CCME June 2017

PerSPeCtiveS:

Led lamps and cooling load

Moisture Carryover and IAQ Problems

B S Prashanth, eros Group

Farhan Juratli

June 2017

Licence to chiLL

Are Absorption Chillers Energy Efficient?

Dan Mizesko, US Chiller Services

District Cooling: the journey so far...

INTERVIEWS

‘The Fire Code is the result of analysis of past learnings’

‘DC’s success is proportionally linked to optimisation of opex and capex’

Terry Johnson of Dubai Civil Defence

Sanela Habbab of Emicool

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vol. 12 no. 6

On the Cover pa g e

20

JUnE 2017

WHAT’S THE

HOLD-UP? A call for introspection on the bottlenecks hindering the growth of District Cooling.

Post-EvEnt REPoRt

08

4

WHEELS OF CHAIN An in-depth rapportage on the proceedings of the 8th edition of Food Chain Conference.

June 2017

find inside

Q&A

PERsPECtIvEs

46

No Brainer

48

Moisture Carryover and IAQ Problems

BS Prashanth of Eros Group illustrates the benefits of LED technology in the context of the cooling load in a builtenvironment.

36

12 ‘The Fire Code is the Result of Analysis of Past Learnings’

‘We are trying to help consolidate the different skews’

Terry Johnson of Dubai Civil Defence, speaks on the new fire code and how the department is wanting to collaborate with manufacturers.

Douglas J Mudock and Bill Merritt of Tecumseh speak on the company’s position on the Kigali Summit and other initiatives in the Middle East.

Farhan Juratli stresses on the need for regular cleaning and maintenance of HVAC systems to combat moisture and IAQ problems.

Licence to chiLL

40

28 ‘DC’s Success is Proportionally Linked to Optimisation of Opex and Capex’ Sanela Habbab of Emicool speaks on the need for greater cooperation among relevant stakeholders to boost District Cooling in the region.

32 ‘We are doing pressure testing at even 24 Bar’ Abubakr Jenaid Al Hadrami and Muhammad Ali of Marafeq, offer technology-related insights on how District Cooling is shaping up in Qatar.

Are absorption chillers energy efficient?

Dan Mizesko of US Chiller Services doesn't seem to think so.

REGULARS 06 EDItoR's notE Five years on…

54 70 71 73 74

Regional news Global news Comings & Goings Marketplace Book Review

June 2017

5

EDITOR’S NOTE

Five years on...

I

B Surendar Editor @BSurendar_HVACR

PERSPECTIVES:

Led lamps and cooling load

Moisture Carryover and IAQ Problems

B S Prashanth, Eros Group

Farhan Juratli

June 2017

LICENCE TO CHILL

Are Absorption Chillers Energy Efficient?

Dan Mizesko, US Chiller Services

Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle East early!

District Cooling: the journey so far...

INTERVIEWS

‘The Fire Code is the result of analysis of past learnings’

‘DC’s success is proportionally linked to optimisation of opex and capex’

Terry Johnson of Dubai Civil Defence

Sanela Habbab of Emicool

PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

US$15

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

n a 2012 interview with Climate Control Middle East, Zulfiqar Mooraj, the Managing Director of Samson Controls FZE in the UAE, said that charging people for compensating for lack of full occupancy is a bane of District Cooling.

Utility providers, he added, are passing on the results of their decisions to those that have occupied the units in the development served by District Cooling. Shifting his focus to a technical aspect, he said pumps need to pump chilled water to the farthest residential unit but, at the same time, should not flood the nearest unit. The importance of focusing on hydraulic balancing, he said, cannot be over-emphasised, else District Cooling will not be an effective proposition from an energy efficiency point of view.

Five years on, it is disconcerting to note that the discordant voices continue, which means District Cooling as an industry is desperately in need of a massive dose of introspection. Speaking as recently as April 2017, Dominic McPolin, Chief, Central Planning Office, Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning, Bahrain, reeled off a string of questions, which he said people kept asking him, and which he felt needed a sincere attempt at answering for the wellbeing of District Cooling in the region.

Let’s sample some of them… Ķ Why should I buy an apartment with District Cooling, because I feel insecure as District Cooling is a monopoly, and I have no alternative cooling option? Ķ How can I be sure that the company will not inflate the cost of cooling in later years to increase profits? Ķ How can I promote a District Cooling provision for an urban area in this climate, when there is no safety net if the private company goes bankrupt?

What happens to the customers and the company’s assets? Are we left to talking to the bank for continuous service?

Five years usually is a substantially long enough period for reflection and remedial action. In the region, though, evidence suggests that those steps have not been visited with the forcefulness and thoroughness that they deserve, else we still would not be battling with issues like hydraulic balancing and owner discontent over tariffs. There is need for a greater show of intent and for the industry to come together as a team to earnestly address long-standing issues. The need for action is not an option but an essential feature in the drive towards greater maturity.

Managing Director & Associate Publisher Frédéric paillé | fred@cpi-industry.com Associate Editor pratibha Umashankar | prati@cpi-industry.com Design Manuelito Quisay | maq@cpi-industry.com Events & Marketing Manager Ruqiya Shariff | ruqiyah@cpi-industry.com Advertising Enquiries Frédéric paillé: +971 50 7147204 fred@cpi-industry.com

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allwyn Mathew: +971 56 976 6911 Business Development Manager allwyn@cpi-industry.com puja Kedia: +971 52 326 1659 Business Development Manager puja@cpi-industry.com

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June 2017

Printed by: Alpha Printing Press, IMPZ, UAE © Copyright 2017 CPI. All rights reserved.

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

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8th Food Chain Conference

The 8th edition of Food Chain addressed aspects related to strengthening two mission-critical links in the cold chain: Transport refrigeration and cold storage.

In this, the first part of the report, we present to you the transport refrigerationrelated discussions‌

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

There has been an increasing appreciation and importance placed on cold storage and transport refrigeration of late, especially from the perspective of government entities. This is further compounded by initiatives, such as the UAE Food Bank and the Food Watch programme, the success of which depends on a strong food safety and quality assurance (FSQA) infrastructure. Keeping in mind that cold chain will play a vital role in helping the UAE and the GCC region meet the objectives of food hygiene, key players within the industry are advocating areas of improvement that must be addressed in order to collectively raise standards within the industry.

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June 2017

I

the product throughout the cold chain process, during its transportation from the warehouse to the UAE Food Bank.

Dubai Municipality has expressed its keenness on using smart technology in its campaigns, and Al Shamsi said that the government body is using a software-based approach to keep track of food at various points along the chain. The emphasis on technology was further reinforced by Bobby Krishna, Food Safety Specialist – Food Control Department, Dubai Municipality, who looks towards smart platforms and tracking systems to ensure food safety. In his words, manufacturers, wholesalers and warehouses have different problems and a lack of transparency can lead to complacency or malpractice with regard to food that has undergone thermal abuse.

“There are no provisions to track it,” he said. “It could be back in the market in some other form and reprocessed without control. [There are] some enablers to make food a bit more visible… The better the food safety controls, the lesser the problem and the lesser the food wastage. What you don’t want is bad food going to people, in any form.”

n a departure from previous editions of the event, the 8th edition of the Food Chain conference focused on the increasingly important role of transport refrigeration and cold storage facilities in society.

The twin aspects of the cold chain are critical parameters in helping the country meet its desired objectives with regard to food safety, in particular, and public health, in general. The event was held on April 5, in Dubai, and drew the participation of key figures in the cold chain, such as manufacturers of equipment and reefer trailers, logistics providers and hypermarket chains. It also provided a platform for government representatives from Dubai, Ajman and Sharjah to share FSQA projects and initiatives currently underway in their respective municipalities.

The importance of cold chain was especially underlined by two major initiatives within the UAE: The UAE Food Bank initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, as well as Dubai Municipality’s soon-to-be-launched Food Watch programme.

LAYERS OF COST

The success of both the programmes is dependent on a robust food safety and quality assurance (FSQA) framework, and Dubai Municipality has expressed its commitment to implement a proper infrastructure that will ensure that the objectives of the initiative will be met in the most efficient manner possible.

“The UAE Food Bank will be integrated with every dimension of food safety,” said Noura Abdulla Al Shamsi, Head of Permits and Applied Nutrition Section, Food Safety Department, Dubai Municipality.

“For example, many have food in their warehouses with a shelf life that will expire in two or three months. We don’t want that to be wasted, so it will be collected by approved companies under supervision of municipality and distributed to charity.” Al Shamsi emphasised that the approved companies will be assessed based on their ability to maintain good temperature and condition of

In Sharjah, the issue of food safety is being addressed in Sharjah Municipality through licensing. Ammar Hosien, Senior Inspector, Sharjah Municipality, said: “We have our criteria and specifications on this issue. After licensing, we have monitoring and routine inspection. We also have the Sharjah Food Safety Program. We applied training for all food handlers, including stores and trading companies. Any food handler in Sharjah should be under the Sharjah Food Safety Program from [initial] training to upgrading along with classic and evolving HACCP [requirements].”

Though the commitment of the emirates towards ensuring food safety is commendable, the individual requirements of each emirate do indeed add layers of cost among logistics providers and food companies. Abdulla Abdrulrazaq Al Tamimi, Head of Public Health, Municipality and Planning Department, Ajman Municipality, admitted that the government body follows its own regulation within Ajman, through its licensing framework, under the Ajman Public Health Program. However, he shared that there has been talk of potentially

June 2017

9

8th Food Chain Conference

coming up with a more unified federal regulation. “I do agree we are adding some cost to the business sector,” he said, “but as a member of the UAE Food Safety National Committee, we are discussing this issue from time to time. We are trying to find a way to support the businesses to not have multiple payments in each emirate, but we need to discuss and get approval from all emirates. We cannot start in Ajman unless our neighbours are asking. If we can reach a point where all emirates are agreeing on the same concept, where any vehicle with a license in Ajman can go to other emirates with no fees, then we will.”

THE OTHER SIDE Manufacturers and logistics providers are eager for a federalised approach to help improve their margins. However, there are also other areas of concern that they are looking to address as part of their collective efforts to improve their operations as well as raise standards within the industry.

Rodrigue Nacouzi, CEO and Founder, Transcorp International, emphasised the need for quality training, which he said, is lacking within the industry.

“Currently, the trainings that we abide by don't really apply on the real job of the drivers, it’s just basic hygiene,” he said.

“This is why the transporters should have their own internal training, and it should be based on realities and [real] life scenarios.”

Nacouzi said that Transcorp is working closely with Dubai Municipality for more focused training of handlers to address the issue of cross-contamination, “If the driver is not aware of what type of goods he is transporting it will be a cross-contamination issue for the food,” he said. With regard to training, Nacouzi added that education should go as far as empowering drivers to refuse such breaches, which can only be done by promoting greater awareness among employees.

Paul McGarrigle, Strategic Account Manager, Thermo King, agreed with the shortcomings with regard to training drivers to identify vital issues, such as door seals. However, he cited another aspect that can help reduce breaks within the cold chain – a system of tracking actions. “I think a vital part that is not being disclosed here is the technology and innovation we can

10

June 2017

use today to eliminate the driver from any decision-making or any reporting,” he said.

He advocated that implementing track-andtrace systems for set points accessible to distribution and logistics managers, would ensure that the burden to report breaches in the cold chain no longer lies solely on the driver. He said that this sort of selflegislation technology can eliminate or, at the very least, reduce human error, especially in light of the sub-par training standards in the region.

BLAME GAME While attention needs to be riveted on drivers of transport refrigeration vehicles, there is equal need to focus on retailers within the chain. Kiran M. B., Commercial Manager for Frigo, Gorica Industries, was of the view that there should be greater transparency among retailers within the cold chain with regard to how products are being handled, or else there is a back-and-forth on who’s responsible for thermal abuse, which often falls on the producer citing temperature monitoring as the ideal solution.

In a bid to move away from the issue of a potential blame game within the industry, Ghaleb Abusaa, CEO, GASO, provided a comprehensive perspective

citing the points of view of the end users, who want the best food at the lowest price; the producer, who wants to ensure profit and the dealer, who cannot lower cost. “It’s a chain of responsibility,” he said. “In my opinion, the main responsibility goes to the legislation standards, but what is more important is the implementation, taking into consideration all factors…. The complete chain has to underlined, and in my opinion, it is more on the side of the

government and on the side of the consumer to force all the producers and other parties in the chain to follow the standards.”

Abusaa recommended developing a minimum and maximum standard as well as providing incentives. The minimum standards will ensure the safety of the food, and for those who are looking to implement more advanced standards, they can be rewarded for going above and beyond the requirements, making it a potentially competitive advantage.

(Watch out for cold storage-related discussions at the conference, in the July 2017 issue of Climate Control Middle East.)

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

Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

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Terry Johnson FIFireE, Dubai Civil Defence

‘THE FIRE CODE IS THE RESULT OF ANALYSIS OF PAST LEARNINGS’

Terry Johnson FIFireE, Senior Fire Service Advisor, Operation Department of Dubai Civil Defence (DCD), speaks on the new Fire Code and also on how he is eager to listen to HVAC manufacturers share their knowledge and experience, in this interview with Benwen Lopez of Climate Control Middle East. Excerpts…

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HAT DOES THE RECENTLY UPDATED UAE FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CODE OF PRACTICE MEAN FOR THE HVACR INDUSTRY? There are specific sections related to HVACR that have been addressed in the code. The entire code has been updated and put into a more localised perspective. There has been a significant learning since the issue of the code, through operational and shared practices, with different authorities and industry. We have also analysed our past learnings, and it is reflected in the code.

MALFUNCTIONING OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IS CAUSING FIRES. WHAT IS DCD DOING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE? At every incident, we carry out two types of investigations. One would be from an operational perspective, which is to examine the performance of our crews and commanders, and to ensure that all operations are as per our standard operating procedures. We also investigate to see if the facilities and security managers have carried out their roles, according to the fire safety code for either tackling the incident or subsequent evacuation. We also do a fire investigation from a cause-and-effect perspective, so we look at the possible cause of the fire, and the major effect it had on the building. We look into the contributory factors that cause the spread of fire, and what possibly lead to the major part of the damage. These investigations are parallel to the police investigation. But during these joint investigations, we try to identify if there are any trends or particular brands of equipment or certain type of equipment or a certain process that cause the fire, and we take the necessary preventive action. We also look internationally to identify if there are any trends of the similar type of fires, and we store this information in our database for future learning, and we may even use it for a fire safety campaign, where we advise the general public that this particular device, apparatus or process is possibly a fire risk.

ESMA (EMIRATES AUTHORITY FOR STANDARDIZATION AND METROLOGY) HAS INTRODUCED A STANDARD CONCERNING THE

June 2017

13

Terry Johnson FIFireE, Dubai Civil Defence

INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN COMBUSTIBLE ENVIRONMENTS. HOW WILL THIS STANDARD BENEFIT THE INDUSTRY AND DCD? Any organisation or individual that feeds into the fire and life safety system is obviously a significant advantage. In the UAE, we are living in a dynamic environment, both in built-sense and in population. While we are fortunate here in the UAE to have a very diverse population that offers a variety of significant challenges, it also brings a series of threats, because not everyone’s perception of fire safety is the same. Therefore, anyone that can feed into the protection of the citizens is very useful for us, because they may have particular expertise in fire protection systems, which will obviously be a support for us, and, we need the support from other agencies and organisations. We would also study whatever they may have contributed, to see how it aligns with our overall strategy and goal, to ensure that UAE becomes one of the safest places in the world to live.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE PROPER COMMISSIONING OF EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT FIRES? I think it is critical, and we would like to be involved right at the design stage, and we would also like to understand the design concepts and philosophy of any developer, including their thinking behind the development or installation of certain types of equipment. On the other hand, the Dubai Civil Defence has a very rigid accreditation system, so any equipment related to fire has to be fully endorsed by us, and we would have to check the credibility of that particular

apparatus, and we are becoming more mature in our inspection regime. We also have a very strict set of requirements for any contractors that are installing such equipment and commissioning it, and it is a very critical element for us that the issue of installation and commissioning is carried out according to the standard, and flawlessly.

THERE ARE INSTANCES OF THE MEP INDUSTRY USING A LOT OF PRODUCTS FOR PIPING THAT ARE MADE OF PVC MATERIAL, WHICH IS HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE. WHAT ARE THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN BY DCD TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF SUCH MATERIALS? As a product, we would be looking at the certification and accreditation of that equipment. If it was manufactured in the UAE, it would have to go through a regular set of fire-testing procedures with results, which shows us its performance and behaviour during a fire. We also investigate to see if these products prevent or cause the spread of fire. The product also has to be subjected to a series of rigorous tests in a certified testing house either in the UAE or abroad but which is accredited by the Dubai Civil Defence.

IN WATER SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, THERE IS A LOT OF CORROSION THAT TAKES PLACE DUE TO THE COMPOUND REACTION OF WATER, OXYGEN AND IRON? WHAT CAN MAINTENANCE COMPANIES DO TO PREVENT CORROSION IN PIPES? There is a set standard by the UAE fire code and the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) that mainly covers the servicing and maintenance of such systems, and periodically it

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June 2017

June 2017

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Terry Johnson FIFireE, Dubai Civil Defence

should not be only tested but also serviced completely. This would possibly be draining a certain system or section of the system or testing of the water quality and for any degradation in the pipe work.

AT THE KIGALI SUMMIT IN 2016, IT WAS VOWED THAT THERE WOULD BE A PHASEOUT OF HFC AGENTS, BUT THIS DOES NOT COVER THE USE OF HFCS IN FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. CAN YOU SHARE WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF USING HFCS IN FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE? IS THERE A STRATEGY OR POLICY BY DCD TO PHASE THE GASES OUT? The Montreal Protocol is very strict, and if you look at the section of the UAE Fire Code 2011, which is replicated in 2015, we as an authority do not support the production or the use of any fire-fighting equipment that have HFCs present, owing to the severe impact on the environment, and its contribution towards global warming.

In most uses, it is banned, apart from essential use, such as aviation, and there are certain aspects of the military that use it. And to be able to supply it, one has to get a certification from any certifying body that makes a case that one is qualified and able to deal with HFCs. It is not something that a wholesaler or a manufacturer of fire equipment would be able to get. It would be a specialised area, because the Montreal Protocol clearly states HFCs have to be phased out without compromise, and UAE is one of the signatories to that protocol, and we support it. In fact, there were a couple of instances where people would come up with some innovation, but when it was tested, it actually would emit an HFC gas, and we immediately withdrew our support and would not go forward with the product.

