CCME Sept. 2019 by Climate Control Middle East

‘DISTRICT COOLING IS NOT NECESSARILY A FIVE-FIGURE PLANT’ Sekhar Reddy V, MBM Gulf Electromechanical

September 2019

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September 2019

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15 SEPTEMBER 2019 FALCON BALLROOM, LE MERIDIEN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE, DUBAI, UAE 3rd EDITION THEME: DISTRICT COOLING’S POTENTIAL FOR CONTRIBUTING TO UAE VISION 2021... PROFOUND POSSIBILITIES

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

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

SPEAKERS

Fares Ahmad General Manager, Emaar District Cooling

Nermeen Hammouda General Manager – Applied Equipment, Johnson Controls, GCC

Raed Al Ahmed Deputy CEO, Emicool

Dr Yousif Al Hammadi Senior Vice President - Business Development, Tabreed

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

Sagar Kulkarni Managing Director, Consistent Engineering Consultants

Sougata Nandi Founder & CEO, 3e Advisory & 3e Apps

Ismail Almarzooqi CEO, South Energy

Timothy McLaren Senior Commercial Contracts Engineer, Ramboll

Faisal Rashid DirectorDemand Side Management, Supreme Council of Energy

Muna AlNahdi Manager-Energy Management, South Energy

Dominic Mc Polin Chief, Central Planning Central Planning Office, Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Bahrain

Sekhar Reddy General Manager, MBM Gulf Electromechanical Co LLC

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

Eid Mohammed Senior Mechanical Engineer, UAE Ministry of Infrastructure Development

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

Deepak Bhat Branch Manager – Large Tonnage Chillers, Johnson Controls, UAE

Adib Moubadder CEO, Emicool

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

Sriram Nagarajan Senior Manager, Voltas Limited

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

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September 2019

SOON

the world of

variable refr

Stakeholders raise concerns relating to transparency of performance data and standards for the design, installation and commisioning of Variable Refrigerant Flow systems

igerant flow

PLEMENT

CASE-IN POINT

‘41% reduction in energy consumption’ That’s what a labour accommodation facility in Al Quoz area of Dubai achieved in the first eight months ensuing the installation of a VRF regimen, as reported by Taqeef

REGULARS

LICENCE TO CHILL

A look at the factors that contribute to making Oman an attractive market for energy-efficient technologies, including VRF systems

‘District Cooling is not necessarily a five-figure plant’

Looking into the world of variable refrigerant flow system s September 2019

PERSPECTIVE

FEATURE

A ripe market

systems

‘Operators are overwhelmed and lagging behind’ Darryl K Boyce, 2019-20 ASHRAE President

‘People, planet, profit – the triple bottom line’ Ibrahim Al Zu’bi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Majid Al Futtaim

24 18

SEPTEMBER 2019

Sekhar Reddy V, General Manager, MBM Gulf Electromechanical

SUPPLEME

COVER STORY

THE DEBATE ON DATA

DLE EAST SPE CIAL SUP

VARsity Looking into

It is likely 2019 will be referre d to as the year when Variab le Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems finally earned a patien t hearing in the United States. In as a commercial cooling option the built-environm for projects across the countr ent. Suddenly, y, where traditio the prospect of zone-based nal ducted systems remain cooling and greater energy the system The World VRF of choice for efficiency among heating and Congress is comparable cooling in a non-parochial systems, is finding appeal , third-party platform that among seeks to provide an in-depth understandin g of VRF techno logy and an insight into

CONTROL MID

Chilled water loop protection with nitrite Dan Mizesko, Managing Partner, Al Shirawi US Chiller Services, elaborates on the need for identifying the ideal levels of nitrite that must be maintained in systems, and the problems that arise as a result of an imbalance.

INTERVIEWS

A CLIMATE

FEATURE

page

VOL. 14 NO. 09

Mandatory inspections could spur uptake of better equipment Markus Lattner, Director, Eurovent Middle East

Quantifying the value offered by integrated Facilities Management Jamal Lootah, Group CEO, Imdaad

‘5D BIM’s influence on MEP installation is a particularly effective process enhancement’ Anilesh Kumar speaks on how 5D BIM involves the creation of an elaborate and detailed digital model

‘Intention is key to sustainable cities’ Dr Saad S Al-Jandal, Research Scientist, Energy and Building Research Center (EBRC), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)

08 eDItor'S note cracking the credit code 50 Regional News

September 2019

62 Global News

69 COMINGS & GOINGS

September 2019

EDITOR’S NOTE

Cracking the credit Code

Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACR

‘DISTRICT COOLING IS NOT NECESSARILY A FIVE-FIGURE PLANT Sekhar Reddy V, MBM Gulf Electromechanica

September 2019

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n April of this year, the New York City Council passed the Climate Mobilization Act, which reflects the intent and decisive nature of the metropolis in adhering to its commitment to the greenhouse gas-curb targets established in the Paris Agreement of December 2015. Of specific interest to the HVACR industry in the city and the broader country is Local Law 97 of the Act, which places emission limits on those commercial and residential buildings in the city that are 25,000 square feet or more, or on two or more buildings under single-entity ownership, if they exceed 50,000 square feet, on aggregate. The carbon reduction targets are stringent, including a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2050, in relation to 2005 levels. Building owners coming under the targeted square-footage profile are under pressure, with the cost of refurbishing the existing buildings estimated to run into billions of US Dollars. The task of retrofitting the buildings towards the objective of massively curbing emissions is especially challenging, given a fast-softening global economy, and this is where think-tanks are proposing a building carbon credit programme, which would incentivise fast and decisive action in place of helpless hand-wringing. In the US state of Massachusetts, an incentive programme, championed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, yielded promising results in curbing emissions. Like in New York City, Massachusetts is bound by law to lower emissions in the state by 80% by 2050. Recognising that providing heating for commercial buildings accounted for 10% of all emissions in the state, the Center enabled incentives to those that deployed technologies that achieved the targeted reduction in energy use. VRF proved to be a viable technology in Massachusetts, the Center said. Its program, however, hit a roadblock in the form of the drying up of funds to provide any further incentives. At the time of writing this column, the Center is searching for alternatives to continue incentivising the use of the technology. There are lessons to be learnt from the efforts in New York City and the state of Massachusetts. It is true, the Middle East is facing financial headwinds of a formidable nature. But, more than ever, the region needs to think broadly and, after adequate riskassessment and due diligence, adopt hitherto untried approaches. Hand in hand with that is the need for sustained, concerted, complementary and collaborative effort. Inclement financial cycles ought not to be a ready excuse to shirk from the collective responsibility that is demanded of the building industry. While the prospect of facing a financial tsunami is a nerve-shredding one, there is a greater tsunami in the making, and the existential threat is more than palpable – activists in Iceland recently erected a memorial for a glacier that was in our midst till a decade ago. Spine-chilling, indeed!

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September 2019

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September 2019

Majid Al Futtaim

‘PEOPLE, PLANET, PROFIT – THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE’

Ibrahim Al Zu’bi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Majid Al Futtaim, unravels the long-term profitability of investing in sustainability and discusses how the organisation’s culture of innovation persuaded it to optimise air conditioning and cold chain operations as part of efforts to mitigate energy and water consumption and reduce food loss. Hannah Jo Uy has the story… usiness as usual no longer exists, says Ibrahim Al Zu’bi. As the Chief Sustainability Officer of Majid Al Futtaim, Al Zu’bi believes there has been a fundamental shift in the mindset of businesses today, and that it is vital for companies to take into greater consideration their long-term impact on society, nation and the environment. “It’s about the triple bottom line,” he says, “People, planet and profit. It’s doing well, by doing good.” In Majid Al Futtaim, Al Zu’bi says, there is an overarching sustainability strategy based on three pillars: Rethinking resources, empowering people and transforming lives. “These three main pillars and commitments are translated to long- and short-term targets,” he explains. “We communicate internally and externally and work diligently, using a scientific approach to achieve reduction numbers in our assets.” This work was covered extensively in Majid Al Futtaim 2018 Sustainability Report, which revealed the company’s achievement in terms of carbon reduction as well as energy and water saving, across its facilities. Considering the immensity of the company’s scope of operations, which includes 13 hotels, 25 shopping malls and 270 grocery retail outlets, spanning 15 countries, the savings achieved had a significant impact on the company’s operations, with Al Zu’bi pointing out that the numbers showcase the business model and validity of sustainable approaches. Although an investment in time and capex was needed to accelerate the move towards more resource-efficient operations, Al Zu’bi emphasises that it has led to significant payback in terms of reduced operational cost and in alignment

September 2019

Ibrahim Al Zu’bi

with the company’s environmental agenda. “We don’t decide without looking at sustainability, either socio-economic or environmental,” he says. “Everything is a result of commitment, investment and approach.” With a long-term view of being netpositive by 2030, Al Zu’bi says that there is a strong policy framework within the organisation’s management, which supports the implementation of energy and building management strategies in relation to HVACR equipment, in recognition of the especially heavy burden it places on operations of facilities located in the Middle East.

OPTIMISATION STRATEGY FOR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS Discussing works Majid Al Futtaim carried in relation to its air conditioning systems, Al Zu’bi says the company is in the process of reviewing and optimising air-side equipment and ventilation, taking into consideration air balance and pressure and its impact on chilled water systems, in a bid to reduce

energy bills. “This is important for us, and it is embedded in the way we work,” he says. “When we do a review, we make sure we optimise the chilled water system to enhance performance.” Following implementation of such optimisation strategies, Al Zu’bi says, Majid al Futtaim achieved AED 1.2 million in energy savings in City Center Bahrain in 2018. “We have implemented a system across utilities and different assets, and when we do that, we make sure to give priority to existing equipment to help reduce waste, save money and, most importantly, utilise the good equipment we already have,” he says. Al Zu’bi emphasises that the company undertakes continuous reviews of its systems, which is carried out in cooperation with FM committees that actively participate by providing feedback. “It’s part of a circular economy strategy,” he says. “We do it, because we save money.”

GREY WATER TO OPERATE CONDENSER TOWERS Another initiative Al Zu’bi feels passionately about is the use of captured air conditioning condensate. “People take this for granted,” he says. “It sounds simple, and it is simple to implement, but people don’t do it. We decided to implement the use of grey water in operating the condenser towers part of the refrigeration system of Ski Dubai. The annual consumption of three operating condenser towers equals to 38,000 cubic metres of water per year.” Al Zu’bi says Ski Dubai’s global snow technical team is currently investigating the potential of recycling 15,000 cubic metres of grey water. “Technically, we have access to fresh water that can be collected from AHUs and

FCUs and best used for other places” he says. “This is not only Ski Dubai. It extends to AHUs and FCUs in Mall of Emirates and Magic Planet. We have lots of assets and utilities. We discovered we can achieve more if you think as a whole.” Al Zu’bi says that the engineering teams in Magic Planet and Ski Dubai are working together in this regard.

COMMITMENT TO COLD CHAIN Al Zu’bi says that Majid al Futtaim’s commitment to a holistic approach extends to the design, operation and maintenance of its cold chain operations, as well. Al Zu’bi points out that by default, the company implements stringent food safety measures by ensuring temperature control throughout storage and shipping. “In terms of transportation, we have live temperature monitoring systems and live temperature tracking for fresh items and immediate response in case of deviations,”

he says. Al Zu’bi says the company invests in ensuring there is on-the-spot response in the case of any leaks to ensure savings not only in time, to mitigate potential delays, but also money, as loss of perishable goods can be equated to loss in profits. Al Zu’bi adds the company’s distribution centre also carries many third-party certifications to ensure the quality of operations, with facilities that are state-of-the-art from engineering, and health and safety perspectives. He adds that a minimum of 25% of the energy used by the distribution centres is from onsite renewable energy using solar PV, but that in Jordan the company went beyond the power purchase agreement to implement solar PVs and ensure the distribution centre can be 100% powered by renewable energy. Al Zu’bi says that the cold chain is also a space where the company looks to accelerate the switch to more climatefriendly refrigerants with the long-term

view of ensuring Majid Al Futtaim complies with the 2028 phase-down deadline given to Article 5 Group 2 countries in the Middle East, which is home to its many commercial developments. “When it comes to future-proofing HVACR equipment, we look at our assets as a good lab,” he says. “In My City Center Masdar, we have utilised a CO2 system. It’s the first of its kind, and it’s working really well. We are in discussions with manufacturers with regard to new refrigerants being introduced to the market and reviewing their implementation on existing equipment and systems to comply with phase-out requirements. We try to help and support knowledge transfer, and we invite people to join us in this journey.”

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

September 2019

COMING SOON

24 FEBRUARY 2020 CHICAGO, USA

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

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A CLIMATE CONTROL MIDDLE EAST SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

VARsity Looking into the world of variable refrigerant flow systems

INSIDE:

THE DEBATE ON DATA

Stakeholders raise concerns relating to transparency of performance data and standards for the design, installation and commisioning of Variable Refrigerant Flow systems

A ripe market A look at the factors that contribute to making Oman an attractive market for energyefficient technologies, including VRF systems

September 2019

COVER STORY

THE DEBATE While Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology continues to gain positive momentum in the region, a number of stakeholders have raised concerns relating to transparency of performance data and standards for the design, installation and commisioning of the system. How would aggregated third-party data help in advancing adoption of VRF technology? Would stakeholders prefer a general guideline or rely on technical information provided by manufacturers to run and operate the system? Hannah Jo Uy gathers key insights from the industry…

ore than a decade following its pronounced foray into the Middle East, VRF technology continues to make inroads in the region, with Dharmesh Sawant, Sales Director, Hisense VRF, Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-conditioning Marketing Co., Ltd., putting the VRF market in the UAE alone at USD 80-90 million in 2019. Sawant says that the uptake of VRF systems is especially strong in the residential sector, where the technology has a penetration of approximately 60%, owing to applications in villa projects and staff accommodations. He adds that the technology’s acceptance in the commercial sector is also growing, in hotels, as well as in offices and warehouses, primarily driven by advantages related to cost and design. Timothy McLaren, Senior Commercial Contracts Engineer, Ramboll, points to the same positive momentum, not only in the region but also worldwide, adding that from his experience, VRF technology has

September 2019

been the equipment of choice for many projects of late. “The engineers that I work with almost always design and install VRF systems,” he says, adding that while reasons for doing so vary the most dominant reason he has seen, by far, is the absence of duct work, which significantly saves space, thus allowing for greater flexibility in design. Amit Shah, Manager, HVAC, Trinity Engineering Services LLC, echoes this, sharing his positive experience working with VRF technology extensively over many projects. “It is becoming more popular, because people don’t want to put 200 or 300 outdoor units in one go,” he says. “And nowadays, everyone who is concerned with electricity, goes for VRF with inverter compressor, which will save in terms of installation and running cost, rather than going with 1-1.”

DATA DEBATE Despite the technology’s positive momentum, there are still a number of roadblocks that manufacturers must address for VRF to gain wider acceptance. One concern that stakeholders often raise is the need for reliable performance data.

