CCME - May 2019

Country report: saudi arabia

May 2019

POST-EVENT REPORT

Interviews

7th edition of Middle East VRF conference

Companies like Petra, Alessa and Zamil will be in AHRI committees James K Walters Vice President, International Affairs, AHRI Making the call for digital retrofits Prabhu Ramachandran Founder and CEO, Facilio On the importance of being trustworthy Yi Bao, Dharmesh Sawant, Dick Shi Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Airconditioning Marketing Co Ltd

Feature Story Unravelling the trade of counterfeit refrigerants

Ismail Almarzooqi, CEO, South Energy, elaborates on how the utility company is optimising the cost of producing and supplying chilled water PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

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Regional Office: LG Electronics Gulf FZE, P.O Box 61445, Dubai. Tel: +971 4 279 9222, UAE, Mr. Amjad Abu Alika, Tel: +971 50 450 9808, email: amjad.abualika@lge.com; Fortune International Trading LLC, Mr. Wail Halbouni, Tel: +971 50 481 3570, email: fortintl@emirates.net.ae; Ghantoot Trading, Mr. Nour Haboush, Tel: +971 50 109 4109, email: nour.h@ghantootgroup.ae; District Cooling Company, Mr. Ahmed Henedi, Tel: +971 50 658 4832, email: ahmed@districtcoolingcompany.com; Al Yousuf Electronics, Mr. Moitra, Tel: +971 50 457 6170, email: pmoitra@alyousuf.com; Bahrain, AJM Kooheji and Sons, Mr. Jayachandran, Tel: +973 36888801, email: v.jayachandran@ajmkooheji.com: Kuwait, Al Babtain Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Co., Mr. Naji Kataya, Tel: +965 5 051 5771, email: nkataya@albabtaingroup.com kw; British Link Kuwait, Mr. Imad Rhayel, Tel: +965 5 157 1229, email: irhayel@blk.com.kw; Oman, Oman Gulf Enterprise, Mr. Narender Kumar, Tel: +968 9 747 4505, email: narenderk@otegroup.com; Aspire Projects and Service, Mr. Vivek Wagh, Tel: +968 99357694, email: vivekwagh@aspireoman.com; Azerbaijan, NBC LLC., Mr. Elkhan Sadikhov, Tel: +994 50 216 3363, email: elkhan.sadikhov@nbc.com; Al-Con Maxiwell Group, Mr. Vagif Alexperov, Tel: + 994 50 216 2092, email: maxiwellbaku@inbox.ru; Armenia/Georgia, ARAY Gulf, Mr. Vilson Melikjanyan, Tel: +374 9 307 7755, email: vilson@aray.am; Yemen, Modern House Exhibition, Mr. Khaled Jabr, Tel: +967 71 172 0202, email: mail@mhe-yemen.com; Pakistan, Iceberg Industries (Lucky Goldstar), Mr. Imran Jamil Khan, Tel: +923 21 277 6100, email: ceo@icebergindustries.net

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May 2019

PRODUCED BY

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3rd EDITION THE POLICIES AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT CAN HELP REDUCE PRIMARY ENERGY USE BY 70%

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VOL. 14 NO. 05

20 On the importance of being trustworthy Yi Bao, Dharmesh Sawant and Dick Shi Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-conditioning Marketing Co., Ltd.

Ismail Almarzooqi, CEO, South Energy, shares the philosophy and approach of the District Cooling utility in optimising the cost of chilled water for customers.

ConferenCe

28 Companies like Petra, Alessa and Zamil will be in AHRI committees

FEATURE STORY

24

30

In view of the global move to phasedown HFCs, what is the HVACR industry doing to curb instances of smuggling and, most importantly, counterfeits?

Making the call for digital retrofits Prabhu Ramachandran, Facilio

REGULARS 06 eDItor'S note The inspector

comes calling

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May 2019

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformation, largely driven by government initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030 to promote social and economic diversification within the Kingdom.

THe 7TH Middle easT

James K Walters, AHRI

Unravelling the complexities of illicit trade in HFCs

Shifting gears

08

INTERVIEWS

‘Am AgAinst storing An extrA loAd thAt is unused’

COUNTRY REPORT

14

32

POST-EVENT REPORTS

page

on the cover

MAY 2019

‘Okay, fine… but where is the data?’

36

ABB

Motion Business HVAC event 2019

sets the tone for a fresh approach to digitalisation

40 Regional News 66 MARKETPLACE 62 Global News

May 2019

5

The inspector comes calling

EDITOR’S NOTE

F Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACR

Country report: saudi arabia

May 2019

POST-EVENT REPORT

Interviews

7th edition of Middle East VRF conference

Companies like Petra, Alessa and Zamil will be in AHRI committees James K Walters Vice President, International Affairs, AHRI Making the call for digital retrofits Prabhu Ramachandran Founder and CEO, Facilio On the importance of being trustworthy Yi Bao, Dharmesh Sawant, Dick Shi Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Airconditioning Marketing Co Ltd

Feature Story Unravelling the illicit trade of counterfeit refrigerants

Ismail Almarzooqi, CEO, South Energy, elaborates on how the utility company is optimising the cost of producing and supplying chilled water

Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle East early!

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

or many years now, Climate Control Middle East and its diverse portfolio of conferences have suggested specific action to improve energy efficiency with a view to lowering indirect emissions and reducing the total cost of ownership. Likewise, the magazine and the conferences have collected and shared insights and specific solutions from stakeholders on enhancing indoor environmental quality and improving food safety.

In that context, a recently drafted Eurovent Middle East position paper that calls for a structured inspection and surveillance regime to improve building performance in terms of energy efficiency, indoor air quality and fire safety, and to safeguard thermally sensitive food is a muchwelcome addition to the body of literature in the UAE. Authored by Markus Lattner, Managing Director, Eurovent Middle East, the paper highlights the need for buildings to be subjected to continuous inspections throughout their life span to complement the efforts and initiatives of standardisation bodies, like Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) and Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC) towards implementing minimum energy performance requirements (MEPS) for some product ranges in the HVACR sector. It advocates the need for continuous vigilance, as opposed to being in a state of complacency that the building has passed through commissioning.

Likewise, the paper articulates the need for recurrent certification of cold storage facilities and transport refrigeration fleets to ensure their compliance with national and international standards.

Besides spotlighting the need for preventing counterfeit refrigerants, which pose a risk to human safety and equipment reliability, the paper shines a light on the need for inspection of ventilation systems in buildings to ensure they reliably support efforts aimed at prevention and suppression of smoke development in the event of fire outbreaks. “Low quality products, inadequate installations, and sub-standard maintenance and operation increase these risks drastically,” Lattner writes in the paper. “While the majority of the industry is investing in the quality and safety of its products, this cannot be said for all manufacturers, and apart from that, inadequate installation, design, handling and maintenance make most of these efforts obsolete.”

The paper suggests that inspection and surveillance mechanisms can be strengthened in the country. Quoting a number greater than 1,000 as a minimum requirement for a full-strength inspection team, the paper recommends recruiting, training and empowering those Emiratis that have received vocational skills education to carry out the inspection and surveillance functions.

Through benefitting from structured capacity-building and awareness programmes, the paper says, the team, driven by strong national spirit and pride, will become a potent force that will ensure compliance from building and fleet owners. It will ensure the proper installation of technically sound, as opposed to sub-standard, equipment and spare parts. Further, it will ensure that only competent FM companies and engineering teams are tasked with maintaining facilities and fleets.

A structured inspection and surveillance regime, the paper says, will benefit manufacturers, suppliers and certifiers of equipment and well-organised FM companies, among other service providers. It will contribute to better health and safety in buildings and ensure wellbeing, productivity and other socio-economic benefits.

Editor’s Note: Climate Control Middle East adheres to British English. However, American expressions and spellings are retained, if part of quotes, or if part of a job title or the name of an organisation.

Co-Founder & Commercial Director Frédéric Paillé | fred@cpi-industry.com

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May 2019

Published by

May 2019

7

Variable Refrigerant Flow systems

‘ BUT

OKAY, FINE...

WHERE IS THE

’ DATA P

roponents – mainly manufacturers – of the variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology are a cheery bunch, reeling off its numerous advantages to growingly less-reluctant clients, consultants and contractors in the GCC region. Cometh every year, and the manufacturers extol the additional features they have incorporated in the technology, and the resulting proliferation of possibilities. Dharmesh Sawant, Sales Director, Hisense VRF, Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-conditioning Marketing Co., Ltd., is one such VRFevangelist. His pet-theme of the season is the possibility of connecting an entire floor of apartments with one outdoor unit.

While speaking at the 7th Middle East VRF Conference, on April 29 in Ras Al Khaimah, an event that was held under the patronage of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, Sawant enthusiastically described the

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May 2019

numerous advantages VRF technology has in terms of heat parameters, installation, redundancy and diversity of application. He pointed out that VRF is increasingly being viewed as less of a niche product and more of a value-based solution that can address concerns related to space, sustainability, and capital and operating costs. He also pointed out to the fact that the price of the system has become more competitive, adding that it has drastically reduced from AED 4,500 per tonne to AED 3,200. “If you look at the balance between capital costs and efficiency, VRF is the best,” he said, his eyes gleaming.

“Yes, a water-cooled chiller has a COP of 5 compared to a VRF system with a COP of 4.2, but water-cooled systems have a higher capital cost.” And with the possibility of connecting an entire floor to a single outdoor unit, he said, the cost of VRF technology will climb down further, owing to a reduced connection fee and savings in utility space.

Fifteen years on, VRF technology has found greater acceptance among clients, consultants and contractors in the GCC region, but the consensus among the three is that it is lagging behind when it comes to sharing performance data. Hannah Jo Uy of Climate Control Middle East has the report

Amjad Abu Alika, Senior Manager LG Electronics MEA Business Solutions is another VRF-evangelist. Face flush with excitement, he spoke enthusiastically of newer features in VRF with the passing of every year. He highlighted how systems are now equipped with dual-sensing control for temperature and humidity, and features that have made it possible to achieve an increase in seasonal efficiency of up to 31%. Overall, he said, the technology itself has bulked up, opening up the possibility of large-capacity outdoor units, each providing up to 20 HP. Further making a case for VRF technology, Alika said that inverter compressors in units are improving efficiency by 10% as well as its reliability.

He said that VRF technology is improving part-load efficiency, offering a COP of 4.46 in T1 conditions, which reflects a five per cent increase in efficiency, and a COP of 3.44 in T3 conditions, which reflects a 13% increase in efficiency.

Mansour Kharoub, Associate Principal, Mechanical Engineering Services, at consultancy firm, Khatib & Alami, weighed in by highlighting that a reliable VRF metering device is now a reality and is available for all manufacturers, as certified by third parties. “Metering can be implemented at any stage, since most of the wiring is on the roof,” he explained.

Kharoub pointed out that this is vital, as “what cannot be measured, cannot be controlled”. Alika seconded this, pointing out that developers are seeing the merits of VRF technology owing to metering strategies implemented in big residential projects.

Farooq Monis Shaikh, Assistant Manager, Engineering and Facility, RAK

May 2019

9

Variable Refrigerant Flow systems

consumption, he emphasised. development in the UAE, and it will be the Hospital, also weighed in, Sawant added that in addition biggest in RAK. Before we throw performance sharing that VRF presents a to the type of project dictating on consultants and contractors, let’s find out wide range of possibilities. the parameters of equipment what’s in the market and what we can apply.

“We have installed some choice, application should be With regard to buildings, we tend to reinvent VRF units and have received taken into account, saying the wheel. We have to get more of the 30-40% energy savings,” he that premium villas in coastal communication. We need speed to market, said, “but the challenge is in areas may face an issue with data and quick decisions.” integrating VRF in existing humidity and require more Hassan Younes, President-Elect, ASHRAE buildings.” Ahmed Elkiki, Dharmesh Sawant precise controls, while projects Falcon Chapter, Director, Griffin Consultants, Director of Technical Services, nearer to the desert may have echoed the need for greater communication RAK Hospitality, Government stronger requirement for selfand data. He said he believes a greater of Ras Al Khaimah, shared that cleaning features. thrust needs to be given to benchmarking of the organisation is already buildings, as a precursor to retrofit initiatives. using VRF technology in two of Younes stressed that Griffin Consultants, the four hotels in its portfolio.

WHY AM I NOT along with Regulatory and Supervisory In one instance, six residential DOING VRF? Bureau Dubai, the Dubai Supreme Council buildings were converted into a Amidst all this, there are of Energy and Emirates GBC, are doing a lot hotel. “They had water-cooled those that question the in this space across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, chillers, but we had to add extent of progress made Amjad Abu Alika through modelling of energy intensity, buildings like restaurants and

by VRF technology in the and going further to take into account the a lobby,” he explained, adding region. Sougata Nandi, CEO, contribution of different air conditioning VRF technology was the right 3e Advisory, and Chair of systems in this regard. Thomas underlined option in this context. Elkiki the Conference, remarked the importance of such endeavours, pointing also highlighted the financial that while manufacturers out, “If you keep constructing something payback of more efficient are leading innovation without benchmarking, how do you know if equipment. “As hotel owners, and technology upgrades, it’s good or bad?” savings from energy reduction developers have a huge part to Hallett believes this issue extends to VRF contributes to the overall play in driving adoption of such systems. “There is not enough published bottom-line,” he said. “Whether technology and challenging the Mansour Kharoub and accessible data from suppliers on the one room or a hundred rooms industry towards excellence. energy- efficiency benefits are occupied, we will still be Saying so, of the technology,” he said. running the chillers. The great thing about he asked Graham Hallett, “We need more information.

VRF is performance as well as partial-load Development Director, Marjan There is a need to integrate features.”

Properties, his views on VRF engineering and consulting Liju Thomas, President, ASHRAE technology. Hallett responded services with research. I Falcon Chapter, said that he believes VRF by pointing out that from fear that HVAC design and technology will make farther inroads in the his experience developers information transfer is not market, pointing out its advantages from a are not always given the there to get a highly efficient refrigerant perspective, as the equipment opportunity to do so and that design at the get go.” He uses less gas. However, he said, bottlenecks before engaging in a debate Farooq Monis Shaikh stressed that this is vital if the do exist in view of economics and lifecycle on the pros and cons of VRF VRF industry wants to offer of the equipment. Thomas said that while technology it is important developers the flexibility to VRF is ideal for low-rise buildings, chillers are to dial in on key concerns of upsize and diversify. Hallet still favoured for high rises, especially in view developers. “We are looking added, “What we need to do of their life cycle, which typically lasts 25-30 for answers and don’t know more as an industry is to look years compared to VRF, which has a lifecycle where to find them,” he said at the powerhouses – the of 10-15 years. of VRF technology. “We are suppliers and manufacturers Alika admitted that adoption of the doing a three-star hotel with – and allow them to integrate technology still greatly varies from project to water-cooled chiller, and I’m their knowledge. This, he project and client to client. “Some think it’s sitting here today thinking, Ahmed Elkiki said, has been sadly lacking more expensive compared to DX, and some ‘Why am I not doing VRF?’” in the industry, which is think they can save money compared to This, he said, is the problem, as troubling, given that HVAC, chillers,” he said. “It depends on the demand despite the fact that VRF is a being a long-term investment, and the use.” Discussing factors that affect 15-year-old technology, there is poses an enormous burden choice of equipment, Alika said that clients very little talk on applying the of responsibility among have specific targets that drive them to take solution in three-star hotels, developers, who find it difficult into account initial cost, running cost, quality adding that the diversity in to rely on consultants. The and reliability. If they have a particular application remains overlooked industry, he said, must have target price they cannot have a high-quality by developers in the sector. data within reach of clients product, but if performance is of concern “I don’t know why,” he said, Liju Thomas and operators. then the selection should be based on power “(Hospitality) is the biggest

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May 2019

through agencies that need Nandi shared similar regulating. observations on the existing Nandi added that there information gap in the market, has to be strong link between saying that clients are unable technical approach and to access data, and their commercial viability. “In feedback is rarely taken into my experience, the biggest account. As such, he said, the killer of sustainability is the industry is operating in silos, procurement department,” he emphasising that consultants Sougata Nandi said. “Developers are trying must reflect on how to work to to adopt, the service provider close the gap. is there with the technology, Sagar Kulkarni, Managing the consultant then sits with Director, Consistent Engineering procurement, who goes with Consultants, emphasised that his numbers. It’s the foot it’s not only about having the soldiers that kill the whole data available, it’s also about thing.” “asking the right questions to Juma Yousef Juma, CEO, the right person that can lead GETCO, recommended to the right solution”. Elkiki Graham Hallett pushing for performancepointed out that consultants based contracts in this steer decision of the clients regard, pointing out that such and specify based on comfort guarantees will go a long way and how confident they are in promoting accountability in a technology. As such, Elkiki across the chain and ensure pointed out that many may that cost is not the main not have updated knowledge parameter driving equipment that will allow them to provide choice. That way, he said, the most efficient system more effort will be undertaken and that “not every person Hassan Younes by stakeholders to understand in consultancy knows how to the capabilities of a product. design a VRF”.

“This is the final resort,” he Elkiki said this disconnect said. “Technology is a tool, can also be observed between people are the key part of consultants and operators, educating to understand the advocating a stronger follow-up performance.” Thomas added mechanism. “Have you visited that buildings should also be a project since you designed valued differently, so that it?” he asked consultants in developers are more aware the room. “Consultants need Sagar Kulkarni of the cost of cutting corners to be more on the ground to which may lead to installation see what happens in operation of subpar products. “Why and design, based on what’s should a tenant pay the happening.” same rent for a bad building Admittedly, Elkiki said and for a good building?” he consultants are under a fair asked. amount of pressure, with With regard to many subject to the whims developments that are of developers, who only build designed to be owned and to sell. Hallett echoed this, operated, Hallett said the drawing a comparison between Juma Yousef Juma industry is largely selfthe mechanisms driving the regulating. “We don’t buy two kinds of development. into Barjeel or green building, because “There is developing to sell to investors we have to,” he said, adding that Marjan and developing to keep, own and operate,” Properties and its team of operators he said. “Developing to sell to investors is comply with higher standards following an why we have regulation to protect the endassessment of Return on Investment (ROI). user.” Regulation, Hallett stressed, is the Elkiki echoed this. “We are building hotels, only way to ensure the standards of such and we have these hotels for 30 years,” he developments, pointing out that the issue is said. “It’s important for us that design is not confined to the UAE, as there are many okay for the long-term.” developments in the United Kingdom sold off

Hallett said that as developers his tribe and he are looking for a coordinated and coherent response from the consultant and supplier, with manufacturers having an important role to play in this regard.

“If they want the job, they have to give us more than a piece of equipment,” he said. “This VRF technology does not sound complicated. We leave the modelling of buildings to consultants. Manufacturers should assist in modelling and penetrate the consultancy space.” Hallett pointed out that clients don’t mind spending money for the right advice at the right stage”. This, he said, will help in mitigating costs that may come from having to implement changes down the line.

CLOSING THE GAP In view of the existing knowledge gap in the market, Nandi pointed out that certification and training can play a key role in advancing the adoption of VRF technology. “In everything, if you don’t have the right people handling the right things, technology won’t get balanced,” he said. Echoing this, Younes announced that ASHRAE will be introducing a Guideline specific to VRF systems. Younes shared that Guideline 41 will cover the design, installation and commissioning of VRF systems, globally. “The first batch of Public Review of the Guideline was in March 2019, and the Guideline is expected to be released next year,” he said.

Thomas added that essentially, there is a need to look at every building in a holistic way. Buildings, he said, progress in stages, from design, construction, commissioning and operation, and ignoring any stage will negate the efficiency of the overall project.

