ASHRAE invites early registration for its Winter Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 09 September 2022: ASHRAE said registration is now open for the 2023 ASHRAE Winter Conference, from February 4 to 8 in ASHRAE’s global headquarters city, Atlanta, Georgia. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said registration for the conference provides entry to the co-sponsored  AHR Expo, scheduled to take place from February 6 to 8 at the Georgia World Congress Center.

“Each year, the ASHRAE Winter Conference and AHR Expo provide built environment professionals with industry-leading events and experiences and the best resources and presenters to deliver cutting-edge knowledge to address today’s challenges,” said 2022-23 ASHRAE President, Farooq Mehboob. “Attending the Winter Conference and AHR Expo provides a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, make new professional connections and inspire innovative thinking. We are thrilled to return to our global headquarters city and look forward to a successful event.”

According to ASHRAE, the Winter Conference Technical Program will offer more than 80 technical sessions, within nine tracks. Professional development hours can be earned for all sessions and most online sessions upon successfully completing a short quiz, ASHRAE said.

According to ASHRAE, the complete technical programme will be available in the fall of 2022. The tracks include:

• Fundamentals & Applications
• HVAC&R Systems and Equipment
• Refrigerants and Refrigeration
• Grid Resilience and Thermal Storage
• Pathways to Zero Energy Emissions and Decarbonisation
• Multifamily and Residential Buildings
• Operations and Maintenance
• Building Simulation and Virtual Design in Construction
• Innovative Responses to Supply Chain Challenges (mini track)

In addition to the technical program and AHR Expo, attendees can look forward to updates from Society leaders, general and technical tours around Atlanta and social events, including the Welcome Party at the Georgia Aquarium, ASHRAE said, adding that leading up to and during the conference, it will also conduct business, committee and technical meetings.

ASHRAE said President Mehboob will provide an update on the 2022-23 Society theme, “Securing Our Future”. Members will be recognised for their industry and Society accomplishments, ASHRAE said, adding that major contributors to ASHRAE will also be recognised.

According to ASHRAE, the cost to attend the conference in-person is USD 680 for ASHRAE members (USD 935 for non-members, which includes an ASHRAE membership for one year). Early bird discounts are available for registrations completed prior to October 30, ASHRAE said.

The cost to attend the conference virtually is USD 410 for ASHRAE members (USD 460 for non-members, which includes an ASHRAE membership for one year), ASHRAE said, adding that those interested may register at visit ashrae.org/2023winter.

Camfil introduces Chief Airgonomics Officer Initiative

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 07 September 2022: Camfil introduced the Chief Airgonomics Officer initiative (CAO), which calls on organisations across the globe to take 100% accountability over the indoor air people breathe. Making the announcement through a Press release, Camfil said the brand-new initiative prompts organisations to act by appointing Chief Airgonomics Officers (CAOs), who will be The Voice of Clean Air at their workspace. Inspired by the study of ergonomics, the newly coined term, Airgonomics refers to the burgeoning discipline that seeks to maximise the benefits of healthy air for the protection of people, processes and the planet, Camfil said.

In light of the recent adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution declaring “access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment a universal human right” on July 28, 2022, the CAO initiative seeks to put into practice those actions that need to be taken to ensure that workplaces everywhere ensure access to clean, healthy and sustainable environments through the improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ).

On July 28, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring “access to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment a universal human right”. In parallel, the 2021 publication of updated World Health Organization (WHO) Global Air Quality Guidelines concluded that “…the burden of disease attributable to air pollution is now estimated to be on a par with other major global health risks, such as unhealthy diet and tobacco smoking, and air pollution is now recognised as the single biggest environmental threat to human health”. The CAO initiative shares the vision of realising universal access to clean, healthy and sustainable environments and is taking its first steps to bring this to life by first tackling IAQ at workplaces, Camfil said. The initiative has a long-term vision of forging a global movement to ensure access to clean indoor air everywhere, Camfil added.

Nearly every facet of operating a company has a person in charge – from the HR director, who drives the talent strategy to the CEO, who provides the overall direction of business operations, Camfil said. Yet, despite the direct impact of air on people’s health, well-being and productivity, IAQ continues to be treated as an afterthought, Camfil said.

According to Camfil, a 2022 survey it carried out confirms this showing that six in 10 either do not know who is in charge of IAQ at their workplace, or their organisation does not have anyone accountable over this invisible issue. Camfil said it is leading the way, having appointed the world’s first global CAO to ensure all Camfil locations worldwide have clean indoor air.

Mark Simmons, CEO, Camfil, said: “With Chief Airgonomics Officers, we will create healthier and happier workplaces by ensuring accountability is taken by qualified individuals with the authority to make real change happen. That’s why I am thrilled that Camfil has its own CAO to ensure that clean indoor air gets the attention it deserves everywhere we operate and also to demonstrate leadership when it comes to creating healthy work environments.

“I strongly encourage every organisation to pay attention to the indoor air quality in their premises. By participating in the CAO initiative, your organisation can ensure that the quality of your indoor air is never overlooked again – for the health and wellbeing of your people.”

Danfoss raises sales expectations for 2022

NORDBORG, Denmark, 23 August 2022: Danfoss is transforming, with half-year results setting a strong foundation to deliver on Core & Clear Strategy 2025. In the first six months of 2022, Danfoss said through a Pres release, it grew by EUR 1.6 billion, reaching EUR 4.9 billion in sales. The acquired hydraulics business added sales of EUR 1.1 billion, while organic growth was 13%, the company said.

According to Danfoss, growth was broadly based across the major markets of North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, as well as in all three business segments. The Danfoss Power Solutions segment, which provides mobile and industrial hydraulics and electrification solutions, stood out with significant growth, the company said. Furthermore, the increasing demand for energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions, as well as power electronics, was driving a growing demand for technologies from Danfoss Climate Solutions and Danfoss Drives, it added.

On July 15, 2022, Danfoss signed an agreement to sell its Russian activities to local management in Russia. Closing of the transaction is expected in September 2022, the company said. Danfoss said it continued significant investments in innovation (R&D), up 38% from the first half, last year. At the same time, Danfoss said, it delivered a 27% increase in operating profits with EBITA of EUR 570 million. Net profit amounted to EUR 289 million, negatively impacted by the write-down of net assets related to the Russia exit, it added.

Kim Fausing, President & CEO, Danfoss, said: “Danfoss is transforming at full speed, and I am very pleased with the outstanding teamwork and strong performance of our teams around the world, despite the challenging times. With the transformational half-year results, we are setting a strong foundation to deliver on our Core & Clear Strategy 2025, fueled by bold investments for our long-term success. In a challenging business environment, we maintained our strong growth momentum, while keeping the integration of the hydraulics business well on track. On top of this, we closed the Semikron Danfoss transaction. The world is on the tip of an electrification revolution, and with this, we take an important step building a leading position. With the results for the first half and the closing of the Semikron transaction, we have raised our sales expectations for 2022.

“We have taken a big and bold step to put sustainability at the center of our Core & Clear 2025 strategy. The new ESG ambitions are clear, and our climate targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. We are energized by our promise to be the leading technology partner for our customers, decarbonizing through energy efficiency, machine productivity, low emissions, and electrification. Danfoss has never been better positioned to deliver on our purpose to engineer tomorrow to build a better future.”

Thailand gears up to host ‘Bangkok RHVAC 2022’, ‘Bangkok E&E 2022’

BANGKOK, Thailand, 3 August 2022: The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, in collaboration with the Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Club; the Electricals, Electronics, Telecommunications and Allied Industry Club; and the Federation of Thai Industries, will be hosting Bangkok Refrigeration, Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning 2022 (Bangkok RHVAC 2022) and Bangkok Electric and Electronics 2022 (Bangkok E&E 2022) from September 7 to 10 at BITEC, Bangkok.

Bangkok RHVAC and Bangkok E&E are organised under one roof and are the largest trade show in Southeast Asia for refrigeration, air conditioning, electrical and electronic products, the organisers said.

The September event will be the first event since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. With that as the background, the event will, therefore, return under the theme, ‘New Innovations for New Global Challenges’, to showcase the complete range of innovative products and services that answer the world’s challenges, such as pandemics and environmental issues, the organisers said.

Visitors would have the opportunity to meet top manufacturers of residential and commercial air conditioning products; major brands with expertise in designing and constructing cold storage facilities, convenience stores and refrigeration systems; companies with expertise in compressors for cooling systems; and manufacturers of controls systems and materials for the cooling industry as well as leading manufacturers of home appliances, audio and visual appliances, industrial/power supply, IT and OA, lighting, parts and accessories, in over 400 booths, the organisers said. 

They also would be able to meet and connect with several potential partners for business matching, the organisers said. In addition, they would be able to exchange and enhance their knowledge with technological experts and gain more fruitful experience, the organisers added.

The trade shows will be open for trade visitors on all four days; the general public would be invited to shop and visit the exhibition booths on the last two days of the event, the organisers said, adding that those interested in visiting the shows could visit www.bangkok-rhvac.com and www.bangkok-electricfair.com, and further, pre-register to visit the trade show at https://pre.eventthai.com/publics/create/visitor/rhe22/step1

Leminar signs water heater distribution deal with Rheem

DUBAI, UAE, 2 August 2022: Leminar Air Conditioning Company signed a distribution agreement with Rheem to become channel partner of the latter’s portfolio of water heaters and air heaters. Making the announcement through a Press release, Leminar said the agreement fortifies the three-decade-long collaboration between the two companies, expanding its portfolio of cooling solutions to include efficient water and air heating offerings.

Leminar said that Rheem, founded in 1925, made its foray into the manufacturing of water heaters in the 1930s, boasting coast-to-coast distribution across the American continent by 1936. Now the largest manufacturer of water heating products in North America, Rheem’s products are available in over 80 countries and span residential and commercial heating and cooling; conventional and hybrid storage-style water heaters; tankless water heaters; solar water heating systems; hydronic and geothermal systems and indoor air quality accessories — making it one of the most-trusted one-stop-shop air and water comfort solution providers, Leminar said.

Commenting on the partnership, Brian Hempenstall, Managing Director, Rheem (MEA), said: “Rheem is ever proud to be partnering with Leminar Air Conditioning Company again. The distributorship agreement will enable Rheem to ensure the availability of premium air and water heating solutions for customers in the UAE while enabling us to further expand our market presence through Leminar’s extensive distribution channels.”

Speaking on the agreement, Pramodh Idicheria, Chief Operating Officer, Leminar Global, said: “We are incredibly happy to fortify our over thirty-year-long successful collaboration with Rheem through our latest distributorship agreement. The partnership will enable both companies to continue to jointly cater to the needs of the UAE market and bring a more extensive selection of futuristic air and water turnkey solutions to the region through Rheem’s wide range of products in both sectors. We look forward to replicating the success story we had in the air-conditioning arena for water heating products segment, as well.”

Kartik Raval, General Manager, Leminar Air Conditioning Company, said: “Leminar’s partnership with Rheem will allow it to offer innovative and sustainable water heating solutions, including residential, central, solar, heat pumps and commercial water heaters to the community in the UAE. The agreement will enhance Leminar’s ability to meet the growing requirements of the HVAC & plumbing industries while offering seamless one-stop-shop water and air solutions to our customers.”

Daikin expands ME VRV production with new factory in Turkey

DUBAI, UAE, 1 August 2022: The global HVAC VRV market size was valued at USD 12.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 29.2 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 11.5%. To meet the increasing demand, Daikin announced that it has invested 13 million euros to start the production of VRV systems for the Middle East at its new factory in Turkey, which has been operational since May 2022. Making the announcement through a Press release, Daikin said the decision is based on its strategy to manufacture closer to the regional markets, ultimately shortening supply lead times and, furthermore, enabling it to respond to demand in a flexible manner.

The EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) market for HVAC-R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) systems is expected to see a strong growth over the next few years, Daikin said. The strong increase in demand is mainly driven by the need for sustainable solutions, which are in line with changes across legislations within the region, Daikin said. This is particularly the case for heat pumps, which are posing to be one of the effective solutions to decarbonise buildings, Daikin said, adding that it is in the process of strengthening its current production capacity to ensure this growing demand can be met.

VRV systems are air conditioning appliances, which can heat or cool medium to large commercial buildings, Daikin said. These systems use heat pump technology to allow multiple indoor units to be connected to one outdoor unit, Daikin said.

The company said it introduced VRV systems back in 1982, as an innovative technology that enables each room of a building to be heated or cooled individually rather than the entire unit all at once, realising considerably higher energy efficiencies.

Tuna Gulenc, Vice President of Daikin MEA, said: “VRV is one of our key strategic business pillars within the MEA region. Over the years, and with our unique and differentiated product specs, seasonal efficiency, and system flexibility, we have secured several mega projects from residential compounds, schools and other commercial spaces. With the additional factory closer to our region, we will be able to serve the market faster, accelerate our expansion plans, and further strengthen our VRV leadership.”

According to Daikin, the new VRV production lines at the Turkish factory are equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology to optimise sustainability, efficiency and quality control. The factory has also been equipped with an energy-saving exhaust-heat-recovery system, Daikin said. With the introduction of the new facility, Daikin said it reinforces the company’s vision to produce high-quality products for the Middle East, while reducing its environmental impact.

Hasan Önder, CEO, Daikin Turkey, added: “We are very proud to be able to provide high-quality and energy-efficient products to the Middle Eastern markets. The VRV market across the region is expected to grow further in the future. We will be delivering the products that meet this growing demand and are fully adapted to the needs of our climate.”

In addition, Daikin said, its factory in Belgium, which has so far focused its production on VRV systems, will increase its production of heat pumps, which are rapidly gaining popularity across the region. These initiatives, the company said, will enable it to strengthen the manufacturing capacity across EMEA and achieve the targets of the company’s strategic management plan “FUSION 25”.

UL Solutions is BridgeBuilding Partner of 2022 Eurovent Summit

BRUSSELS, CARUGATE, 19 July 2022: UL Solutions has become an official BridgeBuilding Partner (sponsor) of the 2022 Eurovent Summit, scheduled to take place from October 25 to 28 in Antalya, Turkey, Eurovent said through a Press release.

According to Eurovent, UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings that support customers’ product innovation and business growth.

Eurovent said UL Solutions will assume an active role in the Summit’s flagship event, Eurovent Innovation/HUB, focused on #BuildingBridges between innovation and sustainability. Dustin Steward, Director and Global Industry Lead for Appliances, HVAC, and Components, UL Solutions, will contribute to the event with a keynote speech dedicated to lower-GWP refrigerants, Eurovent said.

Steward said: “While low-GWP refrigerants are more environmentally friendly, manufacturers must be mindful of the additional layers of risk involved in their use. As a leading independent safety science organisation, UL Solutions has conducted extensive research on flammable refrigerants and has developed thorough expertise to support manufacturers during the design of their next-generation products.

“Among UL’s available services, in fact, there is the unique Modelling and Simulation programme that helps us to predict flammable refrigerant behaviour in circuits and potentially critical areas. Through this advanced analysis, manufacturers can lower the number of physical prototypes needed for certification tests. On top of that, a faster assessment of product design revisions meets both environmental and process acceleration issues that manufacturers committed to sustainability are pursuing.”

According to Eurovent, this year’s EUROVENTSUMMIT is co-organised with ISKID, the Turkish Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Manufacturers’ Association. It aims at #BuildingBridges between manufacturers and consultants, planners, installers, trade associations and policymakers between Europe, the East and beyond, towards more sustainable and circular products and a more socially and environmentally responsible industry, Eurovent said.

Among other activities, participants can look forward to a rich seminar programme focused on both ventilation and refrigeration, organised by ISKID and TTMD (Turkish Society of HVAC and Sanitary Engineers), with involvement from UL Solutions in English and Turkish, Eurovent said. There will also be an interactive policy panel on the first night, Eurovent said, which will connect many different stakeholders in the industry.

Waterloo Filtration Institute inducts Dr. Iyad Al-Attar to its Advisory Board

TORONTO, Canada, 18 July 2022: Waterloo Filtration Institute (WFI) inducted Kuwait-based independent air filtration consultant, Dr Iyad Al-Attar, to its Advisory Board.

WFI said Dr Al-Attar received his engineering degrees (BSc, MSc, Ph.D.) from the University of Toronto, Canada; Kuwait University, Kuwait; and Loughborough University, United Kingdom, respectively. His area of expertise focuses on the design and performance of high-efficiency filters for HVAC and land-based gas turbine applications, particularly on the chemical and physical characterisation of airborne particles, WFI said. As a climate advocate and environmental enthusiast, he is currently active in researching sustainable urban development and climate change with several academic institutions, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School, WFI added.

WFI said Dr Al-Attar is a columnist in the EUROVENT Middle East newsletter, Climate Control Middle East magazine and ES Engineering, USA. He has authored many articles on air filter design, performance, particle characterisation and climate change, WFI said. His extensive lectures, consultation for international firms in HVAC and land-based gas turbine fields, and broad publications have proved invaluable to air filtration, aerosol monitoring, and outdoor and indoor air quality fields, WFI said. Kyung Hee University has recognised Dr Al-Attar in South Korea for his keynote lecture on the fundamentals of air filtration technologies, WFI said, adding that Dr Al-Attar is an editorial reviewer/referee in the Filtration Society (UK) and the Journal of Cleaner Production.

WFI said its mission is to support the growth of the global filtration industry and advance the sciences and technologies of filtration and separation processes for a clean, healthy and sustainable world. It said it was thrilled to have Dr Al-Attar on the WFI Advisory Board, adding that it expected him to be an asset as it continues to work towards promoting a cleaner environment for a healthier and better world.

Cubigel Compressors celebrates 60 years of experience

BARCELONA, SPAIN, 13 July 2022: Cubigel Compressors of Huayi Group, the Spain-based compressor manufacturer, released a new brand positioning strategy, titled ‘Cooling Expert+’ for the commercial refrigeration industry, in commemoration of its 60th anniversary, on June 28, 2022, during Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE), in Milan, Italy.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Cubigel said the strategy strengthens its brand positioning and image, focusing on ‘Cooling Expert+’ to fully sublimate the positioning of the expert with a 60-year heritage in the refrigeration industry and as a provider of overall solutions for the whole industry.

In the MCE special session of the 60th anniversary, Cubigel invited important customers from the world over to participate in the launch ceremony of its new brand positioning strategy, held under the auspices of Pedro Olalla, Sales and R&D Director, Huayi Compressor Barcelona. The ceremony included a screening of a video of Cubigel Compressors’ 60 years of industry experience. Subsequently, Tao Wen, Deputy General Manager, Huayi Compressor Barcelona, delivered the Keynote Address on four core values and in-depth connotations of the brand’s new proposition to customer representatives from around the world.

Cubigel said it not only provides reliable light-commercial refrigeration compressors but also overall services for its products, by combining Huayi Group’s strong Chinese manufacturing capabilities with its own local advantages from its base in Spain. Cubigel said that after being acquired by Huayi Group, it improved its overall production capacity and supporting service capabilities, successfully expanded its larger-scale loyal customer base and became a truly trustworthy global light-commercial refrigeration expert.

Cubigel said that in order to be the ‘Cooling Expert+’ for green light-commercial refrigeration, it attaches great importance to natural refrigerants, low-energy-consumption green solutions and related product innovations. The company said that its strong R&D capabilities allows its Green Cooling compressor series to be constantly updated and upgraded.

It further said that its R&D infrastructure has helped it overcome technical bottlenecks to meet the requirements of green refrigeration experts. At the same time, it added, it has been actively responding to industry trends and substantially expanding the application range of natural refrigerants through its product upgrades.

In addition, the company said, it aims to be the Cooling Expert+ with the most complete product range. It said it has a complete product portfolio in the market with a wide choice of displacements – from 1.4 to 42 cc – with refrigerants such as propane (R290) and isobutane (R600a), owing to its strong R&D team and 60 years of presence in Chinese and European markets. Meeting the needs of light-commercial refrigeration applications, its complete product line provides customers with convenience and choice in the process of customised selection under various working conditions, it claimed.  

Cubigel said it also aims to be the ‘Cooling Expert+’ in innovation. The company pointed out that it has been proceeding with innovations in compressor specifications, such as displacement, cooling capacity and noise levels, in addition to incorporating other cutting-edge technologies in materials, design and manufacturing processes.

The ceremony at MCE also included speeches from customers from various countries, who shared testimonies from over the years and commented on the release of the new brand proposition.

Yang said the release of the new brand strategy is not only a sublimation of Cubigel’s brand positioning but is also a process of pursuing excellence as an industry expert from R&D and production to services. Cubigel products and services, he said, embody the company’s advantages in various aspects to consolidate the brand identity of ‘Global Expert+ for Light Commercial Refrigeration’, aiming to provide the industry with the most cutting-edge and most complete solutions. Cubigel, he added, will open up new thinking and explore new paths to grow into a sustainable and socially responsible brand.

WEG reports developing custom smoke extraction motors

JARAGUÁ DO SUL, Santa Catarina, Brazil, 7 July 2022: Motor manufacturer, WEG said it has supplied custom motors for the new smoke extractor product line from ECE Cogemacoustic, a global ventilation expert based in France. Making the announcement through a Press release, WEG said it has engineered a customised version of the W22 motor to ensure the ECE Cogemacoustic equipment can preserve air quality in public environments in the event of a fire.

According to WEG, the new W22 motor is designed specifically for this market segment, and is able to work in extreme conditions. The motor can guarantee an effective and reliable operation in a temperature up to 400 degrees C during a two-hour time frame, while operating in accordance with international standards, the company claimed.

The line of motors has several optional features, such as the possibility of supplying the terminal boxes loose connected to the motor through flying leads, or supplying the motor without a fan or fan cover, in order to make the product even more compact, WEG said.

According to WEG, the creation of the customised motor came as a result of a partnership between WEG Portugal and ECE Cogemacoustic, facilitated by WEG group subsidiary, WEG France. WEG Portugal manufactures smoke extraction motors for the European market at its facility in Porto, and specialises in this particular range, the company said.

“Particularly in the event of fire, these products are intended to operate mostly on subways and tunnels,” said Patricia Guedes, Head of Marketing and Communication, WEG Portugal, registered as WEGeuro Indústria Eléctrica. “These motors are essential to ensure the proper operation on high temperature environments, contributing to the safety of people and preservation of the air quality.

“Our supply meets the customer project requirements for this demanding market segment, which strives [for] a very high degree of security and reliability. Once more, this achievement proves WEG’s expertise in supplying customized solutions to major worldwide projects.”

Carrier celebrates 100th anniversary of Founder’s invention of centrifugal chiller

DUBAI, UAE, 30 June 2022: On the evening of May 22, 1922, Willis Haviland Carrier invited 300 people to a sheet metal shop in Newark, New Jersey, for a free meal and a boxing match, followed by the unveiling of the first centrifugal chiller technology, Carrier said through a June 30 Press release, adding that it celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the invention of the centrifugal chilling machine that in many ways made the modern world possible. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation.

 “[Willis] Carrier’s breakthrough invention opened the door to large-scale comfort air conditioning while improving the effectiveness of process cooling,” said Gaurang Pandya, President, Commercial HVAC, Carrier. “Each day we build on that legacy, innovating with purpose to create what’s next, get ahead of changing requirements, unleash the power of digital technology, run smarter with IoT and help customers deploy commercial HVAC solutions aligned tightly with their business objectives.”

Willis Carrier’s conception to combine a centrifugal refrigeration compressor with a shell, a new type of condenser and a chiller on one frame enhanced process cooling in factories around the world, Carrier said. Following the first installation of three centrifugal chillers at a Philadelphia chocolate factory in 1923, Willis Carrier’s innovation soon provided process cooling to rayon manufacturers in India and cracker factories in Mexico, the company said.

In 1924, Willis Carrier realized his dream of comfort cooling when the owners of a Detroit department store added centrifugal chillers, the company said. The centrifugal technology reliably and affordably delivered comfort air to the public in theaters, stores, restaurants, sports venues, ships, hospitals and office buildings, the company claimed.

A decade later, centrifugal refrigeration had driven process air into more than 200 industries, the company said. Food and beverage production became safer, hospitals were more comfortable and sanitary and new lifesaving drugs, such as penicillin, became possible, the company added.

By providing precise temperature and humidity, centrifugal chiller technology has supported the infrastructure of the modern digital age, including electronics of every type, semi-conductor chips, data centers and robotics, the company said. These new inventions and new technologies couldn’t have existed without it, it added.

Sathya Moorthi, Managing Director, Carrier Middle East, said: “Carrier has evolved over the years from being a manufacturer of cutting-edge equipment to providing solutions that harness the power of variable frequency drives and IoT, ensuring that business-critical activities run at peak effectiveness, and provide operational efficiencies and insights. This demonstrates our commitment to continuously improving energy efficiency while enhancing the comfort levels of the occupants in the harsh Middle East climate conditions.”

Carrier said that while the fundamental physics of centrifugal technology have not changed in a century, its engineers have never stopped driving new advancements in centrifugal chiller technology. Today, the Carrier AquaEdge 19DV water-cooled chiller provides world-class energy efficiency with its unique free cooling and heat recovery options that boost the total energy savings of the system while using ultra-low global warming potential refrigerant, the company added. The AquaEdge 19MV water-cooled chiller offers a wide operating range in a greatly reduced machine size to replace older chillers, the company said, adding that both machines feature its unique EquiDrive two-stage back-to-back compressor technology to dramatically reduce energy consumption.

Johnson Controls launches OpenBlue Pioneers Award

CORK, Ireland, 30 June 2022: Johnson Controls (JCI) announced the first winners of a new buildings’ innovation award, called OpenBlue Pioneers. Making the announcement through a Press release, JCI said each OpenBlue Pioneer has proven instrumental in driving the future of smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, and innovating with Johnson Controls’ AI-enabled OpenBlue technology to transform their spaces, businesses and communities. In recognition, the winners have each been awarded a Blueprint of the Future Industry Award, which recognises outstanding examples of visionary thinking and digital transformation, JCI said.

According to JCI, each OpenBlue Pioneer has proven instrumental in driving the future of smart, healthy and sustainable buildings.

The first recipients of the OpenBlue Pioneers award, JCI said, are:

BEEAH Headquarters, pioneering the path for offices of the future towards one of the world’s smartest workplaces

The BEEAH Headquarters, based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is a remarkable example of what can be achieved with visionary thinking. Featuring intelligent edge systems and software designed to optimise energy efficiency, the building is the first fully AI-integrated building in the Middle East. It is equipped to be net zero and operates to LEED platinum standards. Employees and visitors experience seamless interaction with the building at all times through OpenBlue Companion. Features include advanced facial recognition for seamless movement between spaces, frictionless access to promote the health and safety of employees, comfort control and intelligent concierge services to support day-to-day tasks. The building and its technologies manifest sustainability and digitalisation, BEEAH Group’s twin pillared strategy to pioneer a sustainable quality of life for all.

Chase Center, which enhances fans’ health, comfort and safety through one intelligent platform

The Chase Center, based in San Francisco, California, in the United States, is a state-of-the-art, future-focused LEED Gold-certified sports and entertainment centre. Partnering with Johnson Controls, the Chase Center optimises the digital capabilities of its equipment, systems and connected technologies through Metasys building automation system, communicating data in real time and powering smart building decisions as well as reducing energy and the arena’s carbon footprint. The connected suite of solutions included in the OpenBlue Healthy Buildings offerings enhance fan health, comfort and safety.

The village of Patchogue, which is setting the gold standard for community revitalisation

The visionary village of Patchogue, located on Long Island, New York, in the United States, is preserving a green tomorrow for future generations with smart environmental solutions. Showcasing a future-focused mindset and a passion to preserve natural resources, improve quality of life, and protect the ecosystem, the village of Patchogue will save USD 8.2 million in the next 25 years through Johnson Controls’ energy-efficient upgrades to HVAC, lighting and temperature control systems.

The Powerhouse Alliance: The world’s northernmost net energy-positive building

Powerhouse Brattørkaia in Trondheim, Norway, is a true model for transformational design and development worldwide. As the most net energy-positive building in the northern hemisphere, it sets a new standard for buildings by focusing on environmental considerations and reducing its carbon footprint. Powerhouse, a Norwegian collaboration set up to drive innovation in energy, collaborated with Johnson Controls to build a net energy-positive smart building – that is, a building that produces more energy than it consumes.

Colorado State University, Pueblo, becomes first campus in Colorado to reach “net zero electricity” with solar power

Through its visionary thinking, Colorado State University, Pueblo, has become greener, more independent and more resilient. This pioneering campus is leading the industry in sustainability and energy consumption and has far exceeded three of the four greening government goals. Powered by a 23-acre solar farm with battery storage that supplies 12M kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, they are the first campus in Colorado to reach net-zero electricity for all the academic facilities. Collaborating with Johnson Controls, they have created the net-zero campus of the future: A sustainable, energy-efficient and healthy environment that minimises energy costs for the next two decades and passes these savings on to their students and the community.

“The recognition of our first OpenBlue Pioneers casts a spotlight on some incredible businesses and organizations demonstrating outstanding leadership in transforming buildings globally,” said Rodney Clark, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Johnson Controls. “What they prove is that a concerted focus on decarbonization, electrification, efficiency and digitization can deliver net-zero buildings, alongside communities that are smarter, safer, more sustainable and affordable. This first group of OpenBlue Pioneers will be followed by many more as the momentum for the digital transformation of the built environment accelerates. It also proves that doing the right thing can be exactly the same as doing the sensible thing from a business perspective.”

Taqeef introduces first inverter window AC in the UAE

DUBAI, UAE, 30 June 2022: Midea launched its Wonder inverter window AC in the UAE today, Taqeef, its distributor in the region, said through a Press release. Branded as a window AC that cools like a split, the inverter unit offers all the sophistication of a wall-type unit – namely, efficiency, power, low noise and even Wi-Fi control – with the convenience of an ‘old school’ plug-and-play window unit, Taqeef claimed.

Unlike anything else offered in the region, the Midea Wonder AC is engineered with T3 compressor technology and is packed with a host of innovative tools and technology, compatible to the climate in the Middle East, which makes it more sustainable and more effective, Taqeef claimed.

According to Taqeef, its features include: 

• 34% faster cooling with Flash Cool feature
• 26% energy saving with inverter technology
• 63% wider range (with vertical and horizontal swing)
• Wi-Fi and voice control
• 4 times quieter than a traditional window unit

Hisham Abou Laban, Chief Operation Officer – Marketing and Overseas, Taqeef, said: “Consumer demand for more efficient cooling products is driving the pace of innovation in AC. It’s exciting to see some of the more traditional unit types being re-imagined for today’s conscious consumer. The Wonder AC combines the power and sophistication of a split with the simplicity of a window unit, and creates new market opportunities for window ACs that remain popular in the UAE.”

According to Taqeef, the Wonder AC offers a 63% wider cooling range through 10% larger than traditional window units, so consumers can enjoy even whole-room coverage and a further cooling distance of up to 9.5 metres. With enlarged rotation angles horizontally and vertically, it cools more than 63% wider than traditional window ACs, the company claimed.

Given the harsh climate in the Middle East, the AC features an innovative CoolFlash feature, which Taqeef described as thoughtfully developed for the market, and certified by the TÜV Rheinland. With one press of the CoolFlash button, the Midea Wonder AC can cool a room by 6 degrees C in 10 minutes, allowing users to instantly enjoy cool air 34% faster than traditional window units, the company claimed.*

Unlike other window ACs, the Midea Wonder AC is constructed to cut off the humming noise and achieve quiet operations as low as 39dB in low-fan mode, Taqeef said. Even in high fan mode, the unit remains four times quieter than traditional window units.*

Usually, traditional window ACs require manual operation, but the Midea Wonder AC is convenient and hassle-free to use, Taqeef said. The remote controller and wireless capabilities enable users to change the settings anytime, anywhere using the Midea MSmarthome App, or control the devices through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, Taqeef added.

Taqeef said the Midea Wonder AC is fully compliant with MoIAT standards and specifications, and is now available in the UAE via the Taqeef e-shop: https://shop.taqeef.com/collections/midea

 

*Lab tests verified by TÜV Rheinland (ID:1111247757)

*Data calculated based on ISO 3745-2010, ISO13261-1-1998

Giwee launches full DC inverter CHV Pro VRF

FOSHAN, Guangdong, China, 29 June 2022: Giwee has launched a full DC inverter CHV Pro VRF system, which the company described through a Press release as being suitable for, and as offering stable operation in, the Middle East region’s hot summer temperatures, reaching in excess of 50 degrees C.

With its high-quality components and superior structure design, the CHV Pro VRF series is quite suitable for T3 climatic conditions, the company claimed, adding that the T3 inverter technology, combined with high-efficiency condenser and refrigerant cooling technology, enables its maximum operating ambient temperature to reach 55 degrees C.

Giwee further said the CHV Pro Series DC Inverter VRF is suitable for heating and cooling of high-rise buildings, office buildings, hotels, apartments, hospitals and other places. The application enables long refrigerant pipe connections of up to 1,000 metres, and the height difference between the indoor unit of up to 110 metres makes the CHV Pro perfect for large projects, the company claimed.

According to Giwee, the single outdoor unit offers capacity ranges from 8 HP up to 32 HP. Four outdoor units can be combined in a VRF system to achieve maximum combination capacity up to 96 HP, the company said. Hundred indoor units, with capacity up to 130% of the total outdoor units’ capacity, can be connected in one VRF System, the company said, adding that the system is also equipped with functions such as centralised control, wireless communication, indoor and outdoor unit positioning and auto refrigerant status checking for easy maintenance.

Camfil highlights the value of the World IEQ Forum 2022

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 27 June 2022: One way to protect people from air pollution is to provide clean and healthy air inside of buildings, Camfil said through a Press release, dated June 27. This was the main conclusion at the 6th edition of the World IEQ Forum, held on March 16, in the Sweden Pavilion at the World Expo in Dubai, Camfil added.

The Expo may have concluded, but the topic of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) still remains a mainstream concern that is discussed globally, Camfil said, adding that there were two reasons for the 2022 World IEQ Forum having had an extra focus on IAQ:

• According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus between people is higher in poorly ventilated indoor settings.
• In September 2021, WHO published the first new version of their global Air Quality Guidelines since 2005.

“New scientific studies place the threshold of air pollution exposure considered harmful to human health 50% lower today compared to 17 years ago, when the previous WHO Air Quality Guidelines were published”, said Tobias Zimmer, Camfil’s Vice President of Global Product Management & International Standards. Tobias was a speaker and panellist at the World IEQ Forum.

Further, a recent WHO study states that 99% of the world’s population lives in areas with too much air pollution, Camfil pointed out. Air pollution that is causing serious human suffering in the form of diseases and millions of premature global deaths yearly and, on top of that, substantial economic costs, Camfil added.

“In the North African and Middle Eastern regions, air pollution is responsible for 270,000 deaths every year at a cost of 141 billion US Dollars, according to the World Bank”, Zimmer said. He went on to point out that most people today spend 90% of their time indoors and that the simplest and best way to achieve protection against harmful airborne particles is to invest in efficient air filtration solutions across all buildings.

“The need for quality air filtration is reflected via the much lower PM2.5 and PM10 threshold levels stated in WHO’s new Air Quality Guidelines,” Zimmer said. “These thresholds also align with Eurovent Guideline 4/23 for the selection of EN ISO 16890-rated air filter classes for general ventilation applications.”

At the same time, Zimmer was careful to emphasise that it is not possible to have a same-solution-fits-all approach to cleaning the indoor air. “Consensus at the World IEQ Forum was that every solution has to be tailored to where the building is located,” he said. “The outside air quality must determine the solution you have inside.” For example, he added, what works in a temperate zone might not be right in regions with high humidity. “The needs can also vary within a region,” he said. “Cities are more afflicted when it comes to air pollution than the countryside. Some cities are more polluted than others.”

According to Camfil, the World IEQ Forum is an opportunity for experts on IAQ, like Zimmer and his colleagues, to engage with, for example, representatives from the Ministry of Health and other influential representatives from various countries. “It is imperative that we continue to raise awareness around the urgent need to protect people from air pollution,” Zimmer said. “When you look at the human and financial costs on a global level, it is evident that we can’t afford not to protect ourselves.”

Zimmer said participants at the World IEQ Forum did not just talk about the importance of healthy IAQ. “We also demonstrated proof of concept by measuring the outside and inside air at the location during the EXPO,” Zimmer said. “Dubai’s outdoor air was 10 times more polluted than the WHO recommendations. The air inside the air-filtrated Sweden Pavilion was well below WHO limits for particle concentration.”

Zimmer said the effect of the clean indoor air in the Sweden Pavilion was visible to the naked eye. “After several hours of listening to me and other speakers, the audience was still fresh and alert,” he said. “So, you could say that we certainly ‘walked the talk’ when it comes to proving the benefits of clean, healthy and productive indoor air.”

ASHRAE welcomes 2022-23 President, officers and directors

ATLANTA, Georgia, 27 June 2022: ASHRAE introduced its 2022-23 Society President, executive committee officers and directors through a Press release.

Farooq Mehboob, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, will serve as the 2022-23 Society President, ASHRAE said. During his inaugural presidential address, Mehboob introduced the theme for the 2022-23 Society Year, “Securing Our Future”. According to ASHRAE, the theme examines how the crucial personal and professional events of the past can help us leverage relationships, knowledge and change, as the formula for making an impact and embracing our diverse world.

“What a heritage we possess!” Mehboob said. “ASHRAE should be proud. We all should be proud. It’s imperative that we continue to hunger for, and seek, information about our market, our changing world, and our technological advances. Breaking down silos and embracing change will infuse a new dynamism in our society at all levels, bringing to our members new knowledge, technology and tools in a timely fashion – helping them to successfully navigate the rapidly changing world.”

According to ASHRAE, Mehboob is a principal consultant for S. Mehboob & Company Consulting Engineers, in Karachi, Pakistan.

ASHRAE said elected officers, who will serve one-year terms, are as follows:

• President-Elect: Ginger Scoggins, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Principal, Engineered Designs Inc., Cary, North Carolina
• Treasurer:  Dennis Knight, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Principal, Whole Building Systems, LLC., Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
• Vice President: Billy Austin, P.E., BCxP, BEAP, BEMP, HBDP, HFDP, OPMP, Member ASHRAE, Principal, Shultz Engineering Group, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Vice President: Dunstan Macauley III, Member ASHRAE, Director of Mechanical Engineering, Setty & Associates, Rockdale, Maryland
• Vice President: Sarah Maston P.E., BCxP, Member ASHRAE, Director, Commissioning & Energy Services, Colliers Project Leaders, Hudson, Massachusetts
• Vice President: Ashish Rakheja, Member ASHRAE, Director/Chief Operating Officer, Aeon, Noida, India

According to ASHRAE, its newest Directors and Regional Chairs, who will serve three-year terms from 2022-2025, are:

• Region IV Director and Regional Chair: Bryan Holcomb, Member ASHRAE, Vice President Sales & Preconstruction, Environmental Air Systems, Oak Ridge, North Carolina

• Region V Director and Regional Chair: James Arnold, P.E., Member ASHRAE, engineer, Gutridge, Dublin, Ohio
• Region VI Director and Regional Chair: Susanna Hanson, Member ASHRAE, Application Engineer, Trane, La Crosse, Wisconsin
• Region XII Director and Regional Chair: John Constantinide, P.E., Member ASHRAE, Energy Manager, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Merritt Island, Florida
• Region XIII Director and Regional Chair: Cheng Wee Leong, P.E., Member ASHRAE, Director, Method Engineering Pte. Ltd., Singapore

ASHRAE also introduced its newest Directors-at-Large (DALs) as follows:

• Blake Ellis, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Principal, Burns & McDonnell, Overland Park, Kansas
• Luke Leung, P.E., Member ASHRAE, Sustainable Engineering Practice Leader, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, Clarendon Hills, Illinois
• Wei Sun, P.E., Member ASHRAE, President, Engsysco, Ann Arbor, Michigan

 

Science Based Targets initiative approves Danfoss’ climate targets

NORDBORG, Denmark, 23 June 2022: Danfoss said its science-based target has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Elaborating, Danfoss said the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated that the corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets submitted by Danfoss A/S are in conformance with the SBTi Criteria and Recommendations (version 4.2).

According to Danfoss, the science-based target provides a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce GHG emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement and to help prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

The SBTi’s Target Validation Team has determined that Danfoss’ scope 1 and 2 target ambition is in line with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C. As part of the science-based target, Danfoss said, it will reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by at least 46.2% by 2030 from a 2019 base year. In addition, Danfoss has committed to being carbon neutral in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. Danfoss said it will reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 15% in the same time frame.

Kim Fausing, President & CEO, said: “We have built a strong foundation to achieve our science-based target, an important pillar of Danfoss’ new 2030 ESG ambition. Our science-based target expands our GHG emissions reduction goals beyond our own business, across the entire value chain. It reflects our continued dedication to taking action on climate change and becoming the preferred decarbonization partner to our suppliers and customers.”

Danfoss announced in March 2022 that it had reached its 2030 target of doubling the energy productivity in its factories globally – nine years ahead of time. Energy productivity improved by 104% in 2021 from the baseline year 2007, and energy intensity was halved between 2007 and 2021, Danfoss said, adding that it produced twice the output in 2021 as in 2007, with the same energy consumption. Subsequently, Danfoss had said it would put sustainability at the centre of its Core & Clear 2025 strategy and has the ambition to take leading positions in decarbonisation, circularity, diversity and inclusion.

Martin Rossen, SVP, Head of Group Communication & Sustainability, Danfoss, credited by the company as responsible for developing Danfoss’ ESG strategy and setting the ambition for reducing emissions across the business, said: “The validation of our science-based target confirms that Danfoss’ climate ambitions are in line with science and the goals of the Paris Agreement. But it’s more than order in our own house. Customers, employees, and the public increasingly demand transparency and reward action on ESG. For good reasons. Companies can’t simply get away with saying that they act, they need to document it. The science-based target provides a level playing field. It gives a competitive edge to the companies that truly care and take action. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said, ‘Who cares wins’, and we believe that companies that care will win.”

Danfoss said it is on track to making its 250,000 m2 headquarters in Nordborg, near the city of Sønderborg, carbon neutral in scope 1 and 2 in 2022 by implementing available energy efficiency solutions and sourcing renewable electricity and heating.

The Danfoss headquarters campus was one of the field trips taken by ministers during the International Energy Agency’s 7th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in the City of Sønderborg, Denmark, which ran from June 7 to 9. Dubbed “The Global Capital of Energy Efficiency” by Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director, IEA, Sønderborg acted as a global showcase of energy-efficient solutions when more than 300 leading politicians, government officials and business leaders joined the conference on energy efficiency.

JCI acquires Tempered Networks

CORK, Ireland, 23 June 2022: Johnson Control (JCI) acquired zero trust cybersecurity provider – Tempered Networks, based in Seattle, Washington. According to JCI, Tempered Networks has created ‘Airwall’ technology, an advanced self-defence system for buildings that enables secure network access across diverse groups of endpoint devices, edge gateways, cloud platforms and service technicians. It represents a step-change in operational technology built on secure transmission pipelines to ensure buildings data exchanges and service actions can only take place between people and devices that are continuously authenticated, JCI said.

JCI said the acquisition gives it the capability to provide zero trust security within the fabric of its OpenBlue secure communications stack, advancing its vision of enabling fully autonomous buildings that are inherently resilient to cyberattack.  

Tempered Networks Airwall technology uses the Host Identity Protocol and a cloud-based policy orchestration platform to create new overlay networks built on encrypted and authenticated communication, JCI said. The policy manager – also known as the conductor – enforces configured digital policies that control connections within the cloaked overlay system, JCI said. The default position for the policy manager is ‘zero trust’ – that is, only allowing connections between continuously authenticated and authorized entities, JCI said. Once a communicating device authenticates itself correctly, an encrypted tunnel is created through which data flows. According to JCI, the advantages of this cybersecurity technique are as follows:

• The creation of an always-on and software-defined security perimeter protecting device-to-device, device-to-cloud and device-to-user interactions. Airwall achieves this by using Host Identity Protocol to create a cloaked and micro-segmented network, which overlays a building’s existing network infrastructure, making the solution also highly cost-effective.
• A new level of authentication for connected building systems, allowing for greater system automation of functions, such as heating and cooling, lighting, security and airflows.

“When it comes to buildings, we must create easily implementable cybersecurity defenses, as we’re often dealing with critical infrastructure, including assets such as data centers and hospitals,” said Vijay Sankaran, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Johnson Controls. “Tempered Networks Airwall approach is purpose-built for our sector as it’s designed around principles of zero trust, securing device communications as data moves between devices and the cloud – so enabling remote building optimization in the most trusted way possible.”  

JCI said it is integrating Tempered Networks Airwall technology into its OpenBlue platform, which is increasingly recognized as a leading smart building software platform with advanced AI-enabled building management capabilities. According to JCI, OpenBlue provides a flexible computing approach for converging building technologies and making those technologies more insightful, powerful, and optimized through edge AI and through full Machine Learning in the cloud. The ultimate goal, JCI said, is to make all buildings smarter, healthier and more sustainable.

“Digital transformation is the primary way we’ll make the world’s buildings more autonomous and resilient,” said Bryan Skene, Chief Technology Officer, Tempered Networks. “Being acquired by Johnson Controls allows us to fully integrate our Airwall technology into their software stack, providing an advanced security platform for a range of edge to cloud applications. Our ambition, now that we’re part of Johnson Controls, is that building systems everywhere can be managed from anywhere and remain secure from cyber threats.”

ASHRAE, U.S. DoE sign renewed MoU agreement

ATLANTA, Georgia, 23 June 2022: ASHRAE and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DoE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), agreeing to further their long-term relationship, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

Mick Schwedler, 2021-22 ASHRAE President and Kelly Speakes-Backman, DOE Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, signed the MoU in early June. According to ASHRAE, the agreement defines parameters on how ASHRAE and the DOE will collaborate more closely to continue to advance and promote mutual interests.

“With ASHRAE’s focus on building decarbonization and resilience, we are pleased to continue our partnership with the Department of Energy, as we share our knowledge base in the built-environment on a larger scale and work towards a more sustainable world,” Schwedler said.

ASHRAE and DOE seek to work cooperatively on the following:

• Advance decarbonization of the building sector by increasing the energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings beginning with the construction phase throughout the building’s life, including operation and maintenance;
• Increase the grid-interactivity of buildings by advancing grid-flexibility, flexible energy storage, and renewables integration into buildings;
• Promote more resilient, efficient buildings through the adoption of advanced building standards and codes, including supporting innovative code approaches in the model code development, building performance standards, and zero energy codes;
• Increase compliance with the latest building energy codes by supporting States in understanding the latest codes;
• Improve building resiliency and keeping occupants safe;
• Develop the workforce of the HVACR and associated sectors, including through increasing diversity and advancing training to support decarbonization; and
• Improve overall building performance, including for occupants’ health and well-being.

Camfil Svenska receives Gold from EcoVadis

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 22 June 2022: Camfil Svenska AB received a sustainability Gold Rating by EcoVadis, the company announced through a Press release. It can be difficult for companies to verify on their own and know for sure how sustainable they actually are. That is where EcoVadis plays a key role, Camfil Svenska said, adding that it decided to partner with EcoVadis to get a professional and independent appraisal of its sustainability level.

According to Camfil Svenska, EcoVadis’ methodology is built on international sustainability standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the United Nations Global Compact and ISO 26000. Companies all over the world rely on EcoVadis’ powerful technology platform for monitoring and improving their sustainability performance, Camfil Svenska said.

Camfil Svenska said that after a thorough assessment process, EcoVadis awarded it with a Gold Rating in the category, ‘Manufacturer of Special-Purpose Machinery Industry’.

“We are very pleased with the EcoVadis rating, especially since it confirms our commitment to sustainability and that we as a company are developing in the right direction,” said Åsa Lindström, Director Sustainability & Quality, Camfil Svenska.

To arrive at its sustainability ratings, EcoVadis applies a universal scorecard along with a number of performance improvement tools, Camfil Svenska said. “We performed well in the various categories,” Lindström said. “In the overall score, Camfil Svenska AB is in the top one per cent of companies rated by Ecovadis in the Manufacture of special-purpose machinery industry. In the Environment category, Camfil Svenska AB is among the top one per cent of companies rated by Ecovadis in the Manufacture of special-purpose machinery industry.”

According to Camfil Svenska, it is ranked in the top in other categories, as well:

• Among companies in the Manufacture of special-purpose machinery Industry, Camfil Svenska AB is in the top six per cent of companies for Labour and Human Rights category.
• Camfil Svenska AB is in the top six per cent of companies rated by Ecovadis in the Manufacture of special purpose machinery industry for Sustainable Procurement category and in the top four per cent of companies in the for the Ethics category.

Lindström said: “Working with EcoVadis helps us be more sustainable. Working with Ecovadis helps us and our stakeholders be more sustainable. We can share our score cards and improve together. We can share our score cards with stakeholders and improve together.”

eurammon Symposium 2022 again online

FRANKFURT, Germany, 22 June 2022: eurammon, an association of companies, institutions, and individuals committed to the promotion and use of natural refrigerants, will hold its annual Symposium, titled ‘Journey to a naturally sustainable future’, from July 4 to 8 on a digital platform. Making the announcement through a Press release, eurammon said that as the digital format has been well received by participants in previous years, the event will again be held online over 5 days from 9am to 11.30am each morning. Registration for the Symposium is now open via e-mail to cornelia.roth@eurammon.com.  

Through online lectures and a virtual panel discussion, the industry will look at the importance of its products for a sustainable and energy-efficient economy, eurammon said. “Natural refrigerants will play an important role in creating a sustainable future for our planet,” said Rob Lamb of Star Refrigeration Ltd., and Chairman of the Steering Committee of eurammon e.V. “The eurammon 2022 online symposium builds on the success of last year and looks at the use of natural fluids for cooling and heating applications across a wider range of industries.”  

According to eurammon, the subjects on Day One will help set the scene for the rest of the week. They will include the European Green Deal, the UK Institute of Refrigeration’s ‘Beyond Refrigeration’ initiative and developments in the use of ammonia as a fuel. Day Two will focus on regulatory news, dealing with the proposed changes to the EU F-gas regulation and providing updates on the IEC 60335-2-40 and EN378 standards, eurammon said. The remaining three days will look at the new technologies and case studies that are helping the industry move to a sustainable future, eurammon said.

“With the online symposium, we are reaching out to a global audience interested in natural refrigerants,” Lamb said. “The symposium is a chance to learn, ask questions and share knowledge. We look forward to many participants joining us from the 4 to 8 July.”

According to eurammon, the programme agenda is as follows…  

4 July – Keynote speeches

9:00 Welcome & greeting, Michael Freiherr, Chairman eurammon e. V.

9:10 Green Deal in Europe, Andrea Voigt, Danfoss A/S

9:55 Beyond Refrigeration, Graeme Maidment, Institute of Refrigeration

10:40 Break

10:45 Ammonia engine development for marine propulsion, Johan Kaltoft, MAN DK

11:30 Concluding remarks, Michael Freiherr

 

5 July – Policy and regulations update

9:00 Introduction, Michael Rabenstein, Evapco Europe GmbH

9:10 F-gas regulation, Cornelius Rhein, European Commission

9:40 Break

9:45 IEC 60335-2-40, Asbjørn Vonsild, Vonsild Consulting

10:15 European standardization for refrigerating systems using flammable refrigerants, especially standard series EN 378, Carsten Hoch, TÜV Süd Industrieservice GmbH

10:45 Break

10:50 Panel discussion: Cornelius Rhein, Asbjørn Vonsild, Carsten Hoch, Moderator: Michael Rabenstein

11:20 Concluding remarks, Michael Rabenstein

 

6 July – Natural refrigerants for the cold chain

9:00 Introduction, Lambert Kuijpers, A/genT Consultancy

9:10 Industrial refrigeration production plants: “Heat recovery, reduced CO2 emissions!”, Michael Elsen, Kreutzträger Kältetechnik GmbH & Co. KG

9:40 Break

9:45 Heat pump integration in a plant based meat solution factory and needs to achieve decarbonization from an end-user perspective, Vincent Grass, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.

10:15 Predicting annual refrigeration energy consumption in temperature-controlled facilities, Robert Lamb, Star Refrigeration Ltd.

