase market share through in-depth product knowledge and solutions approach • Responsible for sales of Plate heat exchangers, Cooling towers, Filtration systems, valves, and hydronic balancing solutions.

LOCATION: DUBAI • B.E Mechanical Engineer • UAE driving license. 7 to 10 years of work experience in Insulation, manufacturing and sales.

• At least 5 years’ experience in managing teams and in leadership roles.

• Product knowledge of Sandwich Panels.

• Prior experience in managing operations, production, and supply chain.

SENIOR SALES MANAGER LOCATION: DUBAI • Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Business, or a related field (MBA is a plus).

• Proven track record in sales within the POS industry, with a minimum of [10] years in a sales management role.

• Strong technical background with in-depth knowledge of POS solutions, including hardware and software.

• Sales Strategy: Develop and implement comprehensive sales strategies specifically for POS and SCO solutions, aligning them with the company’s goals and vision.

• Sales Process Management: Oversee the sales pipeline, manage CRM systems, and analyze sales data to ensure the team consistently meets and exceeds targets.

• IT / Technical Knowledge: Requires deep understanding of IT Hardware | Software POS solutions to effectively communicate with customers addressing their technical inquiries and concerns.

For more details please contact:

+971 50 3580708 E m a i l : a l i s s a @ c a r e e r s b ay. c o m

GLOBAL

NEWS

SCAN FOR MORE NEWS STORIES AND EVENT UPDATES

HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Frascold, Aircodue partner to innovate railway sector’s air conditioning systems Frascold says the aim is to address the air conditioning and regulatory constraints in the railway sector

By CCME Content Team

F

RASCOLD announced it has partnered with a startup, Aircodue, a spin-off of the Miri Group, in line with the efforts in the railway sector to accelerate the energy transition.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Frascold said the partnership has led to the development of a CO2 heat pump, which features several technological innovations and is equipped with compressors from Frascold’s transcritical series and will address the air conditioning and regulatory constraints in the railway sector. Frascold said four goals underpin the partnership, namely, energy savings, low environmental impact, low maintenance costs and enhanced reliability, in full compliance with national and international standards.

Frascold said it has also cooperated with Aircodue in a research project investigating whether it would be possible to replace an existing (drop-in) system with a new CO2 heat pump, capable of operating in line with the previous configuration and supplying multiple unit requirements. The company added that

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October-November 2023

the ARCA project – Air Source Reversible CO2 Air Conditioner – by Aircodue, adopts patented technical solutions and takes the form of a demonstrator of a split system of approximately 28kW, calibrated to the demands of a mediumdistance railway carriage, which is used extensively in Italy.

Frascold also said the performance data of the heat pump were compared with those of a conventional system by dynamically simulating operation in heating mode over a wide range of winter temperatures. Conducted through

the Energy Diagnostics of a mediumdistance vehicle and using dedicated software, the analysis took three locations representative of Italy’s main geographical areas, namely the Brenner Pass, Rome and Palermo, the company said.

Once the prototype was built, Frascold said, a large-scale climate chamber testing programme was carried out, during which the performance in both heating and cooling was verified, thereby confirming the theoretical data.

Mirco Pasotti, Area Manager - Sales, Frascold, said, “The analysis results are remarkable, with the heat pump delivering savings ranging from 51% to 58%, depending on the zone and a considerable reduction in tonnes of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.”

Brenner Pass

Rome

Palermo

Seasonal energy requirements

kWh

25913

8901

4095

Energy consumption of conventional unit

kWh

30713

12885

7000

ARCA energy consumption

kWh

15102

5529

2917

Annual energy savings

%

51

57

58

Savings in CO2 emissions

Tonnes CO2

6.8

3.2

1.8

// GLOBAL NEWS Luigi Buttiglione, Technical Manager, Aircodue, said, “It is a major design project for the railway industry, where the choice of a natural refrigerant requires careful evaluation in terms of installation and regulatory framework.”

Giovanni Paone, Chairman, Aircodue, said: “In addition to being a viable solution to the phase-out policies for fluorinated refrigerants, CO2 complies with the environmental and safety policies of the leading players in

the industry. In this respect, Frascold played a key role by its expertise in the field. A long-standing partner, with whom we have been working to develop next-generation technologies for a responsible evolution in the sector.”

FOUNDED TO LEAD Allied has grown into one of the leading Engineering and Project Management firms in the Middle East, boasting offices in 3 major Countries in the Middle East (Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).