Hallett echoed this, saying there is a need for the industry as a whole to move forward to ensure the right technology goes into the right project, saying that having heard VRF has been around for 15 years, he fears that in the next 15 years the market will continue to drag its feet when it comes to adopting such technologies. As Nandi aptly pointed out. “There is no bigger crime than repeating the same mistake over and over again.” A mistake that poses a grave threat with a growing rate of urbanisation that will drive demand for cooling beyond imagination.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the Q&A. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

May 2019

11

photo feature

▶ Plenary discussion on the VRF industry’s response to the needs of the industry

THe 7TH Middle easT

ConferenCe The 7th edition of the Middle East VRF Conference was held on April 29, in Ras Al Khaimah.

Organised under the patronage of the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, the event saw discussions among manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, contractors, regulatory bodies and developers.

▶ Richard Franks, Business

Unit Director, Conex Banninger

H.E. Munther Mohammed bin Shaker, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality: “The Government of Ras Al Khaimah considers energy efficiency and adoption of renewable energy as important drivers for the competitiveness and sustainability of our economy. Our Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040 targets 30% savings in electricity consumption, 20% savings in water consumption, and 20% contribution of renewable energy in the supply mix.

Buildings represent the largest contributor to our energy consumption; and cooling is by far the largest end-user of energy in buildings. We believe that efficiency improvements in cooling have the highest potential for providing savings to building owners and improving indoor comfort for occupants. Our support to this conference (7th Middle East VRF Conference) affirms our commitment to bringing the benefits of efficient and innovative cooling technologies to Ras Al Khaimah. This is primarily reflected in Barjeel, our new Green Building Regulations, where our minimum standards for cooling efficiency are higher than the requirements of most other regulations in the region. Our Building Retrofit Program also depends on providers of efficient cooling technologies. We already have a pipeline of several hundred buildings to be retrofitted in the coming years.”

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May 2019

▶ Surendar Balakrishnan, Co-

Founder & Editorial Director, CPI Industry

▶ Sagar Kulkarni, Managing

Director, Consistent Engineering Consultants

▶ Dharmesh Sawant, Sales

Director, Hisense VRF, Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-conditioning Marketing Co., Ltd.

▶ Mansour Kharoub, Associate

Principal - Mech Engineering Services, Khatib & Alami

▶ Plenary discussion on the roadmap for an energy-efficient future

▶ Andrea Di Gregorio, Director, Energy

Efficiency and Renewables Administration, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality

▶ During the sponsor and partner recognition ceremony

▶ Sougata Nandi,

CEO, 3e Advisory

▶ Juma Yousef Juma, CEO, Green

Earth Technology Company (GETCO)

▶ Amjad Abu Alika, Senior

Manager, LG Electronics MEA Business Solutions

▶ Plenary discussion on what developers, consultants and contractors want to know from VRF manufacturers and suppliers

May 2019

13

OVER STORY

Interview with Ismail Almarzooqi, CEO, South Energy

Ismail Almarzooqi, CEO, South Energy, in this interview with Surendar Balakrishnan of Climate Control Middle East, shares the philosophy and approach of the District Cooling utility that serves Dubai South, in optimising the cost of chilled water for customers and in ensuring power generation stations are not overburdened. Excerpts…

T

ypically, what are the questions you put to yourself as the CEO of a District Cooling utility company?

When the crisis happened [in 2008], a lot of economic strains were there in the market, especially in the real estate market, where people were not able to cover the cost. There was also a lack of understanding in the market on how to benefit the customer from such a technology.

Any sort of District Energy is supposed to be a form of cheap and reliable energy, it cannot be a substitute for the conventional way of cooling in a more expensive way, so the way we in South Energy look at it is from the planning stage. We work with the master developer from Day 1 to ensure that we try to design something that is cost-effective from Day 1.

Every business is a commercially driven one, and inefficiencies have to be covered somehow. Either you cover it up with your

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May 2019

operating costs or you cover it up with your tariff. Eventually, the one that has to pay for this is the customer. So, what we do is we take a step back. We put ourselves in the place of these customers, who invest into real estate. They connect to this kind of service. We look at their perspective – are we offering them something better, a substitute for conventional cooling that is cheaper for them? Or, is it helping with commercial gains in the long term? Is it a win-win situation at the end of the day?

That’s why we started looking at adopting different ways of building our plants, walking away from conventional District Cooling plants. You can see 10-year-old District Cooling plants – they just look like any other District Cooling plant around the region.

We spent a good amount of time before starting the company, looking at how we can reduce the capex and, in return, be able to offer cheap tariffs, how we can reduce our capacity charges for the customers. We kind of educate the customers that if you adopt

conventional cooling you will have to face an upfront capital investment, that you will have to put in your own assets, which are not your specialisation to maintain. I mean, we end up having customers, who specialise in aviation, industrial manufacturing, logistics and so on.

Even in the case of VIP tenants, we try to convince them in such a way, showing them the facts and the numbers and educating them that by opting for conventional cooling they are investing into an asset that has no return and has shorter life span, whereas when it comes to District Cooling, technology evolution always takes place in the watercooled side more than the air-cooled side.

Air-cooled chillers were very static up to four years ago from a technology perspective, but water-cooled chillers and District Cooling schemes keep on improving and improving, and manufacturers keep on introducing improvements on existing assets, which can improve efficiency in the long run. And the assets have a longer span of life, so when it comes to depreciation and return over

investment, you are looking at a much longer period.

Of course, the District Cooling scheme should be more sustainable when it comes to pricing, and it could mean moving away from a conventional District Cooling plant to modular packaged plants of smaller size and have a network, where multiple District Cooling plants, scattered around the project, supplement each other in a ring network and feed the energy to the customers.

So, you are speaking of distributed cooling, then?

Yes, the reason we went for this is because we found out that everybody knows that most District Cooling is designed for peakload capacities. We get that peak load in Dubai for a maximum of 3-4 months a year; you end up with partial loads across the year. And so, when you build large-capacity plants, you face partial load issues. And it is difficult to start staging the chillers to maintain efficiencies and a low operational

cost in terms of energy consumption and water consumption, which in turn, would enable us to optimise tariffs and pass savings to customers. So, we walked away from that, and we started looking at how we can master plan with our mother company, Dubai South, in such a way that we move away from gigantic plants and a centralised network. We looked at how we could reduce pumping equipment and the footprint of the land required. The result of the search was that we achieved commercial gain by adopting this kind of a scheme, because we were able to fit our plants in areas of the project where there was no commercial value and, thus, were able to give back commercial land to the developer.

Now, you can use this land for development and increase your return on the project. At the same time, it allowed us to prove dynamics by adopting smaller plants scattered around the project. The hydronics required to flow the energy into

the network and so on become easier and cheaper, and in return, it reduces our capital investment, because we are moving away from conventional plants with massive civil structure work and a lot of heavy machinery and customised equipment. If you adopt smaller-sized, integrated plants, much of the equipment can be found off the shelf, so that reduces a lot of capital expenditure.

We ran all sorts of financial and technical analyses to see which model performs better.

We understand that conventional District Cooling plants that exists in Dubai today have adopted very reliable design, and when it comes to District Cooling, reliability is of utmost importance, but we are willing to take that risk, build smaller plants and pass the saving to the customer.

For example, in one of our projects we found out that by adopting this kind of a scheme, we are able to offer low-capacity charge to customers compared to the market rate. The market rate ranges between AED 750 and 880; we are able to achieve AED 600 as capacity charge and maintain a healthy return. And customers enjoy the benefit of having a cheaper service compared to other replacements in the market. And to achieve this, all it took was planning from Day 1, to understand how we can work with the master developer to optimise the process. We do understand the challenges.

When you say optimise, do you mean optimising the reticulation network?

Yes

How did you achieve this? Did you take advantage of the existing utility corridors to lay out the piping for the scheme?

Yes. We adopted this approach in the aviation district. The initial design for the section had one single plant room of 40,000 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) capacity. We decided this was not efficient – in the sense that it would be efficient only in peak-load conditions. It would cost us a lot of money to build it in terms of civil and structural works and also to accommodate the equipment inside it and, then, to maintain a large plant.

So, we designed the entire distribution of the energy around the project.

May 2019

15

OVER STORY

Interview with Ismail Almarzooqi, CEO, South Engergy

The philosophy we came up with was to build modular, packaged, unmanned plants, remotely monitored and remotely managed from a command control centre.

The objective was that we distribute the load.

Most of the time, the load profiles build up over time; they don’t come in one stage, and many, many, many District Cooling players in the past have made the mistake of preparing the plant and overbuilding it. And to fix the whole economy of it, they would not be in a situation where they can offer lower tariffs to the customers. So, what we adopted was an approach of developing in phases. If we take it as a district, what do we do to optimise it?

How do you ensure from Day One that there is no wastage, because the wastage goes back all the way to the power generation plants. The moment I store an extra load that is unused, I am reserving an extra capacity of load of electricity and utilising extra load of capacity in a substation that goes back all the way to the 400 power generation stations. It has a chain effect on the overall economy and the government, and it is not healthy for anybody, and it does not even allow you to reconcile the financials to a stage where you can help customers in times of financial stress.

We adopted the approach of developing in phases. We began to develop plants in a ring network and to phase the load in a plugand-play manner.

What is the typical capacity of each plant?

The capacity is between 11,000 and 15,000 TR.

And is this with thermal energy storage?

Yes. So, it reduces a lot of cost, because eventually the cost of the installed capacity is much cheaper. And it allows you to modulate off-peak times and ensure chillers are running at sweet point, and so you reduce your carbon emissions. And the beauty of this is that when winter comes, let’s say we are off-peak, the cost of maintaining the scheme comes down, because you are supplementing the network with two plants, and if you need half of the load, you can alternate between

16

May 2019

the two plants day-wise, week-wise or month wise. Of course, we need to maintain water quality and water circulation, but we avoid all the unnecessary maintenance that you have in terms of a conventional District Cooling plant. I am referring to the civil maintenance, the upkeep of cooling towers, the concrete basins and so on. And it allows you to lower operation cost in terms of the manpower you require, which is not possible with conventional cooling plants. These plants are designed and fitted to be able to operate for 25 years minimum without any retrofits, and they are steel structures. So, if they are maintained well, you don’t have any replacement cost.

How does your approach help address the need for proper hydronic balancing, given that it is the bane of many District Cooling schemes?

Ismail Almarzooqi

What would that saving be in terms of percentage?

If a requirement is to meet a partial load, you can load the entire plant, and when winter comes and you need only 15,000 tonnes, you don’t need to run a 30,000-tonne plant. You can run a 15,000tonne plant during winter in full capacity, so it allows you to manage that curve from peak. And if in winter one plant goes off completely, the other one can run to maximum capacity, so you are always running at sweet point.

We found out that even the footprint is smaller, and in some places, we are able to fit our plants into the plots of customers.

In some places, we are able to reduce the footprint from, let’s say 60,000 square feet, down to 40,000 or 45,000 square feet.

To be honest, the network is still under construction here, but that’s not going to be an issue, because when we design the network and design the plants we take into consideration the pressure requirement, the head calculation for the distribution pumps and so on. Hydronic balancing requires active management. Usually, networks are left as they are from the day of testing and commissioning, but the way you balance the network in the winter season is different from how you balance it in summer. You do not require to pass the same flow that you are passing in summer during winter.

A lot of people may neglect this aspect.

They don’t rebalance systems – they keep it as it is for the peak load. What we do actively here is we rebalance our systems seasonally when winter comes. We start rebalancing our systems before winter, and throttle it to reduce the requirement of the flow. We maintain pressure that way.

We found that this is a really significant step, resulting in energy saving in terms of pumping.

It would be not less than 10% when it comes to the pumping, because what happens is a chain reaction. If the valves are open, to maintain the pressure I have to keep on pumping at the same force of summer during winter. But when you start rebalancing for winter season and you throttle the network for a certain flow that you need to achieve to maintain comfort, your pumping speed goes down significantly by 20% almost, or even 25%.

Could you take us through your approach to using renewable energy and Natural Gas in a District Cooling scheme? I have heard you are open to the idea.

We are exploring the possibility. Dubai South is a 145-square-kilometre development,

May 2019

17

OVER STORY

Interview with Ismail Almarzooqi, CEO, South Energy

and one of our main objectives is that we reduce the strain on the environment and the government infrastructure as much as possible. We are a self-sustained city for sewage today. All the sewage that gets generated in the city gets treated in our own sewage treatment plants, and we use the water for irrigation and, sometimes, in our own District cooling plants, when we have excess water.

So, do you use the TSE as make-up water for your cooling towers?

Not yet, but there is such a plan for future plants, the reason being lack of interconnectivity in infrastructure at this stage. We are currently using the water for the upkeep of the plant. We do use TSE rather than potable water if we have to wash down the cooling towers.

Just to reconfirm, you don’t have a network for TSE yet, correct?

Not yet, but in the long term, all plants have to be moved to a TSE-based operation. We don’t have enough TSE. The development has a small population, and the recycled generated capacity is 30 million gallons, which is not sufficient for full operation of a District Cooling plant. However, we are working with Dubai Municipality to bring in two TSE lines into the city, which will start supplementing the current capacity, and we can start using that water for our District Cooling operation in terms of energy.

With reference to your earlier question on Natural Gas, the plan is to have an LNG line into Dubai South and start using that for the airport. That’s going to be done by our sister company, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, and we plan to adopt the energy resource into District Cooling plants. We are looking at trigeneration, but in terms of trigeneration we are first proceeding with solar. We want to supplement our plants, wherever we can, with solar. Existing plants have a lot of land around them.

We do understand District Cooling plants take a huge load of electricity to operate, and you need a lot of space if you want to supplement the current energy profile with solar. We are looking to supplement the profile with 2-5% solar energy. If five per cent of my load for operating a District Cooling plant comes from renewable energy

18

May 2019

that’s better than having the entire load coming from power generation plants.

Renewable energy is cheaper and also addresses carbon emissions. We would like to reach a tipping point, because we can work a lot on our capacity charge by improving our capital investment strategy. We can reduce the capital investment required by adopting efficient schemes. However, we are very linked to the DEWA tariff, when it comes to consumption tariffs. We need to adopt different sorts of energy generation measures that will reduce the cost of energy that goes into the plant.

Have you explored the possibility of tapping into geothermal energy?

Have you conducted a technical feasibility study to that effect?

Not yet, to be honest. It is challenging in our area – we have a high water table around our projects. We don’t think we can achieve much in terms of geothermal at this stage.

At this stage, we are very concentrated on optimising as much as possible, and supplementing our plant with renewable resources to reduce the carbon footprint.

Geothermal is possible but is not costeffective. We do believe it will come as the technology evolves.

Could you talk us through your engagement with Singapore Power, and what the agreement means for South Energy?

Again, it is driven by our objective of building something that is unique, and to prove to the market and consumers that District Energy is actually an alternative solution that is cheaper and a much more reliable solution.

Our partnership with Singapore Power is strategic on the District Cooling side of it.

In South Energy, we are not only a District Cooling company, we invest in ventures related to renewable energy, we invest in retrofits, we invest in different spectrums of energy resources.

We have been around the world looking for people with technology and with the right engineering mindset, so we can partner with them and bring the technologies to Dubai.

The objective is to develop something that gives a cost benefit to the customers.

We are currently working with Singapore Power on DCP 2, in the aviation district. It

will be our first modular packaged plant, and recently, we have come up with a very challenging but brilliant scheme in order to reduce operational cost by 20%. It will adopt a series counterflow approach and parallel installation of chillers. Also, when we discuss modular, interconnected plants, we are looking at macro-sized energy management of these plants, but what we did with them is that we went into details of the plant itself – on how we will manage partial load and how we are going to avoid losses of energy during partial-load stages.

Speaking of chillers, what is your responsibility in terms of using the right type of refrigerant, post the Paris Agreement and the Kigali meeting? What is the direction you are taking, though the phase down of HFCs in Article 5 Group 2 countries, to which the UAE belongs, is only in 2028?

In 2028, the production will stop – the service and the maintenance will continue for many years to come, and we have actually been discussing this with our partners, like Trane and York. Currently, most of our chillers are running on R-134a, so we can say that is the good son of the refrigerant being phased out. We are phasing them out, so we are in discussions to retrofit our chillers to adopt a new refrigerant. We do understand that we will lose capacity with the adoption of newer refrigerants, but at the same time, our responsibility to the environment supersedes whatever commercial gains we have from using this kind of refrigerant.

Could you talk us through any measures you are taking to help customers reduce the cooling load in their buildings? I am referring to a holistic approach that focuses on building performance with a view to mitigating climate change.

When it comes to energy distribution and energy consumption, it’s a chain reaction.

Our plants will suffer if the buildings that are being built and connected to our plants are inefficient. And the impact of the inefficiency goes back all the way to power generation plants. Our approach to District Cooling is based on reaching out to customers. We do understand most of our customers are

not HVAC experts. At the same time, a lot of the consultants that provide services to these customers in terms of design and construction supervision may not have even been in the operation side of HVAC maintenance and performance monitoring; they look at the design parameters to achieve a certain amount of cooling and comfort level. So, the offer in South Energy is that every customer that is going to connect to our District Cooling plants benefits from a review of the entire HVAC design of his building, to make sure that it is efficient.

In the review, we have found many cases where the HVAC designs have been 30-40% overdesigned to capacity. Following this, we come in to suggest improvements.

The review is a process that the customer has to go through for a nominal fee of AED 2,000. The fee, I must add, does not even cover our cost of review, design improvements and so on. As an initial step, we give customers guidelines on aspects to adopt while designing the buildings.

Traditionally, we have found that District Cooling companies are always focused on the ETS room and its components. We do understand the whole operation starts from the ETS room, but if we only focus on the ETS without looking into the secondary system and the inherent inefficiencies and problems, we are just going to allow people to build oversized capacity buildings, which would require oversized capacity plants, which would sit idle. So, it is a chain reaction. That is why we hand out a set of guidelines for them to design the HVAC system. They apply for a no-objection letter from us, where we review the completed design and suggest improvement, wherever we find that there is unrealistic load calculations. We go into load calculation and educate the customer to resolve issues.

Do you charge the customer for Low Delta T? It is in the clauses, but we haven’t charged customers, because we feel we are responsible

for Low Delta T, not the customer. At the end of the day, the customer is a commercially driven entity, who is seeking experienced people to help him manage his energy use.

So, we optimise our customers, and we go back and optimise our plants accordingly, and make sure they are sized and built to the correct capacity. And we do consider and give a lot of time to diversity calculations. We optimise the design for the whole district and reduce cooling load significantly.

So, we are saving capital investment and future operational expenditure for not having oversized cooling equipment. We also help achieve a sustainable ecosystem, where you don’t take extra load of electricity that you don’t need.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the Q&A. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

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www.climatecontroljournal.com FOR ADVERTISING, CONTACT: advertising@cpi-industry.com May 2019

19

Hisense

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING TRUSTWORTHY

Saying that the Hisense-Hitachi joint venture enjoys a 22.3% share of the VRF market in China, Yi Bao, General Manager, Global Business; Administrative Director; Vice Chairman of the Trade Union, Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-conditioning Marketing Co., Ltd.; Dharmesh Sawant, Sales Director, Hisense VRF, Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-conditioning Marketing Co., Ltd., and Dick Shi, Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Airconditioning Marketing Co., Ltd., tell Surendar Balakrishnan of Climate Control Middle East that the company’s progress is based on the principle of wanting to be trustworthy and on the approach of being consistently innovative. Excerpts from the interview…

G

iven that you are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Hisense, what milestones are you targeting to cross over the next five years? How are you looking to position the company in the globe from an air conditioning point of view?

Yi Bao: The Hisense top management’s strategy is based on research and innovation. When it comes to air conditioning, we are focusing a lot on the VRF technology, which has many advantages. More and more designers and consultants have begun to accept the technology.

