CCME - Nov 2019 by Climate Control Middle East

MARKET FEATURE: PUMPS | COUNTRY REPORT: GERMANY

November 2019

Climate Control Middle East covers the regional and global HVACR industry with a firm commitment to providing in-depth news and analyses on policy, business and technology.

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MARKET FEATURE: PUMPS | COUNTRY REPORT: GERMANY

November 2019

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November 2019

DIGITAL OPULENCE

COUNTRY REPORT

INTERVIEW

There is a growing sentiment that lavishing the HVACR landscape with IT attention will open the industry to a whole new world of possibilities, leading to greater efficiency and enhanced reliability

‘Sustainability is essentially a political issue’

Nobel Peace Prize awardee, Rae Kwon Chung speaks on the need for greater interconnection across Asia and discusses the progress the region is making with regard to renewable energy

Germany

Deutschland re-examines its future energy mix Stakeholders discuss how innovative technologies related to energy storage and automation are supporting Germany’s shift to renewable energy by ensuring reliability and addressing the issue of intermittency

November 2019

Technologies like Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality can reshape the opportunity landscape in the Middle East’s HVACR sector, says Thomas Weiss Technical Director, MRstudios

Inextricable link

Pursuing solar-powered solutions is vital to the global green economy transition, says Andreas Spiess, adding that their adoption is aligned with energy and resource efficiency policies, critical to a shift to a sustainable future

Dehumidifying sans a frigid environment

Let’s be thankful for air ducts, says Dwayne Sloan

3rd edition

Dateline Bosporus

The 14th edition of ISK-Sodex provided ample opportunity for visitors and exhibitors to get a deeper understanding of trends driving the global HVACR industry and the transition taking place in the refrigerant sphere, on the Turkish export market.

PUMPS The totality of it all Vendors are advocating that pumps need to be treated as part of a holistic solution and, hence, ought to be singly sourced to ensure all the parts of the system are working in harmony

REGULARS

Nimal Amukotuwa discusses how it is possible to provide dehumidified air to buildings at a low green cost, without compromising on thermal comfort

It’s so hot here!

POST-EVENT REPORTS

As IoT infrastructure connects more devices within buildings, the amount of data that can be mined for critical building management information is increasing exponentially, writes Marwan Zeidan

VRoom!

NOVEMBER 2019

MARKET FEATURE

How ‘Smart HVAC’ can slash O&M budgets, lower emissions

PERSPECTIVES

COVER STORY

page

VOL. 14 NO. 11

08 eDItor'S note Why be blasé about overdesigning to capacity?

56 Regional News 76 Global News

November 2019

EDITOR’S NOTE

Why be blasé about overdesigning to capacity?

mongst other articles, this issue features one that addresses the vexing widespread prevalence of the practice of overdesigning to capacity, one of the primary reasons for the ingress of moisture in the built-environment and the resultant mould infestation, unless other preventive measures are adopted. The lead of the article (see page 36) may appear trite, but correct design, as a practice, to quote William Shakespeare, is one that is more honoured in the breach than the observance. Nimal Amukotuwa, the writer of the article, citing his involvement in twin projects in Dubai, presents an argument that it is possible to provide dehumidified air without compromising thermal comfort. The simplicity of his approach in the projects raises the question, ‘Why should it be so difficult for more to apply thought?’ Or, has the problem to do with the reported paucity of specialised, well-qualified, experienced and earnest MEP consultants and MEP contractors? As stated ad nauseam here in this column, the issue with poorly performing buildings, be it in terms of reliability, energy efficiency, water efficiency or indoor environmental quality, is not owing to the non-availability of

Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACR

MARKET FEATURE: PUMPS | COUNTRY REPORT: GERMANY

November 2019

How AI, Big Data and the Internet of Things are decisively redefining the HVACR sector

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technological solutions. The region is awash in innovations; it only needs more knowing hands and technical nous to choose correctly and, equally important, install them with precision. And of course, after installation, come testing and commissioning, two vital steps in the construction cycle, which to quote the Bard again, are equally honoured in the breach. ASHRAE recently released an expanded and revised version of Standard 90.1, where it has added commissioning requirements for the first time. According to ASHRAE, Section 4.2.5: ‘Verification, Testing, and Commissioning’, of the ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.12019, Energy Efficiency Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, has been expanded “and requirements have been outlined for commissioning, in accordance with accordance with ASHRAE/IES Standard 202”. The 2019 version of the Standard is the 11th edition of the original standard, published in 1975 during the US energy crisis. Adversity led to introspection and the birth of a document. In this day and age, we find ourselves with having to slay the monster that is climate change and, equally, are staring at the prospect of greater incidences of respiratory diseases exacerbated by particulate matter and high concentrations of microflora. We can ill-afford to be lax about how we prepare our building structures for occupation, and decidedly need the enterprise and pioneering spirit of 1975.

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November 2019

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November 2019

Rae Kwon Chung

‘SUSTAINABILITY IS ESSENTIALLY A POLITICAL ISSUE’ Nobel Peace Prize awardee, Rae Kwon Chung speaks to Hannah Jo Uy of Climate Control Middle East on the need for greater interconnection across Asia and discusses the progress the region is making with regard to renewable energy as well as the vital role of policy-makers as a catalyst for change by incentivising sustainable design and technology adoption across the built-environment.

very close, they can just be connected – it’s not a big issue at all, even for China and Korea. It’s just a matter of political decision, but it’s not a huge investment. It is also an investment for making money for the businessman.

ou had previously spoken on the importance of greater interconnection across Asia and of a ‘Super Grid’ that could potentially facilitate the import and export of renewable energy among countries such as Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, Korea and Japan. Could you elaborate on this?

Before, we couldn’t think of linking those remote distances. Now, we have technology available. This technology can connect 3,000, 4,000 and 5,000 kilometres. The Chairman of the SoftBank Group in Japan already calculated the cost of sending electricity from Mongolia to China, Korea and up to Japan. He calculated the cost as two cents per kilowatt for laying a super grid all the way from Mongolia to Japan. Now, technology is not a problem, and even the cost is not a problem. The only issues are political – all issues are political. The electric company of Japan rejected the idea of importing electricity for political reasons and, maybe, for commercial reasons.

November 2019

Because there is an economic case in developing such grids, do you think?

Rae Kwon Chung

You had mentioned that we are, in fact, not far from achieving this interconnection. By how much do we fall short, in terms of infrastructure? Three hundred and seventy kilometres. It’s a submarine cable. Within Europe, they already have this, from the United Kingdom to Denmark and Norway. They have already connected through a submarine cable, sometimes 200 or 500 kilometres, so this is not an issue. In China, there is already 3,300 kilometres there, you don’t have to do it again. Kazakhstan is bordering China, so they are

Yes, there is an economic case. You don’t need any government subsidies for it. This is why the Chairman of SoftBank said he will do it with his own money, to make money. Because in Japan, renewable energy is more than 20 cents [per kilowatt hour]; if it can be produced at six or eight cents, then he can make huge money. But it is a political problem, as I said.

How would you gauge the progress of renewable energy across Korea? Very bad. They need to take a more decisive action, they are just talking now. There is no strong action, like in many other countries.

■ The interview with Rae Kwon Chung took place during the 24th World Energy Congress, from September 9 to 12 in Abu Dhabi. Climate Control Middle East wishes to thank the organisers of the Congress and to the Global Energy Prize for facilitating the interview.

November 2019

Rae Kwon Chung

There is no political objection to having a grid connection in north-east Asia. The Korean government is open to grid connection, as mentioned by President Moon [Jae-in]. It’s a matter of how you can arrange something that can make a business case.

energy is growing, prices are down and investment is growing. But if you look at the proportion of renewable energy of the total global energy portfolio, it didn’t change much – just six, seven, eight per cent. Also, fossil fuel subsidy is USD 370 billion around the world, every year, while subsidy for renewable energy is less than USD 50 or 60 billion.

In a way where government and consumers can both benefit?

So, we are still predominantly reliant on oil and gas?

Yes, because in Korea we have a renewable energy target set at 25% by 2040, which is a huge target, and 37% reduction target for CO2 emissions. Frankly speaking, without importing of renewable energy, from our side, I am not sure if Korea can really achieve its targets only by domestic action. That’s why I see that there is strong possibility that the Korean government finds it favourable to import electricity.

That’s right. So, even though we would see positive signals, we still need more decisive action.

What is the level of interest from the Korean government when it comes to importing energy?

How would you gauge the progress of Asia towards integration of renewable energy? Many countries are trying to publicise that they are doing a lot, but in fact, if you look at the real data, the ratio and quantity, the proportion of renewable energy – it didn’t change much. Everybody is saying renewable

You have also extensively discussed the need for an energy transformation in the market. Where does the opportunity lie for stakeholders in the built-environment to contribute to this paradigm shift, especially in view of growing reliance on mechanical cooling, which is currently driving a large chunk of energy consumption, globally? Personally, I think we should redesign our buildings, because our design of the buildings is closed, and to keep them cool, we need huge energy. We need some kind of ventilation system, using some kind of wind, passive cooling and also geothermal. You can use the geothermal energy for cooling and also heating – it can be one way of reducing the massive burden of energy through the use of air conditioning. But still, for economic reasons, they find it too costly or something like that. It can change, sooner or later, but here the fossil fuel is so cheap.

So the price signals have to come from the government? What measures do you recommend to be implemented to facilitate this shift in the market? Yes, that’s right. That’s what I mean about transformation. We need a carbon tax, we need to pay for the carbon – otherwise people don’t care. This applies everywhere. But people don’t like carbon tax and don’t want to pay for it, and that’s the issue. But that’s the fundamental tool for change; without it, it would be very difficult.

Which countries would you say have been successful and could serve as models for carbon tax frameworks? The United Kingdom has already set the target for zero carbon by 2050. Also, Germany is setting a goal for coal exit by

November 2019

2038. These countries are taking action, and they are proving that it’s possible. Even China is taking very strong action. The UK is importing electric buses from China, and China is the number one maker of electric cars in the world and the number one investor in renewable energy. Why? Because China wants to lead future industrial competitiveness. China is very smart, other countries should learn from it.

Do you see investment in this direction as also something that manufacturers should take into account? Oh yes… there is consumer demand for innovative, sustainable technologies, even if it is more expensive. If you catch up to those opportunities, you make money. But some companies ignore this, they don’t want to take action on climate change mitigation and renewable energy – that way, they are losing out on their industrial competitiveness. That’s one important point, now here in the UAE, it’s not just about solar panels. They also have to think about investing in developing technologies for the future. And there has to be a price signal change. Without that, there is no incentive. Without policy change, the companies cannot find any incentives and cannot make business case, because the price of energy is so cheap. I always think technology and policy go hand in hand. Without carbon tax, technology will not reach the market. Like this technology – of harvesting energy from footprint of people – we have it, but because of the price, it’s not everywhere. It’s just here at the Congress for display but not in our everyday life. Why? Because the price is not right and policy does not support it. Technology and policy go hand in hand.

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

■ Editor’s Note: Chung is Chair of the Global Energy Prize International Award Committee, serves in the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-level Expert and Leaders Panel (HELP) on water and disasters and, further, serves as Adviser to the Chair, and as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

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STAND FOR A HIGHER STANDARD

OVER STORY

DIGITAL OPULENCE There is a growing sentiment that lavishing the HVACR landscape with IT attention will open the industry to a whole new world of possibilities, leading to greater efficiency and enhanced reliability Story by Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

verybody has got some idea about digitalisation, but no one knows what to do and where to start,” says Dr Hüseyin Onbaşioğlu, R&D Manager, Mechanical Engineer, Friterm. Albert Baker, Co-Founder, Danalto, an IoT solutions provider, agrees, saying, “In many cases, end-clients are aware that digitalisation, specifically IoT and AI, can change their business and that they need to adopt these technologies to keep up, but they might not be well aware of how to adopt and how to get value from these types of technologies.”

November 2019

Undoubtedly, the age of digitalisation has created a paradigm shift across all businesses, including the construction industry and the HVACR manufacturing sector. In view of the rapid evolution of available technologies, there is a growing sentiment that stakeholders need to be educated on the true value integrating such features can bring. Baker says that a common mistake made when engaging with new endclients is that technical proof of concepts is required, when what is really required is proof of value exercises. “This means that the end-client and the solution provider should define where value would be realised and where problems would be solved,” he

says. In relation to the HVACR sector, Dr Onbaşioğlu points out that digitalisation has many aspects. “The first is product digitalisation or digitalisation of equipment, which is employing digital features and capabilities to your product,” he says. “The second is related to the manufacturing process, where digitalisation is used in the manufacturing process of the product. The last point is the digitalisation of your business model and processes with the consumers, where you communicate with consumers and use digital platforms to reach new customers. They are all under the digital evolution umbrella – digitalisation of product, manufacturing and of your way of businesses.”

DIGITAL INTEGRATION TO ENHANCE INTERNAL PROCESSES

Dr Hüseyin Onbaşioğlu

Albert Baker

Frank Taaning Grundholm

Toros Arslanyan

Morten Schmelzer

ABB Motion is one such example of a company that has been proactive in leveraging digital platforms to enhance internal processes. So says Frank Taaning Grundholm, Vice President, Global HVACR Sales, ABB Motion who adds that the company has recently finalised the implementation of 5G networks in one of its main factories and the use of robots in the manufacturing process. “We also integrated 5G devices into our systems, and the whole process is linked to our cloud system,” he says. The 5G, he explains, is implemented to oversee quality monitoring and to facilitate live interactions between the operator and the cloud system in the factory. Speaking for Friterm, Dr Onbaşioğlu discusses the use of digitalisation in the context of the company’s proprietary software, which was developed to streamline the proper designing of products. “For example, a customer may ask for a very specially designed heat exchanger,” he says. “You may not have the ability to calculate it, but you can write the methodology, calculation and implement it in the software.” He adds that the company has been asked for custom-tailored equipment in many cases and that the use of software provides Friterm with the competitive advantage of being able to deliver products faster. “Through the software, you can switch to another product very easily,

you can design it, manufacture it and sell it very fast.” Such flexibility, he says, would not be achieved if the software was outsourced, as the manufacturer would then have to communicate with the software developer on the methodology and calculation required, and the back and forth will lead to longer lead times and loss in immediate profits. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Dr Onbaşioğlu says, can then be implemented to enhance the design process. “AI can help you reach the best, most optimised and efficient design,” he says. “You have many parameters you enter into the software, you change it and get different results, but AI would help you to reach the best one.” Dr Onbaşioğlu points out that while software development is an important pillar within the company’s R&D, under the thermal and constructive design divisions, the laboratory also plays a key role in the process. “We need to confirm the software outputs with test results,” he says. “If we design a heat exchanger on the software, we have to see the capacity, pressure drop performance and other factors, to be sure the software is working properly. So, you manufacture the heat exchanger, put it in the lab, you get results and compare it with the software. If you have a deviation of more than, for example, three per cent, you adjust the calculation to have a better output.”

DIGITALISATION IN DESIGN SELECTION, INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING

In addition to enhancing product design, manufacturers are using digital platforms to aid customers in product selection during the project specification stage. Cenk is one such company, with Toros Arslanyan, Mechanical Engineer, Closed Circuit Cooling Systems Manager, sharing that the company’s entire product range of cooling towers is available through a digital software, allowing customers to select models with given design temperatures, which is an advantage in cases where customers do not want to share specific requirements from the onset. Morten Schmelzer, Technical Marketing Director, Systemair, Mathias Layher also discusses how the Swedenheadquartered company aims to present the configuration options of its products throughout its channels in a straightforward manner to help streamline equipment selection and design.

November 2019

OVER STORY

Digitalisation

“At Systemair, we are focusing on using, for instance, augmented and virtual reality for our technical education efforts as well as technical documentation,” he says. “Today, across the industry, most clients receive dozens of pages of manuals from manufacturers, and technicians have to figure out how to navigate them. We aim to support them through virtual and augmented reality. Users will receive interactive visual guidance in real time.” Schmelzer says this especially benefits an area that takes the most hits owing to project deadlines – installation and commissioning. The company’s apps and digital support network, he points out, would make life easier for those that have to commission and launch entire solutions that may be composed of different products that have different technical guidelines. “Through this process, you can visually guide them and also project live data values,” he says.

DIGITALISATION FOR PLANNED MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS For Grundholm, the sector that will receive the immediate benefit of digitalisation is Facilities Management. Currently, Grundholm says, building owners and FM providers are still heavily reliant on building maintenance schedules. “They send a person out on morning A, only for the person to find that he didn’t have the part he needed in the car, and he has to go back to the head office,” he says. “The fact that you can get a warning that maybe the bearing is failing allows you to have a spare motor or bearing, and if there is something wrong you can change it. You don’t have to spend two or three hours to figure it out.” Through digitalisation, FM providers can rely less on a schedule and, instead, identify when there is a warning situation that requires attention before it becomes a critical problem, Grundholm says, pointing out that this will lead to significant operational savings. Speaking in the context of the cloud system ABB has introduced, Grundholm says the company is working in a collaborative manner with operation centres looking at District Cooling networks, temperature management and at whether pumps are performing as intended or not. “We, for example, monitor the health of individual components, condition of bearings, and the condition of the harddisk on the SCADA system,” he says. “Customers wouldn’t think about monitoring how much

November 2019

of the harddisk storage capacity is actually used. We have experience that at 93 or 94% capacity usage, you start getting system issues, so we send a warning to customers to have a look at either cleaning data or adding storage capacity.” Bitzer is also proactive in its digital integration, with Mathias Layher, Director, Sales AC, Marine and Process, discussing the company’s IQ products, which have an interface and collect data. “The inverter will collect the data, which can be transferred to the controller of the Building Management System,” he says. “And it can even go far, because in some products we have Bluetooth. So, the software with Bluetooth allows you to see where the compressor is running and look at failure modes, which makes it easy to maintain.” Layher says that while the software has been available for some years in desktop version, the Bluetooth connection and mobile device conversion was introduced much recently. “With the smartphone, you can walk up to the compressor, collect data, see if something is wrong and send data to someone else,” he says. “If there is an issue you can send the data to us, and we can look at the same data. The app is free and is well accepted in the field. In general, all our IQ products have this capability. We have also introduced an IQ module, which means you can make your standard [Bitzer] compressor intelligent.”

THE MANY BENEFITS OF DIGITALISATION Schmelzer adds that such digital features are especially beneficial for owners of multiple facilities. “If you are a hotel owner with, let’s say, 200 facilities, you have units all over the place,” he says. “For the ones responsible for the maintenance of all the HVAC systems, it is very helpful to see how units are performing, not only live in the cloud but also whether there are malfunctions and when units need to be cleaned, so the systems warn him automatically.” For Layher, integrating digital features is especially important in view of the lack of skilled workforce in the market. “It’s hard to get trained people,” he says. “[These solutions] help give the technicians an opportunity to look at the compressor before they go on site. So, I think, in the future, this will be even more important to help better equip the workforce to take care of what is needed, reduce man hours and make better decisions.” Grundholm also highlights the importance of workforce optimisation, telling FM companies, “If you manage your fleet of service cars effectively, you can do more without having to add people. A car stuck in traffic isn’t doing any work, nor is the one driving the car. You need them to be in buildings. Also, customers may not be able to explain the problem well enough over the phone. When the service technician drives or flies to the site, he may only

November 2019

OVER STORY

Digitalisation

have to change parameters that would take only 15 minutes – that’s a lot of wasted resources. When you are more efficient with the workforce, it’s less wasted time and the requirement for additional labour reduces, as existing workforce will be made available where they are most needed.” In addition to reduced labour, integrating digitalisation in operations and management can greatly improve building performance, especially in view of wider sustainability goals. Baker says: “Energy has been the biggest and most compelling story when it comes to IoT and AI. The reason for this is because with energy data, a lot of insights can be inferred. Sustainability targets can be assessed and costs can be analysed and checked against the one data point they do have – their bill. Operations can be probed, and stakeholders can check when certain machines start and stop and what this means.” Baker points out that digitisation, in the form of light touch energy monitoring, such as LPWA networks and non-invasive clamps, can allow businesses to take a step back and assess their consumption, be it electricity, gas or water. “In the UAE and Middle East, in particular, where AC is heavily used, condition and consumption of these systems is key to ensuring that buildings are operating in a sustainable fashion,” he says. Grundholm also highlights how good maintenance through digital platforms can enhance indoor environmental quality. “Filters of airhandling units are often changed based on schedule of running hours,” he says. “But actually change should be based on the level of pollution in the air. Having sensors can evaluate how dirty the filters are and then do it intelligently.” Providing a cold chain perspective, Baker points out that IoT can greatly enhance food safety monitoring and quality monitoring in a number of ways. “IoT generates more data and at a granular level that wasn’t economically or practically possible before enabling technologies like LPWA networks came about,” he says. “This means that rather than monitoring a refrigerated unit for temperature dips and increases, temperature can now be monitored in the cold chain systems as a whole. This allows a record to be built where, from a compliance point of view and customer satisfaction aspect, data verifies quality and longevity of a product.” Baker points out that essentially food should be temperature-controlled.