Allied offers full range of Engineering and Project Management services provided by nearly 140 dedicated professionals distributed among Egypt, UAE and KSA. The company is a multidisciplinary consulting firm and has a track record and specialization in Buildings, Industrial Works and District Cooling and Power Generation Plants.

www.climatecontrolme.com

45

// GLOBAL NEWS

Danfoss opens new Smart Store innovation centre The company says it aims to empower OEMs, contractors, food retailers and engineers to develop new solutions to enhance energy efficiency in food retail

By CCME Content Team

D

ANFOSS announced that a new Application Development Centre was opened at the flagship energy-efficient Smart Store supermarket near Danfoss’ headquarters in Nordborg, Denmark. Making the announcement through a Press release, Danfoss said this collaborative test environment will empower original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contractors, food retailers and Danfoss engineers to develop new technologies and solutions to enhance energy and operational efficiency for food retail.

Jurgen Fischer

46

The release said the Danfoss Smart Store is a functioning supermarket, and it will provide the unique opportunity to understand how new technology will operate in the real world while empowering the store managers to focus on their business while saving energy and costs. The release further said the store uses world-class heating and cooling technology and automation solutions with less than 3-4 years payback times.

Danfoss said the Application Development Centre within the Smart

Peder Gabrielsen

October-November 2023

Store supermarket, which is part of a full Decarbonisation Park, includes several innovation centres for applications such as heat pumps, heat recovery, next-generation district heating network, and data centres. The new Application Development Centre, the company added, will offer the cooling and heating industry the opportunity to access state-of-the-art test facilities and expert support for field testing new components and cloud technologies for both small and large applications.

The release said Danfoss has built a new Smart Store supermarket at its headquarters to lead the way for climate-friendly food retail with energy-efficient heating and cooling technologies. The store, the release further said, is expected to be 50% more energy efficient than a traditional store, and 90% of the space heating needs for the entire store will be provided by a heat recovery unit that captures excess heat produced by the cooling systems. Moreover, Danfoss said, the supermarket has two refrigeration systems that run independently, ensuring that product testing does not interfere with the operations of the supermarket.

According to Danfoss, with smart controls and digital monitoring, retailers can optimise capacity and demand, allowing them to respond to anomalies in a timely manner, preventing energy and food losses. The store, the company said, will be managed by Danfoss and ANEO Retail’s partnership and their unique service model, Energy as a Service (EaaS), which allows grocery stores to subscribe to technical facilities as a service, reducing their operational expenses and time spent on issue management.

Danfoss said the concept will allow supermarkets to implement the most energy-efficient equipment without large investments and high up-front costs. The company added that the store’s refrigeration and comfort cooling

// GLOBAL NEWS systems will run exclusively on natural refrigerants (CO2), which have the lowest possible global warming potential score.

Jürgen Fischer, President, Danfoss Climate Solutions, said: “The new Smart Store showcases the incredible possibilities we have today with existing solutions for natural refrigerants, energy efficiency, and sourcing renewables – all in one installation. We are proud to officially welcome customers and partners to the Application Development Center today to take the next steps to reimagine the future and develop new

heating and cooling technologies that pave the way towards zero-emission food retail.”

The release said the occasion was celebrated with an open house event for Danfoss partners and customers who have contributed to the site.

Peder Gabrielsen from the European Environment Agency offered a keynote speech, followed by a site tour of the event led by Danfoss leadership.

Gabrielsen said: “With the fluorinated gas (F-gas) Regulation in Europe, we are seeing a reduction of F-gas

emissions, and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is driving the refrigerant transition at a global level.

The example we see here today is a good example of movement in the right direction. When energy efficiency and low global warming potential refrigerants work in tandem, we can vastly cut emissions from heating and cooling.

Moreover, the need to use energy more efficiently and reduce costs is constantly growing, and innovation like what we see here has a key role in finding the best solutions.”

Epta acquires refrigeration activities from HEIFO The company says the acquisition will further strengthen its position in Germany

By CCME Content Team

E

PTA announced the acquisition of refrigeration activities from HEIFO GmbH & Co. KG. (HEIFO) and said it has strengthened its position in Germany. Making the announcement through a Press release, Epta said HEIFO, based in Osnabrück, Germany, is a fourth-generation family business with experience in industrial and commercial refrigeration services and professional air-conditioning and food industry solutions. Founded in 1856, HEIFO has more than 160 years of experience in the development and implementation of professional air conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Epta said, adding that the transaction provides for the transfer of all refrigeration activities, worth around EUR 25 million in 2022 with over 120 employees, from HEIFO to a newco 100% owned by EPTA (HEIFO

Kältetechnik GmbH), ensuring continuity in day-to-day business activities. The perimeter of the deal does not include the Professional Food Solutions business (HEIFO PFS-Group) that will be kept by HEIFO, Epta added.

