CCME July 2019

MARKET FEATURE: VALVES

An overview of the macro- and micro-economic drivers that influence the valves sub-industry

July 2019

Perspectives TIGHT NOT AN ISSUE Jibin Kurian, National Product Manager for AHUs, FläktGroup UK

INDIVIDUAL TO THE FORE John Bade and Armin Hauer, members, AMCA High Performance Air Systems Committee

Spotlighting the role of air filtration in providing cleaner air in the built-environment PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

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July 2019

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THEME: DISTRICT COOLING’S POTENTIAL FOR CONTRIBUTING TO UAE VISION 2021... PROFOUND POSSIBILITIES

3rd EDITION

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

15 SEPTEMBER 2019 FALCON BALLROOM, LE MERIDIEN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE, DUBAI, UAE

ABOUT DC DIALOGUE DC Dialogue is produced by CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Middle East magazine and CHILL supplement on District Cooling. The conference, the first-ever regionally produced platform dedicated to District Cooling in the Middle East, is an immersive experience that democratically gives voice to multiple stakeholders on all issues of concern towards the progress of District Energy in the Middle East region.

SPEAKERS (CONFIRMED SO FAR)

Fares Ahmad General Manager, Emaar District Cooling

George Berbari CEO, DC PRO Engineering; Author, The Energy Budget

Ken Currie Managing Director, DOMIKO District Cooling Advisory Services

Amal Hamadeh Project Manager - Demand Side Management, UAE Ministry of Energy

Mansour Kharoub Associate Principal - Mech Engineering Services, Khatib & Alami

Timothy McLaren Senior Commercial Contracts Engineer, Ramboll

Eid Mohammed Senior Mechanical Engineer, UAE Ministry of Infrastructure Development

Adib Moubadder CEO, Emicool

Sriram Nagarajan Senior Manager, Voltas Limited

Faisal Rashid DirectorDemand Side Management, Supreme Council of Energy

Balachandran Senthilraj Vice President Engineering & Projects Southern General Contracting & Real Estate LLC

Hassan Younes Director & Partner, Griffin Consultants; President-Elect, ASHRAE Falcon Chapter

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www.dcdialogue.com 3 July 2019 FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT: advertising@cpi-industry.com

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July 2019

July 2019

5

TIGHT NOT AN ISSUE

WHOOSH! Ali Arafat, Team Manager, Application Engineering, SimScale, spotlights pedestrian wind comfort and safety in urban environments and the role of CFD in ensuring the two

Jibin Kurian, National Product Manager for AHUs, FläktGroup UK, discusses the benefits of ‘off-the-shelf’ solutions in view of growing demand for commercial heat-recovery units that can fit increasingly tighter space, budgets and project timescales.…

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STARRING ROLE Dawood Bin Ozair, CEO, Blue Star International FZCO

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Five HVACR industry topics that deserve attention Climate Control Middle East presents a discussion of industry trends and considerations that matter in this day and age, as articulated by an AHR Expo Experts Council...

REGULARS

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18

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PERSPECTIVES

Authored by Dr Iyad Al Attar, independent air filtration consultant, the article outlines the industry's perception towards air filtration technology and discusses air quality, heat load and the ways in which filtration technologies can be better employed and financially justified.

END-POINT

clean air...

CASE STUDY

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July 2019

MARKET FEATURE

AHR EXPO 2020 COUNTDOWN

ON THE COVER

page

VOL. 14 NO. 07  JULY 2019

08 eDItor'S note

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valves DECIPHERING THE DYNAMICS Industry representatives suggest that the upcoming World Expo 2020 and the need for more energy transfer stations have led to a steady rise in demand for valves

Targeting intermittency

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INDIVIDUAL TO THE FORE John Bade and Armin Hauer, members, AMCA High Performance Air Systems Committee, say that AMCA 207 standard enables calculation of efficiency of individual components and, thus, makes fan-system comparisons reliable

30 Regional News 40 Global News

events in 2019

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

TTHE HE ANN ANNU ANNUAL UAL M MI MIDDLE IDD DDLE LE EEAST A ST

CONFERENCE CONFER CONFE REN CE

Food Chain Dubai (9th edition)

21 January 2019 Turf Suite, The Meydan Hotel Dubai, UAE

Refrigerants Review (3rd edition)

24 March 2019 Falcon Ballroom, Le Meridien Hotel & Conference Centre, Dubai, UAE

,

Annual Middle East Variable Refrigerant Flow Conference (7th edition)

29 April 2019 Al Hamra Convention Centre, Hilton Al Hamra Beach & Golf Resort, Ras Al Khaimah

DC Dialogue (3rd edition)

The Client Consultant Contractor Conference (3rd edition)

15 September 2019 Falcon Ballroom,Le Meridien Hotel & Conference Centre, Dubai, UAE

30 September 2019 Le Meridien Hotel & Conference Centre, Dubai, UAE

District cooling’s potential for contributing to UAE Vision 2021... Profound possibilities

Securing the interests of multiple MEP stakeholders through strengthening the understanding on legal issues

SPLITDECISION World VRF Congress 14 November 2019 Chicago, USA

CREATE AN

IMPACT FOR YOUR BRAND

THROUGH OUR

BESPOKE EVENTS!

Climate Control Awards (9th edition) 26 November 2019 Dubai, UAE

Split-decision 9 December 2019 Dubai, UAE

BESPOKE EVENTS CPI Industry Events has an extensive and proven track record as organisers of specialised conferences and exhibitions. Having worked with many of the region’s most high-profile speakers in the government and corporate sectors, we have over 75,000 email addresses in our database.

We can provide marketing campaigns, including a designed brochure, and e-shot campaigns to a specialised audience to promote the event/ seminar.

CPI Industry enjoys ‘special access’ to the region’s most prominent decision-makers in the industry as well as government officials. The package also includes invaluable access to our database, helping your company identify and contact the appropriate entities you may not otherwise have access to.

7 July 2019 FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT: advertising@cpi-industry.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

Targeting intermittency

T

Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACR

MARKET FEATURE: VALVES

An overview of the macro- and micro-economic drivers that influence the valves sub-industry

July 2019

Perspectives TIGHT NOT AN ISSUE Jibin Kurian, National Product Manager for AHUs, FläktGroup UK

INDIVIDUAL TO THE FORE John Bade and Armin Hauer, members, AMCA High Performance Air Systems Committee

Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle East early!

Spotlighting the role of air filtration in providing cleaner air in the built-environment

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

ill even a year or so ago, any talk about green buildings was met with the refrain, “But, it will cost more than a conventional building.” Today, with more case studies available, that argument has more or less been lain to rest. Today, the refrain is applied to nearly-zero-energy buildings, but the truth of the matter is that nearly-zero-energy buildings can be an affordable and realistic citywide goal through a combination of a proper approach to design; application of available technologies, including energy-storage systems that will adequately address cost- and, soon, intermittency-related concerns; and, of course, occupant preferences and behaviour.

Firstly, architects, and the cluster of general and MEP consultants and contractors must explore all routes available to reduce energy demand, with substantial focus placed on curbing the vexing tendency to overdesign to capacity. With that addressed at the fundamental level, the next areas of focus would be to opt for better insulation, the additional cost of which would be offset by the savings that would become available through lowering power consumption, even after allowing for more fresh air changes to maintain good indoor air quality. And of course, the third – and vital – element would be incorporating solar energy-generating materials and equipment.

With cost of solar photovoltaic cells climbing down precipitously, the real issues are availability of adequate space for establishing a reasonable solar footprint, the efficiency of the cells and the intermittent nature of solar energy. With solar-wheeling still not an option in the GCC region, the focus is on storage technologies that can solve intermittency, followed by the question of cost. For many, cost is a bigger barrier than the sophisticated nature of technologies, but it is interesting to note that the cost of solar photovoltaic cells has come down to unrecognisable levels, in the context of where it was less than 10 years ago. The cost of storage technology may not take that long to come down, and that gives hope to the nearly-zero-energy movement.

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

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July 2019

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Securing the interests of multiple MEP stakeholders through strengthening the understanding on legal issues

30 SEPTEMBER 2019 FALCON BALLROOM, LE MERIDIEN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE, DUBAI, UAE

3rd edition

OVERVIEW

T

he 3rd edition of The Client Consultant Contractor Conference will have a decidedly legal focus, in a bid to crack the code on contractual disagreements and payment delays. It will also examine the work of various industry associations as they attempt to take the lead in shaping a more predictable course of action that protects the interests of all stakeholders.

The objective of the conference remains the same – strengthening the foundations for better building performance, be it to drive down indirect emissions, lower the total cost of ownership or enhance reliability of air conditioning systems and the indoor environmental quality.

SPEAKERS (CONFIRMED SO FAR)

K Anbalagan Managing Partner, Proleed Engineering Consultants

Khaled Derhalli Regional Director, EFECO

Prabhu Ramachandran CEO, Facilio

Mansour Kharoub Associate Principal - Mech Engineering Services, Khatib & Alami

Suresh Kumar General Manager, Voltas

Vasanth Kumar General Manager, IFMC Electromechanical Works LLC

Jeán van Loggerenberg Partner, CKR Consulting Engineers

Sekhar Reddy Head MEP - Meydan One Mall, MS Construction

Dr Zahid Rizvi CEO & General Manager, Aspire Consulting

Filippo Sona Managing DirectorGlobal Hospitality, Drees and Sommer

Hassan Younes Director & Partner, Griffin Consultants

Timothy McLaren Senior Commercial Contracts Engineer, Ramboll

SPONSORS & PARTNERS BRONZE SPONSORS

SUPPORTING ASSOCIATIONS

STRATEGIC HVACR RECRUITMENT PARTNER

www.consultantcontractor.com 9 July 2019 FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT: advertising@cpi-industry.com

ERSPECTIVE

Dr Iyad Al Attar is an independent air filtration consultant. He can be contacted at iyad@iyadalattar.com.

n a recent trip to Alberta, Canada, the beauty of the Canadian Rockies stunned me and led me to wonder whether such an astonishing spectacle of Mother Nature would be preserved for my grandchildren to see and enjoy or not.

Climate change is a formidable challenge, as it involves multiple interdependencies and has an impact on ecological and human systems. Humans depend on resources, such as water, air, food and energy, and when the climate changes rapidly, the resources are threatened, since they are inextricably linked. Considering that the available resources on Earth can only sustain a billion people out of the entire population of 7.6 billion, we cannot continue to deplete our resources and abuse our planet indefinitely. Ironically, tougher emission regulations have had little impact on air pollution, yet the fast rate of climate change makes us believe that we are falling further behind on our environmental commitments.

There seems to be a discord between our desire and effort to combat climate change.

We take the rising air pollution statistics sitting down. However, the increase in death rates, owing to polluted air, cannot be

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July 2019

Price and promise

BY DR IYAD AL ATTAR

overlooked. Frankly, I begin to wonder what it would take to capture our imagination and, eventually, our attention. The stagnant factor in the equation of climate change is our attitude towards it. While the consequences of our anthropogenic activities are selfevident, our actions are not self-executed.

Relying single-handedly on tougher emission regulations to implement themselves will not do the job.

QUANTIFYING THE STATUS QUO Perhaps a good start to quantifying the status quo is to put the entire picture into perspective. Between 1750 and 2011, it is estimated that 50% of the cumulative anthropogenic CO2 was emitted between 1970 and 2010. Statistics have shown that the oceans have absorbed about 30% of the emitted anthropogenic CO2, resulting in

Image courtesy Dr Iyad Al Attar

their acidification. During the same period, emissions of CO2 from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes contributed to about 78% of the total increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is evident we are not only burning fossil fuels irresponsibly but are also using energy excessively. Therefore, smart methods must be sought to allow societies to be more accountable in terms of energy use.

A parallel approach to reducing emissions is essential in terms of controlling the sources and treating the inevitable emissions. The rising tide of air pollution, accompanied by rapid population growth, industrialisation and urbanisation, has caused a surge in the demand for clean air.

THE ROLE OF FILTRATION IN PROVIDING CLEANER AIR Air filtration is certainly unappreciated in the context of being able to provide clean air, considering it is a capable tool for capturing various contaminants within a wide range of concentrations. Existing perceptions of better air quality, and the critical role of filtration to enhance it, lack precision and comprehensive understanding. If we all agree that attaining better air quality is made possible due to the advanced filtration technologies available today, then we ought to abolish the vintage filter selection mindset and open

our minds to filtration plans – otherwise, we will continue to miss the opportunities of capitalising on the latest filtration technologies. Further, our perception of air filtration technologies as possibly the sole provider of clean air has not yet matured.

I believe it is fair to link the capabilities of filtration technologies with the current air quality we are breathing. Spotting little or no visible particle settlement on air diffusers does not prove that the air quality requirements have been met. If we place equal emphasis on air quality and heatload removal, filtration technologies can be better employed and financially justified.

Remarkably, the daily cost of inhaling better air quality through professional filtration is small enough to borrow from the pocket money we give our children.

From an application perspective, we need a compelling incentive programme to enhance air quality, as there are no awards or accolades for either manufacturing craftsmanship or for installing sustainable professional filtration solutions. In addition, we must be empathetic to our maintenance team and care about them as much as we do about our indoor air quality. Frankly, no one enjoys the agony of subjecting their bodies to high temperatures and humidity levels and of inhaling contaminants during maintenance procedures. They must be trained, appreciated and equipped with the latest and greatest tools and uniforms to stand tall while exposed to such harsh work conditions. To have a candid assessment, physical and chemical characterisation of the filtered indoor air is essential to relate the success of facility managers, their filter selection and the associated onsite maintenance practices, such as appropriate installation. The ensuing deterioration of indoor air quality mandates an investigation of the filtration plan, filter selection (as shown in Figure 1) and the rationale behind them.

All that I am asking for is to be ambitious in striving for the best air quality ever.

However, how can we demand clean air without having done any filtrationrelated homework to gain it? If our only weakness is the limited access to air quality measurement, let’s make such instruments affordable and link them to our smart phones to stay informed. If indoor space users can have the upper hand in initially recognising the risks and interpreting the indoor air quality characteristics their loves ones are exposed to, we are opening the doors to a game-changing situation. If facilities management teams in shopping

Conventional air filters are being specified in prospective projects and are able to easily make their way into future HVAC systems.

These practices reinforce the notion that advanced filtration technologies continue to be undermined

malls, for example, are confident they have executed their professional filtration plans and appropriately selected filters, why not let the sunshine in and allow visitors to have access to the current air quality they are being subjected to? We spend extended leisure time in shopping malls as we seek refuge from the oppressive heat, sandstorms and high humidity. Therefore, it is imperative that the indoor air quality be granted the same attention that is given to the shiny marble flooring at the entrance of the mall.

If the spirit to enhance air quality is willing, the body to execute it cannot be

July 2019

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ERSPECTIVE

GETTING IT RIGHT! To a large measure, the degradation of the environment is a manifestation of our behaviour, lifestyles, and the horrendous ways in which we generate and use energy. Therefore, if we want our children to continue to enjoy that early morning chirping of birds, our environmental practices must be immediately tweaked. I truly believe the desire to get things right is there. However, having the desire alone is not enough to steer our actions in the right direction. While the challenges we face are great, and the work before us is difficult, our children are anticipating a planet that is much cleaner than the one we inherited.

▶ Figure 1: Illustrations of various examples of filter failures Image courtesy Dr Iyad Al Attar

weak. The yardstick of smart shopping malls cannot be rated by, and only limited to, free and fast Wi-Fi connections and the plethora of easily available international cuisines.

The pressing issue of sustained better indoor air quality has got to be a major factor in the success equation, which requires a welldesigned filtration plan, executed by certified filtration experts.

In an era where face recognition has superseded conventional passwords in recently introduced smart phones, obtaining the best air quality should be widely accessible. What we see, instead, is that conventional air filters are being specified in prospective projects and are able to easily make their way into future HVAC systems.

These practices reinforce the notion that advanced filtration technologies continue to be undermined and suggest that their wellpronounced influence do not hang on the thermal comfort balance.