November 2019

Detecting at what point in the chain it has not been adhered to, he adds, is critical to maintaining consistency in terms of safety and quality. City governments, he further adds, can greatly benefit from integrating such technologies by stipulating that data be used to verify metrics like temperature in live form. “Up to now, spot checks are used to check quality safety of products, but this only tells part of a story when it comes to the lifecycle of a product from farm to fork,” he says. “Live data through IoT, cloud and AI services enable a fuller picture and present real insights, if and when issues occur.”

Two years back, most of the solutions in the market could be very cost prohibitive for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the HVAC industry. Today, we are approaching a time where it makes sense for these enterprises to adopt such solutions

BOTTLENECKS TO ADOPTION While the benefits of integrating digitalisation is evident, the level of adoption still varies. Schmelzer says that while cost may be perceived as a barrier for adoption of digital solutions, a more pressing bottleneck is lack of awareness on the benefits investing in such solutions bring to the project in the medium- to long-term. “It really depends on the market – how mature the market is, how knowledgeable the market is, how common these types of technologies are, and how much they are used by consultants and installers,” he says. “Cost is only one factor, but the focus needs to shift on lifecycle costs and not just initial product price.” Weighing in, Baker says that more than cost, the complexity of deployments and lack of clarity around the value of the data being generated are the two most common reasons why some digital solutions do not seem to get off the ground. Grundholm says it is important for stakeholders to have a better understanding of the cost of not investing in such technologies. Providing an example, he shares that during a pilot test, ABB’s cloud system was added to an AHU. After installation, the team running the pilot received a yellow warning, indicating an issue with the system. However, the maintenance team was not informed, as it was a pilot. “One month later, it turned red,” he says. “Because it had gone all the way to the red alarm, there was much more service requirement to get the unit up and running. The cost of managing the issue quadrupled, because it wasn’t handled as early as it could have been. So, when you look at the cost, it may seem a little high, but think, what is the cost of fixing an issue?” Grundholm adds that the loss of profit owing to breakdowns is not as appreciated among building owners, as it is in some industries. “For example, in soda-producing companies, if I have a breakdown for 20 minutes, I am not able to produce X number of bottles,” he says. “We don’t think that way in HVAC, it’s not a production environment, but there is a cost to maintaining the equipment, and that cost increases if you have to get service in the middle of the night.” Grundholm says that avoiding breakdown through proper maintenance is not only important for mitigating cost but also for ensuring reliability of systems, which is especially vital in missioncritical facilities, such as District Cooling

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OVER STORY

Digitalisation

plants. “For these facilities, it is important to have good condition monitoring to ensure cooling is supplied to buildings,” he says. “If a cooling network breaks down, things can quickly escalate. If a central supply plant has an issue, buildings connected to it, which could be data centres or even hospitals, will get affected, and this could result in a catastrophic breakdown.” Grundholm emphasises that digitalisation is not only available to big plants and facilities. “The platform is maturing,” he says. “Two years back, most of the solutions in the market could be very cost prohibitive for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the HVAC industry. Today, we are approaching a time where it makes sense for these enterprises to adopt such solutions.” Grundholm says ABB is developing solutions in this direction. “For our drives, we have an app that will be updated soon. This will allow stakeholders to have direct communication with experts in the call centre via the app, which supports remote monitoring,” he says. “These solutions coming into the market are mainly targeted at SMEs.” Baker also advocates such holistic thinking among stakeholders in the food industry, pointing out that cost is not typically a bottleneck when it comes to integrating IoT for food quality monitoring, as business cases can be generated to ensure the system is economical. “However, when an incident in terms of food can damage a brand and potentially ruin a company, it is prudent now for enterprises to invest in the latest technologies in order to remove any blind spots they have in terms of data,” he says. “These are possible now and will become part of our everyday lives in the future.”

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS However, Grundholm warns that when it comes to integrating digital solutions, companies must be discerning as to the quality of the solutions being offered. “There is a massive amount of companies offering digital solutions,” he says. “The questions you have to ask are: 'Is this sustainable?’ 'If the company, being a small one, suddenly disappears, can it maintain the system?’ ‘Would the system run if the company were not there?” While this is an issue when it comes to smaller companies, when dealing with more mature solution providers, Grundholm says that historically, BMS suppliers had a particular proprietary network. “Everyone had their own protocol and couldn’t talk to each other,” he says. “If you started in one system, you had to stay

November 2019

in that system throughout. So, we need to be careful that when we select digital solutions that they are expandable, that you can extend the system and add to it, like new sensor technologies. You have to ask yourself: What can I do with my system in 3-5 years? How much flexibility do I have when selecting solutions? Some of these digital solutions move so fast. What is new today is obsolete in three years’ time. In three years, you may want something more, something different, and you want to make sure the platform can be adopted.” Providing the perspective of a technology-solutions provider, Baker points out that the key aspect of any deployment is secure data, sent reliably in a format that realises the value and proves the worth in the solution, for IoT and AI to inform better decision-making. “The questions to ask specifically should come from working back from the value proposition,” he says. “As an example, people could begin by saying: ‘I need to take action when I know the air quality in a building where people are working hits a certain level. Therefore, will I receive timely data to inform me of this change? How do I set a threshold on this live data, so I’m alerted only if the threshold is breached? Typically, operation managers do not have time to go through large data sets. Finally, stakeholders have to ask, Who is managing this data service for me? The last thing an Operations Manager wants above their own tasks is to now have to maintain an IoT deployment.” In such cases, Baker says that AI then comes into play, where rather than react to an event, like poor air quality, the system will predict based on occupancy, weather and the condition of AC units, among other factors, when air quality will be poor and any exposure to poor air quality will be avoided. “In the long term, support is required in managing this service,” he says. “Just as air and water

flow in any building, data should equally flow and do its job. It will not typically be businesses’ responsibility to manage this data. They, as the end-user, simply want to benefit from the data. Therefore, a solution provider should ensure their business model reflects this, and recurring support and maintenance contracts are required to support these engagements.” For Schmelzer, stronger regulatory requirements in terms of minimum energy performance levels and building inspections would help further encourage the adoption of digital solutions in the HVACR sector. “The ultimate driver, initially, tends to come from the regulatory side,” he says. “Why do such technologies have better adoption in some areas compared to others? Because the government sets certain requirements, which push the manufacturer or building owner in a certain direction. It’s the same with eco-design and energy performance requirements of buildings in Europe. The market needs to receive a push in the right direction, to have incentives and higher requirements for energy efficiency and indoor air quality. When this happens, it tends to be more likely that digital solutions are being adopted – and adopted well – because you would need them to support initiatives towards achieving efficiency targets.” At the end of the day, Schmelzer says, the solutions must offer a real added value beyond the design. “Digital solutions are not an all-purpose weapon,” he says. “People can say a lot about digital technologies, but to follow it is another question. It’s not just about what you see, it’s what is behind all of it. It has to have an impact in the building, help the consumer and, at the end of the day, make the client’s life easier and better.”

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

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ERSPECTIVE

Marwan Zeidan is Real Estate and Healthcare Segment Director, Middle East and Africa, Schneider Electric.

HOW ‘SMART HVAC’ CAN SLASH O&M BUDGETS, LOWER EMISSIONS As IoT infrastructure connects more devices within buildings, the amount of data that can be mined for critical building management information is increasing exponentially, writes Marwan Zeidan

uildings are the cornerstone of modern cities and urbanisation. According to a UN report, 55% of the world’s population lived in urban areas in 2018, reflecting a growth in urban population of the world from 751 million in 1950 to 4.2 billion in 2018. By 2050, the proportion is expected to increase to an astounding 68%. These projections show that urbanisation, the gradual shift in residence of the human population from rural to urban areas, combined with the overall growth of the world’s population, could add another 2.5 billion people to urban areas by 2050. In view of this growth, a report by Navigant Search in 2017 showed that 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of energy consumption is attributed to buildings. From a regional perspective, a Frost & Sullivan’s report found per capita electricity consumption in the GCC region to be high with a steep increase in consumption

November 2019

across the three sectors: residential, industrial, and commercial. The GCC region’s energy consumption is driven largely by the residential sector, with almost 47% compared with the global average of 25%. The need for a more energy-efficient, smarter world cannot be denied.

IMPROVE EFFICIENCY, WORK SMARTER One possible set of solutions can be found in the untapped potential of digital transformation. Combined with the growing awareness to manage energy smartly, a new breed of buildings has emerged. The ever-evolving technology has helped re-invent buildings and people’s experiences altogether. Advances in mobile, cloud-based and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are creating enormous opportunities for information gathering, sharing and analytics, impacting the way buildings are run. As IoT infrastructure connects more devices within buildings, the amount of data that can be mined for critical building

management information is increasing exponentially. This increases operational efficiency and improves the occupant experience while simultaneously allowing the building management to monitor and conserve energy. To achieve this, future building management systems should feature open-integration platforms, allowing companies and individuals to monitor, manage and control all building operations in one system. Such a system would enable actionable intelligence built on data from connected devices, sensors, and other sources. Other key considerations include scalability and security to ensure cost efficiency for the enterprise.

PUTTING THE “SMART” IN HVAC The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is impacting all industrial applications, and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is no exception. It is a new, large, and complex topic for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)s. The technology is arriving very quickly and is challenging the ways we think about cybersecurity, connectivity, analytics and services. It also offers a wide array of benefits, such as providing users with better communication, remote control and monitoring, and predictive maintenance tools. OEMs will have to manage this shift by implementing connectivity between the machines and the cloud, improving their web services with real-time applications, and providing more online content. Ultimately, however, they will be able to provide better services and smarter machines for their customers. The smart HVAC segment is growing faster than the overall HVAC market, in part owing to smart technology – like monitoring and analytics capabilities – making it easier for machine builders and end users to comply with regulations around proven energy efficiency and green buildings. The total cost of ownership is also reduced, thanks to embedded predictive maintenance tools that help service or maintenance teams be more efficient. No more unnecessary dispatches to check the machines; now, they only come when needed. Key elements of energy efficiency aim at improving the performance of energyintensive equipment within the buildings, which include HVAC of buildings that provide maximum number of energy efficiency opportunities in buildings. Improving HVAC energy efficiency through smart features will not only reduce energy consumption

but will also have a direct effect on global warming. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, HVAC equipment accounts for roughly 40% of the total energy consumption of a building, which is why efficient machines are in such high demand. Ultimately, companies should aim to compare their HVAC system performance with virtual environments. This would allow them to detect equipment issues and systemlevel faults for accurate diagnoses and enable rapid scalability across enterprise portfolios, so that everyone can benefit from lessons learnt across the board. In addition, budgets can be optimised with condition-based maintenance. Condition-based plans reduce unscheduled maintenance typically by 29%. It allows users to identify and fix issues before they become problems and reduce occupant complaints by 33%. These types of solutions allow businesses to identify trends, diagnose problems, prioritise costly repair problems or adjust control settings with significant savings potential. By automatically analysing the

system each day, companies can classify mechanical and control problems before they become occupant complaints and reduce time and expense by performing root-cause analysis. The reports generated offer predictable and actionable insights that improve sustainability and reduce energy costs by up to 20%.

ACHIEVING EFFICIENCY THROUGH INTEGRATION This energy-efficient future is becoming a reality in Dubai, where such solutions were implemented in The Hilton Garden Inn, at the Mall of the Emirates. Crucially, the hotel achieved its sustainability goals and greater energy and operational efficiency without sacrificing guest comfort. Leveraging automation to integrate with the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operating systems helped achieve optimal operational and energy while achieving guest satisfaction far above benchmark. The hotel, being the largest Hilton Garden Inn outside the US, is now one of Hiltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most efficient and sustainable hotels, achieving up

to 44% increase in energy efficiency due to occupancy-based energy management solutions, ensuring guest comfort, convenience and control while saving energy. The hotel also received LEED Gold Certification, the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Digitisation is still in its infancy and will continue to introduce important services and capabilities in the coming 10 years as technological solutions advance, providing smarter capabilities for businesses and individuals alike. Over time, smart HVAC machines will play a greater role in this drive towards sustainability and energy efficiency, ultimately driving us towards a better, safer world.

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.

November 2019

3rd edition

30 SEPTEMBER 2019

FALCON BALLROOM, LE MERIDIEN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE, DUBAI, UAE

BEHOLD THE BOTTLENE BOTTL The third edition of The Client, Consultant, Contractor Conference, organised by CPI Industry and held on September 30 in Dubai, provided a platform for developers, clients, government bodies, consultants, contractors, FM service providers, manufacturers and suppliers to flesh out individual challenges in a bid to help the MEP industry overcome issues that are barriers to the development of an energyefficient and sustainable built-environment. Story by Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

holistic approach is vital if energy management is to be achieved, and undoubtedly, the future of sustainability lies in the hands of all stakeholders. However, in today’s market, clients, consultants and contractors are faced with a number of challenges, as emphasised by Abdulrahman Hussein, PMO - Technical Control, North 25-Project Management, MERAAS. Reflecting on difficulties facing each stakeholder within the MEP industry, and how they serve as a hindrance to the development of a more efficient builtenvironment, Hussein said, “From the contractor side, the challenge is to digest the requirement of the employers (clients), as all projects are designed to budget.” Providing a client perspective, having been involved

November 2019

in project management, Hussein said that developers also face a number of issues, which require them to work hand in hand with consultants, in order to close the gap. Such dialogue is vital, added Sougata Nandi, CEO, 3E advisory, who pointed out that the realisation of high-performance assets is primarily the responsibility of developers who are driving project demand. For the most part, clients recognise the value that specialised MEP consultants and contractors provide when it comes to ensuring the optimum energy performance of building assets. However, Hussein said that given constraints related to time and budget, the lack of availability of skilled labour is drastically affecting the quality of projects in the market. “It’s about the quality of engineers,” he said. “Quality of labour affects the quality of the product, at the end of the day.”

CHALLENGES FACING CLIENTS For Hanan Ahmed, Head of Engineering & Maintenance Services, Al Baraha Hospital, the issue is all the more challenging, as healthcare facilities require contractors that have strong knowledge and understanding of specialised assets. “Our MEP is different,” she said. “I need someone who can do it with a backup system, not just [with a] first backup, but second and third backup. I have patients, and my priority in the hospital is to protect the patient, visitors and staff.” Given the critical nature of the facility she oversees, Ahmed pointed out that as a client it is imperative for her that a contractor provide quality cooling systems and ventilation, according to their particular requirements. “The contractor has to follow ASHRAE, AHRI, JCI standards for the hospital,” she said. “I need this worker to have knowledge of

healthcare facilities, and he has to give me the right thing with low cost and energy-saving at the same time.” Ahmed pointed out that air quality is also a must. “It’s not only about the cooling,” she said. “The humidity also has to be controlled, it can’t be more than 60%, because if so, it will spread infection in the hospital.” Lastly, Ahmed said, a proper FM mechanism must be taken into consideration, as it makes up 40% of the hospital’s running cost. In view of these requirements, Ahmed said that there are challenges when it comes to finding the right stakeholder with the right experience, and that contractors are designing assets without taking into account the unique challenges posed by the

Abdulrahman Hussein

region’s environmental conditions. “In the GCC region, our weather is a challenge,” she said, highlighting that the extreme temperatures, dust, sand and humidity lead to erosion of equipment such as chillers and AHUs. There are also instances, she said, where contractors are providing chillers that do not go up to the specified temperature requested. “The contractor should understand where they are working,” she said. “These are all challenges for us.” Ahmed added in instances where they are able to get a contractor with the necessary expertise, the rest of the staff may not reflect the same level of experience. “The project manager may be excellent, qualified and have knowledge in healthcare, but he will reduce cost by bringing someone who doesn’t know what is behind the wall, if there are medical gas pipes, and later so many incidents are happening,” she said. Paul Groves, Business Development Manager, Khansaheb Industries LLC, sharing his experience from the perspective of an AC ductwork supplier, said: “There is a big gap between what the client thought he was getting and what the contractor was planning to install. The consultant specified that antimicrobial duct is important, and the contractor just took it out of the specs. The client has to get what he is expecting.” Providing a perspective of the requirements of clients in the hospitality sector, Gurjit Bhui, Engineering Manager, Grand Hyatt Dubai, said that since hotels operate 24/7, the vendor should be able to give service in such a manner. “If there is a breakdown they have to attend to it in 24 hours,” he said. However, Bhui said this is not always the case. “When it comes to the implementation of new and energy-efficient technologies, the contractor will come and commission the system, but when it comes to the fine-tuning after the commissioning, they don’t give support,” he said. “We chase them, call them, and they say they’re busy. That shouldn’t be the case.” Bhui said it is vital for contractors to provide better service following the commissioning of the system, by possibly assigning a member to the hotel to monitor and address any challenges that may arise and that energy management systems needs to be finetuned and integrated with existing systems, so it can be operated by the hotel’s FM team in an efficient manner.

Hanan Ahmed

Paul Groves

Gurjit Bhui

EVALUATION PROCESS Sougata Nandi

In view of the existing challenges, a number of developers have become more discerning when it comes to awarding projects. “For Meraas, we are, on a yearly basis, evaluating vendors, contractors, consultants and suppliers,”

Suresh Kumar

November 2019

3rd edition

Hussein said, owing to the fact that many of the projects were not being executed in time. As such, he said, the company is willing to undertake the due diligence and conduct the necessary interviews to make sure the team allocated, be it local or international vendors, fits the purpose and understands the employer’s objective, especially as there is often no room for increasing the project budget. Bhui shared that hotels undertake a similar procedure. “We definitely evaluate vendors, and we do a technical and techno-commercial evaluation,” he said. “We need a vendor capable of completing the project timeline. The cash-flow should be okay, as well as the post-commissioning service.” Bhui added that it is also not always the case that the project is awarded to the lowest-priced consultant or contractor, emphasising that over cost they favour vendors that showcase a sense of responsibility and with the proper background of handling the project. Ahmed said that healthcare facilities are also stringent in the evaluation process. “Yearly, we are reviewing terms and conditions,” she said. “We are adding more strict standards and more technical issues. If stakeholders cannot compete anymore, it is very easy for us to kick them out of the tender.” Such measures, she said, is necessary, as a hospital cannot be a trial project for new and inexperienced consultants or contractors. “I cannot bring someone who has no knowledge and give them a contract for the MEP of a hospital,” she said. “It’s a very critical situation, and we are facing, day to day, a very critical system.”

Timothy McLaren

Jeán van Loggerenberg

THE ROOT CAUSE While empathetic to the challenges faced by clients, consultants and contractors draw attention to what they believe to be the root cause of these prevailing issues: cash-flow. Suresh Kumar, General Manager, Voltas, said, “The real crisis in the Middle East market is there is no proper budgeting done on projects based on square metre. Second, there is no contractor classification.” Timothy McLaren, Senior Commercial Contracts Engineer, Ramboll, shares a similar view. “You have competing elements of wanting a good design or build-out at lowest possible cost, and the word ‘cost’ is where this whole conversation hinges,” he said. Jeán van Loggerenberg, Partner, CKR Consulting Engineers, added that when it comes to discussing standards and budgets, a lot of clients understand the cost of everything but not necessary the value of it. “A lot of value is missed,” he said. “Quality is an issue, and it is something that will cost them.” Dr Zahid Rizvi,

November 2019

Dr Zahid Rizvi

Ayman Saad

30 SEPTEMBER 2019

FALCON BALLROOM, LE MERIDIEN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE, DUBAI, UAE

CEO & General Manager, Aspire Consulting, added that this is especially challenging when it comes to introducing new technologies in an effort to enhance performance of assets. “As consultants, you try to bring in innovation in projects,” he said. “Challenges you face mostly relate to communication and whether you can get the right ideas down to the contractor.” However, Ayman Saad, Project Manager - Dubai Hills Estate - DCP1 & CHWN Projects, Allied Consultants Ltd, pointed out that lack of planning among stakeholders is also leading to cash flow issues in projects. “There is an allocated budget, and it is also up to contractors to have a proper plan and lower cost,” he said. “We are getting blamed from an employer submitting low cash flow, because we are allocating one million a month and getting only 400,000.” Kumar said that in every project there has to be a financier. “Unfortunately, the contractors and subcontractors become the financier – that is where the confusion is,” he said. Kumar added that while it is the responsibility of the project manager to develop an integrated plan, he is yet to see projects where an integrated programme was put on the table. “The finance has to be in place,” he stressed, “I believe it’s time for some government authority to put a rule that unless the client has enough money he shouldn’t be allowed to start a project.” Nandi said that while the procurement process remains a challenge, an aggravating factor is market conditions. “Every project is born on an excel sheet,” he pointed out. “Any financial model is based on certain emotions, and the flip side of this dynamic geography is the fact that your market conditions can change overnight.” K Anbalagan, Managing Partner, Proleed Engineering Consultants, added: “If you look at the number of projects, it starts and stops again. Last year, there was a correction. Many of the contractors and consultants are fighting for survival. Basically, the construction market has slowed down. Plenty of projects handed over are empty. Even now, many of the buildings with District Cooling are running at 10-15% just for a few offices.” However, Anbalagan pointed out a smaller pool also brings an opportunity for bringing in higher quality consultants and contractors. Mansour Kharoub, Associate Principal - Mech Engineering Services, Khatib & Alami, added that while compared to 10 years ago, construction is less, there are still many jobs available in the market. “When you see number of bids we do, it’s quite good,” he said. “It also depends on the party: Is he a good consultant or strong developer? We see that small developers are going out from the market.”