10:45 Break

10:50 “Waterloop“ solutions for sustainable supermarkets – 100% propane for natural and efficient cooling and heating, Herbert Schupfer, Güntner Group Europe GmbH

11:20 Concluding remarks, Lambert Kuijpers

AHRI urges support for Water Heater Definition Bill

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 21 June 2022: On the eve of a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, leaders of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) today issued a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate energy committees seeking support for legislation (H.R. 7962/S. 4061) that would amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to clarify the definitions of residential and commercial water heaters, the Institute said through a Press release.

According to AHRI, the legislation corrects an error in a final test procedure rule for commercial water heaters, issued in November 2016 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that required manufacturers to rate some of those units using residential water heater efficiency standards. This created turmoil within the industry and resulted in property owners and small business owners spending resources to find alternative solutions, because the commercial water heating equipment that fit their needs was no longer available, AHRI added.

To permanently correct this error, a narrowly tailored technical amendment to the statutory EPCA definitions of water heaters is necessary, and these bills accomplish that task, AHRI said.

“America’s HVACR and water heating manufacturers, who make the most innovative, energy-efficient products available in the world today, are grateful to Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Marsha Blackburn R-TN), and Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Tim Walberg (R-MI) for their leadership in introducing this much-needed technical amendment,” said Stephen Yurek, President & CEO, AHRI. “This bipartisan bill will realign the legal definitions of commercial and residential water heating equipment enable more appropriate product choices for small businesses and provide business certainty for water heater manufacturers.”

Frick India Limited in MEA initiative

DUBAI, UAE, 17 June 2022: Frick India Limited (FIL) has appointed Iisham Tech International as authorized representative for Middle East & Africa, the company said through a Press release.

FIL, incorporated as a public limited company in 1962, is a manufacturer of screw compressors. The company said in the Press release that it also packages screw compressors and has a wide range of high-speed reciprocating compressors. It also manufacturers industrial refrigeration compressors.

According to FIL, Iisham Tech is a multi-diversified conglomerate, and is a one-stop solution for refrigeration requirements. FIL said Iisham Tech will promote the following FIL product-lines…

• Rotary screw compressor block and packages
• High-speed reciprocating compressors
• Classic Series compressors
• Pressure vessels
• Liquid ammonia pumps

EU finance ministers welcome EIB Group’s scaled up climate action

LUXEMBOURG, 17 June 2022: European finance ministers today welcomed the European Investment Bank’s unprecedented backing for business investment to support recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, record climate action and enhanced development engagement around the world through EIB Global.

At the Annual Meeting of the EIB Board of Governors, taking place in Luxembourg, EIB President Werner Hoyer confirmed details of the EIB Group’s record EUR 95 billion financing last year, including an unprecedented response to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

Hoyer also confirmed the EIB’s largest ever support for climate action and environmental sustainability and the successful launch of EIB Global to strengthen development finance outside Europe.

Hoyer said: “I am grateful to the EU Bank’s Governors for their support and endorsement of the EIB Group’s work over the past year. Today’s discussion confirmed the importance of our work in support of EU policies around the world. The EIB Group has been part of the European Union’s response to every crisis over the last decade, from climate to energy security, the financial crisis, the COVID pandemic and, most recently, Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. The commitment and professionalism of EIB and EIF colleagues will continue to assist us as we tackle the challenges ahead. These are all connected: War in Ukraine is the strongest argument in favour of accelerating investment in green energy, to make Europe less dependent from imported fossil fuels. Global partnerships are key to winning the fight against global heating. And the Governors’ support has been crucial in setting up EIB Global, our development and partnership arm, working with other institutions in a genuine and effective “Team Europe” spirit. And last but not least, the EIB’s strong investment in innovation will help ensure we develop new tools capable of resolving the problems created by yesterday’s technology.

“I wish to thank Minister Annika Saarikko for her deft and sure-handed year at the helm of our Board of Governors, and it is a huge pleasure to welcome our new Chairman, Minister Mikael Damberg.”

The European Investment Bank Board of Governors comprises the 27 European Union finance and economy ministers and was chaired by Saarikko, Minister for Finance of Finland.

During the meeting, Damberg, Minister for Finance of Sweden, was formally confirmed as new Chair of the EIB Board of Governors, thereby replacing Saarikko, Minister for Finance of Finland. Damberg said: “As new Chair of the EIB Board of Governors I look forward to working with fellow EU finance and economy ministers to further enhance the impact of the European Investment Bank Group’s unique financial experience and technical skills to better support priority investment challenges, including scaling up climate action, accelerating innovation and enhancing sustainable development.”

Last year, EUR 27.6 billion of EIB financing supported climate action and environmental sustainability, representing 51% of EIB business. Hoyer confirmed that the EIB is currently scaling up support for climate action in developing countries most vulnerable to a changing and more extreme climate. During today’s meeting, Hoyer highlighted how the successful launch of the EIB’s new dedicated development branch, EIB Global, earlier this year, was enhancing the impact of renewable energy, clean transport, water, health, food security and business investment in the Balkans, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific.

The Luxembourg based European Investment Bank is the world’s largest international public bank.

AHRI, Alliance Seek Senate Support for Kigali Amendment

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 16 June 2022: Leaders of member companies of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy today issued a letter to the leadership of the United States Senate urging expeditious action to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The Amendment, approved in May by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is currently awaiting floor action, AHRI pointed out. The Kigali Amendment provides for a global phasedown of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, an action AHRI and its 320 HVACR and water heating manufacturers have sought for more than a decade, the Institute said.

According to AHRI, the letter informed Senate Leaders Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that ratification “will secure a position of strength for American companies in a highly competitive global market for next-generation refrigerant technologies by creating new U.S. manufacturing jobs and stimulating further investment in the U.S. economy”. It noted that “failure to ratify would close these markets to U.S. manufacturers after 2023, because the Montreal Protocol prohibits trade with countries not party to [it] or its amendments.”

According to AHRI, if the Amendment is ratified by the Senate, the United States will join some 129 other nations as full parties to the treaty, approved in October 2016, with the United States as a signatory.

 

Berner releases Architectural Contour Air Curtain Series

NEW CASTLE, Pennsylvania, 15 June 2022: Air curtain manufacturer, Berner International said it has added the Architectural Contour Air Curtain Series to its Architectural Collection, giving specifiers a technologically advanced design for protecting commercial building main entrances when the door is open.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Berner claimed the Architectural Contour 8 and 10 models feature the HVAC industry’s quietest operation from a high-performance air curtain. The design targets healthcare, hotels, retail, restaurants and other applications, where thermal comfort, front entrance doorway aesthetics and energy savings are critical, the company said.

Berner said the Series’ patented, unprecedented aesthetic is the company’s second departure from the industry’s decades-old rectangular box shapes after recently introducing the Architectural Elite.

Featuring a sleek, discreetly contoured cabinet constructed of anodized aluminum, the Architectural Contour complements 21^st Century anodized aluminum doorways and metal architecture, the company said.

The Architectural Contour 8 and 10 feature low profiles of 8-1/4 H x 20-inch D (20.9 x 50.8-cm) and 12-3/4 H x 25-3/4 D (30.3 x 60.4-cm) without sacrificing performance for protecting up to eight- and 10-foot-high (2.4- and 3.0-meter) doorway heights, respectively, the company said. Both models – including heating options – are certified under AMCA-220, which qualifies them for the new construction cost-saving vestibule exception, now included in building and energy codes, ASHRAE 90.1-2019; the IECC -2015; and the IgCC, the company added.

According to the company, the Architectural Contour equals the aesthetics of the Architectural Collection’s full-featured, Golden Ratio-inspired Architectural Elite air curtain, but offers an economical alternative. Specifiers can add the Elite’s standard features as à la carte options to the Contour, such as electronically commutated (EC) motors or the Berner AIR smart controller and app, the company said. When combined with the Collection’s entry level Architectural Low Profile 8 and High Performance 10 models, the Contour and Elite offer building owners a diverse “good, better, best” selection, respectively, the company claimed.

According to Berner, all air curtains in the Architectural Collection use the company’s factory-installed Intelliswitch digital controller platform, which features pre-set programs, a time clock, time delay, built-in thermostat, 10-speed fan control, and other integrated, end-user-customizable features. The optional Berner AIR smart controller and app, the company said, can be added to the platform, allowing operation and monitoring from a smartphone. The Berner AIR, it added, includes true BACnet integration and a proactive adaptive setting based on the weather.

According to the company, the Contour and Elite models are the industry’s quietest high-performance air curtains. These patented designs combine out-of-sight top intake panels; Berner’s patented high-efficiency, low-noise, articulating Pro-V Nozzle; and quiet-running 1/5^th-HP AC or EC motor choices, the company said. Depending on the selected motor and speed, the company added, typical operating noise is 49 to 55-dB, which is similar to a coffee percolator or quieter than normal conversation.

Empower wins two golds at IDEA 2022

DUBAI, UAE, 15 June 2022: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) won two gold awards at the International District Energy Association (IDEA) Annual Conference 2022, which took place from June 6 to 9 in Toronto, Canada, the District Cooling company said.

Making the announcement today, Empower said its winning the two gold awards – for the categories, ‘Number of Buildings Committed’ and ‘Total Building Area Committed’ in IDEA 2022 – is the eighth of its kind, as the company has won the same awards in the years 2005, 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. In addition, it has received various other awards from IDEA – numbering 17 – in other categories, Empower said. Moreover, the company said, it has been honoured with many other awards and titles from various conferences and exhibitions around the world, in recognition of its distinguished achievements in developing the District Cooling industry, worldwide, as the world’s largest District Cooling services provider.

Empower said its winning represents a renewed international recognition of the company’s efforts to promote the District Cooling concept worldwide, and to encourage decision-makers to adopt this environmentally friendly cooling solution and apply the best integrated green practices.

Speaking on the occasion of winning the awards, Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said: “The winning of these two global awards reinforces the company’s international recognitions by the global industry leaders for the pioneering and pivotal role that Empower plays in innovating the highest practices in this vital industry, both in terms of optimising energy consumption and cost or in protecting resources and the environment. It also honors our continuous efforts in spreading the culture of District Cooling systems, and appreciates our unremitting endeavors and constant quest to employ the techniques of the 4^th revolution in production, control, distribution and customer service operations, in a way that enhances the District Cooling sector worldwide.”

Bin Shafar explained that the awards are the fruits of government policies that support the expansion of the District Cooling sector to put Dubai on the map of global cities in District Cooling. “Empower,” he said, “is proceeding towards achieving many advancements in District Cooling systems in pursuit of its mission to bring an added value at national and global levels.”

Bin Shafar CEO indicated that the company would keep developing its District Cooling systems to a level that surpasses international standards, in order to provide high-quality services in response to the large and increasing demand for District Cooling for a variety of projects in different fields, in line with the strategic direction of the Emirate of Dubai. “The IDEA 2022 and the agenda it tackled, including the trends of the reality and future of the energy industry and its technologies, contribute to strengthening international efforts to shape a more flexible and effective humane future that is also less exposed to carbon emissions,” he said.

Empower said that last week, Bin Shafar was appointed as a member to the Board of Directors of IDEA for the fourth time in a row, making him the first Emirati Arab to hold such a prestigious position in US-based IDEA, which is an international non-profit organization, for over a decade.

Hisense conducts RAK seminar

DUBAI, UAE, 9 June 2022: Hisense HVAC on June 9 hosted a mini seminar in Ras Al Khaimah for consultants, developer and authorities. Making the announcement through a Press release, Hisense said the objective of the seminar was to communicate its Barjeel-compliant VRF, ducted and non-ducted range of AC products to the Ras Al Khaimah market.

According to Hisense, the event was well received with full attendance from important stakeholders, like RAK Municipality, Barjeel committee, RAKWA, Marjan Island, Al Hamra Real Estate and EMCO.

Hisense said it displayed the flagship model of its VRF units, light-commercial units and controllers and gave visitors to the event a touch-and-feel experience. Hisense highlighted its unique humidity setting feature, two-stage sub cooling, Air-pure filtration, DC inverter compressor technology at the event. It said the visitors were happy with the low noise level and sturdiness of the indoor units.

Dr Pablo Izquierdo, Manager, Energy Services Section, Reem, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, set the tone for the event by making a presentation, titled “RAK Energy Efficiency & Renewable Strategy 2040”, during which he emphasised on various initiatives the Municipality is undertaking to drive sustainability in day-to-day life in the emirate.

Dharmesh Sawant, Hisense VRF Sales Director, then presented on the status of Barjeel-compliance of Hisense range of AC products and the technological innovations that enable the company to achieve stringent EER/CSPF requirements. Subsequently, Mohammed Rizwan, Sales Manager, Light commercial AC, presented on the unique features offered by ducted and ductless range of LCAC products.

The presentations covered some of the value-added features in Hisense VRF as well as light-commercial air conditioners, such as humidity setting/control logic, two-stage sub-cooling, cloud control of AC units from mobile App, VIP mode, auto refrigerant temperature control and refrigerant-cooled PCB.

M.A.H.Y. Khoory, local distributor of Hisense, attended the event. Khoory has committed to further spread the message of Barjeel-compliant Hisense AC units, Hisense said.  Dick Shi, General Manager of Hisense HVAC MEA, and Tugrul Kumal, Head of Sales AC category MEA Brand & OEM, emphasised on the focus on the Ras Al Khaimah market, with more value-added solutions.

IEA: ‘We can avoid 95 exajoules a year of final energy consumption by end of decade’

SØNDERBORG, Denmark, 8 June 2022: Global energy and climate leaders are gathering in Denmark for a major ministerial meeting that could drive urgently needed improvements in energy efficiency, with new analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA) showing that stronger efficiency measures can reduce energy bills, fuel imports and greenhouse gas emissions quickly and significantly.

The IEA’s 7th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Sønderborg, Denmark, from June 7-9, is bringing together more than 20 Ministers from countries around the world, including Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Senegal, Sweden and the United Kingdom – as well as African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Amani Abou-Zeid and European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson. Ukrainian Energy Minister, Herman Halushchenko will address the Conference live via video link. Decision-makers from industry, finance, international organisations and civil society will also participate in the discussions.

With the world contending with its biggest energy crisis since the 1970s, the focus of the Global Conference is on how to implement measures quickly to reduce energy use, with the aim of easing cost pressures on consumers, cutting reliance on fuel imports and driving progress towards climate goals – while supporting job creation and economic growth. The new IEA analysis, published to coincide with the Global Conference, underscores the vital role of energy efficiency and energy saving in meeting today’s crises by immediately addressing the crippling impacts of the spike in energy prices, strengthening energy security and tackling climate change.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director, IEA, said: “Energy efficiency is a critical solution to so many of the world’s most urgent challenges – it can simultaneously make our energy supplies more affordable, more secure and more sustainable. But inexplicably, government and business leaders are failing to sufficiently act on this. The oil shocks of the 1970s set in motion major advances in efficiency, and it is utterly essential that efficiency is at the heart of the response to today’s global energy crisis. The leaders meeting at the IEA Global Conference on Energy Efficiency need to make this the moment when the world hits the accelerator on efficiency – or we may fail to respond to the current energy crisis properly and pay the price for years to come.”

This year’s Global Conference is jointly organised by the IEA and Denmark’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities, with support from Danish engineering company, Danfoss.

Dan Jørgensen, Denmark’s Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities. said: “It’s no longer a question of whether we should implement more energy-efficient solutions and technologies, globally – it’s a question of how we are going to do that. By increasing our energy efficiency, we can reduce our dependence of Russian oil and gas completely and move closer to achieving climate neutrality. The conference in Sønderborg and the gathering of energy and climate leaders from various sectors and all parts of the world is an important step in the right direction.”

Kim Fausing, CEO, Danfoss, said: “If the world is to meet climate goals to limit global warming, energy efficiency measures must be prioritized. A third of the reduction needed in CO2 emissions this decade, according to the IEA net-zero scenario, must come from improvements in energy efficiency. The good news is that the solutions are there to improve energy efficiency in all sectors. We don’t need to wait. We need action because the greenest energy is the energy we don’t use.”

On the main conference day, on June 8, leaders in industry, government and civil society are discussing issues, such as buildings of the future, the role of consumer behaviour and how to unlock financing for efficiency measures. The following day will include a unique closed-door session, where Ministers from around the world will share best practices on how to accelerate progress. The town of Sønderborg will also host a number of technological showcases for the leaders to visit.

According to the new IEA analysis, doubling the current global rate of energy intensity improvement to four per cent a year has the potential to avoid 95 exajoules a year of final energy consumption by the end of this decade, compared with a pathway based on today’s policy settings. This is equivalent to the current annual energy use of China. That level of savings would reduce global CO2 emissions by an additional 5 billion tonnes a year by 2030, about a third of the total emissions reduction efforts needed this decade to move the world onto a pathway to net-zero emissions by mid-century, as laid out in the Net Zero Roadmap the IEA published last year.

These extra efficiency efforts would cut global spending on energy. For example, households alone could save as much as USD 650 billion a year on energy bills by the end of the decade compared with what they would have spent in a pathway based on today’s policy settings. The amount of natural gas that the world would avoid using as a result of this would be equal to four times what the European Union imported from Russia last year, while the reduced oil consumption would be almost 30 million barrels of oil per day, about triple Russia’s average production in 2021. Compared to today, this global push on efficiency would help create 10 million additional jobs in fields including building retrofits, manufacturing and transport infrastructure.

The new IEA analysis shows the significant opportunities for rapid energy efficiency gains in all sectors of the global economy. Most of these opportunities involve readily available technologies and would fully pay for themselves through lower running costs, especially at today’s high energy prices. By 2030, around a third of the avoided energy demand comes from deploying more efficient equipment, ranging from air conditioners to cars. About a fifth comes from electrification, such as switching to heat pumps or electric cars. Digitalisation and use of more efficient materials in industry provide much of the rest.

The new analysis complements the insights on the critical role of energy efficiency and energy-saving measures in addressing today’s global energy crisis that were highlighted by the IEA’s recent 10-Point Plan to Reduce the European Union’s Reliance on Russian Natural Gas and 10-Point Plan to Cut Oil Use, as well as Playing my part: How to save money, reduce reliance on Russian energy, support Ukraine and help the planet, which was developed in cooperation with the European Commission.

Camfil launches virtual city

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 7 June 2022: Camfil highlighted how most people, in fact 99% of the world breathes air containing levels of pollutants that exceed WHO guideline limits, for what is considered to be healthy. The occasion was the launch of Camfil City, a virtual world with solutions for air quality challenges. Camfil said the motivation for launching the City hinged on the need for clean air, considering that people spend 90% of their time indoors and that it is primarily indoors that they can protect themselves from air pollution. According to Camfil, the City is a virtual world providing information and product solutions for air quality challenges. Camfil said it developed the 3D virtual world as a digital tool for its customers and potential new customers. Martin Hellsten, Camfil City project lead, said, “Camfil City is an online 3D application inviting people to move around in a virtual urban setting and learn the basics about how Camfil’s air filter solutions can make air clean, safe and healthy.”   Camfil City lies on a hill, surrounded by a green landscape and the blue sea. It comprises several buildings. Customers can explore buildings in industries such as beverage production, data centres, hospitals and clinics, museums, offices, schools and universities, warehouse distribution facilities, restaurants, metalworking units and life sciences, Camfil said, adding that it intends to add more building types. “We know that users would like to have Camfil City load quickly and run smoothly, regardless of where you are in the world, so we designed the application to meet these demands,” Hellsten said.   According to Camfil, particular attention has been given to the user experience to ensure a fun, informative and useful application. On entering Camfil City, the visitor can have a look inside a specific industry environment and, subsequently, can click, drag and spin the city around to reach a range of industry buildings, Camfil said. With another pinch zoom on a mobile device or scroll on a desktop, the visitor can click a hotspot and access the inside of the building and explore air concerns and possible solutions, the company added. Lori Heck, 3D Artist and Design Manager, Camfil USA, said: “I aimed to create all the 3D artwork for Camfil City at a high-quality, visually appealing level, yet be able to ensure fast load times and a great user experience for Camfil’s current and potential customers. The site is both, fun and educational.” The hotspots show where the visitor can interact with the city to get more information, Camfil said. In the city overview, the hotspots are placed on buildings that represent industries. By clicking a building hotspot, the visitor travels into that building. In a building, the visitor would get another set of hotspots, situated in the different rooms, representing the application in the industry, Camfil said. By clicking the hotspots, the visitor can read about the different concerns that they might have in the application and what solutions Camfil offers to solve them, the company added.   Hellsten said: “Not all people who purchase our products are experts in air filtration, and they shouldn’t have to be, either. The purpose of Camfil City is to give everyone a chance to learn the basics of what our clean air solutions can do for them. We believe that this is not just for future Camfil customers. We also see this application as a valuable tool for our existing customers to discover what Camfil has to offer in a new and highly accessible way.”

AHRI MENA, ASHRAE RAL Energy Efficiency Webinar recording now available

DUBAI, UAE, 3 June 2022: AHRI MENA said a recording of the May 18 AHRI MENA, ASHRAE RAL Energy Efficiency Webinar is available for public viewing. AHRI (The Air-conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute) and the ASHRAE Region-At-Large (RAL) Chapter conducted the webinar, titled Raising the Bar of Energy Efficiency in High Ambient Temperature Regions.

With more countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region facing mounting environmental challenges, the webinar provided attendees with insight into regulations, energy performance standards, and building codes aimed at improving energy efficiency and supporting ambitious green targets, AHRI MENA said.

Khalil Issa, AHRI MENA Executive Director and Nabil Shahin, Technical Director, discussed key drivers for facilitating compliance with minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and green building codes, principally the AHRI Performance Certification Program, which uses independent, third-party testing to accomplish that goal.

ASHRAE representatives, Richie Mittal and Dr Samir Traboulsi discussed global and regional regulatory and energy efficiency issues and introduced ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1. Considered the gold standard for energy efficiency, Standard 90.1 was examined in terms of its structure and compliance mechanisms in the context of ASHRAE 189.1 and the International Green Construction Code standards.

“With AHRI’s product performance and rating standards being intrinsically referenced in green building codes and ASHRAE 90.1, only AHRI certification allows the proper verification of equipment efficiency and serves as the best path for regulatory code and MEPS compliance,” Issa said.

AHRI MENA said a recording of the webinar is available here. It suggested to visit the website to learn more about AHRI MENA.

Samsung launches AC MENA Training Academy

DUBAI, UAE, 2 June 2022: Samsung Electronics announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind MENA Training Academy, which the company said seeks to enable customers to experience its innovative air solutions.

According to Samsung, the new facility will feature a showroom and a WindFree™ Experience Booth, through which customers can experience the unique technology, the low airspeed and cold draft-free operation of the unit, resulting from thousands of micro holes in the unit’s panel, leaving customers with a pleasant experience. Moreover, customers will be briefed on how to control the air conditioning unit via the SmartThings app, where they will be able to try it through their mobiles, Samsung said.

According to Samsung, the showroom will boast the new generation of DVM, including the DVM S2, which is compatible with the WindFree™ wall-mounted models, 1Way cassette, 4Way cassette, as well as the 360-cassette.

In his comments, Okan Tutcu, Head of AC, Samsung MENA Regional HQ, said: “We are pleased with the launch of the new training academy, through which we aim to share our expertise and the technological innovations with Samsung’s customer base. This initiative is a testament to our continuous efforts in promoting Samsung’s latest air conditioning products and systems.” 

According to Samsung, the academy will also conduct training sessions by air conditioning professionals at Samsung MENA to highlight the comprehensive air conditioning line-up and innovative technologies, functionality, installation and control systems available at Samsung AC reference sites. The training academy is located at Samsung MENA RHQ, in Dubai Media City.

Midea conference highlights its V8 VRF system

DUBAI, UAE, 1 June 2022: Midea launched the VRF V8 series as a major global initiative, citing Dubai as the best place to demonstrate the toughness and reliability of the system in facing up to sandy and dusty conditions and to high relative humidity and high temperatures. It said the V8 can work in temperatures ranging from 55 degrees C to minus 30 degrees C, making it ideal for operations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, characterised by high temperatures, including higher ground temperatures.

Henry Cheng, General Manager, Midea Building Technologies, said the V8, which will go into production this month, is about reliability. “We want the product to be more reliable, so there is no need to repair it or spend that much time on maintenance,” he said. He spoke of the V8 having innovative features, including its shield box, which protects the incorporated printer circuit board (PCB) from getting affected by the outside environment, including sand, dust and moisture. “Water will damage the PCB, if it touches,” he said. “The PCB is in an isolated space, and no water will touch it. So, it can work safely for a longer time.”

Speaking on the other features, Cheng highlighted the V8’s hyperlink approach to connecting the wires. Elaborating on how in the past, installers had to connect the wires in series, he highlighted the inherent disadvantage of that approach, where if one unit stopped working, the entire system would stop working. The V8, he said, allows for the wires to be connected with greater flexibility, which improves reliability, eases the installation process and helps installers save time. A third feature of the V8, he said, is the high degree of comfort it allows through its constant airflow. “No matter where you are in the building, the airflow is constant,” he said.

Cheng also spoke of the V8 having 19 sensors and a visual sensor technology. If the real sensors stop working, the machine will duplicate to give virtual sensors – digital twin – which will continue the sensing process and simultaneously send a message to the maintenance personnel informing them of a problem with the real sensors for them to rectify. “This way, the system is able to work 24×7, so there is no shut down problem,” he said. He also spoke of the V8 featuring the ‘Midea Doctor 2.0, which would allow for using cloud for self-diagnosis. “So, with the V8, we have many leading technologies in the industry,” he said. “With the V8, we are the leader in the product.”

Addressing the issue of aftersales service, Cheng said Midea works closely with its partners, including Taqeef, which he added has a strong aftersales capability, including training and service centres.

“We also support our partners in increasing their aftersales service,” he said. “We have our technical engineers to support Taqeef, and we provide funds to partners to improve their service capability. As Midea we also have the TSP feature, and so partners can place orders for spare parts through the TSP and also through the cloud. So, we are enhancing our capabilities on aftersales. But, if we have a highly reliable product, you don’t need as much aftersales. We use high-end components, so we have fewer problems, and we would need less aftersales service.”

Cheng said Midea would continue to invest in the GCC region. But when asked if the company has plans to open a factory in the Middle East, he said it does not have any at the moment. “We have to look at the right partners and at the policies from the government,” he said. “We have had a discussion on this with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.

Tariq Al Ghussein, CEO, Taqeef, speaking on Midea’s global growth, said that the very fact that the company has changed its name from Midea CAC to Midea Building Technologies reflects its ambition to provide comprehensive solutions to the building construction industry, including HVAC and elevators, to name two. “They want to supply all the components and software,” he said. “They continue to surprise us with how fast they are moving.”

The V8 features the refrigerant, R-410a, whereas it has R-32 for mini VRF systems. To a question about the possible use of refrigerants other than the two, considering that R-410a has a GWP of 2,088 and is facing calls from certain quarters for its phaseout and that R32 is classified as an A2L refrigerant, owing to its mildly flammable nature, requiring safety in handling, Cheng said Midea is one of the biggest manufacturers in the world and that the company is looking at all possibilities and will need to see the trend. “Different manufacturers are promoting different gases, and there are debates on regulation,” he said. “We will be ready once there is clarity.”

To a question about the global semiconductor crisis, and Midea’s response to dealing with the problem, Cheng said the shortage of chips is a global problem and one that affects all sectors and not just the HVACR sector. “From our perspective, we have learnt that we have to develop strategic partners on key components and to also strengthen our own capability,” he said. “And in China, we have set up our own chip factories in a small scale, and now we are accelerating to a big scale. We will enhance our capability in this area. There are many newcomers, who are planning to manufacture chips, and I think the problem will be solved very soon.”

IEA: COVID-19 slows progress toward universal energy access

PARIS, France, 2 June 2022: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a key factor in slowing progress towards universal energy access, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said through a Press release. Globally, 733 million people still have no access to electricity, and 2.4 billion people still cook using fuels detrimental to their health and the environment, the Agency said. At the current rate of progress, 670 million people will remain without electricity by 2030 – 10 million more than projected last year, it added.

The 2022 edition of Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report shows that the impacts of the pandemic, including lockdowns, disruptions to global supply chains, and diversion of fiscal resources to keep food and fuel prices affordable, have affected the pace of progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030, IEA pointed out. Advances have been impeded particularly in the most vulnerable countries and those already lagging in energy access, it said. Nearly 90 million people in Asia and Africa, who had previously gained access to electricity, can no longer afford to pay for their basic energy needs, it added.

The impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on energy have been compounded in the last few months by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has led to uncertainty in global oil and gas markets and has sent energy prices soaring, IEA said.

According to IEA, Africa remains the least electrified region in the world with 568 million people without electricity access. Sub-Saharan Africa’s share of the global population without electricity jumped to 77% in 2020 from 71% in 2018, whereas most other regions saw declines in their share of the access deficits. While 70 million people globally gained access to clean cooking fuels and technologies, this progress was not enough to keep pace with population growth, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, IEA said.

The report finds that despite continued disruptions in economic activity and supply chains, renewable energy was the only energy source to grow through the pandemic, IEA said. However, these positive global and regional trends in renewable energy have left behind many countries most in need of electricity, it said. This was aggravated by a decrease in international financial flows for the second year in a row, falling to USD 10.9 billion in 2019, it added.

SDG 7 targets also cover energy efficiency. According to IEQ, from 2010 to 2019, global annual improvements in energy intensity averaged around 1.9%. This is well below the levels needed to meet SDG 7’s targets, and to make up for lost ground, the average rate of improvement would have to jump to 3.2%, it said.

In September 2021, the United Nations High-Level Dialogue on Energy brought together governments and stakeholders to accelerate action to achieve a sustainable energy future that leaves no one behind. In this context, the SDG 7 custodian agencies, the IEA, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), as they launch this report, are urging the international community and policymakers to safeguard gains towards SDG 7; to remain committed to continued action towards affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all; and to maintain a strategic focus on countries needing the most support.

According to IEA, key highlights on SDG 7 targets are…

Access to electricity.  The share of the world’s population with access to electricity rose from 83% in 2010 to 91% in 2020, increasing the number of people with access by 1.3 billion, globally. The number without access declined from 1.2 billion people in 2010 to 733 million in 2020. However, the pace of progress in electrification has slowed in recent years, which may be explained by the increasing complexity of reaching more remote and poorer unserved populations and the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meeting the 2030 target requires increasing the number of new connections to 100 million a year. At current rates of progress, the world will reach only 92% electrification by 2030.

Between 2010 and 2020, every region of the world showed consistent progress in electrification, but with wide disparities. Electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa rose from 46% in 2018 to 48% in 2020, but the region’s share of the global access deficit rose from 71% in 2018 to 77% in 2020, whereas most other regions, including Central and Southern Asia, saw declines in their share of the access deficits. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for more than three quarters of the people (568 million people) who remained without access in 2020.

Renewables. Ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy implies accelerated deployment of renewable energy sources for electricity, heat and transport. Although there is no quantitative target for SDG 7.2, custodian agencies agree that the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption (TFEC) needs to rise significantly, even though renewable energy consumption did continue to grow through the pandemic, overcoming disruptions to economic activity and supply chains. While the share of renewable capacity expansion rose by a record amount in 2021, the positive global and regional trajectories mask the fact that countries where new capacity additions lagged were those most in need of increased access. Moreover, rising commodity, energy and shipping prices as well as restrictive trade measures have increased the cost of producing and transporting solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, wind turbines, and biofuels, adding uncertainty for future renewable energy projects.

Renewable shares need to reach well over 30% of TFEC by 2030, up from 18% in 2019, to be on track for reaching net-zero-energy emissions by 2050. Achieving this objective would require strengthening policy support in all sectors and implementing effective tools to further mobilise private capital, especially in least-developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries.

Energy efficiency. SDG 7.3 aims to double the global rate of annual improvement in primary energy intensity – the amount of energy used per unit of wealth created – to 2.6% in 2010-30 versus 1990-2010. From 2010 to 2019, global annual improvements in energy intensity averaged around 1.9%, well below the target, and the average annual rate of improvement now has to reach 3.2% to make up for lost ground. This rate would need to be even higher – consistently over four per cent for the rest of this decade – if the world is to reach net-zero-emissions from the energy sector by 2050, as envisioned in the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario. Early estimates for 2020 point to a substantial decrease in intensity improvement owing to the COVID-19 crisis, as a result of a higher share of energy-intensive activities in the economy and lower energy prices. The outlook for 2021 suggests a return to a 1.9% rate of improvement, the average rate during the previous decade, thanks to a sharper focus on energy efficiency policies, particularly in COVID-19 recovery packages. However, energy efficiency policies and investment need to be scaled up significantly to bring the SDG 7.3 target within reach.

International Financial Flows. International public financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy decreased for the second year in a row, falling to USD 10.9 billion in 2019, despite the immense needs for sustainable development in most countries and growing urgency of climate change. The amount was down by nearly 24% from the previous year and may be worsened by the pandemic in 2020. Overall, the level of financing remains below what is needed to reach SDG 7, particularly in the most vulnerable and least developed countries.

The decrease was seen in most regions, with the only exception in Oceania, where international public flows rose by 72%. The bulk of decreases were concentrated in East and Southeast Asia, where they fell by 66.2%; Latin America and the Caribbean, where they dropped by 29.8%; and Central and South Asia, where they declined by 24.5%.

Although the private sector finances most renewable energy investments, public finance remains key to attract private capital, including for creating an enabling environment for private investments, developing the needed infrastructure, and addressing perceived and real risks and barriers for investments in the energy transition. International public flows to countries that lack the financial resources to support their energy transitions constitute a large part of the international collaboration that will be needed for a global energy transition that would bring the world closer to achieving all SDGs.

Indicators and data for tracking progress. Tracking global progress for SDG 7 targets requires high-quality, reliable and comparable data for informed and effective policymaking at the global, regional and country levels. The quality of data has been improving through national and international cooperation and solid statistical capacity. National data systems improve as countries establish legal frameworks and institutional arrangements for comprehensive data collection for energy supply and demand balances; implement end-user surveys (e.g., households, businesses, etc.); and develop quality-assurance frameworks. However, after the pandemic hit and disrupted the rate of progress toward SDG 7, more investment in quality statistics is needed to know where we stand and how to get back on track. This is especially important for developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries, to inform their national energy policies and strategies to ensure no one is left behind.

Johnson Controls appoints new VP and Chief Commercial Officer

CORK, Ireland, 26 May 2022: Johnson Controls (JCI) has named Rodney Clark as Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, effective June 1, 2022. Making the announcement through a Press release, JCI said that in this role, Clark will lead global sales excellence efforts across the company, replacing Chief Commercial Officer, Brian Young, who retired at the end of last year. Clark also will take on a portion of the role being transitioned from Michael Ellis, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer and Digital Officer, who will retire at the end of the year.

“I am excited to welcome a proven, strategic leader such as Rodney to Johnson Controls,” said George Oliver, Chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. “As we deliver on growth platforms, such as decarbonization in smart, healthy buildings, Rodney will build on our progress, collaborating with customers on outcome-based solutions and service offerings through OpenBlue, while expanding our market, building scale, capacity and capability.”

According to JCI, Clark most recently held the role of Corporate Vice President of Global Partner Sales and Channel Chief at Microsoft. In this role, Clark led a team responsible for customer and partner relationships, accelerating growth through the Microsoft partner ecosystem, as well as cross-partner strategy and outcomes through the Microsoft partner network, JCI said. Prior to this, he served as the Corporate Vice President of the Internet of Things (IoT) and mixed reality sales, responsible for building intelligent systems and mixed reality capability, through sales and go-to-market execution, JCI said.

Earlier in his career, Clark held other notable roles at Microsoft, including General Manager, Samsung Alliance; General Manager, Global Operations; and General Manager, Small and Medium Business, JCI said. Additionally, he spent eight years at IBM and has held roles throughout his career in strategy, sales, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and digital transformation. Clark holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from California State University, Fresno.

“I’m delighted to be joining Johnson Controls, they have an incredible team that is driving innovative technology that transforms ordinary buildings into dynamic, healthier, safer spaces for all of us to enjoy,” Clark said.” Adding intelligent cloud and intelligent edge solutions to their traditional offerings creates an enormous opportunity and will help customers address their most critical challenges – including the achievement of sustainability targets with agile, flexible and scalable solutions.”

Seeley celebrates its Golden Jubilee

DUBAI, UAE, 25 May 2022: Seeley celebrated its Golden Jubilee at the Marriot Hotel in Dubai, with a welcome speech by Sam Peli, General Manager Sales EMEA, Seeley International and by Sabu Abraham, CEO – Climagulf Trading. Making the announcement through a Press release, Seeley said the two spoke about how Seeley started business in the UAE and how it has enjoyed a successful partnership doing business together for 10 years.

Xavier Delaigue, Sales Manager, then gave an informative speech about Seeley’s supply of 50,000 evaporative coolers, installed in Mina tent city, in Saudi Arabia, a fascinating logistics exercise of 100,000 tents hosting pilgrims travelling yearly to Makkah. Jon Seeley, Group Managing Director, also spoke during the occasion, Seeley said, adding that Frank Seeley AM, Company Founder and Executive Chairman, highlighted the company milestones since Seeley’s foundation, 50 years ago.

According to Seeley, the company’s journey began in 1972, when Frank and Kathy Seeley took Seeley Brothers from a sales and marketing business and transformed it into a manufacturing company. Established and sustained by innovation, it is a key factor for Seeley playing a major role in HVAC solutions globally through five decades, the company said.

According to the company, Seeley has grown from humble beginnings into Australia’s largest air conditioning manufacturer and a global leader in designing evaporative cooling products, with award-winning brand names including Breezair, Coolair, Climate Wizard and Coolerado.

Seeley used the occasion of the Golden Jubilee to celebrate a 10-year-long partnership with Climagulf Trading, its official distributor in the UAE. Climagulf, the company said, takes care of distribution of all Seeley’s brands of evaporative cooling products to renowned companies, including DEWA, RTA testing centres, RAK Ceramics, Interplast and Huhtamaki group. During the event, Seeley also showcased some important installations, with testimonials from end users, consultants and specifiers, including guests from the industry and ASHRAE Falcon Chapter members.

ICOS: Lockdown cut up to 87% CO2 emissions in Europe

HELSINKI, Finland, 24 May 2022: As COVID-19 first hit Europe in the spring of 2020, most countries laid out strong restrictions to limit the spread of the virus. Human economic activity and mobility in cities stopped almost instantly, and many people had to move their work from offices to homes.

A recently published study in Science of the Total Environment by Giacomo Nicolini et al shows that daily urban emissions were reduced by 5-87% during the lockdown period across 11 cities and 13 measurement sites, when compared to the same period in previous years.

According to the study, led by ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System), the largest reductions were seen in Heraklion in Greece; Pesaro and Florence in Italy; Berlin in Germany; Basel in Switzerland and London in the United Kingdom. In London, for example, emissions were reduced by 58%, in Berlin by 63% and in Florence by 66%, the authors of the study reported. In all cases, reductions happened mostly during daytime, except for Vienna, Amsterdam and London, where the restrictions had a clear effect also at night, they added.

“Looking at the diel cycle of CO 2 fluxes, the reductions range on average from 67% in the city centre of Heraklion to about 10% in a residential area of Basel,” Dr Nicolini, the lead author of the paper, said. Dr Nicolini was also responsible for processing the data at the ICOS Ecosystem Thematic Center.

The study was initiated and led by other scientists from ICOS, which produces greenhouse gas data in Europe.

The main reason for the reduced CO 2 emissions in all cities was the reduction of vehicular traffic caused by the limitations on mobility, the authors said. This explains why residential areas saw the quickest rebound of emissions after the restrictions were lifted, they said.

In four cities – Berlin, Pesaro, Amsterdam and London – emissions remained statistically lower even after the restrictions were lifted, the authors said. In Amsterdam, the lower emissions can be explained by fewer tourists in the observed district, they said. Decreased tourism was likely to have affected Pesaro and London, as well, they pointed out.

To effectively mitigate climate change, the authors concluded, there must be a bigger systemic change in cities’ ecosystems and in people’s lifestyles. As the COVID-19 lockdown showed, changes in human behaviour have a direct, immediate and significant effect on urban CO 2 emissions, they said.

The research highlights the importance of measuring urban emissions. To develop best practices in this emerging field, ICOS said it has taken the task to evaluate different observation methods in its recent EU H2020 project, called ICOS Cities.

Professor Dario Papale, University of Tuscia, in Italy, and Director, ICOS Ecosystem Thematic Centre, said: “The ICOS Cities project will bring an extensive urban greenhouse gas exchange data collection for the global scientific community, available through the ICOS Carbon Portal. This data collection will be useful for additional analysis on the complex urban greenhouse gas exchange dynamic.”

Panasonic rebrands its Life Solutions Business

DUBAI, UAE, 22 May 2022: Panasonic Life Solutions Middle East Africa (PLSMEA), a division of Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa FZE (PMMAF) announced that it has changed its name to Panasonic Electric Works Middle East Africa (PEWMEA), as of April 1, 2022.

Making the announcement through a Press release, dated May 22, the company said that with the name change, PEWMEA will focus on realising the vision to devote its resources and activities to elevate the quality of all kinds of spaces, with a special emphasis on smart energy systems and living solutions to support sustainable and smart living. PEWMEA, it said, will lead the regional Energy Systems Business Division, Lighting Business Division, Smart Energy System Business Division and Indoor Air Quality Business Division.

According to the company, PEWMEA has been offering living solutions and a wide array of products, such as wiring devices, LED lighting, solar systems, fire alarm systems, home and building automation, ventilation fans, air treatment, air purifiers and air-moving solutions. Upon the company name change, PEWMEA will provide maximum satisfaction to the regional customers working together with partners utilising digital technologies revolving around electrical works in all kinds of living spaces that make up society, including housing, offices, hotels, commercial facilities and sports facilities, the company said.

Announcing the rebranding, Eiji Ito, Managing Director, said: “With solutions centered on electrical equipment and digital technology, we hope to provide a safe and comfortable space where everyone can spend a healthy and lively time. We will continue to update the space following changes in the social environment and lifestyle, and always deliver maximum satisfaction to our customers. With this sentiment, we will continue to work together with our partners to provide ‘human-oriented solutions’ that enable our customers to live their best.”

Eurovent’s generation change reaches finish line

MÁLAGA, Spain, 20 May 2022: Francesco Scuderi has succeeded the retiring Felix Van Eyken as Secretary General of Eurovent, the HVACR association said through a Press release. Stijn Renneboog will support him as the new Deputy Secretary General, the association added.

The European Industry Association for Indoor Climate (HVAC), Process Cooling and Food Cold Chain Technologies has been preparing for a generation change since its General Assembly 2017, which assigned Francesco Scuderi its Deputy Secretary General. Scuderi, an electric energy engineer, has been with the association since 2015, leading the cooling and refrigeration department and supporting the Secretary General with daily management, Eurovent said. Additionally, he serves as convenor at ISO and CEN Working Groups for standardisation activities related to commercial beverage coolers and ice cream freezers, Eurovent said.

With the upcoming retirement of Felix Van Eyken, Scuderi takes over the role of Secretary General effective immediately, Eurovent said, adding that Van Eyken will assume an advisory role and will support the Eurovent Secretariat on part-time basis until the end of July, when he retires definitively. Stijn Renneboog will support Scuderi as newly appointed Deputy Secretary General. He has been at Eurovent since 2019 and has been instrumental in structural reform of the association as well as strategic relations development.

Following his appointment, Scuderi said: “It is an honour for me to take on the leading role in Eurovent, the most renowned and respected European stakeholder of our industry, while supporting the unity and advanced development of the European and international HVACR technologies. I thank the Eurovent Board and our members for their trust and support. The bar has been set high for this position, and I will make sure to follow the footsteps of Felix in the best possible way.”

Van Eyken added: “I am proud to hand over the lead to Francesco, and I am confident that he will enjoy the same trust and respect that I have built up over the past decades among our industry and authorities. While I am emotional about leaving a career I am passionate about and industry colleagues I can call my friends, I am also excited for this new chapter in my life and the changes it will bring. I would like to thank the Eurovent Team for their hard work throughout the years.”

Renneboog said: “The past three years were transformational for Eurovent. Thanks to tremendous commitment and leadership across the Eurovent family, we are now better adapted than ever to represent the evolving needs of our industry and face the challenges and opportunities ahead. In that sense, today marks not only the end of an era, but also a beginning of sorts. I really look forward to this new chapter, and to building on the foundations that have been laid.”

Eurovent said that in line with the ongoing modernisation and digitalisation of the association, it is also preparing major improvements regarding its corporate identity, website, social media presence and dissemination of information.

Daikin to participate in The Hotel Show Dubai

DUBAI, UAE, 20 May 2022: Daikin Middle East and Africa said it is set to showcase its innovative heating solutions of chillers and heat pumps at The Hotel Show Dubai 2022, from May 24 to 26 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Making the announcement through a Press release, Daikin said the solutions are designed to ensure efficiency and optimise energy consumption for the hospitality industry. The solutions will support organisations in the hospitality sector to take one step closer to their sustainability goals, it added.

Traditional methods of producing hot water are undergoing innovations across several western countries, driven by the rise of industry regulations, Daikin said, adding that the trend is also closely materialising in the Middle East. Within the region, the company said, designers are looking into advanced systems for a more efficient way to produce hot water and reduce emissions, in both conventional and non-conventional applications.

As the Middle East is one of the most attractive hospitality markets in the world, The Hotel Show Dubai 2022 provides an ideal platform to showcase its innovative heating solutions to thousands of visitors from across the region while contributing to better sustainability practices within the hospitality industry, it added.

Commenting on Daikin’s participation at the trade show, Paras Adhvaryu, General Manager, Applied Business, Middle East & Africa at Daikin, said: “We are extremely pleased to partner with one of the biggest events for the hospitality sector within the region. Daikin will be showcasing its strong portfolio of innovative next generation of heating solutions at the event, and this is a great opportunity for us to highlight our offerings which are sustainable, cost efficient and reliable with outstanding energy efficiency levels.”

Daikin said it is an Associate Sponsor of the show and will be showcasing its range of advanced chillers and heat pump solutions built for the heating of water through energy optimisation. The company said its team will be available on-site – Stand 1A36 – to take visitors the journey through cutting-edge technologies and solutions tailored to meet the increasing sustainable needs of the hospitality industry.

Daikin said it will also be organising a keynote session to presents its contribution to move the hospitality sector towards carbon net-zero. To be presented by Lorenzo Cipriani, Regional Consulting Sales Manager, Daikin Middle East and Africa, the company said, the keynote will provide interesting insights on contemporary systems that produce hot water while saving energy consumption and reducing emissions for hotels and other companies within the hospitality sector.

LU-VE Group receives “Green Star” award

UBOLDO, Varese, Italy, 19 May 2022: Air heat exchanger manufacturer, LU-VE Group said it has received two important awards that certify its commitment to projects and initiatives aimed at promoting increasingly sustainable and green development.

Making the announcement through a Press release, the Group said it received the Green Star award for the second consecutive year, excelling among the 300 companies that have distinguished themselves the most in the field of sustainability in Italy, according to research conducted by the ITQF Institute. The analysis, the Group said, was conducted independently on 2,000 Italian companies through the social listening technique which, thanks to sophisticated software and artificial intelligence, has made it possible to collect over one million online citations on the green impact of companies on the basis of 30 criteria, including ecological, economic and social sustainability, innovation and technology.

The Group said its strong orientation towards sustainability has also guaranteed it access to the classification, Leader of Sustainability 2022, a selection of the 200 Italian companies that have best managed to integrate conscious environmental, social and economic choices into their business practices. Conducted by Statista, the research took into consideration over 1,500 reports from companies operating in Italy, focusing on the three macro-areas of sustainability: environmental, social and corporate governance, the Group said.

“It’s the grey matter that matters most,” said Iginio Liberali, President, LU-VE, Group. “This does not refer only to the products, but it is the thought that guides us to keep the commitments undertaken towards our collaborators and the communities in which we operate, to promote human growth, professional and otherwise. It is a principle that we have been applying for 36 years since our foundation. These awards make us very happy, because they underline that this is the right way to go. We are constantly engaged in the development of products and processes with low environmental impact, using technological innovation as a strategic lever and exporting our model also abroad. We have always done this, and it has allowed us to be competitive in the market and recognized as a reference player in our sector. Sustainability is not a cost but an investment and, as such, can no longer be neglected. Now ESG issues have become fashionable, but this approach is our duty: we owe it above all to future generations. For LU-VE Group, it is an essential principle, not a finishing line but a starting point.”

GEA expands semi-hermetic product portfolio

DUESSELDORF, Germany, 17 May 2022: GEA Heating & Refrigeration Technologies said it is expanding its semi-hermetic product portfolio, with two new screw compressor models – the GEA CompaX 350 and 400 – set to be launched in the second quarter of 2022. Making the announcement through a Press release, GEA said it is also launching the GEA Grasso X semi-hermetic screw compressor packages. For the BluX chiller, there will be major technical enhancements and adaptations for optimal implementation to the compressors, it said.

The two models, 350 and 400, with a flow volume of 321 and 372 m³/h (at 2,940 rpm), extend the semi-hermetic screw compressor series from larger to medium and also smaller capacity requirements, the company said.

They combine best efficiencies by using the natural refrigerant, ammonia, a wide, stepless adjustable, variable internal volume ratio and a wide speed range as well as highest safety and reliability through decades of experience in developing screw compressors, the company claimed.

The compact design and the simultaneously high degree of integration also make the CompaX a cost-efficient and space-saving product, the company further claimed.

In the introductory phase, the 350 and 400 models are available as both packages and chillers, the company said. The new Grasso X semi-hermetic screw compressor packages offer maximum flexibility and efficiency with a minimum footprint and overall cost, the company said. Customers can choose between a single version and a multipackage. The multipackage can optionally be configured by the customer with two, three or four identical CompaX 350 or 400 units in parallel arrangement, the company added.

Combined with the wide speed range of each screw compressor, the Grasso X setup provides availability, redundancy and efficiencies at the highest level over nearly the entire full and part load range, the company claimed. Refrigeration capacities range from approximately 200 to 1,900 kW (NH₃, -10/+35 °C), it added.

The existing BluX semi-hermetic chiller series is also extended by the new compressors, the company said. The BluX includes all the features and benefits of the unit. The proven, state-of-the-art heat exchanger set completes the product to a compact, highly efficient and safe plug-and-play solution, the company claimed. With refrigerant inlet and outlet temperatures of +12/+6 °C and condensing at ambient temperatures (+35 °C), the BluX capacity range extends from approximately 350 kW cooling capacity with 1x CompaX 350 at 3,000 rpm to circa 1,530 kW with 2x CompaX 400 at 6,000 rpm, the company said. Larger capacities are covered by the GEA BluX with the existing large CompaX 700 and 900 types, it added.

“The compact, safe and reliable products, in combination with their high efficiency, lead to reduced total costs and a most sustainable solution,” said Ron Hoffmann, Product Manager for screw compressors, GEA. In addition, GEA systems require a minimum of maintenance. “We like to convince our customers with the performance and efficiency figures of our machines, Hoffmann said. “We are happy to bring over 50 years of expertise in the development and production of screw compressors to the market with our proven and new products.”

Condair appoints new BDM for Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 8 May 2022: Humidity control and evaporative cooling company, Condair has appointed Shadi Abdulrahim as its new Business Development Manager for Saudi Arabia. Making the announcement through a Press release, Condair said Shadi has joined Condair as an experienced sales manager in the engineering and construction sectors. Based in Riyadh, he has taken on the responsibility for expanding sales of Condair’s humidifiers, dehumidifiers and evaporative cooling systems across the region, the company added.

Mahmoud Widyan, General Manager, Condair Middle East, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming such an experienced business development manager to our team. For many years, Condair has operated successfully across Saudi through its distributor partners and will continue to do so. This investment in the region will further support and grow sales, and it is an indication of the potential we see in the Saudi market.”

Abdulrahim said: “Condair is a global leader in humidifiers, dehumidifiers and evaporative cooling technologies. I feel very proud to have been given this opportunity to lead Condair’s operations in the region and expand the company’s sales. There has never been a more important time to be working in the building services sector and a greater need to improve our Indoor Air Quality for the benefit of society.

Condair’s products offer enhanced health to building occupants through mitigating airborne viral transmission, as well as improved productivity to manufacturers. I am sure that the comprehensive product range Condair has and the technical expertise from my previous roles will help in achieving our company’s expectations and targets.”

THE GREAT DEBATE

DUBAI, UAE, 27 April 2022: CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Middle East magazine, will be hosting ‘The Great Debate: CHW vs VRF systems’. The second edition of the event, to be held on May 30 in Dubai, has captured the imagination of the industry and stoked excitement with its unique, courtroom-styled setting and format.