McLaren says: “Employers, clients and other stakeholders are demanding better performance data with regard to lifecycle costs for various VRF HVAC systems. A shrinking sales market and a smarter public have both now made this information much more important than in the past.” Manufacturers, however, are quick to counter claims that there is a lack of available performance data in the market. Sawant points out that as far as performance data is concerned, in the UAE, ESMA’s certificate of conformity already requires the submission of performance test papers. “This is mandatory,” he says. “The report should be from an independent, third-party testing agency. So it’s already there, because if there is no performance data, the local authority will not give or issue the certificate of conformity, and without it, we cannot import the equipment.” Amjad Abu Alika, Senior Manager/ B2B HVAC Engineering Team, LG Electronics Middle East & Africa Region, says the issue surrounding performance

VARsity

ON DATA data arises from a gap in communicating existing information in the market, aggravated by consultants and contractors that may be unable or unwilling to take the time to understand VRF-related technical information being offered to them. “The lack of information and performance data is not correct,” he says. “In some cases, performance data is not available when they require extremes, like some say they need to select a machine based on 55 degrees C. We have tested for 48 degrees C and, sometimes, for more than 50, but for conditions in the UAE and in the GCC region, we have everything.” Alika adds that often, much of the apprehensions stakeholders feel towards the system stems from a lack of familiarity with the technical details when compared to conventional systems, which makes them unwilling to include it in specifications. Habibulla Shali, MEP Head and HVAC Expert in one of the Leading Construction Organisations in Oman, also believes that data offered by manufacturers is more than sufficient. A lot of the manufacturers, he says, have already undertaken extensive R&D and have data comparing the performance of VRF systems to conventional system, including the energy consumption. “That is more than enough,” he says. “With that, we can explain to the client the difference between recorded efficiency of the VRF system and conventional system.” Rami Al Jamal, Project Manager, Abu Dhabi Commercial Engineering Group Business Services, Abu Dhabi Commercial

Furthermore, how did they obtain the comparison data they provided against other systems? And we don’t know whether they relied on other parties to obtain the information

Bank, however, highlights the value of comprehensive, third-party technical information. He says: “Since the presentation of VRF in the UAE and the Middle East, to my knowledge, there wasn’t any international standard that provides standardised technical detail for minimum expected performance, expanded data sheets to adjust performance data for Gulf weather, installation details, equipment specifications, even heat load calculation software that provides sizing data. It was up to each supplier to provide his own personal reflection and experience and try to prove his credibility with customers and clients.” Al Jamal emphasises that introducing international standards that offer unbiased performance data and benchmarking criteria would give end-users more confidence when it comes to choosing such systems and would allow manufacturers and suppliers to build a stronger business case with clients. “Every supplier had to build his own pitch introducing unverified data that could not be taken for granted, since we could not verify the testing procedures and methodology, number of units tested, capacities of these units, duration of the test, testing conditions and the loading of the units,” he says. “Furthermore, how did they obtain the comparison data they provided against other systems? And we don’t know whether they relied on other parties to obtain the information. All these had provided big question marks, especially when dealing with certain brands where there is no direct communication with manufacturers.”

September 2019

COVER STORY

Dharmesh Sawant

Timothy McLaren

Dr M Ramaswamy

Amit Shah

September 2019

Dr M Ramaswamy, Technical Expert – Royal Estates, Royal Court Affairs, Sultanate of Oman, also touches on the value of greater transparency relating to technical information. He points out that considering there is no proper database with international benchmarks to compare performance data from different manufacturers, he recommends that dealers of leading VRF manufacturers take the initiative to spearhead such a campaign, in association with academics, research councils and ministries of commerce. However, Sawant says, as far as performance data is concerned, such an exercise is largely dependent on the willingness of the end-user to participate “Once we sell our product to any customer, the customer is the owner of the product,” he says. “If he wants to measure the operating performance of the product, he is free to do it. He can put some data loggers and meters to measure the power consumption at different ambient conditions. However, this is driven by the owner, because we cannot impose on them.” While a number of end-users have made a move to measure operating performance, he says, these customers are more the exception than the rule. Sawant points out that currently, there is no authority or regulation that would incentivise end-users, such as building owners and developers, to measure the operating performance of VRF, or any air conditioning system, for that matter. “Owners have to do it voluntarily,” he says. “Now, stakeholders, such as consultants and developers, if they care about this point, they could put it in the tender, in the design, as far as the VRF equipment is concerned.” McLaren believes that even in the absence of regulations, investing in data monitoring and transparency could go a long way in improving the overall system, which could lead to significant payback in terms of opex and reduced downtime. “There are already a number of monitoring systems found within a variety of VRF manufacturers,” he says. “Could those monitoring systems be improved? Absolutely!” McLaren stresses that data modelling aligned with the original design's base data, and including measurement of the variances between each reading against this base data would, hopefully, lead to better maintenance schemes, by being able to detect when systems, such as compressors and

evaporator units fail and to alert facility managers when non-scheduled maintenance may be needed. McLaren says that data automation and reading of performance data through remote sites could also be made more mainstream, considering such systems are available only to large facilities, owing to additional equipment cost required.

ROADBLOCKS The debate on data, however, is not the only potential roadblock to adoption of VRF technology. Sharing misconceptions related to the system that he has had to battle, Sawant says that the most common myth he hears among end-users is that VRF systems are expensive. “If you compare equipment cost, yes, VRF can be expensive,” he says, “but if you run a lifecycle cost analysis of 4-5 years, it’s more economical compared to 1-1 splits.” Sawant says that another common misconception he has seen relating to VRF technology is that if there is an issue with one indoor unit, all other indoor units connected to the same outdoor system will no longer operate. “That’s a myth,” he says. “Now, technology has advanced, and all manufacturers have implemented a solution to avoid such situations.” Sawant says that he also often hears concerns relating to potential leakage of refrigerants, but he points out that the probability of such an occurrence is small, provided the system undergoes proper testing, installation and commissioning. For McLaren, the issue is fundamentally related to design, as he says that in many cases, he sees no foresight by planners and engineers to even take into consideration access to relevant areas for long-term maintenance. Lines, he says, are often placed in small areas of the walls and ceiling to hide away other MEP systems, which often causes difficulty during maintenance as well as when it comes to detecting and, subsequently, repairing refrigerant leaks. “Applying smart metering to detect refrigerant leaks on the connections and lines between the compressor and the evaporator units would be helpful,” he says, “The application of smart metering – or any other AI solution – would absolutely be a huge leap forward in both combating climate change and in advancing the HVAC industry, as the problems known by HVAC technicians and installers would have to be immediately dealt with upon proper testing and before commissioning.” Underlining the importance of proper engineering practices, Sawant calls on

VARsity

industry stakeholders to introduce stronger technical guidelines. “I think it is time now that international authorities like ASHRAE and Eurovent regularise VRF systems,” he says, “Because VRF is growing, and it is not only growing over here but it is also growing in the US. It’s time to put regulation in place to have a uniform platform.”

ASHRAE GUIDELINE 41 Rami Al Jamal

Amjad Abu Alika

Habibulla Shali

The upcoming ASHRAE Guideline 41 aims to address this very issue. Announced in the region during CPI Industry’s 7th Middle East VRF Conference, Guideline 41, which will cover the design, installation and commisioning of VRF systems globally, went up for public review in March 2019 and is expected to be released in 2020. Providing a manufacturer’s perspective on what he hopes to see from Guideline 41, Sawant says that currently most guidelines and testing frameworks are based on T1 conditions and that he believes the Guideline should take into account issues specific to the high-ambient conditions of the Middle East. “They should consider the environment of the Middle East,” he says. “Sandstorms and dust are very common here. They should have some guidelines to cover them. Or, it might be guidelines that relate to maximum ambient temperatures, and how much and for how many hours you should operate without the equipment tripping or overheating.” Sawant adds that guidelines should also take into account humidity, which is a big concern in the region. Al Jamal, by way of sharing thoughts on what he would like to see from the Guideline, says: “Having worked in different backgrounds in my career, as a contractor, consultant, client rep and project manager,

I feel that this guideline should have the following to help expand the adoption of the system. First, performance data with expanded data sheets based on regions. Secondly, comparison between VRF technologies in terms of pros and cons, and which will be more suited based on usage, activity, and project size and configuration. Thirdly, comparison of VRF and other systems, such as chillers and DX split units, whether it’s invertor compressors or constant on and/or off.” Al Jamal says that he would also like to see best practice installation details, material and equipment specifications and lifecycle for the systems. Alika says that while the Guideline will be useful in providing general information, he believes consultants and clients should still rely upon manufacturers’ instruction, as they would best know the nuances of the specific system being installed. Shali is in agreement, saying that as a consultant, he places great trust in the recommendations offered by manufacturers, as they would provide the most relevant and up-to-date technical information. “In my experience, every manufacturer has their own design, installation and commissioning catalogue,” he says. “So, we do not need to wait until 2020.” Shah says that he also places great value in the specific installation guidelines offered by VRF manufacturers, adding that many have software that provides comprehensive technical information on temperature settings, thickness of piping and other relevant details. However, he says, a Guideline from ASHRAE would be a valuable resource and reference for consultants and contractors. “Some people have different standards,” he says. “ASHRAE would be a standard guideline for all contractors, rather than believing only what manufacturers are saying.” As such, Shah believes that manufacturers have valuable input that could be useful in the development of such guidelines, in view of the extensive research that they would have undertaken and information they would have gathered, in relation to their own products.

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

September 2019

feature

A RIPE MARKET

Energy-conservation policies, withdrawal of subsidies and strong engagement between developers and consultants – these factors contribute to making Oman an attractive market for energyefficient technologies and to paving the way for greater adoption of VRF systems BY HANNAH JO UY | ASSISTANT EDITOR

he sale of VRF systems in Oman has grown substantially in value and total cooling capacity sold, says Dr M Ramaswamy, Technical Expert – Royal Estate, Sultanate of Oman, adding that growth rates in market volume have been higher during the last few years. Habibulla Shali, MEP Head and HVAC Expert in one of the Leading Construction Organization in Oman, shares a similar observation on the growing popularity of VRF technology in the country. “In the last five years, there has been vital acceptance in Oman, as well as in other GCC region countries, for VRF,” he says, pointing out that this is evident in the number of new brands looking to enter the market. In 2018 alone, the VRF market in Oman was valued between USD 20 and 25 million, says Dharmesh Sawant, Sales Director, Hisense VRF, Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Airconditioning Marketing Co., Ltd. Numair Alamdar, an independent consultant, expects the figure to grow in the coming years, describing the market as especially promising. He says that considering Oman is placing greater importance on power saving, the country offers a wealth of opportunities, because despite being geographically smaller, it has the added advantage of being a less saturated market, compared to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Undoubtedly, Dr Ramaswamy says, energy-conservation policies are driving the uptake of VRF systems in the country. “Most of the conventional, unitary-type units do not

September 2019

have the flexibility of sensing the actual indoor conditions, and keep operating with frequent tripping of the compressor, as per the set temperature, overlooking whether actual load is there or not,” he says. “Thus, a designer seeks a system, which saves energy, conserves space, enhances ease of use, delivers ultimate reliability and has the flexibility of a unitary system and part-load capability of a chilled water system, which can work at high-ambient [conditions] and

can be installed in a short time.” Dr Ramaswamy says recognition of the fact that multiple compressors can provide greater energy-efficiency and comfort due to reduced short-cycling and increased equipment life, is leading to the use of VRF technology.

VITAL INGREDIENTS A number of other factors contribute to making Oman an ideal market for VRF systems. Dr Ramaswamy points to the profile of projects within the Sultanate as an example. “Oman is not like UAE and does not have many high-rise buildings,” he says, pointing out that VRF technology is especially good for lowrise developments and that it has been used extensively in office and residential projects in capacities ranging from 5 to 50 TR. Shali adds that so far, clients in Oman consider VRF as the most viable option for such buildings. “In Oman, buildings that are more than 8-10 stories are not available,” he says. “It [the country] has mostly residential buildings and villas, so consultants nowadays are recommending VRF.” Dr Ramaswamy says that buildings where zoning is important can especially benefit from the system, especially if the zones are small spaces. “VRF is also a good fit for sound-sensitive applications, because the small indoor fans and inverter-driven compressors produce much less noise than traditional HVAC systems,” he adds.

VARsity

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September 2019

feature

GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVES

Dr M Ramaswamy

Habibulla Shali

Dharmesh Sawant

Numair Alamdar

September 2019

Strong government directives are also driving adoption of the system. Dr Ramaswamy says that while energy in Oman is highly subsidised, like in other GCC region countries, the government of Oman is planning to slowly withdraw the subsidies in the same manner carried out for petroleum products. “For high-energy-use buildings, either government or private, different tariff rates have already been introduced if the annual consumption exceeds the prescribed limit,” he says. “Hence, most end-users established an energy-conservation department in their organisation set-up. It is a beginning. Any energy-efficient product will surely get wider market acceptance and application in Oman.” Alamdar adds that such initiatives from the government and top-level decision makers of the country will always be the biggest driver for the market, as it has the most influence on the consultants. Sawant, however, believes that the growing popularity of VRF can largely be attributed to the sophisticated level of understanding consultants in the Sultanate have towards the system. “Oman is a more mature market,” he says. “Even if there is no regulation, still most developers and consultants adopt VRF on their own, because they see it as a value-based solution for their problems.” The benefits, he adds, includes the reduced number of outdoor units when compared to ducted splits, as well as lower service cost. “They really understand how to optimise the capital cost,” he says. “So, the consultants are driving [adoption].” Another positive factor, Sawant highlights, is the strong engagement between consultants and building owners. “The developers, mostly Omanis, are also very well-educated on the air conditioning system,” he says. “I see a lot of Omanis getting engaged and involved in the design of their project. Because the owner himself is involved, he is looking at the benefit from the after-sales and operational side, since he is going to pay the electricity bill of the AC and, so, wants a better system.” Sawant says that this is in stark contrast to other markets, where often, the developer is completely dependent on consultants, and consultants are not able to see the operational benefit of the system. Alamdar shares a similar observation with regard to consultants in

Oman being enabled by developers to specify solutions that offer greater opex savings. “As a matter of approach for projects, it’s more systematic,” he says. “There is more enthusiasm to adopt new technology, especially sophisticated solutions, for power saving, which is something they are very serious about.”

FRUITS OF LONG-TERM MARKET COMMITMENT Shali believes that the high level of adoption of VRF is also the organic byproduct of long-term efforts on the part of manufacturers to conduct technical training sessions for consultants and to enhance after-sales services. “Ten to fifteen years ago, the consultant used to recommend only conventional systems,” he says. “Manufacturers and dealers educated the consultant, who is now in the position to design the system. Obviously, the client will ask the consultant on cost savings, and they can now explain that if you go with VRF you can save by so and so percentage.” Shali adds that when the system was first introduced to the market, stakeholders faced the problem of a limited number of technicians experienced in VRF technology and a low availability of spare parts. “With the conventional system, if there is an issue with the compressor, you can replace it immediately,” he says. “But those days, it was very tough, because VRF was new to the market, nobody was there to keep spare parts with them. Now, 100% of the suppliers would have stock, and contractors and subcontractors are having and keeping spare parts, as well.” He adds that manufacturers also carry warranty for up to five years for compressors, which many consultants see as an added benefit.

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SUBJECT TO APPLICATION Alamdar is quick to point out, however, that while VRF is a good solution, it is by no means the only solution. “Many solutions can be good in Oman,” he says. “It can be a chilled water system, normal DX systems and it can also be VRF systems. It is subject to application.” Weighing in on the importance of using appropriate technology to address specific project requirements, Dr Ramaswamy points out that a chilled water system, in combination with AHUs, scores high points when it comes to controlling humidity, compared to unitary systems. “Since VRF systems are more flexible, they are better than the conventional unitary-type DX system,” he says, “but, surely, they cannot replace chilled water systems with AHUs.” Dr Ramawamy adds that VRF systems also

have limited applications in healthcare facilities, owing to stringent control and filtration requirements. Shali says VRF technology has significant drawbacks when it comes to tall buildings, as no equipment offering more than 100 TR is available. “We cannot use it in high-rise buildings that require a capacity of 100 tonnes,” he says, as there could be issues related to piping and that it is important to take into consideration space availability in relation to building capacity. “Do we have enough space to keep outdoor units in the rooftop or not?” he asks, underlining the importance of asking the right questions when specifying unitary products. “In some cases, if you use two, or even three, chillers in the rooftop it can take up less space, depending on the capacity of the building.” Alamdar says that this is where engineering expertise plays a crucial

role in discerning which technology would be the most viable option and, subsequently, in its design, installation and commissioning. “It is 100% related to the final application,” he says. “The final application will make it a success or a pain as a system. It’s like choosing a car – a four-wheel drive may be good for certain places but not for all.” Alamdar views VRF technology in the same manner, pointing out that while it has its benefits, at the end of the day, the main player in the Oman market will be the technology that offers the most power saving for new and existing developments – regardless of whether it’s VRF, chilled water systems or standard DX.

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

September 2019

CASE-IN POINT

‘41% REDUCTION IN ENERGY CONSUMPTION’

That’s what a labour accommodation facility in Al Quoz area of Dubai achieved in the first eight months ensuing the installation of a VRF regimen. The savings was AED 300,000, with the projected annual savings being AED 500,000, as reported by Taqeef

ACKGROUND

In January 31, 2016, Taqeef was commissioned to install a cooling solution for the top two floors of a four-storeyed labour accommodation block in Al Quoz, Dubai. The building owner deemed it fit that the original cooling regimen – of split systems – would remain operational to handle the needs of the ground and first floors. For the extension of the building – the second and the third floors – he resolved to opt for a more energy-efficient and controllable air conditioning solution. Taqeef identified a Fujitsu General VRF (variable refrigerant flow) system to deliver optimum cooling with minimum wastage.