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3rd edition

MOVING AWAY FROM THE NORMS

K Anbalagan

Mansour Kharoub

Vasanth Kumar

Khaled Derhalli

November 2019

30 SEPTEMBER 2019

FALCON BALLROOM, LE MERIDIEN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE, DUBAI, UAE

In view of the current market conditions, McLaren said it is evident that “a fundamental shift has to happen in the region”. Currently, he said, the market is primarily driven by an LPTA (low price, technically acceptable) mentality. “Once the contract happens, we are not planning for cost, we are planning for price,” he said. “The model just doesn’t sustain itself.” McLaren said that in the United States, the market is dominated by ‘cost contracts’, while in the Middle East region, the market typically uses lump sum contracts. “It may not be the best model or fit for what is going on in the economy today with shrinking budgets and appetites that haven’t changed from when we had larger budgets,” he said. “Time and time again, with different discussions going forth about performance and the way things get completed, on time or off time, I always see root cause to be the type of contract you are using. There are other ways, it doesn’t always have to be the same two or three contracts that everyone seems to use in the region. There’s a better mode.” Dr Rizvi echoed this saying that contracts typically drive cost-based selection of equipment, which can be challenging and difficult to execute. Kharoub said that while lump sum contracts have dominated the Middle East in the last five years, he has encountered different types of contracts in recent projects, such as design-and-build contracts. “There are new types of contracts on the big projects,” he said. “So, the different parties can try to change the contract if they find they can benefit more, or to fit their budget or to achieve their targets.” McLaren said that he believes there is still scope for FIDIC contracts, which he described as the gold standard for the industry, to be further adopted in the region. Vasanth Kumar, General Manager, IFMC Electromechanical Works LLC, added that such practice is currently widely followed in the market and that the FIDIC template has been localised in terms of payment and scope of contract. Kharoub said that while FIDIC has been a generally accepted standard and model used in construction, in some instances, clauses have been disabled according to the wishes of the client. “As consultants we have experienced before that to transfer some of the risk from the client side, it has been done through disabling some clauses in FIDIC,” he said. Commenting on this, Kumar said, “There is nothing called modified FIDIC, but we are using a modified FIDIC.”

To demonstrate the financial ramifications owing to the lack of coordination plaguing the market, Khaled Derhalli, Regional Director, EFECO, presented a case study of a project with the planned duration of 12 months and a contract value of 100 million. The budgeted cost for the project, he said, was 95 million, with a profit of five million. However, in reality, Derhalli shared that the project got completed in 18 months, with cost overrun by 12 million and resulting loss of seven million. Derhalli said the reasons the contractor was not able to achieve a sustainable cash flow was the design changes introduced; the extensive coordination for design development; the unresolved and unapproved variations; the undercertification, with consultants insisting on approved Inspection Request for work certification; arbitrary contra-charges by the main contractor; non-certification of materials on site; the vendors’ inability to meet specifications; the change of scope, due to local authority compliance; delays and sequence change by the contractor; and unachievable programmes resulting from constant scope changes and out-ofsequence works. Reflecting on the project, Derhalli said, “As MEP contractors, we are the weakest part of the chain. Even if we are doing the budgeting in the correct manner, after the award, the contract moved different ways, causing negative cash flow due to wrong acts in the industry from the client’s, contractor’s and the consultant’s side,” he said. “This is primarily due to poorly drafted contract. You will not get what you expect or planned for. That’s why we are selective.” Kumar added it is important for all stakeholders to exhibit the same judgment, “At the end of the day, you have to learn how to say a strong ‘no’, if the indication is not good, if the contractor is not good, if the consultant is not good, if the client is not good.”

In the December 2019 issue: Legal experts suggest recommendations on the drafting of contracts for variations, and steps to take to avoid costly disputes.

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

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November 2019

ERSPECTIVE

Thomas Weiss is Technical Director, MRstudios. He can be contacted at thomas@MRstudios.eu.

VROOM! Technologies like Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality can reshape the opportunity landscape in the Middle East’s HVACR sector, says Thomas Weiss

n August 2018, the well-respected German association for industrial communication and B2B marketing, BVIK, released the results of its survey, ‘Trends in industrial communication’. The more than 200 members of the association were asked to identify the main trends and challenges in their sector. Next to core issues, such as big data and data analysis, Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/ AR) found a place at the top of the list. While these technologies are gradually being utilised in the manufacturing industry in Germany, this is barely the case in the Middle East and, unless rectified, could represent a missed opportunity.

THINKING AHEAD IN TERMS OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Photographs courtesy of MRstudios

■ Virtual Reality with intuitive gesture control

November 2019

Immersive technologies, such as Virtual and Augmented Reality offer new ways to plan, control and sell complex HVACR products and projects. They can enable a manufacturer to explain its product in a more efficient, understandable and memorable manner. At the same time, these 3D technologies constitute increasingly important tools for internal and external education, production, service and maintenance, automation and data exchange. If applied and understood correctly, implementing state-of-the-art VR and AR rightly support manufacturers with their digital transformation process. They furthermore offer a good return on investment as they, for instance, reduce the need to ship real products across the globe.

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VR AND AR MADE UNDERSTANDABLE

EXAMPLES FROM THE HVACR SECTOR

Virtual and Augmented Reality can be broadly categorised as “3D real-time rendering technologies”. In comparison with classic animation films, which must be rendered over a longer period and have a pre-defined chain of events, AR and VR applications are interactive. The animation is rendered in real-time on devices such as a tablet or VR glasses, and the chain of events can be instantly adapted by the user.

Virtual Reality basically is a computer simulation of a real (for example, airhandling unit) or imaginary (for example, product prototype) object. In other words, it is an industrial type of computer game, in which the user could see a full-scale HVACR system on their screen and control all processes of it flexibly and in real time. Augmented Reality goes a step further and involves merging a real-world

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ERSPECTIVE

■ Virtual data centre cooling

MISPERCEPTIONS CONCERNING VR GLASSES Virtual Reality is often automatically linked with VR Glasses, such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. This is a common misperception. VR Glasses are only one of many means to show a Virtual Reality. A real-time VR environment can be equally projected on a touch device ranging from a large-scale touch wall to a smartphone, or a computer with a mouse. Accordingly, many companies first think about VR glasses and invest accordingly. Yet, VR glasses still offer various limitations that companies should be aware of: 1. The technology is still rather complicated to install, requires a high IT knowledge and constant supervision

■ An entire office HVAC system in VR

November 2019

■ Teleportation within the VR application using gesture control

2. Controlling VR glasses is often difficult and requires practice 3. VR glasses are not yet very mobile, as they require specialised PCs and sensor installations 4. The reach of VR glasses installations is limited, as only one person at a time can use them

INVESTING THOUGHTFULLY IN AR AND VR Accordingly, Virtual Reality, involving touch devices is, generally, the primary way to go for manufacturers. The IT infrastructure investments are manageable, and the VR application can be distributed broadly within the company or to externals. This maximises its usage and the eventual return on

investment. A system involving VR glasses tends to follow in later project stages. Equally, Augmented Reality applications offer a high utility and are increasingly being applied in the manufacturing sector. Same as with VR on touch devices – no high-end IT hardware is necessary; all that is needed is a good quality tablet or smartphone with a camera, which nearly everyone possesses these days.

INVOLVE EXPERTS IN THE REALISATION PHASE Having understood the general concepts and possibilities of Virtual and Augmented Reality, it is important to not rush into the realisation phase with the first best provider or idea. VR and AR are a complex matter, which should be approached with a long-term vision and gradually rolled out across departments. The provider should have a clear understanding of industrial processes and company structures. If not, the project may never amortise and, at some stage, may vanish into bits and bytes on your server.

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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ERSPECTIVE

Andreas Spiess is Co-Founder and Chairman, Solarkiosk Solutions.

Furthermore, producing abundant and competitively priced solar energy has little to zero carbon emissions, thus helping protect the environment from pollution. The aforementioned are, amongst others, just some of the impressive benefits of solar solutions that are essential to fast-track the fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Without further delay, we need to embrace the idea that solar-powered technologies and solutions are the way to go, if we are to become successful in our aspiration to build a low-carbon, sustainable future for all. We need to embark on initiatives with positive and lasting triple bottom line (socio-economic-ecologic) impact, consistently assuring not only the highest quality but, equally important, environmental and economic sustainability, as well. Take, for example, the use of solarpowered productive use outlets, dubbed as E-HUBBs. E-HUBBs can provide energy and connectivity for productive use, powering mini-clinics, schools, agriculture processing appliances, commercial cooling, financial inclusion and internet cafĂŠs as well as offering water purification. They can deliver a constant supply of electricity to local entrepreneurs acting as a B2B microgrid. E-HUBBs are just among the many innovative initiatives available to serve BoP communities in their economic growth path whilst protecting the environment. Pursuing solar-powered solutions is vital to the global green economy transition. Their implementation and adoption are also aligned with energy and resource efficiency policies critical to a shift to a sustainable future. More importantly, they are innovative and cost-effective. The opportunities are vast, and now is the time to embrace solar solutions when climate change has become an obvious threat to all of us.

INEXTRICABLE K N I L

he global energy demand continues to rise at an unprecedented rate. An industry report, titled Global Energy Outlook 2019: The Next Generation of Energy, has predicted that the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s energy consumption, mainly fossil fuels, will accelerate 20-30% or more through 2040 and beyond sans aligned, multilateral and efficient climate policies. The study has credited the rapid population boom, especially at the base-of-the pyramid (BoP), and economic progress as major demand drivers. The long-term use of fossil fuels, however, is not an option for a community that is racing against time to transition to a green economy. It has been noted that fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide when burned, causing air pollution and other climate challenges. Over one-third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are caused by burning fossil fuels to generate power. Another contributing factor is rapid uncontrolled deforestation, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly caused by rural communities to produce charcoal for cooking. Societies are now turning to clean electricity resources to effectively address the energy demand while protecting the environment and supporting sustainable development. The global solar energy industry has gained remarkable momentum, with experts forecasting its exponential expansion in the coming years, in particular

November 2019

in frontier markets around the globeÂ´s southern belt. Figures released by Allied Market Research have shown that the solar energy industry worldwide will reach USD 422 billion by 2022, up from USD 86 billion in 2015. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.2% from 2016 to 2022. Access to and the productive use of solar energy constitute a great enabler for many communities, especially in rural, off-grid areas, where there is no feasible alternative to solar, across the globe. Solar is adaptive and modular and can be applied for on-grid as well as decentralised off-grid solutions. It can power anything from watt to gigawatt. It helps transform major sectors such as agriculture, health, education, administration and communication, while at the same time meeting the all-encompassing sustainability agenda. In terms of job creation, the industry is expected to provide significant income-generating opportunities to many people, in particular at the BoP, where solar energy empowers productive use, thus increasing economic output of rural off-grid communities without harming impact on the environment.

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.

November 2019

ERSPECTIVE

Nimal Amukotuwa is an independent consultant based in Dubai. He can be contacted at namukotuwa@gmail.com.

AFTER THE ENERGY CRISIS With the onset of the energy crisis, the building ventilation system transferred the high-ambient air thermal energy to the extract discharged from the building as a means of energy recovery. The energy transfer was usually performed with runaround thermal transfer coils. Due to the energy consumed by reheat coils, reheating was discontinued, and the dehumidified air was supplied around 13 degrees C to 14 degrees C into the space. Figure 2 indicates the general layout of an FAHU installed during this period.

CURRENT INSTALLATIONS

DEHUMIDIFYING SANS A FRIGID ENVIRONMENT Nimal Amukotuwa discusses how it is possible to provide dehumidified air to buildings at a low green cost, without compromising on thermal comfort

may sound trite when I say this, but building ventilation is eminently essential for maintaining the air quality in a building to give occupants a comfortable living experience. The guidelines for ventilation and IAQ (indoor air quality) of buildings are found in ASHRAE Standard 62 (Standard 62-1 and 62-2). The International Mechanical Code (IMC) also provides guidelines relating to building ventilation. The guidelines provide the ventilation rates for various types of building occupancies, with an eye on occupant comfort. So, what were the building ventilation systems or practices followed in Dubai prior to the energy crisis? The systems or practices in earlier days revolved around

November 2019

providing dehumidified ventilation to the building, where the supply air temperature was reheated. It was a time when energy recovery was not considered or used. The reheating was achieved through either electric heating coils or hot water coils that were installed in the fresh-airhandling units (FAHUs). Figure 1 indicates the general layout of an FAHU installed during that period.

As per Dubai Municipality requirements, the current installations are fitted with recovery wheels that transfer sensible heat as well as latent heat (moisture), due to the desiccant coating on the wheel. Again, the reheating is not performed. Even with the latent transfer through the wheel, the FAHU cooling coil requires dehumidifying the ventilating air to reduce the moisture content to the desired level, some of the times. This process requires the air to be cooled to around 13 degrees C.

DOES THE CURRENT INSTALLATION PRACTICE MEET ASHRAE GUIDELINES? Do the current installations in Dubai and other coastal areas in the UAE, where the ventilation is supplied at around 14 degrees C, or lower, directly to the conditioned areas, meet the ASHRAE Standard 62 (62-1 and 62-2) guidelines? In my opinion, they do not. My opinion is based on interpreting ASHRAE Standard 62 as â&#x20AC;&#x153;providing a guideline to the ventilation to address health and comfort requirements". Supplying cold air that is not controlled by the space thermostat cannot be considered as providing a comfortable air supply. In Dubai, the number of hours per annum, where the moisture content of the ambient air is above that of the desired level in an

â&#x2013; Figure 1

■ Figure 2

switched off from the thermostat, but the space is cooled further by the ventilation supply, causing many occupants to complain.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT SOLUTION

■ Figure 3

In the past few months, I have been requested to provide a design to replace 12-year-old ventilation systems in two buildings in the Bur Dubai area, both independent of each other. At the time of the original installation, energy recovery from the building extract was not considered, and the existing ventilation and extract risers were not installed adjacent to each other. Therefore, using an energy-recovery wheel was not possible, and the available solution was to use run-around thermal coils. To overcome the issues – that is, supplying air at around 13 degrees C to the conditioned space – the ventilation air was reheated in an energy-efficient manner by recovering either the ambient air or extract air temperature, with run-around thermal transfer coils, as shown in Figure 4. In the Bur Dubai projects, the supply air was reheated to around 17 to 17.5 degrees C. The temperature was controlled with a variable-frequency drive pump and a three-way control valve. The operation of the three-way on/off control valve is through a differential temperature

■ Figure 4 occupied conditioned space is over 5,000, and the ambient dry bulb temperature over 24 degrees C is around 6,280 hours. The energy transfer wheel would not be able to bring the ambient air to the required or desired level for many of those hours; therefore, the cooling coil requires to cool and dehumidify the air. To achieve the required moisture removal, essential for ensuring indoor occupied comfort conditions, the ambient air needs to be cooled below 13 degrees C or lower. When air at temperature is delivered to the conditioned space, the occupants would feel cold, as the air conditioning units serving the space have no means of controlling the temperature of the air delivered by the ventilation system. The undesired cooling from the ventilation supply is felt more prominently in residential buildings, where the ventilation air requires dehumidifying (removal of moisture) in the late evening and early mornings. During these periods, the space load is low, and air conditioning units serving the area are

November 2019

ERSPECTIVE

■ Figure 5 The estimated saving on power consumption per annum from the cooling coil for 1,000 l/s of air is 11,000 kWh. This power saving is from the 33,000 kWhr (kilo Watt hours of refrigeration) saved by the chilled water cooling coil, based on an average CoP of 3.0. The additional fan motor consumption from the run-around coil having a pressure loss of 45 Pa (for each coil) is 1,690 kWh (considering a total pressure loss of 90 Pa at 45 Pa per coil). The circulating pump for the thermal transfer coils is 300 watts, which means a consumption of 2,628 kWh per annum. From the above, it can be concluded that the provision of reheat via a run-around thermal coil, as discussed, is an energy-efficient method of maintaining the ventilation supply in meeting ASHRAE Standard 6.2 – it results in a savings, on an average, of around 6,682 kWh of electrical energy for every 1,000 l/s, annually.

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.

■ Figure 6 controller, which switches the flow either to the Thermal Transfer Coil #1 or to the Thermal Transfer Coil #3, from Coil #2 – that is, common for both conditions. Figure 5 indicates the flow, when the ambient temperature is higher than the building extract temperature. The flow, when the ambient temperature is lower than the building extract is indicated in Figure 6.

CONCLUSIONS In the installation with the thermal transfer coils, reheating of the supply air to 17 to 17.5 degrees C prevented the space from overcooling, thereby avoiding a situation of the occupants from complaining about the space being too cold. The additional power consumed by the FAHU fan motor, extract fan motor and variable-speed water pump motor is much less than the energy saved by the reduction in cooling load during the period when ambient temperature is higher than the building extract temperature. Therefore, the addition of the three runaround coils does not increase the annual power consumption and, in the bargain, provides a more comfortable indoor condition to the occupants.

November 2019

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November 2019

ERSPECTIVE

Dwayne Sloan is Director of Principal Engineers and Regulatory Services at UL. He can be contacted at UL.MENA@ul.com.

IT’S SO HOT HERE!

Let’s be thankful for air ducts, says Dwayne Sloan

he Middle East is known for many things – but one unmistakable characteristic of the region is the yearround warm temperatures. So, we will take a moment to appreciate air conditioning, ventilation, air ducts and the products that seal them. There are millions of feet of factory-made air ducts installed in residential and commercial buildings, worldwide. From the hottest summers in this region, to the coldest winters in cold regions, these unsung heroes deliver tempered air just for our comfort. Around the late 1950s, primarily in North America, the predominant means of delivering comfort air was through sheet metal air ducts. When alternative air duct types were being considered, such as factorymade rigid fiberglass air ducts, spirally wound metal ducts and flexible (wire helix) air ducts, the governing building regulations needed a way to demonstrate that these products possessed the adequate fire performance, material construction, and structural integrity for safe and effective use within buildings. UL worked diligently with the regulatory community, air duct industry and the sheet metal duct industry to publish the very first Standard on this topic, UL 181, Standard for Safety Factory-Made Air Ducts and Connectors, which was released in 1961.

November 2019

REQUIREMENTS Today, eleven editions of the Standard later, most major codes – such as IBC, IMC, IRC, NFPA 90A, NFPA 90B, NFPA 5000, UMC, UAE FLS and KSA SBC 5011 – require commercial and residential factory-made air ducts to comply with ANSI/UL 181. This Standard challenges air ducts to a full range of rigorous tests before the designs are acceptable for use. The below is a summary list of tests from UL 181 for rigid and flexible factory-made air ducts:

In the mid-1990s, it was recognised that the products that attach and seal air ducts also needed their own dedicated set of requirements. UL worked with industry to develop UL 181A - Standard for Closure Systems for Use With Rigid Air Ducts and UL 181B - Standard for Closure Systems for Use With Flexible Air Ducts and Air Connectors, applicable to tapes, mastics and non-metal fasteners. More recently, specific air duct types, such as phenolic rigid air ducts, have become prevalent in the region. It is UL’s experience that the insulation component of these air ducts plays an important role. We find that products such as phenolic and fibreglass have burning characteristics that allow the overall duct constructions to comply with the rigours of UL 181. Conversely, in our experience, insulations such as polyurethane foams do not allow the overall duct constructions to comply with the flammability requirements of the Standard. In addition, UL has created new Outlines and Standards for fabric dispersion ducts, aerosol-sprayed duct sealants and sheet-metal ducts with presealed ends.

THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION The current UAE Fire and Life Safety Code (2018), Chapter 10 requires factory-made air ducts to be Class 0 or Class 1 and listed in accordance with ANSI/UL 181. Listing and labelling of these air ducts demonstrates an ongoing commitment to safety and quality. Air ducts comprise several materials assembled together

Fire Tests:

Surface Burning Characteristics – evaluates flame spread and smoke-developed characteristics, in accordance with UL 723 (ASTM E84) - FS less than 25; SD less than 50 Flame Penetration – duct wall sections withstand exposure from a furnace fire for 30 minutes while supporting an eight-pound weight Burning – resistance to sustained flaming and flame travel are evaluated in horizontal, 45 degree and vertical orientations

Material Tests:

Corrosion Resistance, Mould Growth and Humidity, High and Low Temperature Tests

Integrity Tests:

Puncture, Static Load, Impact, Erosion, Pressure, Collapse, Tension, Torsion, Bending and Leakage Tests

November 2019

M EN T

TE N C FO P EA D (D O RNAND U D D BA C O P IM N O U TRO N IC L IN IP DE A P T LI A TY RT S

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

)

PRODUCED BY

ERSPECTIVE

FR O M

10TH MIDDLE EAST COLD CHAIN FOOD SAFETY CONFERENCE 15 January 2020 Dubai, UAE

‘The inﬂuence and importance of culture, ethos, consumer expectations and behaviour on a nation’s food safety and quality assurance eco-system’

OVERVIEW In keeping with the spirit and importance of the World EXPO in 2020 in Dubai, the 10th edition of Food Chain will be a gathering of nations for a revealing of narratives on food safety and quality assurance (FSQA). A nation’s FSQA eco-system depends on the culture and ethos that pervades all aspects of society. It is underpinned by efforts related to planning, implementation policies and enforcement mechanisms. All these attributes coalesce to form its sensitivity to, and awareness and acceptance of, FSQA protocols, from farm to fork. The 10th edition of Food Chain aims to present these narratives in vivid detail, including the role cold chain plays in substantially meeting FSQA-related goals.

SPEAKERS (SO FAR)

Jeheina Al Ali Acting Head of Section, Applied Nutrition and Food Permits, Dubai Municipality

Sultan Ali Al Taher Head, Food Inspection Section, Food Control Dept., Dubai Municipality

Bobby Krishna T M Senior Specialist, Food Permits and Applied Nutrition Section, Dubai Municipality

Bjorn Ostbye Project Development Manager, Lulu Group International

Richard Sprenger Chairman & food safety expert, Highfield Group

www.foodchain-me.com 42

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ERSPECTIVE

UL TO HOST TWODAY SEMINAR IN DECEMBER UL will be hosting a two-day seminar, titled “Meeting the Safety Challenges of the Built Environment” on December 18 and 19, 2019 at the Sofitel Dubai, Jumeirah Beach, UAE. The seminar will focus on fireresistive ducts, ventilation ducts, exterior wall systems and UL’s Field Engineering Services. Besides UL, participants include the Civil Defence, manufacturers, architects and many others. For more information, contact UL.MENA@ ul.com.

as a composite. The listing and labelling programme demonstrates that the complete composite assembly – the insulation, adhesive, facing and more have been evaluated. Certification with UL means a product has been evaluated, complies with UL’s requirements, and is manufactured under a follow-up programme, meaning the certification extends beyond testing. This programme allows UL to verify that products remain compliant with requirements and are produced in a manner representative of the construction of the product that was originally evaluated and certified. UL’s Listing Mark on air ducts and their closures is the manufacturer’s representation that samples of that product have been evaluated to the rigours of UL 181, UL 181A and UL 181B, as applicable. While the primary objective of the Civil Defence and the implantation of the UAE Code is to ensure safety of life and property, it is recognised that product manufacturers, building owners, architects, consultants and other stakeholders share in this responsibility. Chapter 18 of the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code addresses these responsibilities of stakeholders. Assuring that air ducts bear

a third-party certification label and that they are installed in accordance with the accompanying manufacturers installation instruction is important to ensure that the products installed are under a follow-up programme and have been found to comply with applicable requirements.

1. IBC – International Building Code IMC – International Mechanical Code IRC – International Residential Code NFPA 90A - Standard for the Installation of Air-conditioning and Ventilating Systems NFPA 90B - Standard for the Installation of Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Systems NFPA 5000 – Building Construction and Safety Code UMC - Uniform Mechanical Code UAE FLS – UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice KSA SBC 501– Saudi Mechanical Code

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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ISK-Sodex, Turkey

DATELINE BOSPORUS

The 14th edition of ISK-Sodex in Turkey saw greater participation of foreign delegations compared to previous years. As such, the event provided ample opportunity for visitors and exhibitors to get a deeper understanding of trends driving the global HVACR industry and the transition taking place in the refrigerant sphere, on the Turkish export market. Hannah Jo Uy of Climate Control Middle East travelled to Istanbul for this story…

he 14th edition of ISKSodex, from October 2 to 5 in Istanbul, saw the participation of 1,021 exhibitors from 35 countries and 85, 371 visitors from 107 countries, according to organisers, Hannover Messe Sodeks Fuarcılık. While the footfall came as no surprise, given the scale of the event, a notable feature in the 2019 edition was the diversity of the exhibitors and participants, many of whom had come from far corners of the globe to sample the latest the HVACR industry had to offer. Ozan Atasoy, President, ISKID, said the increase in number of foreign participation fulfills the event’s objective of being a global fair. “From the beginning, ISK Sodex was designed to be an international fair,” he said. “Every year, more participants visit, and now, it’s considered the third biggest HVAC fair in the world.” Providing the perspective of an exhibitor at the time of the event was Faik Tellioğlu, General Manager, Fire Suppression Products, Tyco (a Johnson Controls company), who said: “Maybe 50% of those at our stand are international visitors. Turkey is like a hub for the region, and a lot of visitors are coming in from different countries.” Herman Haçaduryan, Deputy General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Executive Board Member, Refkar, added

November 2019

that while the company observed new visitors from countries as far as Australia, the footfall from foreign participants can be attributed to the work and investment of local organisations. “Thanks to ISIB, lots of people are coming to visit the exhibition,” he said in the midst of the event. Speaking for ISIB was Ümit Çinar, Director, who said: “As the Turkish HVACR [Export] Association, we are working to increase the profile of international participation at the Expo by organising buyer-mission programmes and B2Bs to increase foreign visitors. We generally invite sector leaders to come with their delegation, so the international profile of the Expo gets stronger.” First-time visitor, Uche Iheanyichukwu, Project Head and Managing Director, RhodaFranks, a company based in Nigeria, shared an overall positive review of the fair. “It’s quite impressive, it’s quite vast, and everyone is here,” he said, while speaking to Climate Control Middle East during the event. “What this tells is that there is a future for the HVAC R industry from the interest of the people.” Another such visitor was Jamal Rokhsat, Managing Director, Aykaar Engineering, a company based in the Middle East, who said: “Next year, I will participate as an exhibitor. I found it to be a very important fair, with several major European, Chinese, and Korean companies, and we have made good negotiations with lots of other foreign companies, as well.”

Atasoy added that such diversity could also be observed in seminars on the sidelines, many of which were spearheaded by foreign associations, such as ISHRAE, to help further facilitate knowledge exchange among visitors. For visitor, Adrian Balaoi, CEO, Frigo Consult, a company based in Romania, with projects across Europe and the Middle East, such knowledge exchange was the main driving force for his participation in the show. “I’m here to have more technical information and news about the industry,” he said, while speaking during the event. “I think it is very important, because when you are in contact with the client, they ask what is your opinion, and if you have information, see the products and meet the people, it’s easy to help.” Balaoi also discussed the progress of Turkish manufacturers. “Turkey is a country where a lot of famous companies, like York and Carrier, decided to produce and manufacture,” he said, “But also, in parallel, Turkish companies, which have influence, have started to be a competitor of famous brands.” Rokhsat added, “During my visit, I saw that Turkish factories are really improving more and more in their quality and reaching European standards.” Atasoy said that, undoubtedly, the fair’s growing international profile was indicative of the strong development of Turkey’s HVACR manufacturing sector. “Our export volume last year [2018] was USD 4.5 billion,” he pointed out. “That’s bigger

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November 2019

than the GDP of some countries in the world, so it’s a huge market for us.” Çinar added that ISK Sodex is also one of the biggest expo in Turkey compared to conferences dedicated to other sectors.

TRANSITIONING FROM A GLOBAL MANUFACTURING BASE TO A KNOWLEDGE HUB Atasoy said that the strong export volume reflects the positive evolution of the Turkish HVACR industry, which has undergone a series of transformations over the past few years. “We started mainly as OEM and part manufacturers,” he said. “Then became product manufacturers, and soon international companies established their own factories and production facilities and produced here for local and also foreign markets.” While Turkey continues to be a strong HVACR production base, Atasoy said the main transformation has been towards leveraging experience and knowhow to invest in innovation. “Ninety per cent of the added value is from innovation, marketing and sales and R&D – these kind of activities,” he said. “So, we started to concentrate on the 90%, and we started to develop our own products and designs.” Sharing the same observation was Haçaduryan, who said many Turkish companies have now invested heavily to take a leadership role in developing new products “We managed to realise how important that is and, finally, many companies have people for R&D, with some having a centre for research.” As such, Çinar said that the Turkish market continues to grow year by year. “In some product groups, we are leaders already,” he said. “For example, Turkey is the top country in radiators, and we are also strong in [manufacturing of] boilers. We are also very strong in manufacturing and export of split air conditioning.”

EMERGING MARKETS Part of the Turkish HVACR sector’s growth strategy, Çinar added, has been to strengthen its presence in key markets, such as Africa, which is poised to demonstrate strong demand for HVAC products. “Africa is a very important [market] for many cases,” he said. “The population is growing, and their market share is increasing year by year.” Most countries, he said, also have strong growth potential, owing to increasing income from petroleum. Iheanyichukwu expressed the same opinion. “Africa is developing,” he said, “South Africa is one of the biggest

November 2019

Ozan Atasoy

Faik Tellioğlu

economies in Africa, and the HVACR market is quite huge and fast-growing, as well. In Nigeria, the HVACR market is enormous, because temperature reduction is paramount for people to work in this environment and for preservation of food.” As such, Çinar said, ISIB is actively organising introduction days, which include programmes and seminars in countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya and Algeria. In Tanzania alone, he said, Turkish share of the market has increased by five per cent in 2019. Atasoy said Europe continues to be a market of interest, as many Turkish companies supply to the region, meaning products are developed in a way that comply with stringent EU standards. Speaking on the Middle East, Çinar said the region will always be a key area of interest for local manufacturers. “Middle East is always important, because they have big markets,” he said. Similarly, Turkey is full of opportunities for foreign companies, as well, said Atasoy, highlighting interest from Asian markets, following the strong adoption of VRF technology. “VRF started around the end of 1990s and the beginning of 2000s,” he said. “In those days, no one was expecting it would be so successful. At the moment, the applied systems market – AHUs, FCUs and chillers market – is worth around USD 300 million in Turkey, while split air conditioner market value is USD 350 million. Totally, the market value of HVACR products is around USD 1 billion dollars, and at the moment VRF, has more market volume that applied systems in Turkey.” Atasoy said the strong adoption of VRF in the Turkish market can largely be attributed to the expertise of local technicians and engineers, when it comes to design, installation and commissioning of the system, which breeds trust among the project owners. “There’s a lot of trust in the technicians,” he said, adding this is owing to investment of leading Chinese and Japanese companies to educate local technicians on best practices. “People are happy with the application, because it’s easy for them – they just order the product, technical teams come and make the piping and refrigeration, press the button and it works.”

Herman Haçaduryan

GLOBAL MARKET LEADS TO GLOBAL TRENDS Considering the growing nature of export business and the international profile of attendees, Atasoy highlighted how ISKSodex provides a snapshot of global trends within the HVACR sector. “As we are part of the global market as the HVAC industry, we are not excluded from those trends,” he said, adding that in addition to energy efficiency and digitalisation, the refrigerant transition is the biggest issue facing HVACR sector, in view of deadlines imposed by F-gas Regulation and the Kigali Amendment. Iheanyichukwu said the topic of refrigerants is something he hoped to gain further clarity on by attending the event. “I had a lot of questions at the bottom of my heart, and I was also looking forward to answers,” he said. “I wanted and expected some workshop talk that could have been helpful to answer some of those questions, which I didn’t see. One of the things I am looking at is how to control climate change. It’s a concern. I want to see how can manufacturers contribute and manage the byproducts from heating, ventilation and air conditioning and the use of refrigerants. You cannot solve one problem and create another problem. You’re trying to provide cooling, but we have to also take into consideration the side-effect of this development.” Atasoy said there is a need for further discussion among stakeholders on the issue. “The Turkish market adapted to the F-Gas Regulations,” he said. “We started to adapt around three to four years ago. I can say we are almost ready for F-gas regulation, but we have to get ready all the infrastructure, training, certification, information collection and test procedures. Now, we are focusing on that. Certification companies have been established, and now they start to give training and provide examinations for technicians. Companies are investing in that part of the business. We have to adapt ourselves – there is no other option” Discussing the Kigali amendment, Atasoy said there should be greater urgency among stakeholders due to the fact that refrigerants in the market will be phased out by 2029. “That means a big change in the industry,” he said. “It also means a big risk for our industry. Because we have products, we develop them, certify them and make a lot of

Ümit Çinar

Uche Iheanyichukwu

investments in them. We are exporting them to other countries.” As such, he pointed out that manufacturers must future-proof their technologies to adapt to these trends. Additionally, Atasoy said local regulations in Turkey would be poised to implement similar regulation in this direction. “We are not a member of the European Union, but we strictly follow the European regulations,” he said. “In the past, trends or regulations that happen in Europe came to our country five or 10 years later, but now it comes to our country one or two years later. So, we adapt the regulations to our industry.” Regulations, he emphasised, incentivise companies to develop products according to energyefficiency requirements, pointing out that on one side, manufacturers are forced to develop

Jamal Rokhsat

themselves to comply with local regulations, but that similarly, it allows them to maintain competitive advantage by ensuring products comply with global standards and regulations, especially those in the EU. Atasoy said: “It is important for our members to develop a strategy on how we handle this change, and on January 15, 2020, we are organising a big seminar for our members and manufacturing companies to discuss the roadmap to this issue. We have to be ready.” Atasoy added that some manufacturers are moving ahead of the curve. “Components – for example, heat exchangers – they are almost ready,” he said, “but some components and companies have to start thinking in that direction and develop a strategy for this big change. As

Adrian Balaoi ISKID, we want to show the big picture to our members, we want to show what will happen in 5-10 years’ time. It’s very important. It’s a risk for us, as an industry, but if we help our companies adapt in a good way, we can turn it into an opportunity.” In the December 2019 edition: A cross-section of manufacturers who exhibited at ISK-Sodex will discuss product innovations, digital initiatives and global business strategies

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November 2019

ARKET FEATURE

Pumps

THE TOTALITY OF IT ALL

Cost-centric thinking has pushed the market to opt for the lowest-priced component at every turn. However, vendors are advocating that pumps need to be treated as part of a holistic solution and, hence, ought to be singly sourced to ensure all the parts of the system are working in harmony Story by Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

rom fire pumps that provide water to sprinklers and fire hoses to chilled water pumps that contribute to indoor climate, and to booster pumps that ensure stable water pressure, pumps are vital not only for the successful performance of buildings but also for the health and wellbeing of inhabitants, says Ronak Monga, Segment Development Manager for Building Services, Grundfos Gulf, Levant & Pakistan. “For this comfort to be created, many different systems have to work together, and pumps are a critical part of most of those systems,” he says. Charles Blaschke, CEO, Taka Solutions, adds that pumps are especially critical in the UAE and in the larger Middle East context, considering that buildings in the region are reliant on air conditioning. “It’s this critical component that makes the buildings’ AC energy systems either work, not work, or be wasted,” he says. Monga adds that the pumps within air conditioning also consume the largest amount of electricity in relation to all other pumps.

November 2019

As such, Monga says, focusing on getting air conditioning systems right has to be a high-priority aspect for all stakeholders. However, Blaschke points out that currently, customers do not have a clear understanding of where they can generate savings and which equipment would be in the best position to do so. “They look at chillers, lights, BMS and controls, but they leave out this piece that has robust impact, even when quality solutions are readily available,” he says. “In general, pumps consume 10% of the world’s electricity consumption. Building owners look at other components, and, yes, maybe pumps save only five per cent of a building’s energy, but that doesn’t mean there is not good saving potential.”

THE VALUE OF A HOLISTIC APPROACH Monga says that the first step to realising the savings potential that pumps have to offer is by addressing it in a holistic manner. “A pumping system is not just a pump,” he says. “It has sensors, it has controls, it has intelligence, it has communication, and it is linked with equipment before and after the pump, where it’s installed. Upstream

equipment and downstream equipment are as critical to a pump’s operation as the pump itself.” Commenting on the buying process in the market, Monga says that in many projects, the pumps, sensors, controls and the variable-frequency drives are typically sourced from different companies. “Those four different components need to work together to produce perfect pumping, but since they are made by four different organisations, they now have to be made to work together rather than being designed to work together,” Monga says. “If we just focus on pumps and not on the overall system we would be doing it an injustice. I could use an engine from one car and put it in another, but it would not be a perfect solution compared to a car given by the same manufacturer.” This leads to many issues, which Monga says, can be avoided if clients and contractors go for ‘single source responsibility’, which means taking into consideration the lifecycle cost of the pumping system. In every project, he explains, there are three main upfront costs that must be looked at: purchase price, installation cost and commissioning cost.

We can’t buy the cheap stuff, and we can’t buy stuff where the suppliers and traders will run away and won’t be here in five years, because if they fail, we fail

“We are, quite often, basing purchase decisions on the initial purchase cost, but there needs to be an increased focus on the real costs of commissioning, which will go into making the four systems work together,” he says. "We also need to consider the cost of maintenance. Should anything go wrong in the system, the client is not sure who they need to approach. They can’t identify what exactly is not working perfectly, which is the cause of this inefficiency.” Monga says having such a holistic approach is a win for all stakeholders involved. “For the client, it is peace of mind knowing they have a system from one single manufacturer, and it will be the manufacturer’s responsibility to execute, install, commission and deliver a perfectly operating system,” he says. “For the contractor, it’s another win, as they don’t have the headache of chasing four different manufacturers to procure equipment, because then they have to make four negotiations in parallel, and they have to make sure they can be integrated, and this compatibility is not assured. The result is an inefficient and not properly functioning system.” Fouad Ahmed, Regional Marketing Manager, Middle East and North Africa, Wilo Middle East, believes stakeholders are being aware of the benefit of dealing with one pump manufacturer from A to Z, and that this has been a preference from customers, including authorities, owing to the impact on operation, maintenance, commissioning, overhauling and energy efficiency, making it more cost-effective in the long run. However, he says, this is the right approach, provided the supplier can fulfill all the technical requirements and that it is important for end users to be discerning when it comes to the supplier of choice to ensure the manufacturer actually has the resources, experience and knowledge to provide what is needed. “Endusers they trust a lot in the complete cycle,” he says, “If you have it as a manufacturer, it is not just about supplying the pump and the product. It’s about saying, ‘I take the responsibility from day one until you need me.’ It is important they trust the manufacturer that can give full cycle of operation from design stage to aftersales for long years with spare parts

Ronak Monga

Charles Blaschke

Fouad Ahmed

and servicing. It’s a matter of reliability and confidence.” Blaschke stresses that such an integrated approach is paramount. “That’s what separates the men from the boys and the good companies from the bad companies,” he says, “Anyone can sell you a service and either not take care of the product. They need to stand behind it.” He adds that half the problems relating to energy, comfort and compliance can be attributed to the systems that have been installed, which the FM doesn’t know how to run or don’t have the budget to maintain. “If you have an OEM expert that can maintain and that you can turn to, you will see a vast improvement,” he says.

November 2019

ARKET FEATURE

Pumps

Monga emphasises that while there is still scope for improvement in how the industry is specifying and constructing AC pumping systems today, ESCOs do a fantastic job in helping people pinpoint and understand building energy consumption by focusing on high-consuming areas. “When you speak with ESCOs and facility companies, they will confirm that efficiency, to a major extent, is derived from better controls and more intelligent integration of systems, and that is why if we already know this, this is the way we need to fix inefficiencies. We must do everything possible to adopt this in ongoing and future construction.”