The first edition, held in 2011, at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, was a novelty, replete with judge, jury, witness box and fiery advocates arguing with passion and interrogating at will to ascertain the best possible system, all things considered, to deliver affordable, efficient, resource-friendly, safe and reliable comfort cooling in the GCC region.

The Great Debate: CHW vs VRF systems is a revival of the 2011 setting, at a time when proponents of chilled water systems and variable refrigerant flow systems claim to have made substantial progress and achieved greater market penetration. Does the argument, ‘horses for courses’ hold true, or are we missing a point that holds the key to safe, sustainable, affordable and reliable air conditioning?

A key question that probably would settle the swirling dust surrounding chilled water systems and variable refrigerant flow systems is, ‘Where is the data?’ The Great Debate is an attempt at arriving at clarity, at a time when the world is desperately seeking solutions to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce total cost of ownership and to strengthen Indoor Air Quality interventions.

Whilst The Great Debate will feature technical presentations, the centrepiece of the event will be the unique courtroom setting, post-lunch, designed to host a no-holds-barred discussion on chilled water and variable refrigerant flow systems, with the aim of arriving at clarity on performance data on energy use, reliability, affordability and health & safety, amongst other topics, when the systems are deployed across multiple building profiles.

The conference will feature all the typical furniture and props of a courtroom, with stakeholders assuming the roles of judge, jury, advocates, witnesses (developers, building owners and building owner associations) and courtroom onlookers. The conference will summon proponents and consumers of both approaches to take to the witness box for cross-examination, with ample scope to present their side of the argument, with the aid of audio-visual presentations and any other means they may choose to build a strong case.

“The conference is not an attempt at gimmickry but a serious and earnest exercise to highlight facts with unprecedented clarity,” said Surendar Balakrishnan, Co-Founder & Editorial Director, CPI Industry. “It is expected that the coming together of master developers, developers, building owner associations, consultants, contractors, manufacturers, distributors and sectoral end-users in healthcare, hospitality, aviation, education and malls in a unique courtroom setting would prompt greater insight, leading to lowering of total cost of ownership and greenhouse gas emissions and to improving Indoor Air Quality.”

Key talking points in the courtroom session include:

• Energy efficiency in multiple building types/energy consumption on an annualised basis; M&V; onsite data harvesting and analysis
• Sources of energy: Natural Gas, hydrogen, Renewable Energy
• Water-use optimisation in multiple building types
• O&M issues (streamlined maintenance protocols)
• Refrigerants and occupant safety
• Cooling towers and human health
• Environmental impact (atmosphere, soil, water); net-zero-building aspirations
• Comfort cooling: reliability of cooling (last-mile guarantee), zoned cooling and heating, simultaneous cooling and heating
• Cost of installation, broad capex considerations
• Total cost of ownership
• Aftermarket service – including installation training, mentorship, support, supervision, spare parts – provided as a standard business practice by all manufacturers and suppliers
• Need for an international standard that provides standardised technical detail for minimum expected performance
• Regulation: MEPS and their impact on governing the performance of HVAC equipment and their interaction with other building assets in ensuring better building performance
• Smart cities and digital intervention

– ENDS –

 

For more details, contact:

Namrata Aswani

Strategic Public Affairs Liaison & Events Manager, CPI Industry

E: namrata@cpi-industry.com

M: +971 50 55 22 461

Rheem, Ruud host Pro Partner 2022 Conference

LAS VEGAS, 26 April 2022: Rheem and Ruud, part of the Rheem family of brands, hosted the 2022 Pro Partner International Conference from March 7 to 10 in Las Vegas. Making the announcement through an April 26 Press release, Rheem said more than 5,000 key partners from the HVAC industry participated in the event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

According to Rheem, the conference ran under the theme, Pro Powered. The company’s Global Air Division spearheaded the event, which brought together the HVAC industry’s key partners, products and keynote speakers in an action-packed week, which celebrated the HVAC industry and community, Rheem said.

Both Rheem and Ruud Pro Partners enjoyed special appearances by major celebrities along with live entertainment, dynamic breakout sessions and an action-packed product and program expo, Rheem said.

With conference agendas led by industry experts, the event spanned two-days for Ruud and two-days for Rheem.  Featured topics included training, innovation, networking and tools for growing a successful HVAC business. Rheem said attendees drew inspiration to learn more about increasing their profitability through a variety of insight-packed sessions, which covered everything from new product innovations to making the most of digital marketing tools.

The goal was to provide Pro Partners with real, actionable takeaways, Rheem said, adding that the Ruud and Rheem product development teams also shared insights on the latest HVAC product portfolio for the Gulf Countries, including the reimagined Plus Ones, with features technicians will appreciate and the comfort and performance their customers are seeking. Attendees left the conference armed with knowledge on new regulations, tips for future-proofing business and tips to enhance profitability, Rheem said.

“This is a dynamic time for our industry,” said Mike Branson, President, Global Air, Rheem. “And we continue to be fully committed to making sure our partners are not only prepared to succeed in the short term but grow stronger for the future. This conference certainly helps accomplish that.”

According to Rheem, the Pro Partner International Conference will return in 2025.

Wilo reports achieving record sales

DORTMUND, Germany, 21 April 2022: The Wilo Group reported that it ended the fiscal year 2021 with record sales of nearly EUR 1.7 billion euros. Despite persistently difficult conditions, the Group said, it increased its sales revenue by 13.8%.

Earnings before taxes (EBITDA) also reached an all-time high of EUR 181.1 million, the company said. This represents an increase of more than 30%m, it added. “The pleasing results speak a clear language: The Wilo Group is ideally positioned to achieve sustainable, profitable growth, even in difficult times and under unfavourable economic conditions,” said Oliver Hermes, President and CEO, Wilo Group.

 Wilo said the unforeseeable situation in the middle of Europe and the Coronavirus pandemic, which has been ongoing for over two years, also intensified the global decoupling tendencies in the past financial year.

Multinational alliances are being called into question, economic cooperation structures are being dissolved, supply chains are being subject to sanctions and embargoes are being imposed, it said. “More and more, German and European companies are getting caught between the fronts of geopolitical disputes,” Hermes pointed out.

Wilo said it specifically has been encountering these developments for years and, to this end, further expanded its global presence in the past financial year. Among other things, Wilo said, it invested more than EUR 170 million in the construction and expansion of sales and production locations in the modernisation and expansion of production facilities, acquisitions and takeovers.

Wilo said that in line with the “region-for-region” approach, it strengthened the American market, among others. North America, in particular, has become one of the most important sales markets in recent years, it said, adding that the acquisition of QuantumFlo, Inc., a specialist in booster sets and intelligent pump systems, completed in fiscal 2021, consolidated its market position. In addition, new state-of-the-art production and administration buildings were, and are being, built in the United States, China and India, it said.

Today, Wilo said, it has a presence around the globe, through its global network of more than 80 production and sales companies. Hermes said this is another reason for the robust success in the past financial year.

In 2021, Wilo said, it also received awards for its commitment to combating climate change. Among them are the German Sustainability Award 2021, the Ecovadis Sustainability Rating in Gold, and the title of “Climate Pioneer” (Handelsblatt), which it said, are proof of its innovation leadership.

Wilo said it is regarded in the industry as one of the pioneers in climate protection and has set itself the goal of saving 50 million tons of CO₂ by 2025, thus making a substantial contribution to reducing emissions. Hermes said: “Wilo is also leading the way as a pioneer in the hydrogen era: As part of the implementation of our dedicated hydrogen strategy, the “H₂ Powerplant” will be open at the Wilopark in Dortmund. This will serve as a self-sufficient, decentralized, and regenerative solution for secure energy supply.”

Frascold, Solid Energy in district energy initiative

MILAN, Italy, 19 April 2022: District heating systems could be a key technology in achieving the international climate mitigation goals, both those laid out in the Paris Agreement and the more stringent ones set by the European Green Deal. Saying so, Frascold, which manufactures semi-hermetic compressors for the industrial refrigeration and air conditioning sectors, said it has combined with Solid Energy, which specialises in heat pumps powered by renewable energy sources, to contribute to the diffusion of district heating and pave the way to an ecological transition by signing up to numerous projects in Denmark. 

Amongst the most recent partnerships, upgrading the Galten plant in the Scandinavian country stands out, Frascold said. The plant has been in operation since 1964 and is capable of powering approximately 2,130 homes, Frascold highlighted.

The collaboration between Frascold and Solid Energy for the Galten facility began in 2019 with the creation of a system able to produce 45,000 MWh per year, obtained from 6 Frascold CXH screw compressors, suitable for use with HC, for 3.5 MW of overall power. The subsequent expansion, in 2021, saw the addition of 12 CXH compressors for an increase in power of 7 MW, Frascold said.

The installed air-water heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air with 34 air coolers for a total of 3,215,000 m3/h and cover 98% of the district heating system’s power consumption – that is, 44.343 MWh – with a SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) of 3.11, Frascold said. The plant provides a discharge temperature of 70 degrees C with a return of 38 degrees C, thus achieving a COP of 3.4 calculated by considering an outside air temperature of 8 degrees C, which is the annual average in Denmark, Frascold said. 

“We think HC heat pumps are ideal for helping reduce the comfort sector’s environmental impact,” said Karsten Pedersen, Technical Director, Solid Energy. “Cascade systems with R290 and R600a guarantee the best balance of lowering direct and indirect consumption, flexibility of use and costs.

So, for this project, we relied, once more, on Frascold, which has supported us throughout each phase, and thanks to the constant dialogue with the Competence Center team, we have designed the ideal system to respond to the three challenges: Sustainability, performance and efficiency.

The partnership with Frascold is also based on the certified reliability of its wide range of hydrocarbon solutions: It is, in fact, the only manufacturer on the market with compressor sizes around 1,000 m3/h, which are perfect for our project and comply with ATEX directives for use in zone 2.” 

Fabrizio Diotallevi, Frascold Sales Area Manager, North Europe, said: “Denmark is one of the most advanced countries in terms of district heating, and approximately 1.7 million homes, or 64% of the total, are powered by these systems, of which 61% already use energy from renewable sources.

A continuous improvement process is in line with the objective to completely eliminate fossil fuels in the segment by 2030. With the numerous plants brought online with Solid Energy, we are proud to contribute to this ambitious project, which we hope will be replicated in other countries.

This new success story with Solid Energy is another example of our expertise in building heat pump compressors, which we have gained through years of international partnerships using this technology that, in the near future, will be the basis for virtuous heating and zero environmental impact.”  

Frascold SpA – www.frascold.it/en 

Frascold is a leading player in the development, production and marketing of semi-hermetic, piston and screw compressors, at the service of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. A company in continuous evolution, with its gaze always directed toward the future, which has built, over time, its competitive positioning on the value of the dynamic efficiency paradigm in which the company becomes the very engine of change, playing a propositional and proactive role towards the demand.

With headquarters in the province of Milan, in a facility occupying 53,000 m2 in total. Frascold Spa closed 2020 with a consolidated turnover of 55 million Euro. The Company boasts a well-balanced competitive position, thanks to the complete control of the value chain and a careful internationalisation strategy, which is expressed in significant investments in direct bases in China, India and the USA and agreements with Distributors in 86 countries. 

Solid Energy A/S https://www.solid-group.dk/en  

Solid Energy A/S is a cleantech company founded in 2015 in Denmark. It specialises in designing and installing heat pumps for district heating power stations and for large plants in, for example, the industrial sector. Solid Group has 35 employees and implemented 13 turnkey projects, for an overall total power of 40 MW. 

Leminar Air Conditioning Company, AEG Power Solutions ink deal

DUBAI, UAE, 19 April 2022: Leminar Air Conditioning Company signed a distribution agreement with AEG Power Solutions, a global provider of power supply systems and solutions for critical applications. Making the announcement through a Press release, Leminar said the agreement marks its foray into the power generation industry while enhancing its data centre services through the addition of another esteemed partner to its diverse portfolio.

According to Leminar, AEG Power Solutions ensures the continuous power availability and the safe operation of critical applications through a wide portfolio of power supply systems and services. AEG designs and delivers solutions for secure power supply through offerings such as AC and DC UPS, battery chargers, rectifier systems and customised UPS systems as well as solutions for the energy transition, like battery energy storage and hydrogen production processes, Leminar said. 

Commenting on the partnership, Frédéric Salon, Vice President Sales, AEG Power Solutions said: “AEG Power Solutions’ partnership with Leminar Air Conditioning Company will enable it to ensure the continuous availability of power and the safe operation of critical applications in the global market. The alliance will fortify our presence in the Middle East, enabling us to further expand our market reach through Leminar’s extensive network and distribution channels.” 

Kartik Raval, General Manager, Leminar Air Conditioning Company, said: “Leminar’s partnership with AEG Power Solutions will allow it to offer innovative solutions spanning the oil & gas operation, power generation, transportation, data and IT sectors. The agreement will enhance Leminar’s ability to meet the growing requirements of the HVAC industry, specifically regarding the provision of data centre solutions, while expanding AEG Power Solutions’ market reach for their commercial UPS systems through Leminar’s extensive distribution channels.” 

Frascold, Solid Energy in district energy initiative

MILAN, Italy, 19 April 2022: District heating systems could be a key technology in achieving the
international climate mitigation goals, both those laid out in the Paris Agreement and the more
stringent ones set by the European Green Deal. Saying so, Frascold, which manufactures semi-
hermetic compressors for the industrial refrigeration and air conditioning sectors, said it has
combined with Solid Energy, which specialises in heat pumps powered by renewable energy
sources, to contribute to the diffusion of district heating and pave the way to an ecological
transition by signing up to numerous projects in Denmark.

Amongst the most recent partnerships, upgrading the Galten plant in the Scandinavian country
stands out, Frascold said. The plant has been in operation since 1964 and is capable of
powering approximately 2,130 homes, Frascold highlighted. The collaboration between
Frascold and Solid Energy for the Galten facility began in 2019 with the creation of a system
able to produce 45,000 MWh per year, obtained from 6 Frascold CXH screw compressors,
suitable for use with HC, for 3.5 MW of overall power. The subsequent expansion, in 2021, saw
the addition of 12 CXH compressors for an increase in power of 7 MW, Frascold said. The
installed air-water heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air with 34 air coolers for a total of
3,215,000 m 3 /h and cover 98% of the district heating system’s power consumption – that is,
44.343 MWh – with a SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) of 3.11, Frascold said. The
plant provides a discharge temperature of 70 degrees C with a return of 38 degrees C, thus
achieving a COP of 3.4 calculated by considering an outside air temperature of 8 degrees C,
which is the annual average in Denmark, Frascold said.

“We think HC heat pumps are ideal for helping reduce the comfort sector’s environmental
impact,” said Karsten Pedersen, Technical Director, Solid Energy. “Cascade systems with R290
and R600a guarantee the best balance of lowering direct and indirect consumption, flexibility of
use and costs. So, for this project, we relied, once more, on Frascold, which has supported us

throughout each phase, and thanks to the constant dialogue with the Competence Center
team, we have designed the ideal system to respond to the three challenges: Sustainability,
performance and efficiency. The partnership with Frascold is also based on the certified
reliability of its wide range of hydrocarbon solutions: It is, in fact, the only manufacturer on the
market with compressor sizes around 1,000 m 3 /h, which are perfect for our project and comply
with ATEX directives for use in zone 2.”

Fabrizio Diotallevi, Frascold Sales Area Manager, North Europe, said: “Denmark is one of the
most advanced countries in terms of district heating, and approximately 1.7 million homes, or
64% of the total, are powered by these systems, of which 61% already use energy from
renewable sources. A continuous improvement process is in line with the objective to
completely eliminate fossil fuels in the segment by 2030. With the numerous plants brought
online with Solid Energy, we are proud to contribute to this ambitious project, which we hope
will be replicated in other countries. This new success story with Solid Energy is another
example of our expertise in building heat pump compressors, which we have gained through
years of international partnerships using this technology that, in the near future, will be the
basis for virtuous heating and zero environmental impact.”

HVAC sector to drive demand for OEM insulation

PUNE, India, 18 April 2022: With increasing urbanisation and industrialisation bolstering growth of developing regions, applications in automotive, consumer appliances and HVAC sectors have seen a rapid uptick, posing a direct impact on the demand for OEM insulation. According to a new research report by Future Market Insights, an ESOMAR-certified market research and consulting company and a member of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, the global OEM insulation market is expected to reach a market value of over USD 19,500 million by the end of 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period.   

There has also been a significant increase in the construction projects globally in residential and commercial sector, which depicts leading growth of HVAC systems in the global OEM insulation systems, Future Market Insights said. HVAC systems cover a major part of the demand for OEM insulations, it pointed out. 

The sector holds a dominating position in the global market, owing to the cost advantage and energy efficiency, Future Market Insights said, adding that the need for installation of HVAC systems has also called for considerable use of interior insulation systems to counter any external noise and adverse climatic conditions. 

The rampant industrial requirements in developing regions, like Asia, shows a clear picture of the OEM insulation market’s potential for progress in the upcoming years, Future Market Insights said. The key factors expected to drive growth in the region include rising public and private investments in industrial, energy, oil & gas, petrochemical and food & beverage sectors; increased focus of local governments on enhancing industrial output; legislation of incentives to jumpstart the manufacturing sector, such as, development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), industrial corridors, and industrial clusters and provision of subsidies and tax cuts for manufacturing groups and industrial corporations, Future Market Insights added. 

Among the leading countries in Asia, India is expected have a foremost role to play in the global OEM insulation market, Future Market Insights said. According to the regional forecast, India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period, it said. However, in terms of market value, North America being a highly developed region, holds the largest market value by the end of 2028, it added. 

The global market for natural and eco-friendly insulating materials is projected to have a highly lucrative market, Future Market Insights said. The move is in response to the upgradation of manufacturing techniques taking place. In order to gain competitive edge over the other and to reap the maximum benefits, market players are channelising their efforts to develop value-added products with increased efficiency, Future Market Insights said. Inclination towards the trend of eco-friendly insulation is one of such moves, it said, adding that many players are also a part of various collaboration activities, which enables the market player to adopt competencies and further drive the market. 

Some of the players mentioned in the report are Rockwool Group, BASF, Evonik, Paroc Group Oy, Owens Corning Insulating Systems, Saint-Gobain, Armacell International, Johns Manville Corporation, ACH Foam Technologies, Henry Company, Shannon Enterprises of Western New York Inc., Styrotech, Inc. and NCFI Polyurethanes. According to Future Market Insights, the projections may reveal many more trends that companies may look forward to, in order to surpass their competitors and bolster growth. 

Danfoss breaks ground for ‘supermarket of the future’

NORDBORG, Denmark, 14 April 2022: Engineering firm, Danfoss recently hosted a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of what it described as one of the world’s most energy-efficient supermarkets. 

Making the announcement through a Press release, Danfoss said the supermarket, scheduled to be ready in mid-2023 and spanning an area of 1,500 square metres, is situated next to Danfoss’ headquarters, in Nordborg, and is expected to lead the way for supermarket chains around the world to develop climate-friendly and sustainable stores with technologies that already exist today.  

Built with energy-efficient refrigeration and heating technology, solar roof panels and charging points for electric cars, the Smart Store supermarket will capture and reuse heat produced by cooling cabinets and freezers to provide heating for the supermarket and local community through district energy, Danfoss said.

The supermarket will be connected to the Nordals Fjernvarmeværk district heating plant and will be able to supply it with surplus heat, Danfoss added. 

The cooling system in the new supermarket will also run on carbon dioxide, as a natural refrigerant, which helps to reduce the overall climate impact.  

Kristian Strand, President, Refrigeration & A/C Controls, Danfoss Climate Solutions, said: “The origins of this project go back a long time, but the new energy-efficient Smart Store supermarket that we are starting to build today has only grown in relevance.

The goal of the project is to show how easy and profitable it is to decarbonise our economy and ensure reliable and sustainable energy use. Heating and cooling are the largest energy consumers in supermarkets. The solutions we are building here today represent the core of Danfoss solutions and will showcase how we can approach zero-energy use in food retail, together.” 

According to Danfoss, the site will also serve as an Application Development Centre, where the company will work together with partners to co-develop new technologies and explore interfaces in the energy system surrounding energy storage. 

Jürgen Fischer, President, Danfoss Climate Solutions, said: “The supermarket will be the focal point for a new part of our campus, where all buildings will be energy-efficient and meet special sustainability requirements. Our aim is to boost the green transition with concrete evidence of how far we can go with energy efficiency. We want to demonstrate to customers and partners how energy-saving solutions work in real life. We want to show the greenest energy is the energy we don’t use or reuse.” 

According to Danfoss, BALS, Brugsen for Als and Sundeved, Denmark’s largest independent supermarket association, will rent the building from the company and install a COOP 365 discount supermarket. BALS, which works together with COOP, has a total of 13 stores in the area around Sønderborg in Denmark and, since 2015, has consistently reduced the consumption of energy in its stores. So far, it has cut 44% of its total CO2 emissions, Danfoss said, adding that it was, therefore, a natural next step that BALS became a partner in the project. 

Danfoss said it is establishing a showroom in a part of the supermarket building, where all installations are visible to visitors and customers. It said visitors will be able to experience its solutions for heating and cooling, such as CO2 as a refrigerant, heat recovery and the interaction between installations, once the building is in operation.  

Eurovent to host AHU webinar

BRUSSELS, DUBAI, PARIS, 14 April 2022: Eurovent, Eurovent Middle East and Eurovent Certita Certification announced they would be jointly hosting a webinar to discuss the energy efficiency of air-handling units (AHUs) in hot and humid conditions on April 28. 

Making the announcement through a Press release, the three organisations said that as a crucial part of a cooling and ventilation system, AHUs can be built to a multitude of customer specifications and operating environments. Since January 2022, Eurovent has mandated its certified manufacturers to disclose the energy ratings for hot and humid climates when the products are sold in such environments, the three organisations said. 

In reaction to mounting requests to adjust energy ratings to local climates, Eurovent and its certification body, Eurovent Certita Certification have developed an energy rating for hot and humid conditions, they said. Aside from such ratings for chillers and VRF systems, the use of a separate energy label for AHUs that operate in such climates requires a deeper look to understand implications and underlying operating principles, they said. 

The aim of the webinar is to provide the technical background and an overview of the new energy label. It will feature the following… 

• Eurovent’s energy label for hot and humid climates: Programme origin and methodology 
• Energy efficiency in hot and humid conditions: Expert assessment and analysis 
• Technical panel discussion

According to the three organisations, the webinar will conclude with a dedicated Q&A session, where participants are invited to discuss any issues related to the topics. Those wishing to attend, they said, may register via this link. Registration is free, they said, adding that the event will take place from 10am to 11.30am (Abu Dhabi time). 

JCI: Investments in sustainability have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels

CORK, Ireland, 12 April 2022: Johnson Controls (JCI) announced findings from its 15th annual Energy Efficiency Indicator Survey, which revealed that 62% of organizations surveyed expect to increase investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy or smart building technology in 2022, indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels. 

JCI said the latest report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change advised that global scale transformation is urgently needed to combat climate change; however, its Energy Efficiency Indicator Survey found that organizations are still facing challenges to accelerate their sustainability efforts in key areas. Almost two-thirds of survey respondents say they struggle to scale sustainability initiatives across buildings, geographies or business units.  

“In the face of the multiple and continuous shock waves of the last two years, it is very encouraging to see that building owners and operators are driving forward the kinds of investments that deliver the resilience needed to grow their business and attract and retain the best talent,” said Katie McGinty, Vice President & Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer, JCI.

“Whether it is the damage delivered by climate-charged destructive natural events, or the health threat of the pandemic, or now, the stark demonstration of the insecurity of world energy supplies, it is clear that taking action to cut energy demand while decarbonizing and cleaning the air are core strategies for companies, governments and institutions to not only survive but to thrive.

Our innovative technologies in heat pumps and our OpenBlue digital platform, plus our Net Zero as a Service partnership offering, are exactly the right tools at the right time for leaders determined to stay well ahead of challenges and deliver new opportunities for their business or organization.” 

JCI said the survey revealed that planned investment in energy generation or storage has grown significantly over five years, likely in response to the global focus on decarbonization, and as part of that effort, electrification.

More than a third of respondents plan to replace fossil fuel heating equipment with heat pump technology in the next year, which is seven per cent more than what was implemented in the year prior, the company said. Notably, thermal energy storage jumped from 27% to 42% in the last five years, the company said. More than half of respondents implemented electric energy storage in the past year, the company added. 

JCI said the survey also found that the United States and Europe still lead the way in every metric of green building planning. The United States had the most respondents who had already achieved green building certification and expect to have a net-zero-energy or carbon building in the next 10 years, JCI said.

Europe had the most respondents planning to attain green building certifications and the most respondents who have established public energy or carbon-reduction goals, with United Kingdom leading with 46% established goals, JCI added. 

Compared to its global counterparts, significantly more respondents in the United States plan to implement measures, such as building controls improvements, onsite renewable energy and energy management process, such as ISO 50001, JCI said. Of the countries surveyed, the United Kingdom, France and Japan have the most respondents who expect to increase investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy or smart building technology over the next year, the company said. Still, to reach global sustainability and environmental goals, the world must work collectively to plan for a more energy efficient future and make investments today for the generations to come, it added. 

Although global-scale transformation is necessary to course-correct on climate change, organisations are facing barriers to pursuing sustainability initiatives, JCI said. Almost half of the respondents surveyed say their top barrier to pursue energy and building technology improvements is either a lack of funding to pay for improvements (25%) or uncertainty in their return-on-investment (23%), the company said. 

Additionally, more than half of respondents pointed to a lack of technology as one of the hindrances to scaling sustainability efforts, JCI said. 

The pandemic has also prompted organizations to rethink their technology investment decision-making, JCI said. Protecting the health and safety of building occupants during the coronavirus pandemic was the second most significant driver of investments globally, it said. Additionally, 65% of respondents performed an indoor air quality assessment last year, it added. 

Respondents to the survey also said improving occupant health and wellness overall and improving life safety and security were important decision-making factors, JCI pointed out. Over the next 12 months, almost 60% of organizations plan to invest in fire and life safety system and security system improvements to their buildings, it said. Long term, more than two-thirds of organizations believe data analytics and cybersecurity will have an extremely or very significant impact on the implementation of smart buildings over the next five years, it added. 

The survey revealed that actionable policies are also important for progressing energy efficiency goals, JCI said, adding that 85% and 72% of respondents, respectively, reported that performance benchmarking, certifications and performance standards for energy codes are critical to improving energy efficiency efforts. 

JCI said its Energy Efficiency Indicator Survey collected responses from 1,000 participants globally between November and December 2021. 

Dunli introduces X-Pro axial fans

HANGZHOU, Zhejiang, China, 12 April 2022: Dunli introduced X-Pro axial fans, which it described as equipped with the latest rear guide vane and three-dimensional flow impeller. They are ideal for HVAC and refrigeration applications, the company added.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Dunli said the fans come in a wide range of impeller diameters, including 500mm, 630mm, 710mm, 800mm and 900mm. The maximum static pressure efficiency is up to 56%, and air volume is as high as 35,000m³/h, the company said.

In terms of noise control and range – throw distance – they perform significantly better than equivalent fans in the motor fan industry the world over, the company claimed.

Highlighting what it called the energy-saving characteristic of the fans, Dunli said an 800mm X-Pro axial fan working at 13,500m³/h at 160Pa, can save more than 17,000 kilowatt-hours in five years, compared to traditional equivalent fans in the market.

The fans can be used in a variety of HVAC equipment, such as air coolers, air-cooled heat exchange modules, heat pumps and cooling towers, Dunli said, adding that they are reliable, easy to install and maintain and convenient to control.

MEP stakeholder health at core of discussions

DUBAI, UAE, 5 April 2022: The 5^th edition of The Client, Consultant, Contractor Conference, on May 16 in Dubai, will discuss issues relating to the general health and financial wellbeing of MEP stakeholders, including business growth opportunities and stability.

Produced by CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Middle East magazine, the conference will be taking place against the backdrop of a waning pandemic. With COVID-19 showing signs of receding, there is optimism of growth, financial stability and opportunities. In such a context, what are the business strategies and acumen needed to thrive, the availability of funding and criteria for lending, and the overall scope of growth?

Among key points of discussion are macro-economic trends and geopolitical circumstances and their influence on business modelling for MEP companies; the shape of economic recovery, a year on; specific opportunities for specialised MEP disciplines in new construction, and in retrofit and repair jobs; opportunities for small- and medium-sized MEP contracting companies; the importance of agility, resilience and of pivoting expertise; systemic areas of concern – the commonly seen Low Price, Technically Acceptable (LPTA) approach; the implications of awarding contracts on lowest-cost basis – a case of missed opportunities in raising the bar on building performance; specific business opportunities through aligning with the stated objectives of the UAE’s new set of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); the new FIDIC, and what it means to the broad building construction and specific MEP industries; and the ratio of cost contracts to lumpsum contracts in the GCC region – which works better for the overall financial wellbeing of all stakeholders?

To be chaired by Azmi Aboul-Hoda, Managing Director, EMergy, the pivotal conference will see participation from Saeed Al Abbar, CEO, AESG; Sagar Kulkarni, Managing Director, Consistent Engineering Consultants; Euan Lloyd, Senior Counsel, Al Tamimi & Company; Sougata Nandi, CEO, 3e Advisory; V. Sekhar Reddy, Managing Director, Lexzander; and Andrew Schumer, Managing Director, Blackwit, amongst others.

Overall, the conference will have the traditional solidity and usefulness associated with CPI Industry events, including a curating of insights and recommendations for structured follow-up action.

– ENDS –

For more details, contact:

Namrata Aswani

Strategic Public Affairs Liaison & Events Manager, CPI Industry

E: namrata@cpi-industry.com

M: +971 50 55 22 461

Ziehl-Abegg reports record sales of 716 million euros

KÜNZELSAU, Germany, 31 March 2022: Ziehl-Abegg reported record sales of 716 million euros in 2021, compared to 639 million euros in 2020. Making the announcement through a Press release, the manufacturer of electric motors and fans said the figure posted in 2021 represented a growth of 11.9%. 

Peter Fenkl, CEO, Ziehl-Abegg, describing 2021, said, “In view of the problems with global supply chains, we took a cautious approach at times and, ultimately, managed to do pretty well in terms of sales.”

The company said it was equally heartening that the number of employees worldwide rose to 4,700, compared to 4,300 in 2020. 

Fenkl described the earnings situation as “more than difficult”, as the supply chain problems not only had an impact on delivery times but on pricing, as well. “Some suppliers had already increased prices so quickly towards the end of 2020 and then repeatedly in 2021 that we were unable to pass these on to the market on a 1:1 basis,” he said.

Based on the experience in the first quarter, the manager knows that this situation will become more acute in the current year. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” Fenkl said. It is relevant to highlight that Fenkl has been at the helm of the family-owned business for more than 20 years. 

Ziehl-Abegg said it is regarded as a company with a high level of vertical integration. “We now want to expand this even further,” Fenkl said. However, growth at the headquarters in Hohenlohe is problematical, as there is a serious shortage in the availability of the necessary additional workers there, the company said.

The intention, therefore, is to expand existing production facilities and establish new production sites, it added. Fenkl said: “Additional production sites will bring us closer to our customers.” 

The company said the 11.9% growth in sales last year provides a good base for further growth. Ventilation systems were the sales driver in the year just past, contributing EUR 637 million to the overall result, the company said.

Fenkl said he held no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead. “Work shifts are currently being repeatedly cancelled because of a lack of components – how can you realistically plan and how are you supposed to satisfy your customers?” he said.  

Ziehl-Abegg employs 2,600 people in Germany, 200 more than a year ago. The number of employees worldwide rose from 4,300 to 4,700. Since employees of the baby boom era in Germany are now increasingly reaching retirement age, this is having a direct impact on the available workforce potential. “Companies must, therefore, openly target Generation Z, the post-millennials,” Fenkl said. “We mustn’t persist with old ways of thinking but instead take the wishes and needs of young people seriously.” 

Multi-Wing releases fan specification App

BURTON, Ohio, 29 March 2022: Multi-Wing America said it has released its OPTIMISER 11 Fan Specification App. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said the OPTIMISER 11 is an easy-to-use resource for original equipment engineers to specify the most efficient, tailor-made Multi-Wing fan for their application. It is ideal for specifying fans in HVACR as well as engine cooling in off-highway equipment and gensets, the company added.

The OPTIMISER 11 features an intuitive interface that more efficiently accesses essential fan curve data, such as horsepower and sound information for select static pressure and cubic feet per minute (cfm) data, the company claimed. In addition, users have more flexibility to modify their dashboard, including data preferences and color selection for customized visual display of fan performance curves, the company said.

“This app allows our customers to identify the most optimized and efficient customized fan for their equipment,” said Larry Marsinek, Sales Engineer, Multi-Wing America. “Its improved user interface provides efficient display of important data on sound, total efficiency and performance curves that engineers need to develop the best fan specification.”

According to the company, the previous version of the OPTIMISER App will not be updated with the newest fan information. The basic version of OPTIMISER 11, it said, is available to everyone to download by visiting www.multi-wing.net/optimiser.

ASHRAE opens registration for its Annual Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 24 March 2022: ASHRAE said registration is now open for the 2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference, from June 25 to 29, at the Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto. 

According to ASHRAE, the five-day conference includes sessions addressing current trends and technologies in the HVAC&R industry, as well as tours, social events and a keynote message from Fredi Lajvardi, STEM educator and subject of IMAX film, Dream Big. 

“ASHRAE’s Annual Conference offers a unique combination of education, technology and networking in an effective format where industry professionals can share best practices, insights and real-world experiences with peers from around the world,” said Mick Schwedler, 2021-22 ASHRAE President. “We’re excited to come together in Toronto – a vibrant city known for innovation – and know the conference will be a worthwhile experience for all in attendance.”  

According to ASHRAE, the conference’s technical program comprises eight tracks, with over 70 sessions and over 200 speakers. Topics include decarbonization, environmental health and energy system integration and building performance, the Society said. 

According to ASHRAE, tracks include: 

• Fundamentals and Applications 
• HVAC&R Systems and Equipment 
• 9th Annual Research Summit 
• IAQ, Energy Use, Comfort and Health of Sustainable Buildings 
• Connected Buildings, Connected Communities 
• Buildings in the Aftermath of COVID-19
• Professional Development and Education 
• Cold Climate Building System Design, Operation and Resilience 

ASHRAE said it will also conduct business, committee and technical meetings in the weeks leading up to and during the conference. It said members will be recognized for Society and industry achievements, and Farooq Mehboob, 2022-2023 ASHRAE President, will present the inaugural Society theme address on “Securing Our Future”.  

According to ASHRAE, registration includes: 

• Access to technical program from Sunday, June 26 to Wednesday, June 29 (seminars, workshops, paper sessions, debates and panels) 
• Access to conference proceedings 
• Networking opportunities 

The ASHRAE Ventilation 2022: 13th International Industrial Ventilation Conference for Contaminant Control will immediately precede the ASHRAE Annual Conference at the same location, from June 22 to 24, the Society said, adding that dual registration opportunities will be available at a discounted rate. It encouraged those interested in attending the events to visit ashrae.org/2022annual and ashrae.org/ventilation2022. 

Danfoss implements planned generational shift in ownership

NORDBORG, Denmark, 23 March 2022: Former Danfoss CEO, Jørgen Mads Clausen has informed the Board of Directors that he will resign as Chairman of the Board of Danfoss A/S with effect from the Annual General Meeting to be held on March 25, 2022. Making the announcement through a Press release, Danfoss said Clausen will remain a member of the Board of Directors until the Annual General Meeting on March 25, when his current term expires.

According to Danfoss, the Board has nominated current Vice Chairman, Jens Bjerg Sørensen to succeed Clausen as Chairman of the Board after the Annual General Meeting.

Clausen said: “Danfoss is now a stronger, bigger and more global company, but also one with a clear goal of contributing to the green transition and combatting climate change with our energy-efficient products and solutions. This is a result of our business strategy, which is now being updated with an ambitious sustainability strategy. It has been a pleasure to safeguard my parents’ life work for the benefit of Southern Jutland, Denmark and the world. Now it’s time for the next generation to take the lead. The timing is right for me.”

According to Danfoss, Clausen was CEO of the company from 1996 to 2008 and Chairman of the Board since the 2009 Annual General Meeting. Despite stepping down from the Board, he intends to maintain his strong commitment to Danfoss, the company said. This follows the tradition that started with Bitten Clausen, who was one of the world’s first female board chairs from 1966 to 1971 and, later, Danfoss’ Vice Chair until 1989, the company added.

Clausen said: “I will continue to be available to the company and represent the family to employees and business associates. But both my siblings and my wife and I are delighted that the third generation of the family is showing their commitment to Danfoss by taking on greater responsibility. At the same time, we couldn’t ask for a better chairman than Jens Bjerg Sørensen. Jens has the right skills, experience and understanding of Danfoss and our culture. He can take Danfoss to new levels, together with the rest of the Board, management and our employees.”

Sørensen said: “I am honored to be nominated as the new Chairman of the Board. Danfoss has an impressive history. The foundation based long-term ownership and the family’s strong values are one of the main reasons why Danfoss now has a decisive influence on whether the world succeeds in the green transition. Danfoss is financially stronger than ever and has developed significantly during Jørgen’s time as Chairman. As Vice Chairman, I have followed the close collaboration between Jørgen and Danfoss’ CEO, Kim Fausing, which I consider crucial to Danfoss’ success. I intend to maintain this together with the new Board of Directors.”

Johnson Controls joins World Business Council for Sustainable Development

GENEVA, Switzerland, 23 March 2022: Johnson Controls joined over 200 companies as the newest member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Making the announcement through a Press release, Johnson Controls said it continues to take significant steps to further improve its environmental impact and has committed to achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the Paris Climate Agreement goal. By 2030, the company said, it aims to cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 55% and reduce Scope 3 emissions by 16%. These ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, it added.

Johnson Controls said it also recently became the first S&P500 industrial company to release an Integrated Sustainable Finance Framework as well as issue a Sustainability-Linked Bond. This, it said, builds on its green finance initiative, following its prior green bond issuance and the linking of its senior credit facility to sustainability metrics. As part of its Integrated Sustainable Finance Framework, Johnson Controls said, it further committed to achieving interim absolute emission reduction targets by 2025.

Johnson Controls said it is a member of both the WBCSD decarbonization and circular economy working groups for the Built Environment. With an integrated focus on designing buildings with low to no carbon, standardizing measurement across the industry and delivering nature-positive solutions, the two working groups are on the forefront of designing the future of sustainable, equitable cities, it said.

“We are delighted to join WBCSD”, said Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer, Johnson Controls. “The building sector accounts for nearly 40% of global annual CO2 emissions, so there is no tackling climate change without substantial investment in buildings. We look forward to working with, and learning from, fellow WBCSD members, leading the way to a low carbon, nature positive, sustainable economy, together.”

Peter Bakker, President and CEO, WBCSD, said: “WBCSD is working to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net-zero, nature-positive, and more equitable future. To achieve our vision of creating a world in which nine+ billion people are living well, within planetary boundaries, by mid-century, we need to engage executives and sustainability leaders in business. Therefore, I am delighted to welcome Johnson Controls as the newest member of WBCSD. As a global leader in the built environment sector, with an ambitious goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, we are excited to work alongside Johnson Controls to solve the intertwined sustainability challenges of the climate emergency, biodiversity loss, and mounting inequality.”

UNIDO, European Investment Bank sign climate change joint declaration

LUXEMBOURG, 23 March 2022: Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), signed a Joint Declaration to enhance cooperation, related to investment operations in the field of private sector development, with a particular focus on inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and innovation and resilient infrastructure.

Making the announcement through a Press release EIB said joint areas of cooperation include circular economy, notably through the switch to Circular Economy Value Chains programme; clean energy and climate change action; small and medium enterprise development; access to finance and investment support; pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing; sustainable transport and e-mobility; and digitalisation and the fourth industrial revolution.

Müller told Hoyer: “We have a long-standing and excellent personal and professional relationship. I am very glad to strengthen the partnership between our two organizations to provide innovative and concrete solutions for a global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and a green energy transition. Together, we can build bridges between developing countries, emerging markets and European partner countries and foster global solidarity. This is urgently needed.”

Hoyer said: “Multilateral cooperation is vital to leverage private investment and make economies across the world resilient and sustainable. I am delighted to renew our collaboration with UNIDO, who is a key partner to promote an inclusive green transition globally. Via EIB Global, our new branch for international development and partnerships, we will join forces to reduce poverty and enhance investment in sustainable infrastructure. I look forward to continuing our long and fruitful cooperation in your new role as Director General of UNIDO.”

According to EIB, the two institutions intend to explore cooperation opportunities, especially in Africa, in the countries of UNIDO’s Programme for Country Partnership (PCP), as well as in the context of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, where the EIB is particularly active. Other possible geographical areas could include Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, Central Asia, Asia and Latin America, where both institutions already operate.

EIB said UNIDO and the EIB also agreed to develop and implement crisis- and fast-response operations when needed, such as COVID-19 support initiatives or activities to ensure resilient industrial production and sustainable economic growth.

Poppy introduces IT-based IAQ solution at EXPO 2020 seminar

DUBAI, UAE, 21 March 2022: Canada-headquartered Poppy, which calls itself the world’s first biosafety intelligence company, introduced its IT-based IAQ devices to the MENA region during a seminar at the Canada Pavilion, at the World Expo in Dubai.

Opening the seminar, Nader Arafat, Strategic Advisor, MENA Region, Poppy, spoke of the pandemic ushering in a mindset shift towards Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). Speaking after him, Mohammed Bin Dasmal, Managing Director, Bin Dasmal Group, called Poppy’s devices as focusing on IAQ as well as on energy savings.

Sam Molyneux, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Poppy, elaborated on Bin Dasmal’s pithy description during his presentation. Saying that the world needs to protect itself from future pandemics, he said it is important to understand indoor safety and the cost of enhancing safety. Making clean air in a cost-effective way is a global priority, he added.

Referring to the high-profile Guangzhou restaurant, the site of the precipitous outbreak of COVID-19, in the period starting from January 26 to February 10, 2020, Molyneux highlighted how a small air conditioning system was able to propagate the virus and raised ventilation concerns. In view of that, he said, in some senses, ventilation is the last stand against COVID-19. Poppy systems, he said, help in making ventilation decisions, including demand-control ventilation, as a means to achieving IAQ goals without compromising on energy efficiency targets.

The devices, Molyneux said, available on subscription basis, detect and identify over 1,000+ pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, using genomic sequencing and molecular assays. They allow the company to collect data related to human breath, which in turn, allow understanding on how human breath moves, which he said is crucial, considering everyone is constantly breathing out particles that contain viruses.

The data, and the understanding of the data, he said, enable the company to validate how air conditioning systems are performing and, broadly speaking, provide insights and a direction for action to protect indoor spaces and occupants.

Molyneux said the company has deployed Poppy systems in 50 sites across North America and Europe, including factories, financial institutions, schools and entertainment venues. He gave the example of Poppy systems at work at the largest investment bank in Manhattan, in New York City, where the company is able to monitor the air quality in the trading floor, among other zones of the building and identify if any zones have high transmission issues that need to be looked into.

He also gave the example of the Four Seasons Center for the Performing Arts, in Toronto, Canada, where Poppy systems are at work monitoring and providing recommendations, so that the Center is able to run its operas again. “We are able to recommend increasing the ventilation rates in hotspots, which is a localised approach, and reducing ventilation rates globally,” Molyneux said. “So, we are able to achieve energy savings.”

IEA: Global CO2 emissions rise to all-time high

BERKELEY, California, 11 March 2022: As You Sow, an advocacy non-profit that promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility, quoted the International Energy Agency (IEA) as saying that global carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) from energy combustion and industrial processes rose to their highest ever level in 2021. Making the announcement through a Press release, As You Sow added that a six per cent increase in 2021 pushed emissions to 36.3 gigatonnes, erasing the five per cent reduction in 2020, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As greenhouse gas emissions continue to climb higher when the effects of climate change are increasingly being felt it highlights the need to go beyond targets and implement immediate tangible emissions reductions, As You Sow said.

More than 70 countries, accounting for more than 80% of global CO2 emissions and 90% of global GDP, have committed to net-zero, as have more than 5,000 companies, As You Sow said. In order to see progress critical for keeping global temperatures from rising beyond 1.5 degrees C, there is a need for companies to pursue ambitious near-term targets, robust transition plans detailing steps to achieve targets and leadership in advocating for sweeping climate policy, As You Sow added.

As You Sow’s recent report, Road to Zero Emissions scores companies on net-zero progress and is in step with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s findings that near-term action is needed by prioritizing year-over-year emissions reductions aligned with 1.5 degrees C.

Danielle Fugere, President, As You Sow, said: “Investor value is being put at greater risk as emissions continue to rise. It is imperative for the safety of human society and the global economy that emissions are reduced immediately in line with the Paris Agreement. When it comes to climate change, we will not be given second chances, so the private sector must create climate transition plans that prioritize accountability and transparency.”

ASHRAE announces call for abstracts for 2023 Winter Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 10 March 2022: ASHRAE said it has begun accepting abstracts for the 2023 ASHRAE Winter Conference, to be held from February 4 to 8, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said the conference will address improving energy efficiency and decarbonization in the built environment.

 

According to ASHRAE, the technical program comprises the following eight tracks and a mini track:

 

The “Fundamentals and Applications” track will provide opportunities for papers of varying levels across a large topic base. Concepts, design elements and shared experiences for theoretical and applied concepts of HVAC&R design are included.

 

The “HVAC&R Systems and Equipment” track will focus on the development of new systems and equipment, improvements to existing systems and equipment and the proper application and operation of systems and equipment.

 

The “Refrigerants and Refrigeration” track will explore refrigeration systems, which generate and use cold for a range of processes, from food preparation and conservation to vaccine preservation, and to long-term protection of fragile ancient inks of historical documents and others.

 

The “Grid Resilience and Thermal Storage” track will highlight the advancements in grid resilience and thermal storage systems and how they are tied to resilience and energy conservation efforts.      

 

The “Pathways to Zero Energy Emissions and Decarbonization” track will highlight methods being developed to reduce carbon impact on the global environment and the efforts ASHRAE and its members are taking to advance these efforts.

 

The “Multifamily and Residential Buildings” track will cover programs and papers on best practices, utility and above-code incentive programs, field studies, and codes and standards requirements. The track also welcomes programs and papers for single-family housing and other residential buildings.

 

The “Operations and Maintenance” will address an array of topics, including lessons learned, improvement of process and team communications and effort to improve the installation, startup, O&M and commissioning of HVAC systems.

 

The “Building Simulation and Virtual Design in Construction” track will focus on the practices of energy modeling and building performance simulation using existing simulation tools, software development, and future simulation research and applications for building simulation & virtual design in construction.

 

The mini track, “Innovative Responses to Supply Chain Challenge” is intended to help members plan for the future disruptions and develop resiliency plans around supply chain by highlighting effective and innovative strategies to mitigate supply chain challenges.         

 

According to ASHRAE, abstracts, 400 words or less, are due April 5, 2022. If accepted, final conference papers (eight pages, maximum) are due July 25, 2022, it said.

 

In addition, technical papers (complete 30-page maximum papers published in “ASHRAE Transactions”) are also due April 5, 2022 and considered for Science and Technology for the Built Environment, ASHRAE’s research journal.

 

For more information on the call for abstracts and the 2023 ASHRAE Winter Conference, ASHRAE suggested visiting ashrae.org/2023Winter.

 

 

CAREL: 2021 revenue up 26.8%, compared to 2020

BRUGINE, Padua, Italy, 7 March 2022: CAREL announced achieving consolidated revenues of € 420.4 million, up 26.8% compared to 2020 (+21.9% excluding the contribution from the acquisitions of ENGINIA and CFM). Making the announcement through a Press release, the company added it posted a consolidated EBITDA of € 85.3 million (20.3% of operating revenues).

Francesco Nalini, Group Chief Executive Officer, CAREL, said: “The year 2021 was characterised by different and contrasting phenomena. On one hand, the spread of the vaccine against COVID-19 prevented new closures of industrial and manufacturing plants and fuelled a strong recovery of the world economy.

On the other, the shortage of raw materials, especially electronic materials, has halted global growth, which has also been put under pressure by the rise in inflation. This complex and sometimes contradictory context makes the results achieved by the Group even more significant. In fact, consolidated revenues at the end of 2021 grew by 26.8% (21.9% within the same scope of consolidation), which, thanks mainly to the phenomenon of operating leverage, was reflected in profitability, equal to 21.0%.

This performance derives first and foremost from the ongoing implementation of CAREL’s strategy of diversification, internationalisation and production mirroring, which has enabled the company to increase its resilience, in addition to its ability to seize the opportunities offered by the decidedly positive trends in all applications, including heat pumps, data centres, Indoor Air Quality and the strong recovery of investments in refrigeration linked to the food retail sector.

“Particularly important was also growth through M&A: in 2021, in fact, two important transactions were completed, the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of ENGINIA, an Italian company specialised in components for air control units, and 51% of the share capital of CFM, one of the most important Turkish distributors, long-time partner of the Group, specialised in digital and on-field services.

All this is based on a medium-term vision that sees business strategies increasingly permeated by ESG elements, as we expressed in our first multi-year sustainability plan to 2024, published in December and including 55 objectives (of which 22 social, 22 environmental and 11 governance), in turn divided into 68 specific targets, with investments close to three million euros.

Sustainability, however, is not only prospective but also current. Examining, in fact, the main company KPIs from 2021 through the lens of the “European Taxonomy”, it emerges that 60.4% of revenues analysed as well as 49.5% of total investments were green-focused; that is, they are not only eligible for but also perfectly aligned with the regulations. Sustainability, efficiency and resilience, combined with the enthusiasm that the women and men of CAREL have always shown, will therefore be the main elements to face future challenges.”

Economic and financial highlights

According to CAREL, consolidated revenues came to €420.4 million, compared to €331.6 million as of 31 December 2020, an increase of 26.8% (21.9% within the same scope of consolidation). The company added that growth remains above 20% even compared with revenues from 2019, a year in which there was no impact of the pandemic.

In 2021, the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine enabled a significant economic recovery, also driven by new investments after the sharp slowdown experienced in 2020, CAREL said. However, the rapid increase in demand for raw materials caused two closely linked phenomena: on one hand, a shortage of electronic materials, which prevented the world economy from achieving its full potential, and a sharp rise in the price of energy commodities, especially in the second half of the year, which created a significant increase in inflation, followed by a general reduction in margins, CAREL said.

In this context, it added, its excellent performance is a result of geographical and product differentiation and a series of counter-measures, such as the so-called ‘chip-pivoting’, which have enabled further improvement in flexibility and resilience, although difficulties remain for some product families.

CAREL said all the regions it operates (EMEA – Europe, Middle East, Africa; Asia-Pacific; North America and South America) recorded growth at constant exchange rates exceeding 20%, due to a general recovery in demand, compounded by the acceleration of some of the more cyclical industries, which had been heavily impacted by the pandemic during 2020, and particularly strong performance in the high-efficiency heat pump, data-centre cooling and Indoor Air Quality sectors. Growth in the refrigeration market was also particularly positive: The resumption of the investment cycle in the large-scale retail sector continues to be robust, buoyed also by regulations, and food service recovery significantly accelerated, the company said.

The growth in revenues, the company said, was also reflected in EBITDA, equal to € 85.3 million, up by 30.5% (including the contribution from the consolidation of Enginia and CFM for € 4.1 million) and in net profit, equal to € 49.1 (+39.7%).

Finally, the company said, net debt rose from € 49.6 million in 2020 to € 57.8 million, mainly due to the cash-out relating to the acquisitions of Enginia and CFM (approximately € 35 million) and an increase of around € 15 million in net working capital, resulting from both the increase in revenues and an increased level of inventory to better manage the global shortages of electronic material. These elements were largely covered by significant generation of cash flow, the company added.

Russia-Ukraine conflict

CAREL said the first few months of 2022 are still affected by the continuing pandemic in many of the markets in which it operates; nevertheless, it said, the measures it has put in place have ensured normal production activities at all plants. The company said the Management is carefully monitoring developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict; it operates in the areas involved with exclusive distribution activities, whose volumes can be quantified as “low single-digit” with respect to the Group’s total revenues.