Epta said this operation represents a further significant step in the group’s strategic plan for growth in Europe and follows on from the recent announcement of the creation of a joint venture - on 18 July 2023 - with Viessmann Refrigeration Solutions in Central and Northern Europe.

Marco Nocivelli, Chairman and CEO, Epta S.p.A, said: “We are satisfied and enthusiastic about the agreement signed, because by welcoming HEIFO’s refrigeration activities into the Group, which are complementary to the business approach strategy pursued at

L-R: Arthur Targon, Group M&A & Investor Relations Director, Epta S.p.A.; Bernd Haller, Managing Director, Epta Deutschland GmbH; Sonja Reckhorn, Shareholder, HEIFO GmbH & Co. KG; Björn Reckhorn, Managing Director and Shareholder, HEIFO GmbH & Co. KG and Martin Rüterbories

Epta, we see numerous opportunities for growth and success as a full-service provider of reference in the market.

Moreover, this acquisition is a further step in our project of geographic expansion in regions with high growth potential, such as Germany and in developing more specialised skills within the Group. This is the ninth acquisition we have closed in four years, and added to the recent joint venture agreement, represents an additional milestone in achieving our development goals”.

Martin Rüterbories, Managing Director and Shareholder, HEIFO GmbH & Co. KG, said: “The strategies of both companies complement each other perfectly, and by merging HEIFO´s refrigeration activities with the Epta Group, we achieve a strong and sustainable market position in Germany for the future. We will contribute with our expertise in air-conditioning and ventilation technology and the industrial applications of refrigeration technology. Epta’s expertise in digital and sustainable technologies, together with their focus on training, will be a great opportunity for the growth of all our employees.”

The closing of the deal is subject to approval by the German Antitrust Authority, expected by the end of 2023, Epta said.

www.climatecontrolme.com

47

// GLOBAL NEWS

UK pledges USD 2 billion climate action funding for GCF Rishi Sunak made the announcement at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, held in New Delhi, GCF says

By CCME Content Team

G

REEN Climate Fund (GCF) said it welcomes the UK Government’s announcement of a USD 2 billion pledge for its second replenishment (GCF-2). Making the statement through a Press release, GCF said the announcement was made by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, held in New Delhi on September 9.

GCF said the UK has been a long-term supporter of GCF and has been contributing to the Fund since its initial resource-mobilisation period.

The UK contributed EUR 1.44 billion (approximately USD 1.97 billion) to the GCF’s first replenishment for the period 2020-23, GCF said and added that the announcement represents a significant 12.7% increase from

its commitment for GCF’s first replenishment (GCF-1).

GCF further said the UK is the 8th contributor to announce an early pledge for GCF-2, following Austria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Monaco and South Korea, and added that the country’s pledge is an added boost for the growing momentum surrounding GCF’s second replenishment and in the lead up to the Fund’s High-Level Pledging Conference, in Bonn, Germany, on October 5.

Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State for Development and Africa, UK, said the Green Climate Fund plays a critical role in global efforts to limit climate change and address its impacts. He added that the UK’s increased pledge

ASHRAE highlights Standard 241 Society says its pathogen control standard is beneficial during peak virus periods

By CCME Content Team

A

S the world continues to grapple with a resurgence of COVID-19, along with the flu and RSV, the importance of clean airflow in buildings has never been more critical, ASHRAE said in a Press release. The society said ASHRAE Standard 241, Control of Infectious Aerosols, is empowering building owners, operators and professionals to proactively protect indoor environments during this fall and winter virus season.

ASHRAE said Standard 241 establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of airborne aerosol transmission, such as the SARS-COV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, the flu

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virus, and other pathogens in buildings like single and multi-family homes, offices, schools and healthcare facilities.

Published in June and praised by former White House COVID Response Coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha as one of the most important public health interventions seen in years, ASHRAE said that its Standard 241 is the first consensusbased, code-enforceable standard of its kind, having the potential for adoption at the federal level for all buildings.

Ginger Scoggins, P.E., President, ASHRAE, said: “The world knows ASHRAE’s leadership in sustainable, energy-efficient building technology, but we are also leaders in the development of

of USD 2 billion to the GCF underlines its sustained commitment to tackling climate change. “Moreover, the scale of the challenge we face demands yet more urgent action, and that is why the UK will work closely with the GCF to accelerate the Fund’s delivery of improved access and greater impact, especially for those countries most vulnerable to climate change,” he said.

Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director, GCF, said: “With its pledge to GCF’s replenishment, the UK is putting its political and financial backing behind bold climate action where it is needed most. The UK has a track record as a leader in international climate finance and a champion of the most vulnerable. I look forward to working closely with the UK to enhance GCF’s business model to deliver on its full potential and meet the expectations of developing countries.”

The release said GCF is the world’s largest climate fund – currently a USD 12.8 billion fund, with USD 48.3 billion total of approved projects, supporting developing nations to meet their targets to reduce carbon emissions, develop cleaner energy sources and adjust to a warming world.

public health standards that are making incredible impacts on building occupants around the world. Moreover, improved indoor air quality and ventilation became topics of mainstream concern during the pandemic, and ASHRAE remained committed to prioritising the health and well-being of building occupants.

Standard 241 is a blueprint for building designers, owners and operators with long-term benefits.”

ASHRAE said its Standard 241 provides comprehensive guidance on designing, installing, commissioning and maintaining HVAC systems to control the spread of infectious aerosols.

The society further said the standard also includes recommendations for ventilation rates, filtration and air cleaning technologies, and a building readiness plan that documents procedures for assessing existing or new HVAC systems to determine if they are working properly.

// GLOBAL NEWS

Eurovent welcomes TÜV SÜD as a new member Association says TÜV SÜD is a BTL-recognised BACnet testing laboratory and an independent technical testing organisation

By CCME Content Team

E

UR OVE NT announced that TÜV SÜD Industrie Service, an independent technical testing organisation, has been approved to join Eurovent as an associate member.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Eurovent said with this newest member, the Eurovent family grows by one of the leading testing organisations.

Eurovent said TÜV SÜD is one of the leading international service providers for testing, inspection and certification, and TÜV SÜD’s centre

of competence for refrigeration and air conditioning provides function and performance testing, thermodynamic assessments and measurements of sound emissions. Moreover, Eurovent added that as a BTL-recognised BACnet testing laboratory, TÜV SÜD can test all components of building automation systems for their BACnet conformity.

Commenting on the membership, Heiko Mirring, Head of Laboratory, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service, said: “Our accredited laboratory is dedicated

to the highest standards of quality in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning, and we believe that joining Eurovent would be a valuable step forward for our organisation. Moreover, we believe Eurovent is the right platform for TÜV SÜD to thrive and contribute to the HVACR sector’s growth, and we are looking forward to being part of this esteemed association to work closely with its members to advance the industry’s collective goals.”

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// GLOBAL NEWS

ASHRAE invites registration for its Winter Conference The conference will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about the latest technologies in the built environment and network with other industry professionals, ASHRAE says

By CCME Content Team

T

HE AMERICAN Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) announced registration is now open for the 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference, which will be held from January 20 to 24 in Chicago.

The conference, ASHRAE said, will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about the latest technology in the built environment and network with other professionals in the industry.

ASHRAE said in addition to the conference, registration will also include entry to the co-sponsored AHR Expo, which will take place from January 22 to 24 at McCormick Place. The AHR Expo, ASHRAE said, is the world’s largest HVAC&R marketplace, featuring over 2,000 exhibitors and attracting over 60,000 attendees worldwide.

Ginger Scoggins, P.E., President, ASHRAE, said: “We are thrilled to host the 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference and AHR Expo in Chicago. With its rich history and vibrant communities, Chicago is the ideal

location for these cornerstone events in the built environment industry. Moreover, the Winter Conference and Expo will provide a great opportunity for experts, innovators and professionals worldwide to explore new concepts and trends, exchange knowledge and continue our mission of shaping a sustainable future for all.”

According to ASHRAE, the 2024 edition of the Winter Conference technical program will feature over 80 technical sessions in: • HVAC&R Systems and Equipment • Refrigerants and Refrigeration • Decarbonisation and Climate Change • Hydronic Systems • Ventilation, Indoor Air Quality, and Air Distribution Systems • Comfort, Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Efficiency • HVACR Controls • Labs, Clean Spaces, and Mission-Critical Facilities • Tall Building Design

ASHRAE said the attendees will also have the opportunity to earn professional development hours (PDHs) and continuing education units (CEUs) for attending technical sessions. The organisation said the full technical programme will be available later this year.