A LONG-TERM VIEW Blaschke says Taka Solutions is in a unique position to understand the value of a holistic approach, in view of the company’s role as a financier, designer, contractor and operator, and in managing maintenance and energy performance, which gives the company a lifecycle perspective, underpinning the importance of having reliable OEM partners. “We want equipment for the life of the contract, which is typically 10 years long,” he says. “We have to choose quality OEM and equipment. We can’t buy the cheap stuff, and we can’t buy stuff where the suppliers and traders will run away and won’t be here in five years, because if they fail, we fail. If you are a contractor, you can run away. If you are an energy-saving company, even if you do a guaranteed savings model, the customer paid for and owns the equipment, so there is no incentive to have a good-quality product. But as we finance it, we own it, and we repair it for the life of the contract. If we put lowquality pumps and chillers and they all fail, we have to buy new ones. Our capex is doubled, and it’s not worth it to save 10%on the equipment and not to mention, having an unhappy customer.”

However, when it comes to promoting best practices related to design and equipment choice, Blaschke says that at the end of the day, it all boils down to the owners and developers of the building. “For new construction or refurbishments, they need to be educated,” he says. “They need to understand, and no matter who, the designer, the contractor or ESCO, they need to know and make the right choices.” Addressing these basic elements, he says, is what will truly move the needle when it comes to

improving building performance. “People talk about IoT, AI, the latest technology and BMS,” he says. “Pragmatically, it doesn’t work, because people have a lowtechnology building they can’t maintain or operate. Why have an additional layer of complexity, if it won’t have a benefit or impact? Buildings here are falling apart. They need to be fixed holistically and fundamentally, before looking at anything advanced.” Blaschke says that if any building in the UAE installs high-quality pumps that are designed, analysed and operated right, taking into account installation and air conditioning requirements, the UAE could save five per cent of the overall energy from the building stock. He is quick to add that this is only a conservative estimate. “It would also improve the quality of the overall building, fix delta T, and improve reliability and cooling and comfort of the building, all by changing this relatively small equipment,” he says. “While pumps are small, they have tremendous impact on the grand scheme and on other valuable assets, and now is the time for contractors and ESCOs to prioritise them.” Blaschke says the impact on overarching sustainability targets must not be taken for granted. “If everyone in the world moves to highly energy-efficient pumps, they can save 3% of the world’s energy,” he says, emphasising that the simple act of switching pumps could play a great and positive role in tackling the global challenge of climate change.

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November 2019

COUNTRY REPORT

Germany

DEUTSCHLAND RE-EXAMINES ITS FUTURE ENERGY MIX Stakeholders share insights on how innovative technologies related to energy storage and automation are supporting Germany’s shift to renewable energy by ensuring reliability and addressing the issue of intermittency, while helping reinforce German manufacturers’ position in the global market as producers of energy-efficient technologies… Story by Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

or long, Germany has been a forerunner of the energy transition, says Stefan von Westberg, Head of Sales and Marketing, CMBlu Energy, highlighting the strong regulation in place to support the development of a diverse renewable energy mix, including onshore and offshore wind and strong solar generation in the south of the country. However, von Westberg admits that the country’s target of generating 65% of its power from renewable sources by 2030, in parallel with the move to phase out coal and nuclear energy, poses a challenge to the energy sector. “In Germany, we are in a difficult situation, because we decided to phase out nuclear and coal, but at the same time, the figures for the development of new wind farms are at the lowest for the past 20 years, and there is really a crisis on the wind side,” he says.

November 2019

Additionally, von Westberg points out that there is also an imbalance between generation and consumption of energy loads throughout the country. “Industrial loads are more in the south of Germany,” he explains, “and the big generation of wind are in the north of Germany. Right now, we are planning direct current transmission lines, and the government calculated that over EUR 50 billion investment is needed in grid infrastructure to get the electricity from the north down to the south.” In view of these challenges, von Westberg emphasises, a successful energy transition needs to be steered by the government and supported by right tools and right incentives. “We want to phase out the conventional power generation, but we are not supporting renewables with appropriate solutions,” he says, pointing out that energy-storage solutions are not yet supported by the government, and smart grid initiatives are only on a prototype scale. Von Westberg says there is strong opportunity for energy storage batteries to help address issues related to intermittency. “If we think of huge energy-storage batteries with hundreds of megawatts, we can reduce the investment needed for grid extension dramatically,” he says. “Because the grid in Germany is always constructed according to maximum load. If we can reduce peaks with some batteries and energy-storage solutions, we can balance the power that goes through the lines much better, and extra lines can be reduced.”

Stefan von Westberg Speaking in the context of CMBlu’s own solutions, which includes the provision of large-scale stationary energystorage system, von Westberg discusses how organic flow batteries, as part of a renewable energy-storage system, is an important technological leap, as the design offers the advantage of being scalable. “It [an organic flow battery] has the energy medium as liquid solution, and the energy converter is the hardware,” he explains. “If you look at the electrolyte, they are pumped to two circles, and batteries are charged and discharged. The big advantage of that is you can increase the capacity by increasing the size of the tanks and increase the power of the battery by multiplying the number of converters.” Von Westberg points out that theoretically, there is no limit to the scale to which the batteries can be used, as it depends on the design. “In theory, there is no limit in the Dr Alexander Koldau capacity,” he says. “We want to build large-scale-capacity storehouses or warehouses. Just how in the storage for computer, we started with kilobyte and megabyte, and now storage for computer is cheap, we think the same development will take place for energy storage.” Today, he says, the company has a number of projects to develop storage units for grid applications. He says there has also been a move to use storage systems to address energy requirements in districts for private housing and to balance generation from rooftops and changing electricity. Discussing opportunities for adoption of energy storage, especially in relation to the company’s products, von Westberg says that first, the solution can help in integration of renewable energy. “For industry with heavy energy usage,” he says, “they can reduce their peak power through peak shaving and reduce the cost of electricity dramatically.” He says that it can also help in providing infrastructure for electric mobility, adding that in Germany, electric vehicles are growing faster, and there are several charging stations on the highway. “You need several megawatts that can charge several cars simultaneously,” he says. “The grid, in most locations are not sufficient, and you always need a buffer storage.” Lastly, he says, applications for batteries can also be used in districts to improve energy balancing of up to 200 households and connected facilities, including District Energy plants.

of energy,” he says. “We can help customers to minimise these challenges and use solutions that maintain a steady network.” In the context of the company’s own range of solutions, Khan discusses how SCADA development and use of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) can help calculate and ensure stability of the grid. “Products like SCADA can help the utility understand areas where there are spikes in production in renewable energy from wind or solar sources,” he says, pointing out that as shifting weather conditions impact the production of energy, the software can Mustafa Khan help the utility understand how to focus the energy at their disposal. “We have a built-in artificial intelligence technology, where based on the previous patterns and using the forecasts from various weather forecasts, we can also make a prediction for the coming days, so they can plan their activities, accordingly,” he says.

AUTOMATION AND DIGITALISATION In addition to adoption of energy storage, the use of digital platforms and automation can play a vital role in Germany’s energy transition, says Mustafa Khan, Sales Director, IDS. There is a huge shift and transition to renewable energy, Khan says, pointing out that the transition needs to be supported by digital platforms and solutions. “There are many challenges that arise from integrating solar or wind energy in moving from traditional to renewable generation

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November 2019

COUNTRY REPORT

Germany

Khan adds that developing smart meter infrastructure is also integral to leveraging digital platforms to help the energy transition, as it will lead to collection of valuable data that can be analysed and used to optimise systems. The advantage of scalability in digital platforms is also an important point Khan highlights, saying that such solutions can be implemented at a municipality level and in a city-wide scheme. In addition to getting an overview of the whole grid and providing substation automation, Khan adds, digitalisation can provide utility providers with the ability to reduce downtime and mitigate any kind of challenge that may come up in the shift from traditional to renewable energy.

PROTECTING THE GRID While digital platforms can help enhance efficiency of renewable energy integration, Khan says that it is equally important to ensure that in using digital solutions, the grid is protected, adding that it is important for utility providers to understand and invest in cybersecurity. “We see cybersecurity as one of the most important features that has to be integrated by any utility provider related to any infrastructure, because these are the key target points, and it’s about the whole security for the grid,” he says. “You

need the availability of power everywhere.” Khan adds that a key focus of the company is to provide solutions related to software and hardware, in order to prevent attacks on power plants and on substations. Khan points out that it is important to guard such mission-critical facilities, adding that the threat can come from failure, leading to downtime and from a potential virus in the software. “When you talk about smart equipment, it’s smart based on communication and computers,” he says. “You have to safeguard your assets, check vulnerabilities and make sure things are prevented and blocked.” At the end of the day, Khan points out, this is vital to ensure stability of the energy grid. “Every downtime is a cost,” he says. “Every attack is a cost, so when you invest in cybersecurity in the long run, it helps you run and keep overall cost low.” This, he says, is especially vital in utilities – not only in power stations but also in mission-critical infrastructure, such as District Energy plants.

DEMAND SIDE Overarching sustainability targets related to energy supply have reinforced the importance of energy efficiency among local manufacturers, says Dr Alexander Koldau, Regional Director (Middle East), VDMA. “Energy efficiency is one of the basic aims of any German engineer,” he says, adding that while this mindset was deeply embedded among people in the sector, over the past few years, environmental, political and social factors have further pushed private companies to place greater attention on energy efficiency, in the products being developed as well as in the manner in which they are being manufactured. Dr Koldau says the awareness is also largely driven by consumer demand. “Energy is expensive,” he says, “so it’s a question of cost. Companies are not willing to invest in high energy efficiency, if it doesn’t have a payoff on the cost side. On the other hand, energy efficiency has become a basic demand of society. This is also driving some companies to put pressure on their marketing, when they are saying, ‘We produce energy-efficient [solutions]’. Therefore, at the end, they are buying top technology to actually do it, because in the long run, if you are just saying it and not doing it, it will be negative. That’s one of the reasons why they are actually among the leading companies in the world within their sector.” Dr Koldau adds that appreciation of lifecycle cost is also the main driving force for the adoption of such products, which helps incentive better quality equipment. “Generally, German investors and buyers of German products worldwide understand that they are optimising whole investment over investment cost,” he says. “There are usually competitors that offer cheaper solutions on the investment side, but on the long run, due to possibly lower quality and energy efficiency concerning material input and manhours used for production, you will certainly come to conclusions that higher capital investment on the long run, offers higher returns.”

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November 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

Al Salem Johnson Controls introduces magnetic bearing technology in Saudi Arabia Company describes the YMC2 Chiller as ‘a quantum leap forward’ By CCME Content Team

l Salem Johnson Controls (YORK) introduced the YMC2, a magnetic bearing chiller, describing it in a Press release as a way of offering a new lubricant-free, highefficiency and low-maintenance technology that will help its clients and businesses, in general, in reducing operational cost and ensuring sustainable and consistent performance throughout the year. The chiller, the company said, is already setting new standards for the HVAC industry in Saudi Arabia, and is considered a “smart investment”, characterised by lowering total cost of ownership over the life of the chiller, due to reduced energy and maintenance costs. Furthermore, it is designed to offer high efficiency for residential towers, commercial buildings and industrial facilities, the company said. To date, Al Salem Johnson Controls has supplied the technology to petrochemical companies, in particular, and other companies that require high-quality controls, in general. The chiller is operated by a highspeed permanent magnet synchronous motor, levitated by magnetic bearings, the company said. The benefits of such motor include superior efficiency, excellent durability by design, elimination of the need for additional gears and shafts, ultraquiet operation and virtually no structural vibration, the company said. The chiller, by virtue of its oil-free feature, eliminates the need for oil pumps, coolers, filters and reservoirs, the company said. By way of sharing its engagement with clients in the context of the chiller, the company said that Khalidiya Towers approached it, seeking a chiller-replacement solution that would help Khalidiya reduce operating costs, increase energy efficiency and attract tech-savvy residents. Khalidiya Towers, located near Olaiya Business & Commercial hub in Riyadh, is a residential

November 2019

and commercial complex that has been serving residents for more than 30 years. To remain up to date and competitive, real estate companies, such as Khalidiya Towers, are adopting services and upgrading facilities to attract more knowledgeable and educated customers, Al Salem Johnson Controls said through the release. Technology is central to the hotel and furnished apartments — a must-have for success in today’s independent technical-savvy customers, the company said. At Khaldiya, the application of the latest technology extends beyond the living room into the mechanical room. As the cost of electricity increased to SR 0.30/kWh, the facility management team reached out to multiple service providers to replace 30-year-old HVAC equipment and identify solutions to reduce electricity consumption.

After a comprehensive evaluation of all recommendations, the FM team selected the solution offered by Al Salem Johnson Controls (YORK), it said. One of these solutions, the company added, was engineering the new chiller to maximise its capacity while ensuring that it was compatible with the existing electrical power and associated infrastructure. Al Salem Johnson Controls said through the release that its team conducted an analysis of operations at the facility, including electric consumption pattern and comfort cooling needs, and identified areas for improvement. The company said that its YORKcalc chiller plant energy-estimating software showed that by making upgrades to its chiller plant, Khalidiya Tower could save around SR 100,000 a year on energy costs. With that roadmap in hand, the team replaced one of the facility’s existing chillers with a new 950 TR YMC2 chiller, with an OptiSpeed variable-speed drive (VSD) and OptiView control panel. The YMC2, the company said, offers 10% better efficiency than conventional, variable-speed chillers, adding that the VSD is designed to cut chiller energy use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by as much as 30% a year. To maximise the facility’s HVAC system efficiency, the company said, the equipment was chosen with the most efficient combination of pumps, chillers and cooling towers needed to meet building cooling load.

Federal Electricity and Water Authority signs MoU with the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai The Memorandum of Understanding seeks to promote further cooperation in clean energy, the environment and in sustainable resources By CCME Content Team

he Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai, FEWA said through a Press release. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) seeks to promote further cooperation in clean energy, the environment and sustainable resources, FEWA said. It was signed by H.E. Mohammad Mohammad Saleh, FEWA’s Director General, and H.E. Jens Martin Alsbirk, Consul General of Denmark in Dubai, with several FEWA officials and consulate staff in attendance, FEWA added. The leading objective of the agreement is to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable water management between Denmark and the UAE, FEWA said through ■ H.E. Mohammad Mohammad Saleh and H.E. Jens Alsbirk the release. The two entities have also agreed to establish a basis for knowledge sharing and cooperation in these sectors, in an effort to promote the use of scientific research to drive both alternative and renewable ones,” said H.E. Saleh. “Signing this countries’ plans to increase reliance on clean energy, FEWA added. MoU with the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai is part The two parties have identified activities of common interest in of a broader vision that seeks to enhance the efficiency and two different areas: optimisation and efficiency of water projects, competitiveness of the electricity and water sector in the UAE, and and photovoltaic (solar energy) connection to the grid, FEWA said. shed light on the available investment opportunities to investors According to the release, FEWA will collaborate with the Danish from all around the world.” Water Efficiency Alliance MENA on water projects. The Alliance is H.E. Alsbirk added: “I believe that by working together and a group of Danish water services and technology suppliers. It is sharing experiences we can accelerate the global green transition. set to offer support in water master planning and infrastructure, This Memorandum of Understanding is a step on the way towards energy optimisation of pumping stations, and energy production new and sustainable solutions for water and electricity services. from wastewater. “By strengthening the bilateral cooperation in the field of As for photovoltaic (PV) connection to the grid, the support energy, environment, and sustainable water management between of Danish companies will enhance solar energy efficiency at the Denmark and the UAE, it is my hope that we can develop the 500 MW solar power plant in Umm Al Quwain, FEWA said. On a sustainable agenda, and lower energy and water consumption. We related note, the MoU calls for exchanging technical expertise and all face the same global challenges, and only by working together training, FEWA revealed. With that in mind, FEWA said, a group of can we make a difference. This MoU shows a great commitment Danish technical advisors from public water utilities, in addition from FEWA and the Royal Danish Consulate to make a difference to independent Danish research and technology organisations and do our best to find new sustainable solutions for our utility specialising in optimising operations, will share their knowledge services.” and expertise during a number of yearly short-term stays in the The Federal Electricity and Water Authority’s mission is to UAE. excel in providing electricity and water services, improve living “We look forward to establishing strong partnerships and conditions and standards, achieve sustainable growth, develop the cooperation with our counterparts from around the world, in infrastructure at electricity and water facilities to meet growing our effort to serve the UAE’s strategic objectives, ensure energy demand in the areas under its jurisdiction, and rationalise the security, diversify energy sources, and increase reliance on consumption of electricity and water.

November 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

WETEX reports growth in number and diversity of participants MD and CEO of DEWA highlights growing relations between China and the UAE, and Dubai’s position as a hub for innovative technologies By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

the bridge between Brazil and the Arab Al Tayer added that DEWA has world. The Gulf region is known to be highly also seen innovations aplenty dependent on petrol, Solimeo said, adding in different types of products. that stakeholders in Brazil need to be “Especially relating to the robotic informed of great strides the UAE has made cleaning of the PV panel and also in renewable energy through its solar parks. new innovations with respect to “The UAE can learn a lot from Brazil, on the PV efficiency itself,” he said, H.E. Saeed Mohammed Ahmad Bin Shafar different types of energy, such as the use of H.E. Al Tayer added that WETEX Al Tayer Ethanol, and we have a lot to learn, as well, is a vital platform to showcase from the UAE, such as desalination, which such technologies, as it covers the entire is very common in this part of the world spectrum of the industry. from generation and not so common in Brazil,” Solimeo to transmission and distribution. he 2019 edition of the said, adding that knowhow of both regions Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, Water, Energy, Technology, greatly complement each other. echoed H.E. Al Tayer when he highlighted and Environment Exhibition Highlighting the participation of French the exhibition’s important role as a (WETEX), from October 21 companies in the event, Foued platform for different to 23 in Dubai, saw a growth of about Kefif, Head of Industry and companies. Being a District 10%, said H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Cleantech for Middle East at Cooling provider, he said, Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity Business France, said the GCC Empower is eager to discuss and Water Authority (DEWA), and region market can greatly new ideas with newcomers Founder and Chairman of WETEX, in an benefit from expertise of French and see how the organisation exclusive interview with Climate Control companies, in view of their can benefit from collaborating Middle East during the event. experience in the field. “French with new partners. He added Al Tayer said the 2019 WETEX Rafael Solimeo presence at WETEX is composed that the growth of the was the biggest to date, with 2,350 of big players in the renewable exhibition is owing to the exhibitors from 55 countries. He energy sector,” he said. “We have success and progress Dubai described the exhibition as a forum that EDF national utility company, has had over the years. “In brings together governments, industry which is very active in the any place, if you have a leaders and investors from around the Emirates on renewables, such as success story you will find globe. nuclear and solar. There is Vinci all the global companies H.E. Al Tayer pointed out that in Energy that is also investing a surrounding them, to share addition to growth in the number of lot and active on a wide range in the knowledge, to learn exhibitors, the diversity of participating Foued Kefif of industries, and you have to participate and to make companies showcases the UAE’s Engie, which is a big player in business,” he said. “Dubai growing relations with international the Emirates in electricity and is always the hub of the partners and Dubai’s position as a hub different kinds of technology.” Middle East. That’s why this of innovation and knowledge exchange Kefif said that in view of the exhibition has allocation in the in the Middle East region. UAE’s investment on renewable world map, and people intend In the 2019 edition, H.E. Al Tayer energy “partnering with big to come and participate in said, among the 18 country pavilions in groups that bring knowledge WETEX every year.” WETEX, China’s was the largest, hosting and human resource can help One such participant in about 120 companies. “It’s the first the local market accelerate and the 2019 edition was the time, and it’s a good sign,” he said. “I Jens Husted Kjær continue to be leaders in the Arab Brazilian Chamber think this is because of the visits of His region”. of Commerce. Rafael Solimeo, Head of Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Speaking at the Danish Pavilion, International Office, Middle East and Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Jens Husted Kjær, CEO and President, North Africa, at the organisation, said Mohamed bin Zayed. Now, we see more Alumichem, and CEO of Norlex, discussed that he believes there is great opportunity Chinese companies coming to Dubai the company’s specialisation in water for both regions to work together in the that are good in different technologies, treatment chemicals and water treatment move towards clean energy and that it is especially in solar. We are working with systems. “We can take the best available the organisation’s objective to strengthen them on many projects in Dubai.” H.E.