COMPARISON COMPARISON ELECTRICAL CONSUMPTION SYSTEM June July August September October November December January February March April May

120,000 DX System

VRF System

100,000

AMOUNT (AED)

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

VRF 50,813 66,980 62,339 60,595 38,470 25,469 16,840 11,963 10,931 19,250 38,046 54,819

SAVINGS 66,909 45,729 37,138 34,429 27,284 13,966 4,872 4,872 5,522 8,769 28,908 41,250 AVERAGE PEAK

% SAVINGS 57% 41% 37% 36% 41% 35% 22% 29% 34% 31% 43% 43% 38% 57%

Peak Savings of 57 %

ne Ju

DX SPLIT 117,722 112,709 99,477 95,024 65,754 39,435 21,712 16,835 16,453 28,019 66,954 96,069

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September 2019

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Average Savings of 38 %

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CHALLENGE With the building occupants unlikely to adjust cooling, when it was not required, an intelligent and intuitive system was required to ensure the efficiencies built into the technology were used to their maximum effect. Through careful design and planning, Taqeef was able to design a new system, which significantly reduced energy consumption and costs through: • In-room occupancy sensors • Programmable smart controls • Full energy analysis and adjustment calculation (on room, floor and building basis)

SOLUTION The installation of multiple indoor units for individual apartments provided greater control flexibility. In-occupancy sensors ensured the technology intelligently identified occupant absence. This resulted in the new system operating largely at part load, delivering significant and

immediate energy savings. In addition, smart programmable controls gave the landlord the flexibility to adjust usage and cooling, depending on occupants work patterns. Consumption and usage analysis, provided by DEWA, concluded the cooling of the top two floors delivered a 41% reduction in energy consumption in the first eight months of installation, and savings of AED 300,000 – with projected annual savings of AED 500,000.

MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION Taqeef used a number of measurements to asses efficiency gains. As the company was able to use live comparison data in this instance, the results were completely quantifiable. The energy auditing included: • Cooling load calculation • Electricity consumption of existing technology (using credible energy modelling simulation software)

VRF INSTALLATION PROFILE

Project: G+3 labour accommodation Location: Dubai, UAE Technical details: 316 HP (cooling load) 26 outdoor units, 232 indoor units

• Anticipated savings, payback analysis, project schedule and method statement for proposed VRF solution • Comparison of live data via DEWA bills, post-installation

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

September 2019

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

LICENCE TO

CHILLED WATER LOOP PROTECTION WITH NITRITE How well do we understand it?

s many of you probably know, I frequently visit chilled water and District Cooling plants in the GCC region and in the United States. Just recently, I visited a recently commissioned District Cooling plant that had come into service. My team and I were about to take over its O&M services and, prior, were chatting with the main contractor responsible for the defects liability period (DLP) and were taking a look at the chilled water loop analysis reports. As you would probably know, the entire purpose of water analysis and chemical treatment in chilled water systems is to maximise the efficiency and

September 2019

longevity of the heat-transfer surfaces. This means maintaining the wetted surface in a clean condition. The surfaces need to be consistently kept free of corrosion, scaling and fouling. On being handed over the report, I was shocked to notice that it showed a nitrite level reading of 315 ppm. And what was more, the water treatment company stated their recommendation as maintaining it at that level. I was concerned, to say the very least, because I knew this was a mistake and would cause extensive corrosion in the chilled water loop. Having started and commissioned the loop with such a low level of nitrite, I also knew, was a major issue, as the loop would not have had a passivation protective film established to prevent corrosion. What amazed me most was that here was a â&#x20AC;&#x153;water treatment companyâ&#x20AC;? giving bad and dangerous information to the client and the contractors. It was obvious to me the water treatment person representing the company did not know what he was talking about and that his information was very dangerous â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thus the reason for the focus on nitrite in this part of License to Chill. Sodium nitrite, mixed with sodium borate, is a standard offering among chemical sales companies. However, nitrite treatment is a poor choice for closed systems for a number of reasons. First, nitrite is an environmental toxin. Second, it is aggressive to copper and brass. Third, at levels above target concentrations, it hardens rubber gaskets and forms abrasive crystals at evaporation sites, wearing seals and valves. At levels below target concentrations, it accelerates corrosion rates, making it worse than having no treatment at all. Fourth, nitrite is a ready source of food for the microbes that cause fouling. Having pointed out all these limitations of sodium nitrite, it is, at the very least, important to start up, passivate and maintain chilled water loops with the required protection levels. Sodium nitrite has been used as a corrosion inhibitor for closed loop water systems for many years. Sodium nitrite functions as an anodic corrosion inhibitor. Nitrite works to form a protective gamma iron oxide film on a metal surface. This layer is formed by the reaction of nitrite and dissolved oxygen and then kept in repair by the nitrite alone. Nitrite is not consumed to any practical extent, since very little is needed to form the

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LICENCE TO

film. It is the film that protects the metal surface from corrosive attack. Sodium nitrite offers excellent corrosion protection for ferrous metals. Nitrite functions best when used in the pH range 9.5 - 10.5, and formulations for closed chilled water systems often make use of borate buffers. In addition to buffering the pH into the desired range, borates promote passivation by facilitating the absorption of oxygen, and also provide some microbiological control. The concentration of nitrite required for inhibition increases with temperature. Sodium Nitrite is not considered a good corrosion inhibitor for copper or copper alloys; in fact, as stated earlier, it can be aggressive to copper and brass.

slightly to 700 - 1000 mg/L . Some sources have stated that the required nitrite level is influenced by the amount of chloride and sulphate present in the water, because they can affect the stability of the magnetite layer. As with all anodic inhibitors, severe pitting can occur at low concentrations (<500 mg/L as NaNO2). In other words, too little nitrite is actually worse than none at all, because low levels of nitrite will speed up the corrosion process. Loss of nitrite can occur via electrochemical and biological processes. In the former case, if corrosion continues, nitrite can be reduced at the cathode to form ammonia according to the equation:

NO–2 + 5H+ + 6e– NH3 + 2OH– ASHRAE’S WORDS ON NITRITE ASHRAE has this to say about nitrite: “Whether nitrite is used alone or in conjunction with pH buffering agents, relatively high concentrations are needed to establish a protective film, usually on the order of 700 – 1,200 mg/L to completely inhibit pitting corrosion. Once the protective film has been established, the nitrite concentration can be lowered

“In chilled water loops, exposure to bacteria has the potential to oxidise nitrite to nitrate or reduce it to ammonia or nitrogen. Controlling biological activity is difficult, because oxidising biocides (like chlorine) will oxidise the nitrite to nitrate, and the efficacy of non-oxidising biocides tends to be less certain. Difficulty in preventing biological degradation of nitrite has always been a serious limitation.”

Other concerns with nitrites are it also has reduced effectiveness when chlorides and sulphides are present in the water, and the chilled water loop in question was filled with water, which did have a high chloride value. General recommendations are maintaining no less than 500 ppm of sodium nitrite (preferably 1,000 ppm), keeping levels of at least 350 ppm above the total concentration of chloride and sublet present in the closed loop system. While the use of sodium nitrite in closed water systems has merit as an inexpensive and very effective corrosion inhibitor, very careful consideration should be given to the proper application of the programme to avoid the potential downsides discussed in this article.

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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Sekhar Reddy V, MBM Gulf Electromechanical

‘DISTRICT COOLING IS NOT NECESSARILY A FIVE-FIGURE PLANT’ Sekhar Reddy V, General Manager, MBM Gulf Electromechanical, speaks to Surendar Balakrishnan on market conditions and why he believes District Cooling is the future. Excerpts from the interview…

ow do you read the market in the GCC region?

Currently, the market is challenging, given the global and regional situation. The events unfolding in other parts of the world are having an impact, and that way, the GCC region is no more a protected economy. A lot depends on the regional and world situation for the GCC region to perform consistently. As construction is a forte of Dubai, in particular, the impact is showing not in terms of projects but in terms of do-ability. I am referring to commercial and financial issues. The current market situation is such that the levels of understanding are not in tandem with the vision of growth. There is a lack of motivation to proactively approach deadlines.

Could you elaborate on the rundown you speak of?

Sekhar Reddy V

Given the circumstances, what are the objectives of MBM Gulf Electromechanical? MBM is a growing organisation, which has ticked all the right boxes for making it an all-round MEP company, right from engineering to execution and from handing over to post-handover FM.

The current market is short of good hands, given that many of the stalwarts have got decimated due to the rundown of the market and also the exploitation of this particular key segment of the industry. The vision of MBM is to have sustainable growth with good and sensible management of both the deliverables and the wellbeing of the company.

September 2019

The rundown is overall. Why blame somebody when you book something – it is both ways. At the end of the day, it is a chain, and MEP has the biggest say in the building industry. And the first to get affected is this particular field, right from the product delivery to the supply chain to all the associated agencies required to accomplish the tasks. This being a major segment in the industry, any shortfall will have a telling effect on all the concerned aspects, including the end product. I have said this before, and I will emphasise that MEP contracting is a very specialised field, wherein one wrong move will continue to affect the end result. So, it is very essential that the seller, the buyer and the beneficiary – the building owner – have a good understanding of what they are getting into and what they could expect, once it is ready for use. So, it is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to ensure that the requirement is well understood and delivered.

What is MBM’s strategic approach to project management and to a holistic treatment in ensuring optimal building performance, in terms of energy efficiency, reliability, IEQ and refrigerant use? MBM has many portfolios, including MEP, ducted pre-fabrication workshop, ELV systems, FM, technical supply chain and civil works. With such a complete set of disciplines, it can offer a one-stop solution for a reasonably sized venture, right from engineering to handing over.

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Sekhar Reddy V, MBM Gulf Electromechanical

How does it place you at an advantage? With many of the well-known MEP companies biting the dust, there are very few players in the market with this sort of backing. And this is where MBM has all the ingredients to be a preferred and acceptable contractor in the region. Also, given its sound financial position and the fact that it is part of a well-known group of companies, it certainly will do well but subject to how smartly it handles the dynamics of the market.

I do believe District Cooling is a requirement and not a luxury. The innumerable advantages District Cooling has over other systems have been undermined by poor implementation, lack of forethought and also, to a certain extent, the market dynamics, which have had a role in discouraging people from actively using it for the benefit of the region.

Would MBM be getting into District Cooling? Certainly.

What is the path ahead for District Cooling in the region? What is the optimal financial model? And what technological aspects should the region consider in ensuring that District Cooling finds a strong footing? District Cooling is the future. With so much emphasis being placed on energy management, green technology and climate control, it certainly has a huge role to play in a world-class economy like the UAE or the Middle East, in totality.

What is your exposure to District Cooling as a company? We were associated with all the big companies that were doing DCPs, as a support element in installation, so it is a question of adding up the management segment to carry out the same works, but as a lead company. A well-planned approach with good forethought will certainly help us see the benefit of having a District Cooling plant as against conventional systems. It makes sense commercially to opt for District Cooling, which I believe is an excellent tool not just for emerging management but also in terms of architectural friendliness. It gives flexibility to the architect for using space that otherwise would have been used for providing conventional systems within the property. Also, the end user benefits from a much less complex and rewarding cooling system.

Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t establishing a reticulation network prohibitively expensive, though? Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it go against the wisdom of risk assessment in an environment of growing financial uncertainty? District Cooling is not necessarily a fivefigure plant. It could be packaged and made modular, and the sizing of the plant could complement the progress of the particular development. I advocate phased development of District Cooling. The idea could be conceptualised for anything 10,000 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) in capacity, or above, which in my view is an acceptable number for the current size of major developments happening in the region.

What should be the broader policy approach to improving the state of the MEP discipline in the region? What needs to be done to protect the community in terms of fostering a balanced environment in the drafting of contracts and ensuring timely and as-promised payments? I agree with you that MEP must be given an independent portfolio and not necessarily treated as part of the structure of the building. That is, the builderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s works and the MEP works are on the same level and on the same platform. That way, the engineer gets the same leverage instead of the current pyramid approach. This would help in not only getting the best return for money but, at the same time, a good product for the end user and would also take care of the environmental challenges. The current set up is greatly affecting the products outcome, and definitely it is going to hurt the product and the economy. It must be given its rightful place in the industry, and for this, the client/developer and the professional management team must place trust in this sort of a set up. And definitely, the returns will outweigh the efforts. It is important that the layers of mistrust and communication gap are removed, allowing the industry to do well and prosper.

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

September 2019

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Darryl K Boyce, ASHRAE

‘OPERATORS ARE OVERWHELMED AND LAGGING BEHIND’ They do not have the skills to operate today’s buildings and are rarely properly trained and oriented at building turnover, says 2019-20 ASHRAE President, Darryl K Boyce, in an interview he gave to Surendar Balakrishnan, Editor, Climate Control Middle East. Excerpts…

To help achieve operational excellence and apply best practices, we need to:

enerally speaking, are building industry professionals looking at buildings in a holistic manner? Is there an integrated approach that is perhaps still missing, though science and good management practices suggest such an approach would yield the best possible results in terms of improving building performance?

My theme for the Society year is ‘Building for People and Performance. Achieving Operational Excellence’. This is due to the fact that buildings are often falling short on operating to the expectations of the building designers and operators. Here’s why: • Designers are not always focused on operability during the design process. Buildings are more complex. • We design technology to help improve operations, but it doesn’t always end up that way. For example, in 2010 at Carleton University, we opened a state-of-the-art engineering building with Power over Ethernet (PoE) controls, as well as enhanced

September 2019

Darryl K Boyce

sub-metering of equipment, lighting and plug loads. But we found that the additional data/information was overwhelming our control technicians. • Which leads us to the third reason. Operators are overwhelmed and lagging behind. Generally, they do not have the skills to operate today’s buildings and are rarely properly trained and oriented at building turnover.

• Include the building operations team representative all the way through the design, not solely at the “end of design”. • Ensure the design reflects the capabilities of the people operating the building. As a result, we will not be leaving operators wondering, “How do I make this work?” • Establish an effective turnover and orientation training process. • Design buildings for the occupant operators who will occupy the space – and remember, humans are the best sensors of comfort. • Evaluate design decisions for their impact on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). Several post-occupancy studies, “Do our green buildings perform as intended”, the UK-based “1996-2001 PROBE Project” and “2006-2010 Low Carbon Buildings Performance”,

identified the following key causes of performance slippage, resulting in energy consumption being much higher than modeled targets: • Buildings were designed with systems that exceeded the capacity of the building managers to operate them. The study found a correlation between building performance and the quality of the management. • Systems were complex and/or innovative, requiring several years to refine and understand. • Insufficient commissioning. The study found a correlation between performance and level of commissioning.

As I have mentioned in this year’s theme, the design of buildings does not always respond to the abilities of the operators, and a greater emphasis needs to be placed on operability during the design, construction and turnover with an emphasis on the Indoor Environmental Quality without wasting energy.

energy efficiency, ignoring the equally important IEQ. What is ASHRAE doing in terms of steering the industry towards a balanced approach? Is the challenge partly owing to a perceived inability to quantify the benefits of retrofitting for better IEQ?

If undertaking a retrofit exercise, the building industry seems to have a unidimensional focus on

In the past year, ASHRAE formed a Multidisciplinary Task Group, Effective Building Operations. MTG.EBO will coordinate the activities of multiple

We are not the only organization that is concerned about the state of building operations. A 2017 IFMA Research study, “Raising the Bar: From Operational Excellence to Strategic Impact in FM”, concluded that: Facilities Management must adopt technology more quickly and far more deeply. It must move beyond technology to monitor space utilisation and energy consumption. And we need to focus on using technology, data and analytics to enhance the workplace experience. As ASHRAE members, our goal is to Learn, Engage and Act. We have launched a section on the presidential web page, ASHRAE.org/president, which provides resources to help achieve operational excellence.

The HVACR industry seems to be a fractured one? We repurpose our buildings at will, seemingly with no care whatsoever for how doing so will affect energy efficiency or IEQ, including thermal comfort? We are perhaps seeing flaws in predictive analysis Or, is it a case of things being beyond the control of building-performance engineers? ASHRAE recently released its 2019 ASHRAE Handbook - HVAC Applications, which is comprised of 65 chapters covering a broad range of facilities and topics. The handbook was written to help engineers design and use equipment and systems described in other Handbook volumes. Main sections cover comfort, industrial, energy-related and general applications, as well as building operations and management.