In addition to offering several social events, recognitions and networking opportunities, ASHRAE said it will conduct business, committee and technical meetings leading up to and during the conference. The organisation further said Scoggins will update the 2023-24 Society theme, Challenge Accepted: Tackling the Climate Crisis.

ASHRAE said the cost to attend the conference in person is USD 755 for ASHRAE members (USD 1,010 for non-members, which includes an ASHRAE membership for one year).

The organisation further said early bird discounts are available for registrations completed before November 26, and company packages are also available. In addition, ASHRAE said the conference webpage has the details about additional pricing. The organisation further said all registered attendees, both in-person and virtual, will have access to the virtual conference platform during the conference and 12 months, post-conference.

To register or for more information about the 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference and to register, visit ashrae. org/2024winter.

Eurovent announces new recommendation on IEC hybrid units Association says the document was developed for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

By CCME Content Team

E

UROVENT announced that it published its first-ever recommendation on hybrid Indirect Evaporative Cooling (IEC) equipment. Making the announcement through a Press release, Eurovent said the document was developed for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Project and is now available for download on the Eurovent website.

According to Eurovent, the new recommendation was developed in the framework of the cooperation between Eurovent and UNIDO. The association said its main objective is to specify the requirements and test methods for IEC hybrid units, to define how to calculate their energy efficiency ratio and their total cooling capacity, and to define a methodology suitable for Egypt’s working conditions. This recommendation,

Eurovent added, provides testing references and quality reviews of the testing process.

Francesco Scuderi, Secretary General, Eurovent, said: “We are delighted to have worked with UNIDO in preparing this recommendation. It will be helpful in informing industry experts on the testing requirements and methods for IEC hybrid units.

Furthermore, another important factor of the document is its specification on a methodology suitable for Egypt’s different climatic zones, as those zones may be suitable for IEC applications.”

www.climatecontrolme.com

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// GLOBAL NEWS According to ASHRAE, some ASHRAE unveils technical programmes examples of decarbonisation-related sessions include: for Winter Conference 2024 • Decarbonisation in Cold Chain

Society says Winter Conference will focus on decarbonisation, climate change, AI, refrigeration and refrigerants and more

By CCME Content Team

A

SHRAE has unveiled the preliminary technical programme for its highly anticipated 2024 ASHRAE Winter Conference, taking place from January 20 to 24, 2024, in Chicago, IL. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said the technical programme can be found online and in the ASHRAE 365 app.

ASHRAE said with a focus on addressing the pressing challenges of decarbonisation and climate change, the conference will feature 11 technical tracks and over 100 sessions, offering attendees a wealth of knowledge and insights. The Society said participants will have the opportunity to earn Professional

Development Hours (PDHs) while exploring tracks such as decarbonisation and climate change, clean spaces and mission critical facilities, tall buildings design, Artificial Intelligence, refrigeration and refrigerants and more.

Suzanne LeViseur, Chair, ASHRAE Winter Conference 2024, said: “The conference gives attendees an unparalleled opportunity to discover practical and timely solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing the built environment. Moreover, ASHRAE’s decarbonisation focus is included within all of the technical tracks so that we can provide effective strategies on a variety of topics through the conference sessions.”

Process (Refrigeration and Refrigerants Track) • The Logical Way to Tap Into Decarbonisation: Hydronic District Energy Systems (Hydronic Systems Track) • Beneficial Electrification (HVAC&R Systems and Equipment Track) • Grid-Interactive Buildings for a Decarbonised World (Decarbonisation and Climate Change Track) According to ASHRAE, additional trending sessions include: • Laboratory Superhero: The Critcal Plan to Save • Pulling Back the Curtain on DEI • Standard 241: You Have Questions; We Have Answers • Artificial Intelligence for Buildings Performance Simulation • Harmony in Action: ASHRAE Standards Paving the Way for Building Decarbonisation

CAREL whitepaper analyses heat pump market Company says the whitepaper examines the current scenario to help understand the latest opportunities and challenges in the heat pump market

By CCME Content Team

C

AREL announced the release of a new white paper, Heat Pumps – Technologies, Regulations and Trends, which analyses the technologies and trends that have emerged in the heat pump market in recent years, as well as the regulations and policies applied both locally and globally, to better understand the latest opportunities and challenges in the sector. Making the announcement through a Press release, CAREL said heat pumps have grown in popularity in recent years, with this technology representing the ideal alternative to fossil fuel boilers for space heating.