Many years ago, we defined our vision as wanting to build a trustworthy company for global business. We have had a lot of success in the Chinese market with VRF technology – we, as Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Airconditioning Marketing Company, have 22.3% of the market-share in China. And when we look at the country, China has 40% share of the global VRF market.

In the last five years, we have started building our overseas business strategies.

But first, we must understand the market

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May 2019

in China. You see, in China, the market is very comprehensive and complex. We have all kinds of architecture, which means there are all kinds of applications for VRF technology in China. We have collected more and more application-related experience in China, which we are now able to share with our overseas partners.

So, where do you see yourself going towards from the market-share of 22.3%?

Bao: Hisense is focused on long-term history. We don’t care about market-share, exactly. Rather, we want to be known as a trustworthy company, worldwide, and as being strong in technological innovation.

If you research successful companies, whether they make HVAC products or home appliances, they are trustworthy and have consistently high technological innovation. So, we want to be trustworthy and innovative. Consistent technological innovation means you focus on technology, and if you have new technology you can promote your business. That is our strategy over the next five years, for perhaps a long time into the future.

Dharmesh Sawant: China is a very competitive market – the country has 40% share of the global VRF market. And imagine the competition within China among the local players as well as the international companies. So, in that competitive market, us having 22.3% market-share is a big achievement. And that means we have done something

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21

Hisense

entered into technical cooperation. Hisense right. As you know, B2B business depends on analysed all the VRF technologies from relationship – on how strong our relationship around the world and concluded that is or how much trust each stakeholder has on Japan has the best technology and that the brand. And we have developed that kind Hitachi is one of the strongest when it of trust in China. came to VRF technology. And so Sometime ago, we thought through negotiation, Hisense of going global, because established a joint venture the market in China is with Hitachi. Now, a joint reaching saturation point. venture means different It meant, taking our corporate cultures, expertise to the global plus different technical market. Whatever we philosophy and business have done in China, we philosophy, but over the want to take it out to last 16 years, we have had the global market, and we a good performance trackwant to project the Hisense Yi Bao record in terms of revenue and brand as a trustworthy brand. profit, which means the cooperation is successful. So, over the next five You claim that while globally, years, we as the shareholders, companies spend 2-3% operation team or of their total revenue management will focus our on R&D, you spend vision on being trustworthy five per cent of your and innovative in terms of revenue on R&D. VRF technology.

What are you trying

to tell the market?

Dick Shi: I want to add Bao: More and more one point to what Mr countries are focusing Bao has said. He has just on the needs of the local Dharmesh Sawant come back from Milan, Italy. market, so you must put In Europe, maybe 90-95% your resources – especially of the air conditioning market is R&D resources – to fix the needs of about replacement and retrofit projects, the local market. That’s a responsibility all which is totally different from how manufacturers must bear. The needs it is in the UAE, where maybe of the local market vary from one 80% are new projects. So, as place to the other, be it in the a company, when it comes Middle East, the Americas to the products we use in or Europe. The needs of retrofit projects and to North America are totally the products we use in different from those of new projects, we need to South America. Eastern have a different strategy, Europe is different from including sales strategy western Europe, so we and R&D strategy. That must invest a lot on R&D. way, we can meet the needs There should be consistent Dick Shi of different customers and give technological innovation. them a satisfactory experience.

We have a lot of pre-developed Speaking of retrofits-projects, if a new technology, and maybe we can use this building, you have instances where you technology in the next two or three years. are able to interact with the architects and Hisense has always focused on technology. establish certain approaches from the onset, Within China, if you look at history, some like planning for dead spaces in high-rises of the Chinese manufacturers have focused to overcome the issue of piping lengths. In on marketing, some others on channel existing buildings, though, you have to work sales, but Hisense has always focused on within limitations, correct? technology.

Hisense has a comprehensive ability to Sawant: In the case of retrofits projects, we research into all kinds of technology. For are directly communicating with the end example, our VRF system is the number user, who is burdened with some features one inverter-based home air conditioning that are pain points and for which he needs system in China. In 1999, Hisense built a solution. In the case of new buildings, we its commercial VRF team. And in 2003, it

22

May 2019

don’t communicate with the end user, we only communicate with the consultants and contractors, and sometimes what the end user needs is overlooked. So, the strategy in Europe is different in that we focus on the end user, and then we design the product.

The focus of R&D is to develop products that will directly benefit the end user.

We benefit from working in Europe, because we use the learning gained there to adopt those features in the Middle East, if suitable. We implement those features over here, and so that is where our global expertise comes into play. To cite an example, in our indoor units, we have an off-coil temperature sensor. This is a unique feature, which helps in fast cooling.

It helps in reducing the temperature faster in the room. We developed this feature in Europe and implemented it here in the Middle East, as well. A second example has to do with humidity. Now, humidity control is a feature that other manufacturers also offer. In the case of the Hisense VRF technology, you can set the humidity on the basis of the individual needs of occupants.

Somebody has dry skin, so he doesn’t want low humidity, he wants it at 60%. And somebody has good skin texture and wants it at 50%. We recognised this need and, hence, placed the humidity setting in the hands of the end user.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the Q&A. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

WEF Jdentifies Danfoss Compressor 'actory in $hina among world’s smartest Danfoss’ compressor factory in Wuqing has made it onto the World Economic Forum’s list of 16 of the world’s smartest factories. The Forum identifies a smart factory as one which is not only good at adopting smart technologies, but also at turning the investment into operational and financial benefits.

Danfoss Wuqing works with digitalisation on all levels in the factory. By using its full digital traceability system and digital tools such as smart sensors, visual inspection, and the auto monitoring system to improve quality control, it has reduced scrap costs, improved labour productivity and increased customer satisfaction. www.danfoss.com

May 2019

23

Counterfeit Refrgerants

UnrAvEllIng thE COmplExItIES Of IllICIt trAdE In hfCS Will the global move to phase down HFCs fuel an illicit trade in the refrigerants?

If so, what is the HVACR industry doing to curb instances of smuggling and, most importantly, counterfeits, which pose a potentially fatal threat to the general public? Hannah Jo Uy draws key insights from a panel discussion during the 3rd edition of Refrigerants Review, on March 24 in Dubai…

T

he global move to phase down HFCs is set to create a new set of challenges for the HVACR sector, the most troubling of which could be the illicit traders looking to exploit possible gaps in the countries’ process of transitioning. As the industry navigates the increasingly stringent refrigerant landscape, stakeholders urge the public to be discerning with regard to the available options in the market. Yaqoub Almatouq, Head of the Negotiations Team to Montreal Protocol; Member, Kuwait National Ozone & Climate Change Committee, Environment Public Authority – Kuwait, pointed out that between 2008 and 2010 authorities in the GCC region reported smuggling of R-11 and R-12. “We think that we will start [to see this kind of activity] again when we come to the HCFCs,” he said. “Rather than stockpiling and buying now – they will start smuggling.” Almatouq believes the same fate can befall HFCs in view of the looming phase-down deadline.

The unregulated market created by customers that turn to illegitimate sources for refrigerants instead of authorised dealers, only aggravates another pressing problem –

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May 2019

Yaqoub Almatouq

Abier Wasouf

the proliferation of counterfeit products.

Abier Wasouf, Regional Anticounterfeit Counsel - MEA, Danfoss FZCO, has seen, first hand, instances of counterfeiting in the region. For over a decade, she has unravelled the complexities of illicit trade across the region. The work has involved conducting investigations and participating in raids, during which she has seen the great lengths to which traders have gone to avoid detection and to safeguard profits. “In 2017, the impact of counterfeit products on the global economy was worth USD 30-USD 54 billion,” she said, adding that according to the International Chamber of Commerce, the negative impacts of counterfeiting are projected to drain USD 4.2 trillion from the global economy and put 5.4 million legitimate jobs at risk by 2022.

The HVACR sector, she pointed out, is not excluded from the statistic. Wasouf added that the profit of traders from counterfeit products is three times more than in the drug trade, while the penalties are “nothing more than a slap on the wrist”, compared to drug-related crimes.

East, Turkey and Africa (META), While the volume of trade in Honeywell, called the scourge of counterfeit refrigerants is well documented counterfeit “a menace that haunts the challenge in nabbing the perpetrators the company”. The company, he is a daunting one. As Dr Nacer Achaichia, said, continues to express vigilance Technology Director - EMEA, Honeywell, in trying to combat counterfeit pointed out, it is difficult to know what’s refrigerants in view of the very in the cylinder in the first real danger they pose to the place. He said the reason public. why certain refrigerants Wasouf added that may be cheap is there should also be greater because they are awareness among the contaminated, toxic public with regard to or highly flammable, counterfeits of the which poses a very operating grave threat to the systems carrying public. Mislabelled the refrigerants. or misrepresented Dr Nacer Achaichia This, she said, has refrigerants, he said, direct and indirect impact will then be handled by on consumers. Providing an technicians, who would not be example, Wasouf said that the installing and aware of their true qualities, which could the operating of counterfeit products within result in explosions and, in some instances, the cold chain can damage the integrity of fatalities. Amir Naqvi, Regional Business food and medicine and impact the overall Leader for Fluorine Products, Middle

health and wellbeing of the people consuming temperature-sensitive products. In addition, doing so could place people at risk of fires and explosions. “Don’t forget,” she cautioned, “the people making these counterfeit products have no technical background.”

May 2019

25

Counterfeit Refrgerants

In addition to the important issue of safeguarding the public, there are economic consequences. Wasouf pointed out that any brand that is famous and is associated with quality will always be a target for counterfeiters, and that brands that have invested millions in R&D, testing and certification should protect their name in the market.

Almatouq added that companies must invest in brand protection, else suffer the negative feedback from those that used counterfeits of their products.

Amir Naqvi

Captain Salem Allooba

Markus Lattner

26

May 2019

In view of the intellectual property, safety and environmental issues associated with counterfeits, police authorities are taking a leadership role in curbing their spread in the market. Captain Salem Allooba, Criminal Investigation Department, Anti-economical department, Dubai Police, said that local authorities take the issue very seriously and that counterfeiting entities often attempt to target the local market in view of Dubai’s strategic position as a transit hub for many international products. Captain Allooba said that Dubai Police, the economic authorities as well as the Customs Department have a consortium to keep the borders of the UAE safe, and that upon complaints they immediately conduct investigations into the matter. He emphasised that every person has the right to have the brand they invested in and no one should take away this right.

A number of companies in the HVACR sector are closely enlisting the help of the police in this regard. Naqvi said that Honeywell is working with the local authorities to curb the issue of counterfeiting, engaging with the Dubai Economic Department and reaching out to relevant authorities in case of incidents.

Speaking for Danfoss, Wasouf said that in terms of brand protection, the relationship between brand owner and law enforcement bodies is extremely important. “Most of us, we have the same goal,” she said, adding that there is a need to support each other in training and to facilitate proper exchange of information as well as proper enforcement and partnership in raids.

Markus Lattner, Director, Eurovent Middle East, advocated the importance of market surveillance and a more industry-wide joint approach, so authorities can benefit from the knowledge of the sector as a whole. He said: “We know most about what’s happening in the market, what is being used, and what is coming in. Perhaps we could exchange experience and define measures and steps to take together to help the situation and reduce the risk, especially with counterfeit refrigerants, which have incremental risk for health and safety.”

In addition to stakeholder engagement, Naqvi said the company is building awareness by leveraging technology through QR codes and looking at how blockchain can be used to protect products in a way that can be recognised by contractors and technicians. This brings another issue to the forefront – that of culture. While recommendations to broaden regulatory schemes to implicate the buyer of counterfeit or

contaminated products remain elusive, stakeholders believe that there is a pressing need to create a paradigm shift in the cost-centric thinking that allows for such bad practices. For Wasouf, education and awareness on the need to be wary of counterfeit products should be a cultural movement, as it will take all stakeholders in the market to address the immense issue.

Almatouq added, “You have to teach the buyer and supplier ethics of trade.”

While there are challenges, there are just as many solutions, provided stakeholders work together now, before what is merely a lurking threat becomes a tragic headline.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the Q&A. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

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May 2019

27

James K Walters, Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)

Companies like petra‚ alessa and Zamil will be in aHri Committees

AHRI has over 300 members, and those companies produce 70% of the world’s air conditioning equipment, says James K Walters, Vice President, International Affairs, AHRI, to Surendar Balakrishnan of Climate Control Middle East, as he elaborates on the direction the certification body has set for itself to take, including unprecedentedly enabling companies outside the United States to be involved in committee discussions and voting exercises. Excerpts…

W

hat are you doing to engage more closely with the industry and its needs?

In the 1950s, AHRI had one standard, and it had to do with unitary equipment. Today, we have over a 100 standards. We have 350 members, and we have over 40 committees, and each committee was called a section, and each section was a product type, be it unitary chiller or air handler. As the industry matured and developed, there were new sections added, because there was new equipment.

At the top of the organisation, the staff was growing, and we had a Board of Directors, which grew, and it’s all been very good, but the Board of Directors decided in the last two years that in order to keep AHRI agile, in order to properly hear and give a voice to an industry that has undergone great changes, we needed to reorganise how we did business, so that our process did not impede, going forward, having co-operation and being effective. So we've taken those 40 product sections, if you will, and are moving into four categories in air

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conditioning, heating, cooling and unitary applications, and each one of those sectors is still responsible for developing standards, certification programmes and technical work, but on an increasingly inter-disciplinary basis, where the related other sections are all in the same room, as opposed to having one meeting to another, sequentially, which you can't do. So, you put them in the room together, and on top of that, our leadership councils for each of those four.

The leadership councils are business leaders, who will help the sector shape the priorities, so it’s a combination of developers and is intended to integrate more smoothly the understanding of our members and our own strategic and business goals and to be able to support them technically, politically and statistically with our programmes. So, we're trying to close what we thought was becoming a long gap between strategic thinking and the detail of doing the other work.

It’s a very big job, because literally 100s of volunteers from the company are involved.

We intend to finish this. In November 2018, the Board of Directors abolished itself and

re-constituted itself as 15 members versus 72 members. And by November 2019, we intend to be operating along the new path. At the same time, the current Board of Directors is not saying, 'In November (2019), we're finished'; if something isn't working, we'll make it work. We will change what has to be changed, because the Board and members understand that they are undertaking a substantial re-organisation in terms of structure. And there are many things done in our first effort that need to be refined, and to me, that is very important, because I've certainly been through many re-organisations, and historically there's going to be re-organisation, when the re-organisation is finished. In our case, we're ready to say, ‘That's it, but if things are still not going well then we will change it’, which is a very healthy attitude, and I am very pleased about it. I think the members are, too, and the members have been engaged, instead of having technical working groups that go on and on. They will be formed and dissolved once the project is done, so it’s less cost to the members.

We will have a refined mailing list, so you can imagine how many addresses we have with our current structure. So, our companies will be working to distribute things within their companies even more effectively than they do now. People will have more up-todate information. And from a global point of view, one change that I am very happy with is that we've changed our by-laws, according to which a company many not sell products in North America but can become a member of the AHRI, and serve and vote and comment and develop AHRI standards and certification programmes. In the Middle East, we have excellent companies, like Petra, Alessa and Zamil. All these companies no longer have to wait for what we say; they are going to have a chance to have their say, because they're going to be on committees.

They're going to be involved in voting. That's quite an astonishing development!

still a good concept, but I think it’s going to have to be altered from its original plans. In the meantime, as AHRI, we have taken a position that it’s not about forming chapters but about letting the people who were out there be here inside the organisation. Period! They are colonies, and they should have direct participation, and that does not mean that we can’t go forward with some local organisation, but it’s not going to be an organisation that has a great deal of expertise and not have a place to express it.

When will you firmly unfurl this approach?

It's in, and it's done. I am talking with companies here. The thing I like about it is that the manufacturers here bring to the table experience, ideas and thoughts that may be unique to this area that we might not even know about. We can make a provision for those, as we always revise the programmes and the standards. That kind of input and their ability to vote for that or not to vote for that is an important development.

They can now say, 'Now, wait a minute – it’s not going to work here. That’s progress.'

So, would you say you are respecting the fact that ambient conditions are different here, and so equipment need to be considered differently?

We are respecting the fact that our customers, despite the fact that they might not sell to North America, have a greater voice in choosing their own destiny with respect to our programme. There's no other certification body that does that, and I think that this is a great step forward.

You announced Aramena with great fanfare some years ago? Whatever happened to it?

Aramena is a project, and the project is still a concept. Priorities relative to the migration to new refrigerants and the growth of MEPS have required that we ensured that AHRI’s programmes are relative. Instead of developing a chapter here, we simply want people here or in China to be part of the group. Now, the concept for Aramena was to form our own organisation here, and that's

James K Walters

How do you read what Eurovent is trying to achieve here? They are using the word lobby, as in lobbying for the interest of the air conditioning industry here, so it’s one unified voice that would go to the government and would represent their concerns and their questions. Do you see that as a different model and approach?

I think that having created the membership model, it will allow the development of a local voice here, and that has the strength of being part of a major organisation, as opposed to just the chapter. So, I think that it's very interesting to see where the approach Eurovent is taking goes. We certainly expect as AHRI to be in a position to bring our whole resources to providing the industry here with a creative and a strong voice, and it is a very significant difference. We both are associations, and we have a very long and rich history with them. Anything that helps co-operation and opinion here is good. We think the companies here will strongly benefit from being more in control of the tools of the trade, and the standardisation,

certification and advocacy programmes.

They won't be isolated from the main branch; instead, they would be a part of the main body.

How is the work with SASO and ESMA progressing?

With SASO, we have developed programmes, where we have a very specific IT network with them. Equipment that's been AHRI-certified arrives at their border, and the Society can quickly check the data that they have produced from testing the information. They don't have to ask us. We have created this IT box, where all the data is located, and I would hope in the future that we are going to provide the same kind of service to other groups.

We are in the process of regulating the ESMA proposed regulations. We have been working with ESMA for a long time, and we look forward to continuing to do that.

AHRI believes strongly that it can serve as a neutral body. For example, we take no position on refrigerants, we are agnostic, and we don't favour refrigerants. And we are in favour of MEPS. Energy efficiency is a huge area and larger as we move to the next level of refrigerants under our timeline.

And some of them are more sensitive and that interferes with energy efficiency, so we are spending millions of dollars in research, and the information is going to be publically available. We are continuing our work on energy efficiency, and we want to be part of the system that allows a customer anywhere that buys any equipment to have the ability to meet the rules and regulations where it is being used. We have every interest in full disclosure, that's why our website is public.

Is that able to address the vexing issue of misrepresentation of certification, do you believe?

I can say that I can presume so, but for it to help, we have to continue to well-inform regulators and consumers about the existence of the programme and that it’s open any time and that information should be shared. There is a common desire among our members to participate in our market at a level playing field, and that is important to the industry, and that is what motivates our programmes.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the Q&A. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

May 2019

29

Prabhu Ramachandran, Facilio

Making the call for digital retrofits Prabhu Ramachandran, Founder and CEO, Facilio, discusses the increasing need for Facilities Management (FM) companies to step in during the design and pre-construction phase of projects, and the benefits to be had through digital-retrofit solutions‌

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

H

ow is Facilities Management (FM) contributing to the retrofit space? Will FM stepping into stakeholder discussions and deliberations during the pre-construction phase of a project influence the overall outcome? What are the roadblocks in achieving this?

FM is a core function in the builtenvironment. With nearly 80% of the cost of a building’s lifecycle incurred post-construction, being efficient can be a huge source of savings. To achieve this, FM companies need to step in during the pre-construction and the design stage of projects to help embed systems, which will be operationally efficient at later stages.

