RIDING THE RETROFITTING WAVE

Demand for better pumps and hydronic systems in retrofit projects has increased in the GCC region due to changes in legislation relating to building efficiency

By Indu Revikumar, Features Writer, Climate Control Middle East

GANGAPRASAD GuruRaja

Rao, Director, Regional Sales Development for Commercial Building Services (India, Middle East, Africa), Grundfos, says that the water pump market size in the GCC region is approximately AED 4.5 billion, with the pumps market for hydronic systems catering to comfort cooling estimated to be around AED 2 billion. Rao adds that the Saudi Arabia market size for water pumps is estimated to be approximately AED 1.8 billion, while the UAE market is approximately AED 1.2 billion. These are big numbers and inspire confidence.

Touching on the market preferences in the GCC region, Prashanth BS Iyengar, Head, Business Development & Marketing, Middle East & GCC Region, FJ Group, says that there is a rise in demand for smart pumps and hydronic systems, particularly in the buildings sector. “The GCC region,” he says, “is increasingly interested in smart technologies and automation, to improve performance and reduce energy use.” There is also a trend towards renewable energy sources, like solar power, and thus, an increase in demand for pumps and hydronic systems that are compatible with these technologies, he says. “It is also important to note that market preferences may vary due to local regulations, economic conditions and consumer demand,” he adds.

There has also been a rising demand for improved pumps and hydronic systems in HVAC retrofit projects in recent years, Iyengar says, adding that it can be attributed to several factors, including increasing concerns about energy efficiency, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. “Upgrading HVAC systems is a key solution to reduce energy consumption and operating costs,” he says. “Moreover, replacing inefficient pumps and hydronic systems with advanced models will result in substantial energy savings, reduce greenhouse gas emission as well as enhance the overall performance of the HVAC systems and sustainability.”

Kevin Laidler, Sales Director, Armstrong Fluid Technology, Middle East and Africa, also speaks about retrofitting opportunities aplenty. He highlights how Armstrong recently implemented a complete system retrofit for the Park Hyatt Hotel in Msheireb Downtown, in Doha, Qatar, among other retrofit projects.

Laidler says the demand for better pumps and hydronic systems in retrofit projects has increased in the GCC region due to changes in legislation regarding building efficiency. He says: “The UAE is, in fact, spearheading a retrofit movement to improve the energy performance of existing buildings and reduce carbon emissions. According to estimates, 30,000 buildings across Dubai will be retrofitted before the end of 2030, to achieve a 30% reduction in energy demand. The retrofits are predicted to save over USD 22.33 billion and reduce emissions by 1 million tCO2.” He also points out that retrofitting outdated pumps and hydronic systems has been flagged as the most effective place to start on the path to decarbonisation, given that air conditioning accounts for a staggering 50-70% of energy demand in cities, and that the average pumping efficiency around the world is less than 40%.

And like Iyengar, Laidler speaks of a significant shift in customer values towards more advanced technologies, such as the Pump Manager, an AIbased active performance management software that uses advanced cloud analytics to modulate system output and enable remote monitoring capabilities. “This demand for advanced products is increasing as customers recognise the long-term cost savings of investing in energy-efficient technologies, despite a higher upfront investment,” he says.

Weighing in on the topic of advanced pumping technologies, Rao says customers in the GCC region are open to newer technologies with highvalue proposition.

By way of further emphasising on advanced technologies, Laidler says:

“One of the latest advancements in pumps and hydronic systems is the variable control technology that can be mounted onto the pump using Parallel Sensorless technology. This innovative technology will enable pumps to operate at optimal efficiency, reduce wear and tear and extend the motor life cycle, reduce total power consumption and save additional costs.” He adds that one of the main benefits of Parallel Sensorless technology for local projects is the appropriate handling of redundancy.

For his part, Rao says distributed pumping technology is a paradigm shift in the hydronic systems, which can make the system up to 30% more efficient than the conventional variable primary systems.

Another advancement, he says, is the IE5 permanent magnet motor, which is approximately 10% more efficient than the IE3 motor. He adds, “These innovations make the buildings efficient by having high pumping performance, which further helps the countries to have