The situation begs the question: ‘How can we implement the findings of research and development, if our perception of the importance of clean air and the sole role filtration can play have not yet matured?’

Combined inappropriate practices and filter selections have led to the status quo of poor air quality. How can we progress if the only common filter requirement is whether or not it can be regenerated (washable)? Or, if the specifications are limited to dimensions and murky colour code that are rarely, if

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ever, adhered to? When filtration faults are turned into virtues, filter plans and selection for filtration-sensitive applications miss the opportunities of enhanced filtration technologies. Numerous scientific findings suggest that various air contaminants are the common denominator of many negative health effects. Further, recent research has suggested a correlation between infertility and unexplained failed pregnancy, on one side, and the deterioration of air quality, on the other.

In addition to safeguarding human health, highly permeable air filters can tremendously benefit land-based gas turbines, if designed smartly. Other emerging applications and concepts that rely heavily on filtration technologies include, but are not limited to, aerospace, industrial processes, the food industry, sewage plants, data centres, airports, healthcare centres and the ever-emerging portfolio of Green Buildings.

Clearly, advanced filtration technologies provide a great promise of providing cleaner air, but we ought to be ready, willing and able to pay the associated price to attain it. The cost may not necessarily be the monetary value but the price of raising the bar of our environmental conduct to smart and responsible levels. The price for such promise lies first in realising the value filtration can bring about to the deteriorated air quality around us.

THE FUTURE IS NOW How can we make progress towards saving our planet, if we mistake the courtesy shown by the environment for consent, and our movement to combat climate change for achievement? The objective is not just to gather in a conference to address the underlying reasons of our status quo while having a drink but to execute solutions to ease pressure on our environment.

Designing virtual – not actual – road maps will prevent us from making progress and further scar our planet. Prior to demanding a cleaner environment and better air quality, we ought to realise that duty precedes desire, hard work foregoes harvest, progress demands efforts, and achievement necessitates determination, not procrastination. In my judgement, there is no difference between never starting to save our environment and never finishing – the result is the same.

If our personal wisdom fails to dictate to us how to establish mechanisms to bring humanity closer to the solutions rather than the problems, then what use the wisdom? Ultimately, continuing to hang our polluted hats on the environment is no longer an option. Indeed, establishing an intrinsic understanding of the status quo begins with realising that escalated climate change effects are undeniable, clean air is limited and rare, our planet is tired, our lungs are polluted, guidelines are still evolving, our actions are lagging but our future is now.

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

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14 NOVEMBER 2019 CHICAGO, USA

OVERVIEW It is likely 2019 will be referred to as the year when Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems finally earned a patient hearing in the United States. In March 2019, ASHRAE Guideline 41 on design, installation and commissioning of VRF systems came up for Public Review, perhaps representing a significant shift in thinking in the United States. (The Guideline is expected to be released in early 2020.)

For long considered an enigma – perhaps even an oddity – VRF systems, which emerged in Japan in the early 1980s – are at long last being viewed as a commercial cooling option for projects across the country, where traditional ducted systems remain the system of choice for heating and cooling in the built-environment. Suddenly, the prospect of zone-based cooling and greater energy efficiency among comparable systems, is finding appeal among consultants, contractors and developers. Still, the absence of substantial field performance data is a barrier for acceptance, as are some other factors.

The World VRF Congress is a non-parochial, third-party platform that seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of VRF technology and an insight into its energy consumption and other aspects through relevant case studies from the United States and the rest of the world.

Produced by CPI America, a sister company of CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Journal and Climate Control ME, the Congress is part of a broader mission by the publishing house to present various cooling approaches that lower indirect greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the total cost of ownership and offer reliable comfort cooling across multiple end-user sectors.

www.worldvrfcongress.com FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT: advertising@cpi-industry.com FOR FURTHER QUERIES, CONTACT: Rakesh Saxena

Kanika Saxena

Surendar Balakrishnan

Frédéric Paillé

T: +971 4 375 6831 M: +971 50 509 2457 E: surendar@cpi-industry.com

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Co-Founder & Editorial Director

T: +1 (905) 890 5031 E: kanika@cpi-industry.com

Co-Founder and Commercial Director

July 2019

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ASE-STUDY

Ali Arafat is Team Manager, Application Engineering, SimScale.

WHOOSH! Ali Arafat spotlights pedestrian wind comfort and safety in urban environments and the role of CFD in ensuring the two

he design and construction of a new building or urban area is a highly complex project that needs to take into account a plethora of considerations, including safety, durability, aesthetics, energy efficiency, sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

One critical concern is pedestrian wind comfort. The fact that a new structure impacts the microclimate in its vicinity makes wind engineering a serious application to pay attention to for many architects, civil engineers and urban planners.

Depending on its shape, height and location, a building can have a positive or negative impact on wind direction, wind speed, radiation, air pollution and more.

Increased wind speeds, for example, is a common phenomenon that appears at the pedestrian level around a high-rise or buildings characterised by a complex shape.

A famous example is the Flatiron Building, located in New York City, between East 22nd and East 23rd streets. The building splits Broadway and Fifth Avenue and sits at the end of an open passageway created by Madison Square Park, in the north. Due to the geography of its location, the wind currents around the building can be treacherous. The layout of the area, combined with the shape of the building, can create unpredictable gusts of wind, which are uncomfortable for pedestrians.

This is actually one of the reasons the building has become so famous since its construction in 1902. The building had raised fears that the structural system

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would not be able to endure the wind loads, but this has not been the case. The engineers designed it to endure winds four times stronger than are generated on site. Owing to the building’s shape, wind currents from the leading edge of the building move in a vortex pattern in both up and down directions.

Nevertheless, pedestrian wind comfort does remain an issue for this iconic building and is a lesson for all new construction projects.

In complying with these standards and ensuring pedestrian safety and comfort, engineering solutions are indispensable.

Wind tunnel testing and numerical simulation with CFD are the tools used to investigate wind flow around a building configuration or a built-environment.

WIND EFFECTS TO CONSIDER IN URBAN PLANNING The most important considerations and wind effects in assessing pedestrian wind comfort are corner acceleration, Venturi or channeling effect, downwash effect and passages.

The corners of buildings are the regions that can create the highest discomfort in a built-environment, especially if high-rise buildings are present. The phenomenon of corner acceleration is caused by sharp building shapes that can cause accelerations around the corners even for oblique winds.

Further effects, like the side vortices, can be created from the difference in pressure between the front (with high pressure) and the sides (with low pressure) of the building.

In these regions, wind engineering experts recommend not placing any gardens or public spaces, to ensure wind comfort and safety.

â–ś Flatiron Building, New York City

Along with pedestrian comfort, wind safety is even more important, with reports showing cases of serious injuries, and even deaths, caused by high wind speed in urban areas.

In most countries, construction projects require compliance with a wind engineering standard, such as NEN 8100 for wind nuisance and ASCE 7 for wind loads.

The Venturi effect (or channeling effect) is the reduction in wind pressure, which happens when wind flows through a constricted area between two buildings, which results in wind acceleration through this channel. This effect can create high winds, which can be unsafe for pedestrians.

▶ Assessment of pedestrian wind comfort with online CFD simulation (Source: SimScale)

▶ CFD simulation showing an example of Venturi or channeling effect between buildings

(Source: SimScale)

July 2019

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ASE-STUDY

▶ CFD simulation showing an example of downwash and another 3D effect between buildings (Source: SimScale)

▶ CFD simulation showing an example of corner acceleration around buildings (Source: SimScale)

The downwash effect is mainly caused by tall buildings, which capture winds at higher levels and redirect them to the ground. This causes a three-dimensional flow moving downwards and often creating a large recirculation at the ground level, together causing increased wind activity.

The fourth effect, passages, can create a high amplification factor and a strong wind jet, which forms when the flow with high pressure from the stagnation side tries to escape through the passage.

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CONCLUSION With the construction industry constantly growing, technological advancements are the driving force behind better urban designs, dedicated to a higher standard of living and increased comfort for residents and pedestrians.

Wind engineering is integrated into a multidisciplinary approach to building design and construction projects. In this setup, CFD simulation and wind tunnel studies are key solutions in ensuring pedestrian wind comfort

and safety. With the emergence of cloudbased simulation software, this technology is becoming more accessible than ever before.

Right on time for a new era in urban planning – the future is now.

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

Linking the best of Africa to the world HVAC Connector africa We are delighted to announce the launch of HVAC Connector Africa (www.hvacafrica.com), an online directory that offers the largest international database of HVAC solution providers based in or selling to Africa.

Developed by CPI Industry, publishers of the globally acclaimed Climate Control Middle East magazine (www.climatecontrolme.com), HVAC Connector Africa follows the same concept and format as Climate Control Guide & Directory (www.climatecontroldirectory. com, launched in 2005) and Refrigeration Buyers’ Guide (www.refrigbuyersguide.com, launched in 2013). It offers a compendium of state-of-the-industry reports alongside product- and company-wise listings. Traditionally, the directories are used by the procurement departments of prominent contracting and consulting companies worldwide.

The directories are integrated into the database of relevant organisations, hence companies that are listed will be visible to key decision-makers. Providing a comprehensive and credible platform for all brands, the directories save buyers of HVACR equipment from tedious searches across several websites. Welcome to a world of new and exciting possibilities. We look to place an instrumental resource in your hands to facilitate your search for the very best solution providers in Africa.

www.hvacafrica.com

w w w. hva c a fr ic a .c o m FOR ADVERTISING, CONTACT: advertising@cpi-industry.com July 2019

17

Jibin Kurian is National Product Manager for AHUs, FläktGroup UK. He can be contacted at uksales@flaktgroup.com

ERSPECTIVE

TIGHT NOT AN ISSUE Since the introduction of the Energy related Products (ErP) regulations, the need to improve the efficiency of air-handling solutions has driven demand for commercial heat-recovery units that can fit increasingly tighter space, budgets and project timescales. With these factors having an influence on purchasing decisions, Jibin Kurian discusses the benefits of ‘off-the-shelf ’ solutions…

efore the ErP legislation was introduced, heat-recovery technology was often an option to accompany air-handling units in commercial applications.

Nowadays, the requirement of complying with energyefficiency standards means that heatrecovery units with air treatment capability are the norm. But as costs, timescales and space for new and retrofit projects become increasingly squeezed, specifiers are looking to off-the-shelf solutions to address these challenges.

B

SIMPLE AND STANDARDISED For projects where a simple rather than a bespoke system fits the bill, it is possible to choose an off-the-shelf heat-recovery unit, provided the airflow rate required is known.

This negates the need for a technical expert to get involved in the design stage along with complex calculations and specifications, thus simplifying the procurement process.

Lead times for standardised products are also shorter, enabling manufacturers to deliver their units to fit tight project timescales. Once on site, installation is also much easier. When a project is completed, system designs and project processes featuring the same standardised heatrecovery unit can be replicated for similar developments further down the line.

18

July 2019

The new range of standardised heatrecovery units that cater to 0.1 up to 6 m3/s typically come fully packaged with controls that are compatible with any central BMS. They are all designed to ‘plug and play’ with no further programming required – so after the units have been installed, only air balancing and controls commissioning needs to be carried out on site.

SPACE SAVING As lettable space increasingly becomes a premium in commercial buildings, architects and designers are coming under pressure to allocate minimal area for heat-recovery units and their associated ductwork. This is where the new range of units score. They comes with a plate heat exchanger, offering up to 85% heat recovery. A compact design ensures the units can be installed into ceiling voids and be connected to existing infrastructure in that area.

The units typically accommodate all the circular connections on the short sides, plus lend themselves to be taken through the

existing doorways with ease, making it easy to install them, thus saving, project time as well as space.

Where there is no internal space for the heat-recovery units, or when there is dedicated plant area on a building rooftop, the products are suitable to be located externally. These units come with high strength, anti-corrosive mechanical construction suitable for external mounting with a pitched roof.

CONCLUSION With energy efficiency and IAQ currently at the top of the regulatory agenda, it is important for HVAC professionals to stay up to speed with the latest developments. By specifying off-the-shelf heat-recovery units, designers can deliver ‘fresh’ air even where natural ventilation is not an option, whilst meeting space and project timescale requirements.

LOW NOISE Apart from space, other site requirements should not be overlooked, either. For example, educational institutions often require low noise levels to maintain an optimum learning and teaching environment. With a maximum noise level of 20dB at 3m, the units emit the lowest noise levels in the market.

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

July 2019

19

ERSPECTIVE

INDIVIDUAL TO THE

FORE

John Bade and Armin Hauer, members, AMCA High Performance Air Systems Committee, say that AMCA 207 standard enables calculation of efficiency of individual components and, thus, makes fansystem comparisons reliable

ith few exceptions, energyefficiency metrics for HVAC equipment are based on electricalpower input versus desired output. One glaring exception concerns fans. Most fan manufacturers provide only shaft input power and impeller speed. Of course, the electrical power needed to drive a fan (A) depends on the individual efficiencies of the rest of the system: transmission (B), motor (C) and variable-speed drive (D) (Figure 1). Electricalpower input is calculated by multiplying shaft input power by each of the efficiencies:

W

P = Hi x ηb x ηm x ηc x 0.7457 P = Hi x ηb x ηm x ηc

Historically, a significant problem for fansystem engineers was the lack of a standard method for calculating individual component efficiencies, which made reliable comparisons of systems nearly impossible (Figure 2). The dilemma was exacerbated by the growing popularity of integrated electronically commutated fan/motor/controller packages, for which a manufacturer can certify only electrical input power, forcing designers to try to compare apples and oranges.

(IP) (SI)

where: P = Electrical-power input (kW) Hi = Fan-shaft input power (HP for IP, kW for SI) ηb = transmission efficiency (%) ηc = speed-controller efficiency (%) 0.7457 = conversion of horsepower to kilowatts

20

July 2019

Recognising this problem, Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International developed ANSI/AMCA Standard 207, Fan System Efficiency and Fan System Input Power Calculation. ANSI/ AMCA Standard 207 provides tools enabling reliable comparisons of the electrical-power input of different fan-system configurations at varying loads, including motor service factor.

ANSI/AMCA Standard 207 covers most conventional fan systems, starting with the familiar fan total or static efficiency and fan-shaft input power, based on fan airflow performance, tested in accordance with: ►► ANSI/AMCA Standard 210, Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating; ►► ANSI/AMCA Standard 230, Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification; ►► ANSI/AMCA Standard 260, Laboratory Methods of Testing Induced Flow Fans for Rating; [or] ►► ISO 5801, Industrial Fans – Performance Testing Using Standardized Airways, and rated in accordance with AMCA Publication 211, Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Fan Air Performance Transmission-efficiency equations are provided for V-belts, synchronous belts and flexible couplings. Direct-drive connections are considered to be 100% efficient.

ANSI/AMCA Standard 207 assumes belts and pulleys are properly aligned and tensioned.

▶ FIGURE 2: What the air-systems industry thought it knew about motor losses with VFDs

▶ FIGURE 3: Comparison of a 7.5 HP four-pole TEFC motor operating DOL and one operating with a VFD per ANSI/AMCA Standard 207

July 2019

21

ERSPECTIVE

Motor-efficiency calculations apply only to three-phase induction motors within the scope of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) in North America – that is, three-phase NEMA MG 1 Premium Efficiency generalpurpose motors – and motors regulated under European and Chinese standards.

This includes open-drip-proof and totally enclosed, fan-cooled (TEFC) motors from 1 to 500 HP. Other types of motors are explicitly excluded. Single-phase, 575-V and permanent-magnet motors are out of scope.

Speed controllers must be typical pulse-width-modulated variable-frequency drives (VFDs), programmed to maintain a fixed ratio of voltage to frequency at or below synchronous speed. VFDs programmed for constant torque control operate in a very different manner.

Other characteristics defining VFD efficiency, such as carrier frequency and lead length, are assumed to be within typical operating parameters. Of course, if a system does not have a VFD, speedcontroller efficiency is not part of the equation.