â–śFire rated ducts

16

June 2017

Many manufacturers have got learning from their experience, and it would be helpful if they share their knowledge on how their product or system fits in our environment

WHEN A MAJOR FIRE BREAKS OUT IN A BUILDING, SPECIFICALLY IN AN UNDERCONSTRUCTED PROJECT, WE OFTEN FIND A BLAME GAME PLAYED BETWEEN DESIGNERS, DEVELOPERS AND CONTRACTORS. WHAT IS DCD DOING TO BRIDGE THIS GAP, SO THAT THEY COLLECTIVELY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY? We have addressed it by issuing a very strict code of ethics. There is a section concerning under-construction projects and developers, and the responsibilities of individuals and companies, right through from building owners, developers, facility management companies and, then, the actual occupants of the building. It is an aggressive methodology to reduce the number of incidents and collectively make it a more caring and safe society to live in. While we are on the fast track of development, particularly in Dubai, and we are blessed with some of the best imaginative designs, it does throw up some challenges, because we tend to find that if you are not policing certain construction companies, developers and building owners, then there are shortcuts made, unbeknown to them. I am sure that they do not appreciate that these dangerous practices could lead to an unsafe environment or a hazardous situation. Since they are not experts in the field, we come along and give active advice and send out inspectors to aggressively go out and make sure that these people are following the fire code.

Unfortunately, we tend to find that certain accidents are due to perhaps the ignorance and avoidance of specific areas that are covered in the UAE Fire Code, and this is something that we are taking on actively.

We are looking at a very aggressive campaign to

educate all sections of society, to ensure that every one is sharing that responsibility, thus creating a safe environment to live in. We also share workshops with various associations and address fire-safety issues.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACED BY THE DCD, DESPITE THE LEGAL BACKING? The constant challenge is trying to get that message to everyone, that there has been a tremendous amount of investment to install the fire-safety systems in a building, and not just in the active systems but also the passive systems, like the fire doors and emergency exit systems. And these systems have been installed for a purpose, and it is for their life safety and protection and to minimise the effect of a possible fire that might occur on the premises. It is also about upgrading citizen’s knowledge and acceptance of why we have fire safety codes, and why we have

training elements, and then for someone to come along and quite ignorantly ignore these systems is a big frustration for us. From a simple propping open or removing a fire door, which is effectively protecting someone's life to the ignorance of the maintenance company, which knowingly switches off an alarm system or a sprinkler system, because it is either giving false alarms or leaking, instead of fixing it; we say that those systems have been provided specifically to protect lives and property and to just blatantly ignore them and switch them off, are again a source of frustration to us, and we hope that these systems are not ignored but rather are efficiently cared for.

their knowledge and experience with us, because we love to learn, and it boosts our expertise all the more.

Many manufacturers have got learning from their experience, and it would be helpful if they share their knowledge on how their product or system fits in our environment.

Of course, while we do have our expertise to evaluate, it is always good to have two-way conversations. H.E. Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, FiFire, Director General of Dubai Civil Defence, always says that anyone can come to us and share an idea or innovation, and if they want to discuss any particular hazard, risks or concerns, they can approach us, because we are here to support everyone.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONVEY ANYTHING ELSE TO THE HVACR INDUSTRY?

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

Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

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Our representative in North America

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T: +971 4 375 6838

Allwyn Mathew Business Development Manager

IN ASIA (EXCEPT INDIA), CONTACT: Judy Wang

T: +971 4 375 6834 | M: +971 56 976 6911

Our representative in Asia

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June 2017

A CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

TRACKING THE DISTRICT COOLING INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

what's the

hold-up? also inside ‘DC’S Success IS proportionally Linked to Optimisation of OPEX and CAPEX’ ‘We are doing Pressure Testing At Even 24 Bar '

June 2017

19

â–ś Dubai at night, UAE

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

District Cooling, or District Energy, has long established itself worldwide as an effective solution for a broad spectrum of developments. A proven approach in addressing the cooling needs of large projects, District Cooling has shown users its benefits over the years.

So then, what’s holding it back from greater market penetration across the GCC region?

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

June 2017

21

OVER STORY

Faisal Rashid

Raef Hammoudeh

Yasser Salah Al-Jaidah

Abdulsalam Al-Mobayed

Dominic McPolin

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June 2017

District Cooling

T

he UAE has been unabashed in its support for District Cooling.

This has greatly helped in cultivating District Cooling’s positive perception within the industry, and in creating a conducive environment for its growth. This is confirmed by Raef Hammoudeh, Director, MEP Engineering, KEO Design, who shares his insights on the perception of developers based on his experience with the Dubai model of doing District Cooling: “All building owners that we are working with are making use of District Cooling on their projects, wherever District Cooling is available. It is widely acknowledged that District Cooling is more convenient and cost-effective for new buildings. The issues are usually with regard to the availability of the service and the allocated capacity for the development.”

Among public sector representatives, District Cooling has been highly regarded as a vital tool that will help the country meet its long-term sustainability objectives. This is especially true in light of the UAE’s proactive move to meet key indices in power and water savings. Faisal Rashid, Director of Demand Side Management (DSM), Supreme Council of Energy, UAE, touches on the country’s main strategies, particularly the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy (DIES) 2030: “In the past, we were dependent on fossil fuels, which built our society,” he says. “The shift now is happening towards renewable and sustainable energy and supply. We have targets of 25% share of renewable energy and 30% reduction in water and electricity consumption by 2030.”

The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 also aims to reduce C02 emissions from energy generation by approximately half, affirming the emirate’s no-nonsense approach towards consumption. Rashid further adds, with regard to District Cooling, that the “target has been set to reduce consumption by 15% by 2030 and increase penetration to 40% from almost 20% of today”. DSM is experiencing the afterglow of its recent success in meeting its 2016 targets, which further drives the country’s commitment towards future targets.

Qatar, on the other hand, is exhibiting a conservative approach towards District Cooling. The cautious model the country has undertaken is an offshoot of growing concerns regarding water resources. Yasser Salah Al Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Cool, says,

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

“In Qatar, we have abundant Natural Gas and excess electricity to accommodate the demand, so priorities differ.” However, District Cooling continues to be a priority, with Al-Jaidah saying: “My wish is for District Cooling to be classified as a utility, as part of a master-plan. That would be a dream come true.”

Sharing his insights on Saudi Arabia, Abdulsalam Al-Mobayed, CEO, Saudi Tabreed O&M, says that District Cooling’s positive trend in terms of penetration continues, mainly driven by real estate and commercial development projects. “The government has been very supportive in bringing energy optimisation schemes to the kingdom,” he says, “and District Cooling is one key in sustainable solutions that the leaders of our country want to benchmark.

As an example of government support in the kingdom, I can quote the recent Royal Decree, which requires all future government-related projects above 15,000 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) to be designed to receive District Cooling.”

We have put District Cooling in the energy efficiency plan. It will comprise of a comprehensive regulatory framework in order to make it. Our vision is to make District Cooling a regular, routine infrastructure

Bahrain is showcasing an even more aggressive move to support District Cooling, with Dominic McPolin, Chief Central Planning Office, The Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Bahrain, saying that there is essentially a “political agenda to promote District Cooling”. In Bahrain, he says, the country views District Cooling

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

June 2017

23

OVER STORY

District Cooling

as a strategic tool that will help it meet its energy efficiency needs. The country, he says, continues to place great emphasis on sustainable energy, and to that effect a renewable energy plan and an energy efficiency plan have already been approved. “We have put District Cooling in the energy efficiency plan,” he says. “We will comprise a comprehensive regulatory framework in order to make it. Our vision is to make it (District Cooling) a regular, routine infrastructure.”

A solution to ‘design’ as a bottleneck Muhammad Ali, Design Manager – District Cooling, Marafeq, Qatar speaks on the issue of piping leaks, and how to avoid the situation…

is to build the right component quality in

With many GCC region countries looking to meet their individual energy and sustainability goals, the preference for District Cooling is evident. The high regard public sector representatives have for the system’s ability to efficiently use resources is palpable.

Mobayed says that its growth and penetration in the market is going at a reasonable pace and that the objectives set forth by each country within the region are commendable. “I believe if we achieve 40% penetration in the next 10 years, it will be a massive achievement,” he says, “The reasonable places would be the cities, including the existing facilities that have the conventional systems, as converting to District Cooling. The pace has not been that appreciable; however, with the new tariffs on use of electricity and water I am expecting a growth in the requirements for more energyefficient systems, and District Cooling certainly stands on top of the cooling requirements.”

the system. The standards we [at Marafeq] have adopted – EN 149, etc. – are ensuring the quality of pipes, be it the core or the insulation. Those manufacturers who are following the standards are bringing the

Abubakr Jenaid Al Hadrami

right raw materials. We are doing pressure testing, and we are doing it at 23 bar and even 24 bar. In other words, it is a high pressure test we are doing. We are building an unusually large but rugged system. And as earlier mentioned, as a first step, we are testing at a high pressure. We are testing the piping, yes, but also the valves. So we test in the commissioning stage itself, and with that we are able to ensure no leaks. On top of the commissioning of the network, we are commissioning the leakdetection system to check which leakage is starting, where it is starting and also the extent of the leak. If the network is designed in such a manner that alternative routes are available for the delivery of water, then repair is not a problem, but as a first step, we make a very strong commitment towards high quality by high test leaking and correct equipment. A good thing with Marafeq is that we have design and construction supervision, project management and operation teams and customer service teams in-house, so our expertise surrounds the lifecycle of the project, which is different from what others do.”

June 2017

With strategic goals in mind and a clear direction set, stakeholders are now looking to address all potential impediments in the drive towards District Cooling’s widespread penetration.

One of the main bottlenecks facing District Cooling providers so far is a negative public perception, owing to what they say is the public’s sufficient lack of knowledge.

“The starting point for these types of issues

DIFFICULT BUT DO-ABLE

24

BLOCKAGES AND BARRIERS

Abubakr Jenaid Al Hadrami, Director of Operations and Maintenance in Marafeq, Qatar, says that the utility company is expecting more support in the future from both authorities and the general public.

However, he also spells out the challenges District Cooling providers face with regard to educating them on the existing District Cooling business model. He says that until now, people from the real estate sector still believe that District Cooling is an option only for high-end buildings and that based on experience many of them don’t believe that District Cooling is a suitable provider for normal as well as low-to-medium-scale salary. “We need to work hard to change this understanding,” he says, citing that a number of big projects opted out of District Cooling as a result of the falling fuel prices and its impact on the economy, despite the fact that District Cooling was part of the original plan. This, he believes, is an example of the general misunderstanding of the benefits of District Cooling.

Al Hadrami, thus, places great importance on promoting better understanding of the technical and commercial side of District Cooling to encourage its penetration. He believes that its success is dependent on educating developers and in ushering in regulation.

“We as a provider cannot educate,” he says, “What is helping is regulation, and in that, a country like Saudi Arabia is leading the path. They have come out with a regulation that systems with more than 15,000 TR will be using District Cooling. We lack such

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Bahrain explores freezing the tariff for District Cooling providers Dominic McPolin, Chief Central Planning Office, The Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Bahrain speaks on this possible measure being considered…

“Like other countries, Bahrain is raising tariff, but we might freeze tariff for District Cooling providers. These are all part of the formula. What we want is a freeze on tariffs, as they rise to create that competitive pricing and, at the same time, to get a contribution from the savings to lower the capex into the consumer cost. At the end of the day, nobody has all the answers. We are going to give this a really good shot.”

Graeme Sims regulation in Qatar. Kahraama is looking to introduce regulation. Our suggestion to Kahraama is that anything above 10,000 TR should be District Cooling, and it is being studied. So if the developer does not follow regulation or comply they will not get electricity or water, for example. If they put a regulation in place, all developers will have to follow that for sure.”

Mobayed, speaking from his experience, says: “The bottlenecks would be the conversion of the existing buildings to District Cooling connectivity and convincing the owners of the facilities. Public perception is a key element, since the public perceives utilities more dependable if they come from the government. However, that perception is changing as we have seen in our recent projects in many cities of the Kingdom, where major companies have accepted Saudi Tabreed as a utility provider.” He adds that the lack of sufficient buildings designed to adopt District Cooling, and the lower electricity rates charged by the government of Saudi Arabia, also pose as challenges. This is because it serves as less of an incentive among consumers and developers to embrace energy-efficient solutions.

NO BUSINESS WITHOUT ANY CUSTOMERS

▶ Ariel view of Manama, Bahrain

In Bahrain, McPolin continues to place strong emphasis on end-users, believing them to be the strongest driving force that will ensure District Cooling’s greater acceptance, in line with the country’s strategic goals. “This isn’t about efficiency or technology, it’s about consumers,” he says. “If you don’t have consumers happy and secure you don’t have a business.”McPolin says that consumers need greater protection, as the price [of District Cooling] is too high. “The savings are not shared,” he says. “Consumers are carrying excessive capex. We have issues with asset protection, generating asset-based landing for companies. They need security. When you put a private asset in a public road you have difficulties with ownership rights. For example, if you have District Cooling in a public road, and it goes bankrupt, who owns the pipes?”

June 2017

25

OVER STORY

District Cooling

McPolin reiterates that the problem fundamentally lies in the business model, which has to be changed, as the government has laid out objectives for energy, which District Cooling will play a strategic role in achieving. McPolin says the government is in the process of consulting with companies, developers and key stakeholders and evolving a balanced approach that will encourage the industry and protect the consumers.

Graeme Sims, Regulatory Services Bureau for Electricity and Water (RSB Dubai) Executive Director, UAE, echoes this, saying, “Customers need to see and believe that District Cooling offers value for money and good quality service, if we are to achieve that sustainable triangle.”

He adds that there are many ways for the performance sector to improve and that the challenge usually comes in areas of urban planning the District Cooling scheme design as well as operation, customer billing and service. “Consequently, we have been working on a broad though initially light-touch regulatory framework,” he says. “Discussions are still going on with government over the form regulation might take, but we foresee licensing of District Cooling firms and billing agents, regulation setting minimum performance standards in key areas such as electricity and water, and powers for the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy to approve charges. We hope and believe that a framework such as this will give us the highest level of customer satisfaction.”

BACK TO BASICS: A STRONG FOUNDATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM While there is a collective move to address the human aspect of the industry, experts point to bottlenecks in the design. Championing the need for greater integration, Hammoudeh says: “The process of design coordination between the District Cooling infrastructure and buildings’ connections and chilled water systems needs to take more prominence. Design of the ETS rooms, selection of equipment and controls, and control of both sides of the heat exchangers need to be coordinated further to ensure that the full benefit of District Cooling systems can be realised on both sides: The District Cooling operators and the building owners.”

Muhammad Ali, Design Manager – District Cooling, Marafeq, Qatar, shares his insight on design in the context of the problematic issue of piping leaks. He

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June 2017

Muhammad Ali

says that manufacturers must be vigilant in complying with certain standards, when it comes to bringing in the right raw materials to ensure the quality of pipes they use for both the core and the insulation.

Another major concern or bottleneck is water, in terms of availability, access and quality. With potable water deemed too valuable, and sea water difficult due to geographic constraints, requirement of more expensive materials – titanium heat exchangers, for example – to tackle its aggressive nature and potential harmful environmental impact, Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) is considered the best alternative. Sims shares that TSE accounts for approximately 40% of the water used in District Cooling, following regulations passed in Dubai in 2008, but it continues to be in short supply, especially during the summer months. He adds that while there is a strong preference for TSE, there is also strong competition for it.

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Al Hadrami of Marafeq shares that Qatar’s concern lies elsewhere, specifically towards ensuring access to the TSE. “In Qatar, there is already regulation by Kahraama, wherein you are not allowed to use potable water and can use only TSE,” he says. “The quantity of TSE is not an issue. At the moment, we have excessive quantity. The only problem is that in many places, we don’t have a TSE network.”

Regulations can come in many forms, such as by allocating government corridors in public roads under a robust and transparent set of rules accountable to the general public

Abubakr Al Hadrami says that in some projects, Marafeq has its own Sewage Treatment Plant, which produces TSE and can provide its District Cooling plants with TSE. This is the case in Lusail, where Marafeq has a complete network, but when it comes to taking Qatar as a whole, he admits that there are some issues and of a number of projects facing problems with TSE network, in which case the rules are relaxed [in the use of potable water]. “In Lusail or wherever, the use of potable water is prohibited, unless TSE is not available,” he points out. “You have to intimate Kahraama that TSE is not available and, then, use potable water. So it is not a real bottleneck, because they have given flexibility. Ashghal is the provider of TSE, and Kahraama is the regulator. They are working closely with Ashghal, but it takes some time to make the network available in Qatar.”

For his part, Jaidah says that Qatar Cool has transformed all of its resources to 100% TSE in its West Bay project but nevertheless

is wary of TSE usage. “We are a sustainable model, but TSE is also a resource,” he says.

“It is not available in some places, owing to a lack of network. Let’s not forget, it is a global phenomenon, the scarcity of water; more so in the GCC, where the situation is worse.

So I think Qatar’s approach [in adopting District Cooling] is a very sensible one in relative terms, because it needs to be done incrementally to ensure sustainability of the business.”

For Mobayed, it is not merely the availability and the access to TSE that constitutes a problem; it is also the quality, as finding good quality water is particularly a challenge in densely populated areas. “TSE is a good source of water as long as it is received on the design parameters,” he says.

“In the past, we have had many applications that the TSE water quality received from the source had deteriorated.”

NOW WHAT? District Cooling providers and relevant stakeholders, eager to implement energyefficient solutions, are looking for a number of ways to address these issues or bottlenecks. For his part, Mobayed is quick to propose a solution to ensure the quality of TSE, suggesting that a local filtration system can be a swift yet effective solution to address abnormalities in the water.

McPolin, on the other hand, emphasises regulation and the important role it plays in the move towards increasing the penetration of District Cooling, by presenting the “McPolin formula for change”.

“This formula is very simple,” he explains.

“Its innovation (I) over application (A).

There’s always a lot of innovation, and we can keep talking about it, but innovation is nothing unless it is applied. Now, even if you have innovation out on the street, it doesn’t help without regulation (R), and governments have a poor history of regulating District Cooling. So, I over A multiplied by R equals change (C). That’s our campaign here, we are trying to get regulation to help District Cooling get better business and promote District Cooling as part of our energy policy.

The focus is on R; it is critical in order to get the full potential of District Cooling. Like all good regulation, it is balance, you can’t kill with regulation and you can’t overprotect consumers.”

McPolin remains passionate towards engaging the public sector in creating an environment that will encourage the growth of District Cooling and doing all in its power to lift up the industry to ensure its efficient and sustainable operations. He says that

these regulations can come in many forms, such as by allocating government corridors in public roads under a robust and transparent set of rules accountable to the general public, providing clear and secure long-term concessions for provision of District Cooling in new development areas and, essentially, making District Cooling compulsory through a building permit system in designated high density areas while offering an opt-out procedure.

With strong political will across the GCC region in support of the industry’s growth and, stakeholders engaging in healthy dialogue with the goal of pursing potential areas of improvement, it would seem that District Cooling is on its way towards gaining a steady momentum and making its way towards meeting its goals.