FMs are the driving force and the central pivot that connect the construction and the MEP sectors. Together, they champion change and help re-imagine the builtenvironment. Retrofitting of buildings is being globally recognised as the only viable solution to being more efficient. Despite the benefits it brings, any conversation about retrofits with real estate owners or with MEP professionals unveils deep apprehensions regarding heavy investment required for a full-fledged physical retrofit. However, while the usual physical hardware used in retrofits are essential, the industry now needs to look above and beyond the traditional energy-saving plug-ins, and move towards digital retrofits. Digital Retrofit is to the building industry what Industry 4.0 is to the manufacturing sector, where instead of incurring costs, time and manpower to replace all of your current machinery, one can apply specialist technologies in tandem

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technology and automation in Facilities Management?

Prabhu Ramachandran

with existing equipment, so as to allow the gathering of data, which can then be used to inform decision-making in real time.

To what extent is technology in FM gaining global acceptance? And what are the emerging trends in the Middle East?

The FM industry in the Middle East is undergoing a digital transformation. The Middle East is seeing a high adoption rate of technology, given the ambitious benchmark and vision for developing Smart Cities. A number of FM-based software are being used for digitisation; however, they are limited and do not work on real-time data. Irrespective, technology is gaining acceptance, and its ability to disrupt industries by driving efficiencies and revenue models is now an established fact.

With special attention to the UAE, how would you assess the integration of digitisation,

Automation in buildings began decades ago. Sensors, siloed building management systems and packets of dormant unanalysed data, have defined automation within the built-environment. The conventional role of FM and building management services has changed; building owners today are expecting FM teams to be stakeholders and collaborators for business growth. There is a monumental shift from passive asset management to active value creation. At the same time, seamless, real-time customer experience has become paramount. FM companies and Commercial Real Estate (CRE) owners are under pressure to balance sustainability regulations, while ensuring a building is operational, efficient and competitive, so as to deliver a high return on investment (ROI). However, this is impossible to achieve with legacy systems, especially when multiple building portfolios are involved. Traditional automation suppliers have systems, which are time- and costintensive, and yet, they are not equipped to deal with the needs of the new era, of service-led facility experiences — agile, flexible, real-time, unified solutions to manage assets. In the past five years, the trend for connected buildings has gained traction, owing to the vision of having smart cities.

Given the disruption software solutions have brought in several other industries, the buildings and FM market has also shown interest in a software-driven approach in the last five years. CRE owners now demand that their facilities be well-managed, modern and experience-driven structures that attract young millennials.

Is the fear of failure when implementing technology a factor influencing FM companies today?

There are a number of factors influencing the adoption of technology in the builtenvironment. The fear of failure when implementing technology – given the high costs – is a big factor. It is important to understand what works and what does not, while addressing the fears and the challenges of adopting digitalisation. There is a considerable amount of automation available in buildings, and today, we need ways to adopt modern software-led technologies. In

addition, we also need to leverage existing data and translate it into actionable insights and operational efficiencies, and provide a better tenant experience. Today, the world of buildings has evolved, and so have customers.

Managing and repairing buildings by using legacy automation no longer suffices, and for buildings to be more competitive, they need to have service-led facilities that are sustainable. Legacy systems are slow, rigid and are also time-consuming to implement.

Customers today expect the same experience in buildings as with any consumer brand — seamless, responsive and real-time. In

addition, the ability to predict the future is power, and with IoT connectivity, AI intelligence and data analytics, this is what we get — a predictive model of operation. And as awareness builds up about all the manifold benefits of technology, we are likely to see a global adoption of technology.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the Q&A. Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

Linking the best of Africa to the world

www.hvacafrica.com FOR ADVERTISING, CONTACT: advertising@cpi-industry.com May 2019

31

COUNTRY REPORT

SaudiArabia Arabia Saudi

SHIFTING GEARS

confirm the massive change in the Kingdom,” he says. Manzoor is not alone in this observation.

Khaled Al Mulhim, Business Development Director, Suhaimi Design – Protecooling, says: “The market is changing, as we speak, and I think the speed is really exhilarating. Compared to previous years, I believe things are going in the right direction.” Matthias Kasprowicz, Managing Director, TROX Middle East (LLC), shares the same positive view with regard to Saudi Arabia’s market. “After a couple of quite difficult years in Saudi, we see an uptrend since end of last year,” he says.

Dana Salbak, Associate, JLL MENA, points out that the positive attitude surrounding Saudi Arabia’s business environment can be attributed to the government’s comprehensive strategy to drive the economy towards Vision 2030, which has led to an allocation of SAR 1.1 trillion for government spending in 2019. Salbak says a significant portion of the figure will be directed towards the non-oil sector, of which the real estate industry is a part.

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformation, largely driven by government initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030 to promote social and economic diversification within the Kingdom.

These initiatives have renewed the enthusiasm of the HVAC sector, with stakeholders presenting a positive outlook of the local market in anticipation of new developments, following the announcements of mega projects and increased investment in non-oil industries, and in view of the expanding retrofit market. Hannah Jo Uy of Climate Control Middle East takes a KEY AREAS OF GROWTH Kasprowicz says that besides the mega closer look at how efforts to meet project, Riyadh Metro, which the company the objectives of Saudi Vision has significantly contributed to, a number 2030 is transforming the builtof projects are gaining momentum once environment in the country… again. “Generally we see growth potential in all areas

S

audi Arabia is undergoing a transformation, in more ways than one. In fact, Ahmad Farrakh Manzoor, Head – Smart Infrastructure (Solutions and Services), Siemens Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, describes the changes within the Kingdom as “unprecedented”. “From the airports’ e-gates, an excellent welcome experience with much shorter waiting times, all the way to women driving, restaurant and family entertainment experiences, smarter infrastructure, metros – these trends

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where the demographic development in Saudi has impact, such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and food and beverage.”

Kasprowicz says there is especially strong momentum in the entertainment industry. Salbak is in agreement, pointing out that that changing lifestyles and growing diversity of the residents will continue to fuel the entertainment sector, especially given that in Saudi Arabia’s population of over 30 million, 60-65% are under the age of 30.

In view of the youth population in the Kingdom, Manzoor says there is a strong market for cinemas, which is only expected to grow in the foreseeable future. He says: “Many theatre development projects are either underway or in the planning phase. Some will be built as part of existing and new shopping malls, while others will be separate.” Ziad Al Bawaliz, Regional President, Danfoss Turkey Middle East and Africa, echoes this, sharing that there is a 95% occupancy rate in all theatres, which shows no signs of slowing down. Salbak adds that the government has already signed agreements with various cinema operators to come and open cinemas and multiplexes, which will reflect positively on the retail market. Al Bawaliz says the government has also set out many initiatives to support the media business, including incentives for production and the building of a media city.

“We do not know if this initiative has created a physical construction increase,

Alamdar points out that there is still a huge opportunity in the field of building-retrofits.

“For the time being, the most popular projects are rehabilitation projects,” he says.

“Many buildings want to change their air conditioning, which has been used for 20 years, and to change because of the high cost of energy now.”

Al Bawaliz specifically of says the same new malls,” he says. push can be seen “However, it has created in support of local construction buildout within manufacturing industries. current malls and larger construction of He says: “The government infrastructure related to the entertainment is launching several initiatives business. There are still a lot of moving parts and subsidised that are being worked out on programmes the government regulations to support local and budgets, which remain manufacturing unclear.” of the auto In addition to the growing industry; food processing, entertainment industry driving including aquaculture; projects, Al Bawaliz says healthcare; renewable energy; tourism is a key growth sector. water; transport; logistics and “This is reiterated not only with Ahmad Farrakh Manzoor mining. These are clear growth the government’s big focus opportunities for Danfoss across on Umra and Hajj but also all the segments.” He adds through all the mega-projects that Danfoss has observed an under development, such as increase in projects for water Neom, Amaala and the Red Sea and wastewater infrastructure Project,” he says. Salbak adds along with desalination. Salbak that these mega-projects also says that a lot of investment showcase the country’s move is also being directed towards to not only increase tourism the logistics sector as well numbers but also to diversify Khaled Al Mulhim as in the development of the tourist base by attracting industrial facilities, given that the MICE sector. “We see this the manufacturing sector is in the huge announcement of becoming a huge driver for the new wellness destinations, as economy. part of the portfolio launched Al Bawaliz says the mood by the Public Investment Fund is certainly more optimistic, (PIF) alongside NEOM and Red but that it will be later in 2019 Sea,” she says. or 2020 before the industry There is a similar movement sees a real uptake in order in transforming the residential Matthias Kasprowicz booking. Numair Alamdar, an sector. Salbak points to the independent consultant, is in SAR 86 billion (USD 23 billion) agreement, saying the Kingdom project, announced earlier continues to be the largest this year, to revamp public market in terms of volume. spaces in Riyadh, in a bid to “The major boom improve the quality of life of of the economy is residents in the city. “The King really based on the Salman Park will promote urban government,” he development with green spaces says, “but right now, and will include recreational Numair Alamdar it’s on pause. After areas for the benefit of the maybe in one or two communities and citizens in years, the new projects will come, Riyadh,” she says, adding that the project the money injection will be good and complements government initiatives to people will start to be refreshed.” boost home ownership, which is expected to As stakeholders continue to eagerly promote demand for residential units in the await tenders for the new developments, long run.

SHIFTING PRODUCT DEMANDS While new developments and existing buildings are creating a pipeline of projects for stakeholders, the question then shifts to what type of products these projects will create a demand for. Al Mulhim points out that there is growing emphasis being placed on energy-efficient products, especially in the growing retrofit sector. This trend, he says, can be observed in government and commercial facilities that are energy intensive, as well as in the private sector, with many developments pursuing retrofits in a bid to improve the bottom line by enhancing performance and reducing operational cost to add value to total revenues. Alamdar says the growing appreciation for energy-efficient products in the past 2-3 years is largely driven by increasing energy rates, pointing out that electricity cost has more than doubled from SAR 0.1 to today’s SAR 0.3 (per kilowatt/ Hr), as part of government efforts to drive a change in behaviour. Al Bawaliz adds: “Years of subsidised utility costs and absence of public incentives to conserve energy have led to considerable waste, loss and overuse of electricity. We believe that KSA aims to break old habits by increasing energy tariffs, retrofitting ageing public facilities, establishing awareness campaigns, developing energy-efficient solutions and introducing regulatory bodies that support and enforce the above.” Highlighting the impact the new standards will have on homes and businesses, Al Bawaliz says the Saudi government has established dedicated entities to oversee the development and regulation of the energy-savings sector,

May 2019

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COUNTRY REPORT

Saudi Arabia

SmArt InfrAStrUCtUrE UndErpInS SAUdI ArABIA’S vISIOn 2030 Stakeholders report increasing investment towards digital platforms to promote greater connectivity across the Kingdom

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

I

ncreased investment towards smart solutions and technologies in Saudi Arabia reflects the country’s proactive efforts to use digital platforms to promote greater connectivity as part of efforts to meet the social, economic and environmental objectives of Vision 2030.

Evidence of this can be seen everywhere, says Ahmad Farrakh Manzoor, Head – Smart Infrastructure (Solutions and Services), Siemens Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. “Those of us who have been living in Saudi Arabia for a long time – I am one of them – deeply appreciate how connected everything is already and how easy it is to manage the governmental procedures online and through apps,” he says. “With a plethora of other apps also being developed, such as online parking, we see real actions being taken, and the positive results are also starting to show.”

Dana Salbak, Associate, JLL MENA, adds that there is a push from both public and private sector to digitise spaces across Saudi Arabia. “In some malls, there is integration of AI to give a technology experience,” she says, by way of giving an example.

Salbak says that there is also large-scale adoption through smart living developments, adding that growing investments in technology are driven by demands of the population to cultivate greater connectivity and have better access to resources.

Khaled Al Mulhim, Business Development Director, Suhaimi Design – Protecooling, shares the same observation, pointing out that digitalisation has helped ease of doing business for local and international investors. “Everything will be electronically utilised, online registration applications are readily available, and most of this has been changed drastically to make the process of bringing investors from outside the Kingdom much easier and make the initiatives go faster and smoother,” he says.

Al Mulhim says the trend is in the construction sector, as well, with the introduction of more digital platforms to promote a more streamlined and efficient tendering process, especially for government projects. This, he says,

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greatly helps with the application process, obtaining approvals and staging of payments. “Local entities, companies and establishments are shifting towards that direction,” he says. “Everything is going truly digital. Everything will be accessible, and it will be much easier for companies, and done electronically. This is part of our government’s goal – to have more transparency and have the tendering [process] exposed to every party and stakeholder.”

Al Mulhim adds that Saudi Arabia has also been actively encouraging adoption of new and technologically advanced equipment in a bid to speed up energy-efficiency initiatives, and there has been an uptake in government hiring for skilled personnel in the field of technology and IT. “Everybody is focusing on industrial revolution 4.0,” he says. “Everything will have a more technological approach. There is a lot of chance for international companies to invest in these technologies to make them more localised.”

Manzoor says that Siemens has been active in all verticals in the Saudi market in this regard, through its portfolio of ‘Smart Infrastructure’ solutions, which he says, make buildings, grids and industries smarter, resilient, efficient, safe and secure. “Some high-growth verticals include healthcare, where our IoT solutions can enable space optimisation, asset tracking and indoor positioning,” he says. “Imagine the time many hospital staff spend in finding resources, such as wheel chairs.

Our indoor IoT sensors can enable staff to find resources via apps and save valuable time.” Manzoor says the same IoT sensors can help reduce electricity bills by maintaining proper ventilation and temperatures as well as optimising space usage.

as part of its commitment to Vision 2030. that they educate their “The Saudi Energy Efficiency Center customers and building owners (SEEC), Super Energy Service Company about the impact of low cost compared to (Super ESCO) and Energy Service a acceptable level of indoor comfort, energy saving Company (ESCO) Committee have and lifecycle cost, including maintenance, energy and been tasked with introducing new downtime calculations. We are joining hands with them in regulations and energy standards this educational approach.” in the forms of licensing, Al Bawaliz echoes the need for training, pointing out that measurement and verification entities will be investing in human capital through certifications systems, legal frameworks and and training programmes aimed at building capabilities in the energy incentive programmes,” he sector. Alamdar adds that the market also remains largely geared says, adding that Danfoss is towards traditional equipment and that applications, such as closely working with these District Cooling, are not very popular in the country. “Private multiple stakeholders. sector owners are not willing to have some supply of cooling Kasprowicz says that only without machinery,” he says. “They are used to having TROX has also seen a ownership of machinery. It’s a little bit difficult to shift their change in terms of increased mind from this mentality.” While it will take time for the appreciation for quality market to accept District Cooling, he says, VRF technology products and demand for is increasingly gaining in popularity in the country.

Dana Salbak high performance, not only Xavier Delaigue, EMEA Sales Director, Seeley for energy but for an overall International Europe, Middle East & Africa, healthier built-environment. says the company has a commitment “I think customers are tired to training local stakeholders of going cheap and paying on the benefits of, in its the bill of that over the many case, evaporative cooling, lifetime years of the building especially following the where they have to live with success of the company’s bad HVAC performance,” he Mina Tent City project. “Our says. “People are realising more goal is to take a bigger Ziad Al Bawaliz and more that a noisy and market share of what technologies substantially reduce draughty AC, which impacts already exists and see the installation and energy costs. We your health, performance, market evolving into the use consider it as our obligation as an industry wellbeing and mood, must not of better quality products and leader to create awareness, especially be accepted. People get more better performance products,” among the industry’s decision-makers, in conscious about the impact he says. the design of projects. We have conducted of healthy air and a properly Dr Ahmed Ala’a Eldin seminars in those locations where we engineered AC system. But it is Mohamed, Director, Region At see good potential in the next few years, still a long way to go to reach Large, ASHRAE, believes that which is confirmed in the extensive project a quality level, which we have, local stakeholders are more pipeline in Saudi Arabia and other countries Xavier Delaigue for instance, in Europe.” than willing to expand their in the region.” knowledge, gleaning from recent Undoubtedly, Saudi Arabia is shifting technical seminars ASHRAE gears, with Al Mulhim pointing out that NEED FOR TRAINING conducted with Siemens in it is no longer “business as usual” in the That said, many stakeholders Riyadh and Jeddah. “I saw the Kingdom. Such changes are working in believe there is still room for people there eager to learn favour of local, regional and international improvement, which can only and to get the knowledge,” he players, who are being given the chance to be achieved through training says, adding that the decision play an active role in making Saudi Vision and knowledge exchange. to conduct the seminars was 2030 a reality.

Kasprowicz says this is owing to demand and that especially important in efforts Dr Ahmed Ala’a Eldin stakeholders must promote best to veer away from cost-centric Mohamed practice, especially in view of thinking, which continues to HAVE YOUR SAY! the pipeline of projects in the be a big driver for the majority We welcome your views on the article. country. Manzoor adds: “Hydronic balancing of the market. He says: “We must take the Write to editor@cpi-industry.com systems keep evolving, and the latest consultants into responsibility and request

May 2019

35

ABB Motion Business HVAC event 2019

▶ Frank Taaning Grundholm, Vice President, Global HVACR Sales, ABB Motion

▶ Aki Maenpaa, VP Service Manager, UAE, Gulf, and Near East, ABB

▶ Jyotsna Ravishankar, Country Communication Manager, UAE and Gulf, ABB

ABB showcases motion digital

▶ Guests interact during the event

▶ Ahmed Radwan, Local Business Manager, Motions Business, ABB

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May 2019

▶ ABB representatives discuss a point

▶ During a networking session

▶ Members of the audience listen to the presentations

solutions T

he ABB Motion Business HVAC event, held on April 24 in Dubai, attracted stakeholders from the industry and provided ample opportunities for networking. We bring the event to you in pictures…

▶ The ABB team at the event

▶ Delegates registering for the event

▶ Pavan Dwarakanath, Product Marketing Manager, High Power Drives, ABB

▶ Attendees during the networking session

May 2019

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ABB Motion Business HVAC event 2019

abb motion business event sets the tone for a fresh approach to digitalisation Digitalisation can be incorporated at various levels in a system; and using it for condition-monitoring in assets can be a start, ABB says

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

and an advanced electrical distribution he possibility of applying system. digitalisation at various levels was a Elaborating on a few additional efforts key point that was articulated during towards digitalisation, Maenpaa highlighted the ABB Motion Business Event, on that the company provides platforms for April 24 in Dubai. Organised on behalf of system integrators with the opportunity to ABB by CPI Industry Bespoke Events, the create their own digitalised solutions, which event was an opportunity to elaborate on can be combined with readyhow digitalisation could be made applications. In addition used in conditioning monitoring to digitalisation, he said, we of assets, to start with. Aki are witnessing the onset of Maenpaa, VP Service Manager, Industry 4.0, the name given to UAE, Gulf, and Near East, ABB, the trend of automation and said, “We see new technology data exchange within the scope entering the market.” The of manufacturing. The name of availability of new technology, Aki Maenpaa the game is all about the need he said, has enabled machineto combine data from a BMS learning, thus reducing the or an ERP (Enterprise Resource overall cost to technology. When Planning) system, which can we speak of technology, he said, be used to optimise manpower the first thing that comes to and bring about predictive mind is how we can monitor our maintenance. assets, which brings us to the Another aspect that came concept of digitalisation. Though up for discussion at the event digitalisation and its application was related to EC (electronically can differ from one company Frank Taaning Grundholm commutated) motors in the to another, it can be used to context of energy efficiency. conduct a predictive analysis of a Frank Taaning Grundholm, Vice system, he said.