One of the greatest benefits of ANSI/ AMCA Standard 207 is that much of what was previously “known” about partload motor-system efficiency has been debunked. Consider: ■■ Myth: VFD losses are 100% parasitic and constant over a motor’s outputpower range, leading to huge inefficiencies at low load ■■ Fact: The efficiency curve of a motor operating in conjunction with a VFD with a constant ratio of voltage to frequency is very different than that of the same motor operating direct on line (DOL) at a constant 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Varying voltage with frequency maintains a constant flux and, therefore, a very flat efficiency curve for the motor itself. Further, VFD losses do not remain constant as load decreases.

Figure 3 shows that the difference in efficiency between a motor operating DOL and one operating in conjunction with a VFD is relatively constant over the range of motor output power.

■■ Myth: An oversized motor yields much lower efficiencies when the system operates at part load.

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July 2019

Motor load

Electric-power input (kW)

Percent

HP

5 HP Motor

7.5 HP Motor

10 HP Motor

15 HP Motor

100

7.0

6.24

5.95

5.93

5.93

95

6.7

5.91

5.66

5.64

5.65

90

6.3

5.58

5.36

5.36

5.37

85

6.0

5.26

5.06

5.07

5.09

80

5.6

4.94

4.77

4.78

4.81

75

5.3

4.63

4.48

4.50

4.53

70

4.9

4.32

4.19

4.21

4.25

65

4.6

4.01

3.90

3.93

3.97

60

4.2

3.71

3.62

3.64

3.69

55

3.9

3.41

3.33

3.36

3.41

50

3.5

3.11

3.04

3.08

3.13

45

3.2

2.81

2.76

2.80

2.85

40

2.8

2.52

2.48

2.52

2.57

35

2.5

2.22

2.19

2.23

2.29

30

2.1

1.93

1.91

1.95

2.01

25

1.8

1.64

1.63

1.67

1.74

20

1.4

1.36

1.35

1.39

1.46

15

1.1

1.07

1.07

1.11

1.18

10

0.7

0.78

0.79

0.83

0.90

5

0.4

0.55

0.62

0.50 0.51

All motors are 460/3/60 four-pole TEFC

■■ Fact: Concerns about part-load efficiency are valid when a motor is operated DOL. Surprisingly, though, when motors of different sizes are operated with a VFD, their efficiencies and power consumption are nearly identical.

Table 1 shows the power consumption of motor/VFD combinations of different sizes with a fan-shaft power of 7 HP (5.2 kW) at the air-system design condition. The difference in electricity consumption is slight. In fact, it is shown in table form, because a graph of the data looks almost like a single line.

DESIGNERS WOULD BENEFIT THROUGH REQUESTING AMCA 207 CALCULATIONS FROM MANUFACTURERS Until now, designers have had no easy way to compare the electricity consumption of

different fan systems and, instead, have been reliant on general assumptions that do not always hold true. For example, contrary to popular belief, a high-efficiency, permanent-magnet motor does not guarantee lower power consumption. In the vast majority of fan systems, fan-impeller efficiency overshadows differences in motor/ drive efficiency. In a typical system, the impeller accounts for 75% or more of wireto-air power losses. A super-high-efficiency motor/drive system gains a few points of wire-to-shaft efficiency over a conventional system, but if its impeller is even only slightly less efficient at the intended duty, then all of the gains will be lost.

Designers should ask manufacturers for electrical-input-power calculations, as per ANSI/AMCA Standard 207 for fans with induction motors. This will allow a straightforward duty-point-specific

comparison with fan packages that are rated based on electrical-input-power measurements.

ADOPTION OF AMCA 207 ANSI/AMCA Standard 207 will rapidly become part of everyday life in the fan world. It will be used by fan manufacturers to calculate fan energy index (FEI) (read Meet the new Fan Energy Index, https://www.hpac.com/ industry-perspectives/meet-new-fan-

energy-index). Not only will use of FEI be required starting with the 2019 version of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, the California Energy Commission has proposed a requirement that all fans sold in California meet minimum FEI requirements. Additionally, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is in the process of changing AHRI Standard 430, Performance Rating of Central Station Air-

handling Unit Supply Fans, to require the reporting of electrical power input instead of shaft power input, with an option to provide a calculation, as per ANSI/AMCA Standard 207.

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

Hamon, integrated cooling and air quality solutions for a cleaner environment Hamon is a multinational Group with over 100 years experience in the design and supply of cooling technologies (wet and dry cooling) and air quality systems to the power industry, as well as other energy intensive sectors.

We engineer, manufacture, deliver and erect all cooling system types as well as dust, acid gas and NOx removal systems with over 50,000 references worldwide in all types of applications.

Our local teams are ready to support you on the specifications of the project, its implementation as well as the maintenance of the equipment.

HAMON COOLING TOWER COMPANY Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority Building 4W B-Block, Office 649 P.O. Box 293647 Phone number: +971 4 6091672 info.hctc@hamon.com www.hamon.com

July 2019

23

ARKET FEATURE

Valves

DECIPHERING THE Industry representatives suggest that the upcoming World Expo 2020 and the need for more energy transfer stations have led to a steady rise in demand for valves

BY RANJANA KONATT | FEATURES WRITER

T

he valves sub-industry in the UAE is estimated at USD 25 million, says Ajith Abraham, Assistant General Manager, Building Service Products, Leminar Air Conditioning. He adds that the demand for valves in the country is driven by a few factors, one being the speed at which projects are taken up.

“Yes, the World Expo 2020 does have a role to play in the rise in demand for valves, but in addition to the Expo, there are a lot of other projects underway across the UAE,” he says. “We are supplying valves and other products to the World Expo 2020 project; however, from a sales point of view, the overall business has seen a rise in demand by only 5-7%. The numbers are not as much as we anticipated.”

Pointing to the health and the stability of the economy as another crucial factor influencing the rise and fall in demand for the valves sub-industry, Colin Bridges, Business Development Director, Belimo Automation, says the stability of an economy and the need to renew ageing systems always leads to the demand for inward investment. “And we see this trend in the UAE and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly at this time,” he adds.

Abraham asserts that the overall market for valves has definitely increased

24

July 2019

Ajith Abraham

Colin Bridges

as compared to the past two years. “With the increasing number of projects in the region, we see that valves today are being replaced by Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICV),” he adds. Valves perform as an integrated system with other components, says Abraham, and understanding the subindustry can often be a complex task. “In addition to the valve itself, you have system integrators, which give you the floor rate,” he says. And in addition to the increased use of PICV in the market, there seems to

be another trend. Abraham points to the increasing demand for energy transfer stations (ETSes). These rooms, he says, function like District Cooling stations, and we are seeing a rise in demand for such stations in certain areas and sectors across the UAE. “The increasing need for ETS rooms has led to the need for valves as components that are used in these systems,” he says.

Another major driver and influencer of the valves sub-industry in the UAE is cost, Bridges says. He says that every customer tends to ask the same logical question before investing in any technology: ‘How much money will I save?’ For a different and an improved outcome, he says, we must ask building designers, owners and stakeholders to actually do something that is different in order to achieve a different outcome and a high efficiency. “All buildings are different, and so it is extremely difficult to accurately predict the cost-benefit precisely,” he adds.

Elaborating, Bridges says that it is extremely frustrating, when customers say that they would love to use new technology and an energy-saving product, but they can’t because of constraints with regard to their budget. And yet, he says, the customer expects a better and improved outcome with a low-cost solution. “Lifecycle costs need to be treated with more seriousness, especially when planning a new-build and also while retrofitting a system that performs badly,” he says. Abraham echoes Bridges, when he asserts that the challenge today with having the technology is whether the client

Phase Change Material (PCM’s) between and + release thermal energy during the phase change which releases large amounts of energy in the form of latent heat.

It bridges the gap between energy availability and energy use as well as load shifting capability.

8~100C (47~500F)

Return 12~130C (54~560F)

Flow 5~70C (41~450F)

is willing to invest. “It is a cost concern,” he says. Adding, Bridges says that in such a situation, as a manufacturer, Belimo considers its role as explaining the real value of its products, and it ensures that the benefits are fully understood. “If we are talking to a budget-conscious buyer, who seems to be focused only on achieving a cost reduction, then we are in the wrong room,” he says.

Highlighting another development with regard to innovation and technology, Abraham says that today the way in which valves are designed exteriorly has undergone change. “Today, space is another constraint,” he says, “and there is a demand for compact valves that are in the shape of a diaphragm. The shape helps give the flow rate reading while the valve is accommodated in a small space.” Also, Abraham says that today, the materials being used during the manufacturing process of valves is changing. “Previously, manufacturers used only brass, but today, they use DZR brass, which is basically a zinc coating, an alloy that prevents corrosion and has a high resistance to thermal differences,” he says. Adding, Bridges says that the industry is seeing a slow yet a steady start of the adoption of new data-driven technologies. “A wide use of Cloud and IoT devices are seeping into building HVAC systems and even into the automated control over valves,” he adds. As the drive for energy savings increases, so does the interest and the subsequent use of technology, Bridges says. Today, he says, technology and IoT in the valves sub-industry is gaining momentum, and valves are being controlled via a WiFi network, so that you know where the cooling is coming from.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the article.

Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

8~100C (47~500F)

+44(0)1733 245511

info@pcmproducts.net

www.pcmproducts.net July 2019

25

countdown

AHR Expo 2020

he built-environment accounts for nearly 40% of electricity consumption in the United States, the organisers of the AHR EXPO quoted the US Energy Information Administration as saying. A large portion of this energy is consumed by HVACR systems in efforts to heat or cool the indoor environment, an AHR EXPO representative said.

The HVACR industry, the representative said, has always been versatile with ever-evolving practices, upgrades, disruptive products and technologies. Though shifts may often seem slow-progressing to the general population, the industry is currently primed to utilise and contribute to big tech trends and, more importantly, is gearing up to be on the centrestage of global change, the representative said.

In fact, HVACR has the potential to play a large role in the future of every person on the planet – a notion that is gaining greater realisation by industry professionals, the representative said.

Despite this outlook, the challenge ahead remains – crafting an environment for humans to thrive and maximise their potential, while keeping negative environmental impacts to a minimum, the representative said.

To achieve these goals, cross-role communication among industry personnel is essential. In an effort to support the open flow of communication and stimulate ideation, the AHR Expo, the representative said, has gathered a council of industry experts aimed at discussing some of the biggest trends, issues and opportunities that lie ahead for the HVACR industry.

The AHR Expo Experts Council recently convened to discuss and develop consensus views on five areas that are poised to be hot topics for the industry and at the upcoming 2020 AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida, in the United States…

T Five HVACR industry topics that deserve attention

Climate Control Middle East presents a discussion of industry trends and considerations that matter in this day and age, as articulated by an AHR Expo Experts Council…

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Global climate change is not a new discussion topic; however, the inclusion of HVACR systems and their potential to support the lowest emission output possible is becoming more mainstream.

26

July 2019

Moving beyond the political landscape, long-term sustainability goals and embodied carbon are heavily considered in the design, integration and installation of whole building systems.

Engineers are challenged with designing systems that meet or exceed performance expectations while staying on course with changing regulation. Contractors are faced with new regulations and must adapt to methods for installation and maintenance. On the global scale, net-zero initiatives are driving design and furthering the consideration of the entire HVACR system and its importance to the building function, as well as the necessary energy to support it.

New recommendations for climate change limits suggest a global temperature lower than 1.5 degrees C, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a finding that has been referenced in climate change policies and initiatives across the globe.

“Minimizing climate change to the 1.5C limit by 2050 will require swift and unprecedented changes in the HVACR industry,” said Luke Leung, Director of Sustainable Energy, Skidmore Owings & Merrill LLP. “There are great challenges and opportunities to be taken seriously if we want to arrive at net-zero emissions in operating, embodied and transportation carbon, yet maintain the superb wellbeing of building occupants.”

This idea of implementing new protocols to lessen emissions is not a task to be viewed lightly, particularly in societies where buildings and HVACR systems are already established. Cities around the world are taking serious measures to meet net-zero goals. As reported by Forbes, earlier this year as part of the Climate Mobilization Act, buildings totalling 25,000 square feet or more will face requirements to upgrade boilers. Additionally, starting in the year 2024, New York City building owners, who do not comply with energy-efficiency requirements, will face fines made up of the difference in emissions limits for the year and a building’s actual emissions, multiplied

by USD 268.

SOME AREAS OF CONSIDERATION FOR HVACR PROFESSIONALS INCLUDE: Embodied carbon considerations Government regulations are a driving force for designers and builders to

consider the full cycle of embodied carbon and a building’s carbon footprint.

California’s government adopted the Buy Clean Act in October of 2017 and amended it in June of 2018. According to USGBC’s Los Angeles chapter, the legislation promotes the spending of

taxpayer money in ways that help to reduce pollution contributors to climate change.

Additionally, manufacturers and plants are held to tougher pollution standards, and the emissions performance of suppliers and contractors is considered prior to project sign-on.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are becoming commonplace in many countries around the world, with the

expectation of further growth in the coming years. Currently, EPDs use the common methodology outlined in ISO 14024 to define and compare products. There are several supporting organisations in North America, including NSF International, the Sustainability Consortium, Carbon Leadership Forum, SGS Global Services, among others.

LEED Version 4 also began to address EPD of products.

Low-GWP refrigerants While low-GWP refrigerants are already in use across the industry, some options introduce safety hazards through fire and combustion risks and may require significant modifications to vapour-compression equipment. According to a 2016 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study, an estimated 700 million air conditioning systems will be in use by 2030. Not surprisingly, the quest to develop the next-generation of refrigerants is already

underway and is a buzzing topic of conversation among industry professionals. There is also debate as to which refrigerants will provide the most viable solution to the global climate challenge. The use of low-GWP refrigerants remains heavily considered within the industry as a way to lower overall emissions.

Electrification The push to connect everything to the electrical grid in the future is a political hot button that is discussed across nearly every market. HVACR systems have been given a front seat in this debate for their potential to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, buildings still primarily rely on Natural Gas, coal or fuel oil as an energy source. The electrification discussion stakes claim that HVACR systems can be quickly decarbonised by removing old systems and upgrading to clean-energy systems with electric heat or heat pumps. While the interaction between the electrical grid and buildings is changing, the idea of total transition has obstacles, given the millions of homes and businesses currently relying on fuels for operation.

“Heat pumps, specifically CCA2WHP (cold climate air to water heat pumps), are gaining attention from customers looking to cut ties with both gas and oil,” said Bob Rohr, Training Manager, Caleffi North America. “Support of this method stems from the ability to integrate with PV generated at the building location to lessen grid loss, as well as the ability to generate heating, cooling and domestic hot water (DHW) from a single unit.

Looking into systems like this and others that reduce negative climate impact is an added benefit for HVACR professionals, because it introduces an increased role of hydronics and other technology avenues to the HVAC industry.”

While many technologies are being considered, the overall goal to move beyond reliance on products and applications that have a negative impact on the environment is shared.

In the coming years, we can expect to see much progress in this area driven by government regulation, consumer demand and industry innovation.

July 2019

27

countdown

AHR Expo 2020

INDOOR CLIMATECONTROLLED GROWTH FACILITIES Indoor growth facilities are seeing an increase in interest for a few reasons. The first is the practicality behind their use in supporting rapid population growth. With progress made in HVACR and systems capable of cooling and heating extreme external environments, we are now living in areas of the world previously thought uninhabitable. This has pushed the boundaries of human living areas and expanded the built-environment with fewer limitations.

Additionally, as the human population rises, so does the need for sustainable food options. Perhaps one of the biggest barriers to food production in relation to population growth is the loss of land space to nurture crops large in number and size. The process of indoor farming is already in practice in some areas around the world. For example, in 2014, Japan's Mirai Co. partnered with GE Japan to convert a former Sony factory into an indoor growth facility to house garden beds in what they’ve deemed a “plant factory”. The concept gained attention, as it solves many of the controversial issues associated with traditional farming – the use of pesticides to control pests and bacteria and to ensure the health of the crop, and devastating crop loss caused by harsh weather, pollution and other factors.

Indoor climates require precise control of a built-environment, something the HVACR industry masters more than any. The opportunity to lead the design and production of an indoor growth environment, as well as the new jobs technicians, builders, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers and all those touching the industry will take on, makes this a viable opportunity for the industry as a whole.

