Virtual Reality for Clean Energy, Renewable Green Leaders magazine, April2019

APRIL 2019

Virtual Reality for Clean Energy NEWS

Europe adds 4.5 GW of wind energy

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First plug-in on the market to measure unbalance

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Canadian Solar Partners with ET Energy

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EDITOR‘S NOTE

Wind turbines are one of the largest moving structure made by man and because of technological advancements, they are continuously getting bigger and bigger in size. While this is a good thing, interest in studying them is negatively affected. Shareholders are afraid to go near them and it is costly for students to study them.

Fortunately, the Fife College Immersive Hybrid Reality lab opened in Scotlond in 2017 and introduced a virtual reality system that teaches students to troubleshoot on the nacelle of a seven-megawatt offshore wind turbine by simply wearing a specialized goggles.

This virtual reality experience lets them to go to a virtual place that mimics wind turbines, allowing them to see, hear, and feel what it is like to be near a wind turbine without necessarily going there physically. They are given tasks and are armed with the tools needed to ficx a wind turbine. Wind turbines are found in remote areas of the North Sea so only a few people can see them personally.

Virtual reality immerses people to a world that shuts out the physical world while augmented reality includes digital elements to a live view using a smartphone’s camera.

Because the use of VR and AR are more cost efficient and 4

Understanding Renewable Energy Using Virtual Reality safer as compared to actually sending trainees on site, the renewable energy sector is now joining the ranks of oil and gas, aerospace, nuclear, and construction industries as primary users of the VR technology for training.

Aside from the VR being a tool that helps aspiring technicians study, it also proved to be important in the sales industry.

MHI Vestas has set up conference stations where their visitors can go on a guided tour around a virtual nacelle while wearing harnesses, protective vests and other safety gears, completing the wind turbine tour. This experience makes them understand and appreciate the renewable energy sector better.

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: Al Babtain Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Co., Mr. Naji Kataya, Tel: +965 5 051 5771, email: nkataya@albabtaingroup.com,kw; BLK, 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

CON TENTS

NEWS

S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

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42

Understanding Renewable Energy Using Virtual Reality

Tips for Choosing An Industrial Pump

32 Europe adds 4.5 GW of wind energy in first half of 2018

36 First plug-in on the market to measure unbalance

46 Meet Dado Banatao: The Philippines’ Bill Gates

52 The 7 Best Engineering Jobs

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Canadian Solar Partners with ET Energy to Build 132 MWP of Solar Projects in South Africa

This is a Heavy Equipment Theme Park For Kids

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Why You Should Buy a Portable Air Cooler This Summer With summer almost around the corner, portable air coolers are now taking the spotlight. Here’s everything you need to know and more why they are a definite buy this coming season.

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ummer is the time of year for fun and vacation, but if there’s one thing that we dread about the coming season, it’s surely the harsh heat accompanying it.

Certainly, no one can’t escape the high summer temperature in the tropical islands of the Philippines. The bad part is the fact that you can’t go outside without burning your skin. The worst part is that even inside your homes and establishments, you can’t move around without sweating bullets. But the good news here is that portable air coolers are very much available nearly anywhere in the country.

How Portable Air Coolers Work Similar to the principle of usual Air Conditioning Units, portable air coolers also operate by sucking in the warm air inside the room then cooling or dehumidifying it before puffing it out again. They can come in either single or dual duct models. These ducts are connected to an exhaust hose or installed in a window or any open space to vent air outside.

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Single-duct air coolers draw the sultry air from the room and cool most of it prior to sending it back into the room. Meanwhile, dual-duct units use one duct to take air in from the outside and the other one to exhaust air from the inside.

Aside from the number of ducts, portable air coolers also vary in the type of drainage. Full self-evaporative air coolers don’t need any other installations as they can evaporate the moisture through the exhaust hose together with the warm air. Whereas, some portable air coolers come with a gravity drain that can be connected to a bucket for the water produced. Others can simply be a manual type where owners remove the collected water themselves.

Benefits of Buying Portable Air Coolers Why buy a portable air cooler, you say? Here are four reasons to start shopping for one.

1. They are quite easy to install. They don’t require any complicated and separate wirings for your home, unlike the window type ACs we usually use. Simply plug them into any available outlet and you’re already good to go. They also do not require a difficult window installation since they come with easy-to-install exhaust kits that can be set up by the users themselves.

2. They have high mobility.

Being lightweight and built with wheels, portable air coolers are very mobile. You can place them anywhere in the room that needs cooling and depending on the length of your exhaust hose, you can move them from place to place anytime.

3. They free your window.

Houses with only limited windows prefer not to have any other objects blocking the views of the outside so window type ACs are definitely not an option.

Portable air coolers, on the other hand, do not consume much space in your window and give the homeowners the freedom

to do whatever they want with their windows without the units getting in the way.

4. They do not have any unpleasant parts that can be seen outside the home. The awful thing about installing a window type AC is that most of its body is hanging outside the home, making it very unattractive to the eyes, while portable air coolers are safely tucked inside your home.

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What to Consider When Buying Portable Air Coolers When buying the best portable cooler for you, there are several factors you must consider. The unit must have an on/off timer capability that automatically turns off the unit after a specified amount of time to reduce energy consumption and prevent it from running all night long. Having an automatic louver is also very convenient as it directs air to a wide range of space rather than fixating the cool air in a single location.

Lastly, what’s the use of a portable air cooler without having any wheels?

Luckily, the lightweight TOSOT Portable Air Cooler offers just that and more! It’s the perfect cooling unit for any establishment or home this summer. Designed with classic

functionality with a hint of modern technology, you can experience nature’s natural breeze without the complication of installing window type ACs. It comes with a handy infrared remote control, soft touch control keys, and a very comprehensive water level indicator. Aside from its 5-liter water tank capacity, it also has an access door for the ice chamber. The unit also features four kinds of fan speed and an auto louver movement suitable for any kind of cooling applications. Certainly, whatever your needs are, you can never go wrong with TOSOT Portable Air Cooler.