Sustainability and European Taxonomy

CAREL said that in December 2021, it presented its first multi-year Sustainability Plan, summarised by the concept “Driven by the Future – Sustainability in action”. The Plan’s guidelines are intertwined with an industrial strategy that has always been attentive to the issue of sustainability, the company said.

This attention is demonstrated by the fact that 60.4% of the revenues analysed, 59.6% of operating costs analysed and 49.5% of CAREL’s total investments in 2021 can be considered “green” – that is, aligned with the “European Taxonomy”. In the first year of implementation of the aforementioned system, CAREL sait it not only calculated the “eligible” part of the corresponding indicators, as required by the regulations, but went even further, calculating the so-called “aligned” percentage.

Finally, with the aim of giving a broader view of the main achievements in terms of sustainability, CAREL said that in 2021, it entered into its first “sustainability-linked loan”, a loan agreement for € 20 million, characterised by the application of a mechanism that provides for the reduction of the interest rate upon the achievement of annual quantitative targets relating to social sustainability, which in this case, will concern the gender balance within the Group.

Danfoss: ‘A year above expectations’

NORDBORG, Denmark, 3 March 2022: Danfoss reported an increase in sales by 29% to EUR 7.5 billion in 2021. Making the announcement through a Press release, Danfoss described the performance as a record sales level.

The company said organic growth reached 18% year-over-year. The five-month period of ownership of Eaton’s hydraulics business added EUR 786 million to the top-line, the company said, adding that it delivered extensive growth in all regions. Investments in innovation (R&D) increased 23% to EUR 328 million, the company said. At the same time, it said, operating profits reached the highest level ever, with EBITA of EUR 969 million and EBITA margin of 12.8%. Net profit reached EUR 631 million, up 45%, it added.

“We have never seen better opportunities for Danfoss,” said Kim Fausing, President & CEO, Danfoss. “It is our ambition to be the leading technology partner for our customers in the green transition – decarbonising through energy efficiency, low emissions, and electrification. After all, the greenest energy is the energy that we don’t use.

Our momentum is clearly reflected in our 2021 annual results. Danfoss has delivered the best results in our history, and we are in a strong financial position.

“What makes me most proud is how our teams continue to deal with the pandemic and the significant challenges with the supply chain while delivering a transformational, record year. Unfortunately, these considerable challenges affected our customer service.

In addition, all three segments were affected by inflationary pressure. We will continue to do everything we can to serve our customers, and we will continue our high investments in capacity expansion, innovation and digitalisation of Danfoss.”

Danfoss said it assumes a positive outlook in the market in 2022, with a continued ambition to expand or maintain market share. The outlook includes a full year ownership of Eaton’s hydraulics business, it said. Sales are expected to be in the range of EUR 8.8-9.8bn for the full year, it said. The EBITA margin is expected to be in the range of 11.4-12.9%, following continued investments in the development of new products and solutions, it said.

The expected growth and profitability performance is dependent on the development of the pandemic, the global supply chain disruptions as well as the continuation of the current strong growth rates in the world economy, it added.

Regarding the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the company said its first priority is to keep its people safe. We are monitoring the situation carefully and will act accordingly.

ABB joins Eurovent

BRUSSELS, Belgium, ZÜRICH, Switzerland, 1 March 2022: Eurovent said ABB has joined as its newest Corresponding Member, adding that the Eurovent Board of Directors approved the membership of the manufacturer of HVACR drives, motors and controls during a meeting in February 2022.

According to Eurovent, ABB is one of the global manufacturers of drives, motors and controls for HVACR applications with a global footprint, supporting the industry across the world with products and services.

Frank Taaning Grundholm, Vice President of Global HVACR Sales, ABB, who also serves as a Board member of Eurovent and Eurovent Middle East, said: “To get the most out of an HVACR system requires smart planning, and the most critical focus for building operators is to move towards specifying needs rather than technical solutions only. We are excited to be part of Eurovent and look forward to taking even more active part in its dialogues that are guiding the development of HVACR products in a more sustainable direction and leading important advocacy for improved Indoor Air Quality.”

Giwee launches GCHV 200Pa medium ESP ducted unit

FOSHAN, Guangdong, China, 22 February 2022: Giwee, a subsidiary of Carrier, has launched the GCHV 200Pa Medium ESP Ducted unit.

Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said the brand-new DFC (design for comfort) unit achieves a maximum static pressure of 200 Pa with built-in EXV and E-box design, and optional built-in water pump.

Giwee said the unit offers the flexibility of easily switching the air return from the bottom or from the rear, according to the specific needs of the project. The company further said the unit allows for constant air volume or constant fan speed to be set by means of a wired controller or remote controller.

According to Giwee, the reserve fresh air outlet in the unit can provide fresh air to the built-environment at any time, and that the easy-to-remove filter and fan are convenient for cleaning. Further, the EXV coil and water level switch access port in the unit make maintenance easier, the company said.

Giwee said the units are compatible for E-heater, UVC sterilisation and Wi-Fi-based operations.

European Investment Bank, Solas in energy efficiency initiative

LUXEMBOURG, 22 February 2022: The Solas Sustainable Energy Fund ICAV, a new EU-focused fund targeting energy efficiency investments, has reached its first close with €140 million. Making the announcement through a Press release, the European Investment Bank (EIB) said it has committed a €30 million cornerstone investment to SSEF, backed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the main pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe. EIB said that as one of the largest providers of climate finance, it supports projects that promote the priorities and objectives of the European Union.

According to EIB, the SSEF also signed an agreement with the Private Finance for Energy Efficiency (PF4EE) support scheme, a joint initiative launched by the European Commission via the LIFE programme and the EIB.

One of the goals of PF4EE is to encourage private institutional investors, such as insurers and pension funds, to invest in European energy efficiency infrastructure, particularly in the small- and medium-sized (SME) sector. Further cornerstone investors of SSEF are the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), IDEAL insurance as well as MEAG, the asset manager of the Munich Re group.

EIB said that by virtue of being a specialist investment advisor in the energy efficiency sector, Solas Capital will advise the fund. EIB said Solas Capital partners with a wide variety of leading energy service companies, project developers, equipment manufacturers, and public-sector bodies across the European Union to help facilitate their access to tailor-made financing and enable new investment in energy efficiency.  

According to EIB, SSEF will offer funding for energy-saving business models focusing on the renovation of existing infrastructure, particularly buildings, using established and reliable energy-efficient technologies, such as modern heating and cooling systems, combined heat and power units, solar rooftops, building fabric, LED lighting, etc. Projects in both the public and private sectors will be supported, including the SME sector, which faces more challenges in securing finance, EIB said.

According to EIB, the project would entail an initial investment into a project portfolio of energy efficiency measures in buildings. It added that buildings are responsible for 40% of the European Union’s energy consumption, and 36% of its CO₂ emissions.

To achieve near zero emissions in buildings, crowding-in private institutional capital will be essential, as public funding is not sufficient. SSEF, EIB said, is offering the market a unique financing solution and is closing the gap between energy efficiency funding needs and institutional investor requirements.

Kadri Simson, The Commissioner for Energy, said: “Investing into energy efficiency, renewable energy generation and building renovation is at the core of the European Green Deal and key to bringing down energy bills. The Solas Sustainable Energy Fund will combine the financial support from EFSI and PF4EE to mobilise affordable private financing for investments in the energy performance of buildings, including onsite renewable energy production.

The PF4EE guarantee will set the gold standard for equity investment fund initiatives and engage institutional investors in green assets. This will bring us one step closer to achieving the EU’s Green Deal ambition of becoming climate neutral by 2050.”

Thomas Östros, Vice-President, European Investment Bank, who is responsible for energy financing, said: “As Europe’s climate bank, the EIB is proud to be a cornerstone investor in the Solas Sustainable Energy Fund, which will help bridge the major financing gap for energy efficiency projects. Reducing the energy use in buildings is crucial to achieving a carbon-neutral economy in Europe by 2050. We believe that our commitment in this fund will catalyse further investments to meet the immense building renovation challenge.”

Talks on for USD 1.5bn renewables-powered Egypt desalination plant

CAIRO, Egypt, 21 February 2022: A consortium of Metito Holdings, Scatec and Orascom Construction are in talks with the Egyptian government about developing a USD 1.5bn renewables-powered desalination plant, according to a report in Energy & Utilities.

The consortium is in discussions with Egypt’s sovereign wealth fund, the Egypt Fund, about the project, which is part of Egypt’s plans to meet the growing water requirements of its population, the report said.

Energy & Utilities reported in August 2021 that the Egyptian government was seeking to secure USD 2.5bn of private investment by 2025 to deliver 17 solar-powered seawater desalination plants to meet the growing demand for water and reduce reliance on water from the Nile river.

Ayman Soliman, Director General, Egypt Fund, said the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Finance Corporation will provide technical advice and support of the bidding process for the projects, which are likely to be tendered under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the report said.

The report quoted Soliman as saying that several investors had expressed interest in the desalination programme.

According to the report, the 17 proposed desalination plants would have the capacity to provide up to 2.8 million cubic metres a day cm/d) of potable water for the Egyptian population.

‘One for the books’: Organisers of HVACR mega show, AHR Expo, say

WESTPORT, Connecticut, 10 February 2022: The AHR Expo returned last week to Vegas after a forced hiatus in 2021, International Exposition Company (IEC), the organisers of the show, said through a news release.

After two years of uncertainty and a longing to reunite the industry, the event represented an eagerness to return to business, drawing 30,678 attendees, IEC said. What’s more, the success of the show signals a reignited energy for all things HVACR and the community’s readiness to take on the challenges and opportunities ahead with renewed optimism, IEC said. “It was impossible to miss the energy in the halls this year,” said Mark Stevens, Show Manager.

“There have been some heavy ups and downs across the industry in recent years, and we, as a community, needed to feel the inspiration that happens when we gather together under one roof. The 2022 AHR Expo surpassed any expectation – our exhibitors, attendees, associations, speakers and everyone involved made this event one of the most special we’ve ever hosted. If you were there, the camaraderie was hard to miss. This industry is strong, and we are back on track to tackle the challenges before us.”

According to IEC, attendees were eager to be back in the booths experiencing new products and methods that support their work in the field. It was evident from every corner of the show floor that this industry is bursting with prospects, IEC added. “My main reason for attending the AHR Expo is the whole experience,” said Arizona tradesman and first-time attendee, Brendan Bowie.

“You get to meet all the people who make the things that we buy and look up to and use every day. It is a lot of the vendors that we spend money with, because they make superior products. I talked to presidents and CEOs of companies that I buy products from every day, every week, every month. Instagram stories are not going to tell what AHR is, it’s the whole experience. Going to AHR matters, because you have to see what’s going on out there. I had the opportunity to see so much new. We’re trapped in vans every day on the job, you need to see what’s out there.”

According to IEC, a total of 1,573 exhibitors spread out over 443,769 square feet in the Central and North halls, packing the floor with an explosion of innovation and new products. Given the time apart, there was plenty to take in, as exhibitors launched new technology, products and ideas that came to life since we last gathered in Orlando, IEC said. “We and our [manufacturer] member companies that exhibited were very pleased with the quality of the Las Vegas Expo,” said Stephen Yurek, President & CEO, AHRI.

“We heard comment after comment about the quality and number of attendees and how grateful everyone was to get back together with their industry colleagues and customers. We are grateful to our [manufacturer] members for moving ahead with what turned out to be a really good show, and we look forward to seeing some of them in Guadalajara in September and more of them next year in Atlanta.”

According to IEC, inside the exhibitor booths, this year, company reps and attendees were busy catching up on lost time. The challenges in the supply chain and other COVID-related delays have opened the door for new ways of thinking about partnerships, IEC said. Emerson, one of the exhibitors, endorsed the organizer’s statement.

“Emerson has always valued the customer engagement opportunities provided by the AHR Expo and the forum to showcase our sustainable solutions that are helping to reduce global impact while improving comfort, efficiency, performance and food safety in the HVACR industry,” said John Schneider, President, HVACR Technologies Americas, Emerson.

“After last year’s pause, the Expo provided a much-needed, in-person touchpoint, and we were thrilled to have our valued customers join us in celebrating our Copeland brand’s 100-year milestone during our pre-show customer event. This year, we also sponsored the Podcast Pavilion, which was a great opportunity for us to align with industry influencers as their role in this industry continues to expand.

Ultimately, all our businesses and brands experienced a great turnout, and we are looking forward to even more attendance in 2023.” Added Sarah Beyerlein, Everwell Parts: “It does not matter where you come from or where in the industry you’re involved in, the AHR Expo is the most remarkable yearly event where we all share our passion and expertise in the HVAC industry. It cannot be missed out.”

Innovation sets the course

On Monday, January 31, the show celebrated the 2022 Innovation Award Winners with a private reception. Members from each winning company were invited to share food and drink and be among industry cohorts also being recognized as leaders in shaping the future of HVACR, IEC said. The 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Award Product of the Year Award, IEC said, went to Danfoss, for their Danfoss Turbocor VTCA400 Compressor, a winner in the Cooling category. Lisa Tryson, Market Communications Director, Danfoss, said: “Danfoss is honored to be recognized with the product of the year award for our VTCA400 oil-free compressor. Our industry is at the forefront of many critical trends, and innovation is vital to meet the challenges ahead. The AHR Expo is a great way to showcase these latest technologies.”

Stevens, speaking on behalf of the organizer, said: “We were honored to celebrate our 2022 winners with a more intimate celebration. The pace they each are setting for the future of HVACR is astounding, and collectively in each of the sectors they are raising the bar on how we are shaping the industry. Congratulations to all our 2022 winners, and to Danfoss for their leadership in innovation. As the industry looks ahead to changes on the horizon for HVACR, innovation from our exhibiting companies continues to push to new levels.”

Partnerships born through crucial in-person networking help to propel new ideas into the marketplace, IEC said. Jacques Beaudry-Losique, CEO, Enginuity Power Systems, said: “The AHR Expo is an environment uniquely suited to making high-level connections and business partnerships, as well as finding the latest state-of-the-art appliance product technology as well as supply chain and distribution channels. We were honored to be awarded the 2022 Sustainable Solutions Innovation Award, further validating our products to help homes and businesses save energy and achieve their sustainability goals.”

Education Program… something for everyone

In the Education Program, attendees were invited to sit in on more than 80 free sessions, covering topics from a wide range of industry experts, IEC said. Added to the roster this year was an industry panel discussion led by leaders representing all sectors of the industry, including Mick Schwedler, 2021-2022 President, ASHRAE; Yurek; Talbot Gee, CEO, Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Distributors (HARDI); Roberta MacGillivray, President, National Air Filtration Association (NAFA); and Dominick Guarino, CEO, National Comfort Institute (NCI). Bryan Orr, of HVAC School for Tech by Techs, and industry podcaster and well-known training advocate, moderated the panel, which included a discussion on the current state of HVACR as well as threats and opportunities as the industry recalibrates to a new normal post-pandemic.

Speaking during the discussion, Yurek said: “Our focus used to be on the box, on the equipment and the installation of it. Now, we need to address the entire HVAC system to provide efficiency and comfort. The change we will see over the next few years will be nothing we’ve seen before.” Schwedler said: “Our industry has never been more essential. The public became aware of what our industry does. We are fully connected as a world, with more people involved in problem-solving.” And MacGillivray said: “Before COVID-19, there was a tradeoff between energy efficiency and human health. As we solve the pandemic issue, we must continue our focus on how IAQ affects human health and productivity.”

Additional education program highlights included an overview of intellectual property in HVACR, by Wil Rao, an IP and Patent attorney in the greater Chicago area; a breakdown of warranty and callbacks from Bryan Orr; lessons learned from the supply chain, a panel discussion hosted by HARDI and moderated by the HVAC Jerks; and many more targeted discussions highlighting current opportunities, threats and methods across the industry. “It is absolutely fantastic to see the AHR Expo make such a strong comeback in Las Vegas,” said Jeff Littleton, ASHRAE Executive Vice President. “Bringing professionals from around the world back together to learn and share new technologies, with health and safety as a top priority, affords us the opportunity to continue moving the critical work of our industry forward.”

Strength in community

Perhaps one of the most inspiring sentiments shared throughout the floor this year was the sense of community that HVACR embraces, IEC said. Many of the industry’s workforce remained on the frontlines throughout the pandemic and relied on the daily connection with professionals through social media and other points of communication, it said adding there was an overwhelming sense of relief and contentment to be gathering again face to face at the industry’s largest event. “My first AHR was amazing, I really enjoyed meeting my social media community in person,” said Ashley Lynds, Texas tradeswoman Ashley Lynds. “Everyone was so welcoming, and I was able to network and make additional connections for future business. I can’t wait for Atlanta!”

The Podcast Pavilion returned for its second year as a show feature, IEC said, adding it was a clear fan favorite, as attendees packed the pavilions each day for live recordings from their favorite industry talents. Eric Aune, with Mechanical Hub, said: “We’ve been attending this show for over a decade. This year was different, there was a new connection with social media and a great podcast lineup. I like the direction they are taking things.”

Until we meet again

AHR Expo will head back to Atlanta for the 2023 show, bringing with it the positive energy established in Vegas, IEC said. Eager exhibitors have already reserved booths and discussions of travel plans among attendees are underway, IEC revealed, adding that it’s safe to say we are back to business! “Vegas is one for the books,” Stevens said. “We’ve been hosting this show for many years, and while it is always a great showing of our industry, this year felt like a new chapter for HVACR. We are a strong community, and we now have the attention this industry deserves to thrive on the global stage.

“We look forward to hosting many of our international attendees who couldn’t make it this year because of travel restrictions and supply chain issues. We have big problems to solve and hefty aspirations to meet, as our industry touches literally every part of society and our everyday lives.

The success of the 2022 AHR Expo is proof that we are poised to take on anything together. We are all excited to be a part of such a vibrant community, and we look forward to planning a stellar show for you in Atlanta. We’ll see you soon!”

According to IEC, the 2023 AHR Expo will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Registration will open in summer 2022.

ASHRAE wraps up first hybrid Winter Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 4 February 2022: More than 2,800 HVACR industry professionals, building systems engineers, architects, contractors and students gathered in Las Vegas and virtually from January 29 to February 2 for the 2022 ASHRAE Winter Conference, ASHRAE said through a Press release. Registered conference attendees received entry to the co-sponsored AHR Expo, held from January 31 to February 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, ASHRAE added.

“This year’s Conference and Expo marked the first time that the Society has been together for our Winter Conference in two years and the return to the AHR Expo after last year’s cancellation,” said Mick Schwedler, 2021-22 ASHRAE President. “While the numbers are expectedly lower than past conferences, in-person attendance still exceeded our expectations, and our virtual attendees added a welcomed dynamic to our sessions. We are grateful to everyone involved in establishing a comprehensive health and safety plan for our attendees, which included guidance provided by the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force.”

According to ASHRAE, the Winter Conference featured over 50 technical sessions, updates from Society leaders, tours, social events and livestreamed sessions for virtual attendees. Top sessions included Introduction of Building Decarbonization, HVAC Design, Control and Operation of Hospitals After COVID-19 Fiasco and CPS 21: Refining ASHRAE COVID Guidelines and Standard 100, ASHRAE said.

According to ASHRAE, the AHR Expo offered a total of 1,573 exhibitors, with 281 international exhibitors, occupying 443,769 square feet of exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 43,000 people pre-registered to attend the show, including 130 media representatives, ASHRAE said.

At the Winter Conference, Schwedler provided updates related to the Society’s current theme, “Personal Growth. Global Impact. Feed the Roots”, ASHRAE said. He focused on personal development and how the Society’s extraordinary global growth and impact to the built environment has nourished the roots of the global HVACR industry, ASHRAE added.

“When we concentrate on our mission and vision and talk about our impacts – we make the world more sustainable and resilient to future changes,” Schwedler said. “We reduce both energy utilization intensity and environmental emissions. We helped mitigate a global pandemic by keeping vaccines cold – and their efficacy high – 40% of the world’s food spoils between the field and consumption. We reduce that. And most importantly, we keep students and staff in schools, and occupants of the built environment safe and healthy.”

During the plenary session of the Conference, Jeff Littleton, Executive Vice President and Secretary, ASHRAE, reported on the Society’s current initiatives, as well as the dedication of ASHRAE volunteers during the pandemic. “A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board subcommittee is focused on proactively driving diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels of the Society,” Littleton said. “Task groups have been formed to drive Society strategies on decarbonization and on international standards. We’ve released 14 new and 24 revised publications and standards.

Examples of new publications include the ASHRAE Design Guide for Natural Ventilation and the ASHRAE Guide for HVAC in Hazardous Spaces. We’ve even released the children’s book, Lucy’s Engineering Adventure. The commitment of ASHRAE’s entire global membership to the Society’s work has never wavered during the pandemic. I find that truly remarkable. When so much of our professional and personal lives has been disrupted, some 7,000 ASHRAE volunteers at the society, regional and chapter levels continue to drive ASHRAE forward.”

ASHRAE said an honors and awards ceremony, tied to the Conference, was an occasion for recognizing experienced and emerging leaders in the industry. Record-breaking polar explorer, Ann Daniels, closed the plenary session with an inspiring presentation on good leadership, teamwork and self-belief.

The ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) offered 17 courses. According to ASHRAE, new courses were as follows: Advanced High-Performance Building Designs: Key Concepts for Lifelong Building Sustainability; V in HVAC – What, Why, Where, How, and How Much (includes Basic Requirements of Standard 62.1-2019); Best Practices for Installing DDC Systems; Save 40% by Complying with Standard 90.1-2019; Principles of Building Commissioning: ASHRAE Guideline 0 and Standard 202; Guideline 36: Best in Class HVAC Control Sequences; Changing Environments and Loads for Data Centers (High Density, Liquid Cooling, Edge Computing); and Health Impacts of Indoor Air Extraction, Ventilation, and Filtration – Same or Different.

ASHRAE said all registered attendees, both in-person and virtual, would have access to the virtual conference environment for 12 months, post-conference. Registration, the Society said, is still open for access to the virtual conference until January 2023 at ashrae.org/2022winter.

ASHRAE said the 2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference will take place from June 25 to June 29 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The 2023 Winter Conference will take place from February 4 to 8, and the AHR Expo, from February 6 to 8, in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Armstrong launches medium-range line of permanent magnet pumps

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, 31 January 2022: Armstrong Fluid Technology introduced a new size range of design envelope permanent magnet pumps that are engineered to deliver 20% lower operating costs than variable-speed pumps with standard induction motors.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Armstrong said the new pumps are available with motors ranging from 15 hp to 50 hp, and operate at NEMA ultra-premium efficiency levels that exceed the efficiency targets of the US Department of Energy and the European Union.

“Better performance at higher RPMs means that in some cases, a smaller design envelope permanent magnet pump can deliver the same flow and pressure as a larger, more expensive competing model,” said David Lee, Offering Manager, Armstrong Fluid Technology. “These new pumps also feature smaller dimensions and are less expensive to purchase and install, because permanent magnet motors offer a substantial reduction in both size and weight.”

According to Armstrong, beyond the motor efficiency, a number of additional design innovations make the new design envelope pumps more energy-efficient and cost effective…

• Armstrong’s patented Parallel Sensorless Control stages multiple pumps and regulates output for best efficiency across the entire pump array, saving 10-30% in operating costs
• Adjustable design points and setpoint, based on the actual on-site conditions
• A quadratic pressure control curve that provides more efficiency than a linear pressure control curve
• A constant-flow function for maintaining a desired flow rate in recirculation applications
• Advanced connectivity via Armstrong’s Pump Manager, a cloud-based performance tracking service, provides industry-leading analytics and insights along with alerts, alarms and data storage

AprilAire, Airthings announce IAQ-related strategic partnership at AHR Expo

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, 31 January 2022: AprilAire, which supplies Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) solutions for the home, announced a strategic partnership with Airthings, a global technology company that produces IAQ monitors for radon and other dangerous airborne contaminants that impact overall health and wellness.

Making the announcement through a joint Press release, the two companies said the partnership is rooted in addressing a common issue for homeowners everywhere: People spend more than 90% of their time indoors, but most are unaware of their home’s IAQ – and when they identify a problem, they typically do not have the knowledge and expertise to remedy the situation effectively.

The new AprilAire and Airthings partnership, the companies said, is a ground-breaking, full circle integration that combines detection, education and mitigation to offer contractors an intelligent air quality solution tailored specifically to their customer’s lifestyle and living environment.  

Airthings’ monitors help people learn about their IAQ and identify problems utilizing the brand’s line of smart air quality sensors to intelligently monitor conditions in the home, the two companies said. AprilAire helps solve air quality problems with the AprilAire Healthy Air System and the complete line of whole-home healthy air solutions and nationwide network of top HVAC experts trained to install them, the companies added.  

In partnership, the brands will now provide consumers with a one-stop shop, combining the best in radon and air quality monitoring with the best solutions to manage air purity, humidity, fresh air supply, radon mitigation and temperature, the two companies claimed.

“We are proud to partner with Airthings, a company whose purpose so closely aligns with our own of making homes healthy,” said Dale Philippi, President and CEO, AprilAire. “Together, we will increase awareness of the impact the air we breathe in our homes has on our health and wellbeing and the availability of effective professional solutions to deliver healthy air. Working with Airthings, our network of healthy air experts will be better able to tailor solutions to address homeowner concerns.”  

Airthings will integrate its flagship air quality monitor, View Plus, as a core component of the AprilAire partnership solution, the two companies said. View Plus, launched in 2021, is a comprehensive and advanced consumer air quality monitor on the market, tracking seven air quality components, including particulate matter, CO2 and radon, the companies claimed. AprilAire recently added Radon Mitigation Systems to its healthy air solutions portfolio to control radon, the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers, the companies said.

Equipped with hub functionality, View Plus will enable HVAC professionals to remotely monitor air quality in the homes they service while also providing full air quality visibility to the homeowners themselves, the companies said. When problems arise, the professional receives automatic notifications and can take immediate mitigation actions, the companies said. The newly formed alliance between AprilAire and Airthings will help consumers access information on their air quality with more clarity, and expert consultation than ever before, enabling them to make informed decisions, the companies added.  

Oyvind Birkenes, CEO, Airthings, said: “Our new partnership with AprilAire helps consumers navigate complex decisions in a convenient way. Indoor air quality can be a real threat to our health and well-being, which is why proactive monitoring is essential. However, when problems arise, the next steps can seem daunting. By teaming up with AprilAire, our hope is that when people encounter indoor air quality issues, they’ll turn to us to evaluate the situation, diagnose the problem, and develop recommendations and solutions to mitigate the situation if necessary – providing peace of mind to people everywhere.”

Airius launches new BACnet MS/TP fan controller

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, 31 January 2022: Colorado-based Airius, focused on air movement and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), announced the release of its new BACnet MS/TP destratification fan controller during the 2022 AHR Expo. The company made the announcement through a Press release.

“With our BACnet fan control integrated into your network, you can take better control of your building’s stratification issues, save money and improve building comfort by achieving the operational excellence you desire,” said Christian Avedon, Director of Sales & Marketing, Airius. “By providing improved control and monitoring, our new fan controller empowers you to command your facilities and provide a more consistent and comfortable environment.”

According to Airius, the destratification fan controller provides individual Airius fan control and status integration over the BACnet MS/TP network. Up to 63 fans can be connected per MS/TP network, and multiple networks can be created for integration of hundreds of fans, the company said. The new controller is easy to configure and install, with no software needed, enabling building owners and facility managers to monitor their Airius fan system, reduce their energy consumption and improve the comfort of their buildings, the company added.

According to Airius, additional features of the new controller include:

On/off, fan speed control and revolutions-per-minute (RPM) monitoring

Compatibility with electronically commutated (EC) motors

UL-accepted for use in plenum, NEMA 1-enclosed housing

Easy system addressing and baud rate changes through dual inline package (DIP) switch settings

ASHRAE announces nominees for 2022-23 slate of officers, directors

ATLANTA, Georgia, 31 January 2022: ASHRAE announced Ginger Scoggins as President-Elect for the 2022-2023 Society Year, among other nominees for the slate of officers and directors.

Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said the ASHRAE Nominating Committee made the nominations for the officers and directors from a list that individual members and Chapters Regional Conferences prepared.

According to ASHRAE, the 2022-23 nominees are:

• President-Elect: Ginger Scoggins
• Treasurer: Dennis Knight
• Vice Presidents: Billy Austin, Dunstan Macauley, Sarah Maston, Ashish Rakheja
• Directors and Regional Chairs: Bryan Holcomb (Region IV), James Arnold (Region V), Susanna Hanson (Region VI), John Constantinide (Region XII) and Cheng Wee Leong (Region XIII)
• Directors-at-Large: Blake Ellis, Luke Leung and Wei Sun
• Alternate Director-at-Large: Patrick Marks 
  

ASHRAE said members will vote on the nominees via electronic ballot in May 2022. Farooq Mehboob will serve as ASHRAE President for the 2022-23 Society Year.

CriticalAsset to unveil building maintenance automation software at AHR Expo

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, 31 January 2022: CriticalAsset, Inc. (exhibitor booth N11531), announced it will be unveiling its new flagship facilities management platform, CriticalAsset, on Jan 31 at the AHR Expo in Las Vegas. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company also spoke of USD 1.2MM in funding from Tamarisc VC, one of the country’s leading PropTech investors.

CriticalAsset said the platform is a beautiful software that simplifies facilities management, service, maintenance and documentation; lowers operating costs; and improves a building’s environmental footprint. It’s also the first software to offer a truly interactive digital twin, closing the gap between construction handoffs and building stakeholders, the company claimed.

The platform is a next-generation, mobile-first CMMS, which includes a suite of smart features, including:

• Smart Interactive Floorplans, which converts paper plans and assets into interactive digital documents
• Smart Electrical Panels, in which panel schedules, fed-from, fed-to and affected areas will be completely digital
• Smart Maintenance Scheduling, which automates service and maintenance scheduling
• Smart Work Orders, in which work orders with all key asset data can be created effortlessly by anyone and automatically shared with facilities teams, field technicians and others
• Smart Document Storage, in which all building documents, pictures and plans are securely stored in one place and instantly accessible 24/7.

According to the company, it is the first platform to incorporate AI into all critical aspects of facilities management. The platform solves some of the biggest problems facing virtually every building stakeholder, including facility managers, technicians, contractors, engineers and building owners, the company said.

Building information is scattered all over the place, is difficult to find and is inconsistent. Facilities teams still depend on messy plan rooms, paper notes, complicated spreadsheets, incompatible software apps and risky guesswork, and key knowledge often lives in one person’s head, creating single points of failure, the company pointed out.

Without automation, facilities teams are reactive versus proactive, which takes extra time, results in more asset breakdowns, increases operational costs and creates unnecessary safety risks, while worsening their environmental impact, the company pointed out.

Covid forced many facility managers with institutional knowledge into early retirement, leaving building and property stakeholders with knowledge gaps, creating new risks.

The CriticalAsset platform, the company said, solves all these problems with a single platform for facilities managers and all building stakeholders, offering instant, 24×7 remote access to all building information and tools needed to keep buildings healthy and operational.

“CriticalAsset makes it effortless for facilities managers, contractors and commercial property stakeholders to run their buildings remotely,” said Stewart Padveen, CEO, CriticalAsset. “It lowers operational costs and improves the safety of all occupants in buildings and facilities. There is nothing that compares to CriticalAsset’s simplicity.”

ASHRAE recognizes outstanding achievements of members

ATLANTA, Georgia, 30 January 2022: ASHRAE recognized the outstanding achievements and contributions of members to the Society and the built-environment industry during its 2022 Winter Conference in Las Vegas. It made the announcement through a Press release.

“Congratulations to all of ASHRAE’s Honors and Awards recipients,” said 2021-22 ASHRAE President Mick Schwedler. “Your service to the global built-environment and our Society is appreciated.”

Fellow ASHRAE

According to ASHRAE, the Fellow ASHRAE category is a membership grade that recognizes members who have attained distinction and made substantial contributions in HVACR and the built-environment, such as education, research, engineering design and consultation, publications, presentations and mentoring. The Society elevated 25 members to the grade of Fellow:

• Edward A. Arens, Ph.D., Life Member ASHRAE, director, Center for the Built Environment, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California
• Robert Bean, President, Indoor Climate Consultants Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Don Brandt, Life Member ASHRAE, Retired from Trane Co., in Phoenix, Arizona
• James F. Butler, CTO, Cimetrics Inc., Boston, Massachusetts
• Pieter De Wilde, Professor, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
• Titu R. Doctor, Life Member ASHRAE, Retired, Marietta, Georgia
• W. Stuart Dols, Mechanical Engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland
• Brian A. Fricke, Ph.D., Group Leader, Building Equipment Research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
• Shih-Cheng Hu, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, Department of Energy, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning, and Director, Center for Clean Technology Research, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
• Joe Huang, BEMP, Owner, White Box Technologies, Inc., Moraga, California
• Luke C. H. Leung, P.E., P.Eng., BEMP, Director, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Chicago, Illinois
• Igor Y. Maevski, Ph.D., P.E., Manager of Engineering, Global Tunnel Fire & Life Safety Lead, Jacobs Engineering, New York, New York
• Hugh Magande, Technical Principal, Research, Southface Institute, Atlanta, Georgia
• Tim McGinn, P.Eng., HBDP, Principal, McGinn Technical Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Janice K. Means, P.E., Life Member ASHRAE, Professor Emerita, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan
• Amy V. Musser, Ph.D., P.E., BEMP, Partner, Vandemusser Design, Asheville, North Carolina
• Zheng O’Neill, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Professor, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
• Ryozo Ooka, Professor, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
• Chun-cheng Piao, Ph.D., President, Daikin Open Innovation Lab Silicon Valley, Santa Clara, California
• Lee Riback, Life Member ASHRAE, Project Director – Commissioning, McKinstry Co – South Region, Dallas, Texas
• Charles Roos, CPEng, Senior Technical Director, Beca Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand.
• William A. Ryan, Ph.D., P.E., Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Energy Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
• Roger R. Schmidt, Ph.D., Traugott Distinguished Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
• Celso Cardoso Simões Alexandre, P.Eng., Life Member ASHRAE, President, TROX Americas Extended Board, and Member, TROX GROUP Extended Board, TROX GmbH, São Paulo, Brazil
• Filza H. Walters, Professor of the Practice in Architectural Engineering, Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

Presidential Certificate of Honor 

According to ASHRAE, the Presidential Certificate of Honor is presented as a special honor by the ASHRAE President to recognize a member who has made a unique contribution to the growth and well-being of the Society. ASHRAE recognized the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force in the category. The members of the Task Force are:

• Bill Bahnfleth, Ph.D., P.E., Presidential Fellow Member ASHRAE, Professor of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
• Dennis Knight, P.E., BEMP, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Principal, Whole Building Systems, LLC, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
• Walid Chakroun, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow Member ASHRAE, Professor, Kuwait University, Kuwait
• Brad C. Cochran, P.E., Senior Principal, CPP Wind Engineering, Windsor, Colorado
• Wade H. Conlan, P.E., BCxP, Commissioning and Energy Discipline Manager, Hanson Professional Services, Inc., Maitland, Florida
• Jason DeGraw, Ph.D., R&D Staff Member, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Knoxville, Tennessee
• Traci Hanegan, P.E., HFDP, Fellow Member ASHRAE, Principal Mechanical Engineer, Coffman Engineers, Inc., Spokane, Washington.
• Richard D. Hermans, P.E., HFDP, Life Member ASHRAE, Retired Mechanical Department Manager, AECOM, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Luke Leung, P.E., P.Eng, BEMP, Director, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP, Chicago, Illinois
• Stephen B. Martin, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., Senior Research Engineer, Respiratory Health Division, Field Studies Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Morgantown, West Virginia
• John L. McKernan, Sc.D., Chief, Emerging Contaminants and Technologies Branch, US EPA, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Corey B. Metzger, P.E., Principal, Resource Consulting Engineers, LLC, Ames, Iowa
• Jim Ridenhour, Life Member ASHRAE, Retired, Greer, South Carolina
• Max H. Sherman, Ph.D., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Retired Senior Staff Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
• Stephanie Taylor, M.D., President and Founder, Building 4 Health, Inc., Keswick, Virginia
• Pawel Wargocki, Ph.D., Associate Professor, International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

ASHRAE Technology Awards

According to ASHRAE, the ASHRAE Technology Awards recognize outstanding achievements by ASHRAE members who have successfully applied innovative building designs. Their designs incorporate ASHRAE standards for effective energy management and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and serve to communicate innovative systems design. Winning projects are selected from entries earning regional awards. According to ASHRAE, first-place recipients for the ASHRAE Technology Award are:

• Hermes Silva Flores, existing commercial buildings category, Hotel Mandarin Oriental, Santiago, Chile. The building is owned by Hotel Mandarin Oriental Santiago.
• Donald R. Hartdegen, Jr., P.E., Asfandyar Khan, P.E., HBDP and Sudesh Saraf, P.E., new educational facilities category, Adlai E. Stevenson High School East Building, Lincolnshire, Illinois. The building is owned by Adlai Stevenson High School District 125.
• Jason Volz, P.E., Matt Branham, P.E., Brian Duvall, P.E. and Braydi McPherson-Hathaway, EBCx educational facilities category, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Louisville, Kentucky. The building is owned by Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
• Lincoln Pearce, P.E., BEAP, existing educational facilities category, Marston Hall Renovation, Ames, Iowa.
• Nicholas Rogers, P.E., Tracy Steward and David Mayer, new heath care facilities category, Norton Novak Center for Children’s Health, Louisville, Kentucky. The building is owned by Norton Healthcare.
• Shana Scheiber, P.E. and Rick Flock, P.E., new industrial facilities or processes category, Exact Sciences Lab, Madison, Wisconsin. The building is owned by Exact Sciences.
• Leighton W. Deer, P.E., HBDP and Brad Grubb, P.E., new public assembly category, Westwood Hills Nature Center, St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The building is owned by the City of St. Louis Park.
• Dennis C. McKale, P.E., Bradley Herbeck and Ryan Cowan, existing industrial facilities or processes category, Stellantis – Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, Sterling Heights, Michigan. The building is owned by Stellantis.
• Dustin Langille, BEMP, HBDP and Donald McLauchlan, residential facilities category, 3833 North Broadway, Chicago, Illinois. The building is owned by 3817-45 N. Broadway Inc.

First Place and Award of Engineering Excellence

According to ASHRAE, the Award of Engineering Excellence was created in 1989 to recognize a first-place winner of the Society-level Technology Award competition for an outstanding application of innovative design and effective energy utilization. The recipient of the Award of Engineering Excellence will have demonstrated the best overall compliance with the judging criteria.

According to ASHRAE, first-place and recipients of the Award of Engineering Excellence are:

• Shiro Tsukami, P.E., Kitaro Mizuide, Ph.D., P.E. and Hirotaka Kubo, P.E., new commercial buildings category, DaiyaGate Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan. The building is owned by Seibu Properties Inc.

Student Design Competition

According to ASHRAE, the 2021 Student Design Competition focused on a new 50,000-square-foot building on a higher education campus in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. The building included a two-story cafeteria, associated office, and commercial kitchen and storage space. The teams were tasked with providing safe and healthy storage of food materials on the lower level in a manner that prevents spoiling and the growth of bacteria, while providing enough kitchen/serving space and permanent seating to serve a peak occupancy of 720 students and a total of 3,000 students per day.

First place in the HVAC System Selection category was awarded to Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan. Team members are Evan Eldred, Brian Van Schepen, Nick Schramski, Cole Quinlan, Cole Weber and Jordanny T. Williams.

According to ASHRAE, first place in the HVAC Design Calculations category was awarded to the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Team members are Brandon Jung, Arin Lee, Lukengo Miguel, Kyle Vanderhorst and Taewoong (Jeff) Yoon.

According to ASHRAE, first place in the Integrated Sustainable Building Design category was awarded to Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa. Team members are Andre Cosini, Xinyan Liu, Christopher Maitski, Andrew McGrail, Roumany C. Phan and Christopher Unis.

The Setty Family Foundation Applied Engineering Challenge requires students to plan, develop and enact solutions to sustainability issues in their local or regional areas. In the 2021 Setty Family Foundation Applied Engineering Challenge, students were challenged to design an indoor farming system to meet the needs of a local community with regard to single or multi-family residential construction.

According to ASHRAE, the California Polytechnic State University, in San Luis Obispo, California, placed first. Team members are Adam Bessey, Matthew Malonzo and Ryan Salazar.

E.K. Campbell Award of Merit

According to ASHRAE, Thomas M. Lawrence, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow Member ASHRAE, received the E.K. Campbell Award of Merit. The award honors an individual for outstanding service and achievement in teaching and is presented by the Life Members Club. Lawrence is professor of practice, mechanical engineering program lead, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.

John F. James International Award

According to ASHRAE, Karine Leblanc, received the John F. James International Award. The award recognizes a member who has done the most to enhance the Society’s international presence. Lelanc is sales engineer, US Air Conditioning Distributors, City of Industry, California.

YEA Inspirational Leader Award

According to ASHRAE, Badri Patel, BEAP, received the YEA Inspirational Leader Award. The award recognizes a Young Engineer in ASHRAE (YEA) member who has gone above and beyond to make considerable contributions to the industry and community. Patel is commercial market account executive, Johnson Controls Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

ASHRAE Award for Distinguished Public Service

According to ASHRAE, Steven J. Williams received the ASHRAE Award for Distinguished Public Service. The award recognizes members who have performed outstanding public service in their community and, in doing so, have helped to improve the public image of the engineer. Williams is mechanical project manager, James Posey Associates, Owings Mills, Maryland.

Honorary Member

According to ASHRAE, William “Bill” Nye, known as Bill Nye the Science Guy, was elected as an Honorary Member of ASHRAE. Honorary Members, elected by the Board of Directors, are defined as notable persons of preeminent professional distinction. Nye is CEO, The Planetary Society, Pasadena, California.

ASHRAE Hall of Fame

According to ASHRAE, Raymond G. Alvine, P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE (1926-2005) and Alwin B. Newton, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE (1907-1985), were inducted into the ASHRAE Hall of Fame. The ASHRAE Hall of Fame honors deceased members of the Society who have made milestone contributions to the growth of ASHRAE-related technology or the development of ASHRAE as a society.

Paul Anderson Award

According to ASHRAE, James E. Braun, Ph.D., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, received the F. Paul Anderson Award. The award, ASHRAE’s highest honor, for technical achievement, is named in memory of Presidential Member F. Paul Anderson, who was a pioneer in the study of environmental conditions for comfort.

AABC, ACG and EMA to conduct workshop on commissioning at AHR Expo

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, 30 January 2022: The Associated Air Balance Council (AABC), the AABC Commissioning Group (ACG) and the Energy Management Association (EMA) said they are exhibiting and presenting at AHR Expo 2022, the world’s largest HVACR marketplace. The engagement includes a CxA Workshop on February 1 and 2 at the Expo AHR Expo.

The two-day, 12-hour-long workshop includes discussion of the commissioning process, as described in ACG’s Commissioning Guideline, as well as practical insight on skills, strategies, and communication and documentation protocols essential to applying the process on “real world” projects. This highly interactive training includes many small-group breakout activities, where attendees will use project case studies to develop and discuss samples of key commissioning deliverables, the three entities said. After the workshop and on the final day, a CxA certification exam is administered to approved candidates.

The instructional portion of the CxA Workshop is open for all to attend. The ACG is at Booth C4915 in the Central Hall.

According to ACG, those interested in attending can register at https://www.commissioning.org/register-for-cxa-workshop-exam-at-ahr-expo-2022/ 

Maurizio Orlandi is new Chairman of Eurovent PG: Commercial Refrigeration Equipment

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 28 January 2022: The Eurovent Product Group, ‘Commercial Refrigeration Equipment’ (PD-RDC) has elected its new Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Maurizio Orlandi has become the Group Chairman. Making the announcement through a Press release, Eurovent added that he will be supported by the re-elected Vice-Chairman, Jesus Beraza.

Orlandi, who is Technical Compliance & Intellectual Property Manager, Epta, was elected as the new Chairman of the Product Group during its online meeting on January 14, 2022, Eurovent said. He has extensive experience in Eurovent and within the refrigeration industry. He will succeed Pierluigi Schiesaro, R&D Director, Arneg, who served in the industry as the Eurovent PG-RDC Chairman continuously since January 2005, Eurovent said, adding that the Product Group participants thank Schiesaro for his long-term commitment in supporting Eurovent and accomplishing great work throughout the past years. Beraza, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Koxka, was re-elected for the position of Vice-Chairman, following his previous election on September 28, 2016.

Speaking on the occasion, Orlandi said, “Starting with a personal thanks to Pierluigi for his contribution to this Product Group, it is a great honour for the trust you bestowed upon me, and I look forward to working in the direction of strengthening Eurovent and our industry in the European and global landscape.”

Beraza added, “I would like to show my appreciation to the group participants for having the confidence in me to continue supporting this group as the Vice-Chairman, and to stress my commitment to definitively boost fair competition, one of the main guiding principles of Eurovent.”

According to Eurovent, the next meeting of the group will take place on February 2, online. The group covers refrigerated display cabinets (remote and integral units), walk-in cold rooms, commercial beverage coolers, ice-cream freezers and refrigeration packs. According to Eurovent, it is the largest European working group of commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturers, and the group is supported by the Eurovent Member Associations on a national level.

Belimo launches IAQ gas monitoring devices

DANBURY, Connecticut, 24 January 2022: Belimo launched vehicle emission and IAQ gas monitoring devices to the US market. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said Belimo Holdings AG acquired Opera Electronics in 2021 and has worked diligently towards a harmonious and seamless integration. The gas monitors, the company said, provide accurate and reliable measurements, and detect and control toxic gases in commercial buildings.

According to Belimo…

• An intelligent and standalone peer-to-peer communication protocol provides users unparalleled flexibility to configure and install a complete ventilation control system with only one monitor or dozens operating in multiple ventilation zones.
• The monitors are factory-calibrated and can measure one or two gases and control ventilation directly.
• They communicate (up to 32) via chain network – enhanced communication, enabling expanded system integration and BMS control with BACnet MSTP.
• The modular, weather-resistant enclosure of the monitors features a lockable LCD and adjustable audio, light and strobe alarm.
• “Plug and Play” interchangeable sensing elements allow for easy calibration and gas monitoring devices to simultaneously measure up to two different gases.
• Combined CANbus and BACnet MS/TP networking allow standalone operation or seamless integration into the BMS.
• Onboard analog outputs and relays allow on-demand ventilation without the need for an additional controller.

Belimo said its gas monitors are an ideal solution for fresh air control in conference rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants, public spaces, indoor parking garages, municipal maintenance facilities, bus terminals, automobile dealerships, hospital parking for ambulances and visitors.

World Refrigeration Day: Industry must break silos to reach public

Las Vegas, Nevada, 19 January 2022: Refrigeration and air conditioning are essential to modern life, yet most people are unaware of the technology behind cooling, partially from the RAC industry not reaching out to the public with coordinated messaging.

A free educational session, organized by World Refrigeration Day (WRD), ASHRAE and UNEP OzonAction at the 2022 AHR Expo in Las Vegas is aimed at encouraging the RAC industry to share messaging resources and to better engage with consumers, policy makers and young people. “Breaking Down RAC Industry Silos” will take place on Tuesday, February 1, from 11am to Noon, PST, Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N238/240, WRD said through a Press release.

Despite the increased number of policies, standards and codes related to RAC industry, there is still significant lack of attention and understanding of the importance of the RAC sectors by governments, end-users, and public, WRD said. Issues like refrigerant transition, emissions reduction and maximizing energy efficiency have been addressed over the last couple of decades by most governments mainly due to relevant global policies and binding frameworks, WRD said. However, the sector’s contribution to human welfare and our modern lifestyle goes beyond those topics and needs to be acknowledged and adequately considered by different groups from outside RAC community, WRD added.

World Refrigeration Day is a platform that all in the RAC industry can use to raise the industry’s profile, WRD said. Examples of how that platform is breaking down industry silos in outreach efforts will be presented by past WRD global campaign partners – ASHRAE, UNEP, IIR, EPEE, GFCCC, FAIAR, ISHRAE, and U-3ARC.

The world needs ‘extraordinary IAQ’ to combat COVID, future pandemics

DUBAI, UAE, 18 January 2022: COVID-19 has triggered unprecedented attention towards the air we breathe indoors. The 6th edition of the World IEQ Forum, on March 16 at the Sweden Pavilion, at the World Expo, Dubai, comes at an opportune time, with the globe anxious to end the suffering and uncertainty the pandemic has engendered.

Produced by CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Middle East, the World IEQ Forum is a mission-critical conference that brings together policy-makers; civil, structural and MEP disciplines; architects; healthcare professionals; and building owners in aviation, education, healthcare, hospitality, retail and other sectors.

It typically addresses a broad sweep of Indoor Environmental Quality issues, but the 6th edition, to be held against the menacing backdrop of the pandemic, will seek to specifically address IAQ issues with a view to advancing the understanding of design, installation and O&M strategies and solutions in the built-environment.

Such has been the chastening effect of the pandemic that certain sections of the building industry are calling for ‘extraordinary IAQ measures’ to combat COVID, including more fresh air changes than the recommended minimum. At the same time, the globe is substantially invested in the drive towards greater energy efficiency, as evidenced by the intensity of discussions in the post-Paris Agreement era.

The need for improving energy efficiency is an indispensable target. It is vitally important to curb energy use in the built-environment to lower indirect greenhouse gas emissions and to optimise the Total Cost of Ownership in an increasingly fragile financial environment.

Given the situation, any action that is likely to trigger greater energy use will continue to attract resistance from climatologists, policy-makers and building owners, amongst other climate stakeholders. The thought-process on climate change is firmly established. Hence, it becomes imperative to transform thought through innovation and collaboration.

The objective of the 6^th edition of the World IEQ Forum is to help establish a structured framework, leading to the successful application of innovation, allied with collaboration and coordination and sustained engagement.

“It is a well-acknowledged fact that there is no shortage of innovative design, construction, installation and O&M practices that can complement innovation in equipment towards the goal of greater energy efficiency,” said Surendar Balakrishnan, Co-Founder & Editorial Director, CPI Industry. “The various elements either exist or are in various stages of further development. And if allowed to perform to their fullest potential – together or as clusters of elements – they can lower energy use to such an extent that would compel climatologists, policy-makers and building owners to allow even energy-intense IAQ-related engineering approaches and technologies to be incorporated in buildings. It ought to be noted that the goal still would be to identify and develop IAQ-related design, construction and installation models and technologies that would consume as less energy as is possible.”

The 6^th edition of the Forum is co-hosted by Systemair and will see participation from Camfil, Condair and UL, amongst others.

– 30 –

For any queries, contact:

Merciana Lopez
Strategic Public Affairs Liaison and Events Manager

CPI Industry

+971 50 484 6172

merci@cpi-industry.com

NOTE: Seats to the 6^th edition of the World IEQ Forum are limited and are on first-come-first-served basis. Those interested in attending may write to dove@cpi-industry.com to register.

AHRI announces Rees Scholarship Foundation Awards winners

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 13 January 2022: The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) announced scholarship awards totaling USD 45,000 to 24 students, including two military veterans and eight SkillsUSA awardees studying to become technicians in the HVACR and water heating industry, AHRI said through a Press release.

“Each year, the Foundation provides aid to these aspiring technicians, helping to promote careers in the industry and fill good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced,” said Stephen Yurek, President and CEO, AHRI. “We are pleased to award scholarships to these qualified and dedicated students, and we look forward to welcoming them into the industry.”

Added Barton James, President and CEO, ACCA: “Workforce development is a major priority for ACCA, and we’re pleased to work with the Rees Scholarship Foundation and AHRI to help recruit financial support for deserving individuals. It is our responsibility as an industry to continue to support and encourage careers in the skilled trades, and it starts with training and education.”

According to AHRI, HVACR and Water Heating Technician Program recipients include:

Lindola Gilbert, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Elijah Hernandez, Institute of Technology Modesto, Modesto, CA

Mohammad Farhead Jalali, Institute of Technology Modesto, Modesto, CA

Zhifang Liu, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Jose Moscosa, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Palmague Namboure, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Arthur Ramos, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Eduardo Rodriguez, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Andres Siguenza, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Likhit Sutchairak, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Carlos Viquez, HVAC Technical Institute, Chicago, IL

Mustafa Zafari, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Rutchanon Vongasavarit, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Duane Hall, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI

Elijah LaRue, Career and Technology Education Centers, Newark, OH

Jacob McArthur, Tulsa Tech Lemley Campus, Broken Arrow, OK

Juan Rodriguez, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Alsharif Bogar, Lincoln Technical School, New Britain, CT

William Key, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL

Carter Hanvey, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL

Kurt Wester, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL

Stephen Morrison, Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL

 

According to AHRI, the Veterans Program recipients are:

Joshua Parson, Bevill State Community College, Hamilton, AL

Robert Landerfin, San Joaquin Valley College – Temecula, Temecula, CA

Since its founding in 2003, AHRI said, the Rees Scholarship Foundation has awarded more than USD 1 million in scholarships to 643 deserving students and instructors.