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

Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The article in this supplement drew information from presentations made by speakers during the 5th Annual District Cooling Stakeholders Summit, on April 18 and 19 in Dubai. The interviews in the supplement were also conducted at the Summit. Climate Control Middle East wishes to thank Fleming Gulf, the organisers of the Summit, for facilitating the information-gathering process.

AHRI & UNEP agreed to transition to environmentally safe refrigerants worldwide in efforts to protect the #ozone

HVaC.com @hvac

June 2017

27

Sanela Habbab, Emicool

‘DC’s suCCess is proportionally linkeD to optimisation of opex anD Capex’ Sanela Habbab, Chief Operating Officer at Emicool, in this interview with Hannah Jo Uy of Climate Control Middle East, shares her insight on challenges facing the District Cooling industry, emphasising on the need for greater cooperation among relevant stakeholders to battle wrong perceptions and increase penetration.

Excerpts from the interview…

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June 2017

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

W

HAT ARE THE BOTTLENECKS IN THE DRIVE TOWARDS GREATER PENETRATION OF DISTRICT COOLING IN THE GCC REGION? Dubai's hot climate involves a significant cooling load that puts away half of the annual electricity consumption, with 70% at peak times. This fact is quite alarming and urges all responsible residents to seek out the most efficient air conditioning solution.

With no doubt, District Cooling is more efficient than standalone air conditioning systems. Water-cooling solutions offer superior energy efficiency of 50-60% compared to air-cooling alternatives. Other substantial benefits of District Cooling are the reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions and the implementation of thermal energy storage, which optimises the load and reduces initial investment. This improves the quality of life of the end user by enhancing indoor air quality, and protects the ozone layer from depletion.

Given the above points, there should be no bottlenecks for the penetration of District Cooling. Yet, there are many. The greatest bottleneck in the drive towards greater penetration of District Cooling is the end users' current untrue perception of District Cooling services in Dubai. On the whole, District Cooling is largely considered as an unfair and very expensive air conditioning solution, owing to Master Developers, who have taken advantage of District Cooling without [giving a] proportional share of its benefits to the development's end users. In contrast, RSB and TAQATI have taken serious action in repairing the current unjust image of District Cooling; and Emicool supports the action in all aspects.

IS THE LACK OF PROPER HYDRAULIC BALANCING PROVING TO BE A BOTTLENECK, IN THE SENSE THAT POOR HYDRAULIC BALANCING IS LEADING TO A SITUATION WHERE THE PROJECTS AT THE END OF THE RETICULATION NETWORK ARE NOT GETTING ADEQUATE CHILLED WATER? â–¶ Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

Hydraulic balancing is one of the very important dynamics that are required

June 2017

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Sanela Habbab, Emicool TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

to be assessed in the District Cooling network design. The District Cooling industry and technology have evolved the controls to advanced levels, which makes hydraulic balancing achievable despite the dynamic and volatile chilled water energy demand patterns of end users. Dubai-based District Cooling-qualified consultancies have gained adequate experience that can easily overcome the related topics. The master key for success is in appointing a professional and experienced District Cooling consultant and, equally important, a qualified District Cooling contractor, where quality will not be compromised for short-term gains, leading to discomfort for the end users. On the other hand, customer satisfaction is another motivation to ensure that chilled water reaches the end of the reticulation network and serves the purpose of air conditioning.

GOAL OF 40% PENETRATION OF DISTRICT COOLING OUT OF THE TOTAL COOLING DEMAND IN THE EMIRATE?

ARE CURRENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES IN THE MARKET PROVING TO BE A BOTTLENECK WHEN IT COMES TO OPTIMISING OPEX AND CAPEX? District Cooling’s design and construction success is directly and proportionally linked to suitable optimisation of opex and capex for District Cooling. However, there are always challenges that the project must overcome, and thus, compromises have to be made. Either it is a limited area that does not allow for thermal energy storage, which leads to an increase in capex and opex, or it is a height limitation, which increases capex. Each project has its own specifications that put our expertise to the test, to strike balance at the competitive edge and implement the most efficient and sustainable air conditioning solution for District Cooling.

Emicool embraces innovation in any aspect that can contribute to energyefficiency improvements, such as the utilisation of renewable energy – solar power and serious consideration of the cogeneration concept implementation for new Emicool District Cooling plants.

HOW DO YOU THINK DUBAI IS FARING WITH REGARD TO MEETING ITS

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June 2017

District Cooling service providers require support from strong regulatory officials to extend any available services, wherever applicable

Dubai's vision is in line with responsible energy consumption.

With that in mind, the RSB and TAQATI play an important role towards achieving the vision. Current District Cooling penetration in Dubai, according to an independent assessment by RSB is 17-18% of Dubai's cooling demand. RSB has prepared a draft of the District Cooling regulation that is yet to be released.

The regulation will address District Cooling service providers’/operators’ energy efficiencies that are considered as major areas of improvement. However, we strongly believe that the involvement of end users in energy awareness as a global concern will further enhance energy conservation and will shift the population to a higher level of attentiveness that will not be guided by short-sighted objectives. Instead, the energy-efficient solution in the form of District Cooling will be welcomed rather than any other less efficient air conditioning system.

TAQATI has structured a scope to increase penetration of District Cooling from 16% in 2011 to 40% in 2030 by regulating the District Cooling industry and supporting the connection of existing buildings to District Cooling to improve their energy efficiency and utilisation of the available capacity in Dubai, where possible. Emicool has made a considerable effort and orchestrated two concession agreements with the nearest developments of MotorCity: Dubai Sports City and Akoya

by DAMAC. These agreements are to amplify the efficiency of the available MotorCity plant. The networks are on track and the first chilled water supplies are anticipated in midJuly 2017. District Cooling service providers require support from strong regulatory officials to extend any available services, wherever applicable.

Although the goal is quite aggressive, it is achievable with the united efforts of all the involved parties that are determined to maintain Dubai's vision.

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

Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

June 2017

31

Abubakr Jenaid Al Hadrami & Muhammad Ali, Marafeq

Abubakr Jenaid Al Hadrami, Director of Operations and Maintenance and Muhammad Ali, Design ManagerDistrict Cooling, at Marafeq, Qatar, offer technology-related insights into how District Cooling is shaping up in Qatar, in this interview with B Surendar of Climate Control Middle East. Excerpts‌

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June 2017

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

H

OW KEENLY IS THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING DISTRICT COOLING IN QATAR?

Abubakr Jenaid Al Hadrami: We are expecting more support in the future. The most important issue is awareness, either from society or the authorities on such questions as ‘What is District Cooling?’ and ‘What is the business model of District Cooling?’ Till now, some people come and say from the real estate sector that they think District Cooling is for high-end buildings only. They don’t believe that District Cooling can fit for normal- or low-scale or medium-scale salary, because of what they have seen on District Cooling. We need to work hard to change this understanding.

In the last year, 2016, some big projects decided not to utilise District Cooling, due also to the falling of fuel prices, which affected the economy, where initially it was District Cooling in their master-plan. So there is a misunderstanding of the benefits of District Cooling. A better understanding of District Cooling – not only the technical but also the commercial side – will help in the penetration of District Cooling.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE PENETRATION OF DISTRICT COOLING IN QATAR AGAINST THE CONTEXT OF THE OVERALL COOLING DEMAND IN THE COUNTRY? Al Hadrami: The implementation of penetration of District Cooling starts with the education involving the developer.

They go with standalone for even 40 tonnes of refrigeration (TR), but we as a provider cannot educate. What is helping is regulation, and in that, a country like Saudi Arabia is leading the path. They have come out with a regulation that systems with more than 15,000 TR will be with District Cooling.

We lack such regulation in Qatar. Kahraama is looking to introduce regulation. Our suggestion to Kahraama is that anything

June 2017

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Abubakr Jenaid Al Hadrami & Muhammad Ali, Marafeq

above 10,000 TR should be District Cooling, and it is being studied. So if the developer does not follow regulation or comply they will not get electricity or water, for example. So if they put a regulation in place, all developers will have to follow that for sure.

IS LACK OF PROPER HYDRAULIC BALANCING PROVING TO BE A BOTTLENECK? Al Hadrami: Not having proper chilled water supply is a big issue. Maybe, the supply temperature is an issue, if the project is at an early stage. Maybe the pumps are doing the job, but maybe it is a case of more-than-expected heat gains.

The reliability of District Cooling is much higher than standalone systems. In Lusail, we have four District Cooling plants together, and we are giving chilled water to critical customers. We have malls, which are huge capacity, and to a 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium. We have integrated the network and have more than one plant room, and this has ensured high availability. If electricity feed comes from two different sub-stations, then if one fails, the other can come to the rescue.

We say this, because there are some developers who don’t give this dual support and are asking their customers to rely on one power sub-station. In ours, we have two supplies. This is the right model, and as and when everyone starts implementing this approach in other places, the perception of customers towards District Cooling will change. Customers do look for this consistency and guarantee of supply.

IS THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER A BOTTLENECK? Al Hadrami: In Qatar, there is already regulation by Kahraama, wherein you are not allowed to use potable water and can use only treated sewage effluent (TSE). The quantity of TSE is not an issue. At the moment, we have excessive quantity. The only problem is that in many places, we don’t have a TSE network. But in some projects, like our project in Lusail, we have our own sewage treatment plant (STP), which produces TSE and can provide our plants with TSE. We have the complete network inside Lusail. But if you are talking of Qatar, there are some projects

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June 2017

that have an issue. Some projects are facing problems with TSE network, and in those cases, the rules [towards using potable water] are relaxed.

In Lusail, or wherever, the use of potable water is prohibited, unless TSE is not available. You have to intimate Kahraama that TSE is not available and then use potable. So it is not a real bottleneck, because they have given flexibility.

Ashghal is the provider of TSE, and Kahraama is the regulator. They are working closely with Ashghal, but it takes some time to make the network available in Qatar.

ARE CURRENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES IN THE MARKET PROVING TO BE BOTTLENECKS WHEN IT COMES TO OPTIMISING OPEX AND CAPEX? Al Hadrami: So far, it is good. With our internal design capability and supervision of project management, we are doing in-house the concept design, project management and supervision. So far, we are okay with the construction of the plant. It is sometimes usual that there is some delay in construction, due to some difficulties in getting approval and permits from different authorities, but it is not tremendously affecting the projects.

What is really concerning us is the development itself – how soon subdevelopers are able to develop their towers will affect District Cooling providers. If the sub-developers delay the construction of their towers, we will not be able to sell chilled water to recover our investment.

Unfortunately, what happened with the drop of oil prices is that it affected the development of towers, but we have other drivers for development. We are hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, so that will have a positive impact on District Cooling, especially in Lusail.

TRACKING THE DC INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

system to check which leakage is starting, where it is starting and also the extent of the leak. If the network is designed in such a manner that alternative routes are available for the delivery of water, then repair is not a problem, but as a first step, we make a very strong commitment towards high quality by high pressure tests and correct equipment. The good thing with Marafeq is that we have in-house design and construction supervision, project management and operation teams and customer-service teams, so our expertise surrounds the lifecycle of the project, which is different from what others do.

HOW BIG A CHALLENGE DO LEAKS IN THE PIPING NETWORK CONSTITUTE? Muhammad Ali: The starting point for these types of issues is to build the right component quality in the system. The standards we have adopted – EN 149, etc. – are ensuring the quality of pipes, be it the core or the insulation.

Those manufacturers who are following the standards are bringing the right raw materials. We are doing pressure testing, and we are doing it at 23 bar, and even at 24 bar. In other words, it is a high pressure test. We are building an unusually large but rugged system. And as I earlier mentioned, as a first step, we are testing at a high pressure. We are testing the piping, yes, but also the valves. So we test in the commissioning stage itself, and with that we are able to ensure no leaks. On top of the commissioning of the network, we are commissioning the leak-detection

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

Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

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

Allied offers full range of Engineering and Project Management services provided by nearly 140 dedicated professionals distributed among Egyptian, UAE and KSA locations.

The company is a multidisciplinary consulting firm and has a track record and specialization in Buildings, Industrial Works and District Cooling and Power Generation Plants.

June 2017

35

Douglas J Murdock & Bill Merritt, Tecumseh

‘We are trying to help consolidate the different skeWs’ Tecumseh President and CEO, Douglas J Murdock, alongside Bill Merritt, Vice President, Global Product Management and Marketing, in an exclusive interview with B Surendar of Climate Control Middle East, speak on the company’s response to the landmark agreement in Kigali in 2016 and on the proactive move to further strengthen Tecumseh’s position in the Middle East

36

June 2017

W

HAT HAS BEEN TECUMSEH'S RESPONSE TO KIGALI AND THE GLOBAL CONCERTED DRIVE TOWARDS LOW-GWP REFRIGERANTS? Douglas J Murdock: Tecumseh has been an active industry leader in designing compressors that are optimised for use with environmentally friendly refrigerants, as well as in participating with other compressor manufacturers in testing and evaluating lowGWP refrigerants. Since 2011, Tecumseh's laboratories across the globe have clocked more than 150,000 hours in testing new refrigerants.

Tecumseh supports the Kigali Agreement.

We'll continue to work closely with refrigerant manufacturers to ensure that we stay current with respect to new refrigerants and the performance and impact that the new refrigerants and refrigerant oils have on our compressors and condensing units. Beyond environmental concerns, it is critical that we understand how the new refrigerants affect compressor performance and reliability.

Bill Merritt: One of the things we are trying to do is to help the end-user to have multiple refrigerants approved for compressors and condensing units. So if a 404A system, it can handle R448, R449, R452A, and, potentially, even R407A. So we are trying to help consolidate the different skews. We are trying to work with R134a, R513, R1234. There is a bouquet of refrigerants out there, and everyone is trying to put some sanity on how to handle it. We are trying to give the endusers some stability with new refrigerants.

WHILE R452A HAS REPORTEDLY EARNED GOOD REVIEWS, THERE IS CONCERN OVER THE PRICE. HERE, IN THE UAE, THE PRICE PER KILO OF R452A IS AED 100, AS OPPOSED TO AED 45-48 FOR A KILO OF R404A. WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN? Merritt: R452A has been launched in Europe, and as the volume of R404A decreases the price will correspondingly go up, whereas the price of newer refrigerants like R452A will come down.

June 2017

37

Douglas J Murdock & Bill Merritt, Tecumseh

WHAT IS THE NATURE OF REFRIGERANTS WE CAN SEE IN TECUMSEH EQUIPMENT FOR HIGH-AMBIENT CONDITIONS? Murdock: With respect to air conditioning applications, Tecumseh's AW2 series highefficiency air conditioning compressor has been tested and approved for use with refrigerant R410A at highambient (i.e., T3 or Super Tropical) conditions. Commercial refrigeration compressors with R404A and R134A are already available in market and now, more with R290 and HFOs R449, R513, R452A are the future.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR ENGINEERING DIRECTORS IN HOSPITALITY, HEALTHCARE AND OTHER SECTORS IN THE GCC REGION ON A RATIONAL TIMETABLE FOR UNDERTAKING RETROFITTING ACTIVITY WITH PHASE-OUT AND PHASE-DOWN SCHEDULES IN MIND FOR ARTICLE 5 COUNTRIES? Murdock: Leverage the experience that your counterparts in western Europe and the United States learnt in transitioning away from high-GWP refrigerants.

WHAT INNOVATIONS HAVE YOU DRIVEN INTO YOUR EQUIPMENT AT A GLOBAL LEVEL AND A REGIONAL LEVEL? Murdock: Development of high-efficiency motors and improved refrigerant pumping technology are innovations that we've utilised globally. Another global innovation is the optimisation of the acoustic profile of the compressor to improve sound quality.

Tecumseh is an innovator in variable speed solutions. Over two decades ago, we launched a line of DC-powered variable speed compressors under the Masterflux brand name with a focus on mobile cooling

38

June 2017

solutions. Over the last few years, we have been leveraging our variable speed technology for AC-powered commercial refrigeration solutions. At the 2017 AHR Expo in Las Vegas, we launched the VTC compressor and controller that is targeted for beverage coolers and small commercial freezers.

WITH A RISING POPULATION IN THE GCC (GULF CORPORATION COUNCIL) REGION, THE DEMAND FOR FOOD IS GROWING BY THE DAY. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU SEE FOR TECUMSEH IN SUPPORTING THE INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR COLD CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE REGION? Murdock: Tecumseh compressors and condensing units that are available today in Europe, India, North America, South America and Asia are a perfect solution for self-contained commercial refrigeration equipment, as well as for remote equipment, such as walk-in coolers and freezers, bulk milk coolers and remote refrigerated display cases.

There are opportunities for Tecumseh to consider establishing a local condensing unit assembly operation to better serve the GCC region. This includes variable speed models, as well.

BROADLY SPEAKING, WHAT ARE YOUR RECENT INITIATIVES WITH REGARD TO COLD CHAIN? Murdock: Tecumseh has a new ownership, and we are developing right technologies for our customers.

We have a clear vision. Our cold chaintype products worldwide constitute over 80% of our sales and form a key area of focus. Commercial refrigeration is our number one focus area. That’s where we are putting majority of our compressor technologies and condensing units, and with refrigerants changing around the world, it is taking a lot of our resources.

One of the strengths of our business is condensing units for cold chain. We have 100s of 1,000s of condensing units. Right after compressors, we are working on corresponding condensing units, so that is the real key for us. It is the case in India,

and it has been pushed here in the Middle East. We are working on MEPS in Europe. And in North America, there is our work with EPA for walk-in cold rooms and medium-temperature walk-in box products. So everyone is pushing for 15-20% higher efficiency with condensing units. And the work is being done right now in Europe and North America, and it transcends to what we want to accomplish as a company in the Middle East and other regions.

THE GCC REGION IS GOING THROUGH A PROTRACTED RECOVERY PERIOD, WITH OIL PRICES SEE-SAWING. PROJECT CYCLES HAVE SLOWED DOWN, AND MANUFACTURERS ARE FACING MARGIN-EROSION. WHAT STRATEGIES ARE YOU ADOPTING TO KEEP GROWTH UP? Murdock: We are focused on the development of new compressors and condensing units that are targeted for use in the GCC region. Our AW2 series high-efficiency R410A air conditioning compressor is one example. The AW2 compressor is designed specifically to handle the high-ambient temperatures that are prevalent in the GCC region. Our new AW commercial refrigeration models for R404A, R452A and R449 are also coming.

MEP CONTRACTORS IN THE GCC REGION ARE BESIEGED BY A CRIPPLING CASHCRUNCH SITUATION AND ARE LOOKING FOR FAVOURABLE COMMERCIAL TERMS FROM MANUFACTURERS. WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO SUPPORTING THEM AND THE ENTIRE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY? Murdock: While there is all round cash crunch across various segments of the industry, we facilitated our partners to reduce their inventory levels by supporting them on quicker delivery and reduction of MOQ to help free up their cash flow.