September 2019

Darryl K Boyce, ASHRAE

Our hope is that Guideline 41 will provide more information to make VRF technology more widely accepted, which is a benefit to the industry as a whole

Technical Committees, Task Groups, Technical Resource Groups and other stakeholders in the area of training and tools to support the operation of buildings to enhance the indoor environment and use energy effectively. Responsibility will include suggestions for research as well as the development of technical programs and special publications on effective building operation to achieve quality Indoor Air Quality while not wasting energy. ASHRAE has several resources focused on Indoor Environmental Quality, including Sections 62.1, 62.2, 170, the IAQ Guide and a section devoted to IAQ in the International Green Construction Code powered by Standard 189.1-2017. Our Standards are harmonized in order to help facilitate all aspects of building science with a goal of having good IEQ and energy efficiency.

What smarter strategies and measures can we employ to lower the cooling load in buildings and, consequently, indirect emissions? We have numerous instances where

September 2019

building engineers are allowing heat into the built-environment, when it is perhaps perfectly avoidable. Would you recommend we take an even closer look at u-value of fenestration?

community is essential for a successful transition to alternative refrigerants, which do not impact the ozone layer, while at the same time reducing the carbon footprint and enabling greater energy efficiency.

U-value and SHGC are aspects of energy transfer into the building, but Standard 90.1 and Standard 189.1 have requirements/ credits for external shading, and they’re also tackling thermal bridging – how to better prevent energy transfer from the environment to the building. With respect to U-factors, ASHRAE committees are continually looking to increase the energy performance of fenestration, but there’s also a need for the industry to more widely provide costeffective, higher-efficiency products. At this point, if you’re increasing the U-Factor, you’re likely also making the fenestration darker, which means less daylighting, which is a key aspect of occupant comfort and IEQ. It’s a delicate balancing act to try to maximize energy efficiency while also creating a good indoor environment.

Why is there still so much of inertia in establishing a new world order in balancing the need for energy efficiency with good IAQ? Why aren’t we allowing more fresh air changes?

How is ASHRAE aligning to the outcome of the Paris and Kigali talks? Are you happy with the pace of alignment of the industry at a global level? ASHRAE is working with OzonAction of United Nations Environment (UNEP), the Energy and Climate group within UNEP and the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program to link efforts to increase efficiency with the transition to lower-GWP refrigerants. ASHRAE is providing training targeted to both specialists in developing countries along with awareness efforts for government officials. It is important to note that ASHRAE is not a governmental body – its activities reflect the mission of the engineering community to protect the environment while using energy efficiently. Those are engineering ethics that ASHRAE is fully committed to implement on a global basis.

Climate change mitigation efforts seem to be mired in controversy, with climate change-deniers muddying the waters with rhetoric. What leadership is needed at an industry level to move away from a businessas-usual mindset? ASHRAE’s strategy is to serve as a model for engagement and to give engineers a seat at the table, so technical perspectives are considered in climate discussions along with economic, environmental, sociological and political factors. The voice of the engineering

Generally speaking, you could build an incredibly energy-efficient building out of concrete that no one will want to be in, because it’s just a bad building to be in. You have to pay attention to the effects of IAQ on occupant comfort. As far as I know, there’s no upper limit on air changes, but the more outside air you bring in, the more energy you spend conditioning the air.

There is a school of thought that seems to suggest that the minimum fresh air changes prescribed by ASHRAE is perhaps not enough, given the magnitude of pollutants in the built-environment. Is ASHRAE looking to review the standard? We are continuously reviewing this standard and the other critical standards and are committed to a balance between IAQ and the effective use of energy.

Would the use of industrial-scale Renewable Energy tilt the balance in favour of IAQ? Do you see solar energy efficiencies going up rapidly, where it becomes feasible, one day, to get all the power we need for air conditioning from solar PV or CSP? Do you see the encouraging progress being made in energy storage, especially in the automobile industry, as a precursor to using renewable energy for running low-tonnage chillers, say? I do not believe the source of the energy plays a large role in the design and operational considerations affecting the Indoor Air Quality; there will always be a balance between the use of energy and the impact on the Indoor Air Quality.

Do you see solar energy powering District Cooling plants? I’ve never seen one, but it is possible.

Speaking, once again, on IEQ, do you feel more respect needs to be given to fully understand and

acknowledge advances made in air filters, so that we incorporate the filter media that can best counteract the dust characteristics or pollution characteristics in a given area – Kuwait, say, with its frequency and intensity of sandstorms – as opposed to using ill-suited air filters in the name of filtration systems being responsible for pressure drop? ASHRAE is the secretariat of ISO TC 142, Cleaning equipment for air and other gases, which is the international equivalent of ASHRAE Standard 52.2. Yes, we’re interested in great performing filtration, and we’re also interested in people participating in our processes, if our guidance doesn’t sufficiently address their situation.

ASHRAE is establishing Guideline 41 for VRF design, installation and commissioning, which we have reliably learnt, will be out next year? What is the significance of the guideline? Will it be a boost for VRF industry in the United States, where to date, it has received a lukewarm welcome? Guideline 41 is close to being complete. The intent of this guideline is to expand on the basic information currently provided in Chapter 18, Variable Refrigerant Flow, of the ASHRAE Handbook – HVAC Systems and Equipment. In particular, enhanced guidance on installation, commissioning, start-up and operation is provided. Our hope is that Guideline 41 will provide more information to make the technology more widely accepted, which is a benefit to the industry as a whole.

What is ASHRAE doing to improve food safety and the thermal integrity of thermally sensitive vaccines? Are you ringing in any changes – suggestions, standards, guidelines for strengthening the cold chain? Often, the need is more behavioral in nature. We seem to have the technologies, but usually it is a case of either not adopting them or inadequately adopting them? Or, it is perhaps a case of poor specification, design and installation, plus poor operation and maintenance. What are your thoughts on this? ASHRAE Standard 72, Method of Testing Open and Closed Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers, deals with methods of testing equipment so that comparative evaluations can be made of energy consumption, product temperature performance, refrigeration load, the suction pressures required and other performance factors. We’re also working on Proposed Standard 220, which is another method of testing for Commercial Blast Chillers, Chiller-Freezers and Freezers. On the standards side, we’re focused on the equipment. Safety guideline are regulated by the Federal Government.

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September 2019

Markus Lattner, Eurovent Middle East

MANDATORY

INSPECTIONS

COULD SPUR UPTAKE OF BETTER EQUIPMENT Markus Lattner, Director, Eurovent Middle East, elaborates on a position paper he authored, which details out how systematic building inspection, combined with general market surveillance activities, can positively contribute to socio-economic and sustainable development. Excerpts from an interview he gave to Hannah Jo Uy of Climate Control Middle East…

he position paper you authored opens up an interesting debate on closer monitoring and enforcement for improving building performance in terms of energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality and for strengthening food safety measures. What progress have you been able to make in capturing the attention of authority bodies concerned and persuading them to consider the stated points for discussion and possible implementation?

At the current stage, we are engaged in talks with various authorities, and we are also sharing our thoughts with other organisations, like the facility management association MEFMA as well as other interested persons, in order to get feedback. So far, we have had motivating feedback from various sites, such as the Ministry of Energy, the Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi and ESMA.

September 2019

We hope that soon we will be able to coordinate a discussion among interested stakeholders and government bodies.

The UAE has embarked on a blockchain strategy and, not to forget, the use of artificial intelligence. These are being spoken of as effective monitoring tools. The Dubai Water & Electricity Authority (DEWA) is implementing a smart meter regime to harness more data. Would these not be more effective and quicker in monitoring building performance, say, and offering enforcement support, given the vast stock of existing buildings. Dubai, for instance, has a stock of over 120,000 existing buildings? I'm pretty sure these technologies will be of valuable help in such work and such assessments in the future. At the moment, I don’t see the feasibility yet, because this would also require smart equipment – equipment that is IOT-ready – which, in the existing building stock, is not available. I believe we are still rather far away from having a physical or personal inspection replaced by pure technical solutions. But inspections would lead to faster retrofits and, thus, a faster rise of smart equipment.

It would surely speed up the transition to intelligent monitoring.

But, wouldn’t it be best to begin integrating such equipment in new buildings to ensure a ‘smarter’ building stock? It should definitely be considered, but it would require a regulatory framework to mandate smart metering and smart monitoring of equipment. I don't see it being done anywhere else in the world on a mandatory basis. The industry would first need to agree on certain standards for that to enable a central monitoring framework.

One of the highlights of the paper is the collateral benefit of providing employment opportunities to Emiratis as monitoring and enforcement agents. What is the roadmap you are proposing to successfully implement the model? Given the huge dependence of the whole region on cooling and refrigeration, we believe it is an absolute necessity that the local community develops its own expertise on cooling and refrigeration technologies. If my information is correct, there was a vocational school that had a chapter for

HVACR training but that it was stopped a couple of years ago. We are talking now with Actvet, a vocational training centre for young Emiratis, to restart a department for HVACR. They are now considering to reintroduce such a programme. We are really glad our honorary member, Roudah Bin Bahr, is with us, because she is putting us in touch with the educational side. She is very active in promoting to educational organisations to rethink HVACR facilities. One of the sideeffects of having a building inspection regime would be that it offers a lot of job opportunities for Emiratis, who are specifically trained in HVACR. It would be just one step, but a very major one, towards a centre of excellence, which comes directly out of the local community.

Do you see this as a way for Eurovent Middle East to align itself with the Emiratisation goal of the country, given that it is a core part of the national agenda? We definitely support that, because you cannot always depend on expertise from outside. Thus, we see the necessity for the local community to build up its own expertise and we, as a local and regional association, totally support the development of it. After all, our industry is in need of qualified and capable people.

What is your proposal on the most optimal approach to providing training and empowering them with the technical nous needed for comprehensively evaluating a building or a transport refrigeration reefer trailer? Comprehensive training and education would be sufficient to assess basic aspects of the condition of a buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HVACR installation.

Markus Lattner

Such a programme has to be also seen over the span of several years. The experience made in the beginning have to be channelled back into the education, so that such programmes grow over time. At the moment, the market is relying on labour from outside, which, in many cases, is not even specifically trained for what would be required [in the context of the region].

Is training adequate, or does the assignment require years of experience and aggregated expertise to accurately assess a building or cold storage facility? On every side, there is a lack of skilled personnel. Building inspections would stimulate the need in the market for higher qualified people. As long as we don't see mandatory inspections being carried out, we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the motivation to properly care for HVACR installations. This is one of the major points. We are losing most of the energy by neglect of maintenance, improper operations and flaws in the installations. This goes for any country in the world, of course, but high energy costs along with requirements for certified personnel, liability reasons and regulatory frameworks have forced a better energy conservation regime elsewhere. What is a mandatory inspection programme bringing to the market? It would motivate building owners to be more aware of their responsibility for energy conservation. We do see the energy cost here is quite low, so you don't have this stimulant through the price of energy yet, but a mandatory regime would definitely create a higher alert to the needs of your HVAC installation. Starting from that idea, it would immediately increase the demand for better maintenance, which, in turn, would lead to owners and operators requesting skilled

labour when contracting maintenance services, thus improving the quality of the maintenance cycles. This reduces the energy consumption as a well-maintained HVAC installation always needs less energy to run. So, it would have an immediate effect on the overall energy consumption of the country. Higher maintenance costs will also raise awareness of lifecycle costs, as owners and operators would see the benefit of investing in better products from the beginning to save on operational costs in the long run. This would push the market finally to higher quality, which already is available in the market, just not made full use of yet.

Which will drive people towards better practices? It drives everything towards better practices, to more awareness, to better education, to better training, to more efficient equipment and better systems. It creates more jobs and also, quite important, improves the health of people, be it fire safety-wise or indoor air quality related. And not to forget, it provides a notable stimulus to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

And since you are in the middle of speaking to different entities about the value offered by such an inspection framework, is the holistic benefit a key point you would want to highlight, given that these points are not only related to energy efficiency but are also economic and social in nature? An industry has more aspects to think about than just its technical side. If you consider the amount of employment our industry provides to the local community and, generally, to the market, we are looking at a much wider responsibility. It also has to be clear and very well understood that we, as an association, do not want to go to the market to inspect. This is clearly the responsibility of the authorities. As we see a wider benefit, not only for our own industry, but also for a wide range of businesses, people and organisations, we are happy to bring this topic up for discussion. Our main advantage is that we understand best about HVACR systems, because we are the ones producing them. It is our responsibility towards society.

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

September 2019

ERSPECTIVE

Anilesh Kumar is CEO of Levtech Consulting. He can be contacted at anilesh@levtechconsulting.com

‘5D BIM’S INFLUENCE ON MEP INSTALLATION IS A PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE PROCESS ENHANCEMENT’ Anilesh Kumar speaks on how 5D BIM involves the creation of an elaborate and detailed digital model to ensure that the entire construction process, from design to execution, is data-driven and empowered by a project-wide transparency

he ‘Dabbawallas’ of Mumbai, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, have been in continuous commercial operation since 1885. Undeterred by natural calamities, political protests or terrorist attacks, they have grown steadily to reach a scale that consistently completes 400,000 transactions a day, within a three-hour window. Their spokesmen have been invited to address a Stanford University delegation to India; the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII),

September 2019

on multiple occasions; the National Stock Exchange in Mumbai; the Reserve Bank of India and several of the world’s leading multinational corporations. Using a mere six layers of brief alphanumeric code, the Dabbawalla system coordinates a workforce with a middle-school education, on average, to a Six Sigma quality adherence, which corresponds to less than 3.4 errors per million opportunities. Little wonder, then, that the Dabbawallas, who deliver mid-day meals to office workers from their homes, and return the empty lunchboxes to their point of origin with unerring precision, day after day, are a

much-feted lot. Given the seemingly basic methodology, the time constraints and the possibility of human error, the success rate of the operation is positively staggering. Especially given how stringent and coveted the quality standard awarded to the operation is, even for the largest budgetary allocations in the business world, to replicate. The secret, of course, is collaboration, aided by an intuitive and well designed ‘interface’ and system. The complex intricacies involved in the construction industry might have far more variables to consider than a lunch delivery operation, but the power of unifying a diverse workforce and multiple process mechanisms has the same processempowering effect within its context, as well. Once an industry known to be comparatively less keen on the adoption of digital solutions, the contemporary construction industry has been doing everything to put that reputation to rest conclusively. One state-of-the-art digital enhancement steadily assuming the status of a standard industry practice is 5D BIM. An innovation that is redefining how projects are managed, its influence on MEP installation is a particularly effective process enhancement.

SMARTER CONSTRUCTION AND LEANER OPERATIONS The ‘BIM’ in 5D BIM is an acronym of Business Information Modelling. It involves the creation of an elaborate and detailed digital model to ensure that the entire construction process, from design to execution, is data-driven and empowered by a project-wide transparency. BIM provides the construction industry with a means to document the fabrication processes and outcomes. The ‘5D’ in the term is a reference to the extension of a 3D model, by the inclusion of time and cost as additional ‘dimensions’, to be monitored and optimised. The 5D BIM approach ensures that businesses can correlate design elements to their impact on time and cost, to limit negatives and retain operational control. A means to enable lean and empowered processes, the aims of 5D BIM are to increase the accuracy of design, enhance the ability to correlate design with time and cost elements and to foster the creation of highly efficient workflow to avoid delays and overruns. The fundamental idea it is based on is enhanced productivity through the integration of information, empowered

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communication and the elimination of errors from design to completion phases. It aids MEP installation processes through the ability to use a greater number of prefabricated elements and through enabling more efficient onsite workforces as well as improved safety. Detailed and coherent digital modelling results in fewer and more specific RFIs and change orders, the optimisation of schedules and a streamlined workflow for the critical fabrication process. 5D BIM modelling also ensures that any issues relating to MEP installation can be easily identified and prevented from causing cascading negatives. By unifying data across the elements of design, budget and schedule, several bottlenecks can be eliminated, and project management can be made dramatically more responsive and effective. Another important advantage that 5D BIM confers on construction projects is Clash Detection, which is a component of the modelling process that is able to anticipate conflicts or clashes

among individual outcomes within the project, be they structural or MEP in nature. This is achieved by the creation of BIM execution plans for each aspect of the project and the creation of an overall model, using BIM modelling software and BIM integration tools.