President, Global HVACR Sales, Speaking of a recent move, ABB Motion, highlighted a rise Maenpaa said that recently, ABB in the use of EC motors with partnered with Microsoft which, respect to the air-side market he said, will be a game-changer of the industry. He said that EC to the scope of digitalisation motors can be randomly used in HVAC. “We have combined for any kind of solution. the company’s knowledge of Pavan Dwarakanath By way of defining the electrical equipment with that technology, he said, “An EC motor is originally of Microsoft’s IT capabilities,” he said. The an electronically commutated motor drive, move, he added, has helped ABB develop integrated inside the rotor.” In addition to the additional and next-level digital solutions, EC motor, he said, we have the Integrated which will enable a person to collect data motor drive (IMD), which has traditional and send it to the cloud, after which it can be components and is mounted onto the accessed for further use. motor. The fan or pump package unit is the Maenpaa said that the partnership with combination of mechanics, the motor drive Microsoft has been instrumental in creating and the drive, Grundholm said. A challenge the ABB Ability platform, which he described when using EC fan technology, he said, is with as a unified, cross-industry digital offering reference to wire-to-air efficiency. Elaborating, that extends from devices-to-edge-to-cloud. he said, if you put a piece of metal inside a The platform, he said, covers a wide range of areas — home-automation to energy-storage, fan wheel, you are likely to see pressure drop,

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and any pressure drop that does not benefit the system is a concern from an energyefficiency point of view and must be avoided.

In addition, today, Grundholm said, there is an increasing need to look at the specifications of a product as per a building’s load profile. “Buildings are specified at the full-load efficiency point,” he said, “while the difference between various technical solutions is much bigger at part-load, which is where buildings operate 99% of the time.” What’s essential, he said, is that we get as close to the required profile, which is also realistic.

He said that today, the strong call for energy efficiency and sustainable technology has made it essential to specify needs and not just a solution. There is a need to look into the specifications of a product, and only if you have the right specifications can the manufacturer come back and deliver on a requirement with the right product and the right solution, he said.

Pavan Dwarakanath, Product Marketing Manager, High Power Drives, ABB, echoed Grundholm with reference to the increasing demand for energy efficiency. He pointed to the need for HVAC systems to be maintained properly. “Today,” he said, “there is a direct link between poor IAQ and badly managed HVAC systems. The role of HVAC systems is essential, because we spend an estimated 90% of our time inside buildings. Studies show that there is a direct link between the ventilation rate and a communicable respiratory disease within the atmosphere, he said. Proper investments in HVAC systems, he said, not only pays back with energy savings but also with a healthier and a more productive environment. Buildings today, he said, are responsible for 40% of the total energy consumption and 36% of the total CO2 emissions. Roughly, he said, 10-20% of the total end-use energy goes to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Pumps, fans and compressors, he said, are often considered simple applications, but they are mission-critical to the process.

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REGIONAL NEWS

stakeholders advocate for greater flexibility in district cooling contracts Outline challenges in making District Cooling more commercially viable for customers, in view of penalties

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

ithout a doubt, District Cooling is the most efficient, reliable, and sustainable cooling source, said Muna al Nahdi, Manager, Energy Management, Dubai South. However, she said, there is greater scope for improvement when it comes to making it commercially viable and ensuring the framework presents itself as the most efficient choice for customers. Liju Thomas, President, ASHRAE Falcon Chapter echoed this, pointing out that District Cooling can reduce consumption to only 1 kilowatt per tonne – even 0.8 kilowatt per tonne in more efficient designs – a notable contrast, he added, compared to the 1.6 kilowatt per tonne, on an average, consumption of DX and other conventional systems, but that despite this, there are objections from building owners owing to penalties.

Al Nahdi shared a similar observation from her experience in the field of energy management. She said that building owners who are eager to adopt more sustainable practices and keen on improving performance are hesitant to do energy retrofits, if they are connected to District Cooling networks. “When you do energy retrofits,” she explained, “it affects the Low Delta T, and basically you reduce the load.”

As building owners and operators are under contract with the cooling provider, Al Nahdi

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said they are not able to benefit from the ROI of the retrofits, as they are penalised for using less capacity than originally requested in the initial contract. “In certain cases,” she said, “the penalty cost is much higher than whatever savings they can achieve. So, they kind of avoid it, and that’s challenging when it comes to the bigger picture of achieving sustainability.”

Weighing in on the issue, Thomas said that building owners that apply for District Cooling agree to a certain load, but that often, owners and operators are not able to maintain the Delta T owing to various reasons. An example, he said, is wrong specification of FCUs and AHUs, owing to cheap contractors, who win projects based on lower quotations – an issue, he said, is further aggravated by improper installation from unqualified stakeholders. Al Nahdi said she also views inefficient design as a bottleneck for the acceptance of District Cooling. “Most of the time,” she said, “the owner doesn’t have someone experienced in HVAC to identify inefficiencies in design.”

At the end of the day, she emphasised, the owner is concerned with keeping tenants happy, and is unaware of technical aspects until huge penalties are imposed. To provide an example, Al Nahdi said that she knows of a client who pays AED 2-3 million in penalties, annually.

Al Nahdi stressed that buildings are essentially designed based on assumptions. “But it doesn’t mean they are operated or used as per those assumptions,” she said. “Most of the cooling systems within the UAE are over-designed, because the owner will have certain requirements, but some residential buildings are halfoccupied. If you have your own chillers, you can remove one of the chillers.” However, she said, once buildings are connected

to District Cooling providers, they can get penalised. As such, Thomas added that District Cooling providers need to be flexible and allow buildings to readjust energy demands and terms, if not annually, at least every two years to reassess requirements and address fluctuating occupancy rate.

“What if the building is half-occupied?” he asked. “Do you still pay for the full building, or can you pay for half the building? Or, what if you convert some of the retail into F&B, and there is a change in load? Or, you close down some of the F&B and keep it as an office space or even a showroom? The load completely changes, so flexibility has to be there. That has to be looked at by both the parties.”

Al Nahdi pointed out that currently, contracts with District Cooling providers are fixed and on a long-term basis, which does not take into account innovations in an everevolving construction market. “Technologies are evolving,” she said. “Buildings themselves are dynamic, they change all the time.” As such, she said, District Cooling providers must be more open and flexible in discussing and revisiting terms within the contracts. Al Nahdi said this can benefit both the District Cooling provider and the building owner.

The provider, she explained, could revise the contract in such a way that can be of benefit to them. “If one building load reduces they can allocate the same capacity for another client,” she said. Al Nahdi said bringing in legal parties in the initial discussions could also help, as each party needs to understand exactly the consequences of the contractual terms.

As such, Al Nahdi said that a holistic approach is the only way forward. “At the end of the day, all systems are dynamic and interrelated,” she said. “Lots of people draw back from using District Cooling because of some experiences they have had, and they are just judging based on that experience.”

As such, she said, the industry must work together to reveal the long-term benefits of an efficient District Cooling framework.

tabreed announces bader al lamki as new ceo The former Executive Director of the Clean Energy Directorate at Masdar replaces Jasim Husain Thabet

By CCME Content Team

facilitated the investment the communiqué ational Central grade credit ratings from said. He was also Cooling Company Moody’s and Fitch of Baa3 responsible for (Tabreed) has and BBB, respectively and maximising value announced the successful re-entry to from Masdar’s utilitythrough a Press the public debt capital scale renewable communiqué that the Board markets through the issue energy portfolio of Directors has appointed Khaled Al Qubaisi of a USD 500 million globally through Bader Saeed Al Lamki as Bader Saeed Al Lamki (AED 1.8 billion), seveneffective asset and the Company’s new Chief year unsecured sukuk. Thabet, the operation management, the Executive Officer, effective communiqué added, played a major role communiqué added. from April 21, 2019. in the strategic acquisition by ENGIE of According to the communiqué, Al Lamki Khaled Al Qubaisi, Chairman, Tabreed, 40% of Tabreed, and most recently, he joined Masdar in February 2008 from ADMAsaid: “I am very pleased to welcome Bader led Tabreed’s first foray outside of the OPCO, after successfully leading a strategic Al Lamki to Tabreed. His vast expertise GCC region market with the signing of development initiative to support increasing makes him the ideal successor to steer a 30-year concession for a contracted the oil production of the company to nearly the company during the next stage of cooling capacity of 20,000 tonnes one million barrels per day. Earlier in his its growth strategy and further drive its of refrigeration (TR) in Amaravati, in career, Al Lamki worked with French energy operating and financial performance. the southern Indian state of Andhra operator, Total, advising on oil and gas project His considerable industry knowledge will Pradesh. development across the Africa continent, the be invaluable to us, as we continue our Al Qubaisi commented: “The Board communiqué said. expansion and seek to further efficiency is grateful to Jasim for his commitment, Al Lamki succeeds Jasim Husain Thabet, gains and achieve our full growth strong leadership and many years who joined as the first Emirati CEO of Tabreed potential.” of service to Tabreed. He has been in August 2012. During Thabet’s time, lasting Al Lamki joins from Masdar, where instrumental in effectively positioning over six years, the company’s annual net he was the Executive Director of the Tabreed in the UAE and across the GCC income grew from approximately AED 202.3 Clean Energy Directorate. In this role, and driving its growth, making it one of million to AED 427.6 million, the communiqué the communiqué said, Bader played the best-performing and most profitable said. Under his leadership, Tabreed an instrumental role in building the companies in the sector. He leaves a successfully pioneered a new model of company’s renewable energy portfolio more agile and resilient company, well sustainable growth, delivering approximately across 25 countries, leading on a number placed to win in this fast-changing, 50% growth in consolidated connected of its most iconic projects. He was evolving industry. I’d like to thank him capacity and 28% growth in revenues, responsible for steering the business both personally and on behalf of the the communiqué said. This outstanding growth activities, including bidding, Board, for his contributions to Tabreed.” performance, the communiqué said, acquisition and green field development,

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May 2019

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REGIONAL NEWS

blue star inaugurates office and showroom in dubai Company aims to bring an integrated EPC, manufacturer and aftersales service provider model to the Middle East, Vir S Advani, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Blue Star Limited, says

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

lue Star Limited’s wholly owned subsidiary in Dubai, Blue Star International FZCO, through its subsidiary, Blue Star Systems and Solutions LLC, inaugurated an office and showroom in Dubai. Vir S Advani, ViceChairman and Managing Director, Blue Star Limited, Dawood Bin Ozair, CEO, Blue Star International FZCO and other senior company officials were present during the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Advani said that the company aims to bring an integrated EPC, manufacturer and aftersales service provider model to the Middle East. “This is the first time in the Middle East we are offering a similar solution,” he said. “Discrete air conditioning or refrigeration equipment can add only so much to the overall efficiency of a system. It starts with designing the right system. Typically, in India, we have designbuild projects, and we will bring our own team right from the beginning, and they work with clients and architects. And so, that’s the starting point. And once we are there, we ensure we are spec-ing in the best products and the best components, because what will happen is you will see a lot of focus on chiller or air handler efficiency, but you will not see a total system view, when you see some of the specs available.”

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Vir S Advani

Dawood Bin Ozair

Advani said the company looks at best ways to install, because there is a huge amount of inefficiency that comes into the entire distribution process. “So, if there is a way to execute a project in half the amount of time, typically your carbon footprint will also reduce, maybe not by half but at least by 30%,” he added.

Blue Star International FZCO, headquartered in Dubai, manages the international business operations of Blue Star Limited. Blue Star Systems and Solutions LLC is a subsidiary of Blue Star International FZCO, and it handles all the operations of the Company for the UAE, including its Products, System Integration and Service businesses.

Blue Star, which has completed 75 years of existence, exports air conditioning equipment, water coolers, and commercial refrigeration products and systems into the region, and has initiated after sales service of

technological progress in district cooling a boost for the real estate sector, says empower

AC&R products, as well. The company said it views the Middle East as a promising market for Blue Star. With a growing hospitality sector, rise in construction activities across residential and commercial sectors, coupled with extreme weather conditions, it is imperative for Blue Star to expand operations and enhance local presence in this region, the company said.

According to the company, the showroom will be a one-stop-solution for its entire range of cooling products, including spilt ACs, cassette ACs, window ACs, floorstanding units, deep freezers, water coolers, bottle water dispensers, air coolers, air purifiers, water tank chillers, ducted split units, VRF system products, AHUs, FCUs, refrigeration units and cold room panels.

Advani said: “We are proud of our long and enduring association with the Middle East. With this investment in the UAE, we are looking forward to make deeper inroads and significantly contribute to the growth of the Middle Eastern economy.”

Bin Ozair added, “I am confident that our comprehensive AC&R product and service offerings – combined with our proven credentials and capabilities, including highly skilled and trained workforce at Blue Star Systems and Solutions LLC – will enable us to steadily advance in this market.”

Dhabi, from April 16 to 18. The utility company said through a Press communiqué that the adoption of emerging technologies has to be viewed as a boost for development of the sector.

Cityscape was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at Abu Dhabi The adoption of emerging technologies has to be viewed as an National Exhibition Centre, UAE, under the theme, ally in the development of the sector, utility company says during ‘Exploring the Future of Regulatory and Technology Cityscape interaction Innovation’. The exhibition highlighted the role of technology in the development of the sector, and

By CCME Content Team the agenda of the conference focused on the future of organisational and technical innovation, with an accent on the growth strategy of the private sector in Abu Dhabi. mirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) The communiqué quoted Empower as saying that District Cooling stressed the importance of technological advancements technology enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of energy in in District Cooling systems for the growth of the real buildings. District Cooling systems, the communiqué said, serves to estate sector, during the 13th edition of Cityscape Abu

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emirates skycargo highlights risk of temperature excursions

KISR discusses Kuwait’s future energy mix

The constant need to be aware, especially at hand-over points, is crucial in ensuring a product’s integrity, says Head, Global Pharma Sales, Emirates SkyCargo

Research body’s representative discusses growing investment in renewable technology, feasibility of a GCC region energy corridor

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

nsuring product integrity in the cold chain is a crucial need, said Julian Sutch, Head, Global Pharma Sales, Emirates SkyCargo. He pointed out to the constant need to be aware and to adopt effective methods of Julian Sutch tracking temperature across the cold chain.

Elaborating on the role of handlers in the chain, Sutch said that typically, a consignment passes through 15 hand-over points before it arrives at its destination, making it vulnerable to temperature excursions, as it is difficult to monitor the temperature. As and when we learn of a possible excursion in temperature, we either re-assess whether we must accept the cargo or if we must conduct a risk-analysis, Sutch said.

“In some cases,” he said, “when we know that a delay is imminent, we use active containers, also known as ‘cool dollies’, which are large fridges.” If the transit exceeds three hours, the dollies are loaded and brought to the Dubai Hub, he said. They are kept there till it’s time for the out-bound flight, he added.

Sutch pointed to technology as having a key role to play in temperature monitoring. He said: “The idea is to be able to monitor every shipment that we move.” However, he said, technology does come at a price, and today, manufacturers are pushing the bar by coming out with WiFiintegrated data loggers. WiFi on data loggers, Sutch said, helps give continuous feedback on any rise or fall in temperature and is apt for temperature monitoring.

iquid fossil fuel and Natural Gas will not be the only energy resources for power generation in Kuwait, said Dr Saad S Al-Jandal, Research Scientist, Energy and Building Research Center (EBRC), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). He was discussing the country’s growing move to diversify its energy sources. “Kuwait is embarking into achieving 15% of power generation from renewable technologies by 2030 and to meeting the estimated power demand of 147 terawatt hours (TWh),” he said. “Also, by 2030, Kuwait will have the energy mix with renewables that may require more than USD 40 billion investments in Renewable Energy.”

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Dr Saad S Al-Jandal

meet one of the main objectives of the construction sector – to achieve smart modern buildings at a lower cost. It is illogical to construct these buildings with conventional cooling and heating systems, the communiqué quoted Empower as saying. District cooling systems contribute to sustainability and conservation of natural resources, and promote energy efficiency and reducing consumption, as they use 50% less energy compared to conventional cooling systems, the communiqué said.

Ahmad Bin Shafar Speaking on the occasion of the show, Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said: “All the vital sectors in the UAE promote sustainability and achieving comprehensive national development. The real estate sector plays a big role in showing the civilised part of the state, and serving various sectors of the UAE, including industrial, tourism, economic, and residential sectors. This sector has become the core of economic and social life and contributes directly to supporting the green economy through its role in implementing the long-term national initiative to build a green economy in the UAE, under the slogan, ‘Green Economy for Sustainable Development’, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, through which the UAE seeks to occupy a leading global position in the new green economy.”

Dr Al-Jandal said the reduction in cost of renewable energy-related technologies will further encourage Kuwait to make more upfront investments in renewable energy technology, help upgrade the ideal power generation capacities and facilitate the move towards a smart power grid.

“Kuwait could also be a corridor for crossborder trading with Iraq, Iran and beyond, by benefiting from the GCC region’s connection power grid,” he said. In view of the strategic and promising investment opportunities, Dr Al-Jandal said he believes there is strong potential for Renewable Energy power generation alongside current oil and gas resources, and for exporting and connecting to a planned wider Arab grid, and, possibly, even farther to Europe and other countries in Western Asia.

May 2019

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REGIONAL NEWS

empower earns iso re-certification

District Cooling utility once again achieves ISO 9001:2015 (quality management), ISO 14001:2015 (environmental management) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (occupational health and safety) certificates

By CCME Content Team

Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime mirates Central Cooling Systems Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to Corporation (Empower) has been adopt the best government practices and re-certified for four consecutive achieve leadership in all fields, to make the times for three ISO standards, UAE government's work a global reference. the company said through a Press This supports the UAE Vision 2021 and the communiqué. The company had earned ISO Dubai Plan 2021, to make the Government re-certifications for Quality managements of Dubai a pioneering and systems (ISO 9001:2015), excellent government that Environmental management is proactive and creative systems (ISO 14001:2015) and in meeting the needs of for Occupational Health and individuals and society as a Safety (OHSAS 18001:2007), the whole. communiqué added.

“Our success in the According to the re-certification of ISO communiqué, Empower achieved is a confirmation of the the re-certification by successfully Ahmad Bin Shafar sustainability of our work, completing the integrated and the continued development of our management systems audit, conducted organisation. It confirms our strong

by Bureau Veritas. The certification body performance indicators, which were audited Empower’s Integrated Management reflected in the integrated administrative system, District Cooling plants, new project systems audit. Moreover, it stresses our sites, customer service centres as well as commitment to international standards. The all critical processes, in order to verify its re-certification for the Quality management compliance with international standards. systems (ISO 9001:2015), accredited by the “Empower is committed to providing the UKAS Management System, is the result of best quality services that satisfy customer the continuous improvement in the efficiency needs,” said Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, of our quality management system to ensure Empower. “We work according to the vision providing comprehensive quality services to of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin

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customers and promoting their happiness.”

As for the re-certification for the Environmental management systems (ISO 14001:2015), Bin Shafar stressed that Empower continues its efforts to preserve the environment, according the international standards adopted in this regard. This is based on its social and economic responsibility to protect natural resources and preserve them for future generations and constantly developing its services in an environmentally friendly manner, the communiqué quoted Bin Shafar as saying.

He added: “We have succeeded in achieving the integration of management systems in all our services and operational processes, taking into consideration the control and reduction of occupational health and safety hazards, through the efforts of Empower’s staff and promoting R&D and innovation. This allowed us to achieve the re-certification of OHSAS 18001:2007 due to adopting the best practices in occupational health and safety in our projects and cooling plants. We have become pioneers in the District Cooling industry around the world by combining business sustainability, protecting the environment and focusing on safety.”

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May 2019

Panasonic renames Eco Solutions business to Panasonic Life Solutions Middle East & Africa PLSMEA, company says, will help it realise the vision, ‘Make a better, comfortable life with human-oriented solution’

By CCME Content Team

anasonic Eco Solutions Middle East & Africa (PESMAF), a division of Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa FZE (PMMAF), has changed its name to Panasonic Life Solutions Middle East & Africa (PLSMEA), the company said through a Press communiqué.

Along with the new name, PLSMEA will focus on realising the vision, “Make a better, comfortable life with human-oriented solution” to 2030, the company said in the communiqué. This represents the company’s goal to devote its resources and activities in elevating the quality of living environments, with emphasis on smart living and sustainability, through co-creation with its clients, it added.