To find out the best portable air cooler for your home, office or party event venue, visit TOSOT showroom located at 2162 FB Harrison St., San Jose, Pasay City, Philippines or call +632-8330000 to book an appointment. You may also visit their website (click here) to get more information about the best portable air cooler in the Philippines.

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The Importance of Flashlights for Police During PH Elections Each Police and Armed Forces in the Philippines Should Own At least One Pelican RALS

Law enforcement officers deal with many different tasks every day. Policemen need to prepare for any eventuality.

While patrolling or responding to calls, they would encounter various circumstances that could be odd or dangerous at times. We see policemen everywhere and they respond to almost all types of situations. They are always on call to everything that citizens need.

One crucial event wherein policemen have an important role is during elections. As we all know, there are risky scenarios during this time due to the heated competition 12

between political candidates.

Aside from high-profile politicians, policemen also need to ensure the safety of the civilians especially that there are people who belong to certain groups supporting a particular candidate. Their loyalty could sometimes lead to fights and altercations as they defend their supported political aspirants or well-known solons.

Because of that, carrying equipment or gear that minimizes officer risk and civilian safety is critical in the performance of police operations. Apart from handguns, a quality flashlight

that withstands the rigors of law enforcement work is also essential, especially during elections.

This is where Pelican Remote Area Lighting Systems (RALS) and Pelican Flashlights comes in. These lighting products can help deter and shoo away criminals since it has wide coverage. It can also help brighten up the streets when accidents happen during the night. But this is even more important during election months.

Why the Police Needs Flashlight During Election Elections are always full of tension. In the Philippines, the streets are full of tarpaulins while vehicles roam around playing jiggles for a particular candidate. People are all involved and aware of what their favorite candidate did and what he or she could eventually offer to the masses.

But the real tension happens during election day. The presence of law enforcers is more significant especially that fights, crimes, theft of ballots, and brownouts are likely to occur.

Let us tackle on one of the main problems during an election which is power interruptions. In many instances, power outage happens during the counting of votes, which is the most crucial part of the election.

Aside from generators, flashlights are also a big help to continue counting the ballots and to avoid the loss or theft of ballot boxes or voting machines. This would be a big help since some power outage lasts for about 12 hours.

When this happens, Pelican Remote Area Lighting Systems will be very handy since it can light up an entire room. While generators can

provide electricity to voting machines, RALS can brighten the room, making it easier for every citizen to cast their votes.

In some cases, precinct officers resort to paper ballots instead of using the machine.

A well-lighted room would also be needed for this situation and a portable lighting system is the perfect solution to that.

Apart from making the vote casting easier, these lights can also help the police spot people who have negative intentions as they take advantage of the situation.

Other Ways the Police Could Use RALS and Tactical Flashlights Aside from the election proper in different locations, Pelican Remote Area Lighting System (RALS) and Tactical Flashlights can also be used in checkpoints to make sure that no illegal cargos or firearms are being transported. It is also an ideal item to use while patrolling the streets, especially that most streets in the Philippines are poorly lighted.

Although RALS are highquality and durable, they are easy to transport from one place to another just like the 9430 Remote Area Lighting System and 9460 Remote Area 13

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Lighting System. These lights can go beyond what most people need in a flashlight.

Apart from lighting up a huge area, it also has a long-lasting battery. It supports the law enforcer’s hands-free operation of weapons while targeting and illuminating a person under surveillance.

RALS could produce highintensity light with its LED technology allowing the user to illuminate objects at significant distances. Because of its bright lights, it can temporarily blind a person who is directly exposed to its light beam and may also cause confusion to the assailants. In addition to that, this flashlight can be used as a signaling device.

Remote Area Lighting System are made from polycarbonate or polypropylene housings.

Sometimes, it is combined with aluminum or glass-reinforced plastics.

These materials withstand significant abuse and ensure performance regardless 14

of how they are used. It is also interesting to note that these lights are water resistant, which makes it a valuable item in rescue operations during typhoon and flooding. In addition, RALS has rechargeable batteries that allow for constant charging.

This feature keeps it available for maximum light output. It can even run up to 15 hours’ time.

On the other hand, two of the best Pelican flashlights are the 2350 Tactical Flashlight and 2360 Tactical Flashlight has 4 Selectable Programs with a lifetime guarantee. The 2360 Flashlight has 375 lumens while the 2350 Flashlight has 178 lumens. Constructed with the most durable of materials, an aerospace grade aluminum body and an impact resistant LED lamp module, the 2350 and 2360 LED flashlights keeps you on point without equipment failure.

Pelican RALS and tactical flashlights are available at Coby’s Gear and Gadget and Cobankiat Hardware, and can be delivered nationwide.

All of these aspects of Pelican RALS and flashlights sums up what policemen need: a lighting solution that withstands a variety of environmental conditions and illumination purposes. Election time or not, we would all agree that high-intensity illumination supports the safety of officers and citizens alike. agree that high-intensity illumination supports the safety of officers and citizens alike.

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Understanding Renewable Energy Using Virtual Reality

You can now go near wind turbines to examine and maintain them with the help of AR and VR Great news for those who want to be a wind turbine technician -- There is now a cheaper and safer option for your training.

The Fife College Immersive Hybrid Reality lab which

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opened in 2017 in Scotland introduced a virtual reality system that allows students to troubleshoot into the topmost part of the nacelle on a seven-megawatt offshore wind turbine without having to actu-

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COVER STORY ally go anywhere near it.

All they have to do is wear a special goggle to feel that they are near a wind turbine and perform repairs by following manuals and using real tools.

Wind turbines are continuously getting bigger in size as developments are introduced.