Building Automation & Control The area of Building Automation & Control (BAC) is quick-paced and always changing.

It maintains a prominent presence at the AHR Expo, and each year showcases new technologies and products that push boundaries. Where technology will take us is yet to be seen and, therefore, makes this a buzzworthy topic for the foreseeable future. What’s more, the BAC discussion is expanding to include the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence (AI) and security.

28

July 2019

The HVACR industry isn’t unique in tapping the IoT for deepened communication and information sharing. However, it provides unique and exciting opportunities, because it allows for the open flow of communication between humans and the built-environment.

The IoT not only gives a closer connection between the occupant and the systems control but also enhances the service response time due to faster diagnostics and technician reporting. Already the IoT is streamlining the customer relationship, but where else can it lead HVACR? Artificial intelligence in the HVACR industry has piqued interest in the idea of self-diagnosing buildings, where a broken system pinpoints a specific area of issue and auto-orders replacement equipment. This idea is provocative, as it raises the question of the reliance on building system diagnostic accuracy, as well as the role of HVACR professionals in the future.

There are, however, concerns associated with increased connection and network sharing. Cybersecurity is an area of potential threat introduced with BAC and multiplebuilding systems. This is new territory for most in the HVACR industry. As seen in areas using cloud-based and multiple-networked systems for sharing communication, the

opportunity for hackers is real and needs to be considered by all. This means building design and construction teams need to communicate potential risks and best practices associated with network use, and building owners need to be diligent in protecting their networks and securing information.

“The key is to make the building aware of what it needs to be aware of while maintaining local control,” said Nicolas Waern, The Building Whisperer. “The security risks involved in taking data out of buildings completely, sending it all over the world, is far too great. What we see more of is a higher focus on security issues with the underlying idea of having control at the edge, closer to the data source.”

Changing consumer demand Consumer demand speaks to all the abovementioned topics as the driving force behind innovation and change. The recognition that the largest population of building occupants is the incoming millennial generation, and that this cohort will also be the next generation of building owners brings to light a number of considerations that may not have mattered in the same way to previous generations.

Millennials perhaps more than any generation prior are active in the quest for sustainable options. They’ve been dubbed “generation green,” with 66% even stating they are willing to pay more for products and services that come from companies with commitments to positive environmental impacts, according to a Nielsen global survey.

Now more than ever, consumers are demanding control of environments in which they occupy. Dwellers are aware of, and seeking control of, their health in relation to outdoor and indoor environmental exposure. This includes the demand for clean air, the ability to closely control and monitor the indoor environment, and the opportunity to live within smart buildings that conserve energy based on many variables, including occupancy and usage patterns.

Smart home control systems have skyrocketed in recent years, adding an attractive real estate feature to homes with updated HVACR and lighting systems. Consumers are also conscientious to the fact that we spend nearly 90% of our time indoors, as indicated in an EPAsponsored survey of national human activity, and the indoor environment and its potential exposures can influence personal health.

This shift of attention towards indoor environmental quality means the HVACR design and system selection has the potential to be influenced by different priorities than those currently in use today. Occupant desire for greater control, coupled with their purchasing of buildings and leasing of spaces, reflects this priority and indicates it will change the manner HVACR is done.

Business owners will likely also demand better indoor environments, as they have been shown to impact employee productivity and wellbeing. It can also be anticipated that there will be increased legal exposure to building owners to provide safe and clean air, as occupants become more knowledgeable, technologies capable of measuring and monitoring space quality become less expensive, and data becomes more readily available.

Restaurants, merchants and theatres may also take advantage of this new focus through marketing clean air to distinguish

themselves from the competition – much like the food-grade systems we see in place in cities across the world.

Overall, a more health-conscious group of individuals is gravitating towards building ownership with funding to spend on improving the indoor space they occupy. HVACR professionals can benefit from the opportunities to cater to this new audience and their set of priorities. Manufacturers are also keen to this shift and are responding with products and technologies that excel in innovation to meet the charge.

Job force recruitment The trend that perhaps stands to be the greatest obstacle for the HVACR industry in the immediate future is the need to replenish an ageing job force. Due to a reduced interest in skilled trades as a career path and the economic recession in the early 2000s that contributed to stagnation in hiring, the industry faces a lag of incoming professionals to meet the replacement demands of those ageing out of the industry. What’s more, even if rising students are interested in pursuing engineering or a skilled trade, they may not choose the HVACR industry over others requiring similar applied skills.

The industry needs to take notice of these challenges and work together to recruit a new generation of HVACR professionals. This is an industry, where long-term careers can be built as the role of HVACR is, and always will be,

vital to all areas of the world, in every building and in every home.

The workforce will also need to consider a broader demographic than represented today to fill the void in the workforce. Women, as well as ethnic minorities, should be considered as part of this solution. While there has been an indication of growth here, it is still possible in the year 2019 to be the first minority graduating from a trade school, as evidenced by Ryli Jetton, who recently became the first female graduate with an Associate’s degree in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning from State Technical College of Missouri.

The HVACR industry needs to do a better job of championing the many opportunities that exist in the HVACR business to attract individuals from all backgrounds.

This will not only help fill the shortage of professionals but will also introduce a broader set of ideas and talents to the conversation, ultimately making the industry stronger.

“The way we promote the greatness of the HVACR industry to younger generations is through in-person interactions and open communication,” said Karine Leblanc, an engineer at US Air Conditioning Distributors. “We need to invite them into engineering firms, let them shadow mechanical contractors, visit job sites, attend events like the AHR Expo, ASHRAE events and other industry association events. The opportunity to have reallife experiences in the field will make all the difference. Having been exposed to the industry at a younger age myself, I remember the experience of visiting an engineering office and having a project manager explain to me why the thermostat should not be at its location.

I was only 15 at the time, but this one interaction shaped what has become my engineering career.”

All these topics and more will be discussed in forthcoming articles as well as at the 2020 AHR Expo (www.ahrexpo. com), to be held from February 3 to 5 in Orlando, Florida.

HAVE YOUR SAY! We welcome your views on the article.

Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

July 2019

29

REGIONAL NEWS

RAK Municipality honours Emirati for green initiative Government body recognises citizen for complying with its Barjeel Green Building Regulations for the construction of his new villa

By CCME Content Team

R

as Al Khaimah Municipality honoured Sultan Abdulaziz Al Awaadi, the owner of a private villa, for complying with its Barjeel Green Buildings Regulations for the construction of his new villa, the government body said through a Press communiqué. H.E. Munther Mohammed Bin Shekar, DirectorGeneral, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and Abdullah Samhan, Chief Executive Officer, Technical Affairs Sector, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, felicitated Al Awaadi at a recognition ceremony, on June 19, for

adopting the Regulations and, in the process, contributing to a greener Ras Al Khaimah, the communiqué said. Further, Al Awaadi received a full discount on the final building permit fee, as part of an incentive scheme connected with the initial adoption of Barjeel, the communiqué added.

According to the communiqué, Al Saqr Engineering Consulting will oversee the project and ensure compliance with Barjeel, which addresses new buildings in Ras Al Khaimah and is the most important programme of the RAK Energy Efficiency

▶ L-R: Sultan Abdulaziz Al Awaadi and Abdullah Samhan

▶ L-R: Ahmed Yousef and Abdullah Samhan

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and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040, established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al-Khaimah. The strategy targets 30% energy savings, 20% water savings and 20% share from renewable energy by 2040, with Barjeel expected to contribute the largest share towards energy and water savings, the communiqué said.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. bin Shekar said: “I would like to congratulate Mr Sultan Abdulaziz Al Awaadi for his decision to adopt Barjeel in his new villa.

I believe this is a stepping stone to show participation of citizens towards a more sustainable Ras Al Khaimah. I further encourage all citizens, residents and investors to take advantage of Barjeel, for construction of new buildings. The Municipality will also deploy its expertise in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy in this project, which will bring significant savings to customers in the long run.”

Samhan added: “We are proud to announce the issuance of the first Barjeel Building Permit in Ras Al Khaimah for a private villa that belongs to Sultan Abdulaziz Al Awaadi. We are pleased to provide advice and support to other citizens who wish to build and design their homes according to Barjeel during this initial voluntary phase.”

Al Awaadi said: “I am honoured to be the first UAE citizen to adopt the Green Building Regulations for my new villa, which will help me save electricity and water consumption. I feel proud to contribute towards a greener emirate. Barjeel didn’t add cost to our project, and we also received a big discount on the building permit fees from the Municipality.”

Speaking about the process, Ahmed Yousef, Director, Al Saqr Engineering Consulting, said: “There were only six simple requirements for compliance, and the application process was also very easy. We will encourage other customers of ours to apply Barjeel in their new constructions.”

Empower participates in 5th Annual Partners’ Forum in Copenhagen UNEP meeting for its ‘District Energy in Cities’ initiative sees the CEO of the District Cooling utility participate in talks

By CCME Content Team

A

hmad Bin Shafar, CEO, panel discussion along with Robert Thornton, Emirates Central Cooling President, International District Energy Systems Corporation Association (IDEA), during which he discussed (Empower), participated in the importance of global communication the 5th Annual Partners’ between countries to promote the Forum, organised by transition towards District Cooling the United Nations technologies, as an alternative to Environment Programme conventional cooling systems.

(UNEP) for its ‘District Overall, the meeting discussed Energy in Cities’ initiative. the future prospects for the energy The meeting ran from June market in the Middle East region and 11 to 14 in Copenhagen. opportunities for the expansion of the Ahmad Bin Shafar Bin Shafar, a Special District Cooling sector.

Advisor on District Since its the launch, the ‘District Cooling for UNEP, discussed the latest Energy in Cities’ initiative has gained developments in the District Cooling wide international acceptance. During the industry and advancements in District Copenhagen meeting, representatives from Cooling solutions. He participated in a Argentina, Colombia and Malaysia reviewed

their challenges, needs and motivations to develop District Energy in their respective regions. Empower said it has contributed to supporting the objectives and strategies of the initiative through organising training workshops and deploying its expert team in rapid assessments of some cities for conducting a potential evaluation study for District Energy.

The meeting also saw participation from India, Chile and Serbia and representatives from Italy, Turkey and South Korea. Participants received training on implementing energy projects in their cities, based on the best global standards and practices, as well as basic guidance on how to market District Cooling systems in modern cities.

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July 2019

31

REGIONAL NEWS

BLUEAIR WINS ‘SUPERBRANDS’ AWARD Company earns the nod from the Superbrands Council UAE and marketing professionals as “one of the strongest and trustworthy brands in the country”

By CCME Content Team

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ir-purification solutions provider, Blueair has been recognised as one of the strongest and most trusted brands in the UAE by the Superbrands organisation, an independent authority, and arbiter of branding excellence, the company said through a Press communiqué. Blueair earned the honour of being voted to receive the Superbrands Award by a panel of top UAE business leaders and more than 2,500 senior managers and marketing professionals, following a rigorous selection process, the communiqué said.

Speaking on the occasion, TR Ganesh, General Manager – Middle East and ▶ L-R: Mike English, Director of Superbrands Middle East presents the award to TR Ganesh, Africa, Blueair, said: “Blueair believes General Manager - Middle East and Africa, Blueair in clean air for the next-generation – a vision that has been driving us on a journey of air innovation. Our company’s mission is to help as many people as possible develop the best performing solutions and create the best overall user experience.” Blueair’s goal, the communiqué said, has always been about creating healthier environments for consumers. Blueair, the communiqué added, works hard to exceed industry standards and create products that combine technological innovation and a passion for Swedish design.

According to the communiqué, every product in Blueair’s portfolio has been designed with the utmost attention to detail. From choice of materials and performance to design and even the finish, Blueair air purifiers are made to fit into the lives of consumers with taste and sensibility, the communiqué said. ▶ The Blueair team celebrates earning the honour According to the communiqué, Blueair’s HEPASilent technology helps residents breathe easy by removing 99.97% of airborne pollutants down to 0.1 micron in size, including dust, viruses, According to the communiqué, Blueair has won several industry allergens and smoke. awards and has been endorsed by experts over the last two decades.

Ganesh said: “The purpose of Blueair goes far beyond selling The Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association and, more recently, products and services. We have a firm intent to improve the health the Asthma Allergy Nordic, have recommended four of Blueair’s and well-being of people everywhere and especially in the UAE. That air purifiers – Classic 405, Classic 480i, Classic 605 and Classic 680i is why we have a programme in place to improve access to clean air – for people with asthma, allergies and respiratory problems, the via sustainably developed products, activities to increase awareness communiqué said. The Superbrands award, the communiqué added, of the importance of clean air, and a community commitment to is another powerful endorsement for Blueair in the UAE. caring for even the most vulnerable. Blueair remains committed to the residents of UAE in delivering clean air as nature had intended.”

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Aspire Consulting to work on food factory project in Iraq CEO says cold chain storage and logistics facility expected to be largest in Iraq at present; emphasises consulting community’s role in contributing to development of emerging markets

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

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spire Consulting will oversee the technical design and supervise the industrial refrigeration systems of a food factory project in Iraq, said Dr Zahid Rizvi, CEO and General Manager, Aspire Consulting. The agreement was made at the end of March, he said, explaining that the scope includes providing cold storage and logistics services at the site, which is located at the main Baghdad Fruits and Vegetables Market.

Dr Rizvi said the client’s main objective is to provide an upgraded, improved and enhanced facility for the storage of food, particularly perishable products, which is much needed in the country. The

new facility also aims to increase the shelf life of perishable food items and reduce food waste. He added that the site includes three buildings for storage and logistics, with a site Dr Zahid Rizvi footprint of approximately 41,370 square metres and a building volume of approximately 372,300 cubic metres. “This is expected to be the largest facility of this type in Iraq at present,” he said.

Dr Rizvi said that while there are challenges associated with undertaking projects in emerging markets in the Middle

East, owing to lack of knowhow and expertise as well as limitation of services, it is in these areas that consultants can positively contribute to a certain degree on the development of the area and country. “This country has suffered many challenges and difficulties in the past two decades and needs a major re-build,” he said. “Many consultants may not want to be engaged in projects in Iraq, but I decided to heed the challenge in the hope to make some contribution to this area.”

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REGIONAL NEWS

Camfil workshop highlights need for standardisation in F&B-related filtration The new ISO 16890 standard, and its contribution to molecular filtration in F&B, forms the basis of the event

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

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amfil Middle East on June 23 conducted a workshop in Dubai, where the focus was on the need for standardisation in filtration, in relation to the food and beverage (F&B) sector. Ross Dumigan, Food and Beverage Segment Manager, Camfil AB, said that the new ISO 16890 standard has a role to play in molecular filtration. Filters, he said, must be certified to ISO 16890 ePM1, ISO 846 – Microbial Growth Resistant, EC1935:2004 – suitable for food contact and to VDI 6022 – fully hygienic for HVAC Systems within the F&B Industry.

Dumigan revealed that Camfil has been working with various organisations, such as European Food Safety Authority, the Food Standards Agency and NSF International, to achieve F&B-specific standardisation. Elaborating, he said that NSF International is an independent organisation dedicated to being a global provider of public health. It is also a safety-based risk management solution

that serves the interests of all the stakeholders — namely the public, the business community and government agencies, he said.

Dumigan then spoke on the use of filtration systems in turbomachinery. “Turbomachinery technology is a field that has evolved tremendously over the last decade,” Dumigan said. In-depth studies of thermodynamics, computerised fluid dynamics and the use of exotic materials and innovative technology have boosted the efficiency of equipment to a higher level, he said. However, all the developments have also made turbomachinery more susceptible to fine particulates that can cause fouling and corrosion-leading to rapid degradation in performance. The new requirement of filtration systems today, he asserted, is the need for higher efficiency.

Camfil has always given importance to technology, he said, and the expansion of the Camfil laboratory, research centre, factory and high-bay warehouse is the latest in a series of major investments. “We now have four completely new labs – a particle lab, a molecular lab and an IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) lab,” he said. Today, he said, products and standards help building owners reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint. At Camfil, he added, we believe that breathing clean air is a human right, and that’s why we offer a wide range of premium air solutions for commercial and for industrial air filtration and turbomachinery applications.