ARE YOU LOOKING TO SET UP A MANUFACTURING BASE IN THE MIDDLE EAST? Merritt: We are looking very closely at Middle East, and ultimately, we will have some type of manufacturing facility for condensing units. We are evaluating opportunities here and on how we run it.

Murdock: We have had a lot of good OEM partners here and distribution partners, so this is a place that is well recognised.

We established the Tecumseh brand here long ago – in the late 1960s–with key OEMs. With a new ownership group, we are a USD 8 billion company, so the strength of the company and capability are helping us.

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

Write to editor@cpi-industry.com

June 2017

39

Dan Mizesko is the Managing Partner of Al Shirawi US Chiller Services. He can be contacted at dan@uschillerservices.com.

LICENCE TO

Are Absorption chillers energy efficient?

No way! However, they can be an option under certain circumstances, says Dan Mizesko‌

40

June 2017

I

have been reading with interest that District Cooling businesses in the GCC region might be studying and contemplating absorption chillers for District Cooling plants.

District Cooling promotes itself as “energy efficient�, so to be clear, absorption chillers are not energy efficient; in fact, they are very energy intensive.

Now, before anyone in the absorption industry gets outraged, absorption chillers do make sense in certain circumstances, but I want to be clear with the readers, absorption chillers are not energy efficient.

SO, WHAT IS AN ABSORPTION CHILLER? Absorption chillers are not as easy and straightforward to understand as a mechanical vapour-compression system, and in this region, Absorption Chiller Certified Engineers are very rare, so I will do my best to explain.

The refrigeration cycle for a conventional vapour-compression chiller and an absorption chiller is similar in that both produce chilled water through the evaporation and condensation of a refrigerant at different pressures within the machine. However, a conventional chiller uses a mechanical means to compress and transport the refrigerant vapour to the condenser, whereas an absorption chiller depends on a thermo-chemical process involving lithium bromide and water to establish the pressure differential in lieu of mechanical compression. While most vapor-compression chillers utilise electricity as their energy source to operate the machine, absorption chillers use heat as their energy. Typically, the heat is in the form of steam, hot water or through the direct combustion of Natural Gas. The simplest absorption machines are residential refrigerators, with a gas flame at the bottom, ice cubes at the top and no electricity involved. An absorption chiller is larger and more complicated, but the basic principle is the same. The evaporator allows the refrigerant to evaporate and to be absorbed by the absorbent, a process that extracts heat from the chilled water loop. The combined fluids then go to the generator, which is heated by the hot water gas or steam, driving the refrigerant back out of the absorbent.

The refrigerant then goes to the

condenser to be cooled back down to a liquid, while the absorbent is pumped back to the absorber. The cooled refrigerant is released through an expansion valve into the evaporator, and the cycle repeats.

Absorption chillers are either lithium bromide-water (LiBr/H2O) or ammonia-water equipment. The LiBr/H2O system uses lithium bromide as the absorber and water as the refrigerant. The ammonia-water system uses water as the absorber and ammonia as the refrigerant. I will concentrate on the LiBr/H20 chiller for this article.

SINGLE-EFFECT ABSORPTION CHILLER The single-effect “cycle” refers to the transfer of fluids through the four major components of the refrigeration machine – evaporator, absorber, generator and condenser. Singleeffect LiBr/H2O absorption chillers use lowpressure steam, or hot water, as the heat source. The water is able to evaporate and extract heat in the evaporator, because the system is under a vacuum. The thermal efficiency of single-effect absorption systems

Look fo r

is low. Although the technology is sound, the low efficiency has inhibited the cost competitiveness of single-effect systems.

Most new single-effect machines are installed in applications, where waste heat is readily available. Single-effect chillers can be used to produce chilled water for air conditioning and for cooling process water and are available in capacities from 100 to 1,500 tonnes of refrigeration (TR).

DOUBLE-EFFECT ABSORPTION CHILLER The desire for higher efficiencies in absorption chillers led to the development of double-effect LiBr/H2O systems. The doubleeffect chiller differs from the single-effect in that there are two condensers and two generators to allow for more refrigerant boiloff from the absorbent solution. The higher temperature generator uses the externally supplied steam to boil the refrigerant from the weak absorbent. The refrigerant vapour from the high-temperature generator is condensed and the heat produced is used to provide heat to the low-temperature

generator. These systems use gas-fired combustors or high-pressure steam as the heat source. Double-effect absorption chillers are used for air conditioning and process cooling in regions where the cost of electricity is high relative to Natural Gas. Doubleeffect absorption chillers are also used in applications, where high-pressure steam, such as District Heating, is readily available.

Although the double-effect machines are more efficient than single-effect machines, they have a higher initial manufacturing cost.

There are special material considerations owing to increased corrosion rates (higher operating temperatures than single-effect machines), larger heat exchanger surface areas and more complicated control systems.

What’s important to remember is that again, water is the refrigerant in an absorption chiller, and lithium bromide as a salt is used to absorb the water. These are difficult and not easily understood concepts.

However, water has a very high specific heat and latent heat of vapourisation, which makes it a great refrigerant.

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LICENCE TO

How is water boiling at 212 degrees Fahrenheit going to create chilled water at 44 degrees Fahrenheit? The boiling temperature of water is a direct function of pressure, and at a pressure of 1 atmosphere (29.92 Hg), water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the pressure on the water is decreased, the boiling temperature of water is lowered (absorption chillers must operate at a very low vacuum). Absorption chillers must be very tight and leak-free to generate chilled water. This, in my opinion, is a big disadvantage of absorption chillers in the GCC region, as leak-check and leak-arrest methods must be of a very high standard, and dehydration and vacuum standards must also be of the highest level. Are technicians and engineers in the region trained and experienced to meet the high standards?

In the case of industrial absorption chillers, helium is used for leak-checking the chillers, so that even tiny weep-hole leaks in the shells are identified. The helium-based approach is necessary, because even the smallest of leaks can render an absorption chiller incapable of generating chilled water.

(indirect fired) IjWZ"h^YZ [dja^c\ [VXidg ]di lViZg / 0.0001 (indirect fired)

Larger capacity cooling towers are required in the case of absorption chillers, which would add USD25-30 per tonne to the cost of the plant

CHILLER PERFORMANCE STANDARD The primary absorption chiller performance standard is AHRI Standard 560 (2000 Standard for Absorption Water Chilling and Water Heating Packages). AHRI Standard 560 applies to water-cooled single-effect steam chillers, water-cooled single-effect hot water chillers, water-cooled double-effect steam chillers, water-cooled double-effect hot water chillers and water-cooled double-effect directfired chillers. The standard provides testing standard conditions, rating requirements, minimum data requirements for published ratings and integrated part load value (IPLV) or non-standard part load value (NPLV). For performing the IPLV testing, AHRI Standard 560 has established standard conditions for absorption chillers, including: :ciZg^c\ XdcYZchZg lViZg iZbeZgVijgZ/ 85 degrees Fahrenheit 8dcYZchZg lViZg [adl gViZ/ (#+ \eb$ tonne (single-effect indirect fired) )#% \eb$idccZ YdjWaZ"Z[[ZXi ^cY^gZXi fired, double-effect direct-fired) 8dcYZchZg lViZg"h^YZ [dja^c\ [VXidg/ 0.00025 :kVedgVidg aZVk^c\ lViZg iZbeZgVijgZ/ 44 degrees Fahrenheit :kVedgVidg lViZg [adl gViZ/ '#) \eb$ tonne Evaporator waterside fouling factor: 0.0001 IjWZ"h^YZ [dja^c\ [VXidg hiZVb / %#%%%

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June 2017

It is very important to understand that chillers rarely operate at their maximum capacity. AHRI used typical building types and operations in 29 different cities to develop a chiller loading profile during a typical year. The resulting chiller loading profile is at 100% capacity about one per cent of the time, 75% capacity about 42% of the time, 50% capacity about 45% of the time, and 25% capacity about 12% of the time. These values are incorporated into the IPLV equations.

When evaluating different chiller energy usages, the IPLV provides the most accurate average chiller energy usage. Ultimately, the chiller’s energy usage is primarily based upon the “lift” or temperature difference between the chilled water leaving temperature and condenser water leaving temperature. Lowering the condenser water leaving temperature or raising the chilled water leaving temperature will reduce lift and the energy usage of the chiller. Raising the condenser water leaving temperature or lowering the chilled water leaving temperature will increase lift and the energy usage of the chiller (the above lift conditions make absorption chillers another challenge for utilisation in this region, especially for District Cooling systems).

ENERGY EFFICIENCY Absorption chiller energy efficiency is based upon fuel consumption per tonne of cooling, whereas motor-driven vapour-compression chiller energy efficiency is based upon kW/ tonne cooling. The co-efficient of performance (COP) is a method for determining overall chiller energy performance. As per OEM supplied information, the COP range for the different absorption chiller types are as follows (the higher the COP number, the more efficient the chiller):

ABSORPTION CHILLER TYPE

COP RANGE

Hot water or steam single-effect chiller Hot water or steam double-effect chiller Direct fired double-effect chiller

0.60 - 0.75 1.19 - 1.35 1.07 - 1.18

▶ The chart below is ASHRAE’s minimum COP efficiency requirements…

Absorption chillers require larger pumps, because more water flow is required with absorption chillers, which translates to additional capex

Looking at the COP ranges, the singleeffect chiller is the least energy-efficient absorption chiller type with the hot water, steam and direct-fired, double-effect absorption chillers being almost twice as energy efficient. The hot water and steam double-effect absorption chillers are the most energy efficient absorption chillers, but how do they compare with motor-driven vaporcompression chillers?

The two motor-driven vapor-compression chillers being utilised for energy efficiency comparison are the water-cooled rotary screw chiller and the water-cooled centrifugal chiller. As per OEM supplied information, the water-cooled rotary screw chiller has a COP range of 3.90-5.40, whereas the water-cooled centrifugal chiller has a COP range of 7.008.79. The result is that motor-driven

June 2017

43

LICENCE TO

;dg V [VX^a^in l^i] ]^\] ZaZXig^XVa edlZg cost and low fuel cost, absorption chillers may have a lower operating cost than motor-driven vapor-compression chillers. However, the fuel cost must be substantially low to make it work. ;dg V [VX^a^in i]Vi gZfj^gZh hjWhiVci^Va system reliability, the lower electrical requirements for absorption chillers will reduce emergency generator load requirements.

vapor-compression chillers are 4-7 times more energy efficient than absorption chillers.

Absorption chillers have other major disadvantages compared to centrifugal chillers.

AVg\Zg XVeVX^in Xdda^c\ idlZgh VgZ required in the case of absorption chillers, which would add USD25-30 per tonne to the cost of the plant. For a 25,000 TR plant, that is USD625,000/ AED 2,300,000 plus of additional capital expense (capex) to the plant construction.

6Whdgei^dc X]^aaZgh VgZ bdgZ ZmeZch^kZ than centrifugal chillers, which means additional capex.

6Whdgei^dc X]^aaZgh ]VkZ V bjX] higher maintenance cost, which means additional operational expense (opex).

6Whdgei^dc X]^aaZgh gZfj^gZ aVg\Zg ejbeh! because more water flow is required with absorption chillers, which translates to additional capex.

6Whdgei^dc X]^aaZgh ji^a^hZ hjWhiVci^Vaan more condenser water consumption in evaporation than centrifugal chillers (50% more condenser water is consumed in evaporation with an absorption chiller versus an electricdriven centrifugal chiller). Since water is a critical issue not only in the GCC region but worldwide, this is a major disadvantage.

6Whdgei^dc X]^aaZgh ]VkZ V aVg\Z [ddieg^ci versus centrifugal chillers In a head-to-head energy-efficiency competition, motor-driven vapourcompression chillers will beat absorption chillers every time. However, there are specific applications where absorption chillers may have an advantage over motor-driven vaporcompression chillers.Typically... ;dg V [VX^a^in i]Vi ]Vh V Xd\ZcZgVi^dc power plant or some other thermal energy-generating process with excess (waste) thermal energy, absorption chillers can utilise the excess thermal energy to produce chilled water instead of all the excess thermal energy being wasted. ;dg V [VX^a^in i]Vi ]Vh ^cVYZfjViZ electrical infrastructure, or if bringing electrical infrastructure to the facility is cost-prohibitive, absorption chillers have a substantially lower electrical power requirement than motor-driven vaporcompression chillers.

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June 2017

SUMMARY

Just because you can produce steam/ hot water or have access to gas supplies to fire an absorption chiller doesn’t mean that you should

Just because you can produce steam/hot water or have access to gas supplies to fire an absorption chiller doesn’t mean that you should. Your thermal energy needs to be very, very, very cheap, before an absorption chiller can compete with an electric unit on an input-energy-cost basis. Before deciding to go with an absorption chiller make sure you know what the chiller will cost you to purchase, maintain and operate at a range of fuel, electricity and water costs.

When it comes to water sustainability, absorption chillers account for 50% more water consumption in evaporation than electric-driven centrifugal chillers. I state all of the above on the basis of my experience in operating and maintaining many absorption chillers in the New York Tri State area. New York City must have the highest concentration of absorption chillers than anywhere else in the world. However, with rising steam prices in New York City and the advances in electric-driven centrifugal chillers, absorption chillers are becoming less and less attractive; and as for the GCC region, I just feel the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages. In the case of utilising absorption chillers in the GCC region, I recommend you be very sceptical.

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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45

ERSPECTIVE

B S Prashanth is the Associate Vice President, Air conditioning Business Group and Lighting & Electricals Business Group, Eros Group. He can be contacted at prashanth.bs@erosgroup.ae.com.

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ighting load represents approximately 18% of the total cooling load in a typical office or commercial building (see table, below).

Bringing changes in the lighting will have a direct and indirect impact on the capex and opex of the building, including a major impact on the air conditioning system.

Typical office area

Percentage

Solar loads

44%

Fresh air load Lighting load People load

16% 18% 5%

Equipment load

12%

Others Total cooling load

5% 100%

Typical space load breakup in an office space EVOLUTION OF LIGHTING

That’s how B S Prashanth characterises the decision to use LED lighting technology, which he proves through metrics as having a substantial reduction in the cooling load of a building.

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June 2017

Light bulbs have experienced an evolution over the years, which has allowed the same lumen output to be obtained for a lower watt input. From incandescent light bulbs to LED light bulbs, the luminous efficacy has become nearly 10 times higher, which means that LED lamps can save up to 90% of the energy compared with incandescent lamps. Although incandescent lamps have largely been phased out by energy codes in developed countries, they are still widely used in several parts of the developing world.

Lighting systems convert only some of their electrical input into useful light output. Much of the rest is released directly as heat into the space. A heat sink is built outside the body of the lamp. This provides a passive cooling element, which helps the lamp release heat into the surroundings, preventing damage to the lamp from high temperatures. Typically, a heat sink is composed of a finned surface that increases the effective area of contact with the air, hence increasing heat transfer. Any upgrade of the lighting system that reduces input wattage reduces the amount of heat that

must be removed by the air conditioning system. This results in air conditioningrelated energy savings during the operation of the building. In new construction, an energy-efficient lighting design can result in significant savings in the installed cost of cooling systems.

The effect on air conditioning loads can be considerable when lighting systems are changed. For every 1,000 watts of lighting heat reduction, cooling loads are reduced by 3,412 BTU/hour. In a building with hundreds of lamps, several tonnes worth of air conditioning capacity may be saved by installing a more efficient lighting technology.

LED lamps offer the highest luminous efficacy and lifespan of all commercial light bulb options. They tend to have a moderate to high price but can save about 80% of the energy when compared to incandescent alternatives and about 50% of the energy when compared to fluorescent options. An additional advantage of LED lamps is that their heat footprint is extremely small, providing indirect energy savings by reducing air conditioning loads.

Consider an operational 100,000-squarefoot G+12 commercial office building. At two watts per square foot design for lighting load, and operating at 3,120 hours per year (52 weeks with five days and 12 hours per day of operation), the lighting demand and consumption can be calculated by: 9ZbVcY `L 2 &%%!%%% hfjVgZ [ZZi m ' watts per square feet (W)/1,000 = 200 kW :cZg\n `L] 2 '%% `L m (!&'% ]djgh (h/year) = 624,000 kWh If you consider an LED alternative that replaces the current lamps and provides 50% savings: 9ZbVcY `L 2 '%% `L m %#* 2 &%% kW :cZg\n `L] 2 &%% `L m (!&'% ]djgh (h/year) = 312,000 kWh

This scenario only considers direct energy savings from the lighting upgrade. There is also air conditioning savings, thanks to the reduction of the heat released by the lighting system. A quick and reasonable estimate can be calculated from the lighting load reduction and the average efficiency of the air conditioning system; however, a detailed energy audit will provide better estimates.

Assuming the air conditioning system operates with a COP of 1.758 (2.0kW/tonne), the total savings achieved per year would be: AC kWh savings = (312,000 kWh/ year)/1.758 = 177,474 kWh/year This brings total energy savings (total kWh savings) to 312,000 kWh/year + 177,474 kWh/year = 489,474 kWh/year.

LED lighting also provides indirect savings during both project construction and operation: 8^gXj^ih l^i] A:9 [^mijgZh YgVl V lower current, which allows wiring and protection equipment to be sized smaller. >[ Vc Zm^hi^c\ [VX^a^in ^h WZ^c\ gZigd[^iiZY! capacity is freed up in circuits and panels.

A:9 ]Vh V adlZg ]ZVi djieji! l]^X] reduces the load on air conditioning equipment, which frees up capacity.

GZYjXZY adVYh bZVc Xdda^c\ XVeVX^in can be used in other areas.

L]Zc i^bZ XdbZh id gZeaVXZ Zm^hi^c\ HVAC equipment, smaller equipments can be utilised, thereby reducing capital expenditure. ;jijgZ VYY^i^dch bVn cdi cZZY jeYViZY equipment, as freed up capacity will be available in the existing system.

CONCLUSION THE SAVINGS IN AED (ARAB EMIRATES DIRHAM) For new construction, if we assume DEWA electricity demand or connection fee is AED 1,000/kW, and for existing buildings the consumption charges to be AED 0.38/kWh, the savings would be: 9ZbVcY dg XdccZXi^dc [ZZ dcZ"i^bZ savings = (100 kW x AED 1,000/kW = AED100,000 8dchjbei^dc X]Vg\Zh nZVgan hVk^c\h (AED/year) = 489,474 kWh/year x AED0.38/kWh = AED186,000/year

COMPARISON Demand reduction = 200 kW - 100 kW = 100 kW Lighting consumption reduction = 624,000 kWh/year – 312,000 kWh/year = 312,000 kWh/year

INDIRECT SAVINGS

In addition to the above, there will be additional hidden savings, such as surcharge fees, meter fees, security deposits and estimation fees that the utility service provider generally charges in terms of total connected KW load in the building.