Weil-McLain/Marley to unveil new app for MEP contractors at AHR Expo

BURR RIDGE, Illinois, 9 January 2022: Weil-McLain said it will unveil its new ProTools app that allows contractors and other heating professionals to conveniently access information on Weil-McLain boiler setup, maintenance and troubleshooting, as well as its new, award-winning ECO Tec high efficiency 95% AFUE premium residential boiler for multi-zone and combi applications.

In addition, Marley Engineered Products will showcase the CU900 Series Custom Cabinet Unit Heater, which the company claimed delivers supplemental comfort heat in a contemporary design to match modern and future architect specifications, and the THX series heater, an in-floor perimeter convector heater, which delivers comfort, aesthetics and safety for the ultimate supplemental heat system.

Weil-Lain said executives and product managers from Weil-McLain and Marley Engineered Products will be on-site for demos and to discuss recent developments in this segment of the industry.

AHRI to host its State Summit in California

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 5 January 2022: AHRI said it will be hosting its 2022 State Summit on June 7 and 8 in Sacramento, California. Participants will hear directly from key policymakers and stakeholders on priority issues impacting the HVACR and water heating industry in California and across the country, it added. The Summit, it further added, was an opportunity to let lawmakers know the HVACR industry’s position on the critical policy decisions affecting its business, employees and customers.

According to AHRI, the highlights of the Summit will include meetings with California legislators and regulators; presentations from key regulatory agencies, legislative offices, and environmental NGOs; two-way conversations with policymakers on high-priority issues; updates on AHRI’s state legislative and regulatory activities; and opportunities to network with colleagues and conference participants.

Enaqua management buys the company from Grundfos

SAN DIEGO, California, 4 January 2022: Grundfos and Enaqua management announced that the parties have signed an agreement for the Enaqua management team to acquire 100% of the shares of Enaqua. Making the announcement through a Press release, Grundfos said the transaction is expected to close within a short time. The acquisition represents a key opportunity for Enaqua management to leverage the company’s expertise to strengthen its technology portfolio focused on UV water treatment, the release said.

“This acquisition is an exciting step in our journey,” said Mark Wilke, Co-CEO, Enaqua. “This will allow us to continue to offer our customers the best available technology for their water treatment applications. We look forward to further strengthening our product portfolio and services, with all our customers in mind,” Rick McIntyre, Co-CEO, Enaqua, added: “We are excited to (be able to) continue providing our customers with the State-of-the-Art UV Disinfection solutions that Enaqua has been known for throughout our long history.”

According to the release, Enaqua holds experience in UV water treatment for municipal wastewater disinfection and process water treatment, including food and aquaculture as well as re-use applications.

“We have great respect for the Enaqua team, which has been doing a great job within their market,” says Grundfos Group Vice President, Tommy Due Høy. “Enaqua has a proven track record in their niche focus market of UV water treatment solutions, and we believe that Enaqua will be able to better fulfil its potential under a different ownership. We are pleased to have a buyer who will be able to nurture, strengthen and develop Enaqua.”

Armstrong promotes Mike Fischer to Global Commercial Director

TORONTO, Canada, 20 December 2021: Armstrong Fluid Technology said that Mike Fischer has been promoted to Commercial Director, Global Building Business, reporting directly to the CEO, Todd Rief.

Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said Fischer joined Armstrong in 2020 as the Commercial Director for the USA and Latin America, bringing over 30 years of experience from his work with Honeywell, Johnson Controls and Siemens.

Immediately prior to joining Armstrong, he was Vice President, Global Service Sales at Honeywell Building Solutions, where he led a global sales team responsible for selling software and services, it added.

At Honeywell, Fischer also led the Global Sales Excellence Team for Honeywell’s Building Products Business, where he introduced a disciplined sales operating system, including new sales tools and training, the company said.

In Armstrong’s global sales leadership role, Fischer will be responsible for executing Armstrong’s global strategy, enabling the sales organization to achieve both order and revenue growth targets, it added.

Fischer, it said, has an MBA from Texas Christian University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University.

Chris Markert, the company said, is taking on the role of Commercial Director, USA. It described Markert as a highly experienced business executive with a 30-year career of extensive global management and sales experience in the HVACR industry. His business experience, it said, includes senior management positions with Honeywell International and Johnson Controls, where he had responsibility for major business units in North America, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region.

Markert, the company said, had also owned and operated an HVACR contracting and service company, as well as an Internet start-up focused on technology for the HVACR industry. Immediately prior to joining Armstrong, the company said, Markert served as Director of North America Service Sales with Honeywell, managing five regions. Markert, it said, holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

Eurovent completes Drift Eliminator Certification test campaign for 2021

PARIS, France, 16 December 2021: Eurovent Certita Certification (ECC) announced the completion of its 2021 Drift Eliminator certification test campaign, consisting of Counterflow, Crossflow integrated and Non-integrated drift eliminator types.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Eurovent said that within two months, the McHale Associates laboratory, in the United States and the 4JTECH testing laboratory, in Prague, Czech Republic, tested over 20 drift eliminators in accordance with ECC technical certification rules ECP 14-DE-2020 for laboratory drift testing and utilising the Isokinetic drift test code ATC-140.

Eurovent said this challenge could not have been successfully met without the collaboration of McHale Associates, a Cooling Technology Institute (CTI) licence testing agency for drift eliminator testing, together with the newly developed 4JTECH laboratory, which had to undergo a series of validation tests supervised by Principal Performance Engineer, Gabe Ramos from McHale Associates, before being approved by the ECC programme committee.

According to Eurovent, the scope of Drift Eliminator certification programme was developed in 2009 by drift eliminator industry experts utilising a controlled laboratory environment to obtain a drift rate at specific controlled operating conditions for air velocity and water loading, as well as the drift breakthrough air velocity, which is the air velocity for which drift losses become visible at any point of the drift eliminator, expressed in m/s.

According to Eurovent, the certification programme is yet becoming an increasing requirement not only in Europe but also worldwide to ensure a significant reduction in hazardous emissions into the environment and to meet government standards, such as the French NF E 38-424, or incentive schemes, such as the LEED green building rating system.

Tecumseh strengthens leadership team

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, 9 December 2021: Commercial refrigeration company, Tecumseh Products Company has appointed Jay Pittas as CEO. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company added that two proven industry leaders have taken new commercial management roles.

The newly appointed management team includes Doug Murdock, President of the Americas, and Ricardo Maciel, President of EMEA/Asia, the company said. Ernani Nunes continues to serve as the SVP of Global Sales & Engineering, it added.

Most recently, Pittas has served as the Chairman of Tecumseh’s Board of Directors since April 2020 and, thus, has already been an integral part of Tecumseh’s leadership team, the company said. Pittas previously served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Remy International, a supplier of highly engineered automotive parts for passenger and commercial vehicles, the company said.

Prior to that, he served as President of the Wolverine Specialty Materials business, which supplied coated metals for automotive and electronic applications, it said. He has also held significant international and managerial positions with Honeywell, UOP and ARI Technologies, it added.

To further accelerate commercial growth, operational excellence and improved customer service, Pittas has appointed three proven industry leaders to commercial management positions, the company said.

Murdock, who has served Tecumseh as the President and CEO for over five years, will assume the new role of President of Americas, the company said. Maciel, a former CEO of SECOP, assumes the role of President of EMEA/Asia, it said. Nunes, a former executive from Embraco, will continue to serve as the SVP of Global Sales & Engineering, it added.

Speaking on the appointments, Pittas said: “As we all work through these most challenging times, Tecumseh is taking every step possible to further strengthen our Leadership Team and, in turn, strengthen the service we deliver to our customers.

The steps we’re announcing today speaks to that commitment. We’re thrilled to have Doug and Ricardo and Ernani take on these key leadership positions, and help us drive forward in our continued transformation at Tecumseh.”

Siemens to acquire EcoDomus’ digital twin software

Switzerland, 3 December 2021: Siemens Smart Infrastructure signed an agreement to acquire digital twin software for buildings from EcoDomus, a US-based company, the company said through a Press release. The move, the company said, helps it expand its digital building portfolio, including its cloud-based building operations twin software and its flagship building management platform, Desigo CC.

The EcoDomus software creates, maintains and visualizes Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based digital building twins, making design and construction data available for building operations and maintenance, the company said.

Customers can generate digital replicas of their real buildings and assets, creating a common data environment that integrates BIM, Building Management Systems (BMS), Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems, the company said. The solution enables BIM-driven workflows and digital twin-based lifecycle management, complemented by 3D visualization, the company added.

“The way we operate buildings is fundamentally changing, thanks to the power of digitalization and digital twins,” said Henning Sandfort, CEO, Building Products, Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “By enhancing our existing offering for digitalized buildings with EcoDomus’ software, we are strengthening our leading-industry position in that dynamic market, offering our customers the full-spectrum benefits of BIM-based operations.”

According to the company, in the past, BIM data usage has mostly focused on a building’s construction phase. Today, it said, its benefits can also be leveraged in the operations and maintenance phase. This is crucial, because this is where 80% of a building’s total lifecycle costs will occur, it said.

Leveraging the acquired data creation and visualization capabilities, Siemens’ digital building software portfolio will bring substantial benefits to customers: Enhanced insights into the performance of their building, real-time issue identification and resolution, better space and energy utilization and many others, the company said.

Customers will be able to turn their buildings into more sustainable, comfortable and safe places to live and work, while at the same time streamlining processes and reducing operational costs, it said.

According to the company, EcoDomus is a privately held US company. The closing of the deal, it added, is expected in the next few months and subject to the conditions agreed by both parties.

Carel installs its chillBooster in 100 Delhaize stores

BRUGINE, Padua, Italy, 2 December 2021: Carel has installed its chillBooster solution in 100 stores of Belgian supermarket chain, Delhaize. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company added it has historically developed and proposed adiabatic humidification technology for its high versatility, immediate energy savings and low installation costs.

Carel said the chillBooster exploits the evaporative cooling principle, whereby the air is cooled before entering the condensing unit – that is, the chiller or dry cooler. Atomisation of water into micrometric droplets gives rise to spontaneous evaporation, a process that takes place by using heat from the surrounding air, thus lowering its temperature, the company said.

In the summer, this brings reductions of around 10-15 degrees C in condensing unit air inflow temperature, meaning a lightening of the work load and, consequently, considerable energy savings, the company said.

During the summer of 2019, due to a series of heat waves, many of the Delhaize chain’s stores were unable to get their refrigeration units to work properly, Carel highlighted. In addition to an overall decline in the performance of cold rooms and refrigerated showcases, the higher temperatures caused several units to shut down, with a consequent loss of the goods on display and, in some cases, forcing the stores to close for a few days, it said.

As a result of these difficulties, and the corresponding economic damage, Delhaize started to look for a solution to prevent these situations from being repeated the following summers, the company said.

According to Carel, the chillBooster system immediately proved to be the best choice, and was successfully installed on 120 gas coolers in supermarkets throughout Belgium. The considerable flexibility of the Carel solution made it possible to adapt to the different needs of each of the more than 100 systems where chillBooster was installed, the company said.

The choice to adopt evaporative cooling, the company said, has meant that the existing units meet the original design requirements again, saving energy and bringing an immediate benefit in terms of efficiency.

ASHRAE celebrates inauguration of global HQ building

ATLANTA, Georgia, 18 November 2021: ASHRAE formally opened its new global headquarters building, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by its board of directors, top building campaign donors, elected officials and local guests. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE added that it completed a USD 20 million building renovation project intended to prove the economic viability of a fully net-zero-energy (NZE) operation.

“The completion of this project is an important milestone for ASHRAE as a professional society and for the built environment worldwide,” said Mick Schwedler, 2021-22 ASHRAE President. “Our investments in energy efficiency and sustainability will boost innovation within the built environment and inspire others to replicate our headquarters’ project model. Our Society reimagined a pathway forward for existing building stock and is pleased to provide an example of the future of high performance buildings.”

The renovated, 66,700-square-foot building, situated on 11 acres of land at 180, Technology Parkway in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, is the culmination of a 10-month project, completed in October 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, ASHRAE said.

“One could make the assertion that constructing a new net-zero-energy building from the ground up would have been much easier than renovating an existing building,” said Ginger Scoggins, 2021-22 ASHRAE Treasurer and Former Building Ad Hoc Committee Chair. “We decided that ASHRAE could make the greatest impact by showing others how to renovate an existing building with net-zero-energy as the focus, using our own standards and guidelines. ASHRAE is making net-zero-energy the ‘new norm’ in sustainable design and construction. It has been an honor to lead this historic project.”

ASHRAE said the building’s grand opening comes at the conclusion of highly successful building campaign that raised more than USD 10.3 million in monetary donations and contributions of equipment and services from multiple ASHRAE members and 33 corporate donors. Top corporate building donors, NIBE and Cisco, were represented at the ceremony, it added.

“When NIBE was presented with the opportunity to be a part of ASHRAE’s new headquarters, it was an easy decision to play a part in the growth and sustainability of the HVACR industry,” said Eric Lindquist, CEO, NIBE Industrier AB. “Our US brands are focused on continued promotion of systems and solutions that provide comfort, affordability, and betterment of the environment. We look forward to the new headquarters and what the future holds.”

Jeremy Witikko, Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Global Industry Business Strategy, Cisco, said: “When ASHRAE embarked on creating a workspace that reflected their organization’s vision of advancing human well-being through sustainable technology, Cisco was ALL-IN on partnering. Cisco is committed to power an inclusive future for all and were thrilled to be a part of that journey with ASHRAE. Together, let’s continue to build a place where we can meet human needs and protect the planet though technology, our actions, our people and our intentions. An inclusive future starts with a livable planet where people and the environment can thrive together.”

ASHRAE said that although it has occupied the building for more than one year, with limited onsite staff presence, the installation of a Photovoltaic (PV) solar array system was completed in October 2021, marking the beginning of the building’s operation at fully net-zero-energy performance. The PV system is a combination of three sub-arrays, totaling 332kW, mounted on the rooftop and in an unused section of the parking lot, it added.

ASHRAE said that in addition to the PV system, innovative approaches incorporated in the building include:

• Eighteen new skylights and reconfigured window/wall ratio.
• Radiant ceiling panel system: This is used for heating and cooling and dedicated outdoor air system for outdoor air ventilation with enthalpy heat recovery.
• Overhead fresh air distribution system augmented with reversible ceiling fans in the open office areas and displacement distribution in the learning center.
• Six water-source heat pumps (WSHPs): There are four on basement level and two on upper level atrium that will be used to condition these spaces.
• A robust Building Automation System with remote access.
• Demand Control Ventilation (DCV): This will be used for high occupancy spaces in the meeting and learning center.
• On-site electric vehicle charging stations available for guests and staff.

In attendance at the ceremony were representatives from the offices of US Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux, along with county and city officials, ASHRAE said.

“We are very pleased that a professional association of ASHRAE’s distinction selected Peachtree Corners as the site of its global headquarters,” said Mike Mason, Mayor, Peachtree Corners. “Technology Park is a natural fit for an organization whose focus mirrors the city’s efforts in technology innovation, sustainability and green living.”

ASHRAE said its Building Ad Hoc Committee and Technical Advisory Subcommittee, comprising Society volunteers, oversaw the building renovation project. Partners involved in the design, engineering and construction of the building project include: Houser Walker Architecture, McLennan Design, Integral Group, Collins Project Management, Skanska, Shumate Mechanical and Epsten Group, it said. The PV installation was completed by Creative Solar USA, it added.

ASHRAE addresses climate change solutions at COP26

ATLANTA, Georgia, 11 November 2021: ASHRAE addressed climate change solutions at the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, held from October 31 to November 12.

ASHRAE said it formally participated as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and an official COP observer. The United Nations granted permission for select organizations to participate in COP26 activities.

More than 60 of the largest and most influential international architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, planning and construction firms, along with two dozen organizations representing over one million building industry professionals worldwide, issued a Communiqué to government leaders headed to COP26 challenging them to step up their emissions reduction targets for the built-environment. The firms and organizations are signatories of the 1.5°C COP26 Communiqué — an open letter to sovereign governments demonstrating the firms’ and organizations’ commitment to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C carbon budget and demanding governments do the same.

ASHRAE said its focus at COP26 was to emphasize the importance of the building community’s participation in addressing the climate crisis. Architecture 2030 and ASHRAE hosted a COP26 Official Side Event on November 10, featuring the 1.5°C COP26 Communiqué and its signatories. The event, titled ‘65% by 2030 / ZERO by 2040: Top 200 Global Firms and Organizations Lead With 1.5°C Climate Actions’, highlighted ways in which the signatories are responding to the urgency of the climate crisis and specific actions to decarbonize the built world and meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C carbon budget.

At the side event, 2021-22 ASHRAE Treasurer, Ginger Scoggins, highlighted the world’s growing building stock and the role of built-environment organizations, such as ASHRAE, in assisting both policymakers and industry leaders in better understanding their impact on our climate change solutions.

“ASHRAE signed onto the 1.5°C COP26 Communiqué, and we are here today because engineers and scientists involved with HVACR and building systems have been, and will continue to be, advancing solutions to address climate change,” Scoggins said. “We are here, because we recognize that the built-environment is a key source contributing to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and with the building stock continuing to expand and doubling by 2050, solutions from the buildings community is ever more critical.”

Additionally, Scoggins spoke about the credibility of ASHRAE’s technical resources and global standing in the development of consensus-based standards. “ASHRAE’s flagship Energy Conservation Standard 90.1 is the benchmark for commercial building energy codes in the United States and has been a key basis for codes and standards around the world for more than 45 years, reducing energy consumption by 50%, yet only 38 countries have specifically named building standards and codes in their Nationally Determined Contributions,” Scoggins said. “Many of the countries where the building stock is expected to grow do not require energy standards for buildings. ASHRAE signed the buildings industry’s communique, and we are ready to help policy makers and the buildings industry around the world transform our building stock into one that is sustainable, resilient, and healthy. We are here to be part of the solution and we are up to the challenge.”

In a separate statement, 2021-21 ASHRAE President Mick Schwedler, commented on ASHRAE’s participation at COP26 and shared additional ways that the Society is addressing climate change. “ASHRAE’s climate action efforts exemplify the Society’s core dedication to engineering excellence in environmental stewardship,” Schwedler said. “The ASHRAE Global Headquarters building renovation project demonstrates that existing buildings can be transformed into net-zero-energy structures cost-effectively, using current, off-the shelf technologies. Our Advanced Energy Design Guides, developed with our partners, provide zero energy K-12 schools and office buildings guides to equip designers in achieving zero energy and significantly reducing carbon. ASHRAE is proud to work with other world leaders to not only raise awareness of the issues surrounding climate change, but collectively seek to redefine the built environment for the times and continually explore what is possible through industry leading innovation.”

India Pavilion at Expo 2020 launches AC helmet

DUBAI, UAE, 10 November 2021: The India Pavilion, at the World Expo in Dubai, launched what it said is the world’s first AC safety helmet. Designed and manufactured by Telangana, India-based tech and safety start-up, Jarsh Safety, the helmet is reportedly suitable for outdoor workforce and field executives.

According to Jarsh Safety, NIA Limited, in Dubai, will distribute the product in the UAE market. NIA, it added, is also the exclusive regional distributor for a wide range of consumer electronics and home appliances.

The product launch is part of the India Innovation Hub initiative by the Indian Pavilion at the World Expo 2020, wherein the pavilion is showcasing the top 500 most-reputed startups from India. The project is working under the guidance of the Consul General of India in Dubai, Dr Aman Puri, and with the support of the Indian diaspora and prominent investor institutions.

The Jarsh-NIA AC Helmet works on patented solid-state cooling technology to provide cooling up to 24 degrees C. Jarsh Safety said. The premium model for senior executives has a battery life of two hours, whereas the heavy-duty model for the skilled workforce has a 10-hour battery backup, the company said. Four vents across the helmet provide a uniform cooling experience, keeping the user sweat-free, comfortable and productive on the job, the company added.

Kausthub Kaundinya, CEO, Jarsh Safety, said, “The Jarsh-NIA AC Safety Helmet is a game-changer for the construction and outdoor workforce, especially in a region that is characterised by extreme working conditions during the summer months.

“We started our journey from a garage office and, over the years, brought smiles to thousands of workers across India. Jarsh Safety is now going global, and we strongly believe that the joint NIA-Jarsh mission can help alleviate the working conditions of the workforce across the world.”

Kaundinya also thanked the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) for providing the platform to launch the product in the UAE.

Kamran Birjees Khan, CEO, NIA Limited, said the helmet is in line with the UAE Government’s endeavours to advance workforce welfare standards.

Eurovent Middle East launches Cooling Tower Guidebook

DUBAI, UAE, 9 November 2021: Eurovent Middle East has introduced the Cooling Tower Guidebook, with a view to creating awareness and providing a comprehensive overview on a highly-energy-efficient cooling technology. Making the announcement through a Press release, the Association has also extended an invitation to an event to physically launch the Guidebook. The event, on November 23, in Dubai, will include a workshop on evaporative cooling, as part of the Association’s HVACR Leadership Workshop.

The publication of the Guidebook marks the end of a two-year project, where members of the Association compiled the most essential information on evaporative cooling, to provide consultants, developers, building operators and investors with a quick and comprehensive reference to the technology, Eurovent said. The use of water in cooling processes is as old as mankind, yet may provide challenges in notoriously dry environments, it said. The water-energy nexus will be one of many aspects to be discussed at the event, it added.

According to Eurovent Middle East, further topics in the workshop include:
• Introduction to the Cooling Tower Guidebook
• Overview of advantages of evaporative cooling
• Working principles
• Critical aspects of design, installation and operation
• Case study
• Cooling tower certification

According to Eurovent, the event, taking place at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, will start at 5pm (Gulf Standard Time). Participants, it said, will receive a printed copy of the Guidebook. Registration to attend the event, it said, is free of charge via this link.

Priva opens Dubai office

Dubai, UAE: 5 November 2021: The Netherlands-headquartered Priva, which provides hardware, software and data-services in the fields of climate control, energy saving and optimal reuse of water, has expanded its global footprint with the opening of its first office in the Middle East in Dubai.

Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said the move comes as it witnesses exceptional growth in demand for its horticulture and building automation solutions in the Middle East, as governments, and private and public growers intensify their focus on food security and self-sufficiency.

“At Priva, our mission is to contribute to a sustainable world, where a growing world population can live a healthy and comfortable life,” said Meiny Prins, CEO, Priva. “In everything we do, our focus is to develop self-sufficiency through local and efficient safe food production. By bringing people, knowledge and technology together, we can create a climate for growth, even under the harshest conditions.

“Through our local presence on the ground, we look forward to working alongside local and regional entrepreneurs, farmers, growers, project developers, investors and the government to support the development of sustainable business models in and around mega cities to achieve the region’s food security and self-sufficiency goals.”

Leading Priva’s operations in the Middle East is Giovanni Angiolini, General Manager, the company said. Commenting on his appointment, Angiolini said: “I am very excited to take up this exciting new role within Priva and to help grow the company’s footprint in the region in what is a very exciting and opportune time. With over 60 years of international expertise in horticulture and building automation, we look forward to becoming a global knowledge partner locally on the ground and to help achieve the region’s indoor growing and horticulture goals.”

Prior to joining Priva, Angiolini supported The Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the design and development of the programming for the Food cluster, as part of The Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. In addition, he worked with The Netherlands Enterprise Agency, which is part of the Ministry, and the Dutch Greenhouse Delta, an association representing Dutch horticulture, on the development of the strategy for a three-year, public-private initiative to position Dutch horticultural companies in the Gulf region.

AHR Expo 2022 Innovation Awards winners announced

WESTPORT, Connecticut, 20 October 2021: The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) announced the winners of the 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Awards, through a Press release.

Each year, winners are chosen in 10 industry categories to represent the most innovative products and technologies hitting the market in the coming year. “This past year was a challenge for everyone, and in unique ways, the HVACR industry,” said Mark Stevens, Show Manager. “Our industry was called to the front lines to put our very best products and technologies to the test. The Innovation Awards purpose is to honor those that are pushing the bar to create innovative solutions to difficult problems. We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s winners and what they bring to the industry, as well as to continue to champion innovation among our professionals.”

The Innovation Awards encourage exhibitors to submit new products and technologies for recognition via review and selection by a panel of third-party judges, comprising distinguished ASHRAE members, AHR Expo said. Entrants are evaluated based on overall innovative design, the creativity of the product or service offered, application, as well as potential market impact. “This industry is tremendously exciting for its role in our everyday lives,” Stevens said. “Now, more than ever, we have the chance to show the world just how important HVACR is. Manufacturers on the AHR Expo Show floor are in tune with their stakeholders and the greater needs of the world and are responding by developing new tools, products and services that offer safety, efficiency, and sustainable smart solutions.” According to AHR Expo, the Innovation Awards program serves as a metric to see the year-to-year growth in the industry. While the Awards officially recognize only a select few, the Show floor is a robust example of how manufacturers are growing the industry in exciting ways. “AHR Show Management would like to formally congratulate each of our 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Award winners, as well as finalists and all our entrants, for their continued leadership and contribution to HVACR,” Stevens said. “We look forward to seeing these innovators in the marketplace in the coming year, and in-person on the Show floor in 2022.”

The 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Award Winners and finalists were selected in 10 industry categories, including building automation, cooling, heating, indoor air quality, plumbing, refrigeration, software, sustainable solutions (formerly green building), tools and instruments, and ventilation.

The winners, with their products described in the words of AHR Expo, are:

BUILDING AUTOMATION

Winner: iSMA CONTROLLI S.p.A., iSMA-B-MAC36NL Hybrid IoT Controller, powered by Niagara Framework, Booth C969 Innovation: The iSMA-B-MAC36NL master application controller family provides an all-in-one solution for mini-BMS. Created visualization can be displayed and controlled via HDMI output and two USB ports that enable connection of a mouse/keyboard or dedicated touch for the HMI panel. No PC, additional licenses, or additional costs are required. As MAC controllers are based on the Niagara Framework, it enables the integration of almost any existing protocol on the building network. The onboard M-Bus port, 2 ethernet ports, and the RS485 port can be integrated with just one device. Finally, the controller has an onboard dip and rotary switches that can be used as a part of the application. All of the features of the controller are managed by dedicated modules in Niagara Framework to accelerate the installation process and thus reduce labor costs.

Finalists in this category include: BrainBox AI, BrainBox AI; CUBE USA, CUBE Edge IoT.

COOLING

Winner: Danfoss, Danfoss Turbocor® VTCA400 Compressor, Booth C3906 Innovation: The new VTCA400 from Danfoss offers improvements on traditional centrifugal compressor designs that are large in physical size and footprint, which ultimately lead to higher cost and space constraints for the end user. The VTCA400 solves this problem by using a patent-pending hybrid compression design that uses a combination of mixed flow and radial impellers, enabling high-performance and a compact footprint. In this design, the first-stage impeller uses a mixed flow impeller with both axial and radial components while the second-stage impeller uses a radial design. The hybrid compression design allows for a compressor footprint that is half the physical size and weight of a conventional radial-only design. It also maintains high efficiency levels — a 10% improvement in full load efficiency and 30% improvement in IPLV above ASHRAE 90.1-2019 minimums, when considering a three (3) compressor, 1200-Ton system.

Finalists in this category include: Copeland Compressors and Condensing Units / Emerson, Copeland™ oil-free centrifugal compressor; Teqtoniq GmbH, Teqtoniq TRC150 Oil-Free Centrifugal Compressor.

HEATING

Winner: Carrier, Infinity® 24 Heat Pump with Greenspeed® Intelligence, Booth C1310 Innovation: The Infinity® 24 Heat Pump with Greenspeed® Intelligence is Carrier’s highest-efficiency and most advanced heat pump with up to 24 SEER and 13 HSPF for premium energy savings, extremely quiet performance and premium comfort features. The unique, variable-speed compressor of this unit allows it to adapt its output to the needs of the home with infinite adjustments between 25% and 100% capacity. The heat pump offers excellent humidity control and is capable of removing up to 400% more moisture than standard systems. Based on Carrier testing, all data was run with the systems cycling once they met the assumed home load. The assumed load at AHAM conditions (80/70, 80) is the capacity of the variable-speed running continuously in dehumidification mode. The difficult conditions load was determined by a Wrightsoft® load calculation for a home in Florida at 69 OD 72/63 ID. This condition was provided by a customer in Florida as “worst case.”

Finalists in this category include: HVAC Manufacturing and Technology Inc., SpaceGain Air Handling Units; Addison, FrostShield Defrost-Free Heat Pumps.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Winner: Antrum, AntrumX™ IAQ Facilities Monitoring System, Booth C1071 Innovation: AntrumX is a patented centralized sensing technology. AntrumX monitors IAQ for 32 spaces from a single location, using one sensor for every 16 rooms. Consolidating one centralized sensor for multiple spaces increases sensor accessibility while ensuring better overall control. Centralized sensing ensures better overall control because the data from 16 spaces comes from a single source, allowing building managers to optimize their ventilation strategy, and save energy without sacrificing IAQ. Additionally, the AntrumX has the ability to transport air without moving parts. Leveraging the building’s pressure differential between supply and exhaust, AntrumX is able to move air samples from each space to the Sensor Pack without adding energy to the system. The Sensor Pack also monitors multiple data points across multiple rooms. Using over-the-air software updates and a state-of-the-art hardware design, the Sensor Pack can be customized to sense what’s required today and be easily exchanged or updated as requirements change over the life of the building.

Finalists in this category include: LG Electronics USA, Inc., LG Split Rooftop DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) with Energy Recovery Wheel; TZOA, HAVEN IAQ.

PLUMBING

Winner: Franklin Electric / Little Giant, Inline SpecPAK, Multi-Pump Pressure Boosting System, Booth C4334 Innovation: With only 14.5 inches in depth, its unique smaller footprint makes the Franklin Electric Inline 1100 SpecPAK Pressure Boosting System small enough to be hung in a small utility closet, or wall-hung to preserve critical floor space. The system’s Inline 1100 constant pressure pumps are quiet, compact, self-contained, and versatile. Powered by water-cooled motors, it delivers quieter operation versus traditional air-cooled motors. The self-contained design delivers a “plug and play” solution that is part of a complete package revolving around easy installation, operation, and durability. The ability to expand is a foundational and distinctive benefit. Both the suction and discharge headers are sized to accommodate the flow rate from the maximum speed of four pumps. Quick and easy disconnects to the main panel allow customers to disconnect each pump individually with minimal system disruption.

Finalists in this category include: Lochinvar, LLC, Lochinvar Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters; Towle Whitney LLC, GEN-5 Platform.

REFRIGERATION

Winner: ebm-papst Inc., AxiEco 630-910 Axial Fan, Booth C3324 Innovation: The AxiEco 630-910 incorporates new impeller geometry with a rotating diffuser and optimized blade design in order to reach a low noise level and high-efficiency. The steep air performance curve provides a pressure increase of more than 700 Pa, which is extraordinary for axial fans. With a maximum air flow of up to 30,000 m³/h, the AxiEco 630-910 covers a wide range of different applications, especially those where high-efficiency and high back pressure are key. The integrated commutation electronics, with an active PFC (power factor correction) as an option, enables the fan to be used in applications with low harmonics requirements, without any external filtering measures.

Finalists in this category include: Copeland Compressors and Condensing Units / Emerson, Copeland™ horizontal variable speed scroll compressor for refrigeration (1 to 4 HP); and Johnson Controls, Inc., ZS series horizontal scroll compressors with R290 and variable speed compatibility.

SOFTWARE

Winner: Bluon, Inc., Bluon Support Platform, Booth C6617 Innovation: The Bluon Support Platform is a mobile application that becomes a centralized hub for HVAC technicians. Bluon was built for technicians, by technicians, and provides detailed system information, just-in-time training, best practices and 24/7 live tech support. The app’s most important function is its ability to make the lives of technicians easier by providing a single, trustworthy source of detailed HVAC system information, along with live tech support when needed in the field. The main features of the free app include: a comprehensive unit database of 40,000 HVAC model numbers, spanning 75+ brands, with 75,000+ original manuals, troubleshooting guides, wiring diagrams, and technical specifications; best practices known as “pro-hacks” for a wide-range of situations; easy-to-use calculators for SH/SC, airflow, pressure setpoints, TXV sizing, etc.; HVAC training videos and tools that techs can use on the job; a revolutionary HVAC forum that gets techs the info they need when they need it; 24/7 live tech support; and a replacement parts identification tool cross-referenced by model numbers and compatible part numbers.

Finalists in this category include: CoolAutomation, Service Provision App; Interplay Learning, SkillMill™.

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS (formerly Green Building)

Winner: Enginuity Power Systems Inc, E/ONE Home Power System, Booth N7435 Innovation: Enginuity’s E/ONE Home Power System is a modern rethinking of a classic combined heat and power system. Using clean and plentiful natural gas, the E/ONE produces both electricity and heat for homes or businesses. Since the E/ONE is capable of making more power than the home or business requires, the additional power can be sold back to the grid, generating income for the E/ONE’s owner. In addition, the E/ONE leverages the reliability of the natural gas distribution network to replace conventional backup generators. E/ONE easily produces all the electricity needed to operate homes or businesses; therefore, the periodic blackouts, such as those recently seen in Texas and California, will not affect the product’s ability to function.

Finalists in this category include: Caleffi Hydronic Solutions, Commercial domestic hot water (DHW) recirculation systems combine energy efficiency and water conservation; Danfoss, Danfoss Turbocor® TGS380 Compressor.

TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS

Winner: Fluke Corporation, Fluke 378 FC Non-Contact Voltage True-rms AC/DC Clamp Meter with iFlex, Booth C2737 Innovation: The Fluke 378 FC true-rms clamp meter uses FieldSense technology to make testing faster and safer, all without contacting a live conductor. The meter measures accurate voltage and current measurements through the clamp jaw. It works by clipping the black test lead to any electrical ground and putting the clamp jaw around the conductor, which results in reliable, accurate voltage and current values on the display. The 378 FC clamp meter includes a unique PQ function that senses power quality issues automatically. When making FieldSense measurements, the 378 FC will detect and display power quality issues, relating to current, voltage, power factor or any combination of the three. This allows for quick determination if an upstream supply problem exists, or if there is a downstream equipment problem.

Finalists in this category include: Climatech International S.A., F-100 Cordless Stud Welder Machine; RIDGID / Emerson, RIDGID® PCS-500 Pipe Saw.

VENTILATION

Winner: Aldes, InspirAIR® Fresh, Booth C2734 Innovation: The InspirAIR® Fresh contains new innovative design features. A newly developed counterflow enthalpic core and unique fan scrolls ensure 75% sensible recovery efficiency at 32 degrees F, as tested to the new CSA 439 standard, required as of October 2020. Occupants can also expect to get ample fresh filtered air due to variable-speed EC motors that adjust speed to changes in pressure due to stack effect and filter loading. The InspirAIR® Fresh is designed to provide optimal fresh air, regardless of filter type. Currently, ERVs are rated for use with a basic filter, and when using a MERV13 or HEPA filter, the airflow is reduced significantly.

Finalists in this category include: Carrier, Carrier Aero® 39M with ECM Direct Drive Plenum Fans; LG Electronics USA, Inc., LG Split Compact DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System).

“It’s always exciting to follow along as these products and services come to life in the marketplace,” Stevens said. “What’s more, is to see others work to keep pace with innovation and develop new solutions. We are thrilled to be back in-person and headed to Las Vegas for a return to business. We hope you’ll join us and these winners in action on the Show floor before they hit the market.”

Funds raised from the entry fees of the Innovation Awards competition will be donated to a Vegas-area charitable cause, AHR Expo said. Registration for the 2022 AHR Expo is free until January 30, 2021, and can be completed on ahrexpo.com.

Belimo launches EV4

DUBAI, UAE, 20 October 2021: Belimo launched the EV4, an integrated thermal energy management solution, with the objectives of measuring energy, controlling the power and managing Delta T.

The new solution makes meter integration easier, the company said. It provides the facility for parallel operation, where it is possible to connect BACnet and M-Bus networks, the company said, adding that it equally provides the facility for direct integration, wherein no intermediary software is required. It can measure and control power and manage Delta T, ensure high quality metering and enabled billing, it said, adding that the EV4 also ensures digitally supported workflows for the entire product lifecycle.

The EV4 has a clever design, Belimo said. It provides ease of re-calibration and also helps establish data transparency, it added.

According to Belimo, the EV4 provides a whole range of features for building owners, including traceable verification and logging of billing-relevant data; easy and open data access, which provides flexibility when choosing the service provider for cost accounting; low commissioning and operating costs, which translate to optimum investment protection; and future-proof and full transparency, thanks to direct Internet connection.

It also provides energy-efficient system operation and stable Delta T, the company claimed, adding that this leads to minimisation of temperature surcharges from the district cooling providers.

According to Belimo, the EV4 provides a wide range of features for consulting engineers, as well, including the facility of reduced effort and time saving, owing to optimally coordinated all-in-one solutions; reduced planning effort and time savings through simple valve design; traceable verification and logging, which paves way for a true commissioning report; automatic hydronic balancing during operation at any load conditions; easy adaptations to power changes; and simple, fast and remote customisation, in case of any design changes.

UN: Pandemic causes dip in building emissions

NAIROBI, Kenya, 19 October 2021: The economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic caused CO₂ emissions from buildings and construction to fall significantly in 2020, but a lack of real transformation in the sector means that emissions will keep rising and contribute to dangerous climate change, according to the 2021 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction.

The report, published by the UN Environment Programme-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), finds that in 2020, the sector accounted for 36% of global final energy consumption and 37% of energy related CO₂ emissions, as compared to other end-use sectors.

While the level of emissions within the sector are 10% lower than in 2015, reaching lows not seen since 2007, this w333as largely due to lockdowns, slowing of economies, difficulties households and businesses faced in maintaining and affording energy access and a fall in construction activity. Efforts to decarbonize the sector played only a small role, the authors of the report said.

With large growth projected in the buildings sector, emissions are set to rise if there is no effort to decarbonize buildings and improve their energy efficiency, the authors said. In Asia and Africa, building stock is expected to double by 2050, they said, adding that global material use is expected to more than double by 2060, with a third of this rise attributable to construction materials.

“This year showed that climate change is an immediate direct threat to every community on this planet, and it is only going to intensify,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP. “The buildings and construction sector, as a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, must urgently be decarbonized through a triple strategy of reducing energy demand, decarbonizing the power supply and addressing building materials’ carbon footprint, if we are to have any chance of meeting the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C.”

Some progress, but not enough

The GlobalABC’s Global Buildings Climate Tracker found that there have been some incremental improvements in action to decarbonize and improve the energy efficiency of the sector.

In 2015, 90 countries included actions for addressing buildings emissions or improving energy efficiency in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. This number has now hit 136, although ambition varie, the authors of the report said.

Since 2015, an additional 18 countries have put in place building energy codes – a move that is crucial to shift emissions downwards – bringing the total to 80, the authors said. Local cities and governments have also developed codes, they said. Investment in energy efficiency rose to over USD 180 billion in 2020, up from 129 billion in 2015. Green building certification has increased by 13.9% compared to 2019, they said.

Overall, however, the report finds that these efforts are insufficient, both in terms of speed and scale. Other key findings of the report include: Two-thirds of countries still lack mandatory buildings codes; most of the increase in energy efficiency spending came from a small number of European countries; too small a share of finance goes into deep energy retrofits, and there is a lack of ambitious decarbonization targets in NDCs.

What comes next?

Energy demand in the buildings and construction sector is likely to rebound, as economic recovery efforts take hold and as pent-up demands for new construction are realized, the authors said.

By 2030, to be on track to achieving a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, the International Energy Agency says that direct building CO₂ emissions would need to decrease by 50%. Indirect building sector emissions will have to drop through a reduction of 60% in power generation emissions. To achieve these goals, the report finds, the sector has to take advantage of every lever.

While pandemic recovery spending has not sufficiently prioritized climate-friendly approaches to the level required, the authors said, there is still an opportunity to invest in decarbonizing our buildings while increasing their resilience:

• Countries need to harness the sector’s transformative potential for achieving the energy transition.
• Governments need to commit to further decarbonizing the power, as well as heating and cooling energy supply. This includes stepping up ambition in NDCs to include building decarbonization targets that contain the so-far largely overlooked embodied carbon and the emissions from the production of building materials.
• The rate of growth of investment in building efficiency needs to double to over 3 per cent per year, and must expand beyond direct government investment to private investors.
• Scope and coverage of building energy codes need to increase. All countries need to have in place mandatory building energy codes, and these would ideally address performance standards for building envelopes, design, heating, cooling, ventilation systems and appliances, and ensure links with integrated urban planning.

Buildings’ resilience needs to increase to futureproof our homes and workspaces. A typical building constructed today will still be in use in 2070, but the climate it encounters will have changed significantly.

• The necessary interventions to reduce the climate impact of existing buildings should be combined with investing in adaptation and resilience measures.
• In addition, both public and private sector need to seize the tremendous investment opportunities this sector offers – for example, through green bonds or through banks increasing green building construction and mortgage finance.

AMCA initiates work on Standard 340

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Illinois, 18 October 2021: Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. is seeking volunteers to serve on the technical committee for a new AMCA Standard: AMCA Standard 340 – Laboratory Method of Sound Testing of Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans.

Making the announcement through a Press release, AMCA said the standard will develop a method of sound testing for large-diameter ceiling fans (LDCF), sometimes referred to as High Volume Low Speed, or HVLS, fans. The method would allow for the third-party certification of sound data in a manner that is cost-effective and produces accurate, repeatable results, and to provide standardized design data for the application of LDCF in occupied spaces, AMCA added.

​Currently, each LDCF manufacturer uses a different method of test, AMCA said. Existing sound test standards require acoustical testing chambers that are cost-prohibitive due to the large size of LDCF – up to 24 feet in diameter, AMCA said. A method of test is needed to provide consistent, accurate and comparable sound performance data for designers and end-users, AMCA added.

Committee members would be expected to participate in reviewing the standard and resolving any comments received, AMCA said, adding that meetings will be held virtually by conference call.

According to AMCA, stakeholders for the Standard include manufacturers of LDCF, building design engineers and architects, end-users, testing labs of LDCF, and trade associations and professional societies within the HVAC industry.​

AMCA invited those interested in volunteering to click here and complete and submit the form by the close of business on November 17. For more information, it encouraged those interested to contact Shruti Kohli-Bhargava, Manager, Publications & Standards at shrutik@amca.org.

Johnson Controls issues USD 500 mn sustainability-linked bond

CORK, Ireland, 16 September 2021: Johnson Controls (JCI) said it has issued its first Sustainability-Linked Bond offering of USD 500 million in 10-year senior notes. The offering of the bond, the company said through a Press release, is in conformity with the company’s recently published integrated green, social and sustainability-linked finance framework. The publication of the framework and issuance of a bond mark two new sustainability milestones for Johnson Controls, which has become the first S&P500 industrial company to complete both accomplishments, it said.

Earlier, in January 2021, Johnson Controls adopted a new set of ambitious environmental goals, which it said, were approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative. The company said it has committed to cut operational emissions by 55% and reduce customers’ emissions by 16% before 2030. Based on the commitments, the company said, it issued the bond, which ties the interest rate on the bond to the achievement of the environmental goals. This means that Johnson Controls will pay a higher interest rate to bond investors if it fails to meet its interim targets for reducing Scope 1 + 2 and Scope 3 carbon emissions by September 16, 2025.

“Experts say that an additional USD 1-2 trillion/year must be invested in sustainability and cutting greenhouse gases if we are going to have any chance of meeting the steep carbon reductions science tells us is urgently required,” said George Oliver, Chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. “Governments alone will not be able to mobilize this sum of money, so private sector capital needs to get sustainable, and fast. Building the market for sustainable finance is, therefore, an imperative; and ensuring that the highest standards are met so that dollars flow to projects that truly accelerate decarbonization, is also critical. With our continued commitment to sustainable finance and aggressive sustainability targets, we are showing our leadership in the field.”

STULZ, Mirus, ebm-papst to host webinar on harmonic mitigation in data centres

FREDERICK, Maryland, 26 September 2021: STULZ, Mirus International and ebm-papst will be conducting part 2 of a e-discussion on harmonic mitigation in data centres, STULZ said through a Press release. The webinar is on September 28, the company added.

To improve energy efficiencies in today’s modern custom air handlers, highly efficient electronically commutated (EC) fans are often incorporated for air movement, STULZ said. This is because the fan systems can improve efficiencies over conventional AC motors equipped with variable frequency drives (VFDs) by 30% or more, it said. An EC fan incorporates a brushless DC permanent magnet motor (BLDC) controlled by an integrated rectifier, inverter and smart electronics.

BLDC motors, with efficiencies greater than 90%, provide a more effective ventilation system, so that ‘free cooling’ becomes more easily achievable, which contributes to the energy savings potential, it said. Also, air distribution can be improved with multiple fan arrays allowing upstream or downstream components, such as filters or heat exchangers, to receive a more even airflow, thereby improving air filtering and heat transfer efficiency, it added.

In striving towards reliable and efficient systems, one significant factor sometimes overlooked is electrical harmonic distortion, STULZ said. One of the few things common with AC/VSD and EC fan systems is that they are both harmonic generating, non-linear loads, it said.

Without proper harmonic mitigation, non-linear loads can distort the AC power distribution and possibly expose a mission-critical facility to electrical issues, such as overheating distribution equipment and failure of sensitive equipment connected to the same electrical bus, it added.

The speakers include Dave Meadows, Director of Technology, STULZ USA; Tony Hoevenaars, President and CEO, Mirus International; and Joe Landrette, Director, VAC & Data Centers and Digital Solutions, ebm-papst. According to STULZ, the webinar, scheduled for a 2pm (Eastern Time, US and Canada) start, will be useful to electrical engineers, mechanical engineers and end-users.

Carel launches new iJM solution

BRUGINE, Padua, Italy, 22 September 2021: Carel launched a new iJM solution, backed by a strategic partnership with Vision IoT platform for connecting field assets, the company said through a Press release. Describing iJM as a dedicated product line for refrigerated merchandisers, Carel said the launch was against the backdrop of an increase in demand in the beverage cooler market for solutions that reduce environmental impact by cutting energy consumption and emissions, and for those that feature connectivity options to give beverage companies better intelligence on the sales performance and user habits of their merchandisers in the field.

Carel said it has extensive experience in this sector and continuously invests in new technologies to satisfy the trends. iJM, it added, is the latest result of these investments.

iJM, the company said, includes cutting-edge options for energy efficiency, such as direct control of variable speed compressors, and a completely new flat and frameless display, with various cosmetic customisation options, available according to the customer’s brand. Owing to its connectivity options (NFC, Bluetooth and Beacon), iJM is ready to connect to the Vision IoT cloud platform, so as to offer customers analytics to improve retail management, Carel said.

Vision IoT, Carel said, is a long-standing industry leader in IoT solutions for connected beverage coolers, with more than 1.7 million active units on its Harbor Cloud Platform. Carel and Vision IoT have defined an end-to-end seamless offering that will help Carel’s global beverage customers reduce asset loss, improve utilisation and increase sales, Carel said.

The new feature will allow bottlers to equip their merchandisers with the latest generation electronic controllers for energy-efficient management of their units, as well as to monitor them remotely, analyse their profitability and optimise operation through corrective actions in the field, Carel said.

The combined Carel, Vision IoT solution will provide key insights to bottlers, who will be able to gain competitive advantages at the point of sale, Carel said. For bottlers, being able to better understand the performance of their different assets in a retail environment allows them to take actions to improve important KPIs, such as planogram compliance and sales, reduce asset downtime and optimise asset locations within a store.

“CAREL has a strong presence in the beverage cooler market around the world,” said Giovanni Tonin, Group Marketing Manager – Food Service, Carel. “This partnership combines our quality and experience in control solutions with Vision IoT, a vertical, effective cloud platform for beverage coolers.”

Austin Groves, CEO, Vision IoT, said: “We are proud to have been selected as the platform partner of choice by Carel. Our device-agnostic platform is helping more and more global CPG brands gain mission-critical insights to their in-store operations. The scalability and ability to deliver insights directly to the representatives solving these issues are what’s enabling the continued success of our clients and partners.”

OECD: Climate finance from developed to developing countries totalled USD 79.6 bn in 2019

PARIS, France, 17 September 2021: Climate finance provided and mobilised by developed countries for developing countries totalled USD 79.6 billion in 2019, up two per cent from 78.3 billion in 2018, according to new figures from the OECD.

The small increase was driven by a rise in public climate finance provided by multilateral institutions, while bilateral public climate finance commitments dropped, as did climate finance mobilised from private sources, OECD said through a Press release, issued for the purpose of sharing the new figures.  

‘Climate Finance Provided and Mobilised by Developed Countries: Aggregate trends updated with 2019 data’ is the OECD’s fourth assessment of progress towards the UNFCCC goal of mobilising USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to help developing countries tackle and adapt to climate change.

“Climate finance continued to grow in 2019, but developed countries remain USD 20 billion short of meeting the 2020 goal of mobilising USD 100 billion,” Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General, said. “The limited progress in overall climate finance volumes between 2018 and 2019 is disappointing, particularly ahead of COP26. While appropriately verified data for 2020 will not be available until early next year, it is clear that that climate finance will remain well short of its target. More needs to be done. We know that donor countries recognise this, with Canada and Germany now taking forward a delivery plan for mobilising the additional finance required to reach the USD 100bn a year goal.”

The report finds that public climate finance from developed countries reached USD 62.9 billion in 2019. Bilateral public climate finance accounted for USD 28.8 billion, down 10% from 2018, and multilateral public climate finance attributed to developed countries accounted for USD 34.1 billion, up by 15% from 2018, the report revealed. The level of private climate finance mobilised was down four per cent at USD 14.0 billion in 2019, after USD 14.6 billion in 2018. Climate-related export credits remained small at USD 2.6 billion, accounting for just three per cent of total climate finance, the report said.

The report also shows that out of the overall climate finance in 2019, 25% went to adaptation (up from 21% in 2018), 64% went to climate change mitigation activities (down from 70% in 2019), and the remainder to cross-cutting activities. More than half of total climate finance targeted economic infrastructure – mostly energy and transport – with most of the remainder going to agriculture and social infrastructure, notably water and sanitation, the report said.

Asia has been the main beneficiary of climate finance over 2016-19, with 43% of the total, on average, followed by Africa (26%) and the Americas (17%), the report said. Climate finance for Least Developed Countries rose strongly in 2019 (up 27% on 2018), but funding for Small Island Developing States fell back to 2017 levels (from USD 2.1 billion to 1.5 billion) after a temporary increase in 2018, the report pointed out.

The data confirm that SIDS face specific challenges in accessing climate finance. The international community needs to consider financing for climate that is appropriate for the challenges that SIDS face, less fragmented, easier to access, predictable and long-term, the report said.

Cormann said: “It is more urgent than ever that developed countries step up their efforts to deliver finance for climate action in developing countries, particularly to support poor and vulnerable countries to build resilience against the growing impacts of climate change.”

In terms of public finance instruments, public grant financing jumped by 30% from 2018 to reach USD 16.7 billion in 2019, after having remained stable the three previous years. In contrast, the volume of public loans, which had increased significantly up to 2018, fell by five per cent in 2019. As a result, the share of grants in overall public climate finance was 27% in 2019, while loans (both concessional and non-concessional) represented 71%.

Armstrong announces new features for its Pump Manager solution

TORONTO, Canada, September 15, 2021: Armstrong Fluid Technology has announced new features for calculating and tracking energy-savings that are now available with its Pump Manager asset management solution.

According to Armstrong, the new “Base Case KW” feature allows users to determine the cumulative energy savings of a Design Envelope pump since it was commissioned. The Utility Rate feature allows users to enter local utility rates for accurate calculations of the financial savings. The Local Currency feature supports the presentation of  operating savings in the preferred local currency. And the use of CO₂ index values supports the calculation of carbon emission reductions based on state or national figures for C0₂ index.