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July 2019

Italian energy sector eyes key role at World Energy Congress The Abu Dhabi event will be a unique platform in convening energy leaders from all regions, says H.E. Dr. Matar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Industry, and Chairman, Organising Committee for the 24th World Energy Congress

By CCME Content Team

▶ L-R: H.E. Dr. Matar Al Neyadi and Marco Margheri

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l'Energie (OME). The aim of the seminar will be to highlight the paths that need to be embarked upon by countries in the region in order to achieve structured regional cooperation on a sustainable Mediterranean energy framework.

Speaking after the June 11 meeting, Marco Magheri, Chairman, WEC Italy, said: “International gatherings, such as the World Energy Congress, can play a key role in the undergoing energy transition process, favouring the exchange of strategies, efforts and experiences. In the Mediterranean area, in particular, it is necessary to promote cooperation in order to lead the region into a sustainable future, starting from the improvement of the Euro-Mediterranean energy dialogue with the aim of sharing best practices, and encourage the deployment of energy infrastructures.”

H.E. Dr. Matar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Industry and Chairman, Organising Committee for the 24th World Energy Congress, said: “Italy, as a hub between Europe and North Africa, will play a strategic role over the coming decades in meeting growing energy demand around the Mediterranean region. The Congress will be unique in convening energy leaders from all regions, something I am glad that the Italian energy sector has recognized, as it prepares for a strong presence in Abu Dhabi in September.”

he Italian energy sector said it is looking forward to playing a key role in European participation at the 24th World Energy Congress, scheduled to take place from September 9 to 12 in Abu Dhabi, following a June 11 visit to the European country by the leadership of the Congress Organising Committee.

H.E. Dr. Matar Al Neyadi, Chairman of the 24th World Energy Congress Organising Committee, on June 11 met senior Italian energy stakeholders in Rome to brief them on progress so far towards September’s Congress, including the Congress programme, side events and many other initiatives taking place across the four days.

The meeting included discussions and perspectives towards energy transition in Europe and the Gulf Region. The meeting was organised by the Italian National Member Committee in the World Energy Council (WEC Italy) and hosted by Eni. Italian energy leaders will be involved across the programme of the Congress, including Claudio Descalzi, CEO, Eni. Among other Italian speakers, Alessandro Costa, Head of Sustainability at Falck Renewables, will moderate a session looking at the social licence to operate within communities.

During the Congress, WEC Italy will also organise a side event looking at ‘Pathways to regional energy transition in the Mediterranean’, which will include invited participants Francesco La Camera, Director▶ L-R: Lapo Pistelli, Executive Vice President - International Affairs, Eni; General, IRENA and Dr Houda Ben Jannet Allal, H.E. Dr. Matar Al Neyadi and Marco Margheri General Director, Observatoire Méditerranéen de

July 2019

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REGIONAL NEWS

Empower CEO, Bin Shafar appointed as IDEA Board Member Emeritus

The International District Energy Association (IDEA) makes the announcement during the ongoing 110th Annual IDEA Conference and Tradeshow 2019

By CCME Content Team

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hmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), has been appointed as IDEA Board Member Emeritus, the District Cooling utility company said through a Press communiqué. IDEA announced his appointment during the 110th Annual IDEA Conference and Tradeshow 2019, taking place from June 24 to 27, in Pittsburgh, United States.

Ahmad Bin Shafar

According to the communiqué, the appointment comes after the IDEA Board of Directors unanimously approved the change in the bylaws in May 2019 to create the new position of Board Member Emeritus. Bin Shafar was selected under the category, along with industry

veteran and former IDEA Chair, Juan Ontiveros, Associate Vice President for Utilities, Energy and Facilities Management at the University of Texas at Austin, the communiqué said.

The Executive Committee of IDEA offered Bin Shafar the new position, which entails serving the IDEA Board of Directors for a three-year term, the communiqué said. Bin Shafar accepted the offer.

Bin Shafar, the communiqué said, was offered the position in recognition of his extensive contributions to the organisation during a six-year tenure on the Board, his continued enthusiasm for supporting key industry objectives to preserve the environment and support green energy projects, and his participation in, and sponsorship of, many volunteer activities of the Association.

Speaking on the occasion of the appointment, Rob Thornton, President and CEO, IDEA, said, “On behalf of the IDEA Executive Committee, we are pleased to commend Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, for a three-year term as Board

Member Emeritus, in recognition of his many contributions and ongoing support of IDEA in advancing the global district cooling industry.”

According to the communiqué, under Bin Shafar’s leadership, Empower has been a very active and engaged member company within IDEA, frequently sharing new technologies and innovations to help others in the industry also to optimise investments in district cooling systems, and supporting green practices and sustainable solutions for urban developments that protect the environment.

Bin Shafar, on accepting the position, said: “Receiving this honorary membership in IDEA Board of Directors, under a newly formed category, presents us with great challenges in the district cooling sector and increases our responsibility in the efforts of maintaining a green and sustainable environment. This new position also reflects the role of Empower, in particular, and Dubai and the UAE, in general, in supporting green energysaving solutions and projects.

“Empower's role in district cooling, and IDEA’s confidence in Empower, motivates us to promote this vital sector, ensure the highest levels of excellence and quality of services to our customers, and support the various activities that contribute to building a green economy for future generations.”

Bin Shafar is a member of the Board of Directors of IDEA, a position that he holds as the first Emirati since 2013. He has also been appointed as Special Advisor on District Cooling by United Nations Environment (UN Environment), as part of its ‘District Energy in Cities’ initiative.

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July 2019

Etihad ESCO completes phases 1 and 2 of JAFZA Retrofit Project Says the project has achieved over 32% savings in energy consumption, surpassing the set target

By CCME Content Team

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tihad Energy Services Company (Etihad ESCO), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has completed Phase 1 and 2 of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) Retrofit Project, which houses almost 40,000 occupants, the body said through a Press communiqué.

Through guaranteeing overall energy savings by 31%, in comparison to the initially agreed baseline consumption, the venture exceeded target goals by achieving 32.6% energy savings upon completion of one year of the Measurement and Verification period, the communiqué revealed. The environment has benefited tremendously since, with 17,000 tonnes of reduction in annual CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent to removing 3,600 cars from roads for a year, the communiqué said.

With 100% project-financing by Etihad ESCO, the operation period duration spans six years after its construction period, the communiqué said. The 18-month construction saw the replacement of 5,290 window air conditioners with new high-energy-efficient split air conditioners and the retrofit of 6,308 existing window air conditioners, the communiqué said.

Furthermore, the project included the replacement of 85,307 lights and the installation of 24,321 water aerators and 9,345 new water-efficient shower heads, the communiqué said. A total of 157 JAFZA staff accommodation buildings, including its Old West, New West, South and East

Ali Al Jassim

accommodation zones, were retrofitted under the project, the communiqué said.

With the project proving to be sustainably viable, Etihad ESCO and JAFZA have entered into an agreement for Phase 3 Retrofit Project at JAFZA, which aims to enhance energy efficiency, focusing specifically on office buildings, the communiqué said.

Under Phase 3, the aim is to implement major Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) by targeting substantial amounts of energy consumed by HVAC systems, the communiqué said. This will be achieved by replacing 15 sets of old chillers with top-ofthe-line, highly efficient chillers and HVAC controls, by replacing 26,129 conventional lights with LED lights and by installing 1,270 energy-efficient water-saving devices, the communiqué said. Subsequently, a Central Command Centre will monitor and control the installed ECMs, assisted through smart metering, to ensure retrofit systems deliver the intended savings throughout their lifetime, the communiqué said.

Ali Al Jassim, CEO, Etihad ESCO, said: “There is no doubt that this is a significant

milestone for Etihad ESCO. In 2015, Phase 1 and 2 Project, billed at AED 84 million, had most definitely been the Middle East’s most abundant energy-retrofit scheme to date.

Besides reducing JAFZA’s carbon footprint, the successful implementation of the project has ensured sustainability and operational efficiency. We are glad to have delivered on the promised energy savings through this project and are currently working with JAFZA on Phase 3, to further raise their energy-efficiency quotient, which is a crucial constituent of energy reduction in Dubai.”

Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said: “It has been a great pleasure working closely with Etihad ESCO on this project, as we are both companies who value our community and seek to uphold positive impact. As a key engine of economic growth and diversification in Dubai, JAFZA has always worked towards serving the government to meet its sustainability targets, outlined in the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 and Dubai Clean Energy Strategy.

Working closely with Etihad ESCO on this retrofitting project is one of many similar initiatives we have started over the years to promote a cleaner and better Dubai. We will continue to develop innovative solutions and set the example in the UAE private sector on how businesses can pursue success in a sustainable and responsible manner.”

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July 2019

37

REGIONAL NEWS

Al Rawabi launches biogas project Dairy company says the first-of-its-kind project will generate 1.3 MW of electricity and 1.4 MW of thermal energy

By Surendar Balakrishnan | Editor

▶ During the signing ceremony

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l Rawabi Dairy Company on June 23 signed an agreement with Germany-headquartered ME-LE Biogas to launch what it described as the first-of-its-kind biogas production project in the GCC region. H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman, Al Rawabi and Dietrich Lehmann, CEO, ME-LE, took part in the signing ceremony, which

took place at the Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai, in the presence of H.E. Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change & Environment, H.E. Eng Dawood Abdulrahman AlHajiri, Director-General, Dubai Municipality, and other senior officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Owais said the biogas initiative is in line with the UAE

Energy Strategy 2050. “With thanks and admiration of our wise leadership, we have made great strides throughout our 30 years of operation,” Al Owais said. “Today, we are more than just a dairy farm – today, we are tackling environmental issues on a regional and global scale through our technologies, innovations and partnerships with leading international companies.”

Smart AE’s core focus is energy optimisation strategies, says CEO Company’s representative advocates a holistic approach and highlights the importance of operations and maintenance in extending the life of HVAC equipment and minimising long-term costs

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

I

mplementation of energy optimisation strategies is the core focus of Smart Automation Energy (AE) as a business organisation, said Issa Azar, CEO, who explained that the company takes on the role of an ESCO rather than that of an energy consultant.

Azar explained that Smart AE has two verticals – one focusing on solar and the other on energy efficiency. “We don’t just cover the consultancy part, where you present an energy audit report or study,” he said. “We mainly go for the energy efficiency retrofit implementation.”

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July 2019

Advocating a holistic approach, Azar said that in any project, the company addresses three main pillars – operation, maintenance and energy. “You cannot look at energy in a silo manner and not look at maintenance and operation,” he said.

“Even if I have replaced a chiller and the chiller is more efficient as a piece of equipment, if I don’t operate it the right way, six months down the line it will be less efficient. If I don’t do maintenance, the same thing will happen. We must constantly look at each and every process as one. All three are bundled together to extend the life of the assets, ensure energy cost

The project will see Al Rawabi produce biogas from farm waste, which the company said, would substantially reduce odour emissions, extract water for farm use and produce heat and electrical energy, as well as high-quality concentrated fertilizer.

Dr Ahmed Al-Tigani, CEO, Al Rawabi, said the projects will produce 1.3 MW electricity and 1.4 MW of thermal energy. It will protect ground water by reducing ammonia migration by 90%, Al-Tigani added.

Al Rawabi currently uses 11.6 MW of energy, whereas this project – at 1.4 MW – will supply only a portion of the needs, Dr Al-Tigani acknowledged, by way of answering a question from Climate Control Middle East. “We are a pioneer with this project,” he said. “After it succeeds, we can go for expansion.

Dr Al Zeyoudi said Al Rawabi's initiative was a laudable one in that it is going to raise the percentage of renewable energy of the company after the project is commissioned.

“As a country, we have a target, and we want to reach seven per cent renewable energy use by 2020, 25% by 2030 and 75% by 2050,” he said. “So, the engagement and participation by the private sector is highlight appreciated.”

Ruud launches “high-EER range of package units” for Kuwait Company targets the luxury villa segment

By CCME Content Team Jeff Goss

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uud on June 17 launched the Renaissance Xcede series of package units for the luxury villa segment in Kuwait, the company announced through a Press communiqué. The launch happened in the company of its air conditioning partner in the country, DASCO Kuwait.

Jeff Goss, Senior Manager for Product Management & Business Development - AC, Ruud, speaking to an audience that included contractors, consultants and dealers, elaborated on the key benefits of the series, including its reliability, the communiqué said.

The Renaissance offers high EER that exceeds the proposed Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) regulation of 1.4 kW/tonne, thus ensuring high performance even in peak summer season, Goss said. The product is extremely durable, thanks to critical components, like its Scroll Compressor, made in North America, Goss further said. The Renaissance is easy to service, with innovative features, such as a ‘Quik Clean Slide Out’ drain pan and its protected service port access, which saves servicing time and cost, Goss added. With a sand trap-louvred jacket, its condenser coil stays protected from sand and debris, making it a perfect product for the Gulf region, Goss further added.

According to the communiqué, Ruud used the event to showcase its other air conditioning products, including its ducted and VRF ranges.

The ducted air conditioner has a low-profile slim air handler – the VL3T – which offers convertible return air arrangement and saves space during installation, the communiqué said, adding that this also leaves more space for service. Ruud also has an American Style indoor unit – the VHSL/LL – which installs in four different airflow configurations, providing flexibility in installation as well making it easy to install in tight spaces, the communiqué said. For high system performance and durability, these come along with a top-discharge condensing unit, the communiqué said. Its metallic powder-coated louvred cabinet is tested for durability by UL of USA, and its North American Scroll Compressor ensures high efficiency, the communiqué added. The product can provide a total equivalent piping length of up to 90m and is suitable for medium- to high-rise buildings, the communiqué further added.

According to the communiqué, Ruud’s VRF system comes with a wide operation range, which makes it suitable for all seasons. It is tested up to 56 degrees C ambient temperature by third-party laboratories and provides uninterrupted cooling at high-ambient temperature, the communiqué said, adding that its auto dust-removal feature makes it suitable for the Gulf market.

savings and ensure that OPEX and maintenance do not cost too much.”

Providing a background of the company, Azar said Smart AE, established in Jordan, began as a BMS integrator, before it evolved into becoming a provider of energy-efficient solutions. “Given our background in BMS and controls, this is one of the areas where we Issa Azar add value to the customer,” he said. “We go to the BMS already installed and optimise the existing systems in place.”

Azar said the company does not only look at inefficient equipment but also supports the facility by optimising the operation of HVAC systems through automation and controls. “If a space is unoccupied, then the cool air supply can be reduced in that space,” he said, by way of giving an example.“This is only done through proper automation and extra platforms that can support and optimise the operation of the facility.”

Sharing recent projects, Azar said that Smart AE has retrofitted 243 buildings under Wasl Properties, in the course of which it addressed HVAC systems, lighting and rooftop solar PV, all of which resulted in

significant energy cost savings. Azar said the company also worked on making Standard Chartered Bank in DIFC more energy efficient. “We were able to achieve 20.6% energy savings,” he said. “And in the case of Al Seef Residential Tower, we were able to achieve 33.1% energy savings.”

Speaking on the prospects for the retrofit market in the UAE, Azar said that he foresees growth. “The curve is still not steep enough, and it is still in the early stages, but there is a lot of awareness, with the government pushing tenders,” he said. Azar added that though the majority of the demand is still driven by the public sector, in 2019 the company has observed greater interaction with, and interest from, the private sector, compared to previous years.

Azar attributed the positive momentum to efforts by privatesector companies to enhance efficiency in a bid to reduce operating cost as well as to score CSR points through being more climate sensitive and environmentally friendly.

July 2019

39

GLOBAL NEWS

Honeywell, Midea team up to replace R-410a with R-466a in VRFs and chillers

Early results position Solstice N41 as a breakthrough solution to address the need for non-flammable and lowerglobal-warming properties, Honeywell says

By CCME Content Team

H

oneywell on June 26 announced a strategic partnership with China’s Midea Group to replace R-410a with Solstice N41 (R-466A) in HVAC applications, including variable refrigerant flow (VRF) and chiller systems, Honeywell said through a Press communiqué. R-466A is a non-flammable and lower global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant for stationary air conditioning systems, the communiqué said.