They are now known to be the largest moving structure made by man. Because of its size, it will be difficult for people to fully understand them unless they encounter wind turbines up close, but thanks to VR personal contact is no longer mandatory. Still, the experience will let you feel the impact of a wind turbine so it will be easier to understand it.

The virtual environment that mimics the wind noise produced by a turbine and even weather condition was developed by ORE Catapult in cooperation with Scottish public-private initiative Energy Skills Partnership and animation studio Animmersion U.K. Virtual reality immerses people to a world that shuts out the physical world while augmented reality includes digital elements to a live view using a smartphone’s camera.

Because the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) is more cost efficient and safer as compared to sending trainees on site, the renewable energy 18

COVER STORY

sector is now joining the ranks of oil and gas, aerospace, nuclear, and construction industries as primary users of VR technology for training.

This is because VR helps familiarize students with the kind of environment he or she can expect before actually going to the site, while AR can train students the processes of assembly sequencing, tolerance measurement, and tightening torque values.

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VR as Sales Tool Aside from using VR to train students, the offshore wind industry sees it as tool to attract market in exhibition stands.

Turbine maker MHI Vestas external communication consultant Michael Morris said

that accessibility is one of the challenges that the offshore wind industry turbines face.

He explained that there are only a few people who get the chance to personally see the gigantic turbines because these can be found in remote

areas of the North Sea and are placed over 100 meters.

MHI Vestas has conference stations where visitors are asked to wear harnesses, protective vests and other safety gears, and headsets before going in a tour with a guide around a virtual nacelle. “When we need to show people what the turbines look like and how they operate, VR is undoubtedly the best way.

Thousands of people have experienced this film over the past few years, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,�

Morris said.

Dutch wind energy consultancy company Bosch & Van Rijn can attest to this because they have had their fair share of experiences wherein shareholders are against the use of wind turbines because they are scared of it. The use of VR allows people to experience the big structures, understand the impact they hold on the landscape, and hear the noise they will actually produce. By taking away the fears they have because of what they imagination tells them help make their perception turn into positive.

Because of this technology, stakeholders and customers can now understand the benefits of solar and wind technology while students can now collaborate and learn without having to physically be there. “It would be reasonable to see all advanced engineering 22

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The use of VR allows people to experience the big structures, understand the impact they hold on the landscape, and hear the noise they will actually produce

COVER STORY

industries to be routinely using VR and AR within the next five to 10 years,” he said.

Anne Schipper, junior consultant for wind energy at Bosch & Van Rijn, a Dutch wind energy consultancy company said that aside from these benefits, the VR experience also creates positive feelings for wind turbines among people who encountered them virtually.

Because they enjoyed the VR experience, they have also labelled it with wind turbines.

This is what Schipper call the two-factor theory of emotion.

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“I was very excited before I started my VR experience and felt physiologically aroused by the flying movements I made, but all I could talk about was how cool it was to stand on a wind turbine, how much I enjoyed the view, and how I had to use my whole body to be able to see the entire wind turbine. The arousal was due to the VR, but I cognitively labelled it to the wind turbines,” Schipper explained.

-end-

WE CREATE THE INNOVATORS, LEADERS & THINKERS OF TOMORROW

For over 20 years, American University of Sharjah (AUS) has been at the helm of the region’s intellectual, cultural and scientific development.

As we enter our third decade, we are renewing our commitment to providing outstanding undergraduate and graduate education, and embarking on a new era of pioneering research.

27 bachelor’s programs | 14 master’s programs | 4 research institutes | 3 research centers Executive Education | PhD in Engineering Systems Management

Learn more:

www.aus.edu/cen AUS has been ranked in the world's top 50 universities under 50 years of age.

AUS has the highest percentage of international students of any ranked university in the world.

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C O“It V Ewould R S T O be RY

reasonable to see all advanced engineering industries to be routinely using VR and AR within the next five to 10 years,�

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N E W S

Europe adds 4.5 GW of wind energy in first half of 2018

Europe added 4.5 GW of wind energy capacity in the first half of 2018, according to figures released today by WindEurope.

The figure is down on the same period last year (6.1 GW) though is in line with expectations.

There was 3.3 GW of onshore wind, driven by Germany (1.6 GW), France (605 MW) and Denmark (202 MW).

The 1.1 GW of offshore wind was mainly in the UK (911 MW), 32

Belgium (175 MW) and Denmark (28 MW). Germany is set to install new offshore wind in the second half of the year.

For the whole of 2018, we expect to see 3.3 GW new offshore wind and 10.2 GW of onshore wind.

This will mean 13.5 GW of new wind capacity in total for the year.

WindEurope Chief Policy Officer Pierre Tardieu said: “We are on track for a solid year in

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N E W S new wind farm installations but the growth is driven by just a handful of markets. The figures also mask some worrying trends.

“France has installed a lot of new onshore wind this year but they haven’t issued a single new permit for onshore wind permit in the last eight months because of an administrative issue – which has also resulted in their latest auction being undersubscribed. So there’ll be a drop-off in their new build now, creating uncertainty in the supply chain.

“In Germany it’s good that projects now need a permit to bid into onshore auctions, but that rule now needs to be made per-

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manent. Also, there’s no clarity yet on when the 4 GW new onshore wind promised in the coalition agreement for 2019-20 is going to be auctioned.

And the new Government is slow in confirming the auction volumes beyond that. Like all Member States they now need to give five years’ visibility on future auction timetable and volumes – under the terms of the new Renewables Directive.

“This visibility is key to the supply chain and to keep wind energy jobs and growth in Europe. Investments in manufacturing, skills and R&D only happen when governments give long-term visibility to the supply chain. This clarity helps

them to make new investment decisions and bring down costs.

Addressing these issues will be key to enable Europe to meet its target of 32% renewable energy by 2030 cost effectively.