November 2019

■ L-R: H.E. Nicola Lener, Italian Ambassador to the UAE; H.E. Valentina Setta, Consul General of Italy in Dubai and Gianpaolo Bruno, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE, Oman and Pakistan at the ITA Pavilion at WETEX

technologies in Europe and North America and supply to this region,” he said. “That’s why we are looking for partners and distributors in each segment to get into the Gulf region. We want to invest and build factories locally with these products. We want

to be green, have a positive influence on being green, as this is what we see in WETEX, which is headed in the right direction.” Twenty-two Italian companies also showcased sustainable and renewable technology solutions at the exhibition, with

the Italian Pavilion inaugurated by H.E. Nicola Lener, Italian Ambassador to the UAE; H.E. Valentina Setta, Consul General of Italy in Dubai and Gianpaolo Bruno, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE, Oman and Pakistan. Bruno said that participating companies specialising in different segments in environment, water, technology and energy efficiency are looking for opportunities in the market, owing to the fact that the UAE and the Middle East have to reach a number of sustainability targets over the years. He added that the participating companies also aim to support objectives of EXPO 2020. “With the theme of EXPO 2020 devoted to sustainability, to energy efficiency, to circular economy and to the environment at large, we have many companies specialising in these segments and want to promote them in the market and Middle East, in general.” Bruno added that it is part of the mission of the companies to share best practices developed in Italy, in the UAE market.

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November 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

EXPO 2020 Swedish Pavilion to highlight energy efficiency and IEQ Official sponsor, Systemair Group, introduces air conditioning and ventilation solutions for ‘The Forest’; company officials elaborate on digital control solutions and sensor technologies during groundbreaking ceremony By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

ystemair Group will emphasise the importance of energy efficiency and healthy indoor quality through air conditioning and ventilation solutions the company will be providing to a building, named ‘The Forest’, as an official sponsor for the Expo 2020 Swedish Pavilion. The company elaborated on “next-generation indoor climate solutions” during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Swedish pavilion at the Expo 2020 site on October 8, in Dubai. Kurt Maurer, Vice President, Systemair, said, “Being a highly complex, unique structure, the Swedish Expo 2020 pavilion provides us with the opportunity to showcase our capabilities in providing high-end HVAC solutions from concept to completion. More significantly, it allows us to highlight the role ventilation and air conditioning plays in saving energy, protecting the planet, while providing a healthy indoor environment for ourselves and future generations.” Outlining the solutions within the pavilion, Morten Schmelzer, Technical Marketing Director, Systemair, speaking exclusively to

■ L-R: Henrik Landerholm, Swedish Ambassador to the UAE; Kurt Maurer, Vice President, Systemair Group; Anna Hallberg, Swedish Minister of Foreign Trade and Brian Suggitt, MD, Systemair UAE during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Swedish pavilion

Facilio, Smart IoT partner with DEWA’s Digital X Initiative is directed towards launching smart living services, underscores DEWA’s commitment to leverage technology in a bid to reduce energy use and enhance health and wellbeing through improved indoor and outdoor air quality By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

acilio and Smart IoT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Digital X, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, to support the implementation of 'Smart Living as a Service' (SLaas) during Gitex 2019, which took place from October 6 to 10, in Dubai. Speaking exclusively to Climate Control Middle East, Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation & the Future, DEWA, discussed DEWA’s commitment to enhance energy efficiency and improve air quality through the use of technology, emphasising the great strides that Etihad ESCO has made in retrofitting 3,000 buildings in line with this objective. “Sustainability is

November 2019

part of the DEWA strategy, and we have a lot of initiatives to ensure that we reduce consumption by 2030 and to achieve 30% energy savings,” he said. “Even when it comes to our CO2 abatement strategy, we have achieved it ahead of time. Today, we are proud to say we have achieved 19% reduction, where the plan was 16% only by next year – we did it ahead of time. Together with other government entities and the Energy Council in Dubai, we work together to make sure Dubai is a smart city

and livable city.” Bin Haider added that optimisation through sensors and intelligent controls will be vital to control appliances and avoid high consumption. “The whole idea is we provide smart living as a service to the customers of Dubai,” he said. In an official statement, Khalifa A AlJaziri, Managing Director, Smart IoT, a company that focuses on a multi-tier, next-generation model for controlling, monitoring, reacting to and reporting real-time data towards making the basic building block for Smart Grid integration, said: “Our city, Dubai, with its glistening cityscape and progressive leadership, has always been at the forefront of cutting-edge technology and innovation. What sets us apart from other cities is our commitment to make development and sustainability synonymous with each other. It is both our pleasure and honor to work with Digital X – a subsidiary of Digital DEWA – to further our shared goal of Dubai 10X, propelling our city 10 years into the future, by collaborating with our esteemed partner, Facilio. Together we soar, and together we shall reach the future today.”

increasing the understanding of what can be achieved Climate Control Middle East, said the company is set to implement by utilisation of high-quality products and solutions from systems, which are, so far, unused in the region, to showcase Systemair’s Systemair.” Schmelzer said visitors will be able to interact technical capabilities. “Throughout the pavilion, we have implemented with Systemair products, see live data values and have our latest generation of Geniox air-handling units with the best possible a greater understanding of air flow within the building. cooling recovery, our compact air-cooled SysAqua chillers for high“However, the main emphasis will be on educating ambient temperature conditions, fan-coil units and Frico visitors on why a healthy indoor air quality is air curtains to reduce the heat infiltration into areas, such important, and how it can impact their lives,” he as the restaurant and shop, and to prevent conditioned said. “We will do so in close cooperation with our air escaping from those areas,” he said. “All products are partners at Camfil, who are also sponsoring the interlinked through a centralised control system, which uses pavilion. This is a start of a great adventure for sensor information to assess the actual demand and air every participant, for ourselves, our guests and quality requirements in each room or area throughout the visitors to the Swedish pavilion and to EXPO 2020.” day.” Schmelzer added that the overall system is Schmelzer elaborated on the importance of the control Morten Schmelzer designed and optimised for the requirements of system in combination with sensor technologies, pointing the Swedish Pavilion. “We specifically opted not to develop out that in being able to measure the CO2 level and other relevant any new product for the pavilion but to focus on the widefactors inside a building, such as particulate matter, they are able to range of solutions we already have in our HVAC portfolio, provide ventilation and air conditioning in the most energy-efficient and which can be applied today,” he said. “We are activating healthy manner, according to the actual demand. “As we are monitoring the future now, not waiting until tomorrow. At Systemair, the demand through sensors, we save energy by not running units on we have been highly active in the Middle East for many full load at all times, while still ensuring that a healthy indoor air quality years with our own local presence and experience with highis being provided,” he said. ambient conditions. Customers throughout the GCC region Schmelzer also discussed the Augmented Reality application that know us and trust us to manufacture and supply high-quality will be made available to visitors of the Pavilion. “Ventilation and air products and reliable solutions.” Schmelzer said that the conditioning equipment is usually placed on the roof, plant room or into company will release more information about the system a false ceiling,” he said. “People take it for granted that they enter an solutions in the coming months leading to the opening of air conditioned room and have sufficient clean air to breathe. Through the event. Augmented Reality, we will be able to make the so far invisible, visible,

■ L-R (foreground): Khalifa A AlJaziri, Marwan Bin Haidar, Prabhu Ramachandran at the MOU signing ceremony at Gitex 2019

Prabhu Ramachandran, Founder & CEO, Facilio, also discussed the importance of leveraging digital platforms in order to have a holistic approach in enhancing energy efficiency and indoor air quality by having a better understanding of real-time usage. “Smart living includes your home, your

office, your entertainment place, schools – everything is covered,” he said. “It’s not just energy, it’s about how it’s being looked at, where people go, how do they experience living in different forms.” He added that air and water quality monitoring are integral parts of the initiative. “When they say

smart offices, for example, there has to be an emphasis on both comfort and energy saving,” he said. “It’s about how you look at the whole building, a whole entity, in the forms of safety, security and sustainability. Next one is around health and wellness. We talk about air quality, how do we impact the entire spectrum of life, so that people experience smart living as a service?” Bin Haider also discussed the venture in the context of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's Dubai 10X vision for the emirate to be 10 years ahead. “In response to this vision, we formulated Digital DEWA, under the leadership of His Excellency Saeed Al Tayer,” he said. “The whole world agrees that the future is digital, but our vision is to lead our peers and set the benchmark in implementing these solutions through an innovative, ambitious and vision-driven approach.” As such, Bin Haider said, the objective of the partnership with Facilio and Smart IoT is to deliver SLaaS of the highest global standards for all of Dubai’s residents and to redefine urban living, not only in Dubai but also across other global cities in the future.

November 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

Empower awards AED 197 million contract to construct new DCP in Dubai Production City First phase to be completed by the end of 2020, says District Cooling utility provider Edited by CCME Content Team

mirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has started the construction of its new plant in Dubai Production City, worth AED 197 million, the utility said through a Press release. The project will be implemented in two phases, with the Ahmad Bin Shafar first phase expected to be completed by the end of 2020, the release added. According to the release, the total capacity of the project will be 47,000 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) and will serve its customers in Dubai Production City. This supports Empower’s strategy to meet the growing demand for District Cooling services, and to provide high-quality and environmentally friendly District Cooling services, the release said. The plant is being constructed as per international standards and seeks to achieve LEED Gold certification, the release said. “The new plant in Dubai Production City will use the latest chiller technology, achieving unprecedented low kW/TR,” said Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower. “Two thermal energy storage (TES) tanks will be functioning in the plant; this technology helps to optimise the usage of on and off peak hours and, thus, saves energy efficiently. Treated sewage effluent (TSE) technology will also be used in the plant operation, to save potable water and preserve resources for generations to come.

“We strive to achieve the vision of our wise leadership in all our projects. Empower supports the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which seeks to make Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050; the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy, to reduce carbon emissions by 21% by 2021; and Smart Dubai, which aims to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. District Cooling is one of the key solutions to achieve these objectives. “The plant, constructed as per international standards, will significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, in addition to protecting natural resources. The new plant will be connected to Empower’s state-of-the-art remote Command Control Centre (CCC) by using advanced SCADA system. Operation will be controlled from CCC, and no human presence will be required at the plant.”

MEFMA discusses guidelines supporting FM entrepreneurs Body speaks on risk management and sustainable growth during forum in Saudi Arabia Edited by CCME Content Team

n line with its commitment towards enhancing the efficiency of Facility Management (FM) entrepreneurs and meeting the demands and requirements of the industry, the Middle East Facility Management Association (MEFMA) concluded its participation at a special forum, titled, ‘Shorofat Program: A Lecture on Development’, the body said through a Press release. The Asharqia Chamber, in partnership with The Real Estate and Development Committee, organised the forum in the Kingdom, MEFMA said. Ali Alsuwaidi, Vice President, MEFMA, discussed timely issues and challenges confronting the FM industry, including entrepreneurship fundamentals; the creation of effective business strategies; risk management and sustainable growth; FM future industry trends and the equation of success across the international and regional FM industry, MEFMA said.

November 2019

■ L-R: Saleh Al Dossary, Vice Chairman, Real Estate & Development Committee, Asharqia Chamber and Ali Alsuwaidi

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November 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

‘DC most important subject of discussion as key element for SDG 7’ Empower CEO says district cooling is a fundamental pillar in combating climate change and making a positive impact on climate by reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption by up to 50% Edited by CCME Content Team

hmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), participated in the UN Climate Action Summit 2019, together with Rob Thornton, President and CEO of the International District Energy Association (IDEA) in New York City and discussed the future of district cooling services and new challenges in the industry, the utility company said through a Press release. According to the release, Bin Shafar attended the Summit as a Special Advisor on District Cooling for the 'Global District Energy in Cities Initiative’, under the United Nations Environment Programme, and as a Board Member of IDEA. During the participation, Bin Shafar and Thornton discussed the global perspective of recent trends in the district cooling sector, aimed at promoting sustainability, raising awareness of ecofriendly products and services and at fostering a culture of adopting district cooling solutions, as well as the future challenges and postsummit plans, the release said. District cooling services play a vital role in combating climate change and in accelerating the shift towards clean, efficient and secure cooling systems that reduce CO2 emissions and save energy by 50%, the release said. Various workshops held during the Summit 2019 highlighted the importance of district cooling in maintaining a secure environment for future generations and in protecting the

planet from the impacts of climate change owing to the expected increase in demand for cooling services, the release added. During the Summit, Bin Shafar attended a workshop on the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), set by the United Nations, with district cooling being amongst its most important pillars, the ■ Ahmad Bin Shafar and Rob Thornton at the Summit release said. The SDG7 reaffirms the importance of ensuring access to to the shift towards sustainable energy affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern development, by providing a broader outlook energy for all, the release said, adding that on the need for district cooling solutions, district cooling technology contributes a as well as discussing the future of district significant part towards achieving the SDG7. cooling and the various challenges to the As such, the SDG7 also attaches particular industry, the release said. importance to increasing the share of Speaking on the occasion, Bin Shafar renewable energy, raising the efficiency of said, “Participation in the Summit presents energy use, promoting investment in energy us with new ambitions and aspirations for infrastructure and clean energy technologies district cooling that drive us further into the and strengthening cooperation to facilitate promotion of a culture of environmental access to clean energy research and conservation by supporting different technologies by the year 2030, the release activities that contribute constructively to said. a green economy for future generations by Bin Shafar also participated in a session raising awareness on eco-friendly district to introduce the actions of Governments, cooling services.” private sector and institutions with regard

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November 2019

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OVERVIEW It is likely 2020 will be referred to as the year when Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems finally earned a patient hearing in the United States. In March 2019, ASHRAE Guideline 41 on design, installation and commissioning of VRF systems came up for Public Review, perhaps representing a significant shift in thinking in the United States. (The Guideline is expected to be released in early 2020.) For long considered an enigma – perhaps even an oddity – VRF systems, which emerged in Japan in the early 1980s – are at long last being viewed as a commercial heating and cooling option for projects across the country, where traditional ducted systems remain the system of choice for heating and cooling in the built-environment. Suddenly, the prospect of zone-based heating and cooling and greater energy efficiency among comparable systems, is finding appeal among consultants, contractors and developers. Still, the absence of substantial field performance data is a barrier for acceptance, as are some other factors. The World VRF Congress is a non-parochial, third-party platform that seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of VRF technology and an insight into its energy consumption and other aspects through relevant city- and state-wide case studies from the United States and the rest of the world. Produced by CPI America, a sister company of CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Journal and Climate Control ME, the Congress is part of a broader mission by the publishing house to present various heating and cooling approaches that lower indirect greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the total cost of ownership and offer reliable comfort heating and cooling across multiple end-user sectors.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Tabreed reports net profit of AED 329.1 million in Q3 2019 Moody’s reaffirms Tabreed’s Credit Rating Edited by CCME Content Team

ational Central Cooling Company (Tabreed) released its consolidated financial results for the first nine months of 2019, reporting an increase of 3.1% in the net profit to AED 329.1 million. In a Press release, the District Cooling utility company said it continues to meet the growing demand for District Cooling solutions and has recently commenced supplying 12,000 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) of cooling services to the expansion of the Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island, covering an area of 1.4 million square feet. The new connection comes as part of Tabreed’s long-term concession, as the exclusive provider of District Cooling services for landmark developments

on Al Maryah Island through a partnership with Mubadala Infrastructure Partners (MIP), the release said. According to the release, financial highlights of the nine months ended September 30 are: • Net profit attributable to the parent increased by 3.1% to AED 329.1 million (Q3 2018: AED 319.3 million) • Group revenue increased by 3.5% to AED 1,127.9 million (Q3 2018: AED 1,090 million) • Core chilled water revenue increased by 3.8% to AED 1,073.1 million (Q3 2018 AED 1,033.7 million) • EBITDA increased by 11.2% to AED 562.5 million (Q3 2018: AED 505.9 million) • Share of results of associates and joint ventures decreased by 1.2% to AED 69.8 million (Q3 2018: AED 70.7 million) According to the release, operational highlights of the nine months ended September 30 are: • In the first three quarters of the year, the total Group connected capacity across the GCC region increased to 1,161,227 TR, with 29,848 TR of new customer connections added; one new plant in Oman has become fully operational

Eco-Structures: Steady growth in adoption of TES across GCC region

Company’s director says positive momentum driven by cost, IEQ and environmental considerations By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

The first driving force, Dr Al-Nimry doption of Thermal Energy highlighted, is related to cost. “Energy Storage (TES) is picking up prices are going up to reflect true price,” across the GCC region, said Dr he said. “People can no longer afford to Ghassan Al-Nimry, Director, Ecoignore cost of power.” As such, he said, Structures International. “People realise the the industry is increasingly looking for value of applying such solutions, especially ways to reduce operational in big District Cooling facilities costs. “With our HVAC design, and some Concentrated we can expect a reduction in Solar Power plants,” he said. energy consumption 25-35% “Thermal Storage is picking up, or more.” Secondly, he said, and we are part of the thermal people are increasingly aware storage ecosystem - with of the health and discomfort building integrated thermal of being indoors for extended storage, storing energy in Dr Ghassan Al-Nimry periods. Providing an example the building itself.” Currently, of growing awareness on the Dr Al-Nimry said that the impact of indoor environmental quality, company has 20 projects in the region and Dr Al-Nimry said that in one university over 435 projects worldwide with a few more project in Canada, staff were asked to under construction, adding that the growing gauge their level of comfort following the appetite to adopt such technologies can be implementation of the system. A university attributed to three main factors.

November 2019

staff member mentioned that the university is the only place where her allergy does not act out, which is why she is always early at work and late to leave, he explained. At another project, this time at a school in Dubai, Dr Al-Nimry said one of the KG teachers noted a few months into the school term that she has not had a single lost day for the children from colds and the flu since the start of the term. “Moreover, the staff at the school stated that the air quality in our areas is better and seems fresher than conventional air conditioners,” he said. “We don’t recirculate air internally, and because thermal storage reduces energy significantly, we require far less air volume for cooling and so can increase the proportion of fresh air, from the standard 10-20% to 35-50%, which is far healthier and more comfortable." Lastly, Dr Al Nimry pointed out that younger generations are more aware of the impact on the environment. “For us, this is the golden time as this growing awareness by the younger generations is what will drive true progress in tackling climate change,” he said, pointing out that concerns related to finance, health and the environment will pave the way for adoption of TES. However, Dr Al Nimry said that while appreciation for TES will continue to grow, it is important to raise awareness in the industry to ensure people are aware of the value of integrating such systems, in view of the unfolding sustainability and energy efficiency narrative.

Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi

environmentally friendly cooling solutions and contribute to the initiatives aimed at reducing carbon footprint in the region and preserving the environment and natural resources for present and future generations.” Bader Al Lamki, Tabreed’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Tabreed has delivered another strong set of financial and operational results, with net income increasing by 3.1%, reflecting our solid group performance. The stable growth in our connected capacity enabled us to deliver consistent results and tangible returns. Additionally, Tabreed’s strong financial position qualifies it to capitalize on growth opportunities, as reaffirmed by Moody’s, who had recently published its credit opinion, which is a strong endorsement of Tabreed’s robust business model. Tabreed investment grade rating (Baa3) by Moody’s was supported by resilient cash flows from long-term fixed charge contracts, low operating risk levels, strong market position in the Middle East and complementary shareholders. “Tabreed is committed to providing energy-efficient and sustainable cooling solutions that have become an integral part of the infrastructure for major developments across the region. On this front, we are proud to deliver our services to Al Maryah Island and the expansion of the Galleria Mall. This new connection confirms our customers’ trust and confidence in our innovative, efficient and reliable cooling solutions.”

Bader Al Lamki

According to the release, environmental highlights of the nine months ended September 30 are: • Tabreed contributed to saving 1.56 billion kilowatt/ hours across the GCC region– enough energy to power approximately 88,846 homes in the UAE, annually • These power savings prevented the release into the atmosphere of 932,699 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of eliminating the emissions from 202,761 vehicles, annually Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Tabreed’s Chairman, commented: “Tabreed’s continued growth demonstrates its ability to consistently deliver stable results, drive shareholder value further and reinforce our standing as the leading international District Cooling developer. We are committed to providing energy-efficient, cost-effective and

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REGIONAL NEWS

ASHRAE to develop IoT standard

Society president discusses the importance of using technology wisely and the need for cybersecurity, in view of the increasing adoption of smart systems By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

“U

nderstanding how the industry is going to change in the future is another area we want to begin investigating,” said 2019-20 ASHRAE President Darryl K Boyce, highlighting how technology is constantly redefining the way buildings are designed, built, operated and maintained. “Using technology wisely in the future is a challenge, and I think it’s time that we stepped up and really took it on,” he said, adding that there is a growing need for standardisation in this field, which ASHRAE aims to address. “I have been talking to a number of organisations about the fact that we should really have a standard for the use of the Internet of Things data in the built-environment,” he said. “The standard would need to cover how to use the data that’s coming from all sorts of devices effectively but also securely, so that cybersecurity issue is covered, as well.” Boyce said ASHRAE has been in talks with BACnet organisations as well as with a number of building automation companies, to see

potential areas of collaboration in order to create and develop the standard, which is expected to be rolled out in the next one to two years. “They feel this is necessary,” he said, “Even with existing systems, cybersecurity is a big issue. We are talking about working with the Darryl K Boyce CIBSE group in England to create a guide on cybersecurity for building automation systems.” Boyce said CIBSE group has already developed a Version One of the standard. “They want to work with ASHRAE now to have a more comprehensive guide to cybersecurity in the built-environment,” he said. “These are the things we are working on.” Boyce said that while the standard is still a work in progress, it aims to cover all buildings and systems that contribute to the builtenvironment, including mission-critical facilities, such as healthcare, data centres and District Energy plants, taking into consideration how they are controlled and operated.