“We’ve partnered with the best-of-the-best in our industry to validate the performance of Solstice N41 as a breakthrough solution,” said Chris LaPietra, Vice President and General Manager, Honeywell Stationary Refrigerants. “We are helping to solve for safety, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability with this solution, which offers a GWP that is 65% lower than R-410a. Key partnerships, like the one we have with Midea, help ensure it is ready for broad industry adoption, later this year.”

Once commercially available in late 2019, Solstice N41 will be the first A1* (non-flammable), reduced-GWP R-410A replacement offered for stationary air conditioning systems, the communiqué said. All other reduced-GWP alternatives proposed to date as R-410A replacements are flammable, increasing risk, the communiqué added.

“As the first non-flammable refrigerant replacement for R-410A, Solstice N41 is a promising option to ensure our products are

compliant with environmental regulations in target markets,” said Mingli Tian, General Manager, Central Air-Conditioning Division, Midea Group. “This cooperation will help us enter the new future with a sustainable and safe offering for end users.”

According to the communiqué, when it comes to safety, Solstice N41 significantly reduces the need for additional design and eliminates the need to incorporate the sensors and valves, typically required for minimising flammability risk. Early results also indicate this non-flammable, reduced global warming alternative to R-410A will eliminate the need for specialised contractor training for flammability mitigation – a big advantage for the industry as it struggles to recruit and retain certified contractors, the communiqué said.

Honeywell is a developer, manufacturer and supplier of refrigerants sold globally under the Solstice and Genetron brand names for a range of applications, including refrigeration, building and automobile air conditioning, the communiqué quoted Honeywell as claiming. Honeywell and its suppliers, the communiqué said, have completed a USD 900 million investment programme in R&D and new capacity based on Honeywell’s hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology.

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July 2019

41

GLOBAL NEWS

ASHRAE announces call for papers for IAQ 2020 The conference will focus on the metrics, systems, sensors and norms necessary to implement performance approaches

By CCME Content Team

A

SHRAE has announced a call for papers for the IAQ 2020 conference, scheduled to take place from September 14 to 16, 2020, in Athens, Greece, the Society said through a Press communiqué.

Organised by ASHRAE and the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (AIVC), the theme of the conference, ‘Indoor Environmental Quality Performance Approaches’, focuses on the metrics, systems, sensors and norms necessary to implement performance approaches.

“Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has been the core of ASHRAE’S IAQ series of conferences for the past 30 years,” said Max Sherman, co-chair of IAQ 2020. “This conference has expanded from only covering indoor air quality concerns to exploring indoor environmental quality, which includes indoor air pollution, thermal conditions, acoustics and illumination and their interactions. Our goal is to provide comprehensive information and guidance.”

The conference steering committee is seeking papers that demonstrate topics focused on IEQ performance approaches. Suggested paper topics include: • Health and Wellbeing: Appropriate technical and operational definitions • Performance Metrics: For all aspects of IEQ • Interactions: Interactions between IEQ parameters • Occupant Behaviour: How behaviour impacts IEQ and how IEQ impacts behaviour – psychological dimensions of IEQ • Smart Sensors and Big Data: Sensor properties, data management, cybersecurity, applications • Smart Controls: Equipment properties, commissioning, equivalence • Resilience and IEQ: Responding to climate change and disasters • Ventilation: Mechanical, passive, natural and hybrid systems • Air Tightness: Trends, methods and impacts • Thermal Comfort: Dynamic approaches, health impacts and trends • Policy and Standards: Trends, impacts, implications According to the communiqué, authors have the option to submit either a conference paper or an extended abstract and to state their preference for either an oral or poster presentation. Submissions are due on October 7, 2019. If accepted, complete manuscript submissions are due on February 17, 2020.

For more information, visit ashrae.org/IAQ2020.

Chigo introduces new CHV VRF

System has a new design, inspired by a sports car, company says

By CCME Content Team

C

higo has introduced a new CHV VRF, which boasts a new design, inspired by a sports car, the company said through a Press communiqué. The design will also apply to the company’s mini VRF and light-commercial products, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, the capacity range of a single unit is from 8HP to 32HP, with a maximum combination of 128HP, and with up to 100 indoor units that can be connected to one system.

The main PCB uses a new chip and switching mode power supply, which does not necessitate the use of a transformer, the communiqué said. Further, the new feature cancels out the need for a vibration eliminator, which ensures reliability without attendant costs, the communiqué said.

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Climate Change Summit Africa to take place in October The event to highlight the need for stepping up local climate action in the continent, winning the race with local governments and non-state actors

By CCME Content Team

Lodam has become BITZER Electronics Modern requirements for energy efficiency and reliability can no longer be fulfilled without intelligent electronics, BITZER says

By CCME Content Team

T

he Climate Chance Association and the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) will be conducting the Climate Change Summit Africa from October 16 to 18 in Accra.

The Summit will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development of Ghana.

Speakers scheduled to participate in the Summit include: • Senator Ronan Dantec, President, The Climate Chance Association and UCLG Spokesperson on Climate • Honorable Collins Augustine Ntim, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Local Governments and Rural Development of Ghana • Honorable Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La, Mayor of Tema, President of NALAG, Ghana • Kyekyeku Yaw Oppong-Boadi, UNFCCC Focal point for Ghana • Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General, UCLG-A • Kenneth Amoateng, Abibiman Foundation, Ghana

▶ The CHV VRF System

L

odam Electronics A/S, which specialises in the development of electronic control solutions for OEMs, on June 4 began operations under the name BITZER Electronics A/S, the latter said through a Press release.

The step anchors the electronics expertise at BITZER more firmly and strengthens the market position of BITZER for the long term, the release said.

BITZER acquired the Danish company in 2007. Over the years, the development, production, purchasing and quality of BITZER and Lodam have grown together, the release said. And modern requirements for energy efficiency and reliability can no longer be fulfilled without intelligent electronics, the release added. Today, motor-protection devices, IQ modules and frequency inverters from Lodam are a central part of all BITZER compressors, the release said.

Gianni Parlanti, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and member of the BITZER Executive Board, said: “With the renaming of Lodam, we’re showing our customers worldwide that all our components come from a single source and are an excellent match with each other. BITZER is not only a supplier of compressors, but of intelligent ones, and we develop many of these intelligent ideas for compressors together with our Danish subsidiary.”

According to the communiqué, the system’s electronic control board is highly integrated, with a nice appearance and high efficiency. The refrigerant cooling is designed before sub cooling on PHE, which eliminates the risk of condensation, the communiqué said. Compared with the CMV-X+, it greatly improves cooling performance in hot regions, owing to its fourway air return structure, the communiqué said, adding that it also improves heating performance in cold regions. With the help of a newly developed app, the communiqué said, the system can provide remote diagnosis and troubleshooting. An intelligent control system, jointly developed with Honeywell, the communiqué said, enables more precise and efficient control.

According to the communiqué, the system has various new functions, such as wireless communication, failure warning, refrigerant auto check and charge, password lock, GPRS location and data transfer, defrosting while operation, and double backup of outdoor units and compressors.

July 2019

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GLOBAL NEWS

C40 Africa Forum issues call for urgent action to protect planet Showcasing recent innovations in African cities, experts urge the investment community to recognise the potential of these leading cities and promote inclusive financing models

By CCME Content Team

C

40’s (www.C40.org) annual event, the C40 Cities’ Financing Sustainable African Cities Forum, which took place on June 12 in South Africa, gathered city officials and investors to address the most pressing climate challenges of our time, according to an official C40 communiqué. African mayors stated that inspiring citizens to live sustainably is a good start, but systemic infrastructure development, enabled by public and private investment, is critical to sustainable city transformation, the communiqué said.

Showcasing recent innovations in African cities, experts at the Forum urged the investment community to recognise the potential of these leading cities and promote inclusive financing models, the communiqué said. Our shared climate mission must transcend national and industry borders, the communiqué quoted the experts as collectively saying.

‘The transformational potential of African cities’, ‘a need for inclusive financing models’ and ‘our collective responsibility in the global fight for sustainability’ were key themes of the Forum, supported by Citi Foundation.

The forum provided a high-profile platform for over 50 African city officials to highlight their role as climate leaders; share experiences, challenges and opportunities with investors, government representatives, international stakeholders and not-for-profit organisations; and showcase the need for

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decisive city-led climate action and the potential of African cities for sustainable infrastructure investment.

Herman Mashaba, Executive Mayor, City of Johannesburg, took to the stage to emphasise the global scope of the shared fight for sustainability and the vital role of African city investment in progressing this fight. “Some leaders argue that the effects of climate change are the result of years of neglect by developed countries,” he said.

“But, we need to focus on what every single nation can do right now to improve our shared future. Let us not delude ourselves – a lack of development does not exempt us from taking responsibility for our collective destiny. Rather than dwelling upon who brought us to this point, we must focus on putting sustainable development front and centre in all of our work”.

James Alexander, Director, City Finance Programme, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, said: “In recent years, the world has started waking up to the potential of cities to save us from climate disaster.

Cities are where the action is happening, and the global leadership is being shown.

However, securing the financing to unlock the potential, impact and innovation of cities is still a key issue, and that’s why it’s so important to bring together city, government and investment leaders through the C40 Financing Sustainable Cities Initiative. By developing financing solutions between city mayors and officials, and the investors who

can unlock critical sustainability solutions, we’re building a sustainable urban future for generations to come”.

Besides Mashaba and Alexander, key speakers included Stevens Mokgalapa, Executive Mayor, City of Tshwane; Honourable Mohammed Adjei Sowah, Mayor of Accra & C40 Vice Chair for Africa; Val Smith, Managing Director and Global Head, Corporate Sustainability, Citi; Jerrod Moodley, Rand Merchant Bank and Rose Molokoane, SDI & FEDUP (Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor).

Panel topics covered financial tools for climate adaptation in cities, the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships, and aligning inclusivity with sustainability and partnerships to develop clean transportation and energy. The Forum led into two days of workshop sessions for cities to discuss new ideas for sustainable change, share expertise and determine the steps to be taken in their journey to tackle climate change.

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45

GLOBAL NEWS

Siemens Gamesa launches electrothermal energy storage system Company says innovative storage technology, which can store 130MWh of energy for up to one week, represents the next step in the energy transition

By CCME Content Team

I

n what it described as a world first, Spain-headquartered Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) on June 12 began operation of its electric thermal energy storage system (ETES), the company said through a Press communiqué. During the opening ceremony, Andreas Feicht, State Secretary, German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy; Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg; Markus Tacke, CEO, Gamesa; and project partners Hamburg Energie GmbH and Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) welcomed the achievement of the milestone. The innovative storage technology, the communiqué said, makes it possible to cost-effectively store large quantities of energy and, thus, decouple electricity generation and use.

According to the communiqué, the heat storage facility, which was ceremonially opened today in Hamburg-Altenwerder, contains around 1,000 tonnes of volcanic rock as an energy storage medium.

It is fed with electrical energy, converted into hot air by means of a resistance heater and a blower that heats the rock to 750°C, the communiqué said. When demand peaks, ETES uses a steam turbine for the re-electrification of the stored energy, the communiqué said.

The ETES pilot plant can, thus, store up to 130 MWh of thermal energy for a week, the communiqué added. In addition, the storage capacity of the system remains constant throughout the charging cycles, the communiqué further added.

▶ L-R: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Schmitz, Technical University Hamburg (TUHH); Michael Prinz, Managing Director Hamburg Energie GmbH; Andreas Feicht; Peter Tschentscher and Markus Tacke

The aim of the pilot plant is to deliver system evidence of the storage on the grid and to test the heat storage extensively. In a next step, Siemens Gamesa plans to use its storage technology in commercial projects and scale up the storage capacity and power, the communiqué said. The goal is to store energy in the range of several gigawatt hours (GWh) in the near future, the communiqué added. One gigawatt hour is the equivalent to the daily electricity consumption of around 50,000 households.

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▶ L-R: Michael Prinz, Andreas Feicht, Peter Tschentscher, Markus Tacke and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Schmitz

Speaking on the occasion, Feicht said: “Decoupling generation and consumption of fluctuating renewable energy via storage is an essential contribution to implementing the energy system transformation. We, therefore, need cost-effective, efficient and scalable energy storage systems."

Tacke added: "With the commissioning of our ETES pilot plant, we have reached an important milestone on the way to introducing high-performance energy storage systems. Our technology makes it possible to store electricity for many thousands of households at low cost. We are, thus, presenting an elementary building block for the further expansion of renewable energy and the success of the energy transition.” The technology reduces costs for larger storage capacities to a fraction of the usual level for battery storage, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, the Institute for Engineering Thermodynamics at Hamburg University of Technology and the local utility company, Hamburg Energie are partners in the innovative Future Energy Solutions project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy within the “6.

Energieforschungsprogramm” research programme. TU Hamburg carries out research into the thermodynamic fundamentals of the solid bulk technology used, the communiqué said.

By using standard components, it is possible to convert decommissioned conventional power plants into green storage facilities (second-life option), the communiqué said. Hamburg Energie is responsible for marketing the stored energy on the electricity market. The energy provider is developing highly flexible digital control system platforms for virtual power plants, the communiqué added. Connected to such an IT platform, the communique further added, ETES can optimally store renewable energy at maximum yield.

Baltimore Aircoil Company introduces HXV Hybrid Cooler

Company says product offers the best of evaporative and dry cooling

By CCME Content Team ▶ The HXV

B

altimore Aircoil Company (BAC) has introduced the HXV Hybrid Cooler, which the company described in a Press communiqué as offering the best of both evaporative and dry cooling, thus providing a water-saving and energy-efficient solution. The HXV, the communiqué said, is ideal for maintaining peak performance for a variety of applications, where water is scarce, water costs are high, uptime is critical or plume is a concern. It is perfect for the most demanding of projects, including data centres, industrial, manufacturing and HVAC, the communiqué said.

The HXV delivers energy-efficient cooling while maximising water savings, the communiqué said, adding that owing to the power of evaporative cooling, the HXV is up to 60% more energy efficient than air-cooled systems. BAC’s innovative combined-flow technology, which combines parallel air and

water paths, ensures peak system energy efficiency, the communiqué said. The HXV also offers up to 70% water savings, compared to traditional fluid coolers, with the ability to run with reduced water during the majority of the year, the communiqué added. Even on a design day, 25% water savings can be achieved, the communiqué further added.

The HXV also offers 25% maintenance savings compared to traditional fluid coolers, the communiqué said. Maintenance is easy with immediate access to the cold water basin, prime surface coil, and the fan-drive system, the communiqué added. Operators can even inspect the spray distribution system while the unit is in operation, the communiqué said.

Maintenance costs are further reduced by virtue of 70% chemical savings, the communiqué added.

According to the communiqué, when reliable year-round operation is critical, the HXV offers trouble-free winter operation.

Additional benefits of the HXV include uninterrupted operation with multiple fans and optional redundant pumps, the communiqué said. Longevity and corrosion resistance are further increased with superior material options, including the EVERTOUGH Construction and TriArmor Corrosion Protection System, the communiqué added. For projects requiring plume abatement, the communiqué further added, the HXV has no plume when operating dry, and the dry coil provides natural plume abatement when running wet.

India showcases growing adoption of low-GWP refrigerants Industry expert outlines trends driven by Kigali Agreement deadlines

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

I

Arvind Surange

n India, there is a growing awareness among stakeholders in the HVACR sector on the need to adopt low-GWP refrigerants, said Arvind Surange, CMD, ACR Project Consultants Pvt. Ltd. He said, “India has already been a party to sign the Kigali Agreement, and accordingly, the high-GWP refrigerants will be replaced as per the accepted phasedown schedule.”