“And in offshore wind, Europe is too dependent on the UK, which is striding ahead in current installations and in committing to future volumes. By contrast, the rate of new installations has slowed down in Germany.

Other countries also need to beef up and speed up their plans on offshore wind.”

NEWS

First plug-in on the market to measure unbalance

• Prototype successfully provides plant operator with regular updates on balance condition.

• The assessment of unbalance becomes fast and cost effective.

• Blade Unbalance Calculator will be first demonstrated at WindEnergy Hamburg After successful testing of the prototype, a new plug-in to Bachmann’s Condition Monitoring System provides plant operators with regular updates on the balance 36

condition of their wind turbines’ blades. This makes the condition monitoring specialist from Germany the first wind energy supplier to provide a measurement of unbalance without a lengthy and expensive process. In field tests with development partner BKW Wind Service GmbH involving mass addition to blades, the calculated unbalance has shown excellent agreement with the weight actually fitted.

The product, by the name Blade Unbalance Calculator,

will be seen at the Wind Energy Hamburg trade show.

The plug-in to the CMS runs to provide an estimate of the mass unbalance in kgm, based upon a few structural parameters and the output from a tower sensor fitted at the centre of the nacelle. Not only does the output provide a direct measure of balance quality, it also distinguishes between aerodynamic and mechanical effects, ensuring plant operators prepare for the correct maintenance action. „Studies by BerlinWind GmbH (1) suggest that up to 50 percent of wind turbines suffer

from undue unbalance on the rotor” remarks David Futter, product manager at Bachmann Monitoring GmbH. “We estimate that today the majority of turbines running with moderate unbalance remain undetected. Only an extended full survey would be able to assess them” David Futter explains. That is lengthy and expensive, but the implications of an undetected unbalance are also severe: increased fatigue loads on the entire structure, including the tower and nacelle, as well as the drivetrain components.

Providing a cost-effective estimate of the balance quality

allows owners to target those wind turbines where balancing will make a significant improvement to the operational life.

(1) Dr. Christoph Heilmann, Anke Grunwald, Michael Melsheimer, BerlinWind GmbH: “Auswuchten von WEA-Rotoren: Wirtschaftliche Vorteile und technische Umsetzung” in Windindustrie in Deutschland (WID) Whitepaper 03/2015

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Canadian Solar Partners with ET Energy to Build 132 MWP of Solar Projects in South Africa Canadian Solar Inc. (the “Company” or “Canadian Solar”) (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world’s largest solar power companies today announced it established a joint venture with ET Energy, a global clean energy developer and operator. Together they will provide Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) services for two solar power projects totaling 132 MWp in South Africa for BioTherm Energy, an independent African power producer.

The projects, Aggeneys (46 MWp) and Konkoonsies II (86 MWp), are located in northwest South Africa and cover an immense area of 387 hectares.

They are Round IV projects of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

The two solar power plants are expected to be grid-connected by the end of 2019 and early 2020, respectively. Over 400,000 Canadian Solar’s 1500V high voltage modules, CS6U-P, will be installed on single-axis solar tracking systems, with a total of 34 central inverters for the two solar projects. Construction of the projects is expected to start in September 2018.

Dennis She, President and CEO 38

of ET Energy, said, “In partnership with Canadian Solar, BioTherm Energy, and other market leaders in South Africa, we have met all the requirements of the REIPPPP. With our South African subsidiary founded in 2016, and years of experience in project operation and EPC management, ET Energy will offer professional EPC and O&M services to utility scale PV plants in Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa.”

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar, said, “These

projects are the first large-scale applications of our products in Africa’s high voltage market. We hope to set more benchmarks for the renewable energy market in South Africa with high-quality products, advanced PV technology, and global expertise.”

As a signatory to the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, South Africa has long been a leader in the African renewable energy industry. In November 2016, the country released the latest draft of its Integrated Resource Plan,

which outlines the country’s electricity strategy to 2050.

Under the plan, the country seeks to add 18 GW of PV plants over 2021-50. In recent years, the successful implementation of the REIPPPP has ensured that the South African renewable energy sector has adhered to this strategy.

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Improving the student experience a priority for American University of Sharjah’s College of Engineering

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he Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at American University of Sharjah (AUS), part of the university’s College of Engineering (CEN), has been using its in-house expertise to create studentfocused, state-of-the-art digital solutions. The solutions form part of the college’s commitment

tors and students. All systems have been designed to enhance the experience of students by providing more convenient, responsive and intuitive services.

The new systems include the Advising System, Wish List System, Waiting List System, General Education Requirement (GER) Course Availability System, and Class Attendance System.

With CSE students and faculty now using all five of the systems successfully, some of the solutions are now being utilized at a college-wide level. The Advising System allows all engineering students to see which courses are available for them to enroll in, and which courses are full—all through a highly engaging and dynamic interface. The Wish List System is also designed to directly benefit students, allowing them to identify which electives they most want to take, before schedules are set. This means elective offerings are matched to student interests, and enables a higher percentage of students to gain a place in an elective of their first preference.

to providing a world-class student experience, helping students to stay engaged in their studies and able to perform at their best academically.

Over the past two years, CSE has created five new digital systems, led by Dr. Fadi Aloul, Professor and Head of the Department, and developed by CSE instruc-

The Class Attendance System has been similarly successful, with the second version of the system launched in Spring 2019, just months after the first version was implemented. The Class Attendance System has been designed for easy use by both students and faculty. To use the system, a student downloads an iOS/Android mobile application,

which they then use to scan a barcode to confirm their attendance in a specific class.

After the barcode is successfully scanned, the instructor is informed of the attendance, with the whole process taking less than 10 seconds. This frees up important class time, allowing faculty and students to spend more time teaching and learning, and less time on administration.