Hiroyoshi Suga, Managing Director, PLSMEA, said: “We recognised the need to update PESMAF’s branding in order to pay tribute to our legacy and strengthen our future commitment. Panasonic Life Solutions Middle East & Africa serves a better representation of our image and, at the same time, reflects the philosophy of an evolving brand.”

PESMAF has been offering living solutions and a wide array of products, including air purifiers and air-moving solutions, the company said through the communiqué. Upon the company name change, PLSMEA commits to deliver new added value through ‘space’ creation idea for redefined living spaces that will suit the changing needs of customers in the region.

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technal celebrates 40 years in the middle east

Announces global launch of TIGAL pull-and-slide system, saying modern buildings should focus on energy-efficient facades and user comfort, as urban areas transition to ‘Vertical Cities’ with the increase in tall buildings

By CCME Content Team

echnal is celebrating its 40th year anniversary in the Middle East with ‘World of Technal’, a series of multi-city gathering of building and construction industry leaders, across the GCC region to analyse trends and developments in the industry. In Dubai, the event focused on the importance of ‘User Centric Design for Tall Buildings’.

Sam Robinson Sam Robinson, General Manager, Technal Middle East, said: “As per United Nations data, 68% of the world’s population is projected to live in urban areas by 2050. As urban areas get crowded, the only option left is to build higher-rise buildings (vertical cities) to accommodate this mass urbanisation. High-rise buildings have a higher surface area of the building envelope than low-rise buildings, when put into a ratio with the specific ground area use. This increase of surfaces can be used to integrate more features into the building skin than before, for comfort of the occupants of buildings and also for better urban planning for city developers. ‘World of Technal’ Dubai edition addressed this transition of cities into ‘vertical cities’ of tomorrow. The core focus of the conference was on the building envelope of these vertical cities, which will have to answer specific challenges of ‘compressed’ urban spaces, where more and more people will live per square kilometre.”

Robinson said that exterior challenges, due to climate change are now even more severe, especially with the increase in dust storms and “wind loads up to tornado scale”.

Noise-related reduction of ‘comfort’ is a key concern when designing purpose-built product solutions for the building skin and the shape of the building itself, he said. He emphasised that building skin will be a key factor in the future.

“Today, the skin just reduces the impact of the exterior climate on the interior environment conditions, by acting mainly as a separation layer,” he said. “In the future, the building skin can also minimise the environmental impacts of the urban ambient areas, by active and passive design measures and products. Today's building envelopes should also be designed to face threats, such as fire, blast and ballistic attacks. Security for end-users is of prime importance in today's tall buildings. The building envelope of tomorrow will become a “connecting layer”, providing a connection to the interior with exterior, whenever possible, and truly enriching the ‘user living experience’ in buildings.”

A special highlight of the event was the global launch of Technal’s TIGAL, a pull-and-slide system for buildings, which the company claimed, gives the highest protection against noise, promotes high thermal comfort and demonstrates the highest level of tightness to prevent dust, rain and any external threats due to ever-changing weather in the region and beyond. The launch was broadcast live from Barcelona, streaming on YouTube across 20 countries.

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REGIONAL NEWS

ENGIE acquires Cofely BESIX Facility Management Rebrands it as ENGIE Cofely

By CCME Content Team

independent energy-services company (ESCO) providing NGIE has announced its full acquisition of energy-saving solutions for existing buildings in the public Cofely BESIX Facility Management (CBFM) and and private sectors. has rebranded the new entity ENGIE Cofely, the Sébastien Arbola, Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE company said through a Press communiqué.

MESCAT, said: “This move is a game changer for ENGIE The acquisition is the result of the Group’s strategy in the Middle East, as it provides us direct access to to reinforce its regional presence in integrated client expanded capabilities to meet our clients’ needs. It solutions for a zero-carbon transition, the communiqué integrates into our portfolio a technical services team said.

Sébastien Arbola with a strong local and regional reputation and provides a According to the communiqué, the acquisition is the robust platform for future development across the region.” result of ENGIE’s strategic ambition to become the world leader in ENGIE Cofely CEO, Ian Harfield, said: “We are excited to join the zero-carbon transition, developing energy-efficient assets and putting global ENGIE family and look forward to embark on a new journey into practice a unique integrated approach, enabling the company’s that will see ENGIE Cofely combine ENGIE’s global expertise with accelerated growth across a broad spectrum of services while servicing CBFM’s robust geographical presence and capabilities. This will give clients’ evolving needs. our local customers the best of both worlds, while allowing us to This ambition, the communiqué said, had previously led to ENGIE’s expand further across the region.”

2018 acquisition of a significant stake in Smart4Power, a Dubai-based

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enviroserve launches facility to reclaim refrigerant gas New facility has the capacity to reclaim 2,400 kilograms of refrigerant gas per day, says company’s Refrigerant Operation Manager

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

the recovery phase, owing to poor connection. Ninety per cent of nviroserve has opened a new the gas can be reclaimed, he said, while 10% is lost. facility that will allow the Nazar said that having trained technicians on the job is key to company to reclaim 2,400 controlling the volume of refrigerant being lost. Often, technicians kilograms of refrigerant gas a are unable to understand a problem due to the lack of training, he day. Eruj Nazar, Refrigerant Operation said. Another challenge is related to the devices used for reclaiming Manager, Enviroserve, told Climate the refrigerant, he said, adding that it is important that technicians Control Middle East that the new facility are equipped with the right type of devices, which will help them is a much-needed boost for efforts Eruj Nazar identify the kind of gas being used and its level of purity. aimed at cutting down losses while Yet another challenge, Nazar said, arises out of end-users reclaiming refrigerants. not wanting to recover and reclaim the refrigerant and instead Elaborating on the operational methodology, Nazar said preferring to cut the line and vent the gas into the air. In such that Enviroserve, on receiving a request for reclaim from either situations, he said, we are helpless. “It takes effort, time and a residential or industrial client, would visit the client for a awareness, and hence, we must create feasibility study to ascertain whether awareness that this is wrong,” he said. the refrigerant in question can be Pointing to cost as an influencing factor reclaimed or not. “Mixed refrigerants,” in the UAE, Nazar said that end-users often he said, “cannot be reclaimed.” turn to the grey market for their refrigeration Another way of collecting the needs. In the UAE, he said, there is a strict refrigerant, Nazar said, is by creating quota for refrigerants, and this means awareness and by training the client that only a certain volume of gas can be on how to store the refrigerant, after ▶ Refrigerant gas reclaim facility at produced. “The problem arises,” he said, which it is delivered to the facility. In EnvirosereASHRAE and Empower officials “when people resort to unregulated gas from most cases, he said, there is a small during the launch other channels.” percentage of refrigerant loss during

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leminar launches galloway air filters Company says the range comes in different media, sizes, shapes and grades to fit any commercial HVAC system Dipak Bhadra

By CCME Content Team

eminar Air Conditioning Industries, manufacturer of HVAC sheet metal products in the region, has announced the launch of Galloway Air Filters, a newly engineered range of air filters that can enhance the overall Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

The new launch, the company said through a Press communiqué, is in line with the company’s commitment to product development and innovation and is aimed at improving the health of building occupants by arresting the passage of airborne particles through HVAC systems.

Galloway Air Filters, the communiqué said, come in different media, sizes, shapes and grades to fit any commercial HVAC system.

Presently, Leminar Air Conditioning Industries offers 13 types, including aluminium washable filter, plain panel filter, bag filter, V Cell carbon filter and deep pleat HEPA filter, the communiqué said.

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Pramodh Idicheria, COO, Leminar Air Conditioning Industries, said: “From introducing CGF1 integral flange system in the region for manufacturing ducts to the creation of Flame Safe, a non-coated fire-rated duct, Leminar has always been at the forefront of innovation. More recently, we have focused on people’s comfort and quality of life as a new dimension of our innovation strategy. Galloway Air Filters is a result of this new focus.”

Pramodh Idicheria

Dipak Bhadra, Executive Director, Leminar Air Conditioning Industries, said: “We developed the Galloway Air Filters product line after years of R&D covering important aspects such as value creation, design, technology and sustainability. We have a very competitive range that serves this market’s need and can carve out a position for itself in the market.”

According to the communiqué, Galloway Air Filters are developed using advanced European manufacturing technology, combined with the technical and market expertise of Leminar. A member of US-based National Air Filtration Association (NAFA), Leminar uses filter’s media in compliance with ISO 16890.

Galloway Air Filters, the communiqué said, can be used in all types of applications, such as commercial office space, manufacturing and distribution, educational facilities, healthcare and Key Perspectives on pharma, hospitality, airport the HVACR and transportation hubs.

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47

REGIONAL NEWS

siemens, ashrae collaborate on picv seminars in saudi arabia and egypt Discussions revolve around market experiences and energysaving considerations of PICVs

By CCME Content Team

iemens has conducted three seminars in partnership with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) on the topic of mechanical Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICVs), the company said through a Press communiqué. Discussing the market experiences and energy-saving considerations of PICVs, the three seminars have been held in Saudi Arabia, twice, and in Egypt.

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Dr Ahmed Alaa Eldin Mohamed

PICVs have the potential to make a significant contribution to energy efficiency in buildings, and offer cost benefits by preventing oversupply of chilled water to heat-exchangers/ terminal units and by ensuring optimum usage of cooling generation, Siemens said through the communiqué.

“We are seeing greater support for hydronic balancing within the engineering community, but much still needs to be understood about the technology, which requires the integration of digital applications with mechanical hardware,” said Heiri Walker, Head of CPS at Siemens Middle

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Industry expert outlines trends in refrigerants across Middle East’s air conditioning sector Discusses challenges facing the transition of unitary and applied products to low-GWP refrigerants in view of the Kigali Amendment

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

nitary products, such as residential and lightcommercial units, are responsible for 85% of the consumption of refrigerants in the Middle East, whereas applied products, such as chillers, are responsible for 15%, said Srinivasan Rangan, a subjectmatter expert, who provided a comprehensive overview of the ever-evolving refrigerant landscape in the region following the 2028 freezedate given to Group 2 Article 5 countries under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

Rangan said that R410A (A1 classification) being a non-flammable and nontoxic refrigerant is still the refrigerant of choice for unitary products. “R32 (A2L) is used in Middle East by some consumers for split units, but it is still not as popular due to low flammability (A2L) classification,” he said. With Group 2 Article 5 countries fast approaching 2028,

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Rangan said the dynamics in the Middle East will change over the next 5-8 years.

However, he added, there are some challenges that are currently hampering the transition to more environmentally friendly refrigerants. “The replacement of R-410A has not been launched in the market,” he said. “No potential retrofits have been announced on a commercial availability, due to the low-flammable, lowGWP refrigerant requirement.”

Srinivasan Rangan

For applied products, Rangan said, air-cooled chillers and water-cooled screw chillers in Middle East use the HFC, R-134A. “While HFO chiller options are available with equipment

East. “With these seminars, we’re aiming to address concrete guidelines for assessing expected performance of PICVs and their benefits to the system.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Dr Ahmed Alaa Eldin Mohamed, Director & Regional Chair, Region at Large, ASHRAE, said: “ASHRAE RAL strives to support knowledge dissemination in the Middle East region with highly diversified expertise and talented members. This region is the largest, globally, for ASHRAE, and we are pleased to be partnering with organisations like Siemens to establish valuable seminars for those eager

suppliers,” he explained, “the transition to this refrigerant option is expected to pick up gradually. The reason for delayed transition is the competitiveness of the HFO chillers in Middle East conditions and the availability of the complete range; not all suppliers have the product in their portfolio.” For centrifugal chillers, Rangan said, lowGWP HFOs and HFCs are equally acceptable to most customers. “The Low-GWP trend has been picking up over the last two years, and customers are now accepting both types of refrigerants,” he said. “R-134A suppliers have declared a retrofit refrigerant of R513A, which is an interim GWP refrigerant. Some centrifugal chiller suppliers have also launched HFO chillers in partial range.” He added that competitiveness, capacity range and type of technology are key decisionmaking criteria impacting the transition.

to learn about key topics in our industry.”

Pressure-independent valves combine a control valve for temperature, a differential pressure controller for shielding against pressure fluctuations in the hydraulic network, and a pre-setting scale for setting the maximum required volumetric flow, to control accuracy of systems under all operating conditions, the communiqué quoted Siemens as saying. With increased precision over control of the volumetric flow, the communiqué added, the valves contribute to better environmental comfort in buildings.

drees & sommer dissects construction delays

Over 67% of new hotel openings delayed due to poor communication, contractor time pressures and delayed sub-contractor activities, a report authored by the consultancy firm says

By CCME Content Team

inimising the risk of budget reduce the potential losses including project overspend, delayed openings stakeholder alignment, value procurement and the tactics to avoid further approach, technical building delivery, issues constitute the realistic opening date and asset contents of a research report performance strategy.” by international real estate and The report highlights the construction consultancy, Drees main challenges and proposes & Sommer. solutions for each of the seven The findings of the report, pillars, resulting in savings Hotel Pre-opening: A tactical in five categories, including approach, have revealed that furniture, fixture and equipment there are three main causes expenditure, hotel recruitment Filippo Sona for delay in the handover from phasing, operating supplies a contractor to a hotel owner, and equipment expenditure, namely: Lack of communication between advertising, promotions and hotel project stakeholders, contractor time pressure organisation structure. and delayed deliverables from third-party “The role of the asset manager is a contractors. complex one – not only do they have to With Dubai aiming to attract 20 million achieve the owner’s objectives by managing visitors in 2020 and overnight visitors to the the investment, but they also have to resolve Middle East exceeding 64 million in 2018, any misalignment between the parties, the opportunities to maximise profits have including the project manager, operator and never been greater for the hotel industry. the owner, in order to boost overall asset Drees & Sommer’s Managing Director of potential, Sona said. “This is critical in the Global Hospitality, Filippo Sona, said: “Our pre-opening phase, which typically lasts extensive research has shown that handover between six and nine months.” delays not only have a significant impact on The report goes on to highlight the hotels’ return on investment, but they the challenges of handover from the also affect the expected profitability of the project manager to the operator, with first year of operations. the main obstacle being the lack of “To minimise the impact, we have efficient communication. The result of identified seven key tactical pillars to help misinterpretation is the potential delay in

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Blue Star working on a number of refrigerants in India Bringing the refrigerants to the market will help reduce the GWP of our equipment, says Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Blue Star Limited

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

opening date and negative impact on costs. A lack of procurement strategy can also have a negative impact on budgetary overspending, the report says.

The delivery of a high-quality hotel product is also a topic discussed in the report, with challenges often arising when the value level of the project finishing is not agreed at an early stage. From a technical perspective, inefficient testing and a lacking handover schedule can also create delays, the report says.

The pre-opening budget is another area researched. Excessive spending on payroll and unnecessary costs in marketing due to a lack of market intelligence and limited benchmarking, can have a negative impact on budget constraints, the report says.

Contractor payment is another issue due to a significant portion of the disbursement issued upon completion, the report says.

The contractor is usually eager to hand over the property and, in some instances, too optimistic on the delivery date and not taking into consideration the operator’s running and pre-opening costs, the report says.

“There are several factors to consider to positively influence the hotel opening date and negate the pre-opening expenses,” Sona says. “Regular maintenance and consolidation of the program can have far-reaching results as can the early implementation of value engineering.

“Other important factors to consider are setting-up pre-snag schedules, benchmarking the pre-opening budget against similar properties and incorporating regular meetings and visits to determine a more pertinent opening date in the event of a delay. Ultimately, anticipating the right actions to create a sustainable competitive advantage is key.”

s a company, Blue Star is looking at all aspects of sustainability, said Vir S Advani, ViceChairman and Managing Director, Blue Star Limited, during the inauguration of Blue Star Systems and Solution LLC‘s office and showroom in Dubai.

“We are working on a number of refrigerants in India as we speak,” he said. “We are well ahead of any norms or any government regulations in India, and we want to Vir S Advani bring these refrigerants to the market, which will then help reduce the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of our equipment.”

Advani said there is a need to look at sustainability from a broader point of view.

“Sustainability has to do also with e-waste, and we must also consider disposing e-waste in a responsible manner,” he said. As a company, he said, we expect to add some value and look at things from an end-to end point of view.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Empower, ASHRAE launch Owner’s Guide for Buildings Served by District Cooling Discussions revolve around market experiences and energy-saving considerations of PICVs

By CCME Content Team

▶ ASHRAE and Empower officials during the launch

mpower and ASHRAE launched the Owner’s Guide for Buildings Served by District Cooling, at an ASHRAE workshop, on April 17, in Dubai. The two organisations also unveiled an updated version of the District Cooling Guide. The first edition of the District Cooling Guide came out in 2013.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said that Empower will continue its pioneering role in the District Cooling sector and its efforts to transform Dubai into a global hub for clean energy and green economy. Dubai, he stressed, has been named as the ‘Champion City’ for District Cooling, globally.

The workshop, sponsored by ASHRAE, saw specialised researchers in the cooling sector from around the world review the two guides. Bin Shafar; Dr Ahmed Ala'a Eldin Mohamed, Director & Chairman, Region-AtLarge, ASHRAE (Board Directors) and Steve Comstock, ASHRAE’s Business Development Manager for EMEA, attended the workshop.

Empower described the Owner’s Guide for Buildings Served by District Cooling as a useful reference for building owners and designers, providing them with basic information on the advantages of District Cooling services and the installation and operation of cooling systems in a simple manner. The guide, Empower

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said, addresses owners' concerns, such as selection of the design consultant, responsibilities for the maintenance of equipment within buildings, and the specific structures for District Cooling pricing, in addition to service linkage, networks, meters and maintenance. The guide also reviews design flaws and other system constraints on existing buildings and includes various supplements with case studies on performance issues, Empower said.

The updated edition of the District Cooling Guide provides guidance and includes a chapter dedicated to the design process, Empower said. The guide offers additional information on how to improve cooling systems and incorporate the concept of thermal storage into a District Cooling system, the utility company added. The manual also offers guidance on operational and maintenance processes, through case studies, to help operators ensure that systems work as intended. The District Cooling Guide contains a wide range of references to the sources of information and publications that have been used, which can help those who wish to conduct an in-depth analysis for additional details, Empower said.

The guide, Empower said, will also be a valuable reference for designers who do not have experience in District Cooling, as

well as those involved in the sector, such as specialist consultants, utility engineers, cooling system engineers, central plant design engineers and cooling water system designer.

Bin Shafar said: “We are very happy and proud that Dubai was selected to launch the Owner’s Guide for Buildings Served by District Cooling and the updated edition of the District Cooling Guide by ASHRAE. This allows us to renew our commitment to the role we play in consolidating Dubai's global position in the field of District Cooling, and the energy sector, in general.”

Bin Shafar highlighted that Empower is the first organisation in the world to sponsor the launch of the updated edition of the District Cooling Guide and of the Owner’s Guide for Buildings Served by District Cooling. This initiative, Bin Shafar said, is in line with Empower’s ongoing development strategy, which is mainly based on Research & Development (R&D), and supports the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to build a knowledgebased economy and join efforts to make Dubai the most sustainable city in the world.

retrofittech highlights inadequacy in o&m of retrofit projects

abb joins eurovent middle east Becomes the 45th member of the industry association

By CCME Content Team

Lack of competent technicians another drawback in the industry, says Nerissa Deoraj, Director Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Eurovent Middle East

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

he RetrofitTech Summit, held from April 9 to 11 in Dubai, presented valuable insights into retrofitting, not Nerissa Deoraj just from an HVACR perspective but also from a broader perspective, said Nerissa Deoraj, Director Technical, and Regulatory Affairs, Eurovent Middle East. She said the conference highlighted inadequacy in the way retrofit projects are operated and maintained.