Outlining trends related to refrigerants, Surange said that in the air conditioning sector, R-32 and R-410a are being used by manufacturers for a number of products. Traditionally, he added, the Indian refrigeration sector has been using ammonia, a natural refrigerant, for medium- and large-sized industrial applications and cold chain. “In the smaller plant segment, HFCs R-134a and R-404a are still being used, but as stated, India is a party to the Kigali Agreement, and the phasedown of these will start from 2028, when substitute refrigerants with

lower GWP will be adopted,” he said. Citing positive developments, Surange said a number of companies in the appliances segment are already offering systems based on R-290 and R-600.

Surange added that India has already made a headway in the production of absorption systems with Li-Br combination, for air conditioning applications as well as for refrigeration applications by developing units that can produce temperatures of up to minus 5 degrees C. “The units are also available based on ammonia-water combination for applications up to minus 30 degrees C,” he said. “Thus, with the adoption of absorption systems, the use of HFCs is eliminated, both in the air conditioning and refrigeration segment.” Surange added that CO2 is also being looked at as a replacement for high-GWP refrigerants, though it may take a few years for natural refrigerants to make inroads in India, owing to technological issues.

July 2019

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GLOBAL NEWS

18th European Conference draws over 300 representatives from HVACR industry The Milan event see participation from UNEP, UNIDO, FAO, the European Commission and Parliament, AREA, ATF, EPEE, AHRI, ASHRAE and IIR, among others

By CCME Content Team

▶ Delegates listen to the proceedings

T

he Polytechnic University of Milan hosted more than 300 HVACR representatives from all over the world for the 18th edition of the European Conference on June 6 and 7.

Co-organised by Centro Studi Galileo, with the collaboration of the United Nations Environment (UNEP) and the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), and under the auspices of the Italian Ministry for the Environment, the event saw participants and delegates share knowledge on recent developments relating to refrigerant gases and on strategies to combat climate change.

Widely acknowledged as the reference point for Europe’s HVACR sector, the event welcomed leading global experts from UNEP, UNIDO, FAO, the European Commission and Parliament, AREA, ATF, EPEE, EVIA, ASERCOM, AFF, AHRI, ASHRAE and JSRAE. In the concluding remarks of the conference, the key participants acknowledged that such synergy and harmonious collaboration among all the relevant actors is fundamental to recognise the 2030 Agenda as an achievable target. Such objectives, they pointed out, have been established by the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include affordable and clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure and climate action. They expressed confidence that manufacturers, producers, contractors and all other major players will follow and adapt to the needs of meeting the goals.

The event saw discussions on illegal trade. Niccolò Costantini of the European Commission Climate Action outlined a number of measures that the Commission is taking to tackle “modest” illegal trade. The Commission said it is continuing to emphasise to member-states the importance of enforcement of the F-gas regulation and warns it will open infringement procedures against those member-states deemed not to be making sufficient effort.

Stephen Yurek, President and CEO, AHRI, addressed the topic of the Kigali Amendment and shared information on the current US status vis-à-vis refrigerants. The treaty is under consideration

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by the White House, he said. AHRI and others continue to talk with the White House, agency staff and Senators about industry support for the ratification of the amendment, he said. At the same time, legislation that will implement a national phase-down without ratification is being explored, Yurek added. The industry continues to move towards implementation, regardless of the fate of the treaty, he highlighted. Speaking on flammability concerns, he said, we now have a much better understanding of the ignition risk and severity – even under worst-case scenarios, they are unlikely to happen. In fact, many household ignition sources and hot surfaces cannot ignite A2L refrigerants, he added.

Speaking on energy efficiency, Wolfgang Zaremski, President, Association of European Refrigeration Component Manufacturers, emphasised that energy is critical within the environmental approach. A significant efficiency increase is, in fact, required for any product that has been placed into the market since July 2018, he said. The certification of performance is critical in terms of compliance and confidence for the users. The GWP of refrigerants is the current focus with regard to CO2 emissions reduction, he said. The Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) of a system provides a more accurate representation of the overall environmental impact, he added. TEWI takes into account carbon emissions in case of leakage, electricity generated to run the equipment, and the potential end-of-life emissions, Zaremski further added.

Francesco Scuderi, Secretary General, Eurovent gave an overview of the EU F-Gas Regulation. The change in refrigerant usage is already visible, he said. HFC phase-down is a reality, and a return to past levels is unlikely, he further said. The challenges, Scuderi said, are mainly identified as the price of refrigerants, technologies being ‘F-Gas compliant’ and safety standards. Throughout Europe, associations such as AREA, EPEE and ASERCOM have issued publications to stop using R404A/R507A, and are getting ready for flammable refrigerants and raising awareness, he said. The main role of industry associations, like Eurovent, is to support policy makers, to participate in standardisation committees and to keep

manufacturers on track, he said. The role for Eurovent, he said, also includes harmonising with the Middle East, where it advocates the global phase-down, in line with European policies.

The Conference called on refrigerant producers to help better classify and simplify the list of gases available in the market – especially alternative low-GWP ones. It also called on policy makers to tackle and end illegal trade in refrigerants. Energy efficiency has been proven to have a bigger impact on reducing global warming than the mere choice of which refrigerants to use, the key participants said. Therefore, the HVACR sector has the responsibility of improving and guaranteeing efficiency by adapting existing systems and designing future systems.

Didier Coulomb, Director General, IIR, expressed the need to sensitise public bodies and relevant institutions about the importance of increasing HVACR demand for special sectors, including health, CC, data centres and District Energy applications. Strategic frameworks, he said, should be developed for applied research and solutions. Emerging technologies, like solar, cryogenic and evaporative cooling must be encouraged and closely monitored in order to find sustainable solutions for all sectors, Coulomb said.

EPA overturns Obama-era climate rule for clean power plants California, New York likely to sue the EPA to block the new regulatory measure

By CCME Content Team

T

he EPA on June 19 overturned the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, AHRI said through a Press communiqué. The Plan is being replaced by the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, which establishes emissions guidelines for states to use when developing plans to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) at their coal-fired power plants, the communiqué said. Specifically, ACE identifies heat rate improvements as the system of emission reduction for CO2 from coal-fired power plants, and these improvements can be made at individual facilities, the communiqué said.

▶ Some of the participants

Marco Buoni, President, AREA, underlined the importance of continuous and improved technological innovation. He encouraging contractors to always be trained with up-todate knowledge. He requested training institutes to update training material and curricula by following the pace and dynamics of technology development. At the same time, he said, the HVACR industry should play a key role in ensuring the accessibility of knowledge and information to different practitioners and end-users. Additionally, he said, specific certification for flammable refrigerants should be clearly regulated, promoted and enforced.

Comprehensive refrigerant management systems, he added, are highly recommended to control markets with multiple refrigerants.

Ayman Eltalouny, International Partnerships Coordinator, UNEP, called for product placement into market policies and practices to be flexible, ensuring quick implementation of the rapidly updating standards, especially the safety-related ones. There is a need to improve policies and practices of curbing illegal refrigerant trade through different measures – for example, mechanisms between customs and environment authorities and established market surveillance programmes, he said. Governments need to upgrade their waste management policies, monitoring tools and registry systems to promote and manage 3Rs practices and investments, Eltalouny said. Governments ought to regularly collect market data, monitor trends, identify gaps and allow flexible implementation of regulations, while industry associations and groups can play a key role in continuous feedback and consultation, he said.

The 19th edition of the conference will take place in June 2021.

According to the, communiqué, states will have three years to submit plans, which is in line with other planning timelines under the Clean Air Act. Under the Obama rule, the communiqué said, states were required to meet specific standards with respect to carbon dioxide emissions, and limits were set on carbon pollution from power plants.

According to the communiqué, Attorney Generals in California and New York have expressed intent to sue the EPA to block the new regulatory measure.

July 2019

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GLOBAL NEWS

Johnson Controls unveils Metasys 10.0 Company says it is designed to deliver more unified building management

By CCME Content Team

said Chris Eichmann, Vice President and General Manager, Global Controls Products, Johnson Controls. “Providing our customers with access to critical system data from a single, intuitively designed interface makes it faster and easier for them to do their jobs.

We’re seeing some great early successes at sites like GeorgiaPacific in Atlanta.”

According to the communiqué, Metasys 10.0 features several new hardware devices, including: • Two new equipment controllers with removable screw terminal blocks for easy installation, high capacity memory and fast processing • A new 4-in-1 network sensor series with the ability to sense temperature, humidity, CO2 and occupancy – all with one sensor • A new TEC3000 thermostat controller with color touchscreen

▶ Metasys 10.0

J

ohnson Controls on June 14 announced the release of Metasys 10.0, which the company described through a Press communiqué as designed to deliver more unified building management. The latest Metasys provides facility personnel with smarter building automation, faster responses to critical alarms and new integrations with fire detection, security and lighting systems – all with visibility from a single common interface, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, Metasys 10.0 introduces a new and improved set of integrations. These include new integrations with C·CURE 9000 Access Control and victor Video Management Systems, and simpler integrations with SIMPLEX Fire Systems and with lighting systems from leading lighting providers, the communiqué said.

A new Metasys Application Programming Interface (API) enables data to be securely extracted from Metasys 10.0 and integrated with Johnson Controls or third-party data visualisation tools for robust data analysis and reporting, the communiqué said.

“Metasys has always delivered a strong integrations platform, but we’re really excited about how easy we’re making it for customers to integrate both HVAC and non-HVAC systems into Metasys 10.0,”

Another innovative feature is Ethernet ring topology support for Metasys IP equipment controllers, the communiqué said. Delivered as part of Johnson Controls’ collaboration with Cisco, it allows controllers to be configured in a ring network, improving system reliability and resiliency, the communiqué said.

As part of the new Metasys release, the Metasys User Interface (UI) introduces several new features that reduce operators’ time on task, the communiqué said. A key feature, the communiqué added, is the ability for users to schedule reports to be delivered via email and save and execute report templates on demand, reducing time spent configuring and providing reports.

For more than a quarter century, Metasys building automation has delivered consistent results to meet even the most complex building management needs, the communiqué said. The new major release, the communiqué said, keeps today’s buildings on top of change, with all the Metasys benefits you expect, including: • Operational savings through extended building management capabilities and enhanced productivity • Energy savings through coordinated control, precise data and peak equipment performance • IT and platform security through best-practice processes • Faster troubleshooting and response through advanced diagnostics • Greater occupant comfort, security and satisfaction

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July 2019

ASHRAE INTRODUCES 2019-2020 PRESIDENT, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Darryl K Boyce is 2019-2020 ASHRAE President

By CCME Content Team

A

SHRAE on June 24 installed its 2019-2020 President, executive committee officers and directors during its 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference, from June 22 to 26, in Kansas City, Missouri.

ASHRAE’s 2019-20 president is Darryl K Boyce, P Eng., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE. During his inaugural presidential address, Boyce announced the new Society theme as, 'Building for People & Performance.

Achieving Operational Excellence'. The theme focuses on overcoming the challenges associated with the efficient operation and performance of buildings. He shared insights into leveraging the latest strategies and innovative technologies to ensure operational success for the people living and working within buildings.

“People must succeed within the buildings we create,” said Boyce. “ASHRAE is committed to preparing building professionals through learning opportunities, engagement and adopting better practices.

These are the steps needed to achieve effective operational performance and operator experience.”

Boyce is Special Advisor to the VicePresident, Finance and Administration, Carleton University, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Elected officers, who will serve one-year terms, are as follows: • President-Elect: Charles E. Gulledge III, PE, Member ASHRAE, HBDP, LEED AP, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Environmental Air Systems LLC, High Point, North Carolina

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Treasurer: Michael CA (Mick) Schwedler, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP, Applications Engineering Manager, Trane, La Crosse, Wisconsin Vice President: K William (Bill) Dean, P Eng, Life Member ASHRAE, Regional Site Operations Manager, National Research Council of Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Vice President: Malcolm (Dennis) Knight, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, BEMP, Owner, Whole Building Systems, LLC, Mt Pleasant, South Carolina Vice President: William F (Bill) McQuade, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP, Vice President, Sector Services, Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania Vice President: Farooq Mehboob, PE, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Principal Consultant, S Mehboob & Company Consulting Engineers, Karachi, Pakistan

ASHRAE introduced its newest Directors and Regional Chairs, who will serve three-year terms from 2019 to 22: • Region IV Director and Regional Chair: Steven (Steve) A Marek, PE, Member ASHRAE, Design Engineer, Steve Marek, PE, Hanahan, South Carolina • Region V Director and Regional Chair: Douglas (Doug) F Zentz, Member ASHRAE, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan

Darryl K Boyce

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Region VI Director and Regional Chair: Richard (Rick) D Hermans, PE, HFDP, Life Member, retired, Director of Training and Advanced Applications, McQuay International, Lino Lakes, Minnesota Region XII Director and Regional Chair: Robin E Bryant, Member ASHRAE, Project Manager, B&I Contractors, Inc, Fort Myers, Florida Region XIII Director and Regional Chair: Apichit Lumlertpongpana, PhD, PE, Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, Managing Director, ITC Company, Ltd, Saphansoong, Bangkok, Thailand

ASHRAE also introduced its newest Directors-at-Large (DALs): • Kelley P Cramm, PE, Member ASHRAE, Senior Technical Leader, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, Kansas • Jaap Hogeling, P Eng., MSc, ME, Fellow ASHRAE, Manager, ISSO, Lienden, Netherlands • Ashish Rakheja, Member ASHRAE, Director/Chief Operating Officer, Aeon, Noida, India

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July 2019

51

GLOBAL NEWS

ASHRAE wraps up 2019 Annual Conference

More than 1,600 attended the event, ASHRAE says

By CCME Content Team

S

ustainable energy, building performance and refrigeration technologies were just some of the topics of interest, as HVAC&R professionals from around the world exchanged knowledge at the 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference, from June 22 to 26, in Kansas City, Missouri, ASHRAE said through a Press communiqué. More than 1,600 individuals attended the conference, the communiqué added.

The five-day conference included eight conference tracks, tours, social events and a keynote message from former NASA astronaut and author, Darryl K Boyce Mike Massimino, the communiqué said. The conference also hosted meetings involving the standing committee and on technical standards, with a view to further the development of resources and direct the future of the built-environment, the communiqué added.

Darryl K Boyce, P Eng, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE took office as the 2019-20 ASHRAE President during the conference, the communiqué said. His theme for the Society year, 'Building for People & Performance. Achieving Operational Excellence,' focuses on overcoming the challenges associated with the efficient operation and performance of buildings by leveraging the latest strategies and innovative technologies to ensure operational success for the people living and working within them.

“ASHRAE’s leadership will be crucial as we employ new strategies for obtaining optimal operational

EUROVENT CERTITA LAUNCHES OPERATIONS IN INDIA

The estimated demand for building-related cooling in India will be three times higher and will require twice the energy demand by 2027, based on 2017 figures, organisation says

By CCME Content Team

T

he technological advancement and steady growth of the HVACR Industry for space cooling requirements in residential, commercial and industrial buildings in India has prompted Eurovent Certita Certification (ECC) to launch operations in India, the organisation said through a Press communiqué on June 25.

ECC is an ISO17065-accredited, third-party certification body related to HVACR solutions.

The estimated demand for buildingrelated cooling in India will be three times higher and will require twice the energy demand by 2027, based on 2017 figures, the communiqué quoted ECC as saying. India is committed to reduce C02 emissions and energy consumption by more than 30% by 2025, the communiqué said. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has been leading energy-saving practices through labelling programmes and innovative financing levers, the communiqué added. The industry is committed to develop affordable, efficient and trustable solutions, and furthermore, it is crucial to de-risk the financing of energyefficient solutions, the communiqué further added.

According to the communiqué, third-party certification is a proven pathway to increase confidence for investors, contractors and

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July 2019

designers by creating level-playing fields and assess conformity to regulations.