“Pump Manager subscribers can use this information to compare the performance of similar assets across a portfolio of connected Armstrong equipment, setting benchmarks for on-going performance tracking”, said Tunji Asiwaju, Global Performance Management Services Manager, Armstrong.

According to the company, the Pump Manager has been received multiple accolades since its introduction in 2019, including being named a Product of the Year by leading US and UK publications and a finalist in the 2020 AHR Expo Innovation Awards.

New global study supports healthy buildings as a critical public health strategy

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, 9 September 2021: For the first time on a global scale, new research has found that healthy buildings with enhanced ventilation can improve the cognitive function and health of occupants, suggesting that ventilation and filtration are pre-eminent healthy building strategies, Carrier Global Corporation said through a Press release. Primary support for the study came from Carrier.

The study, COGfx Study 3: Global Buildings, was led by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as part of the renowned COGfx Study series, which examines the impact of indoor air quality on how people think and feel, Carrier said.

The latest study supports the prior studies’ lab and US findings and further supports that indoor air quality is not only good for people’s health and safety, it’s good for the bottom line, as well – through increased productivity, fewer sick days and better cognitive function, Carrier said.

“As more people move toward returning to offices, schools and recreational activities, the health, safety and intelligence of indoor environments have come into greater focus,” said Dave Gitlin, Chairman & CEO, Carrier. “The COGfx Study continues to demonstrate that proper ventilation and filtration of indoor environments plays an important role across the globe in fostering a proactive health strategy. At Carrier, we are focused on delivering innovative solutions and services that positively impact the health, productivity and cognitive performance of occupants of all buildings.”

The COGfx Study 3: Global Buildings examined the impact of indoor air quality on the cognitive function of office workers across six countries – China, India, Mexico, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The research found that cognitive function declines as the levels of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) increase, Carrier said, referencing the study. Higher CO₂ can be an indicator of poor ventilation in buildings, the company added.

Importantly, mechanical ventilation, such as an HVAC system with efficient filtration, can help to protect building occupants from the negative cognitive effects of PM_2.5 and CO₂, Carrier said. In addition to acute impacts on cognitive function, reducing exposure to PM_2.5 is associated with many other health benefits, including reductions in cardiovascular disease, asthma attacks and premature death.

While the research focused on office employees in commercial buildings, the takeaways are applicable for all indoor environments, Carrier said, adding that as a company it offers numerous products and services that optimize indoor air quality, including a suite of advanced solutions through Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program that serves key verticals including, healthcare, hospitality, education, retail and marine.

This latest research builds on previous COGfx studies that demonstrated better thinking and better health can be found inside healthier buildings. The first study found cognitive function test scores doubled when study participants were in simulated green building environments with enhanced ventilation as opposed to conventional building environments. The COGfx Study 2 examined real-world building environments in the United Stayes and showed that employees in green-certified buildings showed 26% higher cognitive function test scores and 30% fewer sick building symptoms versus buildings that were not green-certified.

According to Carrier, the COGfx Study 3 can be found at www.theCOGfxStudy.com.

‘Clean up indoor air, or else expect COVID to surge’

TROY, New York, 21 August 2021: An air quality engineer warned that the COVID-19 pandemic won’t end until Americans clean up the indoor air.

“With variants on the rise, all the talk this summer has been about vaccines,” said Jeremy McDonald, Vice President at New York-based firm, Guth DeConzo Consulting. “Now we’re hearing about masks again, which feels like a step back for most of us. But when it comes to preventing the spread of airborne viruses, like COVID-19, we also have to improve the quality of the air in our indoor spaces. As the seasons change, it seems like we’re going back to old, tired strategies that haven’t gotten us out of this mess. It’s time to listen to the engineers: It’s all about the air.”

Mc Donald on July 26 published an essay, titled ‘Moving Beyond COVID-19: It’s Time to Look at the Air We Breathe’, in which he argued that President Joe Biden’s ‘American Jobs Plan’ must include improvements to the indoor air quality (IAQ) infrastructure, if Americans are to finally beat the COVID-19 pandemic and improve defenses against future pandemics and common day-to-day air quality maladies. Toward the end of July, COVID-19 cases began to surge in parts of the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its mask guidance to once again recommend that Americans wear masks indoors, even if vaccinated.

McDonald encouraged improvements to ventilation and the use of high-performance air filters and other air purification technologies, where appropriate. Buildings that have deferred maintenance and investment in modern HVAC may require more complicated and expensive solutions, he said.

“Although some buildings may require an expensive investment, we need to weigh this against the cost of our health and well-being,” McDonald wrote in his essay. “Certainly, when considering our health, fixing ‘sick’ buildings is a much better choice than fixing ‘sick’ people.”

Yet, McDonald said, there are plenty of low-cost or no-cost solutions that can drastically improve IAQ, such as cracking a window, which reduces the intensity and quantity of virus particles and their ability to spread to more people, using air purification technologies, and simply ensuring that buildings meet the spirit of building code requirements for minimal fresh air for buildings.

Saying that there is a historical precedent for this common sense strategy, McDonald noted in his essay: “In response to the Pandemic of 1918, when more than 20,000 New Yorkers died, ventilation was seen as one of the key attributes to protect residents from the devastation of the pandemic. Back then, New York City officials dictated that building heating systems were to be designed and sized to operate with all the windows open, since it was recognized that ventilation was key to purge the virus from indoor spaces. If it worked 100 years ago, it will work today.”

One of the main challenges in getting people to pay more attention to poor indoor air quality is that the problem is invisible, an issue McDonald commented on in an original cartoon he commissioned to get his point across. In the first panel of the cartoon, two fish swim in a bowl. One fish says, “I think the poor quality of the water is making us sick.” The other fish asks, “What’s water?” In the second panel, two office workers and an HVAC engineer stand near the same fishbowl. “Glad to be done with masks, sanitizers and social distancing forever!” says one office worker. “If we don’t improve our air quality in our buildings, we will keep getting sick in the future,” the engineer chimes in. “The air looks good to me,” says the other office worker. Beside her, one of the fish in the bowl is floating upside down with Xs for eyes, indicating it has died. The caption below the cartoon reads, “We don’t know who discovered water, but we’re pretty sure it wasn’t a fish,” which is a modern proverb attributed to various sources. That saying, McDonald asserted, sums up our own troubled relationship to air quality – because air is so fundamental to our existence, most of us don’t even think about it. But HVAC engineers think about air every day, all day, and it’s time to listen to them in the fight against airborne illness, he added.

“My frustration, which motivates me to write and speak out on the issue of air quality, is that our leaders are not getting it, and they aren’t listening to engineers,” McDonald said. “But the public health officials aren’t really talking about indoor air quality either, so a lot of politicians probably don’t want to go against the narrative.”

McDonald said that some of the anti-vaccine sentiments may stem from incomplete messaging that does not address indoor air quality. “Some of the resistance to masks and vaccines might be because people know in the back of their mind there’s something missing from the common messaging that is ringing hollow 18 months into this pandemic,” McDonald said. “We are constantly hearing, ‘Wash your hands, wear a mask and socially distance, where possible. We need to add simple, yet time-tested, ventilation strategies to our messaging, which we all know implicitly makes sense to folks from all political persuasions.” Perhaps with improved messaging from our leaders and initiatives to fix our broken HVAC systems, we can truly address this pandemic without arguing about the viability of masking and vaccines, he added.

McDonald said he is clear that vaccines are a key tool in beating this pandemic. But, without addressing the fundamental issue of indoor air quality, he said, we may be putting a “BAND-AID” on the current problem, missing out on the opportunity to improve public health for the long term.

DriSteem introduces Buyer’s Guide

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, 17 August 2021: DRI-STEEM Corporation, manufacturer of humidification, evaporative cooling and water treatment products, announced the  introduction of a new buyer’s guide focused on humidification for electronics manufacturing.

DriSteem said it knows the importance of maintaining the appropriate humidity level within electronics manufacturing facilities, as proper relative humidity (RH) levels between 30% and 70% can significantly help decrease damage and stress to electronic components. When humidity levels are greater than 70%, corrosion can become an issue, the company said. In a controlled environment, manufacturers experience a reduction of electrostatic discharge, fewer brittle components, and fewer issues with soldering and de-soldering; they as well are able to create a safe environment for staff, the company added.

“This specific buyer’s guide is positioned to educate facility directors at electronics manufacturing plants about the importance of maintaining proper humidity to not only protect the products they are developing but to also keep workers safe and healthy,” said Randall Potter, Business Development Leader, DriSteem. “Many facility directors have expressed a need for educational materials and meetings. This buyers guide is an easily accessible way to help educate building management about the importance of humidity and how best to manage it throughout a facility.”

AHRI to participate in The Big 5 Dubai

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 17 August 2021: AHRI announced its participation in The Big 5 International Building and Construction Show, online from August 22 to November 17, and in-person from September 12 to 15 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The show features nine specialised events, three high-level summits, 70 free industry talks, and more, AHRI highlighted.

AHRI said it will be available at Stand 4A191 in Hall 4, which will be open from 10am to 6pm, GST. It added that it was open to discussing its turnkey solutions for the regulatory and environmental issues most relevant to HVACR businesses and the wider industry. It added that it was keen on learning about the challenges HVACR industry players face in these areas, and on discussing solutions.

AHRI added that it would provide its AHRI MENA USB Toolkit, a comprehensive guide to the AHRI standards, certification, and other programs relevant to the region, to visitors.

Cooling to the Green Deal with natural CO2 refrigerant systems

WELSHPOOL, United Kingdom, 17 August 2021: Invertek Drives showcased its dedicated VFD, Optidrive Coolvert, for use on CO₂ refrigeration display cases used in the retail sector. The company added that its Optidrive Eco operates on larger current refrigeration compressor racks and cold rooms.

Invertek make the announcement against the backdrop of the European Commission’s Green Deal, also referred to as Fit for 55, which sets out proposals to cut EU net greenhouse emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This could mean the current target of reducing fluorinated greenhouse gas (F-Gas) emissions by two-thirds by 2030, compared with 2014 levels, will be adjusted and tightened further.

The EU F-Gas Regulation brought a 44% reduction in the amount of available HFCs in the EU, compared to 2015. By 2030, the current regulation allows only 20% of HFCs being available, with stepped drops between then and now. This could change in the recast.

According to Invertek, the impact of both means there is a need to ramp up the use of natural refrigerants, such as CO₂, in cooling and refrigeration systems. And this isn’t just in the EU but throughout the world as part of the existing Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, it said.

Variable frequency drives (VFDs), the company said, are playing an important role in reducing emissions and energy use in HVAC&R systems. Optidrive Coolvert, it said, is one of the smallest VFDs in its class providing OEMs with opportunities to reduce panel space and lower machine costs. It fits directly into refrigeration display cases alongside a CO₂ compressor, it added.

This is in addition to end-user savings of up to 25% using CO₂ refrigerant condensing systems, which it is specifically designed to work with, the company claimed. A combination of meeting EU F-Gas Regulations and cutting energy use is a significant benefit for the end-user as well as for the environment, it said.

Mike Carman, Head of Sales, Invertek Drives, said: “The recast of the F-Gas Regulation comes as the EU sets out its new and wider environmental ambitions through the Green Deal. It’s widely believed this is the precursor to a significant adjustment in the F-Gas Regulation timeframe.

“With either more cuts in the amount of HFCs available in the EU or increased limits on emissions, it’ll impact on the manufacturers and end-users of refrigeration and wider HVAC/R systems”

According to Invertek, the Optidrive Coolvert also has the widest ambient operating range of between -20 degrees C and +60 degrees C, making it ideal for use in a wide range of environments. It can be used for the control of CO₂ ­­­­rotary or scroll, BLDC compressors used in supermarkets and convenience store display cases; heat pumps, and condensing units, the company said. This is in comparison to the Optidrive Eco VFD, which operates on larger-capacity semi-hermetic and screw compressors used in industrial and food retail refrigeration racks, and chillers, the company added.

According to Invertek, Coolvert is compatible with all motor types, including induction motors, permanent magnet motors, brushless DC motors, synchronous reluctance motors and Line Start PM motors ranging between Single Phase (Active PSE) 7A and 20A, and Three-Phase 14A to 24A (input of 200V to 480V).

Its open Modbus RS485 communication, the company said, ensures seamless connection to any external application controller, allowing the OEM freedom to select which components to use, which again helps lower manufacturing costs.

With an IP20-rated front and an IP55-rated rear, its panel mounting allows the drive’s power electronics to be cooled by the chilled air of the condenser, the company said, adding that this allows OEMs to select the smallest panel size for the control of the electronics, while removing heat generated by the drive and maintaining the IP rating.

ASHRAE announces call for abstracts for 2022 Annual Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 16 August 2021: ASHRAE announced it is accepting abstracts for the 2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference, from June 25 to 29, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

 

According to ASHRAE, the conference will address the changes to buildings created by the pandemic and will present papers and programs that are pertinent to the future of the built-environment.

 

“As we move into 2022 and face climate extremes and natural disasters along with the pandemic, buildings continue to be critical to our everyday lives,” said Kristen Cetin, Conference Chair. “These commercial, industrial and residential buildings, in particular, face an increasingly complex set of competing priorities to balance, as well as an increasing number of technologies and solutions to use and implement. The 2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference focuses on such diverse priorities and methods to address them, while considering the dynamic nature of such priorities over time.”

 

According to ASHRAE, the conference’s technical program comprises eight tracks:

 

The “Buildings in the Aftermath of COVID-19” track highlights the significant impacts on how buildings are used, the priorities associated with building operations to ensure healthy environments for occupants, and the transition to design and operation in the aftermath of the pandemic.

 

The “Connected Buildings, Connected Communities” track focuses on advanced smart building technologies and renewable energy resources, and the coordinated efforts in accomplishing improved building performance and demand flexibility.

 

The “IAQ, Energy Use, Comfort and Health of Sustainable Buildings” track features the following topics, and how they interact and impact one another: Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), energy use and efficiency, occupant comfort and health, sustainability goals and owner/operator priorities.

 

The “Cold Climate Building System Design, Operation and Resilience” track covers efforts and topics specifically focused on buildings, building systems and equipment in cold, arctic and sub-arctic climates. The track will also cover specific considerations for the building envelope and HVAC&R systems, and the resulting thermal and hygrothermal performance.

 

The “Professional Development” track will cover all aspects of business outside of engineering/technical applications and lends itself to interactive session types, such as workshops and forums.

 

The “HVAC&R Systems and Equipment” track will focus on the development of new systems and equipment, improvements to existing systems and equipment and the proper application and operation of systems and equipment.

 

The “Fundamentals and Applications” track will provide opportunities for papers of varying levels across a large topic base. Concepts, design elements and shared experiences for theoretical and applied concepts of HVAC&R design are included.

 

Finally, the “Research Summit” features active research, and the exchange of research findings, critical to the development of the HVAC&R industry and built environment. The track includes a partnership with ASHRAE’s archival journal, Science and Technology for the Built Environment.

 

ASHRAE said that abstracts – 400 words or less – are due on September 20, 2021. If accepted, final conference papers (8-page maximum) are due on December 1, 2021, it added.

 

In addition, it said, technical papers – complete 30-page maximum papers published in ASHRAE Transactions – are also due September 20, 2021, and considered for Science and Technology for the Built Environment.

 

ASHRAE urged those interested in submitting to visit ashrae.org/2022Annual for more information on the call for abstracts and the 2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference.

ASHE recognizes member achievements within health care engineering

CHICAGO, Illinois, 12 August 2021: The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) of the American Hospital Association said it celebrated the outstanding contributions its members have made to improve the health care physical environment. ASHE presented several awards during its 58th Annual Conference and Technical Exhibition, from August 8 to 11 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Crystal Eagle Leadership Award, considered ASHE’s lifetime achievement award, went to Timothy Eugene Adams, FASHE, CHFM, CHC, an ASHE member since 1990. Presently, he is employed by Indiana University Health as program director of system environment of care and life safety, developing and directing a systematic program to promote best practices for all health care facilities throughout the health system.

Adams served as the director of leadership development for ASHE from 2013-19 and held numerous other positions within the society since joining the team in 2005 after 30 years working in health care technical services and clinical engineering. Adams is a Certified Healthcare Facilities Manager, a Certified Healthcare Constructor, a Certified Life Safety Specialist and a Fellow status member with ASHE (FASHE).

He is a past president and a long-term Board member of the Indiana Society for Healthcare Engineering, a 15-year member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 Technical Committee and a member of the national development team for the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS).

The ASHE President’s Award, which is presented at the discretion of the sitting ASHE president to an individual who goes above and beyond to optimize the health care physical environment, was presented to Sean M Goings, CEM, CHSP, SASHE, President, DAC, Inc. in Houston, Texas. Goings has spent much of his over 20-year career working for global solution providers that serve health care, such as Siemens and Schneider Electric, and he continues to deliver efficient solutions in the built-environment, ASHE said.

Goings is a Senior status member with ASHE (SASHE), a Certified Energy Manager and a Certified Healthcare Safety Professional. He has been a featured conference speaker for numerous organizations including ASHE and several affiliated chapters.

He has served on the Board of the Texas Association of Healthcare Facilities Management (TAHFM) for over a decade. He is a past president for the Houston Area Association of Hospital Engineering, and from 2016-2020, he served as an ASHE Associate Member Advisory Board Representative.

Also at the Annual Conference, ASHE recognized members who attained senior (SASHE) status this year and members who have fellow (FASHE) status within ASHE.

The SASHE designation is bestowed on those who have been ASHE members in good standing for at least five years and have supported ASHE in terms of education and leadership. The following members are new SASHE recipients:

• Lindsey Brackett, CHC, CHFM, SASHE, Legacy FM, LLC, Little Rock, Arkansas
• Joseph G. Buri, CHFM, SASHE, UNC Health Southeastern, Lumberton, North Carolina
• Mark H. Dease, CHFM, SASHE, Prisma Health, Greenville, South Carolina
• Robert J. Heidelbaugh, SASHE, WellSpan Health, York, Pennsylvania
• Frank D. Rudilosso, PE, M.Eng, CHSP, SASHE, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
• Clayton Smith, CHFM, SASHE, Children’s Health System of Texas, Dallas, Texas
• Mark J. Thuringer, CHFM, CHC, SASHE, St. Croix Regional Medical Center, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

ASHE’s Regional Leader Award recognizes people for their contributions to the fields of health care engineering and facility management; planning, design, and construction; safety; clinical and biomedical engineering; and technical management. The recipients are:

• Region 1: Charles Brown, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island
• Region 2: Joyce Malone, Broadmead Senior Living, Cockeysville, Maryland
• Region 3: Jerry L. Thompson, PE, CHE, Duke Health, Durham, North Carolina
• Region 4: Terry E. Bowen, PE, CPE, CHFM, Tift Regional Health System, Tifton, GA
• Region 5: Jason Michael Hawk, St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Murphysboro, Illinois
• Region 6: Robert J. Dubiel, CHFM, CHC, Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire,Eau Claire, Wisconsin
• Region 7: Taylor Vaughn, MBA, CHFM, CLSS-HC, CHEPP, Children’s Health, Rockwall, Texas
• Region 8: Nic Riesenberg, CHFM, CHC, North Kansas City Hospital, North Kansas City, Missouri
• Region 9: Anthony K. Crawford, CHFM, CHEM, Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center, Vacaville, California
• Region 10: Clay Ciolek, CHFM, Providence Health & Services, Olympia, Washington

Ziehl-Abegg invests €36 mn in expanding its facilities

KÜNZELSAU, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, 4 August 2021: “The world’s markets will continue to need high-quality electric motors and fans in the future,” said Peter Fenkl, CEO, Ziehl-Abegg, explaining why the company invested €16 million euros in the expansion of its production buildings at the Kupferzell site in the middle of the pandemic. This, he added, will be followed by a further €20 million for machinery. Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Baden-Württemberg, added: “With the new building, the company is further expanding its high degree of vertical manufacture and the resilience of the supply chains here at the site, whilst also securing valuable jobs both within and beyond the region.”

Fenkl described how, in the early summer of 2020, many economic decision-makers were in shock due to the pandemic. “No-one knew what was coming next – and that’s when we started our current construction project,” he recalled. “The year 2020 resembled a rollercoaster ride – rapidly alternating between border closures, interruptions to material supplies, falling sales and rising orders. Thanks to the commitment of each and every one of the employees, the company still succeeded in posting an increase in sales at the end of the year – followed by an order intake that exceeded all previous records.”

Referring to the new building, he said, “So we’re now glad that we’ve already created more space for rapid growth.” New machines and systems that had already been ordered in spring 2020, will be arriving on a weekly basis, he said, adding that the building is also intended to create an additional 180 jobs.

The new building will result in an additional 8,700 square metres for manufacturing state-of-the-art generation of energy-efficient electric motors, the company said. “The durable and efficient electric motor has been our core area of expertise for more than 100 years,” Fenkl said, adding that the company is a technology leader in the design of fans based on the concept of biomimetics. “However, since many geometries offering perfect aerodynamics cannot be implemented in steel or aluminum, we are expanding the area of composite materials,” he said. “It is essential for us to have more space for additional injection-moulding machines for composite materials.”

Ziehl-Abegg, he said, is expanding its production facilities worldwide or optimising existing plants – in Schöntal-Bieringen, where the aluminium casting operation is based, and in America and Asia. “Corona,” he said, “has shown that we have to consider very carefully how we can design our production facilities in a way that enables us to satisfy the needs of the market to optimum effect.”

Danfoss completes USD 3.3 bn acquisition of Eaton’s hydraulics business

NORDBORG, DENMARK, 3 August 2021: Danfoss said it has officially finalised its USD 3.3 billion (approximately €3 billion) acquisition of Eaton’s hydraulics business, following confirmation of all necessary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said the move will see the Danfoss Group grow in size by a third and establish itself as a global leader in mobile and industrial hydraulics.

Danfoss said mobile hydraulics has been one of its core and most successful businesses for over 50 years. The acquisition of Eaton’s hydraulics business is a vital aspect of its growth strategy, the company said. Eaton’s hydraulics business will be combined with the Danfoss Power Solutions business segment, adding approximately 10,000 employees worldwide and USD 1.8 billion (around €1.5 billion) in 2020 global sales, it said. Combining the two organisations will double the size of Danfoss Power Solutions, increasing its innovation capacity twofold, it added.

The strengthened Danfoss Power Solutions will have the broadest selection of mobile and industrial hydraulics products and solutions available on the market, with the full line offering including fluid conveyance systems, the company said. Its distribution channels have also been significantly boosted, while its local application support and geographical reach have increased considerably, it said. All of these benefits will enable Danfoss Power Solutions to become an even stronger technology partner for existing and new customers, plus take the lead in digitalisation and electrification, it added.

Kim Fausing, President and CEO, Danfoss, said: “This is a great day for Danfoss as we welcome 10,000 new colleagues into the organization and create a global leader in mobile and industrial hydraulics. By combining the knowledge and experience of the two strong businesses and great teams, our customers will receive an unmatched level of service and expertise from a single partner. We will continue our significant investments to stay on the forefront of technology leadership and provide solutions that improve productivity and reduce emissions to meet the requirements of the future.”

Eric Alström, President, Danfoss Power Solutions, said: “The need for technologically innovative and industry-changing hydraulic solutions is as great as ever. We’re very pleased to complete this significant investment in our core hydraulics business so we can serve our customers and partners even better than before.

Combining the two robust businesses represents a perfect match and provides countless opportunities, such as increasing our engineering expertise and capabilities, doubling our global application support and extending the value of our Application Development Centers and digital design tools. Adding fluid conveyance and industrial applications are other assets gained through this transaction.”

Paulo Ruiz, President of the former Eaton hydraulics business, added: “This is an exciting new chapter for both of our businesses and our people, which are stronger together. The new Danfoss Power Solutions team will create a global leader in mobile and industrial hydraulics, drawing on long legacies of innovation and industry-leading expertise. The combined product portfolio and broadened global reach will better serve customers and distributors all around the world.”

AMCA introduces tools to aid transition to Fan Energy Index

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Illinois, 2 August 2021: AMCA International introduced tools to aid transition to the Fan Energy Index. The body did so against the backdrop of recent developments related to energy efficiency in the United States.

On July 28, the US Department of Energy (DOE) issued determinations that the 2019 edition of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, and the 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) “will achieve greater energy efficiency in buildings subject to the code” and “will improve energy efficiency in residential buildings,” respectively. Upon publication of these affirmative determinations, the DOE said, states in the country must review and certify their building codes relative to ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2019 and the 2021 IECC.

As states begin to examine and update their energy codes, some are adopting an earlier edition of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1 (2016 or 2013) or the IECC (2018 or 2015), AMCA said. In so doing, they are prolonging the use of fan efficiency grade (FEG) as the metric for efficiency provisions for commercial and industrial fans and blowers, AMCA said. FEG, which the DOE concluded in an as-yet-unfinished rulemaking is not an appropriate metric for a federal appliance/equipment regulation, was replaced by Fan Energy Index (FEI) for ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2019 and the 2021 IECC, AMCA said, adding that it advises states adopting earlier editions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1 and the IECC to “leapfrog” the outdated FEG metric to take advantage of the energy-saving, compliance-easing FEI.

For example, Florida, which on December 31 became the first state to adopt FEI when the seventh (2020) edition of Florida Building Code: Energy Conservation was published, adopted the 2018 IECC, but the 2021 IECC fan-efficiency provision, AMCA pointed out.

“Florida has set the example of how to leapfrog model-energy-code provisions to avoid prolonging the use of an outdated metric,” Aaron Gunzner, Senior Manager, Advocacy, AMCA International, said. “To help other states achieve the goal of phasing in the new FEI metric, AMCA International has, with permission from ASHRAE and the International Code Council, developed templates with exact strike-out/underline language.”

Additionally, to describe the rationale for and the benefits of changing metrics, AMCA said it recently updated its Advocacy Brief: New Fan Energy Index (FEI) Metric and Scope for Energy Codes, a document for code officials and others considering proposals to transition from FEG to FEI.

Formalized in ANSI/AMCA Standard 208-18, Calculation of the Fan Energy Index, FEI considers the effects of motors and drives, not just fans, and aids the right-sizing of fan systems for the conditions they will operate in, AMCA said. In addition to ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2019 and the 2021 IECC, it added, FEI has replaced FEG in:

• 2021 International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
• ANSI/ASHRAE/ICC/USGBC/IES 189.1-2020, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
  

AMCA recommended visiting www.amca.org/FEI, to download the templates and to view Advocacy Brief: New Fan Energy Index (FEI) Metric and Scope for Energy Codes. The microsite, AMCA said, additionally includes links to related codes and standards, technical articles and white papers, webinar recordings, and presentations.

Chillventa launches new Web site

Nuremberg, Germany, 2 August 2021: Following the Chillventa eSpecial 2020, and after four years without an in-person gathering, the exhibition for refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and heat pump technology will run from October 11 to 13 at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, the organisers said.

The Chillventa CONGRESS, will take place on October 10, the organisers said, adding that exhibitors can register for the event immediately. The organisers said they have launched a new Web site, which offers an improved user experience and provides even more focused information.

Chillventa, the organisers said, will offer opportunities for networking in person and view innovations through live demonstrations. The planned trade fora, Chillventa CONGRESS and supporting programme will spotlight issues like energy performance, contributing to the energy revolution, combined cooling and heating and the cooling of data centres, the organisers said. The event will also look at topics like the circular economy and the cold chain in the pharmaceutical sector.

“We are preparing to finally see our exhibition halls back in action again and to welcoming the international refrigeration, AC, ventilation and heat pump community in person to Nuremberg,” said Daniela Heinkel, Director of Chillventa at NürnbergMesse. “We are sure that the kind of platform offered by Chillventa is now more in demand than ever and are confident that it will build on its successful 2018 round.”

Bitzer launches Varipack frequency inverters

Sindelfingen, Germany, 27 July 2021: Bitzer has added models with IP55 and IP66 enclosure classes to its range of Varipack frequency inverters. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company further said that the additions retain all of the product family’s known properties, such as user-friendliness, reliability and performance.

According to Bitzer, the inverters are designed for safe and easy capacity control and have been specially adapted for refrigeration and for the operation of Bitzer refrigeration compressors. They open up a wide range of applications in supermarkets, hotels and restaurants as well as in food manufacturing and processing, the company said. The inverters, the company added, are suitable for refrigeration and air conditioning systems as well as for heat pumps and can be combined with single compressors and compound systems alike. After intuitive commissioning, the inverters take over the control functions of the refrigeration system, the company said. They can be mounted in a switch cabinet (IP20) or outside of the switch cabinet, thanks to the higher IP55/66 enclosure class, it added.

According to Bitzer, the inverters can be operated in two modes: The compressor’s capacity can either be controlled depending on an externally set signal or on the evaporation temperature with an optionally available pressure control add-on module. In addition to direct control of the evaporation temperature, the speed of the condenser fan can be set via a 0-10 V output signal, and a second compressor can be switched on, the company said. With regard to pressure control, the inverters have a database of all commonly used refrigerants for ease of configuration and monitoring, the company said.

According to Bitzer, its software can be used to select a frequency inverter for specific applications, and BEST software (Bitzer Electronics Service Tool) can be used for easy commissioning and monitoring. The stored databases simply select the compressor model to fully configure every compressor, the company said. BEST software is also the interface for communication to configure, monitor and read out error messages, the company said. The inverters, with the IP55/66 protection class, are also fitted with a display, as standard, which makes it possible to view the current operating conditions and adjust common parameters, the company added.

The inverters ensure that when operating in field-weakening mode, the maximum frequency is automatically limited, depending on the load, the company said. Optimised adjustment to suit the system’s current cooling demand, the company added, reduces energy consumption, increases efficiency and lowers running costs.

Dunli launches B-Max backward-curved centrifugal fan

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 27 July, 2021: Dunli has launched the B-Max backward-curved centrifugal fan, which the company said is developed for high-end HVAC unit applications. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company added that the impeller, motor and controller of the fan were designed afresh to bring customers a better experience.

Describing the characteristics of the fan, Dunli said it:

• Is a one-piece solution, where the motor, impeller, inlet ring, supporting rack and mounting plate are matched and assembled perfectly into one piece. This feature, it added, enables ease of assembly for the customer.

 

• Has excellent efficiency, including industry-leading static pressure efficiency, which meets ErP2020 Standard requirements; an aerodynamic efficiency as high as 75% and above; and EC motor efficiency that meets IE4 standard.

 

• Has an optimised aerodynamic airfoil-shaped blade design through using CFD technology; and industry-leading noise level. These two features, it added, are the outcome of 40+ reliability tests that were performed.

 

• Has various control functions, including 0-10VDC (15VDC)/PWM signal control; phase-missing, over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature protections and signal control and fault alarm functions; and 485 communication function with MODBUS-RTU interface to monitor working, stop, speed and malfunction of the motor status.

 

• Has wide range of applications, wherein it can be widely used in AHUs, data centres and precision air conditioning

ASHRAE opens registration for Building Performance Analysis Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 15 July 2021: ASHRAE opened registration for the 2021 ASHRAE Building Performance Analysis Conference, between November 10 and 12 in Denver, Colorado.

Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said it will be its first ever hybrid conference, where virtual attendees will have access to live sessions, participate in speaker Q&A as well as interact with virtual and in-person conference attendees. The theme of the conference, “Design and Operation for Resilient and Healthy Buildings,” focuses on the practices of energy modeling and building performance simulation using existing simulation tools, software development, and future simulation research and applications, ASHRAE said.

“The past year has brought forward new challenges for the design and operation of new and existing buildings, in particular challenges related to the health and well-being of occupants,” said John Bynum, Conference Chair. “This conference will provide an opportunity for building professionals across disciplines to share and learn about these topics and many others, as we continue to work towards a better built environment.”

According to ASHRAE, conference attendees will learn from more than 60 presentations by leading industry practitioners and academic researchers on topic such as machine learning, exascale computing, data visualization and zero-carbon initiatives, along with advanced techniques, innovative workflows and future trends in building performance modeling.

The conference will also feature the 7^th annual ASHRAE LowDown Showdown modeling competition, ASHRAE said, adding that 10 teams, with members from across the globe, have signed on to compete in this year’s competition. Teams comprise building analysts, designers, architects, engineers and other participants. and will be responsible for creating the architectural design and a performance analysis model based on model building data, ASHRAE said. The teams may use any software, or a combination of software, to complete their projects. The 2021 competition will ask teams to expand their comfort zone and take on the challenges of a tropical climate with particular challenges for resiliency and “near net zero” design, ASHRAE said.

ASHRAE urged those interested in attending to visit ashrae.org/BuildPerform2021 and ashrae.org/2021lowdownshowdown.

 

Bitzer has a new CEO

SINDELFINGEN, Germany, 15 July 2021: The Supervisory Board of BITZER has appointed Christian Wehrle, long-standing member of the Executive Board and Chief Operations Officer, as CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board with immediate effect, the company said through a Press release. At the same time, the Board appointed Rainer Große-Kracht, member of the Executive Board and Chief Technology Officer, as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board, the company added.

According to Bitzer, Wehrle will remain in charge of operations as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Große-Kracht will continue to act as Chief Technology Officer, Martin Büchsel as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and Frank Hartmann as Chief Financial Officer.

Almost six years after the death of her husband, Peter Schaufler, Senator h.c., who was the leader and CEO of the company, the time has come for Christiane Schaufler-Münch, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of BITZER SE, to realign the board structure for the future, in order that the company always remains able to act, and that the future development of the BITZER Group is stable, the company said.

“Customer focus, values such as long-term thinking, partnership-based cooperation and loyalty to stakeholders as well as sustainability have shaped BITZER in the past and are firmly anchored in its corporate culture, Wehrle said. In this spirit, he added, he wanted to continue managing and setting the course of the company together with his three board colleagues.

According to Bitzer, Wehrle joined the company in 2001 as Plant Manager, first in Sindelfingen, and as of 2003, in Rottenburg am Neckar, in the International Competence Centre for screw compressors. In 2007, he took over the management of the BITZER production sites, worldwide, as Chief Production Officer, the company said. Since mid-2015, he has been in charge of the entire supply chain of the Group as Chief Operations Officer, the company added.

As Chief Technology Officer, Große-Kracht is responsible for research and development, worldwide, Bitzer said. He has over two decades of experience in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry and has been working for the company since 1997, it said. In 2018, it added, he was elected Chairman of the Association of European Refrigeration Component Manufacturers (ASERCOM).

Nidec Leroy-Somer announces the launch of LSA 47.3

ANGOULÊME, France, 15 July 2021: Nidec Leroy-Somer has launched the LSA 47.3 industrial alternator, which the company said offers increased efficiency and starting kVA over its predecessor, and also benefits from the implementation of the latest technologies it has developed.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Nidec Leroy-Somer said the LSA 47.3 delivers a rated power between 410 and 660 kVA at 50 Hz (495 to 825 kVA at 60 Hz). The 660 kVA rating (825 kVA at 60 Hz) was previously held by the LSA 49.3. Thanks to the cooling circuit optimization, the LSA 47.3 is now able to reach this power node for prime and demanding applications, the company claimed. This is a significant benefit for generator set manufacturers, as the same power is made available through a more compact machine, it added.

The LSA 47.3 alternator features a SHUNT excitation system with a R250 regulator as standard, the company said. An AREP auxiliary winding excitation system with D350 digital regulator version is also available to improve transient performances and provide high overload capacities, it said. A D550 digital regulator can also be used for grid connected applications, it said. A Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) excitation system is also available as an option, it added.

According to Nidec Leroy-Somer, the LSA 47.3 is fully interchangeable with the LSA 47.2 (shaft height and feet configuration), and can, therefore, be coupled with all diesel engines on the market for this power range.

According to the company, the LSA 47.3 offers the following power nodes:

• 410, 455, 500, 550, 600, 660 kVA at 50Hz
• 510, 570, 625, 690, 750, 825 kVA at 60Hz

The alternator, Nidec Leroy-Somer said, is optimised for prime and demanding applications, such as marine and cogeneration. It offers an efficiency of up to 95.7% at cos φ 0.8, which ranks it among the best in the category, the company claimed.

“The LSA 47.3 is an important step forward in our strategy to optimise our product range,” said Wenbin Ding, Product Manager (Low-voltage Range), at the company. “The benefits of this new product are significative, with real improvements where it matters most: Efficiency, power and starting kVA. In addition, the optimized cooling system we implemented means that hot spots are reduced inside the machine. Ultimately, this means a better reliability and longer lifetime, which is essential for the applications all LSA alternators are built to support.”

With the introduction of the LSA 47.3, the company said, the LSA 47.2 will soon be retired from the market, as will be the LSA 49.3 S4 (660 kVA).

Frascold upgrades its test laboratory for R290 and CO2 compressors

MILAN, Italy, 15 July 2021: Frascold said it has upgraded its test laboratory for R290 and CO₂ compressors. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company described the laboratory – situated at its production site, in Milan – as one of the most advanced of its kind. The strategic investment plan in the laboratory, it said, includes new testing benches for propane, with an upgraded calorimeter and CO₂ endurance system. The systems, added to the existing test benches, make the testing room an authentic centre of excellence, the company said.  

The main innovation in the testing room, Frascold said, is the endurance/calorimeter for propane compressors, which allows different performance parameters to be tested and new prototype components to be checked for efficiency. The company described the set up as a system dedicated to personnel safety, thanks to the numerous measures adopted, such as installation outside the building and the use of only ATEX components. Another advantage of the laboratory, the company claimed, is the possibility of using a single system to test a broad range of sizes of semi-hermetic compressors – from 30 to 300 m³/h, which correspond to cooling capacities up to 300kW, as well as other elements, such as the regulator and the flow switch intended for ATEX compressors.

Frascold also pointed out to the calorimeter for carrying out performance tests of CO₂ compressors, in compliance with the two reference standards: UNI EN 12900: 2013, which specifies the rating conditions, tolerances and method of performance data presentation, and UNI EN 13771-1:2017, which covers in detail the performance test methods for compressors, which must be conducted in terms of refrigerating capacity, power absorbed, refrigerant mass flow, isentropic efficiency and the coefficient of performance.

Frascold said it has upgraded its Endurance system for CO₂ with the aim of carrying out life and durability tests on compressors under stress, to replicate real-field operating conditions and, thus, ensure maximum reliability of the entire range of transcritical compressors.  

“With the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of the entire sector and meeting the stringent European and worldwide, which impose a drastic reduction of HFC, the industry-based actors are strengthening the development of systems which use refrigerants with low GWP,” said Marco Perri, R&D and Technical Support Manager, Frascold. “Frascold is one of the promoters behind this change and is investing accordingly in R&D and in its laboratory, with the aim of launching new generations of compressors and testing the existing ones, with alternative refrigerants, whether natural or HFO, capable of meeting the demand for sustainable, safe and high-performance solutions.”

LU-VE GROUP delivers 500 unit coolers for China logistics centre

UBOLDO, Varese, Italy, 12 July 2021: LU-VE Group said that it has completed the delivery of 500 unit coolers for the expansion of the Nansha International Logistics Centre, one of the largest logistics centres in the world, at the port of Nansha, which serves the Guangzhou (formerly Canton) area in the Pearl River Delta.

LU-VE said that after about two years of work, the Centre raised a mega complex, consisting of six buildings for the storage of refrigerated goods, with a capacity of about 500,000 tons, which will expand the Port of Nansha, one of the five largest infrastructure projects in the world for container traffic. The complex will serve the cold chain (inspection, storage, processing, packaging and distribution) of the Jiangnan Fruit Market in Guangzhou and all major urban conurbations from Shenzen to Hong Kong and Macao, in the Zhū Jiāng (or Pearl River) Delta, LU-VE said. It will be used for fresh fruit and vegetables imported into China from all over the world, especially from North America and South America, and for frozen products destined for export (mostly fish products), it added.

“In January 2020, our Tianmen plant was the first of our Group to suffer the negative effects of the pandemic,” said Iginio Liberali, President, LU-VE Group. “It reopened in March, and since then our production has continued to accelerate in order to serve a rapidly and steadily growing market. Our presence in China is central to LU-VE’s internationalization strategy, due to its great potential for expansion. This new contract provides excellent support for our operations in the country. My applause goes to the whole Chinese team who managed to overcome difficulties, returning stronger and more performing than before.”

Most of the unit coolers – numbering 450 – that the LU-VE Tianmen plant, in Hubei Province, supplied belong to the LHS (Large Hitech Surface) industrial range, LU-VE said. The units use glycol water as refrigerant and are intended for cold rooms for storing products with high moisture content and for freezing (temperatures between -10 degrees C and -30 degrees C, the company said. Other compact unit coolers from the FHC commercial range, which the company claimed are characterised by quiet operation and low energy consumption, are instead installed in the cold rooms for fresh products (positive temperatures) or frozen products (temperatures below or equal to -18 degrees C.

GrayWolf announces introducing smart IAQ and toxic gas probes

SHELTON, Connecticut, 12 July 2021: GrayWolf’s DirectSense II probes will now connect via Bluetooth LE wireless to Apple and Android devices, the company announced through a Press release.

GrayWolf said it DSII probes for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and toxic gas testing and monitoring will imminently have Apps for iOS and Android operating systems available free on the Apple and Google App stores. It added that it is possible to use a smartphone or tablet as a multi-parameter display or data-logger.

The company said that users can choose from over 25 smart IAQ, green building, industrial hygiene and HVAC sensors, including TVOCs (PID), Carbon Dioxide (NDIR), Ozone (electrochemical), CO, NO2, NH3, SO2, NO, Cl2, H2S, HCN, HCl, O2, H2, %RH and °C/°F. Each probe, the company said, accommodates from two up to eight true plug-and-play sensors into a single handheld, desktop or wall-mounted housing. The sensors offer low limits of detection and exceptional accuracy, the company claimed, adding that the CO2 sensor, for example, leads the IAQ industry at +/-35ppm over the key range, starting from 350ppm to 2000ppm (while +/-3% of reading above that up to 10,000ppm for CO2 toxic exposure use).

As monitoring IAQ parameters is a core application for GrayWolf, extensive development effort was put into assuring that the sensor smartboards would not introduce noise or degrade accuracy, stability or limits of detection (LODs) for the convenience of end-user swappable sensors, the company said. Other manufacturers, it pointed out, have prioritized convenience over performance.

Smart Farnek launches HITEK solution 4.0

DUBAI, UAE, 11 July 2021: UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company, Farnek, today unveiled its new 24/7 command and control room, located in Farnek Village, the company’s new staff accommodation centre in Jebel Ali.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Farnek said that through its 5G and Wi-Fi 6-enabled, operational ‘nerve centre’, it will be able to take advantage of increased bandwidth, ultra-low latency and enhanced security, to connect assets from multiple sites, so that they can be centrally monitored and managed.

This, Farnek said, will allow it to rollout connected and transformative applications of technology that not only uplift the face of FM digitalisation but also offer enhanced efficiency. This is achieved through the concept of a digitally connected workforce and customers, to its in-house stream of technically advanced and cost-effective solutions, utilising the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud, Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based technologies, amongst others, the company said.

Following a tour of Farnek Village and the inauguration of its command and control room, H.E. Frank Eggmann, Consul General of Switzerland to Dubai said: “I was particularly impressed with the innovative approach Farnek has taken by developing its own in-house ‘Swiss made’ technology. Equally impressive is the way this is being utilised, which will not only improve cost-efficiency but also has staff welfare and sustainability at its core. This is an excellent example of Swiss state-of-the-art technology at its very best.”

According to Farnek, beyond operational efficiencies and sustainability, its HITEK solution 4.0 will save its customers significant amounts of money. The company said it has estimated that it can save up to 17% in manpower costs after traditional FM operational management has been transferred to HITEK’s smart management.

In addition, through IoT sensors, there is also the massive benefit of predictive and proactive maintenance, which can reduce downtime and improve the lifecycle of assets, facilitating remote monitoring with a fully connected and mobile workforce, Farnek said.

Markus Oberlin, CEO, Farnek, said: “In the case of manhours, a centralised system can manage multiple sites, whereas operating a traditional Building Management System (BMS) could well require a series of operators in each building. In addition, they may not be experts in every aspect of facilities management and probably will not have the advantage of benchmarking property performance.”

So far, Farnek said, its in-house technology team has developed initiatives, such as a smart washroom, wearable technology, eProcurement, telematic solutions, facial recognition as well as benchmarking and forecasting software to make buildings more sustainable.

Oberlin said: “As the technical specifications of 5G continue to evolve and expand that will capture and encourage even more advanced IoT and AI applications, which could start to become a reality, next year. So, we want to be ready to capitalise on these market opportunities, just as soon as the technology and connectivity is available.

“It is certainly going to take remote FM work to a whole new elevated level, enabling technicians to carry out tasks in either virtual reality or augmented reality environments, which are absolutely ideal for training purposes as well.”

According to Farnek, standalone 5G deployment consists of user equipment – the RAN and NR interface – and the 5G core network, which relies on a service-based architecture framework with virtualised network functions. Network functions that usually operate on hardware, become virtualised and actually run as software, the company said.

Javeria Aijaz, Senior Director – Technology & Innovations, Farnek, said: “We have managed to develop our own 5G network infrastructure-based intelligent and connected platforms, which has its own cloud-native network core, which connects 5G New Radio (NR) technology, and non-standalone (NSA) infrastructures, which still partially rely on existing 4G LTE infrastructure.

“Until Etisalat and Du are able to build out the independent infrastructure needed for 5G, our approach uses a combination of 5G Radio Access Network (RAN), 5G NR interface, and existing LTE infrastructure and core network to provide a 5G-like experience.”

Baltimore Aircoil Company acquires Eurocoil SPA

HEIST-OP-DEN-BERG, Belgium, 2 July 2021: Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) acquired Italy-based Eurocoil SPA. Making the announcement through a Press release, BAC said Eurocoil is a leading manufacturer of heat exchangers serving the European commercial and refrigeration industries.

BAC said the addition of Eurocoil increases its manufacturing capacity in the region, while adding additional heat exchanger capabilities used for BAC’s existing evaporative hybrid and adiabatic cooling products.

Don Fetzer, President, BAC, said: “We’re excited to welcome Eurocoil to the Baltimore Aircoil Company family. The acquisition of Eurocoil and our previous investment in Coil Design Corp., in North America, positions BAC to accelerate the development of industry-leading evaporative hybrid and adiabatic technologies, furthering our vision to reinvent cooling to sustain the world.”

David Jacobs, Vice President and Managing Director (EMEIA region), BAC, said: “Eurocoil is an excellent organization composed of quality people and industry experts. They have a history of providing exceptional products and services to their customers, which matches extremely well to the BAC strengths and culture. We welcome all of the Eurocoil employees to The Baltimore Aircoil Company and are excited to be working with them on a successful future together.”

Eurovent announces granting first certificate for fans

PARIS, France, 2 July 2021: Eurovent issued its first ever certificate of the Eurovent Certified Performance programme for Fans, the body said through a Press release.  Eurovent added that the certificate went out to direct-driven centrifugal fans using EC motor technology.

According to Eurovent, the scope of the certification programme includes all fan types that are intended to be used as air-handling unit (AHU) components. The certification programme is based on factory audits, software/DLL checking, random product sampling and tests according to ISO 5801:2017 for aerodynamic performances and ISO 13347-2:2004 for acoustic performances, Eurovent said, adding that all tests are performed by independent testing laboratories.

According to Eurovent, the following performances are certified:

• Static pressure difference
• Motor electrical input power
• Drive/control input power
• Overall (static) efficiency
• Inlet and outlet sound power levels

‘We are headed back to Las Vegas with a vengeance’

ATLANTA, Georgia, 1 July 2021: ASHRAE hosted its 2021 Virtual Annual Conference from June 28 to 30, which the Society said saw 970 virtual global registrants exploring topics related to critical environments, building operation and maintenance, and plant and animal environments.

According to ASHRAE, the conference featured over 100 live and on-demand sessions with updates from Society leaders and virtual networking events. Top sessions included Fundamentals of Climate Change (Seminar 1), Keynote: The COVID-19 Pandemic and Built Environment: Update on ASHRAE’s Response and the Meeting of the Members, ASHRAE said.

According to ASHRAE, other highly attended sessions included topics on IAQ, energy efficiency and ASHRAE standards. “The 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Annual Conference brought our community of industry professionals together for a full slate of highly relevant and valuable content,” said 2021-22 ASHRAE President, Mick Schwedler. “The conference provided an opportunity to learn, share, and explore new ways to translate research and knowledge into built environment solutions that impact everyone. We are truly fortunate to be a part of this strong community that supports each other to accomplish great things. It is the power of this community that will propel us to future successes.”

According to ASHRAE, Day One included a final State of the Society and farewell address from 2020-21 ASHRAE President, Charles E. Gulledge III, as well as a Secretary’s Report from ASHRAE Executive Vice President and Society Secretary, Jeff Littleton.

“Plans for the January 2022 ASHRAE Winter Conference and AHR Expo in Las Vegas are well underway, and if you have any doubts about whether the industry is ready to reconvene in January, let me share some facts with you,” Littleton said. “Fully 90% of the 498,000 net square feet of AHR Expo exhibit space available in Las Vegas is already sold. That’s 1,200 exhibiting companies already under contract. We may have had to cancel the show and the face-to-face Winter Conference this past January, but we are headed back to Las Vegas with a vengeance. Put it on your calendar today – January 29th to February 2nd. We’ll see you in Las Vegas.”

ASHRAE said that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its Epidemic Task Force (ETF) presented an update on its global headlining work to share guidance on minimizing the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The keynote, titled ‘The COVID-19 Pandemic and Built Environment: Update on ASHRAE’s Response’, included a brief history and status of the ETF, as well as a higher-level discussion on non-HVAC issues, such as vaccines, data, transmission routes and reopening.

During the conference, ASHRAE’s Task Force on Building Decarbonization also gave an update on its progress, ASHRAE said. The task force was formed to develop technical resources and provide guidance in mitigating the negative impact of buildings on the environment and to the inhabitants of our planet, it added.

The conference was also an opportunity to honor retiring board members for their service. Further, the event saw a virtual installation ceremony for the 2021-22 Board of Directors and officers.

On the final day of the conference, Schwedler gave his address on the Society theme for the coming year, ‘Personal Growth. Global Impact. Feed the Roots’.

“We each are involved in ASHRAE for different reasons and volunteer in our chosen ways,” Schwedler said. “We do it because we grow – professionally and personally – and help others do the same. We do it because that global impact serves the world’s, as well as our personal, future generations. All this occurs because we are true to our deep, widespread and strong technical roots, grassroots and personal roots.”

According to ASHRAE, all technical sessions are now available on-demand to registrants for the next 18 months.

Eurovent Certita Certification launches its new website

PARIS, France, 30 June 2021: Eurovent Certita Certification launched a new version of its website, available at www.eurovent-certification.com, the organisation said through a Press release.

According to Eurovent, the new website was designed to provide a better user experience to a wider audience – comprising consultants, technical design offices, architects and end-users, among others – with a quick and easy access to certified data.

According to Eurovent, the website has the following new features:

• An online search engine for third-party certified products, components and systems in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration fields with an easy access to certified data by:
  • product families,
  • brands,
  • performances
• Editorial contents related to the following topics:
  • Indoor air quality and Ventilation
  • Thermal Comfort
  • Heat Pumps
  • Refrigeration

• Online configurators allowing to find the best certified product families and product types, according to visitor needs

• Content available in the following nine languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Arabic and Chinese.

ASHRAE introduces 2021-22 President, officers and directors

ATLANTA, Georgia, 30 June 2021: ASHRAE introduced its 2021-22 Society President, executive committee officers and directors. Mick Schwedler, Application Engineer at Trane, has assumed office as President, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

During his inaugural presidential address, Schwedler announced the new Society theme will be ‘Personal Growth. Global Impact. Feed the Roots’. The theme, ASHRAE said, explores the Society’s expansive root system from its founding, through its extraordinary global growth and impact to the built-environment. Three sets of roots were established to help members grow – member-to-member connections, grassroots chapters and regions, and technology, ASHRAE said.

“This Society Year, we will examine how ASHRAE cultivates its deep, widespread, and strong roots to collectively provide global benefits today as well as for future generations,” Schwedler said. “Most importantly, we ask for your active participation in helping someone else grow.”