STREAMLINED MEP INSTALLATION JUST TIP OF THE 5D BIM ICEBERG The granular detail that 5D BIM provides MEP workforces and contractors is further built upon by uniform reporting, standardised estimation and process optimisation. With the additional influence of AI and Machine Learning, which retain insights from all previous projects and continually refines them to benefit future ones, this crucial construction process will only get smarter and more efficient. An MEP installation that proceeds under the watchful eyes of a unified and data-empowered platform is not only optimal during fabrication,

but it also adds to the highest standards in building performance during the infrastructure’s entire lifecycle. With 7D BIM – which adds sustainability and facilities management considerations to the mix, as two additional dimensions or ‘D’s – already on its way, the digital transformation of the construction industry, and its individual functional aspects, such as MEP installation, are set to scale even higher peaks. In an important industry involving diverse stakeholders and complex interdependent outcomes, digital modelling is emerging as the overarching means to deliver consistent quality and best practices.

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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Jamal Lootah, Imdaad

QUANTIFYING THE VALUE OFFERED BY INTEGRATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Jamal Lootah, Group CEO, Imdaad, discusses the need for greater collaboration and knowledge exchange among service providers, manufacturers, consultants and building owners, and underscores the valuable role an integrated Facilities Management company plays in enhancing building performance, providing savings and extending the lifecycle of mechanical equipment. Excerpts from the interview he gave to Hannah Jo Uy…

that ‘[This costs] one million, now make it 500,000’. No, professionals are asking, ‘If I do that, how long will my equipment and investment be retained, and how can it give me more?’

ou have spoken on the need to create a shift in the mindset of the market to encourage more longterm investment in enhancing building performance, which often suffers owing to cost-centric thinking. Could you share what Imdaad is doing in this regard, by way of example as well as through its engagement with customers?

As a leader in the market, we try to be very close to the client to show them the right way. [It is] not about saving money or trying to cut corners. We are sitting with the client, telling them what is better for the machine they have in the buildings and how to maintain it for a long time, even for 20, 30, 40 or 50 years. [It’s also about] being close to manufacturers, to see and know the latest [innovations] and how we can save using it, not just to install the machine and expect it will work for 50 years without maintenance. It is about making sure you maintain it in the right way, according to the manual and to have experts do it for you. When markets go down, people try to cut cost – downsizing and terminating people. We say, ‘No!’ We are thinking of the future, we have to have the right plan and to have the right people to keep giving high-quality service to the client. If cost saving will help the environment, I am

September 2019

Overall, would you say there has there been greater appreciation for specialised FM providers that can manage HVACR equipment? Would you have data in relation to how quality FM services can help enhance efficiency of overall operations? Jamal Lootah

with that, but if it will harm the environment or put the teams in a difficult situation, I am against that. I try my best to keep my experts and maintain my clients.

Considering different clients have different expectations, how does Imdaad identify and manage customer demands? Do you see a marked difference when developers engage specialised consultants in their projects? Internally, we have research and development. Most of the time, we are evaluating the clients we have. We look to the client that understands facility management and is aware of what will happen in the future if they don’t maintain [their assets]. It is important. It is not just

Of the many examples I could provide, Hamdan Sports Complex stands out as one of the major projects we have tackled involving expensive HVACR equipment. When Imdaad initially took over the contract in 2011, the MEP, ELV, HVACR, swimming pools and associated equipment were not completely operational. We submitted a highly detailed report identifying key issues with the infrastructure, such as chiller and heat pumps, cooling towers, air-handling units and building management systems. Some of these had the potential to seriously affect the lifecycle of the mechanical equipment, while resulting in high energy consumption and generating huge operational costs. Based on our findings, we were able to optimise energy consumption in the complex and enhance the lifecycle of expensive equipment through a series of energy/ water conservation projects that brought energy savings of 2,274,144 KWh in the five

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months compared with the previous year, even though the occupancy level in the complex had increased by 15% and the scheduled aquatic events were increased by 20%. It also had the following benefits: • Reduction of CO2 by 1,435.44 metric tonnes • Reduction of water consumption by 165,000 imperial gallons • Annual reduction in the disposal of 600mg of Hg to the environment • Optimisation in the use of renewable energy sources, and • An increase in the lifecycle of the equipment

You have spoken on the importance of collaborating with manufacturers in order to gain insights on how to optimise installed mechanical equipment. Could you speak more on what Imdaad is doing on that front?

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We send our people to train with the manufacturers to understand exactly how to deal with the unit and the system. The relationship between service provider and manufacturer is very important. We have a good relationship with manufacturers, and [there are] good brands in the GCC region and in the UAE. We try to make this relationship even stronger by conducting courses and organising events together. At the same time, through Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA), we try to bring all the manufacturers and all the service providers to the table to discuss the issues and challenges we have.

Could you speak on the insights that such an integrated approach can offer building owners and developers, especially considering that many are showing greater interest in specialised FM to extend the lifecycle of equipment and avoid cost associated with retrofitting? That starts from the design stage. First, [it’s about asking] which parts and equipment will fit the assets and building and, after that, asking for quality from day one. Sorry to say that most try to cut cost in the beginning and, after that, suffer a lot. If I am an investor, I have to select the right equipment for my assets and, again, select the right service provider to maintain my system.

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Jamal Lootah, Imdaad

As Imdaad, we tried many machines and many systems, and we know the difference of each one. There are differences in price, there are differences in quality. If you want to pay less, you will get that one [unit], as well as the headache and the problem in the future. You have to understand the differences, the basics of the building and investment in the right equipment. We have very good air conditioning brands here in the UAE and in the GCC region for more than 50, 60 years that are dependable. Okay, we can try the new brands, but we can help the investor a lot when it comes to selecting the right machine and systems. I would always say to manufacturers, it is important to be close to service providers and to work together. Some manufacturers try to cut cost and not deliver the best quality systems, and the client has to see and select a good machine that is fit for the environment in Dubai.

From your personal experience, do you feel then that FM companies are given enough of an opportunity by consultants to provide feedback on design and equipment selection? We have participated in the design stages of many projects in Dubai, and those projects have seen the benefits of that. As a facility management provider, we discuss how to design the air conditioning system, how to select the lighting or the windows. We have many case studies and connect with manufacturers on, for example, the ducting and how it should be designed because of our experience and the challenges we faced. This will help the manufacturers, designers and consultants. Every day, we are learning something new, and this adds to our experience, and we give that knowledge to our clients and to the manufacturing companies. Day by day, the challenges facing the built-environment will be reduced through the right selection of the consultant and by working together with FM providers. Yes, we have issues, not all designers are the same, not all people and manufacturers are the same, but already we are feeling that the awareness of the people in Dubai, UAE and GCC region is much better than before. They are aware of the importance of service quality and asking service providers really

September 2019

good questions, and that’s why you see the correction in market prices. Before, in 2006 or 2007, no one asks how much it costs for service of FM by square feet or square metre. Now, people go into details asking how much certificates they have, how many courses they have taken. There is much better awareness and training, thanks to the people in RERA and to people in MEFMA, working hard on events and training. This is reflected in our service as a company and on the industry as a whole.

How is Imdaad leveraging emerging technology to enhance its service portfolio? Imdaad is a frontrunner in leveraging technology and innovation and in introducing best practices in sustainability that are shaping the development of the regional FM industry. An example includes the remote monitoring of legacy chiller systems using Imdaad’s customdesigned hardware. Imdaad’s contract with JAFZA includes maintenance of 120+ chillers, aged 10-25 years, spread across 57km². Due to their age, the chillers are neither smart nor connected to Building Management Systems, leading to high operational costs. Imdaad’s team of chiller engineers devised a solution by

internally developing a prototype device that uses sensors and microprocessors to capture chilled water temperature, chiller running status and other parameters. Based on pre-set settings and thresholds, the device communicates with the Imdaad team through SMS notification or call. This highly cost-effective solution only requires a one-time investment to monitor the chiller remotely. As a result of this initiative, technicians’ site visits have reduced by 50%, thereby reducing manpower costs. Reactive incidents reported by end-users have also reduced by 30%, as we can now identify chiller trips or drops in temperature before they are felt by the end-users. Imdaad’s efforts in continuously improving operational performance have resulted in an average client KPI achievement of above 95%. Our high level of customer satisfaction is reflected in the number of client recognitions and appreciations we have received from Tecom Group, JAFZA, Wasl, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Dubai Sports Council, among many others.

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

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Dr Saad S Al-Jandal, EBRC & KISR

‘INTENTION IS KEY TO SUSTAINABLE CITIES’ Dr Saad S Al-Jandal, Research Scientist, Energy and Building Research Center (EBRC), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), in this interview with Hannah Jo Uy, speaks on why intention is key to unlocking the potential of sustainable cities and how a creative and holistic design approach leveraging existing technologies and renewable energy strategies can enhance efficiency and mitigate urban heat island effect. Excerpts…

re net-zero-energy buildings a pipe dream or a reality? What considerations should be taken into account that would help us realise the dream?

It’s not a new idea, net-zero-energy, but it’s not about a building, it’s about net-zero-energy living. Net-zero-energy buildings arrived from the thinking that we have to decide what sort of building we want – the purpose for the building. Every building has to have a purpose and has to be operated according to that purpose. Right from the beginning, with the design, the building has to be considered a net-zero-energy building, even though architects have freedom on building materials, including glass. I see around the world really efficient buildings that are all glass. It doesn’t have to be building materials like bricks. The architect has to take into consideration that they want it, without any active energy systems. Air conditioning, heating, lighting – these are active systems that you introduce later. But right from the beginning, the

September 2019

building orientation, shading – they play a part. They will take up to 30-35% of the energy consumption. Then, when it comes to selection of building materials – glass, bricks or a mixture – if you optimise them, it goes up to 30-60%, and maybe 10% goes to how you operate the building. You are not introducing any active systems yet, like air conditioning, fans, HVAC systems. Then, you start to introduce renewable energy to meet the rest of the demand.

Are building projects, by and large, taking a holistic approach to design, construction and installation? In the Gulf, how serious are we in tackling energy efficiency in buildings? We are pretty serious in the Gulf. We developed energy codes for the conservation of energy in buildings in Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia. In fact, we progressed to have it as a GCC Code of Practice. The are codes that married all codes from each country along

with the international codes. The GCC Code is being implemented now. All the events we see are all more concentrated on energy efficiency and energy conservation aspects of buildings, as well. Now, we have grown further, focusing on factories and large commercial buildings – they have to be really energy efficient, and they get certification for that. So, yes, there are serious efforts.

Would you agree that a debate on energy use in buildings is incomplete without properly addressing the need for specialised and well-qualified MEP designers and installers across all building types? Definitely. Again, it’s about the awareness among architects, because they are putting the first brick in the building and in the design. They have to be trained and certified. Firms now all employ architects that are certified LEED associates. There are certain courses offered, certification and exams, and they have to pass all of these and progress to full certification to be really professional. It is an absolute must, because we are using so much energy from that point of view.

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Dr Saad S Al-Jandal, EBRC & KISR

Considering the options available, is it up to policymakers to push the button for transformation?

Hopefully, with the technology of electrical batteries, there are huge batteries in the market that can be used to operate whole buildings. Technologies are there, and they are improving by the day

Do you believe developers need to look at a broad-based renewable energy strategy, including energystorage systems, to lower the use of fossil fuel-generated power in the developments? Yes, they have to integrate renewable energy. Now, it’s all available. The GCC Code covers this. We have R6 and R7 regulations, where commercial buildings with load above 100 tonnes of cooling require storage. Now, there are two types of storage: latent heat and sensible heat. Latent heat, you use ice basically for storage, and the other one is using chilled water. This brings us to another subject, which is District Cooling. With District Cooling, you can introduce storage, and with that you reduce the energy consumption even further. District Cooling is very successful in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. District cooling in Kuwait started in the 1940s. It’s not a new technology, but it’s improving, and now the storage aspect makes it even more promising – it's all about energy management.

September 2019

That’s an issue that is really important – to have incentives for building owners to use photovoltaics in buildings. If you have what we call a distributed system, then you have integrated systems within a building; that, plus architectural features, should at least pay a good portion of the electricity bill. But the centralised system, which is like a remote area centralised power station, is a different matter. If you have an area, like an empty parking space, you could cover it with PV panels. You could then inject it into the network, and the network and buildings take the energy. But, at the same time, if you take it even further, the building itself can produce its own electricity, so the prices will be different. The incentives can be designed accordingly. There is no ideal model, because different cities have different management systems. It’s about how you make use of your resources. In some countries, they have mountains, so they cannot all follow the same framework, but a financial model, for example, could be of a long-term policy that is achieving energy production and producing renewables inside the city. There are complicated financial models in America and in Europe, but here we have not yet reached that stage of producing and selling to the grid and buying from the grid. With the integration of the smart meters now, that’s an area that offers good opportunity as a model for enhancing energy efficiency in buildings. For example, a company can come and invest in installing smart metering and really share in the profit, plus they can install PV panels and all of that.

This would offer significant payback to both the building owner in addition to contributing to national targets, yes? Yes. Now, the payback period with technology like PV is short, because the price of PV technology is getting very low. When you talk about centralised electricity production in remote areas and bringing it to the city through cables, then you have opportunity for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). Now, there are opportunities for energy storage inside the cities. We haven’t come to the stage of storing electrical energy in batteries. Hopefully,

Dr Saad S Al-Jandal

with the technology of electrical batteries, there are huge batteries in the market that can be used to operate whole buildings. Technologies are there, and they are improving by the day.

While energy efficiency is seen as a vital aspect of building performance, are we not ignoring the equally vital aspect of good indoor air quality? They complement each other, in my opinion. Once you conserve energy or enhance the building performance, you can use less energy, and with that you have less demand on power generation, and then you will have less pollution. If you reduce your demand during peak time, you use less fuel for the power generation. The power generation itself has to have an option of using different types of fuel, and some of the fuels have to be clean fuels. It’s not only the pollution, it’s also the temperature, which brings us to the point of urban heat islands (UHIs). Now, we see the temperature is increasing between buildings. Air conditioning systems are also pumping condenser heat to the local environment. You have to look at the whole aspect – this bring us to urban design and city planning and how to improve air circulation for comfort and to avoid heat island effect.

In order to mitigate UHI, how much of an emphasis should be given to the existing building stock, many of which may not have been designed properly, or operate with older products that are no longer as efficient as new equipment in the market? The whole idea is to reduce the cooling demand of the building and to reduce the heat gain from the environment. Even older buildings, they have to be retrofitted with new technologies, be it glass or air

conditioning. Any active systems would be helpful, because the building already exists, and you can’t do anything about orientation, but you can improve the glass quality, integrate air conditioning systems that are more efficient, plus facilitate energy management in the building. It involves a lot of investment, and it has to do with the awareness of the building manager and the owner, and how much he is willing to invest on this.

Do you see the financial investment required for such energy-efficient measures as a hindrance? It’s a matter of opinion and awareness. If they are aware that whatever energy they are using gets wasted and that if they invest a bit more on the building design, materials and in the operation of the building, they can achieve savings through enhanced efficiency, which will make them really more acceptable to the idea of energy conservation – and they are going to consume less energy.

purpose of the building. You have to design the building with a purpose. You cannot have a normal residential building operated as a clinic, for example, that requires a different design. And a hospital has to be designed like a hospital, because the cooling load will be different. For residential units, the cooling load is 24 hours a day and mostly flat, but office buildings have offpeak demands.

We had a case in Kuwait, where one corporation, which had a beautiful building, told us, “We need to certify the building from an energy point of view.” So, we did a survey and analysis and told them they would have to replace certain aspects, especially the air conditioning system, the glazing. We further told them they would have to put together a strategy on how you operate the building during working hours. They have had up to 35% reduction on the electricity bill, so there are strategies building managers have to take into consideration, plus, if also possible, we put PV panels on roofs and around the parking spaces to help take some of the load out.

So, it’s about creativity? It's about creativity, readiness and awareness of the problem and not losing the

How, then, do you view buildings that are not used and operated according to the initial purpose, which is often the case in the market? Is there still hope for them? They must try to minimise the use of those buildings. Once again, the building has to be for a purpose and built for that. Energy efficiency and conservation are all about awareness, and it’s very hard to achieve them. There has to be an awareness campaign and a dialogue with building managers on how they should run the buildings. The building has to be operated efficiently by the building manager. It’s like any other thing in life – if you don’t operate it the right way, it’s going to cost you a lot of money.