Overall, most energy-efficient lighting upgrades in commercial buildings equate to a positive gain by reducing total energy consumption. If there is a large building with large internal loads and high usage of air conditioning, it is possible to see approximately 40% reduction in HVAC by adopting a more energy-efficient lighting system. In addition, using daylight to save energy on indoor lighting and utilising daylight harvesting and optimising the lighting requirements and using technology, such as motion sensing, can result in substantial savings in lighting, air conditioning and power.

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.

June 2017

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NOW HIRING! A MAJOR EUROPEAN HVAC COMPANY IS HIRING FOR AN ARABIC SPEAKING GENERAL MANAGER BASED IN KSA Job Responsibilities: • Strategic planning to increase market growth, enhance marketing programs, and improve profitability • Build relationships within the market to assist the Sales team in establishing new accounts • Work with direct reports to manage the outside, inside, and parts/supplies sales groups. • Increase the volume of existing accounts • Implement overall product and market sales strategies, development and recognition of sales professionals and support staff

Desired Skills and Experience Qualifications: • BS degree in Business, Marketing, Finance or engineering; MBA or related MS degree preferred • 10+ years of HVAC, construction, refrigeration, control systems or related industry sales experience • Work with direct reports to manage the outside, inside, and parts/supplies sales groups. • Exceptional communication and leadership skills. Knowledge of HVAC design and application tools • Demonstrated ability to develop and lead high performance work teams • You should be based in the KSA & prefer Arabic Speaking

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ERSPECTIVE

As air velocity and turbulence over the coil surface increases, the tendency for condensate to be carried off the coil surface into the air stream also increases.

An increase in velocity also brings with it increased airflow resistance, which the fan must offset with increased horsepower; this must be balanced against heat transfer efficiency in arriving at a reasonable coil face velocity and fin/tube design.

Fin design, shape and number of fins: The fins, which are mounted on the tube, contribute most to the heat transfer, because they constitute most of the coil surface area exposed to the airstream. It is good practice to use coils with a maximum of 8-10 fins per inch (fpi). A higher fpi can have: 1) Moisture carryover at 2.5 m/s.

2) Higher air-side pressure drop 3) Insufficient space between fins for coils cleaning However, you still can go up to 18 fpi, if the face velocity is below 2.0 m/s.

Spacing the fins closer together multiplies the surface area by permitting more fins per linear unit. Although the airside pressure drop may increase, the addition of fins extends the available surface area without affecting the overall size of the coil.

CLEANABLE CONDENSATE DRAIN TRAP This is a cleanable solution that prevents microbial-laced ambient air infiltration entering into commercial, residential and mini-split air conditioning airstreams through the drain line and air handler.

Any clog is visible to the operator, and a brush can easily be inserted to clear the debris.

Such features help reduce operating problems with ventilation components, which require extra maintenance attention, because ventilation loads are so high and so variable. Every condensate pan needs a trapped condensate drain line; otherwise, water will stay in the pan and grow bacteria. The trap needs to be engineered. It must be deep enough to resist the air pressures and suction generated by the fans. And like this one, it should be easily cleanable with brushes, from outside the air conditioning unit.

OTHER CAUSES OF IAQ PROBLEMS FROM COOLING COILS

THE ADVERSE IMPACT OF MOISTURE CARRYOVER ON IAQ When the moisture that is carried over into the air stream lands on a surface, it will cause any bacterial or fungal spores on the surface to become viable for growth and multiplication. Most building component surfaces have sufficient nutrient content to enable mould to reproduce. Thus, mould can amplify within a few hours on virtually any interior substrate surface in the presence of sufficient water.

It is important to note that biological agents may enter the building through outside air intakes. Due to their small size, they may not be filtered out of the airstream. Frequently, they settle in the cooling coil itself. If allowed to become wet and dirty, air conditioning ductwork can provide a fertile territory for bio-aerosols.

The dust and darkness inside air distribution ducts, plus condensate moisture, all interact together to turn the vast surface area into breeding grounds for mould.

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The designer does not have enough space to access and change components, sometimes because the architect and owner have decided that such valuable space must be used for other purposes!

A) Improper design of the drain pans and condensate trapping: ASHRAE Standard 62 requires a drain pan to be provided beneath all dehumidifying cooling coil assemblies. It also requires to limit water droplet carryover beyond the drain pan to 1.5 mL per m2 of face area per hour under peak sensible and peak dew point design conditions, considering both latent load and coil face velocity.

Standing water is not allowed, as the pan also must drain quickly and completely to prevent it from becoming an unhealthy pool of contaminants. Failure to do so can lead to life-threatening illnesses and to damage to the property. To meet this requirement, the drain pan will generally be sloped to a recessed bottom drain outlet and shall be sloped at least 10 mm per metre from the horizontal towards the drain outlet. For the designer, this means the condensate pan must be sloped in two directions towards the drain connection, and it must have a proper trap – one that is deep enough to hold enough water to resist the fan pressure, and one which can easily be cleaned with a brush

to remove accumulated dirt, twigs and feathers that somehow manage to bypass the filter and drain down the face of the coil along with the condensate. Drain pans will generally be constructed of galvanised, stainless steel or fire-resistant UV-rated plastic. Drain pans must be insulated to prevent the condensation of moisture on the outside of the unit casing. Fibreglass is prohibited for this purpose, as it will absorb water, lose its insulating properties, and provide a source for mould and bacterial growth. You should always remember that dirt plus water equals bacteria and fungi, which generate musty odours.

B) Insufficient service clearance for maintenance If the owner wants good IAQ, the system and its components must be maintainable.

And for that, they must be accessible. The HVAC designer must be allowed enough clear space beside, in front of and behind the components, for doors and windows for cleaning and inspection, and enough space to pull out filters and replace them.

Wherever you put your cooling coil, make sure there is enough room to pull it out. Simple as that!

On coils over 25 square feet, it is important to install pressure gauges and thermometers on both the supply and return piping

Sooner or later, the coil will have to be removed for cleaning or to repair a leak; or it would have to be replaced.

The ideal arrangement requires a space twice as wide as the coil. This allows the coil to be pulled inside the space without disturbing anyone. However, if such a space is not available, you may revert to the manufacturer’s requirement for service clearance.

The combination of dirt and moisture on cooling coils and standing water in drain pans can lead to odours. A dirty cooling coil/drain pan can be especially harmful to people with allergies and weakened immune systems. Breathing the air circulated across an unclean condensate pan can cause irritation of the eye, headaches, sinus-related issues and serious respiratory ailments. But often, the reason that coils and the interior of ductwork get dirty and that condensate drains get plugged is that filters are not changed regularly. And that is often because the designer has neither allowed any space to access and inspect the coil, nor enough space on the side or in front of the HVAC equipment to pull out the filters and replace them. Frequently, the designer does not have enough space to access and change components, sometimes because the architect and owner have decided that such valuable space must be used for other purposes!

It is always recommended to clean coils and drain pans once a year, as dirt or contamination on cooling coils will lead to excessive carryover. This is because dirt will restrict the movement of the condensate water to the drain pan, and as a result, the condensate water will be injected into the air stream instead of being drained into an active trap.

It is essential to measure the pressure drop and the air flow through the coil. If the measurement reveals an excessive decrease in air volume and an excessive increase in pressure drop, it is decidedly time to consider a replacement, since attempting to clean such a coil may only make matters worse.

There are some things that must always be included in coil piping. One of the most important features is a means of accurately determining pressure and temperature differences between the coil inlet and outlet. On coils over 25 square feet, it is important to install pressure gauges and thermometers on both the supply and return piping. On smaller

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coils, it is advisable to provide carefully located pressure/temperature taps for use with accurate insertion thermometers or pressure instruments.

In my view, replacing the analogue readout devices with the proper DDC sensors is still not sufficient. These ancient analogue devices aren’t expensive, and they provide an instantaneous local readout without having to lug a laptop up a ladder, unpack it and plug it in.

These devices provide the most important means of troubleshooting the coil. The pressure gauges will tell you if the coil has developed a blockage. The information you get from the thermometers and the circuitsetter or flow-control valve will allow you to calculate the actual delivered capacity of the coil.

A strainer on the supply line is an equally important requisite, irrespective of having strainers at the pumps. Strainers at the coils are cheap insurance. They will pick up rust flakes, welding and soldering slag, and other debris that might be left behind between the pump strainer and the coil. It’s a lot easier to clean a strainer than it is a coil.

A study published by ASHRAE1 revealed that good maintenance and operation practices, including coil cleaning, can significantly improve energy efficiency and IAQ performance of the cooling system in a building, such as reported there of 10-15%. The study indicated that the condensate water temperature approached the chilled water supply temperature from 3 degrees C to 4 degrees C before cleaning, as compared to from 1 degree C to 3 degrees C after cleaning. This represents a

significant increase in latent heat transfer ability of the coil in the range of 10%.

This indicates the ability of this coil “after cleaning” to being able to provide for better building dehumidification capacity control by delivering sub-dew-point air temperatures across the cooling coil.

Reference: [1] Ross D. Montgomery, P.E., Study Verifies Coil Cleaning Saves Energy. ASHRAE Journal Vol. 48, November 2006.

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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NEWS REGIONAL

DC PRO Engineering lands top award from Dubai SME UAE-headquartered MEP firm bags A+ rating in The SME Rate Framework programme by Dubai SME

George Berbari receives the award from H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Economic Sector Committee and the Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy

AE-based MEP consultancy firm, DC PRO Engineering, which specialises in District Cooling, co-generation, tri-generation and sustainability in Green Building MEP designs, has been awarded an A+ grade in The SME Rate Framework programme

by Dubai SME, the division set up by the Dubai Department of Economic Development to help grow Small to Medium Enterprises in the emirate.

The award is based on five key pillars, including Business Performance (Operational Analysis and Financial Analysis), Corporate Governance and Excellence, Innovation, International Expansion, and Corporate Social Responsibility.

The SME Rate Framework, the first rating system of its kind in the UAE, was designed and implemented to stimulate the growth of the SME sector and highlight the key role it plays in the UAE economy.

George Berbari, CEO of DC PRO Engineering, said: “The UAE’s diversification is vital for the growth as the country is shifting its economy

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towards non-oil sources and focusing on renewables. We are proud to receive this prestigious award. Having started the company more than a decade ago we feel we have a responsibility to be a key player in the SME sector.

“Our key message in DC PRO Engineering is to push towards renewable technologies and sustainability, in line with the Dubai 2021 Vision. SMEs are vital for the success of the 2021 Vision, and we are happy to be contributor in the plan.”

Seven companies received the A+ grade in The SME Rate Framework programme, including three firms that are fully owned by UAE nationals.

DC PRO Engineering was one of four companies founded by non-nationals to receive the top rating.

The Dubai 2021 Vision sets out a plan to increase the SMEs’ contribution to GDP. SMEs represent almost 94% of the total number of operational companies in Dubai, with over 40,000 SMEs contributing 45% to the emirate’s GDP, a figure that is expected to increase to 50% by 2021.

Boosting transport refrigeration with AI Thermo King drives in connected solutions in the GCC region

By Benwen Lopez | Assistant Editor

ith the integration of artificial intelligence in the transport refrigeration sector making strides, Thermo King has announced introducing intelligent solutions to achieve greater reliability and

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Proper engineering design can help avert Low Delta T, says KEO UAE-based industry expert emphasises the need for the flow on the District Cooling side to be equal to the flow on the building side

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

he Low Delta T Syndrome is an issue plaguing most District Cooling providers, and experts in the GCC region remain committed towards identifying areas of improvement to help address the problem.

Raef Hammoudeh, Director, MEP Engineering, KEO Design, said the value of proper engineering design Raef Hammoudeh cannot be overestimated. “The flow on the District Cooling side must be equal to the flow on the building side,” he said. “The problem on the District Cooling side is the Low Delta T. The flow temperature on the supply side of the building is important, the pump control is important.

Pump control in the building should be integrated with the District Cooling provider. The best way to achieve control of chilled water is to have VFD pumps linked to differential pressures.”

The issue of design is also echoed by Kandasamy Anbalagan, Managing Partner, Proleed Engineering Consultants, who notes that attention must be given towards ensuring that the design reflects the right capacity. Another solution he recommends is the installation of pressure independent control valves (PICVs), which he cites as one of the trends at the moment blowing through the industry.

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fuel efficiency.

Walid Sellami, Area Manager (Middle East and North Africa) of Thermo King, said: “We have recently launched the SLXi platform for trailer units, which is supported by the TK Reefer app, via bluetooth. With this solution, the user can stay connected to the unit remotely, using a smart handheld device.”

Explaining the dynamics of the solution, he said: “Our objective is to optimise operations for logistics and operation managers, who now can access their unit without the burden of laptops and cables to connect to the unit to access information.

With this solution tracking of the unit, temperature readings and other critical readings become more efficient. The user will also be instantly notified if any alarm sets off or if it is out of range.” Sellami pointed out that the technology would also reduce the

workload on drivers, who can now focus on their driving rather than track temperature readings and other additional operations that can hamper their productivity.

Speaking on its reported contribution to fuel efficiency, Sellami said: “The SLXi also can reduce fuel consumption. Although we cannot pinpoint to actual numbers but depending on the different configurations of the unit and its operation mode, we estimate that the fuel consumption is between 10 and 20% less than the earlier models.

The annual CO2 emissions of the SLXi have been cut by 2.4 tonnes, and NOx exhaust emissions have been reduced by 15% in comparison to the earlier model.”

Is there enough TSE to go around in the GCC region?

Competition between irrigation and District Cooling for the valuable resource, and the lack of availability of a comprehensive TSE network are seen as challenges

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

reated Sewage Effluent (TSE) is considered a highly valuable resource among District Cooling providers.

However, with TSE also being used in irrigation, can this resource address the growing demand of the GCC region’s District Cooling industry in the coming years?

Shereif Ali, Industry Technical Consultant (Light Industry-MEA), Nalco Water, said: “As far as the production capacity is concerned, I would say there is enough TSE. However, the initial network that would supply TSE to the District Cooling system is not available everywhere. After all, TSE was originally designed for irrigation, not for District Cooling systems. There is kind of competition between irrigation and District Cooling.”

Ali emphasised that despite the issue of logistics, the cost-benefit of TSE will continue to drive demand for it. He cited several countries in the GCC region as an example. “I would say Qatar is driving utilisation of TSE very strongly, because the cost difference is even more significant than in the UAE. I would say the UAE is also pushing for it. It’s a matter of availability and a matter of cost for all the GCC countries.”

He added that stronger collaboration among chiller manufacturers, water treatment vendors, EPC contractors and the ministries, in terms of issuing relevant regulation, is a key factor that would ensure access to, and the efficient allocation of, TSE within the region.

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Compliance with multiple regulations a major challenge for cold chain industry Ajman Public Health Programme, in the UAE, advocates stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

ompliance with old and new regulations is an important issue that manufacturers must face, given the vital role that cold chain plays in ensuring food safety. Many manufacturers and suppliers within the industry, however, often find it difficult to keep up with the stringent rules that are applied across various emirates they are operating in.

Abdulla Abdulrazaq Al Tamimi, Head of Public Health, Municipality and Planning Department, Ajman, though, believes that the need to comply with new and existing regulations should not be perceived as a bottleneck but rather as an opportunity to strengthen communication channels between the public and private sectors and enhance the standards within the industry. He shared his insight from his experience in promoting the Ajman Public Health Programme (APHP), which was launched in 2014 and includes HACCP certification and regulations pertaining to food safety.

“I believe the private sector is a shell body,” said Al Tamimi.

“Our development is going parallel with the expansion of the private sector. I need them to believe in the programme, to see that the government is keen to see them grow and provide better service and products to society.”

Currently, the programme is only compulsory for certain categories. The compulsory sector includes the industrial food sector, which has to adhere to the HACCP requirements.

Catering companies belong to the sector. While operating in Ajman, they need to undergo training courses and certification

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process. The non-compulsory sector includes food retailers, groceries, supermarkets and cafeterias.

Al Tamimi admitted that the programme faced hurdles during the introduction of the regulations, adding that resistance is the nature of people and nothing will ever be embraced wholeheartedly immediately. However, the results that come out of compliance serve as encouragement, which, in fact, attracts other companies, he said.

“It happens like networking,” he said. “Some people told us they heard about the APHP, and even though they are part of the non-compulsory category they wanted to participate. We dedicated one conference hall in our building premises to APHP, whether for training or examinations.”

Al Tamimi expressed optimism the programme would succeed, believing it would help cultivate socially conscious practices. “They see the government apply regulations, and they think it’s hard to fulfil and that it contains a lot of requirements they cannot perform,” he said. “But a lot of private companies I’m dealing with have a different thinking, and they support the programme, because they feel for it and they see where this programme is taking them. They see the benefit. One such benefit is that you can sense people starting to be more serious and curious on how to provide better service. When you give them the responsibility, they feel like they have a serious mission to society. They begin to treat it as part of their social responsibility, providing precautions in their service by feeding and taking care of people.”

Al-Futtaim Motors in carbon reduction initiative UAE-based Automobile business highlights transport refrigeration collaboration with Gorica to showcase versatility of new chassis

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

l-Futtaim Motors affirmed its commitment to the development of eco-friendly solutions with the launch of its Hino 300 Series Hybrid light-duty truck in the UAE, which Ramez Hamdan, Acting Managing Director of Hino, described as “the world’s first hybrid diesel engine

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designed to deliver cleaner, more efficient transport solution”.

Similar to the conventional petrol-engine Hino light-duty trucks, the new variant can also be customised with a mounted chiller body, freezer body or dry cargo box, making it a viable environmentally friendly transport solution for the cold chain and cold

storage services sector. Hamdan said, “By employing a diesel Hybrid system, using a Euro 4 and EVV-compliant 4L diesel engine matched to an auxiliary electric motor that is emission-free, the Hino Hybrid drive system significantly reduces exhaust tailpipe emissions, when compared to a conventional diesel-engine truck.” The Hino Hybrid, he

Where is outdoor cooling headed in the GCC region?

Industry representative outlines trends and optimum conditions for evaporative cooling to provide 25 degrees C cooling benefit

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

ecessity is the mother of invention, and Thomas Morrison, Director, Marketing, Portacool, believes the same saying is driving the progress of outdoor cooling solutions. “In this region, we are seeing that consumers are investing in their outdoor living spaces to extend the outdoor season,” he said. “As people look to expand their living spaces and bring the comfort of the indoors to their backyards and patios, suppliers will continuously need to develop innovative methods to help consumers fulfil their outdoor needs.”