Miriam Solana, HVAC/R Technical Knowledge Specialist, CAREL, said: “The white paper aims to bring together, in one document, the essential

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information needed to understand one of the key technologies for decarbonisation: These systems can, in fact, provide high-efficiency heating and cooling using electricity, and therefore with virtually zero CO2 emissions when using renewable sources. Our intention with this document is to contribute to making available as much theoretical information as possible and providing an overview of the technologies for optimising energy savings and creating systems with the lowest total CO2 emissions.”

CAREL said that the potential of heat pumps has been recognised and is therefore specified in decarbonisation policies as a leading technology for heating and cooling new buildings: It has been estimated that using heat pumps

can reduce global CO2 emissions by at least 500 million tonnes by 2030, the equivalent of the annual CO2 emissions of all cars currently on the road in Europe. The reduction in emissions from heat pumps, when compared to gas-fired boilers, CAREL said, is even more significant when the share of renewables in the energy mix increases.

Furthermore, the company said that several recently announced key policies, such as REPowerEU in the European Union, the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States and China’s 14th FiveYear Renewable Energy Plan, will further boost the deployment of electricity from renewable sources in the coming year.

CAREL said the whitepaper is available free of charge on the CAREL website.

// GLOBAL NEWS • What’s the Fuss About Zero Trust Cyber Security for BAS Control Systems • Who’s Afraid of the Net Zero Wolf?

During the Plenary session, ASHRAE said, Canadian climate change solutions expert, Chris Turner will give a keynote presentation on the global shift towards clean energy. Furthermore, ASHRAE said, Jeff Littleton, Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Society, will provide its updates in his report, and the accomplishments of ASHRAE’s members will be recognised during the Honours and Awards ceremony.

The Society said at the President’s Luncheon, Ginger Scoggins, ASHRAE President, ASHRAE, 2023-24, will deliver her State of the Society address, marking progress toward initiatives outlined in the current Society theme, “Challenge Accepted: Tackling the Climate Crisis.”

ASHRAE said its Learning Institute will offer 18 courses during the conference, and all courses are approved

for continuing education credits towards maintaining P.E. licensure.

According to ASHRAE, the four new courses being offered are: • Starting the Path to Net-Zero Buildings Using ASHRAE 90.1-2022 • Understanding ASHRAE Standard 241 Control of Infectious Aerosols – Background, Overview, and Key Requirements • V in HVAC – Health and Energy Improvements Using the Indoor

Air Quality Procedures • Is Your Building Ready? Applying ASHRAE Standard 241 Control of Infectious Aerosols – Facility Assessment, Planning, and Implementation ASHRAE said its certification exams will also be administered during the week, and business, committee, and technical meetings will be conducted in the weeks leading up to and during the conference.

www.climatecontrolme.com

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{Quoteyard} We bring you a collection of some of the most interesting quotes, extracted from articles in this issue. In case you missed reading, we recommend you flip back to take full advantage of the insights and remarks, in the context in which they have been presented.

p07

The most fearsome statement came from WMO reports that the annual mean global near-surface temperature for each year between 2023 and 2027 is predicted to be between 1.1 degrees C and 1.8 degrees C higher than the 1850-1900 average. There is a 98% chance of at least one in the next five years beating the temperature record set in 2016, when there was an exceptionally strong El Niño.

p09 Moreover, since 1990, the energy demand for space cooling has tripled, making it the fastest-growing energy consumption sector within buildings. In 2019, cooling systems in residential and commercial buildings were responsible for 8.5% of all emissions related to electricity consumption, according to the IEA. p14

Providing individual or zone-level temperature control for occupants, using occupancy sensors to optimise cooling based on room occupancy, investing in research about gendersensitive thermal comfort solutions to account for physiological differences between genders, encouraging breathable clothing and educating employees about the importance of thermal comfort will foster a balanced, inclusive thermal environment, benefiting everyone in a region with challenging climatic conditions.

Air conditioners operating in India in 2022, consumed about 175 Tera Watt Hours (TWH) of energy. That figure is expected to grow to 600 TWH by 2038, as per the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) released by the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change, in 2019.

p18

p30

The new system is positioned in front of existing condensers, effectively reducing air temperature by up to 25 degrees C. This results in a remarkable reduction in energy consumption, up to 40%, and an enhancement in cooling capability of up to 20%.

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Companies in p11 the UAE have avoided about 42,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year by transitioning to HFO refrigerants in their chiller systems.

With the rising demand for computing power, traditional methods of power management won’t suffice.

Advanced solutions, like immersion cooling, are necessary to meet these escalating requirements.

p25

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