The industry, she said, is plagued by problems, including those related to preventive maintenance techniques. She added that there is a need for competent technicians, as well. “There is a lack of awareness in the market,” she said, “and Eurovent Middle East recognises that the subject needs to be given priority. It is important to understand the changing perceptions in the market and study market behaviour, and this, she said, will require time and outreach.”

Pointing to the need for encouraging retrofits for good IEQ in buildings in the UAE and in the Middle East, Deoraj said, “We spend 90% of our time indoors, and maintaining IEQ in buildings is a crucial factor to ensuring the wellbeing of occupants.” A number of buildings in the UAE and in the Middle East, she said, are older constructions, and it is important to ensure that equipment is maintained and replaced on a regular basis and that the job is done by competent and trained people. “In the region,” she said, “the public sector has definitely been more proactive, when it comes to retrofits, but there is a reluctance among building owners in the private sector to invest in retrofit projects.”

One aspect that drives building owners to take on a retrofit, she said, is to avoid complaints from tenants, rather than investing in equipment to reduce energy consumption.

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Frank Taaning

Markus Lattner

BB has joined Eurovent Middle East, a move the latter described as sending a strong message to the industry to support cooperation and coordination by the region’s HVACR industry association.

ABB, which has become the 45th member of the industry association, has four customer-focused businesses, namely Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion and Robotics & Discrete Automation.

Frank Taaning Grundholm, Vice President, Global HVACR Sales, ABB Drives, said: “We see huge energy savings potential in the Middle East, and we believe the industry needs to take responsibility of achieving ambitious energy-efficiency goals. Eurovent Middle East has proven to be an excellent platform for cooperation and coordination, taking initiative in so many different aspects. We are happy to support this approach and look forward to being part of the discussion.”

Markus Lattner, Managing Director, Eurovent Middle East, added: “We greatly appreciate the endorsement and support from ABB. Seeing the association grow and gain more and more support underlines that the demand for joint action is huge, as are the opportunities for our industry if we join forces. Our vision two years ago, when we started, has been very ambitious. We are extremely grateful to see that these ambitions haven’t been lost.”

According to Eurovent, the ever-growing construction industry, sustained focus on investment in infrastructure development and the growth in hotel, tourism and healthcare sectors in the UAE will drive the demand for reliable and efficient HVACR in both commercial and residential segments.

Ahmed Radwan, ABB’s UAE Local Business Manager, said: “It is extremely important that HVACR solutions provide environmental-friendly operations that fit the government’s blueprint for a greener future. With ABB’s energy-efficient motors and variable-speed drive solutions – easily integrated with ABB Ability digital monitoring services – we are ready to meet industry needs today and in the future.”

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REGIONAL NEWS

baltimore aircoil introduces nexus modular hybrid cooler Company describes the unit as the world’s first intelligent, plug-and-play, modular, hybrid cooling system

By CCME Content Team

altimore Aircoil Company (BAC) has introduced the Nexus Modular Hybrid Cooler, which it claimed in a Press communiqué as being the world’s first intelligent, plug-and-play, modular, hybrid fluid cooling system. The Nexus, BAC said, is engineered to simplify system design and optimise water and energy savings, while providing the lowest installation, operating and maintenance costs.

According to the communiqué, the Nexus simplifies both the design and installation of fluid cooling systems. The units are up

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▶ The Nexus Modular Hybrid Cooler

to eight feet shorter in height, have a 40% smaller footprint and are 35% lighter than traditional fluid coolers, the communiqué said. Modules are designed to be moved with a pallet jack and fit in a freight elevator – eliminating the need for special rigging equipment, the communiqué said. Structural steel requirements can be reduced by up to 50%, and permanent ladders or elevated platforms can be eliminated, the communiqué added. All fans, pumps, accessories and controls are factory-installed, and wired, for true singlepoint wiring, the communiqué further added.

According to the communiqué, BAC’s patented hCore Heat Transfer Technology delivers exceptional heat transfer performance, durability and longevity in a compact, corrosion-resistant package that has 65% less internal fluid volume and requires no passivation. The Nexus’ new, patent-pending DiamondClear design uses 60% less spray water volume than traditional systems, has turbulent spray water flow, and the spray water basin can be inspected while in operation, BAC claimed through the communiqué.

BAC’s iPilot Control System, with patent-pending, embedded intelligence minimises operating cost by effectively balancing water and energy savings based on customer needs and preferences, the communiqué said.

The EC Fan System, BAC claimed through the communiqué, provides superior efficiency as well as high external static capability, with a direct-drive radial fan and a variablespeed electrically commutated (EC) motor. It completely eliminates maintenance associated with traditional fan drive systems and delivers superior reliability, the communiqué said.

The Nexus has the highest uptime and reliability, the communiqué said. As standard, it is a passivation-free unit with premium non-corrosive materials to keep customers up-and-running with their projects at the most critical times, the communiqué said. Code compliance is also very important for our customers, so a non-combustible option that meets the most stringent fire codes will now be available, the communiqué quoted BAC as saying.

“This product highlights our leadership position in innovation,” said Don Fetzer, BAC President, “as we have created the world’s first truly smart hybrid cooling solution, with the ability to switch between evaporative and dry cooling in a modular compact footprint.”

Italy-UAE Forum boosts SMEs through MoUs Forum explores areas of cooperation in infrastructure, ICT, and in energy, water and environment sectors

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

he Italy-UAE Business Forum, on April 15 in Dubai, saw a delegation of 200 company representatives as part of the business mission led by His Excellency Luigi Di Maio, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Social Policy of the Italian Republic to the UAE. His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, UAE, extended a warm welcome to the guests ahead of three panel discussions on infrastructure, ICT and on energy, water and environment.

Highlighting the importance of building bridges, Al Mansouri said that landmark MoUs, signed on the day, aim to encourage startups and SMEs specialising in healthcare, education, technology, transportation, water and renewable energy, as well as those in the fields of mechanical engineering, finance, technology and biotech. He also attributed UAE’s attractive business environment to sound legislation, best international practices and high incentives, adding that the country is allocating substantial funds for the development of infrastructure, such as roads and airports, and smart technology.

Di Maio highlighted the important role the Forum plays in advancing the economic relationship of the two countries. He

said that the signing of the MoU on the sidelines of the Forum is crucial in terms of imports and exports. He also put the spotlight on the strong capabilities of Italian companies, which he said, means they are well-positioned to address the different requirements of the UAE market.

Matteo Dipentina Di Maio said that although Italy has faced economic challenges there is a continuous commitment to invest in innovation and technology, adding that there is a strong common ground between the UAE and Italy when it comes to the challenge of addressing energy and sustainability.

Gabriele Scicolone, President of OICE (Italian Engineering Association), underscored the engineering knowhow of companies from Italy and the strong position they play in the energy, oil & gas and renewable energy sectors. Scicolone added that many companies in the field view the region with strong interest and are earnest in their desire to contribute to the region’s environment objectives through high-level of expertise.

As if echoing Scicolone, Matteo Dipentina, General Manager, EPTA Middle East, said the company is set to unveil the first green refrigeration system featuring a natural refrigerant, CO2, in the country.

Designed by EPTA, the system is installed in a supermarket in Masdar City under the Carrefour Group, Dipentina said. He added that despite the additional challenges posed by the use of natural refrigerants in highambient conditions, EPTA is leveraging its technical know-how to bring the solution to the market, highlighting applications in Australia and South America, which also have high-ambient conditions, to make a case for its application among local stakeholders. Dipentina said that he believes there will be a demand for refrigeration systems with natural refrigerants in the UAE, as stakeholders aim to future-proof equipment from the inevitable refrigerant phase-down, though the deadline is some years away. In addition to its environmentally friendly green features, he said, the added efficiency of systems with natural refrigerants offers greater financial savings compared to traditional systems with R-404a. EPTA, he said, is committed to training technicians, both in Italy and in the L-R: H.E. Luigi Di Maio, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic countries it operates in, to advance adoption Development, Labour and Social Policy of the Italian Republic and H.E. Sultan Bin of more sustainable and energy-efficient Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy of the UAE technologies.

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oman to drastically cut down hcfc use by 2020 Industry expert provides overview of Sultanate’s refrigerant reduction policy

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

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man will drastically cut down the consumption of

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2020, said Dr M Ramaswamy, Technical Expert Royal Estates, Royal Court Affairs, Sultanate of Oman, who provided an overview of the national strategy being rolled out by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) for the phase-out of HCFCs/HFCs, under which various policy measures will be implemented.

Providing a background on the policies that are currently in place, Dr Ramaswamy said that regulatory measures include the ban on the import of bulk HCFC141b by 2016, and the import of HCFC-141b-based pre-blended polyols by December 2017, and the use and import of refrigerants in disposable containers.

Further, there will be regulation on the venting of refrigerants

Dr M Ramaswamy

into the atmosphere during servicing, he said, adding that the country will be establishing a mandatory refrigerants recovery and recycling protocol

by January 1, 2020. “Oman will establish quarterly reporting on the recovered, recycled and reused refrigerants and stock of unusable refrigerants by January 1, 2020,” he said.

The phase-out of harmful refrigerants, Dr Ramaswamy added, is being carried out in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Discussing the

implementation of the second stage of the strategy, he said Oman will phase out 5.32 Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) tonnes of HCFCs, resulting in a 35% reduction by 2020. “Oman’s HCFC consumption of 20.38 ODP tonnes in 2014 was lower than the maximum allowable consumption proposed by Oman of 28.32 ODP tonnes for 2015-18 and 20.46 ODP tonnes for 201920,” he said. “UNIDO clarified that the lower consumption in 2014 was due to large amounts of HCFCs imported in 2011 and 2012, as stocks for use in subsequent years.” He added that the use of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b to produce extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam, and the use of bulk HCFC-141b in the polyurethane (PU) foam manufacturing sector has been fully phased out.

Dr Ramaswamy added that under the second stage, licencing of all entities handling ODS

in the refrigeration and airconditioning (RAC) sector will be implemented by January 1, 2020, which includes importers, distributors, retailers and service workshops. “In addition, Oman will consider development of mandatory leak-detection of all controlled substances in RAC systems with initial charge greater than three kilogrammes,” he said. “Refrigerant identifiers will be purchased for customs and environment inspectors, and training will be provided on ODS identification and prevention of illegal import.” Dr Ramaswamy said that according to UNIDO, the stage two will also provide training to 20 nationals and about 1,000 RAC technicians.

Nine training institutes will be provided with equipment to facilitate training, he added. The effectiveness of the certification scheme established under stage I will also be further evaluated, he further added.

Johnson Controls: Middle East has a strong culture of innovation Company official says government initiatives towards sustainability help drive acceptance and adoption of new technology

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

he Middle East has a strong culture of innovation, said Terrill R Laughton, Vice President and General Manager, Energy Optimization & Connected Offerings, Johnson Controls’ Building Technologies & Solutions Division. Laughton stressed that the regional market's willingness to try new technologies is largely driven by broader initiatives from the government through regional visions that set high-level goals in terms of sustainability, which helps drive the acceptance and adoption of new applications.

He said, "Getting government entities to support and sponsor these initiatives and push rules and regulations around energy efficiency obviously helps spur the dynamic in terms of being able to do more

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Terrill R Laughton

innovative things to drive energy efficiency and sustainability."

Laughton said that while in the United States and in other markets there are a lot of companies and organisations that are innovative, from his experience there is still a need to get potential customers interested in new applications. "Here, it seems most customers we talk to already have some interest in these applications and are moving in that direction," he said. Laughton pointed to the high number of participants during Johnson Controls' Innovation Day Middle East and Africa in February 2019 as an example of local stakeholders' strong interest in smart technology and its applications in the built-environment.

tecumseh middle east hosts customer event Company uses the occasion of its 85th anniversary to discuss refrigerants and commercial variablespeed products

Johan Gouws

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

ecumseh Middle East held a Customer Event on April 17 in Dubai, where the focus was on refrigerants and commercial variable-speed products. Johan Gouws, Managing Director, Tecumseh Middle East, said: “This year, we celebrate 85 years of existence, and it would not have been possible without the support of our customers and stakeholders.” Adding, he said that for the past 18 months, the company has paid close attention to its vision, mission and values and is looking at how best it can improve as an organisation. The aim, he said, is to deliver high-value solutions to customers, by fostering a safe and collaborative environment.

Lionel Audouy, Global Platform Director, Tecumseh Europe, gave a road-map for refrigerants. He said: “Refrigerants are not a new topic, and the next thing we are likely to see is the phasedown of HFCs.” The goal, he said, is to keep the planet safe, and the vision is to provide a better tomorrow. In order to understand refrigerants better,

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Robert Terry

Lionel Audouy

he said, it is necessary to understand what is being done in other countries. For instance, he said, the use of F-Gas and the regulations brought about to limit the leakage of refrigerants are some of the measures being adopted.

The event also saw a discussion on commercial variable-speed products. Robert Terry, Global Platform Director - Variable Speed Product, Tecumseh Corporate, said: “The availability of variable speed reduces energy consumption, and you can save up to 40% on energy consumption, just by using variable speed.” In fixed systems, he said, you have to size your compressor for the pull-down condition, but with a variable capacity system, you don’t have to do this. Instead, you can size your compressor as per the capacity requirement and then simply run fast compared to the fixed speed. “What we see in application testing,” Terry added, “is that normally you can get away with maybe one or two normal-capacity compressors. Today, we’re able to use variable compressors, as a result of which there are a lot of advantages with regard to the physical size and weight.”

hisense vrf friendship football series' aims to promote customer wellbeing Company official invites stakeholders to participate in fortnightly fixtures

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

he Hisense VRF Friendship Football match is all Sawant said the sports campaign is an extension about promoting the wellbeing of customers, of Hisense’s global activities, with similar matches said Dharmesh Sawant, Sales Director, Hisense held in South America. He added that the regional VRF, Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-conditioning office believes it is especially fitting for Middle East Marketing Co., Ltd. Sawant was referring to the fortnightly stakeholders in view of the region’s love of the game sports fixtures organised by Hisense, in a bid to promote of football. Eventually, Sawant said, Hisense looks to good health, friendly competition and teamwork. start a league for a large-scale tournament, allowing Dharmesh Sawant Consultants, contractors and other stakeholders in the players to showcase their competitive side. This, he said, HVACR sphere are invited to create teams and sign up underscores the company’s long-standing association for upcoming competitions, he added. To date, Sawant said, the with football, showcased by Hisense sponsorship of FIFA World Hisense team has organised matches for ART Consultants, Consistent Cup 2018 and more recent announcements of the company’s Engineering and Khatib & Alami. sponsorship of UEFA EURO 2020.

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REGIONAL NEWS

ashrae falcon chapter celebrates 15th anniversary of formation Presidents – past, present and future – of the Chapter reminisce on the telling impact the body has had on the region and afar

By Surendar Balakrishnan | Editor

Farooq Mehboob

SHRAE Falcon Chapter (AFC), on April 30, in Dubai, celebrated the 15th anniversary of its formation, with past, present and future presidents speaking fondly on the significant impact the chapter has had on the region and afar. Also in attendance at the event were representatives from UNEP (UN Environment) and the HVACR industry, including Dubai-headquartered District Cooling utility company, Empower.

Bassam El Assaad, AFC President from 2003 to 2005, spoke glowingly of the initial days of the chapter, characterised by members willing to give their time to work for the benefit of the chapter and by an economy that was booming and filling the air with optimism. “We also had challenges,” he said, “and those gave us the impetus to start the chapter.” He reminisced on how one day, a young engineer walked up to him during a meeting and asked for help in identifying existing CFC chillers in the country. “The engineer was Ayman El-Talouny of UNEP, and with that started a partnership between ASHRAE and UNEP.” El-Talouny, Regional Montreal Protocol Coordinator, and Coordinator, International Partnerships, Ozonation Programmed at UNEP (UN Environment), speaking on the occasion, said the

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Ayman El-Talouny

celebration had brought a flood of memories. He described the AFC as having had a big impact on all chapters in the region. “Since its inauguration,” he said, the ASHRAE Falcon Chapter has set the bar high on how a chapter should operate, in terms of successful implementation of activities and engagement with government and other stakeholders. It’s a good lesson for other chapters.” The Chapter, El-Talouny said, has also taken a lead in signing some innovative agreements. “I would like to bring to the memory of those who were not here that the ASHRAE-UNEP cooperation started here in the Emirates,” he said. “Thanks to an enlightened vision, they (the members of the Chapter) picked up the idea, and in 2005, we signed the first cooperation agreement between UNEP and ASHRAE at a regional level. Two years later, we signed an agreement with ASHRAE at a global level.

Subsequently, ASHRAE signed a pledge to be part of UNEP’s ‘District Cooling Initiative in Cities’ programme.”

ASHRAE, he said, is taking a lead and motivating people in several parts of the world. We are seeing a lot of emerging issues and dynamics happening around the world, and we always look at issues from the lens of engineering.

ASHRAE, through participating with nonengineering bodies, he further said, is looking at the situation through a political lens. This, he added, is the language the government can understand, the language policy makers can understand and, thereby, implement programmes.

Farooq Mehboob, Vice President, ASHRAE, and representing the body’s leadership in the United States for the 15th anniversary celebration, said the ASHRAE Falcon Chapter is a distinguished one for its visionary and dynamic leadership. He praised the initiative of Dr Ahmed Ala'a Eldin Mohamed, Director and Regional Chair, Region At Large, ASHRAE, and other leaders in the region for instituting a body of Regional Distinguished Lecturers that would be available for all chapters as a visionary step. He also praised the Chapter for twice organising the Chapter Regional Conferences. “Bassel Anbari (AFC President from 2005 to 2007) and Dr Ala'a did an outstanding job in organizing them,” he said. “They (the CRCs) ran like clockwork.”

Anbari, who in his individual capacity has donated over USD 15,000 for the promotion of research by the Chapter, said that ASHRAE was dear to his heart, as it guided his career to where he wanted to be and where he is today. Dr Mohamed, describing the AFC as the second biggest out of the United States, said it comprised a beautiful mix of professionals from different sectors, including the industry and academia. “Till now,” he said, “the ASHRAE Falcon Chapter is one of the most active chapters, not only in the Region At Large but also all over the world.” An example of this, he added, was the establishment of the Global Training Center in Dubai in September 2017, which he said, had been possible, thanks to the support of the members and the Board of Governors of the Chapter.

afc leadership... past, present and future

Bassam El Assaad

Samir Traboulsi

Bassel Anbari

Dr Ahmed Ala’a Eldin Mohamed

Girish Hiranandani

B.S. Prashanth

Ibrahim Sidawi

Ebrahim Hajiri

Liju Thomas

Hassan Younes

Representatives from ASHRAE Falcon Chapter and ASHRAE Global Training Center

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REGIONAL NEWS

▶ DAA exterior

▶ DAA Facilities entrance hall

gems school gets thermal energy storage feature Technology that involves using the building’s structural mass to regulate internal temperatures, has resulted in a 30-50% cut in energy consumption and improved indoor air quality, school says

By CCME Content Team

EMS Dubai American Academy has become the first school in the region to win the ‘Best Innovation’ award

by MEED for adopting an energy-saving and industryleading build technology, TermoDeck, establishing it as the first thermal energy storage school of its kind, the school said through a Press communiqué. This follows an agreement with Eco-Structures International, which focuses on providing the best building envelopes and indoor air quality systems, the communiqué said The project was also recognised as the UAE’s Education Project of the Year and as the GCC winner at the recently concluded MEED Project Award under the ‘Best Innovation Category’, the communiqué added.

Tammy Murphy, Superintendent and CEO, GEMS Dubai American Academy, said: “In the GCC (region), approximately

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▶ L-R: Tammy Murphy and Randa Mouammar

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70% of power is used for air-conditioning alone. With the installation of advanced technology, following our agreement with Eco-Structures, our eco-footprint can be significantly reduced, while saving costs and providing students and teachers with the best air quality possible.