Morrison added that increased focus towards green building solutions and demand for cost-effective cooling has cultivated a market for sustainable means of cooling environments. As such, technology is set to play a key role in this regard, he said. “Smart City initiatives, driven by the leaders in the region, will also push suppliers to provide solutions that will help digitally transform the region,” he said. “As more things become connected in the era of Internet of Things (IoT), we anticipate that home automation is a natural step. In the long run, this will help consumers save money

through better-regulated climate without having to set the thermostat constantly.”

The move towards integrated technology however, does not make effective solutions obsolete, as Morrison noted, that where air conditioning is no longer effective “age old methods that have stood the test of time, such as evaporative cooling, will remain the de facto choice for consumers”.

Evaporative cooling continues to be a dependable and cost-effective solution, particularly in addressing the region’s harsh climate during the summer. Morrison spoke on Portacool’s portable evaporative coolers and the ideal conditions necessary to reduce the temperature by as much as 25 degrees C. “For optimum performance, the temperature should be approximately 30 degrees C or higher and the relative humidity should be below 75%,” he said, “However, Portacool evaporative coolers will reduce the temperature in almost any environment, making it more comfortable.”

added, emits significantly less carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen oxide.

Al-Futtaim Motors launched the hybrid solution also with the particular aim of providing solutions that would help the UAE meet its strategic and long-term sustainability objectives. Hamdan said: “In line with the government’s initiatives to reduce greenhouse emissions, many companies are looking to integrate environmentally friendly vehicles. The perfect solution is to employ a fleet of hybrid vehicles that will significantly reduce harmful CO2 emissions, and the Hino Hybrid system is a proven solution

for the commercial sector with an impeccable track record worldwide.”

Though the Hino 300 chassis was completely developed by Hino Motors in Japan, Hamdan said that Al-Futtaim “worked closely with Gorica to develop the body, including the chiller, freezer, as well as a dry insulated body. “In working with Gorica,” Hamdan said, “we were able to employ high-quality GRP panels that are built in the UAE, ensuring that they would conform to the market requirements,

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particularly in the hot summer months, and are built to the highest quality and specifications.”

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NEWS REGIONAL

Abu Dhabi QCC releases updated Infrastructure Standards Guidelines

Manual contains simplified and streamlined procedures to optimise the speed and ease for Abu Dhabi-based entities in accessing information related to implementation of infrastructure projects bu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) has released an updated edition of the Infrastructure Standards Guidelines (ISGL) for the emirate of Abu Dhabi, following its approval by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

The updated ISGL will serve as a comprehensive guide to all entities concerned with infrastructure development in the emirate. The manual contains simplified and streamlined procedures, which are designed to optimise the speed and ease for entities as they access information relevant to the implementation of infrastructure projects.

The update drew on the engagement of more than 10 working committees, comprising 125 government and private-sector entities in Abu Dhabi that represented all infrastructural sectors. Over the past three years, the committees reviewed more than 200 technical documents, analysed and bridged gaps and submitted their expert

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recommendations to enhance standards, in line with global best practices.

H.E. Dr Helal Humaid Al Kaabi, Acting Secretary General of QCC, said: “The development of ISGL reiterates our commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders within the Abu Dhabi government and private sector to streamline procedures and services in the infrastructure sector. In harmonising all related standards and specifications related to infrastructure development projects across Abu Dhabi, QCC is delivering on its mandate to promote quality infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, as

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envisaged by the Abu Dhabi Plan and Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. We are confident that the updated ISGL will pave the way for the development of high-quality infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi that support the advancement of the city’s economy.”

Engineer Abdullah Hassan Al Muaini, Executive Director of Conformity Scheme Services at QCC, said: “The committees benchmarked their recommendations, in line with the standards adopted by the world’s most developed countries that possess a proven link between unified infrastructural standards and positive economic, technical and environmental outcomes.”

Oman tightens the belt to combat recession Oman PDO implements reduced budget strategy in response to tight oil pricing; company is representative of government move to reduce costs, with the rationalising of power tariffs being one of the pillars

By Benwen Lopez | Assistant Editor

n a drive towards responding to the tight oil pricing and recession in the region, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has implemented a plan to reduce the 2017 expenditure by almost $1.5 billion, according to a recently released report.

Explaining the baseline for this initiative to Climate Control Middle East, Dr Muthukumar Ramaswamy, Technical Expert of the Royal Estates in Oman, said: “It is not just PDO but almost every government or private sector body that is implementing such initiatives to combat the tight oil pricing and the recession in the country and the region. They are under constant pressure, and they have to identify unique methods to reduce costs and maintain sustainability.” Citing an example, he said: “If you look at the cost of power in the country, the end-user generally pays a lesser amount for power, and the government would pay the difference, which was higher than what the end-user would pay. But now, the end-user will have to pay more in order to reduce the burden on the government.”

Dr Ramaswamy said the government is strategically prioritising investment for projects that are needed for the country. Projects such as oil drilling and infrastructure will not be compromised, because they are a necessity, but a boundary line will be drawn on luxurious project investments. Other projects, like the Oman Museum, will be funded from the private fund of H.M. Qaboos bin Said al Said,” he said.

Forecasting challenges that may arise from the situation, he said, “Already contractors are struggling to keep afloat, and some contractors may even lose out on projects because of the recession and tight budgets.”

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Seeley highlights benefits of indirect evaporative cooler The technology augments VRF systems, says the Australian company

By Benwen Lopez | Assistant Editor

vaporative cooling is an innovative technology that will enhance the indoor cooling conditions in the region, increase energy efficiency, and reduce the congestion on electricity grids, said Steve Slayzak, Vice President of Technology, Coolerado Corporation (Seeley International Group). Slayzak was speaking at a technical seminar, organised by the ASHRAE Falcon Chapter on March 28 March in Dubai, UAE. Slayzak brought to the fore the important factors that underline evaporative cooling technology and its relevance to prospective applications. He introduced the technology by presenting the fundamentals of the indirect evaporative cooler (IDEC) that works on principles that are similar to conventional evaporative coolers, but with no moisture released into the air.

Explaining how the cooler works, Slayzak said: “When fresh air passes through the dry channel, it is cooled down and emerges at about 16 degrees C and without the added

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moisture.” He also added: “The wet-bulb effectiveness at a nominal load is 120%, in comparison to conventional direct air coolers, which have a wet-bulb effectiveness of 80%.”

Ellaborating on how the region will benefit from the technology, Slayzak said: “The higher the temperature, the better it is for us, because our technology almost doesn’t notice the temperature.” He further added: “The efficiency of our product enhances with the rise in the temperature.”

Slayzak pointed out that the product supplements other technologies like the variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, he said. “Our technology augments VRF technology, because VRF has limitations on treating outdoor air, and that’s our strength,” he said. “We were approached by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI - USA) to demonstrate the technology as a dedicated outdoor air system, and we expect it to be a very attractive combination of technology.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the seminar, Sanjiv Sachdeva, Managing Director of Gulf Engineering Systems, said, “It is very

promising, with a lot of potential, and we are promoting it since the last two years in the region, and we already have implemented this technology in a few of our projects in the UAE, and we have achieved the committed efficiency.”

Global District Cooling Market to Reach $80 Billion by 2026 - Analysis

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Winners of 2017 MENA Green Building Awards honoured during gala ceremony HVAC companies, Daikin and Edmonds among winners at the ceremony; Majid Al Futtaim walks away with twin honours; Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) wins ‘Contractor of the Year’ award mirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) on May 17 recognised and honoured innovation, creativity and excellence in promoting sustainability best practices during the 2017 MENA Green Building Awards in Dubai. According to EmiratesGBC, the awards exercise attracted record submissions from six nations across the MENA region, which the body said, highlighted the growing focus of industry stakeholders to promote innovation and best practices to drive sustainable built environments.

HVAC companies, Daikin and Edmonds were among the winners that were honoured during the ceremony, attended by government officials, industry leaders, representatives of academia and media.

The two companies won in the ‘Green Building Material/Product’ category. Daikin won the award in the sub-category, ‘Energy Management’ for its Daikin inverter R-32 split system. Edmonds won the award in the sub-category, ‘Indoor Air Quality’ for its Edmonds Eco Power Hybrid Ventilator, Synergy United.

Speaking after winning the award, Sana Hamdani, Product Marketing Manager of Daikin Middle East & Africa, said: “We are happy to receive such a prestigious award. The R-32-based system, in combination with the inverter technology, is 50% more efficient than conventional split systems. It has a total CO2equivalent emissions reduction of 80% when compared to R-410A. It uses 28% less refrigerant for the same unit compared to R-410A. The R-32 system is suitable for high-ambient conditions.”

Supported by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), the Awards was organised by EmiratesGBC in partnership with

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the JordanGBC and LebanonGBC. A panel of 12 judges from the region, including members of the MEP and building performance communities, evaluated the submissions. KPMG was the Official Observing Auditors of the evaluation process.

Saeed Al Abbar, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: “We congratulate the winners of the 2017 MENA Green Building Awards not only for their demonstrated excellence in driving the sustainable builtenvironment of the region but also for their commitment and dedication to innovation and promoting green best practices. This year, we had a record number of submissions, underlined by their quality, creativity and original thinking. Across all the categories, what is clearly apparent is the focus on pushing boundaries, setting new benchmarks and contributing to the all-round vision of securing a greener future for our coming generations. We hope to share the insights from our winners for the benefit of the larger community and to support the building industry in undertaking new and proven sustainable best practices that help achieve better living environments, higher energy- and water-use efficiency, and reduce the carbon footprint.”

Lee Siang, Chairman of WorldGBC, added: “The 2017 MENA Green Building Awards highlights the dedication of the regional construction industry stakeholders to pursue environment-friendly practices. The innovations and best practices that the winners present are uniquely suited for the region and can be replicated in similar environments, globally. This makes the Awards a key part in the global sustainability narrative that the World Green Building Council promotes.”

Winners all!

The winners of the MENA Green Building Awards 2017 areâ&#x20AC;Ś Â&#x2122; <G::C 7J>A9>C< D; I=: N:6G/ 1. Green Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Mall of the Emirates (Majid Al Futtaim) 2. Green Commercial Building: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi | shortlisted: My City Centre Al Barsha (submitted by Majid Al Futtaim) and ADNOC New Corporate HQ (submitted by HOK) 3. Green School: University of Dubai, submitted by Kier Dubai LLC | shortlisted: The Arcadia Preparatory School, submitted

by Godwin Austen Johnson 4. Green Residential Building: The Sustainable Autonomous House, submitted by Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre | shortlisted: Al Zahia Residential â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Phase 2, submitted by Majid Al Futtaim and NAGEEB (National Action for Green Energy Efficient Building) Programme, submitted by The Green Pact Â&#x2122; HJHI6>C67A: 9:H><C D; I=: N:6G/ Neighbourhood One Residences Phase 1, submitted by Multiplex and Woods Bagot | shortlisted: New Ducab Headquarters, submitted by Ramboll and Royal Herbs El Bahariya Farm Headquarters, submitted by ECOnsult Â&#x2122; ;68>A>IN B6C6<:B:CI DG<6C>H6I>DC D; I=: N:6G/ Emaar & CBFA JV Partnering Innovation, submitted by EMAAR/ CBFA JV | shortlisted: Adeeb Group and Mayar Facilities Management LLC Â&#x2122; 8DCIG68IDG D; I=: N:6G/ Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) | shortlisted: ALEC and Multiplex Constructions LLC Â&#x2122; 9:K:ADE:G D; I=: N:6G/ Majid Al Futtaim | shortlisted: Diamond Developers Â&#x2122; <G::C 7J>A9>C< B6I:G>6A$EGD9J8I/ 1. Energy Management: Daikin inverter R32 Split, submitted

by Daikin Middle East and Africa | shortlisted: Daikin VRV IV, submitted by Daikin Middle East and Africa and MasterSeal AWB Air and Water Barriers (formerly Enershield), BASF Construction Chemicals UAE LLC 2. Indoor Air Quality: Edmonds Eco Power Hybrid Ventilator, Synergy United 3. Conventional Construction Materials: Recycled Crushed Aggregates, submitted by Al Dhafra Recycling Industries in partnership with TADWEER - Center of Waste Management Abu Dhabi Â&#x2122; <G::C 7J>A9>C< G:H:6G8= 6L6G9/ Third Working Spaces as Means to Improve Comfort in Office Buildings in the UAE, submitted by Consulting Engineering Office | shortlisted: Long Term Performance Testing of High Solar Reflective Index (SRI) Materials in Gulf Environmental Conditions, submitted by RAK Research & Innovation Center, American University of Ras Al Khaimah and The Real Value of Improving U-values, submitted

by Kingspan Insulation LLC

Â&#x2122; G:IGD;>I EGD?:8I D; I=: N:6G/ The Fairmont Palm Hotel & Resort - Guaranteed Savings Energy Performance Contract, submitted by Taka Solutions | shortlisted: Liberty Automobiles Retrofit Project, submitted by Liberty Investment Co. LLC; and Siemens Demand Flow Solution for American Hospital Energy Optimisation, submitted by Siemens LLC Â&#x2122; 7:HI DE:G6I>DCH B6>CI:C6C8: :M>HI>C< BUILDINGS): Emaar & CBFA jv - Operational & Sustainability Practices at The Dubai Mall, submitted by Emaar & CBFA jv | shortlisted: Operation and Maintenance of entertainment attractions in the UAE, submitted by Emaar Entertainment; and City Centre Mirdif, submitted by Majid Al Futtaim Â&#x2122; 9G DL6>C6I> HIJ9:CI :M8:AA:C8: 6L6G9/ Enas Alkhateeb, Faculty of Engineering and IT, British University in Dubai, UAE, for a study, titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Potentials of Retrofitting the Federal Buildings in the UAE to Net Zero Electricity Cost Buildingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; | shortlisted: Borhan Torkfar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, RIT University of Dubai for a study, titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Feasibility of Using Solar Thermal Systems for power generation in Residential Building in Shiraz and Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Rawad Raidan, Department of Mechanical engineering RIT University of Dubai for a study, titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Approaching a Design Tool for Dubai villas with on-grid solar PVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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Kitchens produce the highest level of hazardous pollutants The importance of proper kitchen ventilation strategies for good IAQ cannot be overemphasized, say UAEbased experts

By Benwen Lopez | Assistant Editor

ccording to statistics provided by the World Health Organisation, approximately four million deaths every year are attributed to poor indoor air quality (IAQ).

Experts point out that kitchens produce the highest level of hazardous pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide; therefore, the hospitality industry must pay special attention to the IAQ in kitchens.

By way of offering strategies to enhance IAQ in kitchens, Chithrananda De Alvis, Regional Director of Engineering at The H Hotel, said: “Right from the design stage, it is imperative to consider the discharge of air filtered through proper filtration systems, to remove pollutants and odours, and prevent the same air from returning to the kitchen as makeup air. A kitchen ventilation system must be carefully designed to provide good control of moisture,

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heat, grease and odours, and no compromise must be made to reduce costs.” De Alvis also pointed out that hotels must sign up a professional and certified company to regularly clean kitchen hoods and ducts.

Suggesting similar strategies, Liju Thomas Eapen, President-Elect of the ASHRAE Falcon Chapter and Managing Director of Al Arif Décor & AC, said: “The use of highefficiency hoods, correct sizing of hoods and balancing of fresh air and extract systems are the basics to improve a kitchen environment. Maintenance is the most critical factor, once you have started the kitchen operation, because lack of maintenance will jeopardise the design and investment.” Elaborating further, Eapen said: “Hotels can consider investing in technologies such as U.V hoods, high-efficiency electrostatic precipitators, high-efficiency filters, odour neutralisers, ozone generators and ionizers.” He also cautioned that an open discharge of kitchen exhaust without any treatment is hazardous and damaging to the environment.

On the efforts by the hospitality towards improving IAQ in kitchens, De Alvis said that in his experience, he has observed that only certain countries are very strict on IAQ standards in kitchens. The authorities there, he added, conduct regular air quality checks to ensure compliance.

"In my opinion, it is up to us in this region to set up our own standards, as per ASHRAE or any other building code, to make sure we have good control towards improving or maintaining required standards,” De Alvis said. “It is also important to have a well-designed mechanical system, with a set of established maintenance procedures.”

On the challenges faced by kitchen workers in relation to IAQ of kitchens, Eapen said, “Hygiene will always be of prime concern for the employees, and excessive humidity and smoke will affect the health and efficiency of the workers.”

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Toshiba showcases Wave tool application Feature eases commissioning of VRF systems, enhances after-sales service, company says

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

hile VRF technology has made inroads into the GCC region market, it continues to battle with a number of negative perceptions. Until today, many developers cite its complexity as the reason why the system is not being chosen for more projects.

Syed Jafar Imam, Regional Director of AHI Carrier, is, however, of the opinion that it is only lack of knowledge that is driving the misconception. He made a case for the simplicity of the VRF technology, citing as an example the Wave tool application, which was introduced to the UAE in June 2016, as a standard feature of the Toshiba SMMS-e VRF systems. The Wave tool application, Imam said, provides ease of installation and maintenance.

Imam elaborated that the application can be downloaded from a dedicated website and installed on the smartphone to be used for contactless communication between devices and smartphones.

“So, the six-hour time on the roof that is typically required can be cut down to 20 minutes,” he said. “The tool enables commissioning and installation. It allows you to have the indoor and outdoor systems talk to each other. If tomorrow something happens, the Wave tool makes after-sales services easier.”

In addition, Imam noted that customers are able to access service and maintenance data, such as system configuration and error code history with ease, which can be gathered and sent via e-mail. The feature, he said, helps strengthen communication between the on-site personnel and technical support teams in a unified database that can significantly reduce maintenance time.

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Combatting IAQ concerns in different settings UAE-based HAZMAT expert says there is a way out to address IAQ concerns in an effective manner

By Benwen Lopez | Assistant Editor

xpert studies have shown that combatting Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is always a challenge owing to the complexities involved in different settings. “The challenge of enhancing IAQ in different settings can be resolved with the use of MDF-500,” said James Singeltary, Managing Director of R Squared and a certified HAZMAT expert.

Giving a brief background about MDF-500, Singeltary said: “The product was developed through an initiative by the US Department of Energy and Homeland Security in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories to counter chemical and biological warfare toxins. From eliminating mould in HVAC systems to eradicating odours in rooms and a broad range of harmful organisms, MDF-500 is a proven decontamination solution to enhance IAQ not just in industrial areas but also in residences, hospitals, schools and transportation systems.”

Singeltary pointed out that first responders, who attend to victims, could also greatly benefit from the product owing to its powerful decontamination properties. “When first responders attend to an accident scene and they are exposed to blood and other toxins, there is a high chance that they can be poisoned because of the bacteria present, but with MDF-500, they can de-contaminate the scene and even neutralise poisons in the area,” he said.

The product, Singeltary said, has been certified by the Dubai Municipality as well the Dubai Health Authority.