The system also acts as an important reminder for students, who receive an automated message when they have missed between 10 and 15 percent of their classes. To date, the feedback from both faculty and students regarding the Class Attendance System has been very positive, with the adoption of the

system throughout the whole of the CSE department likely within the coming months.

Dr. Aloul says of the success of the new systems: “It is our job as computer scientists and engineers to be constantly looking for ways in which we can exploit digital technologies to the benefits of users. We need to show our students how to be innovative, and creating new and better ways of doing what we do on a daily basis is a fantastic example of innovation. Creating new digital systems that directly assist our faculty and students is very rewarding, and we hope to keep on finessing these systems—

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and creating even more new systems—so that teaching and learning in CEN (and perhaps across AUS more broadly) is more rewarding, enjoyable and ultimately successful.”

The college is widely considered as one of the region’s leading engineering institutions, focusing on providing students with an experience that readies them for success beyond the classroom.

Students are taught to apply theory in real-life scenarios, and

adapt their knowledge to solve problems in the workplace.

Student involvement in the creation of the college’s new systems is just one example of how students are encouraged to practice their new-found skills and knowledge. As 2017 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering graduate Asiel Abedraboh says of his AUS experience: “Teaching students to meet expectations and deadlines in

such professional academic environment is what makes AUS different from other universities.

In fact, AUS prepares students for a demanding career life where time management is key.”

In 2018, AUS announced a new research agenda, and as a result, four new science and engineering-based research institutes have been established, offering much opportunity for undergraduate students to be involved in hands-on projects

that allow them to practice new found skills and knowledge.

These institutes and centers will allow students access to research addressing critical global issues in health sciences, materials science, marine sciences and city planning, and to explore the effects of climate change on the environment. Involvement in research of this caliber provides a unique learning for the university’s students, and is

valuable experience for students seeking employment upon graduation.

For those interested in learning more about the programs offered through the AUS College of Engineering, and the experience of AUS students, please visit www.aus.edu/cen.

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IPAF: Exclusive Manlift Depot Tour for IAPAs Visitors IPAF Summit took place in Dubai, on the same day as the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs)

This year’s IPAF Summit took place in Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 6 March, on the same day as the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs). It was the first time the event has been staged in the Middle East.

There was an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Manlift depot in Dubai the following day, available only to those booking to attend the Summit and IAPAs. We are so proud to demonstrating and showcasing

our lean depot to our customers and visitors across the globe who are interested to learn more about the Manlift Way and how we continuously deliver the best customer experience.

Manlift is also very proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for Access Rental Company of the year, at this year’s IAPA awards. The IAPAs are the most prestigious awards in powered access and an independent panel of access industry experts, with more than

100 entries received for this year’s edition of the awards.

To reach this far is truly an achievement and is a result of the dedication, hard work and commitment of the Manlift team in the region.

Over the last 10 years, Manlift has pioneered the Access industry in the Region by working with government bodies, customers, manufacturers & HSE companies to raise the level of safety and

quality of access equipment in the marketplace.

About Manlift Manlift specialises in aerial work platforms such as access equipment rental lifts, scissor lifts, boom lifts, articulated boom lifts and vertical lifts. With international head quarters in the vibrant hub of Dubai, UAE offering a global reach, our representatives are standing by to hear from you today. Working at heights safely and efficiently is our core business. Manlift’s international rental fleet consists of 13,000 aerial work platforms, ensuring us that we will always be able to supply a rental man lift to suit your needs. Manlift has expanded its operations by establishing offices in India and Qatar as well.

About IAPAs The International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) and the IPAF Summit conference is a fantastic combined educational and networking event for the access industry.

The industry’s most important annual celebration, will be held for the first time in Dubai UAE, at the Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek Hotel on the 6 March 2019.

The next IPAF Summit and IAPAs will be held in London on the 23 April 2020

About IPAF The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) promotes the safe and effective use

of powered access equipment worldwide in the widest sense – through providing technical advice and information; through influencing and interpreting legislation and standards; and through safety initiatives and training programmes.

IPAF is a not-for-profit organisation owned by its members, which include manufacturers, rental companies, distributors, contractors and users. IPAF members operate a majority of the MEWP rental fleet worldwide and manufacture about 85% of platforms on the market.

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LG Expands UAE Presence with a New Air-Conditioning Showroom in Al Ain Reinforcing its position as a leader in Air-Conditioning business solutions, LG makes its technology more accessible to the region New Air-Conditioning Showroom will serve the residents in Al Ain area.

Keen to provide the best business solutions, LG Electronics (LG) has today opened its new business-to-business (B2B) showroom in Al Ain. Launching an office facility just over two years prior at Bin Hamoodah Tower in Abu Dhabi, the capital remains a key focus for LG’s expansion and commitment to the region.

The Al Ain showroom is LG’s first in the UAE for commercial air conditioners, showcasing VRF (Multi V) and inverter technology. It sees LG partner with Ghantoot Trading, strengthening the company’s growing presence in the UAE. Local clients for LG include the likes of private villa owners, Government organizations and the private commercial sector.

At the exclusive showroom opening, the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saeed Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, in the presence of, Mr. Hong Ju Jeon, LGEGF President, LG MEA Head of Business Solutions, Mr. Sang Min Lee and Ghantoot Trading Establishment Owner, Mr. Ali Al-Bloushi who were on hand to greet guests.

After the opening, key business partners, retailers and media were welcomed at the Al Ain Rotana Hotel, with a presentation showcasing LG’s array of efficient business solutions.

Commenting on the opening of LG’s Al Ain showroom, Mr. Sang Min Lee stated: “Our growing presence in the UAE is indicative of LG’s longstanding relations with local businesses and demonstrates our understanding of their needs. We support businesses towards fostering innovation and are keen to provide methods by which they can operate more efficiently and thrive.

Organizations no longer need to travel long distances to view the latest devices on the market.