According to ASHRAE, the -elected officers who will serve one-year terms are:

• President-Elect: Farooq Mehboob, P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Principal Consultant, S. Mehboob & Company Consulting Engineers, Karachi, Pakistan
• Treasurer: Ginger Scoggins, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Principal, Engineered Designs Inc., Cary, North Carolina
• Vice President: Don Brandt, CEM, Life Member ASHRAE, Instructor, Phoenix, Arizona
• Vice President: Dunstan Macauley III, Member ASHRAE, Director of Mechanical Engineering, Setty & Associates, Rockdale, Maryland
• Vice President: Sarah Maston P.E., BCxP, Member ASHRAE, President, Green Footprints Commissioning, Inc., Hudson, Massachusetts
• Vice President: Tim McGinn, P.Eng., HBDP, Member ASHRAE, Principal, McGinn Technical Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

ASHRAE introduced its newest Directors and Regional Chairs who will serve three-year terms from 2021-24:

• Region I Director and Regional Chair: Steven Sill, Plant Superintendent, New York State Department OPWDD, Sterling, New York

• Region II Director and Regional Chair: Ronald Gagnon, President, Concept-R, Sorel-Tracy Quebec City, Canada
• Region III Director and Regional Chair: Mark Tome, P.E., Development Engineer, Sitelogiq, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Region XI Director and Regional Chair: N. Eileen Jensen, P.E., Mechanical Engineer, Bonneville Power Administration, Vancouver, Washington
• Region-at-Large Director and Regional Chair: Richie Mittal, Managing Director, Overdrive Engineering Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India 
  

ASHRAE also introduced its newest Directors-at-Large (DALs):

• Dru Crawley, Fellow/Director, Building Performance Research, Bentley Systems Inc., Washington, D.C.
• Art Giesler, Director of Technical Sales, PermAlert ESP, Colleyville, Texas
• Kishor Khankari, Ph.D., President, AnSight LLC., Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Heather Platt Gulledge, P.E., Senior Project Manager, Dewberry, Summerfield, North Carolina (Alternate Director-at-Large)

Epta: ‘Possible to replace HCFC, HFC refrigerants with transcritical CO2 anywhere in the world’

MILAN, Italy, 29 June 2021: Increasingly stringent international regulations are driving a massive transformation in the world of commercial refrigeration – at a European level with the F-gas Regulation and internationally with the Kigali Amendment, commercial refrigeration manufacturer, Epta said through a Press release.

The company said it has already achieved important milestones in the technological development of HFC-free solutions. It added that its Life-C4R (Carbon 4 Retail) Refrigeration project, co-financed by the European Union, confirms the benefits of a natural approach.

Francesco Mastrapasqua, the company’s Institutional Affairs Manager, said: “The three-year Life-C4R – Carbon 4 Retail Refrigeration project was created to sensitise the scientific community, the component suppliers and the retail world’s key players in the use of increasingly efficient solutions. One of the goals is demonstrating how HCFC and HFC refrigerants can be completely replaced with transcritical CO₂, anywhere in the world.”

The patented FTE 2.0 Full Transcritical Efficiency and ETE Extreme Temperature Efficiency systems, Epta said, are recognised by the EU as simple and efficient systems and are at the very core of the Life-C4R. “The Life-C4R Plan is essential in validating the FTE and ETE performance in all climatic conditions, in promoting their international diffusion and in certifying both as global and reliable solutions for the future of commercial CO₂ refrigeration,” Mastrapasqua said. “The data analysis of the three Italian pilot projects and four replica prototypes in Romania and Spain, installed in collaboration with Epta Iberia and DAAS, will be presented during the Life-C4R Project digital conference, scheduled for July 1.”

The event will be an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on the plan’s innovations, lessons learnt and the advantages of the FTE 2.0 and ETE technologies, using the results collected in store by retailers, Epta said, adding that those interested in attending the conference could do so by registering at https://blog.eptarefrigeration.com/en/life-c4r.

FTE 2.0, Epta said, represents the evolution of its patented FTE Full Transcritical Efficiency system. It is recommended at any temperature and is, therefore, a must for obtaining maximum efficiency above 37 degrees C, it said. Simple, efficient, reliable and industrialised, FTE uses flooded evaporators, it said. They allow for the difference between the evaporation temperature and the cabinet’s internal temperature to be significantly reduced and, therefore, for an energy consumption 10% lower than a traditional CO₂ system, it claimed.

This is a simple solution, the company said, where it has mechanically added only a multilevel liquid receiver to the standard configuration. On the one hand, FTE reduces the compressors’ discharge temperature, allowing for smooth functioning at high temperatures, it said. On the other hand, it guarantees their perfect lubrication, favouring a longer life cycle of the component itself, it said. FTE also guarantees up to 20% lower installation and maintenance costs, it added. Finally, the FTE 2.0 version, which is integrated into the rack, takes up less space and reduces installation and start-up times, it further added.

The ETE, Epta said, allows for 100% cooling capacity to be reached even in the hottest climates, both in industrial and commercial refrigeration applications. Recommended at temperatures between 30 degrees C and 40 degrees C, it guarantees maximum savings over 40 degrees C, also in combination with FTE, the company claimed. In this case, the transcritical CO₂ system is guaranteed to work perfectly at any latitude, even on non-booster systems and in industrial refrigeration, it said. ETE’s “secret” is contained in the refrigerant temperatures’ reduction before its distribution to end users, it said. As it leaves the air exchanger at a value close to the ambient temperature, the gas is further cooled, it said. The system, it added, allows for an almost total disappearance of “flash-gas”, creating significant energy savings over time and smooth functioning even well above 40 degrees C.

KRN gets new Global Commercial Director

DUBAI, UAE, 28 June 2021: India-headquartered KRN Heat Exchanger & Refrigeration Pvt. Ltd., which manufactures heat exchangers, said it has appointed Raja Subramanyam as its Global Commercial Director.

Based in Dubai, Subramanyam will be responsible for KRN’s international growth, starting with Middle East and Europe, the company said in a Press release. Prior to this, Subramanyam worked as an independent cold chain consultant, drawing from a wealth of experience through his tenures at Carrier, Emerson and Ingersoll-Rand, the company said.

Speaking on his new role, Subramanyam said: “KRN has a state-of-the-art factory spread over 80,000 square feet in Rajasthan, India, from where it produces nearly a million world-class units per year. After creating a name for itself in India and having increased its production capacity, last year, it’s only natural for the company to foray into international markets. Despite the pandemic, the company’s growth plans are robust, and I look forward to establishing the company’s presence globally.”

Santosh Kumar Yadav, Chairman & MD, KRN, said: “In Raja, we see an ideal leader, who, with his international, versatile experience of 25 years across diverse verticals, can strategize our entry into different markets and take KRN to the next level of success. We are committed to support him to become a valued and reliable partner to HVACR principals, worldwide.”

Subramanyam holds a BE degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kumaraguru College of Technology, in Coimbatore, India. He is passionate about digitalisation and has initiated the need for digital transformation of cold chain technical assets through serving as Chair of the 10^th edition of Food Chain, on May 31 in Dubai.

ENGIE’s redesigned QUANTUM Water series available in 47 versions

LINDAU ON LAKE CONSTANCE, Germany, 28 June 2021: ENGIE Refrigeration said it has redesigned its water-cooled QUANTUM chillers and is able to offer the series in a total of 47 versions with a performance range from 200 kilowatts to four megawatts.

Jochen Hornung, CEO, ENGIE Refrigeration, said: “We at ENGIE Refrigeration have always aimed to offer our customers the highest-quality, most efficient and most sustainable chillers. With the QUANTUM Water series we have once again achieved this goal; our models currently represent the most efficient water-cooled chiller series in the world. We are proud of this fact and are further consolidating our pioneering role on the international refrigeration market.”

ENGIE said the revised QUANTUM Water meets the highest economic and ecological requirements for refrigeration supply. To achieve this, the company said, the team at ENGIE Refrigeration relied on new components and an innovative control concept. The team also deployed ultra-modern inner tube technology, which ensures an excellent heat transfer performance and an especially high level of efficiency with a low input of materials, the company claimed. In addition, the QUANTUM Water series is currently the only model series on the market with an open-flash economiser, integrated as standard in all 47 versions, which also helps improve performance and efficiency, the company further claimed. Moreover, operating companies benefit from control system options that are now even smarter, through adapting the tried-and-tested regulation strategy from the QUANTUM Air series to the water-cooled series and through deploying the latest Siemens PLC in control cabinets, the company added.

As a result, ENGIE said, QUANTUM Water chillers achieve even greater efficiency than their predecessor models, especially under partial load.  

As the world’s first water-cooled chiller series, the QUANTUM Water offers groundbreaking digital features, ENGIE claimed. With the new ‘smart control’, a smart user interface replaces the touch panel that was previously integrated in a fixed position on the machine, allowing the chiller to be controlled using a tablet and a Wi-Fi connection, for example, the company said. This improves ease of use for operating companies while also simplifying maintenance and servicing, the company said. Furthermore, customers can now choose between four different refrigerants – R-515B, R-134a, R-513A and R-1234ze – and all machines require less refrigerant than the predecessor series, the company said. For the first time, the QUANTUM Water can be ordered with special housing to provide maximum safety in the unlikely event of an accident occurring in a machine operated with the A2L refrigerant R-1234ze, the company said. Customers who lack a large machine room but would nevertheless like to use future-proof high-end technology in their refrigeration supply can thus set up the new QUANTUM Water outdoors – a hitherto unheard-of option on the refrigeration market, the company said.  

The QUANTUM Water is available in 47 model versions with a smart modular principle and a performance range from 200 kilowatts to four megawatts, the company said.

The new QUANTUM Water, ENGIE said, replaces the previous water-cooled series, QUANTUM W, QUANTUM B, QUANTUM X and QUANTUM G. The QUANTUM Power, it added, will remain available as a customer-specific solution for even higher performance ranges up to 8.5 megawatts.

Eurovent, FAIAR sign MoU

BRUSSELS, BOGOTÁ, 23 June 2021: Eurovent and the Federation of Ibero-American Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Associations (FAIAR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, underlining their commitment to greater harmonisation and stronger ties between Europe and Latin America, Eurovent said through a Press release.

In the framework of the Memorandum, Eurovent said, the two organisations will collaborate on standards development, codes of good practice and networking events, among others. Eurovent and FAIAR will have their first high-level coordination meeting still this year to identify concrete opportunities for joint action, Eurovent said.

Raul Corredera Haener, President, Eurovent, said: “In order to raise and harmonise industry standards worldwide, Eurovent’s ambition is to strengthen its international partnerships with like-minded associations. FAIAR has proven to be such a partner, and we look forward to working together with our colleagues from Latin America much more closely in the future to bring new opportunities to our industry.”

Odete de Almeida, President, FAIAR, said: “To achieve FAIAR objectives, we understand the importance of integration of related associations of any territorial scope, in order to provide mutual collaboration and exchange experiences in the professional field, which benefit the partners.”

Eurovent said the two organisations have agreed to work together to promote energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, safe and reliable HVACR technologies based on common principles. The HVACR sector, it added, has an important role to play in the welfare of society and in the fight against climate change. The two regional associations, it further added, aim to avoid disjointed regional approaches to these questions, which would turn opportunities for growth and innovation into market barriers.

HMS launches new IR-based air conditioning interface

HALMS, Sweden, 17 June 2021: HMS Networks has launched an IR-based Intesis AC interface, which the company said enables integration of any air conditioning unit, regardless of brand, into Modbus or BACnet building automation systems.

Saying that HVAC systems are usually the largest consumers of energy in a building, HMS said it is crucial for building owners to monitor and control these systems to save costs and energy. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it increasingly important to find new ways of installing and using AC units, as ventilation and “clean air” have become a major concern, the company said. The air conditioning market is growing fast with new brands and different types of AC units constantly emerging, the company said. This, it added, makes it challenging for building owners to integrate AC-units into their specific Building Management System (BMS).

The Intesis offering, the company said, includes the most comprehensive portfolio of AC interfaces on the market, enabling monitoring and control of air conditioning units from any home or building automation system. The portfolio, it claimed, is now further strengthened through the launch of a universal IR-based Intesis AC interface for integrating AC units to Modbus- or BACnet-based automation systems. The new interface connects to the AC unit via the IR link, which is already used by most AC units to communicate with their remote control, it said. The Intesis IR-based AC Interface is already compatible with more than 100 IR remote controllers and their associated AC units, it added.

The new AC interface solution, the company said, is configured using the Intesis MAPS tool, which brings many advantages for the system integrator. With a project-based configuration, all the interfaces installed can be configured in a single MAPS template, making it easy to copy device configurations and set up new projects, it said. Thanks to the diagnostics function, it added, the commissioning process and any post-installation assistance is also simplified.

DriSteem to host webinar on humidification systems for laboratories

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, 16 June 2021: DriSteem said it will be hosting a free webinar, which will focus on humidification systems for laboratories. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said the webinar is scheduled for June 22 at 10.30 am CST. David Baird, Senior Applications Manager, DriSteem, will make the presentation, it added.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all working environments, DriSteem said. Maintaining precise conditions in laboratories is crucial in protecting research integrity as well as keeping them clean and safe, and this includes controlling the relative humidity within this complex environment, it said. Properly controlled laboratories will generate more accurate test results, prevent contamination and promote a healthier environment for staff, it said. Studies show that maintaining the indoor relative humidity level between 40% and 60% RH creates a healthier environment, decreasing the amount and infectivity of viruses in the air, resulting in fewer respiratory infections among building occupants, it added.

“Researchers are keenly aware of how critical the temperature and humidification levels are in a laboratory setting,” said Valerie Bradt, Communications Manager, DriSteem. “Too much fluctuation of temperature or humidification in either direction can disrupt critical testing or interfere with results. This webinar is to help facilities directors and laboratory personnel be proactive and educated in their decisions for controlling humidity levels in their labs.”

According to DriSteem, the webinar will address the role of humidity in achieving accurate test results and employing humidification to reduce contamination. Topics that will be covered are:

• Why humidification is important
• The role of humidity in reducing airborne contaminants
• Preserving equipment
• Promoting wellness of staff
• Employing humidification in a laboratory
• Practical considerations for controlling humidity

Registration for the webinar is free of charge, DriSteem said, adding that those interested in attending could register at https://attend.zoho.com/juht 

SPX launches new MH Fluid Cooler models

WORCESTER, UK, 16 June 2021: SPX Cooling Technologies Inc. has released details of its expanded MH Fluid Cooler line, which it said is designed to meet an even more diverse range of applications. The MH Fluid Cooler, the company said, is now available with three coil materials, each delivering its own advantages.

The most recent innovation, the MH Element Fluid Cooler, is equipped with copper coils, the company said, adding that copper offers superior corrosion resistance and improved heat transfer. Compared with traditional HDG coil fluid coolers, copper coil requires 35% less fluid volume, and the cooler operating weight is reduced by 20%, the company said. Copper is also sustainable, with a high recycle value at the end of its operational life, it added.

Other MH Fluid Coolers are available with coils of either HDG (hot dip galvanised) steel or stainless steel, the company said. HDG steel offers good thermal performance in a closed and pressurised system, it claimed. Models with stainless steel coils use larger coil surface area to achieve results and are often utilised in coastal regions and applications prone to corrosion, it said.

According to SPX, one of the most efficient closed-circuit cooling towers in its class, the MH Fluid Cooler, is a hybrid system that combines the functionality of a cooling tower and a heat exchanger. Utilising a combination of evaporative fill media and prime surface coils, the MH Fluid Cooler offers significantly improved performance over conventional non-hybrid systems, the company claimed. Compared to forced-draft products with comparable footprint, its proprietary CoolBoost technology uses up to 75% less fan energy, requires up to 35% less process fluid and reduces operating weight by 15% or more, it further claimed.

HVAC applications, SPX said, include water-source heat pumps, water-cooled VRF (variable refrigerant flow) systems, geothermal heat pumps and chillers. Industrial process cooling uses include water-cooled air compressors, injection moulding machines, induction furnaces and other machines or jacket cooling, it said.

Thermal capacities of all standard MH Fluid Coolers are independently certified by Eurovent and the Cooling Technology Institute (CTI) for performance with water, ethylene glycol solutions and propylene glycol solutions, it said, adding that the MH Fluid Cooler is backed by SPX’s five-year mechanical warranty and energy efficiencies that exceed ASHRAE Standard 90.1 requirements.

Camfil donates air purifiers to Pertini

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 15th June 2021: Camfil Italy in Cinisello Balsamo donated air purifiers to the municipality for the Il Pertini Cultural Center, Camfil said through a Press release, adding that it was a gesture of generosity and attention to the city, in which it has been operating for the last 46 years. The air purifiers, the company said, have been placed in the study room in one of the buildings, which has become an important step as many young students and professionals spend hours studying there.

Following an inspection, Camfil proposed the installation of three air purifiers in the study room. The clean air solutions, capable of purifying the air from pollen, bacteria, viruses, particulate matter, ozone, chemicals and other harmful contaminants, are also the same adopted by the French and Spanish regional authorities in the canteens, laboratories, and study rooms of their schools, Camfil said. Silent and with very low energy consumption, the City M air purification systems will guarantee about 16 changes per day of purified air, thanks to HEPA H14 filters, with a certified filtration efficiency of 99.995% even on the smallest particles in the air, it added.

Luciano Rogato, Managing Director, Camfil Italy, said: “We are humbled to have donated three air purifiers to the reading room of the Pertini Cultural Center, which plays a central role in promoting culture, socialization, and creativity in the Cinisello Balsamo community. It is an important contribution, as the local communities and public places have remained under strict restrictions due to the pandemic. Our clean air solutions ensure a healthy and safe indoor environment.”

Mayor Giacomo Ghilardi, said: “I thank Camfil for this donation to our city library, which is a hub for so many young people for studying, reading, and as a meeting place. Due to the health emergency, which is still ongoing, the Pertini was closed for some time, and we know how much discomfort this has created for many students and young professionals. The installation of these machines will allow more comfortable and healthy use of the indoor environments.”

Belimo damper actuators get UL 2043 certification

DANBURY, Connecticut, United States, 13 June 2021: Belimo said its damper actuators and most of the valve actuators and sensors meet UL 2043 requirements. The National Electrical Code Section 300.22 (c), in the United States, requires electrical devices in plenums to be tested to UL 2043 for low smoke generation. Underwriters Laboratories’ UL 2043 is the standard for fire test for heat and visible smoke release for discrete products installed in air-handling spaces, Belimo said, adding that its products, used for installation in air-handling spaces, meet UL 2043 standard for heat and smoke release. By complying with the UL 2043 requirements, Belimo said, its products have demonstrated the following characteristics:

• A peak rate of heat release of 100 kW or less
• A peak normalized optical density of 0.50 or less
• An average normalized optical density of 0.15 or less

LightAir says subscription strategy is yielding results

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 12 June 2021: LightAir said its strategic focus on sales of air purification to offices and schools in Sweden is continuing to yield results. The LightAir Health+ offer provides clean, virus-free air and is offered in Sweden primarily as a subscription service, it said, adding that the number of subscriptions is growing continuously, rising from about 60, last summer, and soon likely to exceed 300.

The positive market reception in Sweden is exemplified by how Enskilda Gymnasiet – an independent secondary school in operation for over 100 years – is now expanding its two subscriptions to 30, LightAir said. The school carried out a six-month evaluation, which documented how individuals with asthma and allergies experienced relief from problems and that other students and teachers experienced improved air quality, LightAir said. Evaluation comments mentioned reduced fatigue, improved concentration and less drowsiness, it added.

“We are located in central Stockholm and are aware that we operate in an environment that is particularly exposed to traffic pollution,” said Jonas Persson, Project Manager, Enskilda Gymnasiet. “It’s important that students can stay healthy, cope with the school day and don’t get fatigued by bad air. It’s especially important that they are alert when final exams roll around. Students with pollen allergies are prone to tire easily and perform poorly.”

According to LightAir, Enskilda Gymnasiet is now installing a total air purification capacity of over 20,000 cubic metres per hour, along with a corresponding virus inhibitor capacity. Subsequent to the sale of the purifiers, the service will be delivered in the form of a three-year subscription, LightAir said.

According to LightAir, its Health⁺ subscription offer is the most comprehensive service offer available and was established in the Swedish domestic market in 2020. The offer has since been awarded the International Facility Management Association’s Nordic Innovation Prize, not least since it has the distinction of being able to destroy viruses while they’re still airborne, the company said.

“More and more businesses and organizations are opening their eyes to the challenges of indoor air,” said Joakim Hansson, Business Area Manager, LightAir. “This is also shown concretely by how we expanded our subscription base from 5 to 60 last summer, and from 60 to 160 by year end. This summer we have high hopes of reaching our goal of 300 Swedish subscriptions.”

Added Lars Liljeholm, CEO, LightAir: “We see that our strategic plan is promising and starting to bear fruit, while we have a long way to go with stimulating challenges ahead of us. We will become increasingly better at utilizing the competitive advantages we have in the nascent corporate market, not least in terms of purification efficiency and noise levels, as well as with an attractive and trouble-free subscription offer. Professional solutions will be the engine of our future growth. Through an increasingly successful domestic market, we are laying the foundation for establishment in selected international markets.

“We are in the middle of the demanding – but enjoyable – work of building a leading position in the commercial segment. Initially, the new strategy will affect sales when we change our revenue model, but in the long run, this will be crucial for the company and value creation for our owners. With that said, the consumer market will still be an important part of the future LightAir we are now building, which is why we have also recruited cutting-edge expertise and are continuously developing our international ventures and e-commerce.”

The Big 5 Construct Egypt returns in 2021

CAIRO, Egypt, 7 June 2021: The third edition of The Big 5 Construct Egypt will take place from June 26 to 29 at the Cairo International Convention Centre (CICC), to facilitate business opportunities in Egypt’s growing construction project market, dmg events, the organiser said through a Press release.

Making the announcement through a Press conference, dmg said Egypt is the third largest construction market in the MENA region, and that activity remains a bright spot for the Egyptian economy with a pipeline of known and un-awarded projects worth USD 354.8 billion in the country*.

Present at the press conference was Khaled Abbas, Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities for National Projects; Matt Denton, President, dmg events; Mohamed El Dahshoury, CEO, Hassan Allam Construction (HAC)’ Heike Harmgart, Managing Director, Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Mohamed Tarek, Area Managing Director of North Africa for Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC).

dmg said powerful face-to-face connections between industry stakeholders will be significant for the sector’s sustained development. It is more important than ever for us to offer a safe environment for the community to come together, where they can boost business activities, rebuild partnerships and apply lessons learnt to future projects all in one place, dmg said. To that end, in addition to offering vital trading opportunities this year, The Big 5 Construct Egypt will launch new high-level features focused on strategic industry development and innovation, making it an unmissable business event for the construction sector in the wake of Covid-19 disruption, it added.

The event will launch The Big 5 Egypt Impact Awards, which dmg described as designed to recognise the businesses and people driving innovation in Egypt’s industry, in addition to The Big 5 Egypt Leadership Conference, a three-day event scheduled to gather regional ministers and international leaders to explore the construction sector’s contribution towards economic growth and diversification in Egypt.

Harmgart, who is set to speak at the conference, said: “The Big 5 Egypt Leadership Conference is a great opportunity for policy makers, financial institutions and investors to discuss the priorities for Egypt and to promote sustainable green infrastructure and construction sectors.”

Beyond the conference, the event also will offer free-to-attend, CPD-certified talks and the exhibition area, which dmg said, will gather hundreds of leading brands from more than 15 countries, such as Canada, Germany, Greece, Russia, Italy, UAE and Saudi Arabia, to name but a few. Heavyweights signed up to exhibit include the likes of Hassan Allam Holding, Orascom Construction, El Soadaa, ASGC, Hanimex, Al Zamil, Al Ahram, Wellbond and Al Amal, dmg said.

Speaking on the upcoming exhibition, El Dahshoury said: “The Big 5 Construct Egypt represents a great place for business leaders to discuss, sign agreements and present investment opportunities, at a time when infrastructure projects play a decisive role in the economic recovery, not only in Egypt but around the world.”

TROX Middle East gets new Managing Director

DUBAI, UAE, 4 June 2021: TROX Group, manufacturer of airside products, has announced the appointment of Saad Ali as Managing Director of the TROX Middle East region.

Making the announcement through a Press release, the Group said that prior to his current role, Saad served as a VP for Ruskin Titus Middle East, where he was responsible for growth initiatives across the Ruskin’s Group entire portfolio.

Speaking on the occasion, Ali said, “The TROX GROUP has been the leaders of their respective markets, and I look forward to taking on my new responsibilities and working with our new and existing partners throughout the Middle East and Africa.”

Karl Palmstorfer, Head of International Business (EMEA), TROX, said: “He brings deep expertise in HVAC of particular relevance to our expansion agenda, together with broad experience in manufacturing and operations. With Saad Ali, we found the right leader with the same values we stand for. Together, we will create the best indoor air quality in projects for many generations.”

Recuperator receives AHRI certification for its plate and rotary heat exchangers

RESCALDINA, MILAN, Italy, 4 June 2021: Recuperator S.p.A., a member of Carel Group, announced receiving AHRI certification for its plate and rotary heat exchangers, following what it described as a rigorous review process.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Recuperator said the certification is the result of its dedication to continuous improvement, including innovation in R&D. The whole range of plate and rotary heat exchanger products is now listed in the AHRI directory of certified products, it said. The AHRI certification, it further said, is added to all the certifications it has already obtained during its long and profitable activity.

“The commitment to obtain this recognition will allow Recuperator to expand its overseas market horizons and to increase the service to its customers in the Middle East,” said Stefano Baldo, Sales & Marketing Director, Recuperator. “The experiences we will gather in new markets will be a stimulus to continue innovating our products and services. Furthermore, the high quality standard required by AHRI helps to raise the quality level of the entire Recuperator production.”

AHRI certification program expands test conditions

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 28 May 2021: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) on May 18 announced that it is implementing a wide range of test conditions in certain of its certification programs, to help promote global energy efficiency; to suit varying global environmental conditions and regional needs; to align itself with local, regional and international regulations; and to address requirements of its members and certification program participants.

AHRI said that in addition to the standard T1 test conditions (35 degrees C outdoor dry-bulb), it has been introducing the T3 test conditions (46 degrees C outdoor dry-bulb) and T4-Kuwait (48 degrees C outdoor dry-bulb), with operability tests at 52 degrees C for a large range of “tropical” air conditioning products in the high-ambient temperature (HAT) countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

AHRI said that with T3 ratings already available for applied products, such as air-cooled and water-cooled chillers, and for direct-expansion products, such as ducted-split systems, packaged rooftop units in both residential and commercial segments, and inverter-type residential units, it continues to expand the T3 ratings to other products, such as VRFs. These actions and many others, it added, are why a growing number of entities around the world are relying on AHRI-certified products and equipment, which have provided performance assurance for more than 60 years across 40 programs and with more than 1,100 certified licensees across the globe.

The initiative’s first part, it said, is to help its GCC region, Asian, European and American members and program participants certify their tropical high-ambient products to T3 test conditions through simplified mechanisms and processes. The second part, it said, involves its outreach to regional regulators and authorities, informing them of their ability to ensure compliance to T3 conditions, if they wish to do so.

“We are confident that this dual approach directly supports the important value proposition of achieving governmental energy efficiency goals and regulatory/policy initiatives, while providing a wider range of quality equipment to the residential and commercial sectors in HAT regions,” said Khalil Issa, Managing Director, AHRI MENA. “Governments, consumers, and other entities have always had the assurance that AHRI Certified products have been tested by third-party laboratories to perform as promised, helping to ensure expected energy and cost savings for the benefit of institutional clients, end-users, consumers, and the environment. The expanded test conditions solidify that assurance and allow customers in these regions access to a wider array of quality product choices.”

AHRI said its publicly available, free Directory of Certified Product Performance not only allows consumers, contractors, and others to quickly assess whether a product is AHRI Certified or not but also enables local regulators to immediately enforce compliance by easily identifying non-compliant products.

Eurovent, Eurovent Middle East and Eurovent Certita Certification to host webinar on global air filtration standard

BRUSSELS, DUBAI, PARIS, 19 May 2021: Eurovent, in cooperation with Eurovent Middle East and Eurovent Certita Certification, will host a webinar on June 9 with the aim of outlining the importance of adherence to the latest standards in air conditioning and ventilation. Making the announcement through a Press release, Eurovent said special focus will be placed on the application of the newest air filtration standard, ISO 16890, which has replaced EN 779 and other international standards in recent years. The virtual event, it added, is tailor-made for Africa, Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.

According to Eurovent, it will address the following topics:

• ISO 16890: The global air filtration standard
• Eurovent 4/23: Guidance for the selection of ISO 16890-rated air filter classes for general ventilation applications
• Energy efficiency and filter certification

According to Eurovent, presentations will lead to a panel discussion and a dedicated Q&A session.

Marc Schmidt, Chairman, Eurovent Product Group – ‘Air Filters’ (PG-FIL), and one of the key speakers of the webinar, by way of underlining the importance of the transition to ISO 16890, said: “This standard has been developed to increase the awareness on Indoor Air Quality related to particulate matter suspended in the air and supports the World Health Organization’s fight in reducing illnesses related to smallest particle sizes. It is essential for the HVAC engineering community around the world to be aware of this standard and to understand its application.”

Eurovent said registration to the event is free of charge. It urged those interested in attending to register at via this link.

E+E Elektonik launches EE 212 humidity and temperature sensor

ENGERWITZDORF, Austria, 19 May 2021: E+E Elektronik has launched the EE212 humidity and temperature sensor, which it described as being suitable for challenging measurement tasks in climate technology, agriculture and the pharmaceuticals industries.

A modular probe design makes it easy to replace the sensing module directly on site, if needed, E+E Elektronik said, adding that the E+E sensor coating, the wide choice of filter caps, and the robust IP65 / NEMA 4 enclosure ensure accurate and reliable measurements even under challenging working conditions.

IEA releases ‘roadmap to net zero’ report

BERKELEY, California, 18 May 2021: The International Energy Agency (IEA) said it has published its first ever comprehensive roadmap to net-zero emissions by 2050. The report, it added, provides guidance for governments, companies, investors and the public on what is necessary to fully decarbonize the energy sector and lower greenhouse gas emissions to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The report, it said, comes after it received widespread criticism for systematically underestimating the pace of adoption of clean energy technologies, such as solar and wind, and substantially overestimating their costs. Critics, it said, argued that IEA projections had effectively acted as support for the fossil fuel industry’s business-as-usual operations.

In a significant shift, the IEA said, it today recognizes that on a net-zero pathway there can be no investment in new fossil fuel supply. This, it said, includes oil, gas and coal projects. The IEA said, it confirms that with the introduction of policy to achieve climate stabilization at 1.5 degrees, the fossil fuel sector will face significant demand reduction.

Danielle Fugere, President, As You Sow, responding to the release of the report, said: “This new net-zero scenario from the IEA finally aligns with investor expectations and makes abundantly clear to fossil fuel companies that they must set net-zero targets, develop a clear transition strategy, and evolve in step with the decarbonizing global economy. Standing in the way of progress is no longer acceptable for companies’ own enterprise success or for the global economy.”

Daniel Stewart, Senior Research Associate, As You Sow, said: “Until now, the IEA’s research has been used to play down transition risks faced by the fossil fuel industry and as a support for inadequate energy and climate policy. IEA’s new scenario firms up what investors already knew about the steps needed to achieve climate stabilization by mid-century. It demonstrates without a doubt that it is difficult but absolutely possible to contain the catastrophic impact of runaway climate change, and signals major disruption on the horizon for industries reliant on fossil fuels.”

JCI named to FT European Climate Leaders list

CORK, Ireland, 18 May 2021: Johnson Controls (JCI) said it has been named to the inaugural FT Climate Leaders in Europe list.

Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021 is a list of companies across Europe that have shown the highest reduction of their emission intensity – that is, core greenhouse gas emissions in relation to revenues, between 2014 and 2019. Johnson Controls reported that it was one of only 300 companies selected from 4,000 across Europe.

“We are extremely proud to be recognized by the Financial Times as a European climate leader,” said George Oliver, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. “Sustainability has long been at the heart of everything we do, and it is an honor to be included on this prestigious list. With COP26 approaching at this critical moment in the battle against climate change, it is important that companies continue to play their part in cutting emissions and delivering clean, sustainable solutions across the entire value chain.”

According to JCI, companies on the list – compiled by research firm, Statista – were invited to submit emissions reported following the emission categories of the greenhouse gas protocol (scope 1, 2 and 3). In addition, Statista scrutinized publicly available data, mainly from financial and non-financial reports as well as from CDP (formerly the “Carbon Disclosure Project”).

Although JCI reports all three emissions scopes, the ranking only considers scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, since not all companies publish their scope 3 emissions, it said. Since 2002, JCI said, it has reduced its emissions intensity by more than 70% – equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 17,000 acres of forest. The company said it has also helped its customers save more than 30.6 million tonnes of CO₂ globally and $6.6 million through guaranteed operational savings.

At the European level, JCI said, it has been effectively supporting the EU’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2050. The European Commission recently committed to at least 55% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels) by 2030 under the European Green Deal. Decarbonizing Europe’s building stock through the European Commission’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive has a crucial role to play in this effort – 40% of greenhouse gases come from buildings, the company said.

According to JCI, digitalization has been recognized as a key enabler for the building renovation wave in Europe and the rest of the world. Already, JCI said, it has been deploying its OpenBlue digital platform for optimizing buildings sustainability across its entire value chain – drastically improving the company’s own environmental impact and helping customers consume less energy, conserve resources and identify pathways to achieving healthy, net zero carbon communities.

Katie McGinty, Vice President & Chief Sustainability, Government and Regulatory Affairs Officers, JCI, said: “We are making positive change within our own corporation and believe we are uniquely positioned to help customers and suppliers achieve their sustainability goals. By driving global change, we are ultimately creating an environment for healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet.”

JCI said it is also helping meet the growing demand for energy-efficient technologies. It said it has provided heat pump solutions for customers at more than a dozen district heating and cooling applications in Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Norway.

Heat pumps, it said, have an important role to play in decarbonizing buildings and industry. They have long been in the DNA of industrial refrigeration – utilised in food and beverage, dairy and other process industries for reclaiming low-temperature waste heat and turning it into low-cost, high-temperature heat.

APUEA to host District Energy awards

BANGKOK, Thailand, 19 May 2021: The organisers of the 7^th Global District Energy Climate Awards have invited submission of entries. Making the announcement through a Press release, they added that the deadline for receiving entries is June 30.

The Awards ceremony, to be hosted by the Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association, will take place on November 11  and 12 in Bangkok. The Awards has six categories to choose from, including New Scheme, Modernisation, Expansion, Emerging Market, District Energy in Developing Countries and Out-of-the-Box. According to the organisers, the entries will be judged by a panel of highly respected professionals.

Dr Robin Wiltshire, Chairman of the Evaluation Panel, said: “We believe that recognising excellence is vital to raising standards, aiding progression in industries and increasing awareness. Just as importantly, it boosts both morale and innovation. This is the spirit behind our upcoming Global District Energy Climate Awards. The awards are a no-fee initiative designed for the sole purpose of recognising the very best of District Energy projects, schemes and initiatives.”

VC funds, Hollywood stars invest heavily in climate change innovation

CHICAGO, Illinois, 18 May 2021: The year 2021 has already seen multiple climate-focused fund launches. London-based One Planet Capital launched a fund for green tech, fintech and sustainability-based B2C businesses, while Hollywood ‘Iron Man’ actor, Robert Downey Jr has founded FootPrint Coalition Ventures to invest in high-growth, sustainability-focused companies.

The financial world used to think environmental issues couldn’t generate viable rewards, but another climate-focused fund, Congruent Ventures, believes a tipping point has been passed. 

Congruent raises investment specifically for Climate Change solution start-ups and, with USD 300 million under management after closing its second fund at USD 175 million, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Abe Yokell, said: “If you brought up the word ‘cleantech’ to any institutional investor allocating to venture 10 years ago, they would do their best to avoid the meeting, but now, there’s a fundamental belief there will be significant financial returns investing broadly in climate tech over time.”

Congruent’s portfolio includes electric vehicle-charging provider, Amply, which raised USD 13.2 million last year from investors, including Soros Fund Management and Siemens. Digitally controllable electrical panel company, Span raised USD 20 million in January through Congruent, with investors including Munich Re Ventures’ HSB Fund and Amazon’s Alexa Fund.

And Congruent itself is well-founded, with investors including UC Investments, the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, Three Cairns Group, Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham Environmental Trust and Surdna Foundation, among other institutions, foundations and family offices.

Regulation A+ crowdfunding companies are also seeing investment, such as digital twins company, Cityzenith, who recently launched their international ‘Clean Cities, Clean Future’ campaign as part of the Race to Zero movement.

Cities worldwide generate 70% of the world’s carbon emissions, but Cityzenith’s AI Digital Twin platform technology can help property asset management groups, city planners and developers reduce emissions and move to carbon neutrality in the next 10 years. 

Michael Jansen, CEO, Cityzenith, said at the launch of the ‘Clean Cities – Clean Future’ initiative: “We have to help the most polluted urban centers become carbon neutral, and we plan to do this by donating the company’s Digital Twin platform, SmartWorldOS to key cities, one at a time, after every USD 1 million we raise. We’re able to do this because of the recent surge of investment we’ve had as part of our USD 15m raise.”

Cityzenith is already benefiting from the funding shift, reportedly attracting USD 2.5 million in investment since late 2020 through Regulation A+ crowdfunding and a surge in shares from USD 0.575 to USD 1.50 in just five months. The US company has raised USD 10 million to date.

Jansen said: “In the past decade, investors struggled to justify backing Climate Change solutions, but global demand for net-zero carbon by 2050 and a sustainable future means a tipping point has been passed.

“Products, such as our own SmartWorldOS™, which monitors and collects data on future and existing building assets, so construction and maintenance can occur at optimal efficiency, will be essential to reducing carbon emissions and energy waste. We must invest in climate solutions now so that we can protect our planet sooner and more effectively.

“We’ve seen a significant amount of interest in our current USD 15m raise from accredited investors in recent months, as there are tangible, financial upsides in the built-environment to going climate-friendly, and carbon credits are going to become an enormous part of this in the next few years.”

European-based fund 2150 also launched this year, investing €200m (USD 240 million) into start-ups developing sustainable technologies to lower carbon emissions in Europe’s cities.

Co-founder Christian Hernandez has seen a shift in perceptions, too. He said: “There are enough proof points now that those two (profitable investments and investing in climate solutions) can coexist.”

DriSteem releases Buyer’s Guide

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, 16 May 2021: Dri-Steem, manufacturer of humidification, evaporative cooling and water treatment products, released a buyer’s guide that focuses on humidification for laboratories, the company said through a Press release.

“This new buyer’s guide is written specifically for laboratory facilities personnel,” said Jennifer Montville, Director of Marketing, DriSteem. “Careful control of relative humidity levels in labs generates more accurate test results, prevents contamination, and promotes a healthier work environment. DriSteem has been designing and building world-class humidification equipment for more than 50 years and is committed to helping facilities use those products to optimize their businesses.”

According to the company, its humidification systems are made to fit each unique application, whether it is ensuring the success of critical research, preserving fragile and valuable materials and instrumentation, or protecting the health and wellbeing of building occupants. DriSteem said its mission is to support healthy environments – studies show that ideal room relative humidity (RH) is 40-60%.

ASHE reports success at International Code Council hearings

CHICAGO, Illinois, United States, 15 May 2021: The Committee on Health Care (CHC), a partnership between the American Society of Health Care Engineering (ASHE) and the International Code Council (ICC), in April and May, took part in virtual testimonies before several ICC Committees at the Code Action Committee hearings in regard to the latest round of code proposals submitted by the CHC and others, ASHE said. The CHC was successful in getting approval for 10 of its 15 proposals and testified in opposition to 18 other health care facility proposals, of which 17 were disapproved, it added.

The biggest “win” was the approval of CHC proposal FS49, which provides an exception in the International Building Code (IBC) that will allow Group I-2 facilities to use a lay-in ceiling system with ceiling tiles that weigh a minimum of one pound per square foot, combined with a fully ducted HVAC system, to serve as part of the system to limit the transfer of smoke, ASHE reported. This exception aligns the IBC with the current requirements within the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code, allowing hospitals to avoid the conflict between the IBC and Life Safety Code, ASHE said.

The five CHC proposals that were disapproved will be modified to address the committee’s concerns and resubmitted as part of the public comment hearings that will take place in September, ASHE said.

By way of giving a context to its reporting, ASHE said that most health care facility professionals understand the challenges posed by conflicts in building codes. Unnecessary and conflicting codes and regula­tions, it said, can be costly and that the resources spent to comply with contradicting requirements could be put to better use in addressing other issues.

ASHE said one of its goals is to establish a system of unified codes, which it added, is imperative to improve quality and increase access to health care services by upgrad­ing or replacing aged health care facilities and infra­structure using cost savings resulting from the elimination of conflicting codes and regulations.

Since 2011, ASHE said, the CHC has brought together health care facilities managers, designers, industry professionals and building officials to create a better understanding of how health care codes function and are applied. Through this understanding, the CHC has developed hundreds of proposals to help align the ICC codes with other health care codes and standards.

Belimo announces webinar to launch integrated thermal energy management solutions

DANBURY, Connecticut, 14 May 2021: Belimo said it will be introducing a new era of integrated thermal energy management, through a webinar at 8am (Eastern Time) on June 10: Thursday, June 10, 2021 @ 9:00 AM (ET).

According to Belimo, its technology experts will use practical examples to show how its new device will increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. The webinar, Belimo said, is geared for individuals within the HVAC industry; building technology, building automation, general contractors/investors, consulting engineers, system integrators, installers/plant engineers, building owners, facility managers/building maintenance and OEMs. Belimo said it will unveil and demonstrate the new integrated thermal energy device and provide in-depth conversation with developers, experts, customers and partners.

This new innovation, Belimo said, marks its commitment to bring more sustainability into buildings while optimizing energy efficiency throughout the HVAC system.

Camfil launches CamCarb VG engineered molecular filtration solution

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 12 May 2021: Camfil launched the CamCarb VG engineered molecular filtration solution, which the company described as a robust solution suited for make-up air and recirculation air systems. The primary use of the technology, Camfil said, is the control of acidic gases that are responsible for the corrosion of electronics and electrical equipment in heavy process industries, such as pulp and paper mills; petrochemical refineries; mining and metal refining operations; and wastewater treatment plants. They are also suitable for lighter applications, such as the removal of noxious and odorous fumes generated outside airports, hospital helipads, cultural heritage buildings, and commercial offices located in city centres, Camfil added. The modules can be filled with different types of Camfil molecular filtration media to suit the specific customer application, the company said. There are two standard configurations of CamCarb VG: VG300 and VG440, it said, adding that the VG300 format is best suited for moderate duty (normally make-up air) applications, and the VG440 is best suited for light-duty (recirculation air) applications.

According to Camfil, CamCarb VG filters can be installed in specially designed housings, with options for front-loading, side-loading, or positive-seal side access (PSSA). They can also be used as replacements in housings and track systems produced by other manufacturers, the company said.

The modules are fully welded and constructed without adhesive to eliminate the possibility of off-gassing, Camfil said. They include a unique moulded mesh to allow the use of a full range of loose-fill media without shedding, it said. Many applications will require multiple molecular media to address a range of contaminants. The different media should be deployed in a series of layered modules. This layered approach will provide the highest removal efficiency, the longest life, and the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO), as each media can be changed when it reaches the end of its useful life, it said, adding that a blended-media, on the other hand, requires all the media to be replaced when just a single component has failed.

ASHRAE, IUVA sign MoU

ATLANTA, Georgia, 12 May 2021: ASHRAE and the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizing the relationship between the two organizations, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

Charles E Gulledge III, 2020-21 ASHRAE President, and Ron Hofmann, President, IUVA, signed the MoU in April to further specify the path forward, ASHRAE said. The agreement defines parameters by which ASHRAE and IUVA will work cooperatively to promote the advancement of emerging research and technologies to support a more sustainable built-environment, ASHRAE further said.

“Establishing and maintaining improved indoor environmental quality is the bedrock of ASHRAE’s sustainability mission, and the use of ultraviolet technology is a critical component towards addressing the challenges of minimizing the spread of infectious diseases,” Gulledge said. “We are pleased to partner with IUVA, as we collectively support research and new innovations to further our vision on a sustainable built environment for all.”

Hofmann added: “With a focus on the science and engineering of UV technology, IUVA members are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with ASHRAE to enhance the knowledge base and application of UV in the built environment. While the technology is already well established, the urgency of addressing the global pandemic has raised the profile of UV, and our partnership with ASHRAE promises to help develop the necessary data, protocols, guidelines, and standards to ensure its continued effective, safe use.”

According to ASHRAE, the MoU includes, but is not limited to, the following initiatives related to development of ANSI certifiable standards and related source documents:

• Test and measurements on specific pathogens across a specified light spectrum (e.g., antimicrobial UV-C: 200nm – 280nm) and in specified mediums (e.g., aerosols, large droplets, surface – dry & wet, in aqueous solution, pristine & soiled)
• Test and measurements on efficacy outcomes for antimicrobial UV-C devices and systems in specified, well defined testing environments (e.g., simulated hospital rooms, equipped and arranged in a standardized configuration, with predetermined numbers and locations of sampling points)
• Test and measurements on efficacy outcomes for antimicrobial UV-C devices and systems installed in ‘upper room’ HVAC applications
• Standards and guidelines that establish the minimum requirements for commissioning permanently installed UV antimicrobial systems in existing and newly constructed facilities
• Standard and guidelines for the application of UV disinfection of water used in cooling towers to control spread of bacteria, such as Legionella, algae and fungi into the building HVAC system

ASHRAE said that in addition to these research and publication development initiatives, ASHRAE’s and IUVA’s other areas of potential collaboration include general advocacy, joint conferences and meetings, consistent leadership communication, education and professional development, technical activities coordination and research.

Systemair Group announces changes in management team

SKINNSKATTEBERG, Sweden, 12 May 2021:Bjørn-Osvald Skandsen, Managing Director, Systemair Norway, has joined as member of Systemair Group Management, starting May 12, Systemair Group said through a Press release.

According to Systemair Group, Skandsen has many years of experience in the ventilation industry and in Systemair. Before re-joining Systemair in March 2018 as Managing Director, he was holding a director’s positions in GK Inneklima – a technical ventilation contractor in Norway. Even earlier in his professional life, from 2000 to 2006, he had headed the Systemair Group’s technical support department and domestic sales in Sweden. Skandsen holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA in brand management. He currently serves as board member of VKE, which is an organisation for ventilation and cooling companies in Norway.

“Bjørn-Osvald is an enthusiastic and loyal business leader, with a strong passion for new technology and modern trade,” said Roland Kasper, CEO, Systemair. “I am convinced he will be a good asset to the management of Systemair. He will take a special responsibility for our heating division Frico – an area where he has good knowledge and previous experience.”

ASHRAE publishes updated health care facility ventilation standard

ATLANTA, Georgia, 11 May 2021: ASHRAE has released an updated edition of ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said the standard offers guidance, regulation and mandates to designers of health care facilities.

The 2021 edition, ASHRAE said, delivers critical guidance for designers and operators of these front-line facilities and incorporates 17 addenda to the 2017 edition of the standard.

According to ASHRAE, changes include:

• Expanded requirements to allow airborne infectious isolation room exhaust discharge to general exhaust under certain conditions
• Revised scope, with improved guidance on thermal comfort conditions
• Extensive modifications to address the Outpatient and Residential sections
• Extensive revisions to air filtration requirements
• Addition of new columns in the ventilation tables to prescribe filtration requirement and designate unoccupied turndown
• Expanded guidance on separation distance requirements for varied intake and exhaust arrangements, coordinating with related ASHRAE Standard 62.1 data
• Improved guidance related to behavioral and mental health

Carel signs agreement to acquire 51% of CFM Soğutma

BRUGINE, Padua, Italy, 10 May 2021: Carel Industries, on May 5, signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of 51% of CFM Soğutma ve Otomasyon A.Ş., a long-standing distributor and partner in Turkey as well as a provider of digital and on-field services and solutions dedicated to OEMs, contractors and end users in the Turkish HVACR market.

CFM’s workforce, based in its 6,500-square-metre Izmir facility, in Turkey, numbers 34, half of whom are part of the technical and engineering team, Carel said.

With major expertise in thermodynamics, mechanics, control and connectivity, CFM offers complete solutions, starting from system design and technical support, during the start-up phase of the plants, up to the remote monitoring and supervision service, Carel said. The offer, which is based on the proposal of the best brands and includes software development and customisation, customer training in its Academy as well as energy management services, allows CFM to stand out significantly, Carel said.

According to Carel, CFM has created a unique business model, demonstrated by its high rate of customer loyalty, its long-standing relationships with the country’s main retail chains and its particularly high profitability.

A peculiar feature of CFM is also that it invoices almost all its sales in euros, thereby protecting itself from fluctuations in the local currency, Carel pointed out. In 2020, CFM reported revenues of 14.5 million euros and EBITDA of five million euros, it said. It is expected that at the time of the closing of the operation the net financial position will be slightly positive, it pointed out.

Carel said the transaction is aligned with two of its key strategic directions: geographical expansion outside western Europe and the development of the services business – on-field and digital. The acquisition, the company said, will allow it to not only establish a direct presence in the important Turkish market and to have a solid platform for the development of its Middle East market but also to adopt a distinctive business model, characterised by a wide range of complementary services. The transaction will also allow it to further develop its potential in synergy with its hardware, IoT and thermodynamic competence, it said. After having established its success in the refrigeration sector, CFM, in fact, has extensive growth potential in air conditioning and humidification, it added.

The closing of the part-acquisition is expected by the end of July 2021 and is subject to obtaining the approval for the transaction from the local antitrust authorities, and meeting other conditions precedent that are characteristic of this type of agreement, Carel said. With this transaction, Carel said, it will take control of the Turkish company through the acquisition of 51% of the share capital of CFM, with an enterprise value of 23.1 million euros for the stake. The acquisition of the remaining 49% of CFM, the valuation of which is tied to the Turkish company’s future results, is governed by a cross-option mechanism between the parties, exercisable between 2024 and 2027, Carel said. This structure in which the current management is heavily involved in the company in the medium term, it added, ensures a complete alignment of interests during the integration period of CFM into CAREL.

BACnet International welcomes Netix Global as newest member

DUBAI, UAE; Atlanta, United States, 9 May 2021: BACnet International said Netix Global has become the latest company to join the BACnet community as a Gold member. Headquartered in Hoofdorp, in the Netherlands, Netix is a IoT- and AI-based advanced building automation systems provider, whose products and solutions include BAS/BMS, metering and energy savings, enterprise security and smart city integration.

“Netix is a fast-growing company that would continue to be associated with bespoke and globally accepted testing bodies like BACnet International,” said Sanjeevv Bhatia, CEO, Netix. “It gives customers and stakeholders the necessary confidence for ready acceptance, especially in newer markets.”

Netix said it joins more than 150 leading building automation suppliers as BACnet International members, supporting the promotion of BACnet as a global communications protocol. Andy McMillan, President and Managing Director, BACnet International, said: “Netix is a wonderful fit for the BACnet International community. They are taking advantage of new technologies to further enhance building automation capabilities in data analytics and energy management, which are critical to effectively and efficiently managing facilities in smart city solutions.”

Fifty million more people face heat-related risks

VIENNA, Austria, 5 May 2021: In a warming world, access to sustainable cooling is not a luxury. It is essential for productivity, a healthy diet and the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. Today 1.09 billion vulnerable people are at high risk, because they face a range of cooling access challenges. COVID-19 has intensified the situation with those forced into poverty due to the pandemic contributing to the 50 million additional urban and rural poor at high risk in 2021. Meanwhile, another 2.3 billion from the lower-middle income group face a different risk – inefficient cooling and refrigeration options that increase harmful GHG levels. Across 54 high-impact countries, 3.4 billion people face cooling access risks in 2021.

The Chilling Prospects 2021 report released today by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) analyses the four populations of urban and rural poor, lower-middle income and middle income in 54 high-impact countries, and reveals that global cooling access risks are on the rise. This is due, in part, to the first global poverty increase seen in 20 years, impacting mostly South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, 2020 was one of the hottest years on record, with numerous heatwaves recorded causing wildfires that emitted record amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

“Last year was, without a doubt, a challenging one for all of us, and as the pandemic continues, it is essential more than ever to focus our efforts on increasing energy access,” said Francesco Starace, Chair, SEforALL Administration Board; Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Enel. “Coupled with the effects of climate change, our agendas should prioritise an inclusive energy transition and deliver access to sustainable cooling to support health, economic, and social recovery, especially in areas at high risk. Together, we must tackle the complexity of today’s challenges and commit to achieving with great speed and scale access to clean, sustainable, and affordable energy for everyone throughout the world.”