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Bostik introduces thermal acoustic Wrap for UK market Company is exploring the possibility of distributing product in the Middle East

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

teve Leek, Manager, Bostik, announced that the company is introducing its new W110 Butyl Aluminium Thermal Acoustic Wrap to the UK market, during a technical seminar on May 17, in Abu Dhabi. Leek added that Bostik is actively looking for opportunities for introducing the product in the Gulf region.

Elaborating on certain features of the product, which, he said, reflects the company’s commitment towards innovation and compliance with international standards, Leek said it is 20% quicker to install, and that it is more compact and lightweight without compromising on performance.

The time-saving option, Leek said, is a major consideration in the UK market, which is why the company placed special regard on the feature.

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Good IAQ leads to better energy efficiency ASHRAE lecturer connects the dots between the two at Dubai AMCA seminar

By Benwen Lopez | Assistant Editor

xpert studies show that buildings are the largest consumers of energy in our cities and that sufficient efforts are being made to enhance energy efficiency in buildings. However, in order to achieve significant energy efficiency goals, there is a compelling need for building designers, owners and operators to raise the bar for improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) because its magnitude encompasses the human elements of a building, said Dr William Bahnfleth, Professor of Architectural Engineering at Penn State University.

Dr Bahnfleth, along with Michel Ivanovich, Senior Director of Industry Relations, Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA), was speaking at a technical workshop, organised by ASHRAE Falcon Chapter, on April 4 in Dubai.

Providing statistics on energy consumption in buildings, Dr Bahnfleth pointed out that on an average, 59% of a building’s energy consumption goes towards environmental control, out of which HVACR uses 46%. Therefore, he said, “designers, operators and maintainers of buildings have a vital role to play in improving the energy characteristics of buildings by specially focusing on enhancing

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IAQ conditions of the building”. He further added that when IAQ enhancement is set as the goal, then the building is on the right track towards achieving good energy efficiency results.

Dr Bahnfleth warned that poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) conditions in a building lead to serious health consequences and deaths. In his closing remarks, he suggested that the current technology is sufficient to ventilate air efficiently. “We should not always be waiting for the next new product to come along to solve our problems,” he said.

Speaking on the initiatives by AMCA, Ivanovich explained how the organisation is making efforts to improve the testing procedures for sand louvres. “In Dubai, we have established a testing laboratory, in collaboration with Thomas Bell-Wright International Consultants,” he said. “We also make certified ratings available on our website in a realtime way, so once a product is certified we publish the results online.”

Ivanovich pointed out that sand louvres are critical for the GCC region, because sand always creates serious problems for HVAC systems. Thus, louvres can help mitigate sand-related challenges and reduce maintenance costs.

Insulation industry in the GCC region up against multiple challenges Industry representative speaks of bottlenecks, such as substandard products, standing in the way of greater market appreciation of thermal and acoustic insulation

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

hermal and acoustic insulation can provide a wide range of benefits, if they are integrated to the construction of any development. However, their use is not as widespread as their manufacturers would like. Prasad Ragji, Export Sales Manager, AFICO, said that there is a definitive lack of awareness among the public with regard to the value that insulation can give a development’s inhabitants. In addition, he said that the presence of cheaper, yet lower quality products has also served as a bottleneck. “In my last few years in this industry, I have seen a lot of cheap products quite active in the market,” he said.

“These products are promoted as having properties that may not be available. Yet, that pulls fibreglass away from being used in the industry.”

Dr Kailash Chandra, Technical Consultant, AFICO, went on to highlight two more challenges that stop the construction industry from placing greater emphasis on insulation: free electricity and regulation. Chandra said that government subsidies for electricity have made people complacent, and that once subsidised communities are aware of the real cost of energy in the form of electricity bills “they will certainly go for insulation”. He recommended that governments providing subsidies in electricity should provide incentives towards insulation.

On the issue of regulation, Chandra said that though consultants do specify insulation, they only do so in compliance with local regulation, which, he believes, is not yet at par with regulations in the United States and Europe. He emphasised that a careful assessment of regulatory models in the United States and Europe will yield greater appreciation for, and focus on, insulation.

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Where is outdoor cooling headed in the GCC region?

Industry representative outlines trends and optimum conditions for evaporative cooling to provide 25 degrees C cooling benefit

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

ecessity is the mother of invention, and Thomas Morrison, Director, Marketing, Portacool, believes the same saying is driving the progress of outdoor cooling solutions. “In this region, we are seeing that consumers are investing in their outdoor living spaces to extend the

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SPX introduces NC Everest in the Middle East Company says new product has specifically been designed for the region and is considered the largest single-cell, factoryassembled cooling tower available in the market

Midea launches full DC inverter VRF system Company says new product embodies its commitment to R&D

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

PX Cooling Technologies has introduced the NC Everest Cooling Tower, which the company said is its latest innovation and an extension of its NC line, in the Middle East region. Designed especially for the region, the NC Everest provides the largest single-cell capacity, at 2,189 tonnes of refrigeration, within a factory-assembled modular approach, the company said during a technical seminar, on May 14 in Dubai.

Scott Maurer, Global Product Manager at SPX Cooling Technologies, highlighted key features of the product, which breaks into six modules to be factory-assembled to create a single-cell tower.

The NC Everest, Maurer said, offers 50% more cooling capacity in a singlecell, factory-assembled cooling tower. It offers more energy savings, as it has typically 35% less fan power as a requirement, he added. The Everest, Maurer said, has lower piping and electrical installation costs. Additional benefits Maurer highlighted include faster delivery time, at 6-12 weeks, and a faster installation time of 1-2 weeks. The product also has certified thermal performance in a field performance test, Maurer said.

According to SPX, the Everest is Eurovent- and CTI-certified. It is also FM-approved, with certified sound data by a third-party acoustical engineer, the company said. The product, SPX added, has galvanised and stainless steel material options with eight models available in low sound and quiet fans.

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outdoor season,” he said. “As people look to expand their living spaces and bring the comfort of the indoors to their backyards and patios, suppliers will continuously need to develop innovative methods to help consumers fulfil their outdoor needs.”

Morrison added that increased focus towards green building solutions and demand for cost-effective cooling has cultivated a market for sustainable means of cooling environments. As such, technology is set to play a key role in this regard, he said. “Smart City initiatives, driven by the leaders in the region, will also push suppliers to provide solutions that will help digitally transform the region,” he said.

“As more things become connected in the era of Internet of Things (IoT), we anticipate that home automation is a natural step. In the long run, this will help consumers save money through better-regulated climate without having to set the thermostat constantly.”

The move towards integrated

technology however, does not make effective solutions obsolete, as Morrison noted, that where air conditioning is no longer effective “age old methods that have stood the test of time, such as evaporative cooling, will remain the de facto choice for consumers”.

Evaporative cooling continues to be a dependable and costeffective solution, particularly in addressing the region’s harsh climate during the summer.

Morrison spoke on Portacool’s portable evaporative coolers and the ideal conditions necessary to reduce the temperature by as much as 25 degrees C. “For optimum performance, the temperature should be approximately 30 degrees C or higher and the relative humidity should be below 75%,” he said, “However, Portacool evaporative coolers will reduce the temperature in almost any environment, making it more comfortable.”

idea launched a new generation, full DC inverter V6 series VRF system in the UAE on April 26. The technology showcases a new set of features that reinforces the company’s commitment to improving existing technologies for greater efficiency, Midea said during the launch.

The system has a single-module outdoor unit at 38HP and a combination capacity of 128HP, according to certain customisations, the company said. The V6 also offers a 40% reduction in footprint, when compared with the previous series, and an EVI (Enhanced Vapour Injection) compressor, increasing the cooling capacity by 10% at 43 degrees C ambient temperature and the heating capacity by 26% at -15 degrees C ambient temperature, the company added.

The plate heat exchanger serves as a secondary intercooler, helping the V6 gain up to 18 degrees C sub-cooling and improving energy efficiency by more than 10%, Midea said. The V6 promises to work within -25 degrees C to 54 degrees C, the company further added.

According to Midea, the V6 offers a length of up to 200 metres between the outdoor unit and the farthest indoor unit, and a maximum height difference of up to 110 metres, the typical distance of about 30 floors, making it applicable for a wide range of projects and developments.

“We want to create a better life for the human beings through efficiency,” said Peck Zhao, Senior Specialist of Marketing, Midea. He went on to discuss the vital role that air conditioning can have to promote the comfort of a space and, thus, increase the quality of life of consumers, both in the professional and personal sense.

Zhao asserted that Midea puts great value in the importance of R&D, not only with regard to developing new systems but also in line with the company’s longterm strategy to set new standards in the industry.

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Unigulf seminar discusses UL, DCL certification process Event also focuses on the importance of insulation

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

Carrier launches AquaForce air-cooled screw chiller in Middle East The 30XV chiller utilises rotary screw compressor, designed and optimised specifically for variable frequency drive (VFD) operation, company says

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

Steve Leek

Dr Kailash Chandra

nigulf on May 17 in Abu Dhabi held a technical seminar that covered Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL) certification process, and insulation.

Steve Leek, Manager, Bostik, spoke on certification, describing the lengthy process the company had gone through to ensure that its products are compliant with the highest international standards. Leek emphasised that the UL and DCL accreditations required a heavy investment for the company – in the range of between GBP 60,000 and 70,000. He spoke of how the process involved many months of careful scrutiny from experts visiting the company’s factories, and inspections and assessment of the quality and consistency of the formulation.

It was only after that the company received the UL accreditation and, most recently, the DCL accreditation. This, he said, reflects the company’s commitment to address the needs of the region. “It’s a lot of work, and a lot of time,” said Leek, “But we know if we are going to be present in the market place we have to have this accreditation under our belt.”

In view of the financial and time-related commitment that Bostik made to acquiring the accreditations, Leek called for greater vigilance in nabbing those companies that misrepresented the accreditation of products. “Even for a big company, it’s a lot of money,” he said. Commenting on the importance of being thorough when assessing local companies, Leek recommending verifying claims of accreditation, as they may not be on par with the accreditation of international companies, owing to the cost and thoroughness required by UL and DCL visits. “A lot claim UL, but is it the same level?” he asked. “I have my doubts. I believe they may have had their products fire-tested [by UL] but that alone. Their quality control systems, etc., have not been vetted by either institutions.”

Dr Kailash Chandra, Technical Consultant, AFICO, spoke on insulation. He shared technical knowledge on insulation, highlighting key trends as well as providing comprehensive and detailed information on the dangers of not being vigilant with regard to assessing the fireretardant qualities of insulation materials. He also touched on how insulation can dramatically improve the comfort of buildings, especially in sensitive projects. Later, Prasad Ragji, Export Sales Manager, AFICO, commented on the importance of the information in Chandra’s presentation. “The basic misconception about insulation, as it pertains to health concerns common among consultants was made very clear by the presenter,” he said. I’m sure that would help as far as the industry is concerned to accept fibre glass in projects, such as hospitals.”

Earlier, besides speaking on certification, Leek provided an overview on Bostik and the parent company, the new product range it introduced in the United Kingdom as well as its emphasis on R&D, with centres in the United States, Europe and China dedicated towards exploring smart technology in the field of adhesives. “Bostik’s philosophy is to be innovative,” he said. “The challenge is to have 15% of turnover in New Product Development (NPD).”

He added that there is also a move towards knowledge exchange among researchers in the company’s centres, to ensure greater access to potentially new formulation, as part of its efforts to “bring Bostik into the 21st century with new ideas”.

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arrier has introduced the AquaForce 30XV air-cooled screw chiller to the Middle East market. Speaking on the new technology, Mohammed Al Qaisi, General Manager, UTS Carrier, described it as highly versatile and energy efficient. “It includes a tiered capacity, offering from 140 to 500 tonnes (nominal) as well as a variety of innovative features,” Al Qaisi said.

Salman Zebian, Business Unit Manager, Commercial Systems & Controls, UTS Carrier, said that the 30XV features the variable frequency drive technology.

It includes a rotary screw compressor, designed and optimised specifically for variable frequency drive (VFD) operation.

This feature, he said, means that there will be no slide valve. The system, he said, would have reduced pulsation, lower noise and better efficiency.

Al Qaisi added that the 30XV has a significantly smaller footprint when compared with conventional designs, while maintaining IPLVs above 21 and fully meeting ASHRAE 90.1-2016 requirements. He also emphasised that the 30XV aims to address the ambient conditions of the UAE, as it is able to operate in ambient temperatures ranging between -29 and 55 degrees C. Al Qaisi noted that as the product features an Aero Acoustic variable speed condenser fan design and software that facilitates low sound emissions, it is recommended for a wide range of applications, such as schools, hotels, data centres, offices and residential buildings.

The product, he said, is also cost effective and has significant energy-saving properties.

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Are inverter-based technologies still cost prohibitive in the Middle East?

Experts encourage market to look beyond initial investment

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

lthough the reported benefits of innovations, such as inverter-based technology in splits and chillers, always come highly regarded, customers are apprehensive about, if not downright against, paying for the additional cost that comes with state-of-the-art products. However, a number of manufacturers are quick to point out the efforts they have made to change the prevailing mind-set and that education is a key factor in helping people move beyond a short-sighted vision.

“It is very normal for every end-user or contractor to be concerned about initial cost,” said Tuna Gulenc, General Manager, Daikin Middle East and Africa, “but what matters is the total lifecycle cost.”

Gulenc said that changing the mind-set is often a slow, yet steady, process. He gave an example gleaning from his experience in Turkey, where, he said, progress was made in a step-by-step manner but that in a period of about eight years market penetration of inverter splits increased from five per cent to nearly 100%. Aside from the training to raise awareness, Gulenc said, the “government had a lot of role here, because of regulations promoting minimum energy efficiency”.

Paras Adhvaryu, Regional Business Director, Chillers and Modular Plants, Daikin Middle East and Africa, provided a GCC perspective on regulation: “Until a couple of years back, there was minimum energyefficiency regulations in the region. People could use what they wanted, so they went for the cheapest product available at that point of time, not considering the energy consumption or the lifecycle

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of the equipment, but now you have the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) in the UAE, the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) in Kuwait, and you have Qatar coming up with something soon. All over, the standards are talking about minimum energy levels; you have to meet them or exceed them.”

Adhvaryu also touched on the increase in the cost of electricity over time and talked about how in 2007 in Dubai, the electricity tariff was 20 fils per kWh, while today it is 44 fils per kWh. “So, if I was using an equipment of whatever it was that I was using in 2007, I will end up paying more than double of my operating cost in electricity bills,” he said. “Owners have become aware of that, as well.”

Adhvaryu emphasised that opting for inverter-based technology is a more efficient and cost-effective long-term option, especially as, most likely, the tariff will not remain at its current 44 fils per kWh and will only continue to increase over time. In addition, he pointed out to the increasing demand for green buildings, in an effort to reduce carbon footprint and the desire to get LEED certification.

He said that inverter-based technologies will go a long way in helping business owners meet such goals. He spoke particularly on Dubai’s burgeoning construction profile and on how in the highly competitive market, building owners are looking to differentiate one project from another. Thus, investment in higher-priced technology can help provide developments with a unique competitive advantage.

District Cooling is poised for growth in the GCC region Industry insider points to strong government support as one of the key reasons

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

aad Ali, General Manager, SPX Cooling Technologies, said he is optimistic about Dubai meeting its goal of increasing the penetration of District Cooling to 40% by 2030. He added that he believes the positive trend of growth will continue throughout the GCC region, as a result of the strategic visions put forward by the leadership. “From a holistic point of view, if you see the whole of the GCC region, they have Vision 2020, 2030, even 2050, which is great,” he said. “Most of them will reach that vision, depending on conditions that may be outside their power. Saudi Arabia will most probably reach it. Dubai, definitely, and the UAE as a whole has a fantastic vision. Even in our company, I have a vision for the business. It doesn’t mean you will get there at the time, but as long as you’re working towards it, I think that’s a great strategy. As long as you have the plan and resources, that’s good. I don’t look at the date, I look at what people are doing to get there, some may even reach [their goal] before 2030.”

In terms of bottlenecks, Ali admitted that though economic factors may likely have a definitive impact on the countries’ ability to meet their objectives, the issue of negative perception towards District Cooling can be addressed by stronger solidarity within the

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industry with regard to the benefit that it offers the public. “There should be some incentive that has to be driven by the government, and someone has to be accountable for measuring that benefit,” he said. “There has to be an entity measuring that benefit, like a dedicated committee or body funded by the government.”

Ali went on to recommend that District Cooling providers from across the GCC region can join forces to come up with an agenda that could help advance the penetration of the industry.

Ali also highlighted the important role that maintenance plays in ensuring that cooling towers are operating in the best manner possible to prevent issues such as legionella from occurring. “There are lot of innovations in cooling towers, so you don’t hear many of the same problems,” he said. “It’s about the complete package.

Plus how our unit works, it does not allow legionella to develop.

The drift eliminator doesn’t allow that to go into the system. If you look at our system, it’s at the end or at the beginning of a cooling system. So, there is very minimal chance, but there are technologies available still such as UV lamps and chemicals. It is also very important for the client to invest in and keep the maintenance schedule.”

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NEWS REGIONAL

Daikin launches new series of air-cooled screw chillers in Middle East region Company says the series features Variable Volume Ratio (VVR) technology in its bid to address region’s highambient conditions and efforts to reduce energy consumption

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

aikin launched its new series of air-cooled screw chillers – the EWAD-MZ – on May 22, in Dubai.

The EWAD-MZ features a Variable Volume Ratio (VVR) technology that aims to optimise the performance of the chillers at various ambient conditions, the company said. “We develop special highambient products suitable for this region because of the hot temperatures during summer,” said Ryoji Sano, President, Daikin, Middle East and Africa, at the event.

Paras Adhvaryu, Regional Business Director, Chillers and Modular Plants, Daikin, further elaborated on the EWADMZ, which he said reflects the company’s commitment to modify products for Middle East applications: “[The combination of] the inverter along with Variable Volume Ratio (VVR) technology gives you the best energy efficiency available in the market.

Typically, the energy efficiency of an equipment is defined by the Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV). This gives you an indication of the overall energy efficiency throughout the year rather than just

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looking at the 46 degrees C ambient [temperature] a couple of hours in the year. In this case, the IPLV of the chiller can be up to 22.5, which is the highest available in the industry at this point.”

Marco Flavio Calanca, Marketing Manager, Daikin Applied Europe, echoed the company’s drive to customise products and said that it aims to implement this ethos in all components of the design. “We didn’t use the standard [condenser] fan we used for mild climates in Europe," he said, "we selected higher air flor fan allowing the machine to operate even up to 55 degrees C ambient with compressor running on full capacity to provide customer’s confidence in the product."