They can now experience LG’s products on their doorstep. From in-store demonstrations to expert advice, businessowners can visit the Al Ain showroom in confidence, knowing that they will leave with an understanding of which solutions to implement and how to better equip their environments with the best technologies from LG.” Products showcased at the presentation included LG’s MULTI V 5 Variant Refrigerant Flow (VRF) solution. With its

Dual Sensing Control feature, the MULTI V 5 ensures world class energy efficiency, whilst also boasting increased temperature and humidity regulation.

Complete with LG’s Ultimate Inverter Compressor, it is a powerful climate control solution that has been built to perform, even in extreme climates.

Additionally, the MULTI V5 also comes with Auto Dust Removal. This core feature helps cater towards the demanding weather conditions of Al Ain and the wider region.

LG also highlighted the availability of its Hi-M Solutek after sales service in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. Hi-M Solutek is the world’s leading Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) service and maintenance company, which LG hopes will enable businesses to operate with greater confidence and peace-of-mind.

In addition to the MULTI V 5, visitors to LG’s Al Ain showroom will also be able to experience the quality of its Floor Standing, Cassette Type, Ducted Split and Residential Wall-Mounted air conditioners. Each AC type caters to a different environment and can be utilized to enhance spaces with increased flexibility. LG AC systems come with High Ambient and Auto Cleaning functionality, withstanding extreme climates and creating a more comfortable environment, with minimal intervention. In addition, their energy-efficient nature ensures that businesses can operate more effectively and reduce consumption costs.

LG’s AC solutions are also ADQCC (Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council) certified, signifying their quality and compliance with local Government regulations.

Such solutions also come with system integration options,

working with connected devices for smart home operators in the UAE. Through the use of efficient energy management solutions, LG is able to provide businesses with smart building applications which reduce consumption and operating costs.

LG regards Abu Dhabi as a strategic business hub for the region, seeking to work in conjunction with the Economic Vision of 2030. Illustrating its commitment to the region, LG’s expansion in Al Ain highlights its drive towards making sustainable innovations in technology accessible to a wider array of businesses and partners across the region. In doing so, LG aims to facilitate business growth and support the fast-paced economies of the Middle East and Africa.

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Tips for Choosing An Industrial Pump Choosing the right industrial pump will save you money and resources

You have probably heard the saying “Less is more.� Right?

Well, to be frank, that is not always true. When selecting a pump, having more information is often better. Several variables will play a crucial role in how a pump will operate and how long it will last. If you are not sure about how to choose the right pump or the information you need to have before purchasing one, then you will be glad to know that you are not alone.

In this article, we together with Grabe, have put together a list of 50

seven things you should consider when choosing a pump to have an easier time making a decision.

1. Process Liquid Properties The first thing you need to consider is the type of liquid the pump is intended for. Here is a list of process liquid properties that should be considered before choosing a pump.

•Temperature •Liquid viscosity •Vapour pressure •Specific gravity •Shear sensitive •Presence of Solids •Concentration Abrasive or non-abrasive

cal compatibility charts will help you identify materials that are most appropriate in a pump’s construction.

2. Construction Material

In crucial applications, where downtime isn’t an option, costlier heavy-duty pumps with application-intensive features should be chosen. If the application requires that the pump be occasionally removed for maintenance, then a less expensive option would be best.

Another thing to consider is the materials used to construct the pump. Are they compatible with any of the liquids the pump will come into contact – and that includes process liquids? Chemi-

3. Is It Critical To Plant Operations?

4. Pump Inlet Conditions You do not want your pump starving. A pump NPSH or System Net Positive Suction Head is calculated by knowing the pump’s liquid vapor pressure and inlet pressure. Always ensure that NPSHA exceeds the pump’s Net Positive Suction Head.

5. Pump Environment Where will the pump be used? If it is outside, then special installation or construction consider-

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ations will have to be factored for freezing temperatures. If use is in a hazardous environment that contains explosive dust or vapor, then special motor features are necessary. These are some of the environmental conditions to think about when choosing a pump.

6. Power Source Availability The most common output when it comes to US power sources is 115 to 230 Volts/1-phase/60 Hertz or 230 to 460 Volts/3Phase/60 Hertz. Specialized motors can be specified for operations outside the United States or for use with DC batteries.

Pressurized hydraulic oil or compressed air can also be used to power a pump.

7. Pressure and Flow Rate The total volume and having a good idea of how much time is needed to move fluids will determine your pump flow rate.

You can calculate a pump’s differential pressure by considering the pump’s system equipment (valves, filters, etc.) friction losses, pipe size (fittings and length), and static lifts.

By considering the above factors, you are arming yourself with the knowledge you need to choose a pump that suits your needs and requirements. With this information, you can rest assured, irrespective of the application, that the pump you get will be the right one.

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Meet Dado Banatao: The Philippines’ Bill Gates Diosdado “Dado” Banatao invented a chip that is now found in most computers.

Dado is an electrical engineering alum of Mapua Institute of Technology. Before he could apply the knowledge in his chosen engineering field, he trained as a commercial airline pilot with Philippine Airlines when he found that there no “true design jobs” in the Philippines. Along with this decision, he turned down job offers, including from the Philippines’ largest distributor of electrical power Meralco because of the low pay.

Perhaps his odd choice led him to his dream job. When he was under training, he was pirated by Boeing and assigned as a design engineer for Boeing 747, which is the company’s new commercial airliner and cargo transport aircraft in the United States.

When Dado was at the U.S., he grabbed the chance to take his engineering studies further. He finished his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in Stanford University in 1972.

In the small barrio of Malabbac in the town of Iguig, Cagayan, Philippines grew a man who has now established a name in the tech industry. He who used to walk barefoot along the dirt roads of his hometown has cofounded three startups namely Mostron, Chips and Technologies, and S3 Graphics.