Boyce said that such a supporting infrastructure is needed, as technology will continuously play a vital role in enhancing operational performance of buildings. “One of our largest challenges in the built-environment today is actually getting these buildings to operate effectively – and that’s not just energy-efficiency-wise, it’s also about the indoor environmental quality,” he said. “We want to find ways that these buildings can be operated effectively, so that the people in the buildings are productive, yet they do not waste energy. I believe that technology could play a great role in that.” Boyce added that analytic software and artificial intelligence could greatly help operators and building occupants operate the building more effectively and achieve an ideal environment by being able to assess the activities and number of inhabitants. He said, “It can work with people responsible for operating and maintaining the building to keep it in a condition that it will provide good indoor environment without wasting energy.”

November 2019

Reflex: Degassing, dirt separation help lower energy use, reduce corrosion Company official says air-related problems, if not addressed, can affect the work of other components, including pumps By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

nvesting in good-quality HVAC accessories can greatly enhance overall efficiency and life of valuable components within the system, said Mustapha Fahmy, Regional Sales Director, Reflex, highlighting the company’s own innovations in its products for degassing, pressure maintenance and dirt separation, Mustapha Fahmy which, he said, when compared to conventional systems, use less energy and help reduce corrosion. Fahmy said that in order to reap the benefits of investing in such equipment, it is important to expose existing problems. “Many people do not know and were surprised at the extent of the problem of air inside the system,” he explained. “So, it is important to take them inside the pipe. We are an accessory, we are part of the system, and an accessory is not a leading product normally. Therefore, they say, ‘Okay, we will think of it’. However, air-related problems can affect the work of other components, including the pumps, and when the accessory is

doing wrong, the whole system is doing wrong. We have to remove the air to conserve the life of the pump, to ensure it continues to give us good performance at low energy.” Fahmy said that the company was eager to provide consultants and contractors with an update on its air separation technology, specifically its vacuum degasser. “The normal technology is steel air separators, and even the typical steel air separators don’t have wire mesh inside, which is very important to remove the microbubbles,” he said. “We are not looking at the air, we are looking at the microbubbles, which you normally don’t see – and that is the reason why we have to show what is the air and what are the problems in the air, in order to propose what we propose.” Fahmy also discussed the importance of dynamic pressure management. “In this part of the world, we have traditional systems, and these traditional systems were made 40 years ago, and they still work, but there is air inside, and when there is air inside it leads to corrosion,” he said, adding that the company recommends closed-loop systems to ensure there is no air inside.

Empower reports enhancing the efficiency of its Command Control Centre District Cooling utility company says its new Parallel Working Environment system gives it an alternative approach for remote operation of DCPs, thus ensuring business continuity for customers By CCME Content Team

the utility company’s strategy of ensuring mirates Central Cooling Systems business continuity through having continuous Corporation (Empower) has and close visibility of DCP operations. enhanced the capability of its According to the release, Empower’s CCC Command Control Centre (CCC) has the capacity of handling up for District Cooling plants by to one million data parameters establishing a new system, related to cooling towers, coolers, called ‘Parallel Working transformers, water supply Environment (PWE)’, the and others, through using an utility company said through advanced SCADA (Supervisory a Press release. All the 75 Control And Data Acquisition) plant rooms of Empower system. The CCC functions across Dubai are currently through an advanced, highconnected to and controlled Ahmad bin Shafar performance smart network by its centrally located CCC, and the operations team is closely monitoring that helps the utility in responding to any eventuality in plant operations with precise the cooling plants, the release said. The new and quicker responses, the release said. system will be a redundant one and would The new alternative system is a completely give the utility an alternative approach for independent setup, equipped with the latest remote operation of the plants, the release and advanced technologies, providing all of said, adding that the system represented

the facilities of the CCC in a self-governing way, the release said. Ahmad bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said, “We are always keen on satisfying customers through developing state-ofthe-art techniques in district cooling, which enable cooling plants to work sustainably and without any interruption. “Empower uses innovative solutions to provide consistent cooling services to the customers that contribute to sustainability, by balancing between economic development and environmental conservation.”

November 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

ACWA Power signs PPA with Egypt Saudi-headquartered developer and operator of power generation and water desalination facilities will develop, finance, construct and operate the Kom Ombo PV plant, which is expected to yield a capacity of 200 MW Edited by CCME Content Team

audi Arabia’s ACWA Power on October 30 be financed, constructed and operated efficiently." signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Added Paddy Padmanathan, Chief Executive Officer, with the Government of Egypt to develop, ACWA Power: “The Egyptian government has long finance, construct and operate the Kom Ombo recognised renewable energy as a safe and secure source photovoltaic plant, which will yield a capacity of 200 of power to reliably provide electricity to its citizens while MW, the company said through a Press release. The advancing their efforts in reducing carbon emissions. The signing took place under the patronage of H.E. Dr Kom Ombo project that we are embarking upon today is Dr Mohamed Shaker Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt; H.E. Osama a very strong testament to ACWA Power’s commitment to Naqli, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia contribute to this mission. to Egypt; and Dr Mohamed Shaker, Egyptian Minister of “ACWA Power works alongside its partners to deploy Electricity and Renewable Energy, the release said. the most up-to-date technologies and leverage sound According to the release, the PPA was signed by Rajit investment opportunities to continue reducing the cost Nanda, Chief Investment Officer, ACWA Power, and of generating renewable energy, which is one of the key Eng. Sabah Mashaly, Chairman, Egyptian Electricity pillars in driving sustainable economic development of a Transmission Company, in the presence of senior country. As a Saudi company, we are particularly proud of executives from ACWA Power and delegates from the this partnership with our brothers and neighbours that will Paddy Padmanathan Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy. accelerate the deployment of clean energy, and contribute Construction is expected to be completed during the to the social and economic development of the Arab first quarter of 2021, the release said. Once operational, Republic of Egypt. This investment will not only generate the release added, the plant will cater to the power 200 megawatts of solar energy, but will also power the needs of 130,000 households, in addition to offsetting creation of jobs by propagating a green economy and 280,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. nurturing a vibrant society.” “The signing of today’s project is a crucial building Added Nanda: “We commenced our operations in Egypt block that contributes to the Egyptian government’s through the launch of the Benban PV IPP project, and we vision – which aims to upscale sustainable energy are currently in discussions with the Egyptian Ministry of security by moulding a balanced energy mix,” said Electricity to finalise agreements for the 2,250 MW Dairut Rajit Nanda Dr Shaker. “In reflection of H.H. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, CCGT, with an investment value of 2.3 billion US dollars. President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the overall government’s Today, through the deployment of the Kom Ombo Plant, we are ambitious vision, we are keen to leverage renewable energy sources further branching our commendable trail in Egypt. Moreover, this through transparent competitive procurement, which will cater to the clean energy project embodies the extension of our investments in country’s current clean energy needs while simultaneously safeguarding the renewable sector in the continent, particularly in the North African our future. region, which is witnessing a rapid growth in renewable energy “The lowest tariff contracted to date for a solar energy in North projects. Africa is not only a reflection of continuing improvement in technology According to the release, the construction and development and the entrepreneurship of the developer, ACWA Power, but also of the of new PV plants in Egypt bolsters the efforts of the Ministry of attractiveness of Egypt as an investment destination and the trade and Electricity and Renewable Energy to increase the overall capacity of commercial environment of Egypt to enable facilities of this nature to renewable energy to 20% by the year 2020.

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November 2019

Kingspan: GB regulations encourage market appreciation of high-performance insulation solutions Company official attributes enhancement of U Values in Green Building regulations as a positive driver for change By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

Craig Laidlaw

here has been greater market appreciation of high-performing insulation solutions, particularly within facades, said Craig Laidlaw, Head of Business Development for Structural Insulation, Kingspan, who added this can be attributed to the enhancement of U Values in Green Building regulations, such as Dubai Municipality’s Al Safaat programme and Abu Dhabi’s Estidama programme. “Our U Value study with Mott Macdonald reflects this, where greater use of insulation leads to a direct correlation of a reduction in building energy consumption as well as carbon emissions,” he said. Laidlaw said that while there has been a general move towards innovative, high-quality construction products, as can be observed in many projects in and around the UAE, the rapid advancement of technology can often be a bottleneck for the adoption of new solutions. “[Technology] is always one step ahead of the building regulations, as technology is constantly developing in many areas,” he said. “Therefore, the regulations are always playing catch up with the technological advances, which can be challenging [when it comes to] demonstrating compliance with the building code.”

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REGIONAL NEWS

HVAC R Pioneers' Summit to gather industry leaders at HVAC R Expo The one-day summit will bring together HVAC R industry leaders from across the region to discover the latest technologies, develop innovative strategies and network with like-minded peers, organisers say Edited by CCME Content Team

he second edition of HVAC R Expo, from November 25 to 28 in Dubai, will feature an all-new HVAC R Pioneers’ Summit, on November 26, dmg events, organisers of the Expo, said. Josine Heijmans, Portfolio Director, dmg events, said: “After the successful launch edition of HVAC R Expo, we are delighted to announce that the event will this year feature the HVAC R Pioneers’ Summit. The summit responds to the HVAC R ■ HVAC R Talks 2018 (photographs courtesy dmg events) community’s needs to find more energyefficient and cost-effective solutions for the region. “According to recent research, there are Director, Aurecon International; and Suhas providing them with a chance to stay USD 70 billion worth of HVAC R systems Inamdar, Head of Technical Support and updated on trends in the sector. that are planned to be installed in the Planning, Wasl Properties. Aside from educational content, Middle East over the next decade. Ninety Inamdar, speaking on what a smart visitors to HVAC R Expo can expect to per cent remains to be awarded, and this city’s HVAC R system might look like, see the latest and most ground-breaking presents a huge drive for the HVAC R sector, said: “Just one example of innovation in products on display at the event, relating reflecting growing opportunities for global the sector is that smart thermostats shall to climate control, air quality and building industry stakeholders.” increasingly use artificial automation, among others, dmg said. While the HVACR sector intelligence and machine Prakash Chablani, Managing Director, is coined as one of the most learning to study the user Unigulf Development LLC, and returning important in the Middle East behavioral pattern and exhibitor, said: “The best part about HVAC region, due to the climate, which optimise the power consumed R Expo is to have all HVAC R products and makes it a pivotal element of all by HVAC systems in the services players in one area, under one roof. building projects, it is also the buildings. Moreover, we shall This arrangement is so convenient from the largest consumer of electricity in witness a new range of ecoperspective of those who will visit the show Josine Heijmans the region’s cities, dmg events friendly DeVAP HVAC systems with a specific interest in this field.” said. Ronak Monga, Segment in the coming decade, which According to dmg events, HVAC R Expo Development Manager of Building Services, consumes significantly less energy and is co-located with The Big 5, The Big 5 Grundfos, and speaker at the summit, does not use any harmful refrigerant to Heavy, Middle East Concrete, Middle East corroborated the dmg statement, adding achieve cooling.” Stone, The Big 5 Solar, and Urban Design that such factors are leading to a big According to dmg, the HVAC Pioneers’ & Landscape Expo, this year – together appetite for innovation in the market. Summit is free to attend for selected transforming Dubai World Trade Centre into He said: “As a result, it is so important to professionals, and the agenda not only the global hub for the construction industry. have a platform such as the HVAC Pioneers’ covers an overall market outlook on the Summit, where stakeholders can share Middle East’s HVAC R sector but also best practices on what works well, as well features individual and panel discussions as reflect upon what hasn’t worked well, on the significance of indoor air quality, the in order to secure the next generation of growing demand for district cooling, and highly efficient, sustainable and futuristic cooling of super-tall buildings, as well as a HVAC systems right here in the Middle masterclass, titled ‘BIM + HVAC = smarter East.” buildings of the future’. Ronak’s co-participants include Hassan According to dmg, HVAC R Expo also Younes, President, ASHRAE Falcon Chapter; brings back the free-to-attend and CPDAfif Saif Harhara Al Yafei, Senior Vice certified HVAC R Talks, presenting a unique President - Regional Asset Management, opportunity for visiting professionals Tabreed; Rob Gregory, MEP Technical to gain career development points and

November 2019

Empower starts construction of its new headquarters Facility in Dubai’s Jaddaf area is being built at a cost of AED 280 million and will be ready by Q1 2021, District Cooling utility says Edited by CCME Content Team

mirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has begun constructing its new headquarters in Al Jaddaf, Dubai, at a cost of AED 280 million, the District Cooling utility said, adding that the facility is expected to be inaugurated Ahmad Bin Shafar in Q1 of 2021. The new headquarters will include two buildings: an office building and a residential building, both of which will feature a three-storey underground parking as well as shops, the company said through a Press release. Each building, the company said, will consist of 10 floors. The office building will include staff offices and shops, while the residential building will consist of social amenities, restaurants and green areas for residents and employees, the company added. Empower highlighted through the release that the total builtup area of the new headquarters will be 730,000 square feet, of which 555,000 square feet will be for the office building, and 175,000 square feet will be for the residential building, containing facilities, services and shops. The headquarters will be built according to LEED Gold certification requirements from the US Green Building Council, which is internationally recognised to assess the design, construction, and operation of environmentally friendly and highperformance buildings, the company said. The new headquarters will be easily accessible from Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and can accommodate a large number of customers and employees, the company said. It will also include parking spaces and other services to ensure the safety and satisfaction of customers, the company added. “Empower’s new headquarters that is currently under construction, will be completed in Q1 of 2021,” Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said. “Through this new project, we are promoting our investments and offering customers innovative solutions to provide them with a seamless experience. “Design, construction, and operation of environmentally friendly and high-performance buildings have been taken into consideration in the designing of both the buildings, to support the preservation of the environment, combat climate change and support national and global sustainability standards. The new headquarters is a new chapter in our journey towards expansion, and supports our continuous growth strategy.”

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28 AWARD CATEGORIES: 1.

MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR (AIR TREATMENT)

14. HVACR ACCESSORIES MANUFACTURER/ SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

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

15. PROJECT OF THE YEAR (OUTDOOR COOLING SYSTEMS)

MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR (FIRE SAFETY)

BUILDING ENVELOP OF THE YEAR (CONTRIBUTING MANUFACTURER/ SUPPLIER)

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

BUILDING PERFORMANCE SERVICES (TESTING AND CERTIFICATION) DISTRICT COOLING COMPANY OF THE YEAR O&M COMPANY OF THE YEAR (CHILLED WATER PLANT) DISTRICT COOLING UTILITY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR INNOVATIVE MANUFACTURER/ SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR (CHILLERS)

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

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

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26. COLD STORE OF THE YEAR

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ASHRAE celebrates incorporation of IEQ-GA The new body will ensure the knowledge from IEQ research is implemented in practice Edited by CCME Content Team

SHRAE on October 15 announced European Heating, Ventilation and Air the incorporation of the Indoor Conditioning (REHVA) and ASHRAE. Environmental Quality Global “We are inspired by the forwardAlliance (IEQ-GA) as a legal entity. thinking approach IEQ-GA has in the The announcement of IEQ-GA’s incorporation building industry,” said 2019-20 ASHRAE took place at a ceremony during President Darryl K Boyce. “It the 40th AIVC conference, on is critically important that we October 15 in Ghent, Belgium, advocate for the well-being the Society said through a Press of the people who occupy release. our buildings. Through the According to the release, collaborative efforts and the mission of the IEQ-GA is resources of IEA-GA’s member to promote and advocate for organizations, we will continue acceptable indoor environmental to provide safe buildings for Darryl K Boyce quality (thermal environment, generations to come.” indoor air quality, lighting and acoustics) According to the release, the creation of for building occupants globally, while the IEQ-GA was the result of a presidential ensuring the knowledge from IEQ research is initiative of Bill Bahnfleth, 2013-14 implemented in practice. ASHRAE Presidential Member and current At the ceremony, the release said, the IEQ-GA Vice President, based on the founding members celebrated with short report of a presidential ad hoc committee, speeches about the establishment of the chaired by Bjarne Olesen, 2017-18 ASHRAE alliance and presented its vision for achieving Presidential Member and current ASHRAE a healthy indoor environment in the building IEQ-GA Alternate Director. The committee industry. was tasked with exploring ways in which The Founding members of the industry groups could work together to corporation are the Italian Association of Air address all aspects of indoor environmental Conditioning; Ventilation and Refrigeration quality and health, the release said. (AiCARR); the American Industrial Hygiene According to the release, a Association (AIHA); the Air Filtration and memorandum of understanding was Ventilation Center (AIVC); the Indian Society established among the Air & Waste of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Management Association (A&WMA), the Engineers (ISHRAE); the Federation of Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA),

AIHA, AIVC, REHVA and ASHRAE to form IEQ-GA. AiCARR and ISHRAE later became members of the alliance, the release added. Olesen said: “An important attribute of IEQ-GA is that it is a non-industrial alliance among societies representing members that promote IEQ. The intent of IEQ-GA is to work with all partners of the value chain for indoor environmental quality, including building research, comfort and health research, building design, installation, commissioning, operation and occupant behavior. Furthermore, IEQ-GA will work with industry organizations to help their members to provide products and services that promote IEQ.” According to the release, the founding members represent professionals from various disciplines linked to indoor environment and are committed to work together and promote education, research and knowledge exchange at a global scale; to develop standards, codes and guidelines; and to encourage advocacy among the general public in indoor environments around the world. The IEQ-GA, the release said, is currently seeking new members from all the involved sectors and disciplines to join forces. Sectors include architects, engineers, environmental professionals, industrial/occupational hygienists and health section specialists, among others.

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November 2019

GLOBAL NEWS

AHR Expo announces 2020 Innovation Award winners

Winning products, technologies and systems from each award category will be formally recognised during the 2020 AHR Expo, organizers of the Show say Edited by CCME Content Team

HR Expo Show Management on October 10 released the names of winners of the 2020 AHR Expo Innovation Awards competition. Hosted annually by the AHR Expo, products in 10 industry categories are recognised for their innovative contribution to HVACR, the organisers of AHR Expo said through a Press release. The winning products, technologies and systems from each award category will be formally recognised during the 2020 AHR Expo, from February 3 to 5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, one of the category winners will be recognised as the most inventive and original product and will receive the 2020 Product of the Year Award, the release said. The ceremony is open to all Show attendees and will take place on February 4 at 1pm EST. According to the release, winners are carefully reviewed and selected by a panel of third-party ASHRAE member judges, who evaluate award entries based on their innovative design, creativity, application, value and potential market impact. “We had more entries submitted for the 2020 Innovation Awards than we’ve ever had,” said Mark Stevens, AHR Expo Show Manager. “This speaks volumes to the advancement and outstanding innovation happening within the HVACR industry at the moment. As in previous years, the technologies vying for a category award more than exceeded our expectations. We would like to congratulate each of our winners, finalists and all entrants for their leadership in advancing the future of our industry. We look forward to seeing these inventive solutions in action on the Show floor in Orlando and to honor our winners in a special ceremony.” According to the release, the 2020 AHR Expo Innovation Award Winners and finalists selected within the categories of building automation, cooling, green building, heating, indoor air quality, plumbing, refrigeration, software, tools and instruments and ventilation are: BUILDING AUTOMATION

Winner: Delta Controls Inc. (Booth 1161) - O3 Sensor Hub 2.0 Innovation: The O3 Sensor Hub 2.0 combines seven different sensors to provide the most accurate view of an interior space available on the market. IoT-enabled to function as a standalone room controller, the O3 Sensor Hub 2.0 combines temperature sensing, occupancy detection, humidity and wireless integration into one. This innovation uses Sensor Fusion to enhance the occupant experience with heightened room control and to reduce false occupancy detections. The O3 is ceiling-mounted to maximise functionality from the best vantage point of the room, enabling it to accurately detect occupancy with simple reads from body heat, keyboard noise or other motion. It also quickly detects

November 2019

when occupants leave the room, resulting in cost savings valuable to facilities management. With the O3 Sensor Hub 2.0, Delta Controls Inc. aims to change how the controls industry looks at occupant satisfaction. Shane Murphy, Marketing Manager, Delta Controls, said: “I am incredibly proud of the Delta Controls team and of the product they developed. The O3 Sensor Hub allows users to experience the best room control on the market, and we are grateful to be recognized by AHR Expo and the ASHRAE committee for this product. At the 2020 Show, we are excited for the opportunity to show off the O3, and how Delta Controls is re-envisioning occupant experience.”