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REGIONAL NEWS

RAK Municipality selects Grundfos to audit pumping systems of HVAC, water supply across 50 facilities Municipality and company officials elaborate on seven-week undertaking during MoU signing, highlight valuable role private entities play in overarching environmental target

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

as Al Khaimah (RAK) Municipality has selected Grundfos to provide an audit of HVAC, irrigation, water supply and disinfection pumping systems across 50 buildings and operational facilities, including large-scale sewage plants. Municipality and company officials elaborated on the significance and the scope of the project during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), held on August 28, in Ras Al Khaimah. His Excellency Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, said: “The MOU is aligned with the Municipality’s vision to pioneer sustainable urban development and create healthy and happy communities. The audit will help us explore further ways to reduce energy costs, by working with Grundfos’ expert team on pumping systems, which drive a significant part of our energy consumption.” The audit, which will take place in a period spanning seven weeks, will be overseen by the Municipality’s Energy Efficiency and Renewables Administration (Reem), which is coordinating the implementation of RAK’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040, which targets 30% energy savings, 20% water savings and 20% generation from renewable energy sources. The Strategy comprises a programme to retrofit approximately 3,000 buildings in the Emirate over the next two decades. Discussing the importance of engaging with private entities like Grundfos in view of the 2040 targets, Andrea Di Gregorio, Director, Reem, said, “Our strategy, as is the case with other comprehensive energy programmes around the world, relies greatly on participation from the private sector. The government can provide the framework, guidance and support, but then implementation needs to rely on the private sector as a multiplier of our efforts.” Di Gregorio also elaborated on the significance of the audit initiative for Reem. “Pumps are rarely addressed with comprehensive efforts,” he said. “For example, based on our

September 2019

▶ L-R:Kostas Poulopoulos and H.E. Munther Mohammed bin Shekar

consumption and capacity. “Based on that, experience in the retrofit programme, when we have a centralised function analysing ESCOs propose energy conservation measures modelling opportunities, if you would for a building, they rarely address pumps retrofit existing assets with more advanced directly. The collaboration with Grundfos is and efficient motors with controls and meant to understand the potential for energy monitoring,” he explained. savings from a deeper look at pumping When it comes to pump systems.” audits, Poulopoulos said that the Highlighting the important company uses its pump audit role pumping systems play toolbox and installs sensors in the in overall environmental pumping application in a bid to targets, Kostas Poulopoulos, monitor the actual performance Area Managing Director, of the pumps. While the energy Gulf, Levant and Pakistan, check is theoretical in nature, he Grundfos, pointed out that Andrea Di Gregorio explained that it is through the pumps contribute to 10% of pump audits that the company global energy consumption. is able to get a deeper understanding of the “In RAK, there are pumps in the households, actual and real-time performance of the in buildings, water companies – the opportunities are everywhere,” he said, adding pumps, thus offering higher accuracy. “Based on that, we do the assessment and propose that under the MoU, the company aims to the energy optimisation solution,” he said. contribute to the Emirate’s environmental The energy audit, Poulopoulos explained, targets by implementing energy checks, pump is an assessment of the overall energy audits, energy audits and conducting training. consumption of the entire application. Elaborating on the four pillars of the “On top of pumps, we include the valves auditing exercise, Poulopoulos said that and everything else,” he said. “We do the an energy check is an assessment on the same analysis and modelling for energy existing assets, where the company looks optimisation and retrofit solutions, but the at the installed equipment and its nominal

accuracy is even higher, because we see the entire system. If you see the pump itself, it depends on the entire system and different equipment. The three levels address this – one is on pumps and is theoretical, one is on pump and is based on actual performance and the third is looking at the system as a whole.” Poulopoulos said that three levels of audits are complemented by the fourth pillar – a comprehensive training programme. “RAK will decide which teams they would like

to be part of the training and certification process,” he said. “We create awareness by training people on the pumps, and we explain and address ways on how a system can be optimised – you can change the existing one with new and more advanced technology, or maybe enhance it with controls, and you optimise operation of assets. You can go a step further and monitor the system and then adjust according to real demand.” Poulopoulos also highlighted the important role private companies, such

as Grundfos, play in the energy efficiency narrative by contributing their specialised knowledge and expertise surrounding specific applications, such as pumps. “At the end of the day, everything is interconnected,” he said. “I think private companies have a lot to bring on the table, in cooperation with end users, with consultants and contractors, and by partnering with different kind of entities. We can maximise the impact we have on energy reduction and efficient water management.”.

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September 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

Arada: Holistic internal approach key to sustainable development CEO highlights involvement of specialist teams in every stage of project; outlines active and passive cooling elements and sustainable design measures implemented in the 24-million-square-foot Aljada mixed-use project By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

ustainability is a core part of our vision, said Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, CEO, Arada, adding that the commitment towards forward-thinking, environmentally conscious developments can be observed in the strength of Arada’s executive team. “In a little over two years, Ahmed Alkhoshaibi we now have a staff of more than 200, many of whom have experience from some of the most well-known developers, not just in the Gulf but around the world,” he said. “This team includes specialists in a number of key areas, including design and architecture, master planning, MEP and, of course, development.” Highlighting the company’s holistic approach, Alkhoshaibi said that every specialist team is involved in every project, at every stage from concept to handover, a process that has ensured that Arada, as a developer, is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. Alkhoshaibi discussed the company’s commitment to ensure its projects are designed to be vibrant and sustainable urban environments. Alkhoshaibi said that Arada is working on developing Aljada as a fully comprehensive smart city, which includes investment and innovation in five key areas: Traffic management, waste management, the circular economy, next-generation telecom

Empower begins five-kilometre pipeline extension work Work underway in Dubai Studio City worth AED 33 million By CCME Content Team

mirates Central Cooling Systems “The pipe network for providing Corporation (Empower) has awarded district cooling services is expanding contracts worth AED 33 million to year after year, especially with the expand its District Cooling pipe booming of real estate projects in network at Dubai Studio City, the utility Dubai,” said Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, company said through a Press release. The Empower. “The extension will be network expansion is a part of made by using the latest the company's infrastructuretechnologies, which will help development plan to meet the for an uninterrupted delivery increasing demand for cooling of services to customers. services in Dubai's growing “We always seek to commercial and residential develop our infrastructure sector, the release said. using the latest technologies, The pipeline extension work to achieve the best results constitutes Phase 2 and Phase from district cooling, align Ahmad Bin Shafar 3 of the project underway in with global standards and Dubai Studio City, and will span a distance achieve the objectives of the Dubai Plan of five kilometres, the release said. Empower 2021, where infrastructure is the most expects to complete Phase 2 of the work by important pillar.” Q4 2019, and Phase 3 by Q2 2020, the release Empower is involved in the said, adding that Phase 3 involves extending implementation of several sustainability the pipeline by 3.5 kilometres. The newly strategies, notably the UAE Vision 2021 extended network will be connected to a semiand the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, permanent plant in the same area, the release which seeks to increase the contribution further added. of clean energy in the total energy mix

September 2019

to 50%, the National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050, and the long-term national initiative to build a green economy in the UAE, under the slogan, ‘A green economy for sustainable development’, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the release quoted Bin Shafar as saying. Dubai Studio City spans 22 million square feet within Dubailand and includes three types of production studios – music, film and television, the release said. The city includes residential complexes and a studio complex, which is designed according to the highest international standards, the release said. The city is home to 14 residential studios, ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 square feet, supported by vast outdoor photography areas of about 4.3 million square feet, the release said. It also includes a complex of boutique studios, the release added, which are small independent production and television broadcasting units.

“At Aljada, we will hand over the first homes in the first phase in Q1 2020, with the first phase of the Central Hub in Q3 2019,” he said. “It’s worth bearing in mind that Aljada is one of the largest mixed-use projects being developed anywhere in the Gulf. We anticipate that full completion will take around 10 years from the start of construction.” Alkhoshaibi said Arada is able to ensure sustainability and address challenges that come with such immense projects effectively, because the company, despite being relatively new, endeavours to operate in a lean manner. “We have worked hard to create an environment where decisions can be taken rapidly and enforced immediately,” he said. “We have also been able to learn from the lessons – both good and bad – from other developers in the local market, which is one of the reasons we have seen such excellent results so far.”

infrastructure and utilities. “This dual approach – making Aljada both a sustainable and smart city – will require considerable investment and input from an HVACR perspective,” he said. “Our in-house MEP team are currently reviewing these plans, and we are also negotiating with a number of significant external partners with a view to bringing this vision to life.” Elaborating on the design measures implemented so far, Alkhoshaibi said Aljada development was designed with walkways ('sikkas‘) to ease airflow in the area and that together with shading principles, these elements lower the need for cooling even in the summer months. “The Central Hub will incorporate the use of treated wastewater to allow vegetation in the precinct to flourish,” he added, “while the architecture will incorporate active and passive measures to lower the demand for indoor cooling.” He said that the Central Hub’s lighting requirements will also be powered entirely by smart solar power solutions. Underlining the scope of the project, Alkhoshaibi emphasised that Aljada covers an area of 24 million square feet. In addition to an extensive residential component, which includes a student housing complex, he said that that the master plan includes the Central Hub, a 1.9-million-square-foot leisure and entertainment district containing 54,000 square feet of prime office space, in addition to four hotels, three schools, a hospital, substantial retail elements and linear parks.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Serco announces good performance figures for H1 2019 Middle East revenue for first half of the year amounts to AED 753 million, company says By CCME Content Team

erco, the international service company, which specialises in the delivery of essential public services, has announced positive results for the first half of 2019 as the global and Middle East markets remain attractive with significant growth prospects. Following a strong performance in 2018, which marked a turning point, Serco has recorded continued revenue growth, while profits and margins are both well up on the first half of last year, the company said through a Press release. The company revealed through the release that revenue in the Middle East region for the first six months of this year was AED 753 million, and from a global perspective, revenues increased by eight per cent to AED 6,716 million from AED 6,215 million. Order intake has also been very strong, with the figure already surpassing AED 15 billion, exceeding forecast revenue for the whole of 2019 and highlighting the strategic advantage of having a strong international footprint. Commenting on the results, Phil Malem, CEO, Serco Middle East, said: “The Middle East remains a highly attractive market with opportunities that can bring in strategic expansion, which can be attributed to the size of the outsourced market, excellent reference sites and reputation. Our pipeline of major new bid Phil Malem opportunities includes the Transport and Health sectors. We are continuing our efforts to rebuild a stronger pipeline in the region and contribute more to global revenue. “We are confident that Middle East businesses can extend their impact across the region and achieve their growth ambitions with new business developments. Every year presents a wide range of potential outcomes, and the success of H1 2019 has placed us in a fantastic position for the months ahead, during which we anticipate further improvement.” According to the release, Serco’s operations in the Middle East division include Transport, Defence, Health and Citizen Services, with the region accounting for approximately 11% of the Group’s reported revenue. There was growth in revenue from the new contract for fire and rescue services at King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Saudi Arabia, as well as from expanded services at the Dubai Metro, the release said. Intake from the Middle East in the latest period, the release revealed, included a new contract supporting Mashroat, the Institute for Efficiency and Effectiveness in Public Infrastructure Programs across the Saudi Government, facilities management and patient-facing services to Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH) in Jeddah, and a further extension of Air Traffic Control, Aeronautical Information Services and training support to the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority.

September 2019

Cash flow management vital to success of manufacturers, says SKM

Company’s Chief Financial Officer advocates smart approaches to address stressors on supply chain and discusses importance of investing in legal counsel to identify red flags in contracts By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

anufacturers need to have tight reins on the cash flow if they are going to be successful, said Ahmed Fahmy, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), SKM, who pointed out that considering manufacturers often have to wait for payments far longer than other businesses, such as those in retail, Ahmed Fahmy cash flow management is one of the most vital aspects of a manufacturing company. “For manufacturers, the cash flow is everything, as the business cannot produce more products without having enough money to fund it,” he said. “Manufacturers have a longer cash conversion cycle than other businesses, starting from purchasing and stocking raw material to manufacturing the products, then the wait time to deliver and, after that, the customer payment terms.” The longer cash conversion cycle is only one of the challenges manufacturers have to face, as many also deal with additional stressors, such as deadline pressures. Fahmy pointed out that manufacturers need to undertake smart approaches when it comes to handling such stressors on the supply chain. He said that smart stocking agreements with the manufacturer’s supplier of raw material is a must, as well as multiple line-up of suppliers for each of the main raw materials. Fahmy added that manufacturers must also be vigilant when it comes to identifying potential red flags in contracts, as some are critical and dangerous, especially when the project involves production of non-standard or customised HVAC products. He explained that when such projects are cancelled in the event a contractor withdraws, this will result in heavy losses for manufacturers, because even though it may be backed up by strong contractual terms and conditions, the products can no longer be sold to other customers. Fahmy said it is important for manufacturers to be flexible when looking at different versions of contracts and that it is important to have a holistic approach. “All legal, sales, commercial, logistics and technical clauses need to be reviewed by the respectful departments and reviewed as a whole by the company heads to consolidate all risks and opportunities in the contract to take decisions,” he said. Fahmy also emphasised the strong value of investing in legal consultation from the onset. “In sensitive market situations, it will be foolish not to have legal consultation on contracts,” he said. “The risk mitigation, in my opinion, is a must, as it may cost a lot and even take businesses down.” He added that a strong finance setup in any organisation will always calculate the risk compared to the cost of mitigating risk.

Daikin Middle East and Africa’s new JAFZA headquarters combines Training Academy, AHU factory and experience centre Company official outlines growth strategy for the region By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

aikin Middle East and Africa (MEA) has relocated to a 22,000-squaremetre facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, which will serve as the company’s new headquarters and base for business and operations in the region, said Tuna Gulenc, Vice President, Sales, Daikin MEA. The decision to move to a new headquarters, Gulenc said, came two years ago, as the company wanted to combine its Training Academy, Air-Handling Unit (AHU) factory and an upcoming experience centre. “We are growing and expanding in the region very aggressively,” he said. “Thanks to this expansion, we are in the region with 400 employees – 250 in this building, but together with our affiliates in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, we are almost 400. We have a big expansion plan, and we wanted to come to a place that will serve us in terms of quality and quantity, for our colleagues and customers.” Gulenc said that the new facility will also serve as a vital platform for upcoming training programmes and for a showroom for consultants, contractors, designers and other end-users. “We are going to establish a unique kind of solution plaza, where our customers can come and see all Daikin units and product features,” he said. “The invisible values will be made visible in

increased almost 10 times and is considered this facility.” In line with the company’s a main growth area. “For the time being, commitment to facilitate greater knowledge we are active in project businesses, but we transfer, Gulenc said, Daikin hopes to are targeting to be active in the residential potentially use the facility to train students sector and with split systems,” he said. on the importance of air and humidity, Gulenc added that Nigeria, Ghana and adding that essentially, the solution plaza Tunisia are also of interest to the company. aims to illustrate all the values the company Gulenc emphasised that, over the years, proposes to customers and to society. the company has increased the Touching on the company’s scope of its operations, logistics growth strategy in the region, and financial investment in Gulenc said that Daikin the region. He added that the considers Saudi Arabia as one new facility showcases not of its largest growth markets only Daikin’s commitment in the region. “The economy is to its five-year strategic very dynamic in Saudi Arabia,” management plan but also he said. “Housing is growing, Tuna Gulenc its commitment to society. population is growing, and “Daikin, as a company, makes energy efficiency is a very hot step-by-step and long-term investment,” topic. We see big opportunity for Daikin in he said. “Our aim is to increase the number Saudi Arabia.” of employees, train more engineers, train Gulenc added that the company is more installers, increase our facilities and, particularly optimistic about market finally, to positively contribute to the opportunities in Kuwait, which is following society and economy of the country in the same positive momentum Saudi Arabia terms of energy efficiency, environment has exhibited, as has Oman, which is a and employment. We came here to do focus market for Daikin. business, but our company vision is always Gulenc said that Daikin also plans to to give back to the society; therefore, we establish offices across Africa and that make big investments in the training facility western and northern Africa continue to and to bring new, better technology for the be main focus points for the company, market.” especially Egypt, where business has

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September 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

Empower awards network extension contract worth AED 25 million Company takes the step to meet the needs of major development projects in Dubai

By CCME Content Team

ubai-headquartered Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) announced through a Press release that it has awarded a contract worth AED 25 million to extend its cooling service pipeline network in order to meet Ahmed Bin Shafar the needs of major development projects in Dubai. The extension work will be completed by the end of 2019 and will link Al Wasl Tower 2020 and the Yotel Hotel in Sheikh Zayed Road, The Address Hotel and the One JBR Tower in Jumeirah Beach Residence, as well as Barsha Heights, with permanent cooling plants located in the respective areas, the release said. According to the release, extension of the pipe network is part of Empower’s strategy to expand its projects, as demand for District Cooling services is growing in several real estate projects. Empower, the release said, develops its infrastructure, which also meets the objectives of the UAE Vision 2021, where infrastructure is the most important pillar. The release specified that the cooling pipe network presently serving Dubai Arena, will extend to serve Al Wasl Tower 2020, with a capacity of 3,900 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) and Yotel Hotel with 1,500 TR capacity, and will be connected to a permanent cooling plant, located in Business Bay.