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The story of Diosdado Banatao, or Dado, as a technology innovator and venture capitalist in Silicon Valley is the perfect illustration of rags to riches. But his life involved a lot of unexpected turns before he became the engineer that transformed the lives of many through his invention of a computer part.

Later, he acquired working experience from different technology companies such as the National Semiconductor and Intersil. But his greatness was put to form when he developed the first single chip, 16-bit microprocessor-based calculator under Commodore International. Dado was able to reduce 300 components into three with that computer chip.

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He kept on inventing as he jumped companies. By 1981, he designed his second invention, which is the first 10-Mbit Ethernet CMOS with silicon coupler data-link control and transreceiver chip under the company SEEQ Technology.

As he kept on fiddling with computers, Dado went on to create the first system logic chip set for IBM’s PC-XT and the PC-AT; the local bus concept and the first Windows Graphics accelerator chip for personal computers.

It was in 1984 when the high-technology company Mostron was put up by Dado along with his business partner Francis Siu. Both started with a half a million US dollars capital to launch a manufacturer of motherboards.

A year later, the company made 56

a five-chip set which marked the formation of a new company Dado cofounded called Chips and Technologies. There, a system logic chip set for IBM’s PC-XT and the PC-AT was developed which got them a profit of $12 million in just 4 months. The company went into public after a little less than two years.

With his expertise with computers, Dado didn’t stop with two companies and launched S3 Graphics. This startup focused on enhancing the graphic capabilities in personal computers by using a graphic accelerator chip. Dado’s secret to this is his invention of a local bus.

By 1996, Dado’s startups are forces to be reckoned with in the tech industry. S3 was in the forefront of the graphic-chips market, even beating Cirrus Logic Inc., while Chips &

Technologies was sold to Intel for about $$300 million.

It didn’t end there for Dado in the business sector. In 2000, he established a venture capital firm named Tallwood Venture Capital with a capital of US$300 million.

Ten years later, he was named as Ikanos Communications’ CEO. His previous way of life gave Dado the heart to give back and share his blessings both in the Philippines and abroad.

Under the Dado Banatao Educational Foundation, he funds five aspiring engineer scholars annually. In the Philippine Development Foundation, which he heads, he provides free education for young Filipinos.

In his childhood town of Iguig, Dado put up a computer center in the grade school where

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he went. As of posting, it is the only public school with the most modern computer network in the Philippines.

Not only that: in Northern California, he financially assists high school students of Filipino descent who want to become engineers, through the Banatao Filipino American Fund.

Dado the tech luminary was invited in several speaking engagements, one of the most recent is the Anvil Business Summit 2016 where he bared his formula for success. He says that Filipino entrepreneurs should understand their target market if 58

they want to compete globally.

“The fundamental thing that we always use or a few things we look for a company to invest in is whether that company understands markets. How they are able to define a product to a given market,” he tells in the event organized by the Association of Young Filipino-Chinese Entrepreneurs. “[They] have to understand the dynamics of that market, velocity of revenue, size of the market, dynamics of whether it is growing or not, and volume of the market,” Dado Banatao shares.

He reiterated that startups fail because they miss the market requirements and they come up with products only to realize that no one will buy it.

Profitability, Dado says, is largely about good design.

“That’s an indication that if you have good design, you will sell your product. That’s a good lesson as an engineer when we’re trained to design, to create products. It’s coupled with an application that is very important for productivity,” he says.

But Dado Banatao points out a big flaw in the Philippines that

prevents the flourish of tech companies: the lack of venture capitalists. He cites Silicon Valley to be built by entrepreneurs and investors.

And it’s not doing charity, he says. “We did our research in gift-giving. Charity destroys societies. It does not work.

“So when you do your corporate social responsibility, do something that leverages the mind of the receiver. Education is a good example. It is creating an opportunity for those brains, for those minds to produce. I think that we do have the responsibility,” Dado shares.

He went on to describe the educational landscape of the country especially in engineering. He related himself from being a regular guy who was only trained by international expertise.

“My family was poor but only because I trained myself, I can do these things today. I think that is a lesson for all of us,” he says.

“We’re as bright as anyone. I’m just an average guy. I went to Silicon Valley and got trained by the environment itself. We have to have that here in the Philippines. We’re not lacking in intellect,” he tells at the event.

This son of a rice farmer from Cagayan province has reached so far but he never forgets how he made it.

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The 7 Best Engineering Jobs This list is made by the U.S. News early in 2016. Is your chosen field one of these engineering jobs?

W

hen one exclaims that line among a group of engineers coming from different fields, it is most likely to trigger several reactions.

Everyone in that diverse set is obliged to defend his or her specialization, which often ends up with an endless debate.

That’s because choosing a job and defining it to be the best is subjective, with no ideal way to determine the best job overall.

There is no standard especially if the bases are one’s experiences.

Each has his or her own preferences of an engineering field.

But the U.S. News, through their own selection method, has provided the Best Jobs rankings for 2016. Conducted early in 2016, it aims to provide aspiring engineers an intuitive comparison of the professions based on important factors: salary, the number of expected openings, advancement opportunities and career fulfilment.

In engineering, there are lots of subfields. To choose which jobs will be included in the list, the U.S. News used the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data on jobs

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with the greatest hiring demand, or those with the highest projected number of openings from 2014 to 2024.

After listing, the top picks for engineering jobs were analyzed to be included in the 2018 Best Jobs. They were ranked according to their overall score, which is calculated from seven component measures with these corresponding weights: median salary (30%), employment rate (20%), 10-year growth volume (15%), 10-year growth percentage (15), job prospects (10), stress level (5%), and work-life balance (5%).