Finalists in this category include: 75F (Booth 268) - 75F Building Intelligence System; BELIMO Americas (Booth 767) – Ultrasonic Flow Sensor; and Danfoss (Booth 1501) – Danfoss VLT conditionbased monitoring. COOLING

Winner: Danfoss (Booth 1501) – Danfoss Interlaced Micro Channel Heat Exchanger (iMCHE) Innovation: The Danfoss Interlaced Micro Channel Heat Exchanger (iMCHE) integrates multiple circuits into a single coil. It works using a shared air heat transfer area and controlling each one independently by a multi-circuits system. The iMCHE uses a whole air side heat transfer when operating under partial-load conditions to maximise efficiency. Based on the results of a recent case study, the IEER increased 18% when using the iMCHE solution. The iMCHE provides a compact and cost-effective solution for dual-circuit rooftop units. While public concern for climate change continues to increase and higher energy standards are predicted, the iMCHE allows equipment to easily meet new standards with low cost impact. “Our iMCHE Interlaced Microchannel Heat Exchanger is the newest addition in the already expansive Danfoss MCHE portfolio and supports our efforts to provide quality MCHE for condenser, evaporator, heat pump, radiator and reheat applications,” said Jeff Tucker, Business Development, Danfoss. “The iMCHE was developed specifically for two-circuit refrigerant systems and targets the global Roof Top product as well as an array of two-circuit designs. Using iMCHE affords system developers the opportunity to improve overall system efficiency by more than 20%. This is significant as new efficiency standards requiring approximately 15% efficiency increases will take effect starting in 2023.” Finalists in this category include: Baltimore Aircoil Company (Booth 2321) – Nexus Modular Hybrid Cooler; Smardt Chiller Group Inc. (Booth 6643) – Smardt G-class 515B Low GWP Chiller; and Vertiv (Booth 2411) – Liebert VRC Rack Cooling System.

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GREEN BUILDING

Winner: Danfoss (Booth 1501) – Danfoss Turbocor TG490 Compressor Innovation: The Danfoss Turbocor TG490 Compressor is designed for air- or water-cooled chiller applications. The oil-free, variable-speed, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor is optimised for use with HFO-1234ze, which has a GWP of less than 1, and can also be used with low-GWP refrigerant R-515B. The Danfoss Turbocor TG490 is the first-of-its-kind, oil-free, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor that offers industry-leading efficiency, reduced maintenance requirements and simplified design through the elimination of a traditional oil management system. It is also the industry’s first oil-free compressor technology with the flexibility to be used with low-GWP R-515B, which has a rating as low as 299 as well as A1 safety classification. “We are thrilled to have been recognized once again by ASHRAE and the 2020 AHR Expo for our commitment to develop new technologies to help slow and ultimately reverse the process of global warming,” said Jose Alvares, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Danfoss Turbocor Compressors. “With the new Danfoss Turbocor TG490 compressor, the world’s first oil-free, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor that can be used with R-515B, customers can now be compliant with applicable refrigerant regulations and safety codes due to its low GWP rating of 299 and ASHRAE A1 safety classification.”

Innovation: The Purity Low Profile LED 1” Polarized Filter/LED Disinfection System (PLP-LED) by Fresh-Aire UV is the first 3-stage 1” polarized HVAC filtration system to incorporate Mini-LED technology. The PLP-LED offers high-efficiency filtration that captures 97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size. The system also uses antimicrobial UV reactive media with an advanced photocatalytic coating for odour and VOC reduction. Fresh-Aire UV’s filter mitigates many IAQ issues as well as many other challenges faced by occupants and contractors through delivery of a cleaner, safer filter to handle and service. “We couldn’t be more proud and more excited to be recognized with the 2020 AHR Innovation Award for IAQ,” said Aaron Engel, Vice President, Business Development, Fresh-Aire UV. “The award represents the HVACR industry’s most innovative products, systems, and technologies, and we believe this perfectly represents the PLP-LED. Available in the most common filter sizes, the 3-stage 1” polarized HVAC filtration system delivers the effectiveness of an ultra-high-efficiency filter in a low-static pressure 1" design. With advanced antimicrobial UV reactive media and disinfecting LED array, the PLP-LED represents the very best in filtration, providing maximum particulate removal and surface disinfection while reducing airborne odors and VOCs.”

Finalists in this category include: Aeroseal LLC (Booth 3390) – AeroBarrier: air sealing technology; Arctic Chiller Group (Booth 5153) – EcoTherm modular simultaneous heating and cooling Heat Pump; and Baltimore Aircoil Company (Booth 2321) – HXV Hybrid Cooler.

Finalists in this category include: AtmosAir Solutions (Booth 4207) – AtmosAir Denali 600 with AtmosSmart, IoT Enabled Active Air Monitoring and Air Purification System; RGF Environmental Group Inc. (Booth 4151) – HALO-LED Whole Home Indoor Air Purification System; and Sensirion, Inc. ( Booth 1473) – SCD40 CO2 and RH/T Sensor Component.

HEATING

PLUMBING

Winner: York For Your Home (Booth 3801) – YORK LX Series TL9E UltraLow NOx Gas Furnace

Winner: LG Electronics USA, Inc. (Booth 6343) – LG Hydro Kit

Innovation: The York LX Series TL9E Ultra-Low NOx Gas Furnace is an environmentally responsible gas furnace that meets even the most stringent standards for air quality while reducing greenhouse and smogproducing gases by up to 65% compared to standard low-NOx furnaces. The furnace is ENERGY STAR-rated and reduces fuel costs by as much as 20% when connected to select YORK home comfort systems. “We are honored to receive this award, which recognizes our commitment to taking residential comfort beyond temperature control to meet the most stringent standards for efficiency and air quality,” said Justin Patrick, Vice President and General Manager, Residential Products, Ducted Systems, Johnson Controls. “The YORK Ultra-Low NOx furnace delivers exceptional reliability and durability to meet the needs of today's homeowners.” Finalists in this category include: AERCO, a Watts brand (Booth 1301) – AERCO Benchmark Platinum Boiler with Edge Controller; Emerson (Booth 2100) – Universal Single Stage Furnace Control for ECMx Blower Motors (Model 50X57-843); and Rheem Manufacturing Company (Booth 2743) – Rheem Ultra Low NOx Gas Furnace. INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Winner: Fresh-Aire UV (Booth 5853) - Purity Low Profile LED 1” Polarized Filter / LED Disinfection System

November 2019

Innovation: LG Electronics USA, Inc. has developed the LG Hydro Kit, an indoor heat exchanger for LG Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems capable of transferring heat or cooling energy expelled from the air conditioning process to water, offering further efficiency of LG heat recovery and heat pump systems. Available in 42,000 and 96,000 Btu/h capacity, the LG Hydro Kits utilize waste energy generated during the conditioning process and enhance the energy efficiencies of LG VRF systems. This allows the hot or chilled water generated to then be distributed out to a number of different applications with integrated controls that set the temperature of the leaving water, hot water tank temperature or the temperature of the conditioned space. “LG has exhibited at the AHR Expo for more than 15 years, and we always enjoy getting to connect with our key partners and customers, as well as having the chance to build new relationships at our booth during the show and at our events throughout the week,” said Lorie Quillin-Bell, Director of Marketing for LG Air Conditioning Technologies. “LG continues to challenge the industry to deliver exceptional innovation and value to our customers, so it's a tremendous honor to receive an AHR Expo 2020 Innovation Award in the Plumbing Category for the LG Hydro Kit. This is a testament to the many benefits of our award-winning residential and commercial product offerings, and another example of LG’s commitment to providing innovative technologies that bring smarter, sustainable solutions to market.”

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Finalists in this category include: Caleffi Hydronic Solutions (Booth 6581) – LEGIOMIX 6000 series Highest Flow Electronic Mixing Valve; NIBCO INC. (Booth 3121) – 585HP Full Port Bronze Ball Valve; and Viega LLC (Booth 1943) – Viega MegaPressG.

SOFTWARE

REFRIGERATION

Innovation: The Interplay Learning SkillMill Skilled Trades Course Catalog is an online, on-demand training course catalogue designed for HVAC professionals to gain worksite skills accessible via mobile phone, computer, tablet or in virtual reality (VR). HVACR professionals can sign-on to view expert-led video courses designed to first drive understanding, then move on to the interactive, 3D-based HVAC troubleshooting simulations delivered via field-like training. The training platform aims to provide scalable training that is robust enough to keep up with the growing skills gap as well as prepare HVAC techs quickly for every situation or scenario they might encounter in the real world. The use of state-of-the-art 3D simulations creates a unique, immersive learning environment for users. “We’re incredibly honored and humbled to receive this Innovation Award,” said Doug Donovan, CEO, Interplay Learning. “Our team is excited about AHR 2020 and being able to showcase our software, which is already making a huge impact in the HVAC community. Our software is the first-of-its-kind, an online training that technicians will actually use, because the simulations mimic on-the-job training. As a company, we’ve helped more than 75,000 people build key technical skills, so we’re confident in our ability to change the way the HVAC industry trains its professionals.”

Winner: Danfoss (Booth 1501) – Danfoss CO2 Adaptive Liquid Management Solution Innovation: The Danfoss CO2 Adaptive Liquid Management (CALM) solution combines Danfoss’ liquid ejector and adaptive liquid control case controller algorithm to fully utilise the evaporator surface in display cases and cold rooms. This technology provides, without equipment change, up to 10% greater energy efficiency in addition to the energy-saving inherent of CO2 refrigeration. The CALM solution works by pulling liquid refrigerant from the suction side and injects it into the evaporator of display cases and cold rooms. Danfoss’ CALM solution aims to assist customers in making the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants while saving energy, maintaining system reliability and ensuring food safety. “CO2 Adaptive Liquid Management is the next generation in energy-saving technology that provides up to a 10% energy savings, in any climate, and all year round,” said James K Knudsen, North America Food Retail Segment Leader at Danfoss. Added John Galyen, President, Danfoss North America: “Danfoss is committed to bringing innovation and next-generation solutions to the market to help our customers and industry improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and meet climate regulations. Winning three awards this year is a testament to our investments, and we look forward to working with our industry partners to deploy these solutions in the HVACR market.” Finalists in this category include: Emerson (Booth 2101) – Copeland End-to-End Solution for Micro-Distributed Architectures; Fresh-Aire UV (Booth 5853) – Ice UV-LED Disinfection System for Ice-Machines; and Sporlan Division – Parker Hannifan (Booth 2525) – SCS-PB Superheat Control System for Pulse Width Valve with Bluetooth feature.

Winner: Interplay Learning (Booth 8562) – SkillMill Skilled Trades Course Catalog

Finalists in this category include: Armstrong Fluid Technology (Booth 4161) – Pump Manager; BCA Technologies, Inc. (Booth 8579) – eRep CPQ; and Distech Controls (Booth 881) xpressNetwork Utility. TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS

Winner: Matelex (Booth 2551) – DNI (détecteur de niveau intelligent/ smart level detector) Innovation: Matelex has developed a détecteur de niveau intelligent/smart level detector (DNI) system that measures pressure, temperature and refrigerant levels every 2-3 seconds, as well as conducts a complete leak-detection cycle every hour. The system is designed to trigger an alarm using algorithmic learning in the event of a detected leak. The smart refrigerant leak detection system is also coupled with a remote surveillance web interface (Sentinelle) to issue email alerts when a leak occurs. It is suitable for all refrigerants and tanks – vertical, horizontal, inclined horizontal – and connects to the

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IoT via WIFI, cable ethernet or 3G-4G modules. When tested in the food retail sector, the system has saved 79% of refrigerant compared to traditional methods due to real-time data alerts and increased responsiveness to system maintenance requirements. “The Matelex team is delighted with this award and honored to have the opportunity to share its successes and future challenges with the stakeholders of the 2020 AHR Expo,” said Luc Dehon, CEO of Matelex. “We believe in the power of data to improve the performance of refrigeration installations, but also to reduce their environmental impact and guarantee a better future for future generations. Internet Of Refrigeration is on!”

Finalists in this category include: Fluke Corporation (Booth 2151) – Fluke PTi120 Pocket Thermal Camera; Milwaukee Tool (Booth 427) – M18 FUEL Pipe Threader w/ ONE-KEY; and Topcon Positioning System, Inc. (Booth 325) Topcon GTL-1000.

Innovation: The Infinitum Electric HVAC motor is significantly smaller, smarter and quieter than traditional electric motors. These benefits equate to an ultra-high-efficiency motor that results in up to 25% lower costs for customers. The motor uses a circuit board stator resulting in up to 60% less weight, superior durability, improved performance and enhanced IoT connectivity. Infinitum Electric aims to change the industry standard for motor size and weight. “The fundamental design of the electric motor has evolved very little since it was developed over a century ago, and we’re honored that AHR has recognized our breakthrough motor technology,” said Ben Schuler, CEO, Infinitum Electric. “With our patented technology, we’ve been able to replace the iron laminated core and copper wire windings found in all motors with our patented Printed Circuit Board (PCB) stator. When applied to HVAC fans, compressors or pumps, this innovation results in lower costs, lighter weight and higher efficiency."

VENTILATION

Winner: Infinitum Electric (Booth 7485) – Infinitum Electric, A Breakthrough HVAC Motor

Finalists in this category include: American Aldes (Booth 6243) – IQ by ALDES (IQ-VFC) ERV/HRV-Integrated Vertical Fan Coil Units; Rosenberg USA, Inc. (Booth 2051) – Rosenberg “Generation 3” EC motors for plug fans and axial fans; and ZIEHL-ABEGG, Inc. (Booth 2361) – ZAbluefin.

November 2019

GLOBAL NEWS

ASHRAE releases expanded, revised version of Standard 90.1

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Organisation adds commissioning requirements for the first time Edited by CCME Content Team

SHRAE has released an expanded, revised version of Standard 90.1. ANSI/ASHRAE/ IES Standard 90.1-2019, Energy Efficiency Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, contains more than 100 changes from the 2016 version, including numerous energy-saving measures, the organisation said through a Press release. “The goal of the 2019 version of 90.1 was to provide clearer guidance for exceeding efficiency goals,” said Drake Erbe, Chair, Standard 90.1 committee.

“This new version focuses on energy-saving measures, which we hope will reward designs for achieving energy cost levels above the standard minimum and result in more efficient buildings and more innovative solutions.” According to the release, some significant changes include: • Administration and Enforcement: Commissioning requirements were added to the standard for the first time. Section 4.2.5, “Verification, Testing, and Commissioning,” was greatly expanded and requirements

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were outlined for commissioning, in accordance with ASHRAE/IES Standard 202. Building Envelope: For vertical fenestration, the categories of “nonmetal framed” and “metal framed” products were combined. Minimum criteria for SHGC and U-factor were upgraded across all climate zones. The air leakage section was revised to clarify compliance. Changes to the vestibule section refined the exceptions and added a new option and associated criteria for using air curtains. Lighting: Lighting power allowances for the Space-by-Space Method and the Building Area Method were modified. The model is more representative of real-world conditions with the inclusion of updated IES recommendations. A new simplified method for lighting (new Section 9.2) was added.

Posifa introduces new air velocity sensors Devices come with Digital I2C output for thermal management and filter monitoring applications, says company Edited by CCME Content Team

osifa Technologies on October 31 introduced the PAV3000 series of what it described as economical, high-performance air velocity sensors with digital I2C output and a surface-mount footprint for thermal management and filter monitoring in even the most spaceconstrained locations. Unlike thermistor-based solutions, the company claimed through a Press release, PAV3000 has a MEMS sensor core that is minimally affected by ambient temperature changes and which provides instant real-time feedback on proper air flow at critical locations. According to the company, the air velocity data from the sensors perfectly complements temperature information to provide the best insight into thermal efficiency. Since the PAV3000 helps identify areas that require unusually high air flow to maintain stable temperatures, layouts for rack enclosures with air cooling — such as those found in data centres — can be modified to reduce cooling demands for increased energy savings, the company said through the release. In applications

November 2019

such as HVAC systems, air velocity measurements can be used to determine when filters need to be replaced. This ensures hardware is adequately protected during heavy use, and it allows customers with light usage requirements to benefit from extended change intervals, the company said. PAV3000 series devices feature Posifa's third-generation thermal flow die, which uses a pair of thermopiles to detect changes in temperature gradient caused by mass flow, the company claimed. The result is excellent repeatability of 1% FS and accuracy of 5% FS. The solid-state thermal isolation structure on the sensor die eliminates the need for a surface cavity or the fragile membrane used in competing technologies, making the sensor resistant to clogging and pressure shock, the release said. Measuring air velocity at 7 m/s (PAV3005V) and 15 m/s (PAV3015V), the PAV3000 series devices offer extremely fast response times of 125 ms, typical in a compact, robust package, the company said, adding that the air velocity sensors feature a 12-bit digital output, 3.3 V supply voltage, and supply current of 13 mA.

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Lighting control requirements for parking garages were updated. Daylight-responsive requirements and side-lighting requirements were updated. Mechanical: New requirements were defined to allow designers the option to use ASHRAE Standard 90.4 instead of ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 requirements in computer rooms that have an IT equipment load larger than 10 kW. Pump definitions, requirements and efficiency tables are included in the standard for the first time. Energy Cost Budget Method: Numerous changes were made to ensure continuity. The baseline was set for on-site electricity generation systems. Performance Rating Method: Appendix G rules and the corresponding baseline efficiency requirement were clarified. Explicit

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heating and cooling COPs were provided without fan for the baseline packaged cooling equipment. Rules were added for modelling the impact of automatic receptacle controls. More specific baseline rules were set for infiltration modelling. Clarification was added for how plant and coil sizing should be performed. Building performance factors in Section 4 were updated. Both Compliance Paths: Clearer and more specific rules were added related to how renewables are treated. Extensive updates were added to the rules for lighting modelling.

90.1 has been a benchmark for the commercial building energy codes in the United States and a key basis for codes and standards around the world. The 2019 version, the release said, is the 11th edition published since the original standard was first published in 1975 during the US energy crisis.

Also new to the standard is use of the new fan energy index (FEI) as the metric for efficiency provisions for commercial and industrial fans and blowers, the release said. According to the release, Standard

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November 2019

GLOBAL NEWS

GEA Bock wins Busworld Innovation Label Award 2019 Company wins honours for its StarCO2mpressor Edited by CCME Content Team

EA Bock’s StarCO2mpressor, the new generation of mobile CO2 compressors for electric bus and railway air conditioning and heating, in endOctober received the Busworld Innovation Label Award 2019 at the world's largest bus trade fair in Brussels, the company said through a Press release. The international jury of experts honoured the StarCO2mpressor concept with innovative "star" drive gear design, which opens up new possibilities for economically and ecologically sustainable mobile electric bus and railway air conditioning, the company said. "We are delighted that our new StarCO2mpressor has received the Innovation Label Award,” said Ulrich Frey, Product Manager, Mobile Applications, GEA Bock. “It confirms the leading position of GEA Bock compressors in the refrigeration and air-conditioning technology sector and shows that functionality, economy and climate protection can go hand in hand even with mobile compressors for natural refrigerants." According to the release, the StarCO2mpressor was presented to an international trade audience for the first time at Busworld Brussels 2019, which took place from October 18 to 23.

November 2019

The new GEA Bock StarCO2mpressor. (Photo: GEA) According to the release, at the core of the StarCO2mpressor is a radial piston technology, which is specially designed for trans-critical use with the natural refrigerant CO2 (R-744) and enables a very compact system design with numerous technical and constructive innovations. “This makes the new mobile CO2 compressor perfectly suited for space-saving roof installation in electric buses and railways," Frey said. "This includes the lowest overall height in the industry of only 220 mm and the light

weight of only 83 kg, which is at least 25% below the standard compressor in this performance class.â&#x20AC;? According to the release, the compressor enables energy-saving heat generation even at low outside temperatures, down to -20 degrees C without powerconsuming electric or environmentally harmful fueloperated auxiliary heaters. This increases the range of an electric bus by up to 40%, the release said. "The innovative technology of the StarCO2mpressor has already successfully proven its practical suitability in extensive field tests with renowned manufacturers," Frey said. With the new StarCO2mpressor, the release said, GEA Bock is expanding its portfolio of compressors for natural refrigerants with an ecologically and economically efficient technology for the future electromobility market.

By 2030, the #refrigeration sector will account for around 13% of #GHG emissions. #GreenCooling contributes to #SDG13 by reducing those emissions and conserving resources. #ClimateAction #rac #natref

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

November 2019