The release also said that Empower’s pipe network at Barsha Heights will be extended to serve the new buildings in the area and will be connected to the permanent plant located there. Furthermore, the release said, the Address Hotel will be served with 6,500 TR, and the One JBR Tower with 1,550 TR, through the existing pipe network at JBR. They will be connected to the permanent cooling plant in the same area, the release added. The release quoted Ahmed Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, as saying: “The cooling service pipeline network is gradually developing by the years, as Dubai's real estate projects are increasing. This reflects the confidence of investors and developers in our environmentally friendly District Cooling services that contribute to reducing carbon emissions. At Empower, we continuously work to develop infrastructure to provide efficient and high-quality District Cooling services to the customers adding to our customer base. “The innovative solutions and technologies that Empower is constantly developing, especially in its pipeline network, are part of our efforts to implement the UAE Green Growth Strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.” Bin Shafar stressed that the current pipeline network extension in these areas will be completed by the end of 2019, and projects will be linked using latest technology, which will help in uninterrupted delivery of services to the customers.

CESI: GCC region’s renewable energy sector expected to grow rapidly Company MD spotlights programmes across UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

he GCC region’s biggest PV plant in the world renewable energy – all these projects will assure sector is expected to a green and cheap energy grow rapidly in the supply to the country and coming years, said Dr Floris will contribute to meet their Hendrikus Schulze, Managing long-term decarbonisation Director, CESI Middle East FZE, targets,” he said. “Oman is also who highlighted the recent moving fast in terms of PV and Dr Floris Hendrikus Schulze achievements of countries in wind utility-scale installations. the region, as evidence of the It is also important to note sector’s positive momentum. “The solar the targets of KSA.” Dr Schulz said that in initiatives in the UAE, with around 250 MW January, Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy already installed in Dubai and the opening Project Development Office (REPDO) in Abu Dhabi of the Noor power plant, which announced the target of having around 60 with its 1.2 GW of capacity, is currently the GW by 2030, which is a value similar to the

September 2019

current peak demand. He added that proper planning will be necessary to safely integrate such massive development of renewable energies. Speaking on the CESI’s level of activities in the region, Dr Schulze said that the main projects the company is leading are located in Saudi Arabia and Oman. “CESI has been working on the update of Transmission Master Plan of Oman for OETC, the Omani Transmission Company,” he said, adding that the future of the Omani power system will be studied and optimised in order to meet the renewable targets of the Sultanate in an efficient manner.

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REGIONAL NEWS

Blueair strengthens its presence in Saudi Arabia Appoints new distributor to promote its air purifiers across the Kingdom By CCME Content Team

attributed to the country’s hot and humid weather with frequent sandstorms. Hence, it is important for Saudi residents to install air purifiers in their homes, offices, cars and even gymnasiums to ensure that the air they breathe is pure. “We felt Saudi residents deserve only the best in air purification technology, and hence, we signed on Blueair, which is an expert at designing and manufacturing the best air purification systems in the world. Over the years, Blueair has earned a reputation in the industry for high performance, technological innovation and quality design. We are happy to introduce Blueair’s latest range of air purifiers, which combines award-winning aesthetics, whisper-silent operation, energy efficiency and the convenience of connected appliances, to consumers in the Kingdom.”

ir purification solutions provider, Blueair, on August 6 announced it has signed on Nikai as its distributor in Saudi Arabia, further expanding its reach and sales network across the Kingdom, the company said through a Press release. T R Ganesh, General Manager – Middle East and Africa, Blueair, and Sanjeev Jain, CEO, Nikai, unveiled Blueair’s full range of Classic, Sense+ and Cabin Air range of indoor and car air purifiers at the launch event, which was held at the Holiday Inn Olaya in Riyadh, the release said. Speaking on the occasion, Jain said: “Cities like Riyadh feature high on the list of most air polluted cities in the world, and this can be

T R Ganesh

The World Health Association (WHO) considers air pollution to be the single biggest environmental risk to human health with nine out of 10 people in the world breathing polluted air. Desert climate and sandstorms are factors responsible for ambient air quality in Saudi Arabia, and with forecasters expecting the bad weather to continue through summer, the situation could remain difficult for those susceptible to atmospheric triggers, especially children. Ganesh said: “Air purifiers have now become an indispensable purchase for a healthier living in Saudi Arabia. Blueair believes in creating a healthier environment for consumers through our best-in-class air purifiers, which remove allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander and chemicals from the air. Our air purifiers remove all sand and dust particles, given the frequent sandstorms in the country as well as viruses and bacteria that thrive in this hot, humid weather. Our focus in Saudi is to create awareness of clean air, its health benefits and the impact especially on our children’s well-being. “We are happy to partner with Nikai, a well-established distributor in the region, to strengthen our presence in Saudi Arabia. In a market, where awareness of the positive health benefits of breathing clean air is building slowly but efficiently, Nikai, with its market knowledge, expertise and solid reputation, is a perfect partner for Blueair in the Kingdom. We are confident Nikai will help us expand Blueair’s reach and help increase our marketshare in the country.” As its exclusive Saudi distributor, Nikai will promote Blueair through its channels, such as traditional market dealers, retailers, key accounts and ecommerce. The company also plans to focus on institutional sales as well as fitness centres, spas and other businesses that primarily focus on health.

September 2019

Arabia CSR Awards a comprehensive platform for Arab region entities Organisers speak of hundreds of organisations vying for the coveted spot of sustainability champions in the region By CCME Content Team

aying that the Arabia CSR Awards, established in 2008, is the most prestigious corporate social responsibility-(CSR) and sustainability-related platform in the Arab region, its organisers revealed that each year, the awards jury committee screens applications from hundreds of entities vying for the coveted spot of sustainability champions in the region. Only those entities that best exhibit strong values and commitment towards sustainability, corporate responsibility, social accountability, stakeholder inclusiveness and other such aspects of business ethics, the organisers said, are awarded and recognised on this globally showcased regional platform. The Arabia CSR Awards, the organisers said, honours and recognises entities practising in the GCC, Levant and the North African Region that have continuously demonstrated a clear strategy and effective implementation of CSR and sustainability in their business strategies. Over the course of the previous 11 Awards cycles, the organisers said, Arabia CSR Network has received more than 1,200 applications from more than 1,000 organisations from 13 countries in the Arab world. It has also attracted applications from 39 industries and business sectors. This, they said, is a good indication of the value the Arabia CSR Awards provides to businesses in the region – after all, it is not just the Awards or the accolade but also the application process of self-evaluation and assessment that helps companies understand how they can improve their performance to become more sustainable and have a positive impact on society and the environment. It is the belief and cornerstone of the Arabia CSR Awards that by practising corporate social responsibility and sustainability best practices, businesses stand to gain significantly from greater levels of sustainability and accountability, more efficient use of resources, better workplace standards and practices, increase in productivity, higher levels of trust and transparency and improved social dialogue, the organisers said.

In its bid to cover and represent as many industries and sectors as possible operating within the Arab region, the organisers said, Arabia CSR Awards has continuously been increasing the categories under which the organisations can apply. The Arabia CSR Awards, the organisers said, has something to offer for every sector, be it a private business, a social entrepreneurship or a government institution. Organisations may be considered in one of the 12 categories according to their profile. The categories for the Arabia CSR Awards 2019 are: 1. Small-sized enterprises 2. Medium-sized enterprises 3. Large-sized enterprises 4. Public sector organisations/departments 5. Partnerships and collaborations 6. Social enterprise 7. Energy 8. Financial services 9. Hospitality 10. Construction 11. Healthcare 12. Best new business

In scrutinising the application of each organisation under all the aforementioned categories, all aspects of the organisation are looked into, the organisers said. These start from the corporate’s vision, mission and values to the strategic approach and policies in place, the organisers said. The level of commitment to CSR displayed by the top management is also considered, the organisers added. Other aspects taken into consideration include the entity’s level of communication with its stakeholders and its performance on environment, economic and social fronts, the organisers further added. It is crucial to promote organisations that are a source of benefit to their communities and are promoting healthy values and ethics both inside the workplace and outside in the community, the organisers said. The process of evaluation of each category, the organisers said, considers the business and operational requirements of that sector and the ways an entity from the category can incorporate CSR and sustainability best practices within its overall strategy. These evaluation techniques, the organisers said, are constantly and regularly updated according to the latest industry and global trends. The Awards are developed with the mindset of creating a regional benchmark that is based on international best practices and standards, such as UN Global Compact Principles and GRI Standards and the European EFQM Excellence Model, the organisers said, adding that they are all used in developing the criteria for the Awards. Through a yearlong extensive and rigorous selection process, the organisers said, the Awards separate and recognise leaders that have propagated and promoted innovation, ethical business and sustainability in their community and region. The Awards’ results are externally verified by one of the world’s most reputed providers of business assurance, DNV-GL, the organisers said, adding that this is one of the hallmarks of the Awards and a big reason for its longevity and success.

September 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

Engineers must take leadership role in promoting sustainable buildings

Prevention better than cure when it comes to mitigating threat of legionella

Industry expert underscores importance of a holistic approach in meeting overarching environmental and energy-reduction objectives; highlights how sustainability movement is gaining steam in Oman

Cooling tower manufacturers underscore best practices in design and equipment selection to prevent outbreak By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

ngineers have a crucial part to play in promoting sustainable buildings, and they have to get involved in finding a collective way forward, rather than waiting for other groups to take the lead, said Dr M Ramaswamy, Technical Expert – Royal Estates, Royal Court Affairs, Sultanate

E Dr M Ramaswamy

of Oman. Dr Ramaswamy emphasised that even implementing simple measures can greatly reduce energy costs, especially when considered at the blueprint stage. “It is essential for engineers to be involved at the early stages of projects, when there is still maximum scope to integrate appropriate solutions at the lowest possible cost,” he said. “Building services engineers, especially, have the opportunity to expand their role to include sustainability advice at the early stages of projects and in the operation and maintenance of buildings.” Dr Ramaswamy pointed out that the core aim of sustainable design is to bring everybody to the table at the very early stages, to set goals for the project, taking into consideration energy and sustainability benchmarks they are trying to achieve and, finally, to ensure everybody works together towards a common goal. Dr Ramaswamy shared that in Oman, the term ‘sustainable building’ is becoming popular among consultants, academics, engineers, builders and various institutions. “Many social institutions are actively participating to promote green energy concept among the community in Oman,” he said. “Exhibitions, conferences and road shows are conducted regularly about recycling, energy conservation, environment protection and water conservation to promote the sustainable issue among the people in Oman.” He added that LEED certification is also gaining momentum within the Sultanate, with a number of buildings earning the plaque.

September 2019

revention is better than cure when it comes to mitigating the threat of legionella, with cooling tower manufacturers advocating for stakeholders to comply with existing guidelines and recommendations in terms of design and equipment selection. Talal Talal Damerchi Damerchi, General Manager, Hamon Cooling Tower Company, weighed in on the issue by discussing three important requirements stakeholders must keep in mind, which includes installing efficient drift eliminators, allowing access to clean the tower and avoiding the stagnation of water. Jelle Wagelmans, Regional Manager Jelle Wagelmans Middle East, Evapco Middle East, pointed out that while the drift eliminator will be useful in limiting legionella, in the event of an outbreak, stakeholders should be more vigilant in making sure design parameters are followed to avoid the problem, in the first place, pointing out that a number of bodies, such as ASHRAE, HSE and Eurovent bring the same message by way of features that must be considered in terms Birey Bakanay of design. Elaborating further, Damerchi enumerated the practical recommendations Eurovent proposes to designers as an important guide, which includes ensuring drainage of pipes, avoiding dead arms in piping, avoiding water stagnation in profiles by drilling holes, if required, and limiting direct exposure of the water to the sun by using special drift eliminators in the air inlet. Wagelmans said that he considers avoiding sunlight inside the cooling tower as a single most important point. “If your cooling tower is completely dark, this will minimize the risk for legionella,” he said. “If you then have a decent water treatment, together with highefficient drift eliminators, you should be safe. But it is important to keep sunlight out; without UV rays, it will not grow at a pace required that will lead to an outbreak. It’s about the design. The cooling tower should be designed to keep sunlight out of the water basin, and you want to avoid algae formation, because algae is food for bacteria and legionella. Birey Bakanay, Vice General Manager, Niba, added that preventing the medium where the bacteria can form and proliferate is still a very important point. Surfaces that are prone to bacteria formation, he said, are improving, as are water-treatment solutions.

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September 2019

GLOBAL NEWS

Honeywell, Midea team up to replace R-410a with R-466a in VRFs and chillers Early results position Solstice N41 as a breakthrough solution to address the need for non-flammable and lower-global-warming properties, Honeywell says By CCME Content Team

oneywell on June 26 announced a strategic partnership with China’s Midea Group to replace R-410a with Solstice N41 (R-466A) in HVAC applications, including variable refrigerant flow (VRF) and chiller systems, Honeywell said through a Press communiqué. R-466A is a non-flammable and lower global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant for stationary air conditioning systems, the communiqué said. “We’ve partnered with the best-of-the-best in our industry to validate the performance of Solstice N41 as a breakthrough solution,” said Chris LaPietra, Vice President and General Manager, Honeywell Stationary Refrigerants. “We are helping to solve for safety, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability with this solution, which offers a GWP that is 65% lower than R-410a. Key partnerships, like the one we have with Midea, help ensure it is ready for broad industry adoption, later this year.” Once commercially available in late 2019, Solstice N41 will be the first A1* (non-flammable), reduced-GWP R-410A replacement offered for stationary air conditioning systems, the communiqué said. All other reduced-GWP alternatives proposed to date as R-410A replacements are flammable, increasing risk, the communiqué added.

“As the first non-flammable refrigerant replacement for R-410A, Solstice N41 is a promising option to ensure our products are compliant with environmental regulations in target markets,” said Mingli Tian, General Manager, Central Air-Conditioning Division, Midea Group. “This cooperation will help us enter the new future with a sustainable and safe offering for end users.” According to the communiqué, when it comes to safety, Solstice N41 significantly reduces the need for additional design and eliminates the need to incorporate the sensors and valves, typically required for minimising flammability risk. Early results also indicate this nonflammable, reduced global warming alternative to R-410A will eliminate the need for specialised contractor training for flammability mitigation – a big advantage for the industry as it struggles to recruit and retain certified contractors, the communiqué said. Honeywell is a world leader in the development, manufacture and supply of refrigerants sold globally under the Solstice and Genetron brand names for a range of applications, including refrigeration, building and automobile air conditioning, the communiqué quoted Honeywell as claiming. Honeywell and its suppliers, the communiqué said, have completed a USD 900 million investment programme in R&D and new capacity based on Honeywell’s hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology.

Bacharach introduces VRF leak detection solution The MVR-SC controller is designed to pair with refrigerant monitors to provide real-time status on leaks By CCME Content Team

acharach, which provides HVAC-R gas instrumentation and monitoring solutions, on July 18 introduced the new MVR-SC controller, which the company said through a Press release is designed to seamlessly pair with MVR300 refrigerant monitors to provide real-time status of refrigerant leaks throughout a facility. According to the release, the MVR-SC include has a centralised alarming feature for MVR-300 VRF leak detectors. Its other features include network set-up and MVR-300 Modbus ID assignment, system monitoring and seamless integration with MVR-300.

September 2019

The MVR-SC, the release said, eliminates the need to integrate VRF leak detection into a BAS controller and the related custom programming expense. By implementing a hybrid Ethernet serial network, the MVR-SC simplifies the Modbus integration, provides fast response for fault detection and troubleshooting and is quickly deployed in any size facility. The MVR-SC, the release said, monitors up to 100 MVR-300 devices and has an integrated audible alarm. The MVR-SC has an intuitive user interface built on a colour, touchscreen display, the release added. VRF systems, the release said, are being increasingly deployed in multi-tenant buildings, such as hotel, dormitories, assisted-living facilities and offices. The Bacharach VRF leak detection system, which includes the MVR-300 and MVR-SC, the release said, improves occupant safety in the case of a VRF system leak.