ECC runs nearly 42 certification programmes, which cover technologies dedicated to indoor climate, ventilation & air quality, process cooling and cold chain, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, the ECC team in India will comprise four officebearers: Rajagopal Sivakumar, Vanshaj Kaul, P K Goel and Eric Foucherot. Based in Chennai, Sivakumar is a cold chain expert and international consultant, the communiqué said. He is the initiator of ECC operations in India and shall be leading the team. Based in New Delhi, Kaul was involved with the Ministry of Agriculture,

the communiqué said. At ECC, he will serve as India Representative, tasked with the responsibility of building long-term relationships and level up ECC’s services in India. Based in New Delhi, Goel has 35 years of international experience in the HVACR industry, the communiqué said.

With a commitment to knowledge transfer, Goel will serve as industry and technical advisor to build a strong partnership with the HVACR industry in India. Based in Paris, Foucherot is International Affairs Manager at ECC. He takes care of ECC objectives and contributions and establishes links with international stakeholders. In India, his role will be to support the contributions of the team.

and performance in buildings,” Boyce said. “Meetings, like our Annual Conference, are the ideal place to develop better methodologies from our lessons learned, share best practices and transfer great designs into effective building operations.”

According to the communiqué, the plenary session featured a presentation of awards and honours, recognising the outstanding achievements and contributions of members to the Society and the industry. During her State of the Society address, outgoing 2018-19 ASHRAE President Sheila J Hayter spoke on the Society’s expanding partnerships through eight recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key organisations, the communiqué said.

Additionally, the conference provided an opportunity to give updates on ASHRAE’s new global headquarters design project.

According to the communiqué, the conference’s technical programme addressed trends in integrated building design, big data and the process for achieving zero-energy office buildings, among other topics. A seminar highlighting ASHRAE’s 2019 Strategic Plan

offered a look into the background, implementation and monitoring of initiatives, as the Society prepares for the plan’s upcoming release, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) offered two full-day seminars and eight half-day courses during the conference. New courses included: Guideline 36: Best in Class HVAC Control Sequences, IgCC and ASHRAE Standard 189.1 Technical Provisions (co-presented with the International Code Council), Effective Presentation for Positive Results, Solar PV and Thermal Systems Analysis and Design, and Laboratory Exhaust Stacks: Safe and Energy-Efficient Design, the communiqué said. The conference was also an opportunity for administering the new Certified HVAC Designer (CHD) certification exam.

The 2020 ASHRAE Winter Conference, the communiqué said, shall take place from February 1 to 5, and the AHR Expo, from February 3 to 5, in Orlando, Florida.

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July 2019

53

GLOBAL NEWS

AHRI opposes fourth round of Section 301 tariffs on China

Organisation re-emphasises that the tariffs limit member company access to a global supply chain for components, while bringing about harmful economic consequences

By CCME Content Team

T

he Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has submitted comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in opposition to a fourth round of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports, the organisation said through a Press communiqué. The comments, which were in response to a May 17 Federal Register notice, echoed AHRI's previous opposing comments (Round 1, Round 2, Round 3), re-emphasising that the tariffs limit member company access to a global supply chain for components, while bringing about the following harmful economic consequences: Increased costs for manufacturers and expected negative cost impacts on consumers.

• A dampening effect on the industry's efforts to make more energy-efficient equipment available in the marketplace.

• An unintended hampering of industry's ability to address climate change, owing to higherthan-necessary demand on the electric grid, due to reduced access to energy-efficient equipment.

“For many of our members, the uncertainty of the exclusion process, combined with the continued threat of tariffs, creates a business climate that stymies their ability to continue to create jobs that power the US economy,” said Stephen Yurek, President & CEO, AHRI. “We will continue to interact on behalf of our negatively affected member companies in hopes that the injurious tariff situation is resolved quickly.”

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July 2019

Future of HVAC in India is bright, says Magneto Clean Tech The HVAC industry has immense potential in India, the overall growth rate is positive, says Himanshu Agarwal, CEO and Founder, Magneto Clean Tech

By Ranjana Konatt | Features Writer

T

he HVAC industry in India has immense potential but is heavily dependent on the economic activity around the building industry, said Himanshu Agarwal, CEO, and Founder, Magneto Clean Tech, while providing an overview on the HVAC market in India. In the last few years, heavy debt has propelled the industry to undergo a restructuring, which has led to excessive competition and a price war, he said. From a broad perspective, Agarwal said, air pollution in India is high and the awareness regarding the bad air quality is a subject that is given more attention every day. This, he said, will lead to high demand for air systems.

Elaborating on Magneto Clean Tech, a New Delhibased HVAC company, Agarwal said: “Magneto Clean Tech invents and popularises clean air technology for developing nations. We focus on making clean air accessible to everyone, whether in homes, in the office or in buildings.” By pushing the limits of engineering, he said, we are able to build the highest quality of products that exhibit performance. While providing an overview of the work done in the year 2018, he said, we delivered clean air to a total area of 2.5 million square feet. “The year 2019, Agarwal said, looks bright as the company’s projected growth rate is over 100%.

Magneto Clean Tech’s products, he said, have energy-saving benefits due to a very low-pressure drop in the air conditioner. They clean the air holistically, removing dust, micro-organisms and even harmful gases, he said. “We have successfully commercialised a proprietary way of purifying indoor air that is fundamentally superior to current methods,” he said. In addition, Agarwal highlighted that the company has a diverse range of airpurification products that deals with PM 2.5, along with infection control, which as a technology, is being received with an overwhelmingly positive response from users.

According to the communiqué, AHRI’s comments also expressed its disappointment with a lack of a tariff exclusion process in the May 17 Federal Register notice. Although AHRI has indicated its displeasure and dismay at the slow and burdensome nature of the exclusion request process, it requested in its comments that the USTR should be sure to make available a process for exclusions, if the fourth round of tariffs go into effect, the communiqué said.

AHRI members, the communiqué said, are concerned that since the beginning of the Section 301 exclusion process (including USD 34 billion and USD 16 billion), the exclusion approval

rate for the HVACR and water heating industry is 39.5% lower than it is for all industries combined. In fact, only 11% (200 unique requests) of the requested AHRI member products and equipment have thus far been granted an exclusion, the communiqué said, adding that of the 1,877 exclusion requests, AHRI members have made to the USTR, 858 still await a decision (in review stages 1-3), with some having been pending for as long as over 300 days, since August 2018.

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ERSPECTIVE

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September July 2019 2018

28 AWARD CATEGORIES: 1.

MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR (AIR TREATMENT)

14. HVACR ACCESSORIES MANUFACTURER/ SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

2.

MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR (AIR MOVEMENT, VENTILATION)

15. PROJECT OF THE YEAR (OUTDOOR COOLING SYSTEMS)

3.

MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR (FIRE SAFETY)

4.

BUILDING ENVELOP OF THE YEAR (CONTRIBUTING MANUFACTURER/ SUPPLIER)

16. PROJECT OF THE YEAR – IEQ (HEALTHCARE, ACADEMIC, HOSPITALITY, COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL)

5.

BUILDING PERFORMANCE SERVICES (TESTING AND CERTIFICATION)

6.

DISTRICT COOLING COMPANY OF THE YEAR

7.

O&M COMPANY OF THE YEAR (CHILLED WATER PLANT)

8.

9.

DISTRICT COOLING UTILITY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR INNOVATIVE MANUFACTURER/ SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR (CHILLERS)

17. HVAC CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR 18. HVAC CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR 19. BUILDING EFFICIENCY RETROFIT PROJECT OF THE YEAR 20. COMMISSIONING/RE-COMMISSIONING COMPANY OF THE YEAR 21. FM COMPANY OF THE YEAR (ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND IEQ) 22. IOT INTEGRATION INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR 23. HVACR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

10. MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR (CHILLED WATER SYSTEM EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS, LESS CHILLERS)

24. YOUNG HVACR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR 25. MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR (VEHICLE ENVELOP)

11. MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR (STANDALONE DX)

26. COLD STORE OF THE YEAR

12. MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR (VRF SYSTEMS)

27. DOMINIC DE SOUSA AWARD FOR INNOVATION

13. GCC REGION MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR

28. EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD

REGISTER TO SEND YOUR ENTRIES NOW www.climatecontrolawards.com

September 2018 July 2019

3 57

ND-POINT

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July 2019

Dawood Bin Ozair, Blue Star International FZCO

STARRING ROLE Over the years with Al Futtaim and now, as CEO of Blue Star International FZCO, Dawood Bin Ozair has left an impressionable mark on the HVACR landscape in the region, particularly the UAE. Here, he shares his life journey and, in the process, gives an invaluable glimpse of the growth of development of the industry

THE BEGINNINGS I was born in Aligarh in October 1950.

Aligarh is a small city near Delhi, in northern India. It is famous for the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), established about 120 years ago. The University was founded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, who conceived the idea of an educational institution of higher learning while visiting Oxford and Cambridge.

I am proud of AMU, because historically speaking, my family belongs to Aligarh. My father was among the first generation in a family of landowners to study and work. Prior to that, the family members preferred not to work, as most of the jobs were under the British Government.

My father was a keen student. He studied and eventually became Professor of Mathematics at AMU. Thanks to his intellectual and academic influence, the rest of my family remains connected to the field of education in some way or other.

I did my schooling at Minto Circle, a famous public boarding school, again established by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

To this day, it is well known, as many top Indian personalities have passed through its portals. After school, I studied Mechanical Engineering at Zakir Hussain College of Engineering & Technology, AMU, which I passed out of in 1973.

DUBAI-BOUND After AMU, I began working in Delhi – first, at APJ and then at Engineering Projects (India), a Government of India enterprise.

In 1974, I moved to Bombay – as Mumbai was known, then – and joined the TATA group, where I worked in different organisations, like TOMCO and Voltas.

During my time with Voltas, the TATA group and Dubai’s Al Futtaim Group were in talks for a high-level joint venture relationship. The talks fructified into action, and this led to many TATA employees travelling to Dubai to join Al Futtaim; I was one of them.

I came to Dubai in 1980. At the time, Mumbai was a far more advanced and attractive city than Dubai. However, there was a certain vibe about Dubai – that here is a place where the future is being built.

I began work at Al Futtaim Engineering, which at that point in time had businesses related to scaffolding and air conditioning.

Al Futtaim was a representative of such well-known brands as AIRTEMP, a product of US-based Chrysler Corporation and, by virtue of that, was undertaking sizable air conditioning projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Al Futtaim Engineering then merged with Al Futtaim Electronics, which was managing the Sanyo brand. And so it came to be that I found myself looking after the Sanyo air conditioning business.

Sanyo became the leading air conditioning product in those days and had the highest market share. Al Futtaim Engineering grew in different dimensions.

It acquired franchises of Toto & Sphinx sanitaryware and Hitachi elevators and, overall, became a very successful operation.

In 1997, I left Al Futtaim and joined GIBCA, again a very big group, with its headquarters in Sharjah. It represented Hitachi Airconditioning and had several other brands of its own. The group undertook important air conditioning projects in the defence sector and in the Northern Emirates.

My move to general management immediately preceded the boom in the UAE, and we geared up to take maximum advantage of it.

Starting 2002, the market picked up in a big way

July 2019

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ND-POINT

Dawood Bin Ozair, Blue Star International FZCO

I worked at GIBCA only for two years and moved back to Al Futtaim, where I got an opportunity as Head of Panatech Engineering, a company that represented the Panasonic brand.

This again was a very challenging assignment for me, as it involved not only air conditioning but also electronics and telecommunication businesses.

Panasonic was a well-known brand – the best in the world – and so I looked at my return to Al Futtaim as an exciting career move. Having worked with Sanyo, it was again an upwards migration for me to work with Panasonic. Regular interaction with Japanese engineers and personnel at manufacturing units gave me immense experience related to the products and technologies. It was interesting to visit their research and development plants, which were extremely futuristic in nature.

In 2001, I was transferred back to Al Futtaim Engineering as General Manager, heading the operations, which consisted of the complete portfolio of various businesses, including elevators, air conditioning, scaffolding and services.

My move to general management immediately preceded the boom in the UAE, and we geared up to take maximum advantage of it. Starting 2002, the market picked up in a big way, and Emaar, Nakheel and most of the other private developers came up with mega project plans for the region.

Today, I can proudly say that the Dubai landscape has been built in front of me, and I can equally proudly say, in my own humble way, that I was associated with some of the very prestigious projects in the region.

The business grew, and so did Al Futtaim Engineering. We also spread into other countries, like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, taking up some major MEP projects in them.

In 2016, I retired from Al Futtaim as Senior Managing Director of Al Futtaim Electronics, Engineering and Technologies. My original plan was to take a long holiday and set up my own business. However, my relationship with Blue Star, which came to be established when I was at Al Futtaim, beckoned me, and I joined Blue Star in 2017 as CEO of the company’s International Operations.

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▶ Suneel M Advani, Chairman-Emeritus, Blue Star, and Dawood Bin Ozair

WHAT BLUE STAR MEANS TO ME Blue Star again is a futuristic organisation, leading manufacturers of air conditioning and refrigeration systems from India. It is a 75-year-old organisation, listed in the Mumbai Stock Exchange. It is well known for its high-class manufacturing of air conditioning systems, right from window air conditioners to multi-splits, and from package ACs to VRF systems and chillers up to 500 tonnes of refrigeration (TR).

Blue Star is also known for undertaking MEP projects and services. It has set up five state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities

in India and has invested heavily in research and development, which is the reason for its success and progress.

Blue Star was already distributing its products in the Middle East for the last 50 years, but in 2017, it set up Blue Star International at Dubai Airport Free Zone to look after the complete distribution of Blue Star products in the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia. The company also has two joint-venture relationships in Qatar and Malaysia to undertake large MEP projects. Blue Star International oversees the distribution of its products in 18 countries, including the JVs.

visited the United States in 1986, the person at the immigration counter did not know about Dubai, when I told him I was coming from there. Today, when you visit the United States and interact with the Americans, you get a strong feeling that everybody wants to visit Dubai and see this great place.

MY FAMILY

▶ Dawood Bin Ozair receives the ‘Indian Innovator Award’ from H.E. Anurag Bhushan, Consul General of India, on behalf of BNC Publishing, under the category, ‘Responsible Leadership’, in 2015 in Dubai

Broadly speaking, this region has progressed so well and is associated with peace and harmony; that way, it is an example to the world. I have spent 39 years of my life in Dubai and would like to spend the remaining part of my life in this region. Dubai is my home; and it is home to my children and grandchildren.

I am blessed with a lovely family.

My wife, Nuzhat is an educationist and has taught in well-known institutions in India and the UAE. She has a master’s degree in Psychology from India and a master’s degree in Education from the United States. She is currently teaching at Middlesex University.

I have three sons, all of whom were born and schooled in Dubai. They went to the United States for their higher education. Two of them are working here, and one is in the United States. I have four grandchildren, who keep my wife and I active and busy.

WHAT I DO IN MY ME-TIME

In April 2019, Blue Star established an onshore company, Blue Star Systems and Solutions LLC to undertake air conditioning and refrigeration projects and services in the UAE. The move enables Blue Star to provide end-to-end solution to the customers, from products to installation and from execution to services and spare parts.

MENTORS IN LIFE I won’t name one but several. Firstly, my parents, who taught me how to face the world. And then, while in school, Nehru became a mentor, as at the time, he was

leading the country and was fondly known as “Chacha Nehru” by all children. And then, when I migrated to the industry, the visionary J.R.D. Tata became a mentor. I looked up to him for the dedicated manner in which he approached his work to strengthen the Tata group.

Currently, I regard His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai as a mentor. He has contributed immensely to developing the country into a leading one in the world. I can honestly say that no country in the world would have seen the progress the UAE has seen. I remember, when I first

I love to swim, play golf and walk, depending on the season. I like to paint and to spend time in my garden. I have a passion for growing flowers and vegetables. I love to swim, play golf and walk depending on the season. I am particularly fond of golf, having played it for several years. During my Al Futtaim days, many of my Japanese associates were very fond of golf, and so it was natural to develop a liking for it. Today, you have plenty of options for playing golf in Dubai, but in those days, we used to play golf in the sand in Dubai.

I see a lot of similarities between the game and what I do as an engineer.

Golf is about planning, and every hole is a challenge. You have to think your way through a round. Much like with engineering, where you have to think and plan before taking any action.

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

July 2019

61

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