“We are also proud to have received the prestigious MEED Project Award, as our project stands for quality, innovation and environmental protection.”

The GEMS Dubai American Academy campus, spread over an area of over 40,000 square metres, includes classrooms, cafeterias, offices, lecture halls, theatres and a gymnasium.

To make the campus more environmentally friendly, the TermoDeck design concept is being deployed, which uses the building’s structural mass to regulate internal temperatures for a wide spectrum of building types, the communiqué said.

Randa Mouammar, Chief Strategy Officer, Eco-Structures, said: “Schools are more likely to have environmental deficiencies and poor indoor environmental quality than other buildings. When TermoDeck was applied to the design of the GEMS Dubai American Academy campus, the total connected load requirements dropped from 7.4 to 4.9 megawatts. In spaces where TermoDeck now operates, there is a design minimum of 50% fresh air circulation during occupancy, and tests show the lowest possible counts for bacteria, mould and fungus.”

According to the communiqué, tests of the new school environment have indicated stable temperatures without any cold airflows or draughts afts, and teachers have reported high levels of occupant comfort inside their quietly airconditioned classrooms. Illness-related absence has also been reported to be significantly lower, the communiqué said.

During cooler desert nights, the communiqué further said, TermoDeck absorbs the warmth provided by the sun in the daytime, so that indoor temperature remains comfortable and stable, year-round without consuming too much energy.

8th Annual EmiratesGBC Congress draws attention to circular economy, sustainability A circular economy is essential for the built-environment, says Chairperson, World Green Building Council

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

he call for a circular economy and sustainability in the builtenvironment were the key points articulated at the 8th Annual EmiratesGBC Congress, on May 1 in Dubai.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairperson, EmiratesGBC, while delivering the welcome address, said, “We continue to drive dialogue while focusing on a circular economy for the built-environment.” Lisa Bate, Chairperson, World Green Building Council, said that a circular economy was essential for the built-environment. Elaborating, she pointed out that the process of production and consumption are closely linked with materials that are selected for re-use.

“We are driving the market towards sustainability by bringing people from the building, government and civil society sectors together.” In addition, she said, we are developing the tools and the resources needed, which will help us collaborate, innovate, communicate and advocate green buildings. The UAE, she said, is committed to developing a circular economy, reducing waste and moving towards a net-zero-carbon future. Andrea Di Gregorio, Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Administration, Ras Al Khaimah, speaking on behalf of H.E. Munther Mohammed bin Shaker, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, said: “The concept of a circular economy is something that moves beyond efficiency to concepts such as re-use, recycling and the replenishment of existing resources.” The application of a circular economy, he said, can be a contributor to the global commitment of moderating climate change, as a part of the United Nation’s mission.

With reference to the construction sector, he said that a circular economy can support the security and the supply of raw materials, while also increasing economic competitiveness.

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Saeed Al Abbar

Lisa Bate

Aime Shuttleworth

Another aspect that came up for discussion with reference to sustainability was the call to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Aime Shuttleworth, Global Director of Sustainability, Cundall, pointed to the building sector and said that the market needs to be backed by a sense of urgency in order to move forward. Sustainability, she said, can be achieved if every city around the world maximises its potential and resource.

“It’s all about finding the right solutions,” she said, to which education and awareness have a key role to play. Global entities, she added, must commit to working and figuring out solutions. And while sustainability is of

Andrea Di Gregorio

Dina Mustafa

the essence, drawing the balance is vital.

Echoing the thought was Dina Mustafa, Head of Sustainability, Expo2020. She said that while sustainability is a major aspect taken into consideration with regard to the structures at the World Expo2020, the buildings have a legacy factor. Elaborating on the efforts being put in towards the Sustainability Pavilion, at the World Expo 2020, she said, “The structures have a legacy aspect to them, and this was the mandate since the day I walked in.” Eighty per cent of the structures at the site, she said, are built to be LEED-Gold certified and above. In order to meet the expectations on sustainability from the buildings, she added there was a need to change the way in which contractors worked on the project, and an attempt was made to push for a circular economy within the construction process on-site. In addition, she said that the design stage of the project, especially, was a humbling experience and that when it comes to sustainability, it’s essential to have an approach where you collaborate and initiate solution-finding, so as to meet targets.

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REGIONAL NEWS

spsa highlights benefits of new aman system in enhancing emergency response times Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority (SPSA) organises conference to discuss how to improve fire safety systems of existing and future buildings in emirate based on objectives set forth in UAE Vision 2021

By CCME Content Team

▶ Senior government officials during the event

Holding (SAM), the investment arm of the he Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority Government of Sharjah, and Apleona HSG (formerly (SPSA) has affirmed its continuing Bilfinger HSG International Facility Management), commitment towards providing the emirate's a global facilities management service provider real estate segment with the tools needed delivering its services in the UAE. in ensuring the safety of its citizens, residents and During his speech at the conference, Eng. Qais their property, through its new Aman System. The Mahmoud, Aman Project Manager, SPSA, expressed statement was made during a special conference the body’s continuous commitment to support the organised by Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority Aman system, especially in the move to enhance on April 25 at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Eng. Qais Mahmoud preventive-safety measures, improve readiness and Industry to introduce the Aman System to local real emergency-response times, in line with the highest estate developers. standards of safety and security for buildings and The system is expected to help pave the way for facilities. He further pointed out that these efforts improved fire prevention, safety and security measures complement the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr – falling in line with the directives of His Highness Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, SPSA said Abid Ali, Operations Director, SANED, who through a Press communiqué. also spoke during the conference, highlighted key The introduction and implementation of the system features of the Aman System, which was developed proves to be both timely and strategic, as the UAE has Abid Ali based on integrated mechanisms and best practices been given top ranking in the global Security and Trust aimed at consolidating fire-preventive measures. He explained Index with a grade of 96.1% – reflecting the country's improved that the system is supported by laws and legislation that will preparedness and enhanced emergency and fire-response times require the adoption of the Aman System as a pre-requisite to based on set international standards, and in line with UAE Vision renewing a commercial license and also as a pre-requisite for 2021, the communiqué said. In line with this, representatives of obtaining a building completion certificate. Ali also highlighted the local real estate segment have given praise to the new system, advantages like the flexibility of integrating the system into the which is being implemented by the SPSA and managed by SANED. fire alarm panel in the building, with the possibility to install it The move demonstrates a quality focused step towards the of in different types of buildings. He also showcased the ability early detection of fires in residential and commercial buildings in of the system to develop, modernise and expand in the future, innovative ways, in line with national efforts directed to enhance including the capability to connect effectively with two central the wellbeing of citizens and residents in Sharjah, the communiqué monitoring stations. said. SANED is a joint venture between Sharjah Asset Management

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GLOBAL NEWS

Spain spearheading renewable energy revolution, says Highview Power CEO of the company highlights government’s commitment to 100% renewables by 2050, 94% increase in new PV installed capacity in 2018

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

he Spanish market is positioning itself at the forefront of the renewables revolution, said Javier Cavada, CEO, Highview Power, emphasising that local utilities are taking leadership roles, globally, in wind and solar power. “Spain is set for a major solar surge, and its local PV market is expected to become one of the largest markets in Europe, especially since the government removed the “sun tax” and committed to 100% renewable power by 2050,” he said.

In 2018, there was an increase of 94% in new PV installed capacity, compared to 2017, showing that the Spanish renewable

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national targets on renewable energy industry is overcoming energy generation, reduction of the political uncertainty from greenhouse-effect gas emissions previous years, he said. and energy efficiency.”

Cavada pointed out that Speaking on Highview the country is also blessed with Power’s cryogenic energysome of the best conditions storage technology, Cavada said in Europe for solar and wind that it is classified by Spanish energy. “The electricity sector Javier Cavada National Grid (REE) as renewable is completely liberalised, while technology, due to its zero-emissions and the market is subject to a high degree of to its long-duration-storage capabilities. He regulation,” he said. “Spain’s renewable added that the technology is expected to electricity regulations are governed by the complement the traditional hydro-assets to common framework for the generation and enable the surge of wind and solar power to promotion of renewable energy established increasingly become renewable baseload. by the European Union, which establishes

ashrae announces technical programme for annual conference The June 22 -26 conference will focus on optimising design and performance of buildings

By CCME Content Team

he 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference technical programme will provide practitioners with topical, in-depth educational tracks to optimise the design and performance of buildings. The conference will take place from June 22 to 26 in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States.

The five-day conference includes eight conference tracks, tours, social events and a keynote message from Mike Massimino, former NASA astronaut, Senior Advisor for Space Programs for the Intrepid Museum and the author of Spaceman. Additionally, 2019-20 ASHRAE President Darryl Boyce, P.Eng., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, will present the Society theme for the coming year during the President’s Luncheon on June 24.

Registration is open for the conference, which is scheduled to take place at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown and Kansas City Convention Center.

“With the global movement towards sustainable energy, the HVAC&R industry is ever-changing,” said Carrie Anne Monplaisir, Chair of the 2019 Annual Conference. “We continue to face new challenges as we adapt our designs, codes and technology to fit this constantly changing criteria. The 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference aims to address these challenges and offer best practices, lessons learned and innovative design strategies to be applied in a wide range of topics.”

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The much-anticipated Commissioning New & Existing Buildings track will address topics surrounding low-energy and zeroenergy buildings, as they become more prevalent. The Modeling Throughout the Building Life Cycle track will examine how the demands of energy efficient operation brought about the need for modelling of part-load operation for a variety of off-design conditions.

ashe named energy star partner for third consecutive year

By CCME Content Team

ASHE on April 11 was honoured by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy with a 2019 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award in a ceremony in Washington, DC, the organisation said through a Press communiqué.

This is the third consecutive year ASHE has earned the partner recognition, ASHE said through the communiqué, adding that the Sustained Excellence designation is given to organisations that have already received ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for a minimum of two consecutive years and have gone above and beyond the criteria needed to qualify.

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▶ ASHE representatives receiving the award

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May 2019

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GLOBAL NEWS

irena report charts pathways to further accelerate energy transformation Deep electrification powered by renewables is the answer to the quest for securing a climate-safe future, says IRENA

By CCME Content Team

s the urgency to take bold climate action grows, new analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) finds that scaling up renewable energy, combined with electrification, could deliver more than three quarters of the energy-related emission reductions needed to meet global climate goals. According to the latest edition of IRENA’s Global Energy Transformation: A Roadmap to 2050, launched earlier in the month at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, pathways to meet 86% of global power demand with renewable energy exist. Electricity would cover half of the global final energy mix. Global power supply would more than double over this period, with the bulk of it generated from renewable energy, mostly solar PV and wind.

“The race to secure a climate safe future has entered a decisive phase,” said IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera. “Renewable energy is the most effective and readily available solution for reversing the trend of rising CO2 emissions.

A combination of renewable energy with a deeper electrification can achieve 75% of the energy-related emission reduction needed.”

According to the report, an accelerated energy transition, in line with the Roadmap 2050, would also save the global economy

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up to USD 160 trillion, cumulatively over the next 30 years in avoided health costs, energy subsidies and climate damages. Every dollar spent on energy transition would pay off up to seven times, the report said. The global economy would grow by 2.5% in 2050.

However, climate damages can lead to significant socioeconomic losses, the report added.

“The shift towards renewables makes economic sense,” La Camera said. “By mid-century, the global economy would be larger, and jobs created in the energy sector would boost global employment by 0.2 per cent. Policies to promote a just, fair and inclusive transition could maximise the benefits for different countries, regions and communities. This would also accelerate the achievement of affordable and universal energy access. The global energy transformation goes beyond a transformation of the energy sector. It is a transformation of our economies and societies.”

But action is lagging, the report said. While energy-related CO2 emissions continued to grow by over one per cent annually on average in the last five years, emissions would need to decline by 70% below their current level by 2050 to meet global climate goals.

This calls for a significant increase in national ambition and more aggressive renewable energy and climate targets.

IRENA’s roadmap recommends that national policy should focus on zero-carbon, long-term strategies. It also highlights the need to boost and harness systemic innovation. This includes fostering smarter energy systems through digitalisation as well as the coupling of end-use sectors, particularly heating and cooling and transport, via greater electrification, promoting decentralisation and designing flexible power grids.

“The energy transformation is gaining momentum, but it must accelerate even faster,” La Camera said. “The UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the review of national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement are milestones for raising the level of ambition. Urgent action on the ground at all levels is vital, in particular unlocking the investments needed to further strengthen the momentum of this energy transformation. Speed and forwardlooking leadership will be critical – the world in 2050 depends on the energy decisions we take today.”

france to ban the use of r-44 With R-44 soon to be taken off the shelves, we see regulation around the use of F-gas, says Tecumseh

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

he refrigeration market in western Europe is now moving from the refrigerant, R-22 to R-44; however, France will soon ban R-44, said Lionel Audouy, Global Platform Director - Sales and Logistics, Tecumseh Europe, while giving an update on the use of refrigerants and the market in France and, generally, in western Europe. “With R-44 soon to be gone, we see regulation around the use of F-gas, where the focus will be on meeting customer demands, choosing the right products, and

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training people to work on the job,” Audouy said.

The market in western Europe, he said, is heavily regulated when it concerns Lionel Audouy matters related to refrigerant reclaim. “If you’re working in the refrigeration business,” Audouy said, “you need to have a certificate and show

the quantity of refrigerant being collected.”

He highlighted a few stressors influencing the market in western Europe, and said that managing leaks in systems while lowering the Global Warming Potential (GWP) and the need for skilled and trained professionals working on the job were the major factors influencing the market.

ZAbluefin certified for AMCA’s new Fan Energy Index (FEI) FEI is a wire-to-air, design-point metric, emphasising compliant fan selections based on operating points, elaborates Ziehl-Abegg, adding that it is the first company worldwide to certify a product range, ZAbluefin, for the new FEI

By CCME Content Team

eihl-Abegg is the first company worldwide to certify a product range, ZAbluefin, for AMCA’s new Fan Energy Index (FEI), the German manufacturer of fans said through a Press communiqué.

FEI is a wire-to-air, design-point metric, emphasising compliant fan selections based on operating points. In 2018, the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International introduced FEI to save energy, reduce operating costs and accelerate decarbonisation.

FEI is an energy-efficiency metric for fans, inclusive of motors and drives. The calculation method for the new metric is defined in ANSI/AMCA Standard 208, Calculation of the Fan Energy Index.

The metric provides a standardised and consistent basis for comparing fan energy performance across fan types and sizes at a given fan duty point. FEI also considers the effects of motors and drives, when included in fan-rating tests.

FEI has several uses, Zeihl-Abegg said through the communiqué. Fan specifiers can use it to understand and communicate fan-efficiency design intent, while legislative and regulatory bodies can use it to define

Photo courtesy Ziehl-Abegg

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▶ The product range, ZAbluefin is certified for the new AMCA fan energy index (FEI).

energy-efficiency requirements of fans. The standard has been written to support the fan industry’s entrance into energy and construction codes and standards and to support utility rebate programmes.

FEI is a replacement for fan efficiency grade (FEG), a metric currently referenced in model energy codes and standards, such as

IEC sets maximum charge for flammable refrigerants in commercial refrigeration system at 150 grams The President of the Spanish Association for Refrigeration Technology (AEFYT) says rejected proposal to increase load limit to 500 grams would have boosted the natural refrigerants market

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings; ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IEC 189.1, Standard for the Design of HighPerformance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings; and the International Energy Conservation Code and in federal regulations in several Asian countries. FEI will replace FEG in energy codes, standards and regulations as it is adopted through change proposals as part of routine revision cycles.

According to the communiqué, 27 ZAbluefin centrifugal fans with GR modules in several combinations, using different motors, are certified, as are the former product range, Cpro and C. Ziehl-Abegg has operated the world's largest combined measurement and test chamber for fans in Künzelsau since 2008, the communiqué said. Ziehl-Abegg, the communiqué said, believes that stateof-the-art, high-precision measuring instruments and regular training for employees, combined with routine inspections by external organisations, such as AMCA and TÜV, are essential to continuing to inspire customers’ total confidence in its products.

he members of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have decided to set the maximum charge for flammable refrigerants in commercial refrigeration systems at 150 grams, said Roberto Solsona, President, AEFYT, the Spanish Association for Refrigeration Technology. “This resolution rejects the proposal to increase the load limit to Roberto Solsona 500 grams, which had been supported by AEFYT,” Solsona added, emphasising that the Association believes increasing the load limit would have helped boost the market for natural refrigerants, such as hydrocarbons.

“The proposal was only one vote away from being approved by the National Committees participating in it,” he said. “The general opinion is that these tight margins indicate that the increase in the charge of flammable gases is a question of ‘when it will be done’ and not of whether, in the near future, it will be passed to a higher charge limit.”

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ashrae publishes new guideline for historic buildings Aim of the document is to provide direction for increasing energy efficiency while minimising disturbance to the historic character of the buildings

By CCME Content Team

Guideline 34, the SHRAE has published communiqué said, provides a new guideline for a step-by-step procedure for increasing energy sensitive energy upgrading, efficiency in historic beginning with forming the buildings while minimising the project team and gathering disturbance of the building’s building and energy use historic character and materials.

Sheila J. Hayter histories, to instituting ASHRAE Guideline 34-2019, energy-efficiency measures ‘Energy Guideline for Historic (EEM). Building envelope improvements, Buildings’, provides comprehensive and environmental control strategies, energy detailed descriptions of the processes and system analysis, HVAC selection and lighting procedures for the retrofitting of historic design considerations are all addressed in the buildings to achieve greater measured guideline. All recommendations are made in efficiency, ASHRAE said through a Press consideration of preserving the integrity of communiqué. The guideline is particularly the historically valuable building character, aimed at providing guidance for ‘listed’ materials and associated artifacts. historic buildings – that is those formally "The committee members writing this designated or eligible to be designated as guideline are exceptionally knowledgeable historically significant by a governing body, about the special issues related to historic the communiqué announced.

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buildings and the care needed to preserve them,” said 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J. Hayter, P.E., who also served as chair of the international guideline committee. “The committee’s intent was to provide guidance for worldwide communities and specifically for entire project teams – not just engineers.”

Many historic buildings were constructed without insulation and designed without active air conditioning systems – especially for mechanical cooling. Retrofitting such buildings requires specialised techniques during construction and operation, as well as sensitivity to respecting and preserving historical significance.

With nearly two-thirds of existing buildings estimated to still be in service by 2050, project teams retrofitting any historic building for energy efficiency can benefit from the content of the guideline.

This section contains updates on regional and international products.

Chigo T3 DC Inverter Light Commercial Series higo has launched a T3 DC inverter light-commercial series, which the company described as having a completely new appearance. The design, the company said, is inspired by the structure of a sports car.

The design will be applied in its VRF and other lightcommercial models to create a “family product style” and, thus, ensure clear market recognition, the company said.

The series has a wide capacity, ranging from 18K Btu/h to 60K Btu/h, the company said. It is certified by SASO, ESMA and G-mark, the company added. It has an EER up to 12.4, a T3 EER up to 8.7, and an operation temperature up to 55℃, the company said, adding that it is suitable for cooling demands of hot regions like the Middle East.

According to the company, it has a compact size that can easily be transported and installed in various projects. It is equipped with a DC inverter scroll compressor and DC motor to ensure the whole system operates in a quiet and energy-efficient manner, the company said. The inverter module unit uses

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refrigerant cooling technology to enhance operational stability, the company further said. A high-torque fan provides strong air supply for better heat dissipation, the company added. The external stop valve and wiring port make it easier for installation and maintenance, the company further added. According to the company, various protection features, such as high/low pressure protection, high temperature protection and overheat protection ensure safety and long-term operation.

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