Bitzer approves serial production of scroll compressors for A2L refrigerants Company says it provides system manufacturers with the possibility of fulfilling the challenges associated with the F-Gas Regulation By CCME Content Team

itzer has approved serial production of its ORBIT (model range VL) and ORBIT+ scroll compressors for use with refrigerants in the A2L safety group, the company said through a Press release. The refrigerants concerned – R454B, R452B and R32 – have a low global warming potential (GWP) and have only lowflammability ratings, the release added. According to the release, the deployment of ORBIT and ORBIT+ make Bitzer the first manufacturer in the world to supply scroll compressors with displacements of between 20 and 80 m3/h (50 Hz) for use with A2L refrigerants.

Suitable for A1 and A2L refrigerants

Highly efficient line start permanent magnet (LSPM) motor

▶ ORBIT+ with

line start permanent magnet motor

Engie: India sets ambitious renewable energy goals Company official highlights country’s growing emphasis on energy efficiency and opportunities for District Cooling By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

ndia has set very ambitious goals in the renewable energy sector, said Frederic Claux, Head of Assets, Engie MESCAT, and board member, Tabreed, adding that the positive momentum relating to renewables is largely driven by the government, which has been proactive in launching tenders. Claux was sharing his observations in view of Engie’s Frederic Claux strong activities in India’s renewable energy sector, working on solar and wind. “We have been bidding over the last few years on wind and solar projects to the point that we reached 1.5-gigawatt of capacity,” he said. Claux added, however, that as the country looks to diversify its energy mix, “the best energy is the one you don’t use”. As such, he said, energy efficiency is high on the agenda of policymakers. “I’m sure they have this in mind when drafting these polices,” he said. “They are aware, they understand the need and they are taking the right steps – the direction is set.” Owing to growing appreciation for energy-efficiency initiatives, Claux said that the company sees strong growth potential in India for District Cooling. “New cities are being developed, which gives the possibility to plan infrastructure with the inclusion of DC from day one,” he said. “This means installing plant, chillers and a distribution network from the outset.” Claux said the benefits of District Cooling is especially amplified in big cities, where density is high. “Density allows you to optimise the load,” he said. “You can’t install District Cooling networks in a low-density area. You need cities, you need density.” Speaking on any potential bottlenecks for acceptance, however, Claux said the only concern is related to cost. “To implement District Cooling, the investment is greater than cheaper, short-term options, but the longer-term benefits are what matters more,” he said. Claux pointed out that with India being such a huge and diverse country, with big differences between urban and rural populations, the levels of awareness about the environment and building policies reflect this diversity, as well. While District Cooling has strong potential across the country, he said, it is still largely a niche market.

The familiar ORBIT series in the VA model range, the release said, will continue to be available for operation with A1 refrigerants. ORBIT and ORBIT+ were presented as a world premiere at the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort trade fair in 2018 and are already integrated into the BITZER software, ensuring that they can be quickly and easily configured by customers. According to the release, BITZER customers will particularly benefit from the A2L approval of the ORBIT and ORBIT+ compressors – both series provide several years of planning

security, due to the low-GWP values of the refrigerants, R454B, R452B and R32. Before they were approved for serial production, the release said, the ORBIT and ORBIT+ scroll compressors demonstrated their quality and future-proof compatibility in extensive tests. In addition, the release said, they have been successfully qualified by important OEM customers in their qualification programmes.

September 2019

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2018 September 2019

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

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

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

11. MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR (STANDALONE DX)

26. COLD STORE OF THE YEAR

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

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GLOBAL NEWS

U4E Initiative to accelerate adoption of sustainable cooling solutions in developing economies Programme Officer underlines need to implement right policies at scale, outlines key activities, including innovative financial mechanisms and model regulations being rolled out in Africa By Hannah Jo Uy | Assistant Editor

ASHRAE says its resources can help reduce the risk of Legionella Society says its resources provide a comprehensive approach to preventing the growth and spread of Legionella in buildings, campuses and healthcare facilities By CCME Content Team

September 2019

the utility tariffs, the lending he UN Environment’s rates from banks and what United for Efficiency sort of testing can be done (U4E) Initiative partners to products to make sure with developing of the quality. We are in 40 and emerging economies to countries around the world, accelerate the switch to energyso there are a lot of insights efficient and climate-friendly Brian Holuj we can bring, and we are cooling solutions, said Brian trying to see what makes Holuj, Programme Officer, sense in the local market.” U4E. Holuj added that implementing the Holuj added that U4E is actively right policies and frameworks is key to working with more than 10 countries sustainable development, which ensures to pilot National Product Registration economic growth, enhances energy Systems to monitor the market, get data, security, improves health and mitigates enforce rules, share information and greenhouse gas emissions and pollution facilitate compliance. “We are trying to from refrigerators and air conditioners. come up with a common template to Touching on key activities under make it easier for manufacturers,” he said. the programme, Holuj said that there “[Rather than having] to comply with many are currently six financial mechanisms different types of monitoring systems, underway to unlock USD 30 million in if they had to just have one sort of data investment towards energy-efficient entry at one time, it makes it easier. We and climate-friendly cooling products. are trying to come up with tools to lower Considering the diversity in the transaction cost for manufacturers and help demographic, political frameworks and government monitor what’s happening [in economies of countries across Africa, the market].” Holuj said that it is important for U4E Holuj shared that U4E is also coming to identify an approach that is scalable up with two Model Regulations for air for all types of communities, taking into conditioners and refrigerators by way of account the different varieties of products. addressing minimum energy performance “It has to be a balance,” he said. “It’s standards, which are aimed at regional not one financial mechanism to save all, harmonisation across Africa and beyond. but a way to use innovative finance to “We look at local trends, performance, unlock adoption of efficient cooling. We MEPS and labeling that countries are are trying to understand the environment,

SHRAE has said through a Press release it has developed resources to help reduce the risk of Legionella, including Standard 188, which provides a comprehensive approach to help prevent the growth and spread of Legionella within building water systems. “With the recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ Darryl K Boyce disease in Atlanta, we would like to increase awareness of the resources available to help minimize health risks associated with building water systems,” said Darryl K Boyce, 2019-20 ASHRAE President. According to the release, the CDC estimates approximately 6,100 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States, each year. Most of those cases result from exposure to Legionella found in building water systems, the release said. According to the release, ASHRAE has also reached out to the Fulton County Board of Health and the Georgia Department of Public Health to make these government offices aware of ASHRAE resources. In 2018, ASHRAE published a revised edition of Standard 188, which designers and building operators can use to help establish water management plans specific to the systems in particular buildings, campuses or healthcare

setting and coming up with a common set of MEPS and labeling requirements as a starting point for them to consider,” he explained. “Of course, they have to understand context of the market and talk to industries.” Holuj said local governments can also help drive a lot of adoption, especially if government procurement practices show stricter preference for energy-efficient products. “There are different ways we hit at different audiences,” he said. “We don’t ever want to be in a situation where we only talk to one ministry or one company or one village representative. We engage with a cross-section.” Holuj stressed that all of U4E’s work is undertaken in partnership with government and with energy environmental ministries, and conducted in consultation with local industries. “We are dealing with policy, capacity building, community outreach and financial mechanisms,” he said. “We need to understand private-sector perspective, government perspective and civil society perspective.” Holuj said that the model regulations also aim to address GWP refrigerant limits across emerging countries. “It really depends on the availability within the respective market and on what’s viable,” he said. “We do not just recommend some number that is made up. It’s going to depend on what’s practical in the market place. We are technologyneutral, and it depends on the ambition of

the country and what’s appropriate.” Holuj said that this task is easier when it comes to refrigerators, considering well over half the new residential refrigerants are using R-600A. “We are encouraging the use of something along those lines and putting GWP upper limit in that neighborhood,” he said, “But we have to see what market assessment is showing.” Holuj said that while energy efficiency is driving efforts to adopt sustainable refrigeration, the need to strengthen the cold chain in a bid to reduce food loss and food waste, especially in the high-ambient

conditions of Africa, is also of equal importance. “The project deals with both policy and outreach as much as it does [with] the financial scheme,” he said. “It is really in the policy arena, where we can make recommendations on the cold chain. Refrigeration is an important piece, and the last step in the chain is to help avoid massive food losses of 40-50% of the crops grown, which spoil before they reach consumers.” Holuj added that there is targeted work to create a leaner cold chain, ongoing in Rwanda. “It’s about coming up with sustainable business model with farmers.” he said. “It’s about costeffective, reliable technology to pre-cool produce, clean, prepare, ship and maintain cold chain.” Holuj emphasised that policies that incentivise adoption of more sustainable refrigeration and air conditioning equipment also create greater clarity in the market, which provides a clear price signal to manufacturers. “If you talk about better economies of scale, more people buying energy-efficient products will, hopefully, lower products prices,” he said. If a country has no labelling or energy efficiency standards, Holuj added, manufacturers have to compete with used products dumped from oversees, making it difficult to introduce more efficient products to local consumers, which is currently a challenge facing markets across Africa.

facilities, the release said. Guideline 12, Minimizing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems, is currently in revision and provides more detailed descriptions of best practices, the release added. Boyce said: “By creating a framework for proactively managing building water systems and reducing the potential for Legionella growth in these systems, following Standard 188 can help building and facility managers prevent many but not all cases of legionellosis.” The 2018 edition of Standard 188 provides: • A description of environmental conditions that promote the growth of Legionella, such as water temperature fluctuations, water pressure changes and water stagnation. • Minimum Legionellosis risk management requirements for buildings and associated potable and non-potable water systems. • Requirements for Legionellosis control strategies and documentation. • Clarification of compliance requirements, as well as an update to enforceable, code-intended language to facilitate adoption of the standard for code and regulatory purposes.

September 2019

GLOBAL NEWS

ASHRAE opens registration for its 2020 Winter Conference The meeting will feature eight conference tracks, tours and social events, and will host the ASHRAE Certification Exam By CCME Content Team

SHRAE has opened registration for its 2020 ASHRAE Winter Conference, to be held from February 1 to 5 at the Hilton Orlando, in Florida, the Society said through a Press release. Registration for the conference provides entry to the co-sponsored AHR Expo, to be held from February 3 to 5 at the Orange County Convention Center, the release added. The winter meeting will feature eight conference tracks, tours, social events and a keynote speech from retired NFL referee, Ed Hochuli, the release said. The conference will present the latest topics in the HVAC&R industry through a technical programme featuring more than 100 sessions and 300 speakers, the release added. "The 2020 ASHRAE Winter Conference will feature a strong technical program, including presentations and discussions on best design practices and standards, incorporation of innovative technologies, and cutting-edge approaches applicable to a wide range of buildings-related engineers, architects, and professionals," said Melanie Derby, Conference Chair.

According to the release, the programme tracks include: • HVAC&R Fundamentals and Applications • Systems and Equipment • Refrigeration and Refrigerants • Cutting Edge Approaches • High Efficiency Design and Operation • Big Data and Smart Controls • Ventilation, IAQ and Air Distribution Systems • Standards, Guidelines and Codes The ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) will offer four full-day seminars and 17 half-day short courses during the conference, the release said. According to the release, new ALI courses include: • Guideline 36: Best in Class HVAC Control Sequences • Complying with Standard 90.1-2019 • Installing DDC Control Systems • IgCC and ASHRAE Standard 189.1 Technical Provisions • Principles of Building Commissioning: ASHRAE Guideline 0 and Standard 202 • ASHRAE Cold Climate Design • V in HVAC – What, Why, Where, How, and How Much The meeting will also present an opportunity for professionals to sit for an ASHRAE Certification exam, the release said, adding that the last date for applying to take the test is January 10, 2020. The exam will be administered on February 5 in these key fields: Building Operations, Commissioning, Energy Assessment, Energy Modelling, Healthcare Facility Design, High-Performance Building Design, and HVAC Design, a new programme, the release said.

September 2019

Nortek: ServerCool CDUs cool 10% of world’s 100 most powerful supercomputers New TOP500 and Green500 lists reveal Nortek Air Solutions’ ServerCool is cooling dozens of the world’s most powerful and energy-efficient supercomputers, company says By CCME Content Team

ortek Air Solutions’ ServerCool division has its coolant distribution unit (CDU) technology cooling dozens of the world’s most powerful and energy-efficient supercomputers, the company said through a Press release, quoting the 2019 TOP500 and Green500 lists, which were recently released at the International Supercomputer Conference (ISC) in Frankfurt. ServerCool’s CDUs are cooling 1,246,912 cores and 2,797,604 cores in the TOP500 and Green500 supercomputer lists, respectively, the release said. More impressively, 10 of the TOP500’s first 100 supercomputers use ServerCool CDUs, the release added. For example, #11 on the TOP500, a Total Exploration Production data centre in France, uses ServerCool CDUs to cool an IBM Pangea III supercomputer system that the energy company uses for geological exploration and development, the release said. At #25 on the TOP500 is the Tokyo-based Japan Institute of Technology’s Global Scientific Information and Computing Center (GSIC), which uses the Tsubame 3.0 HPE supercomputer for academic and high technology research, the release said. The Tsubame, the release added, is cooled by ServerCool CDUs. According to the release, ServerCool is also providing cooling to two of the top 10 supercomputers on the energy-oriented Green500. The majority of the lists’ ServerCool applications use CD6 floor-mount 300-kW CDUs, the release said. However, future installations will also employ the recently introduced CDU1200, which features a small 58 ft2 (d) x 35 (w)-inch (1,475 x 900-mm) footprint, the release said. It also supplies an industry-first 1.2MW of cooling capacity in a density of 14.6-ft2 (1.3-m2) that helps data centres maximise power usage effectiveness (PUE), the release said. “The TOP500 proves that hardware manufacturers are pushing their equipment’s performance envelope at the chip level,” said Stuart Smith, Global Sales Manager, ServerCool division, Nortek Air Solutions. “However, ServerCool will keep pace with that growth by continuing to develop higher cooling and flow capacities with smaller footprints.”

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

COMINGS & GOINGS

Morten Schmelzer Systemair

orten Schmelzer has joined Systemair Group as Technical Marketing Director. He will assume responsibility for global public affairs-related issues, including legislation, standardisation and association management. He will also oversee the company’s global technical marketing projects and digital innovation solutions, such as Virtual and Augmented

Reality. Elaborating on key focus areas in the context of his new position, Schmelzer said: “One of my roles in this process is to strengthen and increase our cooperation with authorities, associations and standardisation bodies. As a major energy consumer and user of fluorinated gases, the HVACR sector has the responsibility to offer forward-thinking solutions to tackle the increasing environmental and health challenges we are facing across the globe. This also requires stronger requirements and market surveillance efforts on the regulatory side.” Schmelzer formerly held the position of Executive Director at the Eurovent Association and was Managing Director and Founder of MRstudios, a company developing Industrial Virtual and Augmented Reality solutions for the manufacturing sector.

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September 2019

REGIONAL NEWS

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he 3rd edition of The Client Consultant Contractor Conference will have a decidedly legal focus, in a bid to crack the code on contractual disagreements and payment delays. It will also examine the work of various industry associations as they attempt to take the lead in shaping a more predictable course of action that protects the interests of all stakeholders. The objective of the conference remains the same – strengthening the foundations for better building performance, be it to drive down indirect emissions, lower the total cost of ownership or enhance reliability of air conditioning systems and the indoor environmental quality.

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Fares Ahmad General Manager, Emaar District Cooling

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K Anbalagan Managing Partner, Proleed Engineering Consultants

Khaled Derhalli Regional Director, EFECO

Dani Elamana Technical Director, Camfil Middle East FZCO

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

Suresh Kumar General Manager, Voltas

Jeán van Loggerenberg Partner, CKR Consulting Engineers

Timothy McLaren Senior Commercial Contracts Engineer, Ramboll

Sougata Nandi Founder & CEO, 3e Advisory & 3e Apps

Bjorn Ostbye Project Development Manager, Lulu Hypermarket Group

Andrea Pagan Application Manager, CAREL Industries

Sekhar Reddy General Manager, MBM Gulf Electromechanical Co LLC

Dr Zahid Rizvi CEO & General Manager, Aspire Consulting

Filippo Sona Managing DirectorGlobal Hospitality, Drees and Sommer

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

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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