S P E C IA L F E AT U R E Here are the results. Lo and behold, the 7 best engineering jobs:

#7 in Best Engineering Jobs: Architect (5.7/10) 7,800 Projected Jobs | $74,520 Median Salary | 5.1% Unemployment Rate Although not technically considered as engineers, architects have a close relationship with buildings and structures. Their job is to combine creativity and practicality and to produce projects that are altogether aesthetically pleasing and safe.

This specialization had its lowest point between 2009 and 2011 but

is now slowly recovering.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be a 7% employment growth between 2014 and 2024.

#6 in Best Engineering Jobs: Environmental Engineering Technician (5.9/10) 1,900 Projected Jobs | $48,170 Median Salary | 5.2% Unemployment Rate The job of environmental engineering technicians can either be in the field or laboratory. In the field, they collect air or water samples for pollution testing. While in the lab, they test such samples. These technicians often collaborate with environmental engineers.

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This sector is expected to grow at a rate of 10% within 2014 and 2024 producing 1,900 new environmental engineering technician jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects.

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#5 in Best Engineering Jobs: Civil Engineer (6.5/10) 23,600 Projected Jobs | $82,050 Median Salary | 2.8% Unemployment Rate Other than being one of the oldest engineering disciplines, civil engineering is also one of the broadest engineering fields. This profession covers structural, geotechnical, materials science, environmental, earthquake, water resources, surveying, transportation, urban planning, construction management and many more. It is responsible for the many engineering wonders in the physical world.

for employment. They can hold administrative positions, work in design and construction companies, or be involved in the academe, either in the government or the private sector.

Civil engineers have many options

As long as there is a need to build

structures and provide efficient systems under their scope, civil engineers will always be in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected 8% employment growth for civil engineering between 2014 and 2024, opening 23,600 jobs.

neering expertise. The work covers waste disposal, erosion, and water and air pollution, among others.

predicts that 6,800 jobs will be generated from this field at a rate of 12.4% from 2014 to 2024.

#4 in Best Engineering Jobs: Environmental Engineer (6.8/10) 6,800 Projected Jobs | $83,360 Median Salary | 0.9% Unemployment Rate This engineering job is often associated with environmentalists.

Although related with each other, environmental engineers are not merely about the Earth Day and environmental consciousness.

They are about working to prevent, control or remediate any hazards to all aspects of the natural environment using engi64

The Bureau of Labor Statistics

#3 in Best Engineering Jobs: Mechanical Engineer (6.9/10) 14,600 Projected Jobs | $83,060 Median Salary | 1.5% Unemployment Rate All the machineries and equipment in manufacturing plants, heating and cooling systems, aircraft, watercraft, automobile, and weapons are the result of the hardwork of mechanical engineers. They all underwent design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance done by those who have studied mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, and materials science, while using tools like computer-aided design

and product life cycle management.

The new century has introduced innovations, like 3D printing and carbon fiber composites, which widened the scope of mechanical engineering.

With the continuing demand for the understanding of mechanical systems, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field is expected to grow by 5% between 2014 and 2024. This will generate 14,600 new jobs.

#2 in Best Engineering Jobs: Biomedical Engineer (7.1/10) 5,100 Projected Jobs | $86,950 Median Salary | 2.6% Unemployment Rate Biomedical engineering is a profession that researches and develops solutions to biological and medical problems.

Applications of this field cover a wide array, often overlapping with the work of doctors and therapists. The products of biomedical engineers are mainly prosthetic body parts, surgical devices and systems, implanted

devices, diagnostics, imaging methods, and physical therapy devices.

Between 2014 to 2024, the field of biomedical engineering will open

5,100 jobs at a rate of 23% as predicted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is much faster than the average growth rate for all jobs.

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#1 in Best Engineering Jobs: Cartographer (7.4/10) 3,600 Projected Jobs | $60,930 Median Salary | 3.0% Unemployment Rate Most people think that cartography, which is the science of drawing maps, has died after the advent of technology. The common notion is that cartographers like Ptolemy and Leonardo da Vinci only exist when there’s a need to plot physical maps. But the truth of the matter is that such engineering field is widely used in creating interactive maps in today’s age, for cloud-based services, open source resources, and improved user interface and user experience 66

design.

The best engineering job in 2018 uses both analysis and creativity. The former is to pour data in finding trends and patterns; while the latter, to visualize that data in a design.

Cartographers are expected to have a job growth of 29% from 2014 to 2024, creating 3,600 new jobs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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This is a Heavy Equipment Theme Park For Kids It is called Diggerland, a heavy machinery theme park

It might seem impossible for people who want to fiddle with construction equipment to actually sit in an excavator or a tractor because of safety reasons – come on, no company doesn’t want to be held liable over strangers casually digging soil.

But really, that’s where you got it all wrong.

This heavy equipment them park is like Disneyland for the engineers and construction professionals.

A construction-themed amuse68

ment park stands in West Berlin, New Jersey, for people who like to try controlling heavy machinery and ride on construction equipment. Called the Diggerland, the 14-acre heavy equipment theme park allows adults and kids, at certain height restrictions, to safely drive, ride and operate forklifts, backhoes, tractors, dump trucks and excavators modified for use on a course or made stationary by design. The park assures that you won’t be dirty in this park, unlike what you see in real construction sites.

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The park features Spin Dizzy, a 20-ton excavator with an 8-seat capacity at its scoop buckets; and Mini Diggers, 16 backhoe-like excavators dubbed diggers in three sizes designed for operators to knock over bowling pins, dig for buried treasure or pluck a duck decoy out of a pond with the boom arm of a 4,000-pound excavator.

Other main attractions include the Dig-A-Round, which is like 70

a carousel except the riders get to sit in excavator buckets; the Sky Shuttle, a crane-like forklift with an extendable hydraulic arm carrying up to 15 passengers to 50 feet in the air; and the Backhoe Adventure, which allows four riders to take turns in driving a backhoe on a course, which a ride marshal ab oard to accompany.