Calanca added that another point of the development was to not only deliver an efficient compressor but also a reliable and robust one, veering away from third-party standard inverters, which, he said, was commonly found in the market. Instead, Calanca said, the company focused on an inverter design

made specifically for the compressor. “It is an inverter that is absolutely independent from outdoor ambient condition,” he said.

“So, whatever the ambient temperature is, it is keeping its performance, thanks to the refrigerant cooling system, which we believe is an ideal solution for the Middle East.”

Prior to the launch, Calanca said, the company performed severe testing on the unit not only for several thousands of hours in the laboratory but also in some pilot installations in the Middle East since 2013, in a move to have real-life operation test of the unit to ensure robust operation and long life-expectancy.

Calanca added that the European version of the chiller was launched in 2013, and that inverter-based chillers are now a standard in Europe. “We have a lot of references, a lot of installations – more than 3,000 compressors – running all around the world,” he said.

“Now, finally after this customisation for Middle East, we are finally launching also here in the region, to extend the success we already have globally here in Middle East and Africa.”

Compliance with multiple regulations a major challenge for cold chain industry Ajman Public Health Programme, in the UAE, advocates stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

ompliance with old and new regulations is an important issue that manufacturers must face, given the vital role that cold chain plays in ensuring food safety. Many manufacturers and suppliers within the industry, however, often find it difficult to keep up with the stringent rules that are applied across various emirates they are operating in.

Abdulla Abdulrazaq Al Tamimi, Head of Public Health, Municipality and Planning Department, Ajman, though, believes that the need to comply with new and existing regulations should not be perceived as a bottleneck but rather as an opportunity to strengthen communication channels between the public and private sectors and enhance the standards within the industry. He shared his insight from his experience in promoting the Ajman Public Health Programme (APHP), which was launched in 2014 and includes HACCP certification and regulations pertaining to food safety.

“I believe the private sector is a shell body,” said Al Tamimi. “Our development is going parallel with the expansion of the private sector. I need them to believe in the programme, to see that the government is keen to see them grow and provide better service and products to society.”

Currently, the programme is only compulsory for certain categories. The compulsory sector includes the industrial food sector, which has to adhere to the HACCP requirements. Catering companies belong to the sector. While operating in Ajman, they need to undergo training courses and certification process. The non-

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compulsory sector includes food retailers, groceries, supermarkets and cafeterias.

Al Tamimi admitted that the programme faced hurdles during the introduction of the regulations, adding that resistance is the nature of people and nothing will ever be embraced wholeheartedly immediately. However, the results that come out of compliance serve as encouragement, which, in fact, attracts other companies, he said.

“It happens like networking,” he said. “Some people told us they heard about the APHP, and even though they are part of the noncompulsory category they wanted to participate. We dedicated one conference hall in our building premises to APHP, whether for training or examinations.”

Al Tamimi expressed optimism the programme would succeed, believing it would help cultivate socially conscious practices. “They see the government apply regulations, and they think it’s hard to fulfil and that it contains a lot of requirements they cannot perform,” he said. “But a lot of private companies I’m dealing with have a different thinking, and they support the programme, because they feel for it and they see where this programme is taking them. They see the benefit. One such benefit is that you can sense people starting to be more serious and curious on how to provide better service. When you give them the responsibility, they feel like they have a serious mission to society. They begin to treat it as part of their social responsibility, providing precautions in their service by feeding and taking care of people.”

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NEWS GLOBAL

Streamlining air conditioning design using a smart solution Software allows air conditioning companies to design system layouts accurately and efficiently without leaving the office, says Australia-based company. landroid is a software solution that uses a standard floor plan drawing, to create the optimal heating and cooling solution for a property and provides a project quote in minutes, said Mike Garrett, Founder of Delft Red Simulation Technology, an Australia-based company.

Garrett said: “The industry standard is still graph paper and drawing rough hand designs with crayons, and it is inefficient. By using Plandroid, they can do all the planning in a fifth of the time.The thing about Plandroid is it’s a simple, point-and-click, drag-and-drop program that anyone can use, and you don't need to be an engineer to get the right design.”

Explaining the software dynamics, Garret said: “Manufacturers who use installation teams to deliver their products are able to choose from a stock list of items from the air conditioning companies and drag them onto a CADstyle ducting design superimposed over a house plan. This eliminates the need for custom designing of a project. The software calculates basic heat loads, the total design cost and creates reports for the customer, installer and supplier.

It also saves favoured designs as presets to be used for other buildings.”

Elaborating on the benefits of the software, he said: "The old barriers between electricians, plumbers and air conditioning installers are being reduced and our program will expand into more of those jobs. The software would be beneficial for shopping centres, airports, factories and large commercial buildings."

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Marenum takes to the water ENGIE Refrigeration’s chillers now are also employed on cruise ships, company says NGIE Refrigeration has started supplying its Marenum chillers to provide refrigeration on cruise ships, the company said. The company’s Marenum chillers have been used in navy frigates, and now they will find a place in cruise-liners belonging to Saga Cruise, the company said.

ENGIE is in the process of equipping two of Saga Cruise’s ships with the chillers. The two ships are under construction in Papenburg, in Germany. They are scheduled to run in the Baltic Sea in 2019. Each of the 236-metre-long vessels will see four Marenum chillers installed.

They will produce a total cooling power per ship of twelve megawatts (MW). “Back in 2013, we added Marenum to expand our range with an energy-efficient, safe and reliable chiller, tailored perfectly to meet the requirements at sea,” said Jochen Hornung, Managing Director of ENGIE Refrigeration. “The Marenum technology has proven itself time and again on navy ships. We’re delighted that Marenum will now see use on civilian ships, too.”

Marine operation requires refrigeration to function under tough conditions – at sea, chillers need to operate in extremes, weathering exposure to both seawater and heavy swell, ENGIE said. According to ENGIE, the chillers, besides being reliable and energy efficient, feature a compact design and have such attributes as low noise and vibration emissions, a seawater-resistant condenser and lowmaintenance requirements. The system technology, ENGIE said, is reduced to the main components necessary for refrigeration – compressor, condenser, metering section and evaporator, including the corresponding measurement and control technology. This saves space for the customer, a major concern, considering that space is often at a premium in a ship’s engine room, ENGIE said. An additional feature is a redundant design with up to 12 condensers per chiller, which according to ENGIE, increases reliability.

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Global evaporative cooling market expected to reach USD 5.95 bn by 2020 Outdoor cooling is on an upward trajectory, says industry representative

By Hannah Jo Uy | Features Writer

he global evaporative cooling market was valued at USD 4.48 billion in 2015, and is projected to reach USD 5.95 billion by the end of 2020, at a CAGR of 5.84% during the forecast period 2015-2020,” said Thomas Morrison, Director of Marketing, Portacool.

Evaporative coolers cool air by filtering it through water, thus lowering the air’s temperature. “The optimal environment occurs when a small amount of outside

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air circulates into the space where the evaporative cooler is employed,” Morrison said. “This helps introduce fresh air into the environment and reduces the risk of poor indoor air quality.”

Portacool products, Morrison said, rely on the process of evaporation to produce cooler air, but highlighted that they do not discharge a mist, thus reducing the chance of spreading bacteria. “For older products [of evaporative coolers], however, algae or

bacteria growth can result from improper maintenance,” he said. “For this reason, it is extremely important that our customers refer to their owner’s manual for proper cleaning and maintenance tips. An increase in humidity of approximately 2-5% is produced, depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment. This increase is not noticeable in a ventilated area, where the air produced by the cooler is exhausted.”

COMINGS & GOINGS

Raphael Khlat becomes President of Faisal Jassim Group of Companies Azzam Messaykeh assumes the office of CEO aisal Jassim Group of Companies has appointed Raphael Khlat as the President of the group, the organisation said through a Press communiqué. Describing him as a visionary leader, the communiqué said his positive mindset “has been the pivot of the unparalleled growth achieved by the organisation in the past three decades”. In his new role, Khlat will be responsible for setting up the new vision of the organisation and for ensuring adequate resources, acquisitions and investments are available to achieve continuous and sustainable growth in the GCC region, the communiqué said.

Simultaneously, the organisation has announced the appointment of the current COO, Azzam Messaykeh, as the new CEO of the group. Before joining the group, in 2015, Messaykeh held various high-profile roles in the MEP industry, the communiqué said. He has brought immense knowledge and experience up his sleeves, the communiqué added, to take the responsibilities of the overall operations and sales growth of the group.

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Raphael Khlat

Azzam Messaykeh

Saad Ali joins SPX as GM Operations MEA He will be overseeing the company’s strategic expansion in the region aad Ali has joined SPX Cooling Technologies as General Manager for operations in Middle East and Africa. He will be based in the UAE overseeing the strategic expansion of the company throughout the region.

Ali previously worked with Ruskin Titus as a General Manager for operations in the Middle East and Africa.

Ali has a BEng Honours in Mechanical Engineering from Kingston University – London. He is also a Member of ASHRAE. In his new role, Ali said he is dedicated to driving the company’s growth, particularly by raising awareness towards the company’s innovations and hybrid products, which will address the region’s District Cooling needs. “I am definitely going to focus on growing the business organically to ensure it is profitable,” he said.

“The focus will be on customers in Middle East and technical operations.

Overall, my job is to get the company to focus in this difficult market that we are in.”

Ali can be contacted at saad.ali@ spx.com.

Saad Ali

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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

A sublime way of saying ‘Thank You’ Dubai-based NGO, SmartLife works for the welfare of blue-collar workers in construction, MEP and other industries in the country. Manjula Ramakrishnan, a volunteer with the group, has the report… ecent statistics confirm that out of the total migrant population working in the UAE, 14% are in the construction industry. This would logically include those in the HVACR industry; and a sizeable number of them are blue-collar workers, who reside in the various labour camps in the country.

SmartLife, an NGO registered with the Community Development Authority, Dubai, runs a wide range of voluntary programmes to benefit the blue-collar workers. Each of the programmes is designed with the objective of enhancing the lives of labourers, be it upgrading their skill sets, bringing about lifestyle changes or even assisting them towards financial and retirement planning.

SmartSapna is an example of a

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voluntary programme. In this, SmartLife offers educational scholarships to the children of blue-collar workers studying in India. While paying the school fees is pivotal to the programme, of greater importance is a mentoring process, where an assigned mentor stays closely connected with his or her ward and works towards uplifting them to the next level of academic excellence.

SmartReading is another voluntary programme. This enables workers to read English. A spoken-English component of the programme helps mitigate possible diffidence among the blue-collar workers when it comes to communication skills.

SmartMedic is yet another programme.

It involves organising and conducting medical checkup camps that primarily

focus on diabetes, hypertension and other related ailments. Equally important is a SmartWellness programme, which offers the workers lifestyle changes, and advice on nutrition, exercise and other health-beneficial aspects.

Yet another programme is SmartRozgar, which is a recruitment portal that connects unemployed job seekers with companies that wish to recruit them, thus attempting to bypass middle men, who often tend to exploit the workers. SmartSkills works in tandem with SmartRozgar and upgrades the skills of blue-collar workers in many areas, including MEP. Overall, SmartLife’s programmes represent a sublime way of saying ‘Thank You’ to the workers, who tirelessly toil away in summer and other climes!

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MARKETPLACE

This section contains updates on regional and international products.

Belimo

Aldes

Belimo Energy Valve

Constant Airflow Regulator (CAR)

ldes has developed the Constant Airflow Regulator (CAR) as an innovative concept for maintaining constant airflow automatically, even if the upstream/downstream differential pressure varies, the company has said through a Press communiqué.

The flexible membrane of MR inflates and deflates depending on the pressure differences between the upstream and downstream flow, thereby changing the cross-section of the flow and guaranteeing a constant air-flow, regardless of aeraulic variations in the ductwork, the communiqué said. This principle of operation guarantees constant airflow, regardless of the pressure variations in the ductwork.

CAR ensures there is no balancing or commissioning required at site. The CAR design compensates thermal stack effect and wind pressure. It is UL 2043 certified (heat and smoke release), and is fully recyclable.

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Cold storage windfall: USM researchers put long-term gains up to $900M

american Warehouse @Americanwhse

he Belimo Energy Valve, which consists of a two-way characterised control valve, volumetric flow meter, temperature sensors and an actuator with integrated logic, combines many functions in a single installation-friendly unit, Belimo said.

According to the company, the technology ensures quick and certain dimensioning as well as simple commissioning. It also makes possible energy-saving through automatic, permanent hydronic balancing and correct volume of water, despite differential-pressure changes and partial loads, Belimo said. With the integration of the Belimo Energy Valve into the Belimo Cloud, users can create their own account to have full transparency about the energy consumption in the cooling/heating application – anytime and from everywhere and whenever they want, Belimo added.

The new Belimo Energy Valve is an Internet of Things (IoT) device – a smart connected pressure-independent valve that measures and manages coil energy consumption by utilising an embedded flow meter, along with supply and return water temperature sensors, the company said. The valve also has power control and Delta-T manager logics built-in, which monitor coil performance and optimise the heat transfer of the coil by maintaining the Delta-T, the company said.

The valve combines several functions in one valve unit, such as the connection to BACnet, MP-Bus and Modbus with the same valve, Belimo said. Besides the multi-bus connection, the company added, it is possible to save and reload settings from one valve configuration and load them into another valve, allowing for fast and accurate setup. Another highlight, Belimo said, is the newly designed user interface with an intuitive installation setup to make the valve ready in only a few steps. The valve also allows for the monitoring of glycol. It utilises an embedded temperature sensor and advanced logic algorithms to monitor the percentage of glycol content in the HVAC system, the company said.

Belimo's Cloud Support infrastructure helps to commission and produce the optimum setting for the valve in all operating phases, the company said. The Belimo Cloud provides straight-forward access to all data over the entire life cycle of the valve, thus forming the basis for fu-ture operation optimisation, the company added. Belimo Cloud Reporting permits a complete overview of the current and previous performance data, such as flows, energy consumption, power requirements and Delta-T with the most important performance indicators shown in graphs, the company further added.

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BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by Farhan Juratli

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lobal warming is “probably the biggest failure of the human race”, writes George Berbari, the CEO of UAE-headquartered DC Pro Engineering. His refrain forms the basis of his debut book, The Energy Budget.

In what is an important, comprehensive, exquisite and easy-to-read book, George writes lucidly about a staggering array of intertwined challenges, including the rampant use of air conditioning in the GCC region, characterised by a growing population (from five million in 1970 to 50 million in 2013), rapid urbanisation and climate change. Equally important, the region is associated with air conditioning as constituting up to 60% of a building’s total energy consumption.

George stresses that “global warming can be curbed and that our previous failure can be turned around to form a success story through better knowledge and concrete actions”. He also calls for a holistic approach and new ideas to produce “prosperous, inclusive, sustainable and well-governed societies”.

George points out to the rather limited use of District Cooling in the United States. In my view, however, the ultra-low penetration rate of District Energy in the United States, which is barely 0.17% of the market size for air conditioning, is not an anomaly, since District Heating and Cooling systems are best used in markets where (1) the thermal load density is high and (2) the annual load factor or operating hours are high; otherwise, it makes no sense to invest in the underground piping network and to reserve expensive lands across a development for the District Cooling plants, which might require waiting decades until that development is fully constructed and occupied.

I don’t agree with George, who has overpraised District Cooling at the expense of standalone cooling. Refer to Example 9 in Chapter 37 of the 2015 ASHRAE HVAC Applications Handbook, in which speaks of two different methods of providing chilled water for cooling a government office building: (1) purchasing chilled water from a central chilled-water utility service in the area or (2) installing

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a conventional chiller plant. For the values provided in the above example, alternative 2 is preferable, because it has a lower life-cycle cost. Indeed, standalone cooling could be more efficient and costeffective, particularly if the plant is sized and designed to meet hourly load profile data for the building.

In his book, George recognised the first law of thermodynamics, which is simply an expression of the principle of the conservation of energy, but he didn’t stress on the second law, which asserts that energy has quality as well as quantity, and actual processes occur in the direction of decreasing the quality of energy, the entropy generation, and the lost opportunities to do work; and it offers plenty of room for improvement.

At times of energy crisis, we are bombarded with speeches and articles on how to “conserve” energy. Yet we all know that the quantity of energy is already conserved. What is not conserved is the quality of energy, or the work potential of energy. Wasting energy is synonymous to converting it to a less useful form. To this point, we should recognise the Exergy, which is the maximum useful work that could be obtained from the system at a given state in a specified environment.

Unlike energy, the value of exergy depends on the state of the environment as well as the state of the system. Therefore, exergy is a combination property. The exergy of a system that is in equilibrium with its environment is zero. The state of the environment is referred to as the “dead state”, since the system is practically “dead” (cannot do any work) from a thermodynamic point of view when it reaches that state. This decrease in quality is always accompanied by an increase in entropy. Exergy is a property of the system-environment combination and not of the system alone.

The term availability was made popular in the United States by the MIT School of Engineering in the 1940s. Today, an equivalent term, exergy, introduced in Europe in the 1950s, has found global acceptance, partly because it is shorter, it rhymes with energy and entropy, and it can be adapted without requiring translation. To this extent, it could be more interactive to see another book by George about the Exergy Budget.

In conclusion, George takes us into the trenches of his executive practice. Thoughtfully and practically, analytically and personally, the book invites energy professionals to rethink what it takes to be on the right track.

The book offers a brilliant analysis of the worldwide need to balance economic development and environmental protection. It is a required reading for engineers and consultants, and general readers will finish the book realising they actually understand what Energy Budget is all about.

The Energy Budget (ISBN-10: 1483461041, ISBN-13: 9781483461045), by George J Berbari, is published by Lulu Publishing Services. It is available at www.amazon.com.

The reviewer is LEED AP and Certified Energy Manager (CEM) with over 20 years of experience in the design, commissioning, retro-commissioning, evaluation and optimisation of HVAC systems for commercial and residential buildings. He was a lecturer in Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer at American University of Sharjah in 1999 and Operation Manager at Carrier Corporation. He is currently a Project Manager - District Cooling.

He can be contacted at juratli@hotmail.com

Our environmental impact over the past seven years: 1.4 Billion kWh = 9,000 Reduction in energy consumption

= 782 million tons of

Taking

= 149,000 Off the road

Optimal cooling solution for a sustainable future If you are fortunate to enjoy district cooling, you will already know about its superior reliability, Efficiency and convenience over conventional cooling systems. But perhaps you didn't know that District cooling is more environmentally friendly produces less CO2, using less energy and also Taking up less space and reducing construction costs.

Qatar Cool in 2016 reduced 271 million kilo watt hours in energy which is equivalent to enough Energy to power over 9 thousand houses, this translates into reducing over 150 thousand tons Of CO2 which is the same as removing over 28 thousand cars off our roads.

Find out more reasons to partner with us at qatarcool.com or visit us on

A Better Way to Cool Your Environment June 2017

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