Challenges, impacts on vulnerable populations

Lack of access to adequate cold chains for life-saving COVID-19 vaccines is one of the most immediate concerns facing developing countries and, indeed, the world. The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts that 85 poor countries will not have widespread access to COVID-19 vaccines before 2023, including all African economies, except Gabon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco and South Africa.

Dunli launches X-Pro axial fans

Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China 3 May 2021: Dunli has launched the X-Pro series of axial fans, which the company described in a Press release as designed to feature the latest rear guide vane and three-dimensional flow impeller.

The range covers a variety of impeller diameters, including 500mm, 630mm, 710mm, 800mm and 900mm, Dunli said. The maximum static pressure efficiency is up to 56%, and the air volume is as high as 35,000m³/h, the company claimed. The noise and range – throw distance – are able to perform significantly better than the equivalent fans from the motor fan industry all over the world, the company further claimed.

According to Dunli, the X-Pro fans can be used on a variety of HVAC equipment, such as air coolers, air-cooled heat exchange modules, heat pumps and cooling towers. This X-Pro series, Dunli said, is reliable, lends itself to easy installation and maintenance and is convenient to control.

Valmet to deliver multi-fuel boiler plant to Veolia

ESPOO, Finland, 2 May 2021: Valmet will deliver a multi-fuel boiler plant to Veolia Energie ČR, in Prerov, in the Czech Republic, the Finland-headquartered company said through a Press release. The new boiler will replace an old coal-fired unit and strengthen Veolia’s strategy to move toward more environmentally friendly production of district heat and electricity, Valmet added. Valmet said the order was included in its orders received in the first quarter of 2021. Typically, the value of this kind of order is EUR 35-40 million, it said. The boiler plant will be taken over by the customer in January 2023, it added.

“We chose Valmet based on the criteria of public procurement, in other words, on the combination of price and operational costs for 15 years,” says Jaromir Novak, Head of Technical Department, Veolia Energie ČR. “Valmet has a high number of running references and long experience with boilers. That is why we trust Valmet and already cherish our future relationship.”

Jari Niemelä, Director, Boilers and Gasifiers, Valmet, said: “This is yet another great example of how Valmet can support decarbonization in the energy sector. We will even reuse the existing boiler house to help reduce not only CO₂ emissions from energy production but also from constructing the power plant. With flexible use of biomass and waste in all possible mixtures, the plant is fit for the challenging energy transition.”

Valmet said its delivery scope includes a 40 MW_th Valmet BFB Boiler, utilising bubbling fluidised bed combustion technology. The boiler steam production is 52 t/h at 4.2 MPa(g) and 420 degrees C, it said. The multifuel boiler is designed to run from 0 to 100% on refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and/or biomass, it added.

Additionally, Valmet said, the delivery includes a flue gas cleaning system, refurbishment of an existing steel structure and its modification, electrification and instrumentation as well as an upgrade of an existing automation system.

ASHRAE supports USGBC IAQ schools survey and report

ATLANTA, Georgia, 29 April 2021: With technical support from ASHRAE, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) published a new report on indoor air quality (IAQ) measures that schools have taken in response to the pandemic, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

The report, titled “Preparation in the Pandemic: How Schools Implemented Air Quality Measures to Protect Occupants from COVID-19”, presents the survey responses of school districts representing more than 4,000 schools serving over 2.5 million students in 24 states, on the protocols and operations plans implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“Maintaining proper ventilation and good indoor air quality are vital in keeping school buildings healthy and operating as energy efficiently as possible,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III. “This report provides a wide-scale, foundational framework to school leaders and lawmakers alike towards the implementation of new building design guidelines and to advance health and sustainability goals, while instilling confidence in the places where people learn.”

According to ASHRAE, the report is the only known national view of air quality measures implemented in schools during the pandemic. It highlights what school districts have prioritized, which actions they have taken, how they have made decisions and what the consequences have been. The results of the survey show that schools have implemented some protective measures to improve IAQ, prioritizing ventilation and filtration to reduce the transmission of the virus, ASHRAE said. However, school districts still have unmet needs and face numerous challenges related to costs and outdated building infrastructure, ASHRAE added.

“Indoor air quality continues to be a critical concern as more teachers and students are returning to the classroom,” said Anisa Heming, Director of the Center for Green Schools, USGBC. “Increasing clean air circulation for our teachers and students is vital to promoting public health and is a key green building strategy for school buildings. Our aim with this report is to inform policymakers and nonprofits that support our schools of the challenges that our education institutions face in combatting the spread of COVID-19, particularly given the deficient state of many school buildings across the country.”

Additional findings from the survey include:

• The most-frequently-cited challenge to implementing protective air quality measures at schools was that school buildings were not designed to support the strategies that were being recommended.
• School districts that have been able to act have leaned heavily on their mechanical systems, such as increasing air supply through HVAC systems or upgrading filters to implement protective air quality measures for students and teachers.
• Only two-thirds of respondents were regularly monitoring IAQ before the pandemic, indicating that providing time, staff and funding for regular monitoring and data collection has not been a priority for many districts in the past.
• Respondents want to continue the measures implemented during the pandemic, citing student and teacher health. Seventy per cent of school districts plan to continue some or all of the strategies they have implemented.

“As schools re-open and develop health and safety plans to mitigate airborne transmission of COVID-19, many are prioritizing and upgrading current HVAC systems to provide the highest indoor air quality for building occupants,” said Corey Metzger, Lead, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Schools Team. “We know that improved indoor air quality has a positive impact on student performance and general well-being, and I’m hopeful that more schools will consider and implement the guidance provided by ASHRAE.”

Carrier launches Abound

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, 27 April 2021: Carrier Global Corporation on April 26 launched Abound, which it described in a Press release as a new cloud-native platform, as part of its growing investment in digital solutions designed to give people confidence in the health and safety of their indoor environments. Abound is an open-technology platform that aggregates data from different systems and sensors and provides building owners, operators and occupants transparency into relevant and contextual insights about air quality, thermal comfort and other performance data, the company said.

“Abound will transform a building owner’s ability to optimize the indoor environment, boosting the confidence of each visitor and occupant,” said Dave Gitlin, Chairman & CEO, Carrier. “The access to real-time actionable data for indoor air quality and other building systems and sensors embodies the future of building health and performance for customers around the globe. With this launch, we are moving closer to establishing industry standards that will provide owners, operators and occupants greater confidence in their indoor spaces.”

According to Carrier, Abound is a cloud-native offering that uses advanced technology to make building environments more intelligent, efficient and responsive. It connects directly to existing building systems and sensors with no need for upgrades, retrofitting or replacements. And, unlike other building management platforms, Abound is designed to easily work with all systems regardless of manufacturer, to unlock and unite siloed data to provide more powerful, actionable insights, Carrier claimed. The platform can be rapidly installed and scaled and showcases data on a single pane of glass and via remote readings, the company added.

According to Carrier, a hallmark feature of the platform is the ability for building operators to benchmark building performance related to air quality, ventilation and humidity against the thresholds identified by certain air features within the WELL Building Standard (WELL) from the International WELL Building Institute, which works for achieving healthy buildings. Building owners will have the ability to display real-time information and messaging about a building’s health through the Abound application programming interface (API), which can be used to create digital wallboards and support mobile experiences, Carrier said.

“We’re proud that the thresholds in the Abound platform are based on the WELL Building Standard’s air quality features, helping Carrier to make something as invisible as air quality more visible and actionable,” said Rachel Hodgdon, IWBI’s President and CEO. “This platform will help streamline pathways for customers to measure, communicate and report their progress toward WELL Certification, advancing IWBI’s overall mission to advance people first places around the world.”

According to Carrier, Abound is currently being piloted across the United States, with customers in the commercial building, K-12 education and sports and entertainment industries, including Trust Park, home to the Atlanta Braves. It is also operating at Carrier’s world headquarters and building technology showcase, the Center for Intelligent Buildings in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

“We are thrilled to participate in the pilot of the Abound platform to give fans a safer and more informed spectator experience,” said Jim Allen, Senior Vice President of Corporate and Premium Partnerships for the Atlanta Braves. “The visual displays strategically placed throughout the stadium will provide our guests a real-time look at how our systems are working together to improve air quality. Sports bring people together, and the game just isn’t the same without our incredible fans here at the ballpark and we’re excited to welcome them back.”

While a tool for building owners, Abound was designed with building occupants and the general public in mind, Carrier said. It will make the invisible – air quality – visible through a smart, simple interface, and using its API and responsive display generators, building owners can communicate building health strategies, health performance metrics or the live indoor air quality summary through in-building digital displays, mobile applications or existing digital experiences.

“The launch of Abound underscores Carrier’s leadership in digital innovation and ability to move quickly to exceed our customers’ needs,” said Bobby George, Senior Vice President & Chief Digital Officer, Carrier. “The platform came together in a fraction of a year, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team. Abound’s platform architecture was designed around open standards and modern cloud native technologies and can quickly adapt to a wide range of integration and connectivity and scaling needs. The platform is comprehensive and delivers value to our customers through the complete integration of software, hardware and digital analytics.”

ASHRAE launches Vision 2030 webpage

ATLANTA, Georgia, 27 April 2021: ASHRAE announced the launch of its Vision 2030 webpage (ashrae.org/vision2030).

As technology continues to improve every aspect of the built-environment, ASHRAE’s Vision 2030 is committed to leading, serving and providing all professionals in the buildings industry with the resources and knowledge to continually drive the innovative and strategic improvements needed during the revolution of the built-environment, ASHRAE said.

“The Vision 2030 webpage provides guidance to support intelligent design, construction, and operation for a more adaptable and resilient built environment,” said 2018-19 ASHRAE Presidential Member and Vision 2030 Chair Shelia J. Hayter. “We believe that the contributions of the Vision 2030 team will serve as a powerful resource to industry professionals and the general public alike.”

According to ASHRAE, the webpage features the following five sections:

• Connected Communities
• Built-Environment
• Data and Integration
• Team Processes
• Member Services
• Resources

Members of the Vision 2030 team, ASHRAE said, are as follows:

• Sheila J. Hayter, P.E., Presidential Fellow ASHRAE, chair, ASHRAE Vision 2030
• Thomas H. Phoenix, P.E., BEMP, Presidential Fellow ASHRAE, vice chair, ASHRAE Vision 2030
• Chip Branscum, PE, LEED AP, ASHRAE Vision 2030 Ad Hoc Committee
• Robin Bryant, ASHRAE Director & Regional Chair Region XII
• Jayson Bursill, Ph.D.
• Michael Cooper, P.E., ASHRAE Headquarters Building Ad-hoc Committee
• Drury B. Crawley, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, BEMP, FIBPSA, chair, ASHRAE Standards Committee, AIA
• Christopher M. Gray, Ph.D., P.E.
• William R. MacGowan
• Tim J. McGinn, P.Eng., HBDP, ASHRAE Vice President
• Francis A. Mills
• Daniel H. Nall, P.E., FAIA, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED^® Fellow, BEMP, HBDP, CPHC
• Lan Chi Nguyen Weekes, ing., P.Eng., chair, ASHRAE Multidisciplinary Task Group Health and Wellness in the Built Environment
• Joe Noworatzky Ed.D., ASHRAE Foundation Trustee
• W. Andrew Perrin, BASc
• Chandra Sekhar, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, ASHRAE Director-at-Large, Distinguished Lecturer
• Manish K. Sharma
• Jiri Skopek

“Cool Careers” webinars planned for World Refrigeration Day

ASTON ON TRENT, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, 23 April 2021: A series of webinars focusing on the cool careers that make the world better are coming in June to celebrate World Refrigeration Day, June 26, the World Refrigeration Day Secretariat said through a Press release.

The Secretariat said it will partner with seven organisations to make students and young professionals globally aware of career opportunities in fields relying on refrigeration technology.

By way of listing the issues expected to come up for discussion in June, the Secretariat posed the following questions: Who researches how food can be preserved from its source to the table and how vaccines and medicines can be shipped around the world? Who enables data centres to function? How can climate change be stabilised while not sacrificing modern convenience? Who safely manages the processes that enable air to be cooled? How can the quality of indoor air be improved, and disease transmission prevented?

The people, “cooling champions,” and the careers that make modern life possible will be spotlighted in “cool careers” webinars over two weeks in June, the Secretariat said.

Organised as part of the day’s 2021 campaign theme, “Cooling Champions: Cool Careers for a Better World”, the webinars will be conducted by groups whose networks reach into developed and developing nations, the Secretariat said. Campaign partners are UNEP OzonAction, ASHRAE, EPEE, FAIAR, IIR, ISHRAE and U-3ARC, it added. The objective is to inspire students and those early in their career path to join the more than 15 million people worldwide currently employed in the refrigeration sector, making the world better, it further added.

“Partnering with these organizations enables the refrigeration industry to reach out globally, with particular emphasis on developing countries, to expand the workforce that supports life-giving and society-dependent technologies,” said Steve Gill, Founder & Head, World Refrigeration Day Secretariat. “Opportunities within the industry abound for young people with a wide range of career aspirations. Advanced cooling technologies provide them with a profession that improves life in their communities and in the world as a whole.”

According to the Secretariat, each campaign partner will target career opportunities with webinars in the language common within that network. Special emphasis will be given to sectors that are commonly less known, like Cold Chain, Refrigerant Management, Indoor Air-Quality, Sustainability, Heat Pumps, and Not-in-Kind Technologies. Gender equality and promoting women in cooling careers will be highlighted in this year’s campaign as well, it said, adding that the schedule of webinars and topics will be available in the coming weeks at www.worldrefrigerationday.org.

Carel launches pCOe

BRUGINE, Padua, Italy, 22 April 2021: Carel said it has widened its range of I/O expansions in the first part of 2021 with the development of a new digital input expansion board. I/O expansions are modules that can be added to a typical air conditioning application, to increase the number of inputs and outputs available on the controller and, consequently, optimise the flexibility and modularity of the solutions, the company explained through a Press release for the purpose of making the announcement of the launch.

Carel said one of the most common uses of the digital input expansion board involves ventilation sections comprising several fans with electronic motors; in this case, the speed of the individual devices needs to be monitored in order to check their operating status and act on the other fans accordingly, if one of them fails. Carel said it has for many years now offered all of the tools needed to support large systems, such as air-handling units or dry coolers, in which the fans are equipped with electronics that communicate via Modbus^®, making it possible to directly monitor their operating status.

However, units that are smaller in size and capacity have simpler and more economical fans that do not feature serial communication and provide a pulse signal based on the rotation speed, which can be read by fast digital inputs, Carel said. This is the basis for the development of its new digital input expansion board, which the company described as an ideal solution for all cases where numerous digital inputs – including fast inputs up to 500 Hz – need to be read, however, while limiting the total number of I/Os and space required, adding only those that are needed.

One typical example involves so-called “in row units” used for cooling data centres. The highly compact units do not require complex device control architecture or specific sensors for their operation, Carel said. These feature a single ventilation section with at least eight fans in parallel, which need to be monitored individually. In this case, reading the signal is a simple and effective way to verify operation, as well as being a more economical solution than installing expensive air flow-rate sensors, Carel said.

The new expansion board, Carel said, features a high number of digital inputs to ensure maximum flexibility in different applications. This is essential on units where the main controller features a limited number of inputs and outputs, while multiple digital inputs need to be connected, for example to detect alarms or various signals.

The entire range of I/O expansions, Carel said, can be integrated into solutions based on the CAREL pCO and c.pCO programmable controller platforms, or into architecture using different controllers.

Green Building Alliance, UN’s partners receive International Climate Initiative Award

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, 21 April 2021: Green Building Alliance (GBA) announced an international collaboration led by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to develop a USD 24 million project to improve the energy efficiency of the global building supply chain and its products to deliver high performance buildings. The International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety awarded this project, signaling the advancement of a planning phase and full proposal. The launch of the project was announced on April 21 by Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker at the UNECE’s 69^th Commission meeting.

According to GBS, the award solidifies the Greater Pittsburgh region as a global leader in the expeditious innovation of technologies, products and training aimed at curbing carbon emissions and creating healthy, sustainable buildings. The project presents an opportunity to work with international leaders in the field to identify solutions and strategies, and then implement best practices for the Pittsburgh region. GBA said the IKI award, in conjunction with Pittsburgh’s designation as a UN International Center of Excellence on High Performance Building, confirms GBA as a leader in providing solutions to improve the built environment thereby positively impacting climate change, human health, social equity, and a thriving economy.

“Funding high-performance buildings and retrofitting existing buildings can rapidly reinvigorate local economies, supporting or creating quality jobs through the entire building supply chain while delivering on long-term quality of life for everyone,” said Scott Foster, Director of Sustainable Energy, UNECE, about this innovative work. “Given its size and its history both as a coal-mining and steel-making center and as an example of urban rebirth, Pittsburgh has a lot to offer the cities of the world in terms of its experience and know-how.”

GBA said it is eager to begin the important work. “It is an honor to play such an important role in the US commitment to climate and infrastructure and the need to rapidly transform the building industry,” said Jenna Cramer, Executive Director, GBA. “We have an opportunity to build upon our 28-year history of making Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania region a leadership hub for green buildings and sustainable products. This project is part of our efforts with the Greater Pittsburgh International Center of Excellence, a public private partnership that uniquely positions organizations, researchers, companies, and governments to collectively problem-solve for our region’s future while also connecting on a global platform to share best practices and advance solutions.”

According to GBA, the building and construction sector plays a key role in addressing global issues, including significant emissions reductions, improved energy security and increased circular economy. The sector is integral to achieving the Paris Agreement goals, as it is responsible for approximately 40% of energy- and process-related emissions. The project kick-off will take place in May 2021. Led by UNECE, other partners include UN Environment, UN Development Programme (UNDP) offices in select countries, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), Passivhaus Institute (Germany), and the Technical University of Denmark. GBA is the only partner in the United States.

The Greater Pittsburgh Center of Excellence current partners include Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PJ Dick, Fourth Economy, Duquesne Light, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Covestro, Partner4Work, Innovation Works, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, other nonprofits, and professionals.

President Biden invites JCI’s CEO to speak at Leaders Summit on Climate

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, 21 April 2021: Johnson Controls (JCI) announced that George Oliver, its Chairman and CEO has been invited by U.S. President Joe Biden to participate in the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate.

Making the announcement through a Press release, JCI said the summit will bring together leaders of the world’s major economies and other vital partners for an urgent and open dialog on ways to strengthen collective efforts to address the climate crisis. President Biden has made tackling climate change a top national priority since taking office and is urging other world leaders to attend the summit to discuss how their governments will help drive the goal of limiting global temperature rise.

“I am honored to accept President Biden`s invitation to join him and other world leaders calling for urgent climate action,” Oliver said. “It is especially important to establish a roadmap to limiting the rise of global temperatures as we get closer to the COP26 climate conference, scheduled for November in Glasgow. Transitioning to a lower-carbon economy is an opportunity to build back better, as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing clean, sustainable and energy-efficient solutions creates jobs while building strong, resilient global economies.”

According to the White House, a major theme of the summit will be the broad economic benefits of climate action, with a strong focus on job creation. This will explore both the economic benefits of green recovery and long-term decarbonization and the importance of ensuring that all communities and workers benefit from the transition to a clean energy economy.

Representing both Business Roundtable and Johnson Controls, Oliver will address these topics in a session on April 23 as well as the role buildings can play to slash both emissions and costs, JCI said.

Business Roundtable is an association of chief executive officers of America’s leading companies. According to JCI, Oliver was named Chair of the Business Roundtable Energy & Environment Committee in January this year. The Committee is dedicated to advancing policies that encourage innovation and support an environmentally and economically sustainable future.

The vast majority of Business Roundtable’s 223-member CEOs have made public commitments to reduce their companies’ greenhouse gas emissions/carbon footprints, are making serious progress and reporting on it publicly. Nearly half of those commitments are for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, if not sooner.

According to JCI, Business Roundtable members are playing a significant role in driving ambitious climate action and the policy needed to spur low-carbon economic growth. Last September, JCI said, the organization endorsed the goals of the Paris Agreement and proposed aggressive policies to achieve those goals.

JCI said its own ambitious emissions reductions targets were recently approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative – an independent organization that assesses corporate sustainability claims. JCI said that as part of its environmental sustainability commitments, it aims to cut operational emissions by 55% and reduce customers’ emissions by 16% before 2030. It said it believes its OpenBlue platform for optimizing building sustainability will be central to fulfilling these goals and ultimately creating an environment for healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet.

JCI said it also recently joined the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign and is a signatory to The Climate Pledge, an initiative of business leaders co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. Signatories to the pledge commit to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the Paris Climate Agreement goal.

Eurovent Middle East joins Cool Coalition

DUBAI, UAE, 20 April 2021: Eurovent Middle East has become a member of the Cool Coalition, a global initiative led by UN Environment and the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Programme, the HVACR industry association said through a Press release. The initiative promotes a holistic and cross-sectoral approach to meet the cooling needs of industrialised and developing countries through better building design, energy efficiency, renewables, and thermal storage as well as phasing down refrigerants with a high global warming potential, Eurovent said.

The Cool Coalition is a global multi-stakeholder network that connects a wide range of key actors from governments, cities, international organisations, businesses, finance, academia and civil society groups to facilitate knowledge exchange, advocacy and joint action towards a rapid global transition to efficient and climate-friendly cooling. The Cool Coalition is currently working with over 100 partners, including 23 countries.

Markus Lattner, Managing Director, Eurovent Middle East, said: “The Middle East stands like no other region for the essential role of cooling and refrigeration for a successful socio-economic development. Eurovent Middle East has been established to provide crucial coordination between governments, industry and service providers and to build up competence in cooling and refrigeration within the region. We have joined the Cool Coalition, as we fully believe that it will be by cooperation and collaboration that we are able to transform societies towards a responsible and sustainable use of resources. We are proud to join other organisations from our region and strengthen the role of the Middle East in this global initiative.“

Lily Riahi, Cool Coalition Coordinator at UNEP, said: “To put the cooling sector on a path to net-zero emissions, we need everyone on board. The Cool Coalition is thrilled to welcome Eurovent Middle East among its members. Together, we can transform the sector and put it on a path to decarbonisation, in line to global climate targets and sustainable development goals.”

Craft makes first complete R-290 commercial system

SAN DIEGO, California, 13 April 2021: US-based contract manufacturer, Craft said it has designed its first complete propane (R-290) refrigeration system that includes a condenser, compressor and evaporator for a US-based display case OEM, Hydrocarbons21.com reported on its Web site.

It is the latest move by Craft in the R-290 commercial refrigeration space, where it has stepped up its investment in the past year, Hydrocarbons21.com said.

The OEM, which had approached Craft about making the R-290 system, will begin marketing the cabinet “in the next few months,” said Dean Rafiee, Partner and Managing Director, Craft. “We will go into mass production by July.” He declined to name the OEM without their permission, Hydrocarbons21.com said. Craft, which focuses primarily on the North American market, will also manufacture its own version of the R-290 refrigeration system over the next few months, Hydrocarbons21.com quoted Rafiee as saying.

According to Hydrocarbons21.com, since 2016, Craft has manufactured Thermocraft R-290 condensing units for retail cabinets and other applications, first under the SF line and, then, the more efficient EH line. R-290 condensing units comprise about 10% of the condensing units manufactured by Craft, which also makes units for HFO blends R-448A, R-449A and R-513, and for R-404A, Hydrocarbons21.com said.

However, Rafiee sees a “big trend” to R-290 refrigeration among Craft’s OEM customers, Hydrocarbons21.com said. “The number of clients contacting us for R290 is amazing,” Rafiee said. “They see that’s where the future is headed, and they want to be there with the right products.”

Over the past year, Craft has been preparing for that future by making a “significant investment” in its manufacturing capability for R-290 products, along with testing chambers and charging functionality, Hydrocarbons21.com said.

“We see [HFO blends] as a transitional fluid, which is why we have invested so much in R-290 over the past year,” he said. “We are always directing our clients to R-290, to make an early investment, so later on they can compete in the marketplace.”

Hydrocarbons21.com quoted Rafiee as saying that R-290 compressor manufacturers, especially Embraco, “have taken the efficiency of R-290 compressors to the next level”. Craft employs Embraco and Cubigel (Huayi) compressors in its EH line of R290 condensing units, Hydrocarbons21.com said.

Craft’s EH Series R290 single-speed, air-cooled condensing units range from 1/5 to 3/4HP and are available for medium/high and low temperatures, Hydrocarbons21.com said, adding that they feature EC motors and condensers with 7mm tubes that “optimize the charge of refrigerant gas required,”

AHRI, others petition EPA on HFC phase-down rule

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 13 April 2021: The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration institute (AHRI) today joined more than 35 other industry and environmental organizations in petitioning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking uniform national standards for stationary air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment in the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. If promulgated, these standards will result in an additional half billion tons of CO₂ reduction, over and above what already is projected to be achieved by implementation of the AIM Act, AHRI said through a Press release.

The federal standards sought by the AHRI petition align with similar standards already in place in nine states. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) submitted similar petitions under the AIM Act, AHRI pointed out.

For new residential and light-commercial central air conditioning equipment, the petition, AHRI said, seeks a regulation requiring that equipment manufacturers use refrigerants with a global warming potential (GWP) of 750 or less in equipment made after January 1, 2025, with the exception of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) equipment, whose deadline would be January 1, 2026. These transition dates would align the country with the dates adopted in December 2020 by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and nine additional Climate Alliance states, AHRI said.

For commercial refrigeration and chiller equipment, the petition seeks the GWP limits and transition dates according to the table below:

Through these petitions, AHRI said, a broad variety of stakeholders, including itself, hope to demonstrate that sufficient consensus already exists and that a regular notice and comment rulemaking would adequately represent all material interests, thereby allowing the agency to forego the negotiated rulemaking process it must consider – but is not required to undertake – for such petitions, pursuant to the AIM Act.

AHRI said its petition emphasizes that as a general matter, “the U.S. HVACR industry already is proceeding with the requested transition date as its goal; granting this petition provides order and structure to the market and streamlines industry preparation”.

The transition dates contained in its petition, AHRI said, allow “sufficient time for careful planning and preparation, both to avoid excessive costs that can unduly burden consumers, and to ensure all safety and other associated standards can be met”, according to the petition. “For example, contractors and technicians must receive appropriate training, state and local building codes must be updated and changed, and supply chains and distribution networks must be modified,” AHRI said.

“While AHRI has long believed that an earlier transition would not allow enough time for manufacturers to prepare, we have been equally clear that a later transition date would put long-term compliance with the AIM Act at risk,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI President & CEO. “Aligning these dates also reduces costs for consumers and ensures long-term availability of energy-, environment-, and life-saving refrigerants for climate control and for the cold chain for food, vaccines, and other medicines.”

AHRI, the U.S. Department of Energy, CARB and other stakeholders have invested more than USD 7 million in research into alternative refrigerants in preparation for this transition, AHRI said, These more climate-friendly alternatives, it added, are in use today in Europe, Australia, Japan, Thailand and in more than 90% of new passenger vehicles currently sold in the United States.

DriSteem introduces new humidifier

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, 12 April 2021: DriSteem introduced its RTS humidifier RX series, which it described through a Press release as a compact, elegant, cabinet-style, resistive-to-steam humidifier that is ideal for any application where reliable humidity control is needed.

For added application flexibility, the company said, there are 21 models to choose from, with capacities up to 324 lbs/hr (147 kg/h). In addition, the standard single stage solid state relay (SSR) control allows for a tight range of relative humidity control, keeping it within +/- 1 % RH, the company added.

According to DriSteem, the RX series offers a number of features that make it stand out against other steam humidifiers in the market:

• Removable front covers with quarter-turn latches that allow easy one-sided access to the tank and electrical connections
• Large clean-out and heater plate for easy access when cleaning the tank
• DriSteem’s programmable smart drain and scale management technology, which adjusts drain intervals automatically based on water quality:
  • Removes precipitated minerals from the tank
  • Skimming removes foam and suspended minerals
• Matching Space Distribution Units that disperse steam with no visible vapor trail (SDU-I-RX)
• Functionality of Vapor-logic controller with an intuitive touchscreen interface:
  • Start-up wizard for simplified setup; scan QR codes to access product manuals
  • Color-coded alerts to reduce down-time and technical calls
  • Contextual Help link on every screen
  • Standard BACnet connectivity
• Indoor and outdoor models
• Wide voltage ranges
• International approvals
• EN1717-compliant for protection of potable water supplies from pollution caused by back-flow

“The new RX series,” said Mysty Hanson, DriSteem Product Manager, “offers a next generation breakthrough in our resistive steam humidifiers, with ease of maintenance, installation flexibility, and environmental protection, while continuing DriSteem’s legacy of sustained quality and dependability.”

Johnson Controls releases 2021 Sustainability Report

CORK, Ireland, 10 April 2021: Johnson Controls on April 9 published its 2021 Sustainability Report, highlighting its new environmental, social and governance commitments and progress towards the company’s sustainability goals, the company said through a Press release.

George Oliver, Chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls, said: “At Johnson Controls, sustainability is our business. This year saw us continue to pioneer new and important paths to sustainability, including our issuance of a green bond in the U.S. capital markets – among the very first industrials to do so.

“We welcome and embrace the enhanced attention and urgency around tackling climate change and making gains across environmental, social and governance pillars. We are determined to strengthen and further build our culture of diversity and inclusion.

“Our bold new sustainability commitments demonstrate we are all-in to help drive healthy buildings, healthy people and a healthy planet for our employees, shareholders, customers and all of our stakeholders.”

According to Johnson Controls, highlights of the report include:

• New ambitious sustainability commitments that outline the company’s priority to make positive changes in lowering its company footprint, such as achieving net zero carbon emissions before 2040.
• Its first-ever Sustainability Report that includes and fully integrates its first-ever diversity and inclusion report, highlighting its D&I commitment, mission, vision, pillars and progress.
• Its goal to double its customers’ emission reductions through implementation of its OpenBlue digitally enabled solutions by 2030.
• Its intention to double the representation of women leaders globally and minority leaders in the United States over the next five years.
• Its green financing initiatives, including a green bond – one of the first industrial companies to issue a green bond in U.S. debt capital markets – and a senior revolving credit facility tied to specific sustainability metrics
• Executive compensation that is linked to sustainability and diversity performance goals
• The appointment of the company’s first Chief Sustainability Officer and the formation of a Governance and Sustainability board of directors’ committee
• Performance contracting projects that have helped its customers avoid more than 30.6 million metric tons CO2e and save USD 6.6 billion through energy and operational savings since January 2000.
• Greenhouse gas emissions intensity reduction of more than 70% since 2002.
• Our commitment to The Climate Pledge, co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism, to reach net-zero

UAE, US commit to jointly tackle climate challenge

ABU DHABI, UAE, 5 April 2021: The United Arab Emirates and the United States announced their joint commitment to tackle the climate challenge in a Joint Statement that stresses the importance and urgency of raising global climate ambition. Both countries announced their intent to cooperate on new investments in financing decarbonisation across the MENA region and beyond, and to focus on assisting the most vulnerable adapt to the effects of climate change.

H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, said: “Together with the US, the UAE has affirmed that decisive, proactive climate action can be an engine for economic growth and sustainable development. Building on the legacy and experience of the UAE, which has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to sustainable development and today operates three of the world’s largest solar facilities, we will focus, together with the US, on joint efforts on renewable energy, hydrogen, industrial decarbonization, carbon capture and storage, nature-based solutions, and low-carbon urban design.

“The UAE is rich in opportunities with the world’s lowest solar power costs, and significant carbon capture investments. We look forward to sharing our experience with the international community to turn climate action into economic opportunity.”

Noting the progress made by many leading companies, both countries agreed to work closely with the private sector to mobilize the necessary investment and technology resources needed to stem the climate crisis and support the economy.

At the national level, the United States and the United Arab Emirates confirmed their intent to work towards decarbonising their economies according to their national circumstances and economic development plans, including reducing carbon emissions by 2030.

The United States and the United Arab Emirates stressed their commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and promote the success of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow.

The Joint Statement emerges from the UAE Regional Dialogue for Climate Action, held on April 4. The event convened climate leaders from across the MENA region and unveiled a new era of cooperation in the region for a future focused on prosperity through climate policy, investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth.

The Dialogue drew the participation of high-level dignitaries from across the region as well as critical global partners and organisations. Participants included COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma and US Special Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, together with ministers and high-level representatives from the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq, Sudan and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The event further reinforced the UAE’s regional climate leadership, providing a common ground for participating nations to build a shared vision for climate action ahead of COP26.

ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force releases updated airborne transmission guidance

ATLANTA, Georgia, 5 April 2021: The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force released an updated, unequivocal statement on the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in buildings, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

ASHRAE released the following statement: “Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is significant and should be controlled. Changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, can reduce airborne exposures.”

ASHRAE said the statement replaces its April 2020 statement, which said airborne transmission was “sufficiently likely” that airborne precautions should be taken. At that time both, ASHRAE said, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) contended that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was by droplet and fomite modes, not airborne. Subsequently, both have acknowledged the risk of airborne transmission indoors, ASHRAE added.

“This may seem like a small step, but we feel it is important to leave no doubt about our position, given the muted support for ventilation and filtration as important tools in the effort to stop the pandemic, from some organizations that should be leading more strongly,” said William P Bahnfleth, Chair, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force.

According to ASHRAE, the Task Force has been developing and disseminating guidance for the control of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 since its formation in March 2020.  “ASHRAE volunteers have played a huge role in evaluating evidence and developing detailed guidance to improve indoor environmental quality,” Bahnfleth said. “The public, globally, is benefitting from the volunteer efforts of some of the most knowledgeable scientists and engineers in our field and this updated guidance is proof of it.”

To view the complete airborne transmission statement and other COVID-19 resources, ASHRAE suggested visiting ashrae.org/COVID-19.

ASHRAE To host Tech Hour on building commissioning

ATLANTA, Georgia, 1 April 2021: ASHRAE premiered ‘Tech Hour #3: Commissioning’. It is presented by Jay Enck, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer of Commissioning, Green Building Solutions, Inc. and Reinhard Seidl, Principal, Taylor Engineering LLP, ASHRAE said.

The Tech Hour series, ASHRAE said, provides relevant technical content in the form of one-hour videos to members and interested individuals through the ASHRAE 365 app.

The third in the series will analyze the impact of climate change and evolving technology on commissioning of new and existing buildings, ASHRAE said. Viewers will learn about evaluating building characteristics and usage patterns that affect building energy footprint and occupant productivity, in addition to data presentation and communications to facility managers and O&M staff, it added.

According to ASHRAE, viewer learning points include:

• Understanding why commissioning existing building stock is so important.
• Important steps to reducing energy consumption.
• How new technologies help in implementing higher systems efficiency and ongoing Cx with cloud-based documentation methods and energy monitoring.

According to ASHRAE, one PDH will be available to viewers upon completion of a survey link in ASHRAE 365. Due to the cancellation of many in-person ASHRAE Chapter meetings and the DL program, the PDH period for Tech Hours has been extended through June 30, 2021, ASHRAE added.

To view ASHRAE Tech Hour videos, ASHRAE suggested downloading ASHRAE 365 on the App Store or Google Play.

UAE to host GCC and MENA regional climate dialogue

ABU DHABI, UAE, 1 April 2021: The United Arab Emirates will host the Regional Climate Dialogue for climate action on April 4 in Abu Dhabi, in advance of the Leaders Summit on Climate, to take place in Washington DC later this month and in the run up to COP26. The UAE regional dialogue will include the participation of John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and Alok Sharma, COP 26 President, together with ministers and high-level climate representatives from the GCC and Mena regions.

As part of its well established role as a convener on climate action, the UAE has also invited International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Director-General, Francesco La Camera, to attend the Dialogue. The event will focus on national and regional preparations for the 26^th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), set to run from November 1 to 12, 2021. The COP26 Summit, hosted this year by the United Kingdom in Glasgow, will bring together countries from across the globe to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said: “We look forward to welcoming Special Envoy Kerry and COP26 President Alok Sharma, along with Ministers and high-level representatives of the key economies of the GCC and MENA region to Abu Dhabi for this important dialogue. The UAE has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to progressive climate action and sought to promote sustainable development throughout the region.  By coming together for this dialogue, I believe we can create greater momentum for progress. The UAE views climate action as an opportunity for economic development, while contributing practical solutions to a global problem that affects us all. As the world seeks new pathways to ‘building back better’ in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Special Envoy Kerry’s visit will help consolidate efforts on smart sustainable solutions with tangible benefits for the global community.

“We are already seeing great examples of climate leadership throughout our region, including the recently announced initiative by our brotherly neighbors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The regional climate dialogue will provide a constructive platform for the MENA region to unite around progressive, practical solutions that can help the world reach global climate goals, while also fostering innovation for sustainable growth.”

Speaking in advance of the meeting, COP 26 President Alok Sharma said: “It is vitally important that the world works together to tackle climate change. That means countries coming forward with net-zero targets and near-term emissions reduction targets (the 2030 NDCs) that keep 1.5 degrees within reach. The transition to a clean economy is one which can benefit us all: through creating jobs, spurring sustainable development, and cleaning our air. We are already beginning to see progress, and countries in the MENA region are well placed to take advantage of the economic opportunities of this transition. However, the consequences of climate change are already being felt across the region, and the UK will use its COP26 Presidency to build momentum on adaptation to help to keep countries, communities and people safe from the impacts of climate change.”

The Regional Climate Dialogue will provide an ideal platform for the participating countries to exchange experience in their responses to climate change and build momentum for increased global ambition in the run-up to COP26. In addition, it will enable the United States and the MENA region to examine new areas of collaboration in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation with the aim of transforming the climate challenge into an economic opportunity.

Core themes will include accelerating the deployment of renewable energy solutions, exploring the potential of new zero-carbon-energy sources, such as green and blue hydrogen, maximizing the impact of mitigation technologies, including carbon capture, and reducing the carbon emission intensity of hydrocarbon fuels, on which the world will still rely during the energy transition. The conversation will discuss policies for adaptation to the impacts of accelerating climate change trends that are of particular concern to the region, such as food and water security, desertification mitigation and environmental conservation.

The participants will seek to develop a common understanding of climate action priorities, as well as a roadmap for cooperation towards COP26 and related milestones.

Eurovent PG-CT elects new Vice-Chairman

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 31 March 2021: The Eurovent Product Group, ‘Evaporative Cooling Equipment’ (PG-CT) elected Frank Stocker, Managing Director, Gohl-KTK, as the successor of Doic Hordern, CEO, JACIR, in the role of Vice-Chairman of the group. Making the announcement through a Press release, Eurovent added that Laurent Petiot, General Manager France Benelux Maghreb, B1AC, continues as Chairman of PG-CT.

The Product Group, ‘Evaporative Cooling Equipment’ recently met in a fruitful online session, Eurovent said. The meeting included Chairman and Vice-Chairman elections, as well as redefinition of the group’s scope to include all hybrid and adiabatic technologies, it added. PG-CT is turning its attention to the review of Ecodesign Regulation for professional refrigeration (ENTR Lot 1), in which new efficiency requirements are being considered for process chillers connected to an evaporative condenser, it further added.

Stocker said: “With the review of the Ecodesign Regulation for professional refrigeration around the corner, we are facing a great opportunity to promote the energy saving potential of evaporative cooling technologies. By making the Eurovent voice heard in the review, we can support the EU to achieve its climate targets.”

Petiot added: “The European industry faces important challenges, regulations are getting stringent and Eurovent is instrumental in supporting the manufacturers. Our Product Group pledges to closely monitor the review process to ensure the highest energy efficiency requirements for Europe.”

According to Eurovent, PG-CT unites manufacturers of evaporative and adiabatic cooling equipment from around Europe and is supported by Eurovent Member Associations on a national level. Its main tasks consist of advocating on European level, developing Eurovent Recommendations, generally promoting the industry and export initiatives, and diminishing unfair trade barriers inside and outside Europe, it said. Manufacturers interested in joining PG-CT, it added, can get in touch with the Eurovent Secretariat via secretariat@eurovent.eu.

dmg on track with The Big 5 Construct Egypt

DUBAI, UAE, 31 March 2021: The Big 5 Construct Egypt is on track to take place in person from June 26 to 29 at the Cairo International Convention Centre (CICC) in a safe environment, event organisers, dmg events said through a Press release. Construction activity in Egypt has continued at pace, despite the coronavirus pandemic and has shown great resilience over the last year, dmg said. In fact, according to GlobalData, construction in Egypt is expected to have grown at 7.7% in 2020 and looks forward to 8.9% growth in 2021, it added.

Muhammed Kazi, Vice President, dmg events, said: “We are delighted to confirm that preparations for The Big 5 Construct Egypt are well underway for our June event, and I am happy to reveal that re-opening this year comes hand in hand with a wealth of new impactful features designed to provide opportunities for the industry to network, learn and do business.

“It is more important now than ever to bring the community together to boost business activities and build strong partnerships for the post-pandemic era, and it is our belief that there is no better way to do this than through powerful face-to-face connections.”

According to dmg, The Big 5 Construct Egypt will showcase the latest construction products and technologies across an extended offering of specialised events. International brands committed to the event despite travel restrictions will join all major Egyptian contractors at the event, including Hassan Allam Holding and Orascom Construction, El Soadaa, ASGC, Hanimex, Al Zamil, Al Ahram, Wellbond, Al Amal and more, dmg said.

Eng. Hassan Allam, CEO, Hassan Allam Holding said: “The massive transformation of Egypt through crucial infrastructure works and strategic megaprojects is set to further contribute to economic growth, whilst solidifying the country’s position as the leading trade hub between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

“As the population grows, it is critical to explore how the country can build on local, regional and international partnerships to realise the value that the infrastructure and construction industry has in sustaining economic development and diversification going forward.” According to dmg, new features set to launch at the 2021 edition include The Big 5 Egypt Leadership Conference, providing insights from Ministers and international leaders through keynote addresses and panel discussions, and The Big 5 Egypt Impact Awards, set to celebrate the people, organisations and projects driving sustainable development, innovation and transformation in Egypt’s construction industry.

The event, dmg said, also offers free-to-attend and CPD-certified Talks. It is supported by Strategic Partner, Hassan Allam Holding; Platinum Sponsor, Orascom Construction and Stone Sponsor, Gremic. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is on board as Supporting Association, dmg said, adding that Project Management Institute, MENA (PMI, MENA) is the Supporting Partner and ABiQ is the Research Partner.

Airbus to boost “cold” technology testing

TOULOUSE, France, 30 March 2021: Airbus said it has launched “Advanced Superconducting and Cryogenic Experimental powertraiN Demonstrator” (ASCEND) to explore the impact of superconducting materials and cryogenic temperatures on the performance of an aircraft’s electrical propulsion systems. Making the announcement through a Press release, Airbus said the introduction of superconducting materials can lower electrical resistance, meaning that electrical current can supply power without energy loss. When coupled with liquid hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures (-253 degrees Celsius), electrical systems can be cooled in order to significantly increase the performance of the overall electric propulsion system, it added.

Airbus said it will use ASCEND to explore the feasibility of these promising technologies in order to optimise propulsion architecture ready for low-emission and zero-emission flight. Results are expected to show the potential for component weight and electrical losses to be at least halved, as the volume and complexity of systems installation is reduced, as well as a reduction in voltage to below 500V, compared to current systems, it added.

ASCEND will assess electric architectures from several hundred kilowatts to multi-megawatt applications with and without liquid hydrogen on board, Airbus said. Airbus said it will design and build the demonstrator over the next three years at its E-Aircraft System House. Solutions that could be adapted to turboprop, turbofan and hybrid propeller engines will be tested and evaluated by the end of 2023, it said. It will support Airbus’ decision-making process for the type of propulsion system architecture required for future aircraft. ASCEND is also expected to support performance improvements on existing and future propulsion systems across the entire Airbus portfolio, including helicopters, eVTOLs, as well as regional and single-aisle aircraft, it said..

The demonstrator is hosted within Airbus UpNext, an Airbus subsidiary created to give future technologies a development fast-track by building demonstrators at speed and scale, evaluating, maturing and validating new products and services that encompass radical technological breakthroughs.

Camfil expands production in Taiwan

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 29 March 2021: Camfil has commenced operation at its new plant in Tainan, Taiwan, which it said will contribute in a circular systematic way to benefit the business and the environment. Making the announcement through a Press release, Camfil said the new facility, with over 4,000 square metres in area, has started production and will create new employment opportunities and contribute directly towards Camfil’s mission for a sustainable future.

According to Camfil, the factory will act as a hub for molecular and particle filtration, focusing on supporting the growing semiconductor, life science and turbomachinery industry; and by producing locally, it will help reduce shipping time from other facilities located in Asia. The plant is well equipped with the latest technology and operational capability to adapt the green process to elaborate the Camfil sustainability promises to the customers and the environment, the company said. By using its technology, it said, it expects to reduce shipping costs, promote local manufacturing and reduce waste handling. It added that its manufacturing process will have a reduced environmental impact, as the facility will contribute to reducing waste generation for customers by adopting a reuse/recycle approach for many filter components.

During the opening ceremony, Bengt G Carlsson, representative of The Swedish Trade and Invest Council, was present and took the stage to highlight the benefits of this sustainable initiative and how it will shape the future of the air filtration market and leading towards reduced waste generation.

James Lin, Managing Director, Camfil Taiwan, said: “Camfil is thrilled to announce the start of our air filtration facility that will directly contribute to our commitment to sustainability and promote reduced waste generation through recycling and reusing. We believe that this kind of initiative in manufacturing and operations can be important drivers in the sustainable development of our process and the environment.”

ASHRAE announces call for abstracts for Winter Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 26 March 2021: Abstracts are now being accepted for the 2022 ASHRAE Winter Conference,  to be held from January 29 to February 2, 2022 at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

With an eye on future resources, the conference seeks to present papers and programs that cover sustainable use of energy and water, reduction of waste and improved Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), while addressing other challenges and opportunities in facilities, applications and processes, ASHRAE said.

“It is estimated that the world population will grow from eight billion now to around nine billion in 2050; global GDP is expected to stabilize at +2%/year,” said Raul Simonetti, Chair, 2022 Conference. “This will increase the need for food, energy and other resources to support a growing population in the coming future. The 2022 Virtual Winter Conference will provide an opportunity to examine holistically – that is, at 360° – what we do and the way we do it in order to minimize the impact on our planet.”

According to ASHRAE, the following tracks are developed to support the conference theme, ‘Holism and Perspectives towards Decarbonization’…

• Buildings use a large share of a country’s final energy, particularly for heating, cooling and various services. Papers in the “Buildings at 360°” track will focus on explaining methods, equipment, systems and solutions to satisfy occupants’ needs, to guarantee buildings’ performances and resilience, and to save resources like energy and water.
• Energy is omnipresent in our daily lives in ways like electricity for appliances or heat and cooling for industrial processes. The integration of various energy sources, processes and transportation allows us to better exploit the available energy and reduce waste. The “Energy System Integration” track will explore renewables, fossil fuels, grid integration, aggregation, demand-side flexibility, smart devices, IoT, synthetic hydrogen and synthetic fuels, CCUS and electrification.
• Indoor environment is essential for our well-being and productivity, but is often regulated differently in various parts of the world due to local conditions, circumstances, history and traditions. Papers that explain local norms and trends with an eye on energy usage would fit in the “Environmental Health and IEQ in the International Arena” track.

• The “HVAC for Industrial and Commercial Purposes” track will focus on papers that examine the challenges and opportunities in improving energy efficiency of commercial and industrial facilities and transferring lessons learned to other types of facilities.

• Refrigerants play an important role in maximizing performances and minimizing direct and indirect GHG emissions. The “Refrigerants, Safety and Performance” track will focus on papers that present advancements and developments about flammability of refrigerants that can reduce the direct emissions, but that may have safety, regulatory and performance issues when deployed on the field.

• The “Refrigerants and Refrigeration” track will explore refrigeration systems, which generate and use cold for a range of processes, from food preparation and conservation to vaccine preservation, and from long-term protection of fragile ancient inks of historical documents to others.

• The “HVAC&R Systems and Equipment” track will focus on the development of new systems and equipment, improvements to existing systems and equipment and the proper application and operation of systems and equipment.

• The “Fundamentals and Applications” track will provide opportunities for papers of varying levels across a large topic base. Concepts, design elements and shared experiences for theoretical and applied concepts of HVAC&R design are included.

According to ASHRAE, Abstracts (400 words or less) are due April 5, 2021. If accepted, final conference papers (eight pages, maximum) are due July 12, 2021.

In addition, technical papers (complete 30-page maximum papers) are also due March 29, 2021, ASHRAE said, adding that accepted conference papers and technical papers are published in ASHRAE Transactions, cited in abstracting indexes and considered for Science and Technology for the Built Environment, ASHRAE’s research journal.

For more information on the call for papers and the 2022 ASHRAE Winter Conference, ASHRAE urged those interested to visit https://ashrae.org/2022Winter.

In conjunction with the ASHRAE Winter Conference is the 2022 AHR Expo, to be held from January 31 to February 2, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information on the 2022 AHR Expo, ASHRAE urged those interested to visit https://www.ahrexpo.com/.

Supreme Court in Canada endorses climate action to protect future generations

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada, 25 March 2021: Not-for-profit legal firm, West Coast Environmental Law applauded the March 25 decision by the Supreme Court, upholding Canada’s price on carbon pollution, which confirmed the ability of all levels of government to take action to address the climate crisis, consistent with the overarching responsibility of the Canadian government to ensure that youth and future generations inherit a healthy atmosphere.

In light of the decision, the legal organization urged the Canadian government to ramp up its climate ambition and to strengthen and enact Bill C-12 without delay to ensure that Canada meets its future climate goals.

“Canada has missed every climate goal it has set for itself, in large part because of inconsistent and half-hearted efforts by both federal and provincial governments,” said Andrew Gage, Staff Lawyer at the firm. “This decision makes it clear – the buck stops with the federal government. The Canadian government must work cooperatively to encourage provincial action, but it can also step in when provinces fail and take the steps required to protect Canadians from climate change.”

Lawyers at the firm said the legal victory has the potential to result in environmental benefits well beyond climate action. “It is a landmark decision for the environment,” said Anna Johnston, Staff Lawyer. “By rejecting the provinces’ attempts to minimize federal authority over climate, the Supreme Court has made it abundantly clear that when it comes to environmental protection, we need all hands on deck.”

Warned Dr Silvie Harder, Climate Scientist: “Canada is warming at twice the global average – leading to increased floods, wildfires and other climate disasters. With today’s decision, the Canadian government is well placed to increase its climate ambition, bring our fossil fuel addiction under control and align with what the global scientific community says is needed to keep Canadians safe.”

Lawyers at the firm urged the Canadian government to press forward with its Net Zero Emissions Accountability Act, Bill C-12, which it said, has been languishing in Parliament. “Carbon pricing is good,” Gage said, “but a strengthened Bill C-12 will ensure that current and future governments keep working to achieve our climate targets.”

LU-VE Group announces record turnover and order book

UBOLDO, Varese, Italy, 21 March 2021: LU-VE Group announced its financial results as of December 31, 2020, which includes a turnover of €401.5 million (a 2.5% increase compared to 2019). The company posted an EBITDA of €45.2 million, which it said represents a decline by 3.3% compared to 2019.

LU-VE also announced an order book at €88.8 million, as of February 2021, which it said is the highest ever reached by the Group (+5.3% compared to February 2020; +15.3% compared to December 2020).

“I would like to thank all the men and women of LU-VE Group for showing their usual strength and sense of duty,” said Iginio Liberali, President, LU-VE Group. “This attitude has allowed us to grow even in a year as difficult as 2020. Our strength lies in the fundamental values we have always practiced: humility; passion; creative intelligence; to generate value for us, for our company and for the market.”

ASHRAE, IAPMO to co-publish water efficiency document

ATLANTA, Georgia, 18 March 2021: ASHRAE and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAMPO) have announced an agreement to co-publish a document to address water efficiency in buildings.

The document will combine ASHRAE 191P,  Standard for the Efficient Use of Water in Building Mechanical Systems, along with WE-Stand™, IAPMO’s Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard, to offer complementary water efficiency guidance and references in one publication, ASHRAE said. ASHRAE 191P provides minimum requirements for the design of building mechanical systems that limit the volume of water required to operate HVAC systems, ASHRAE said. WE-Stand™ focuses on achieving safe and efficient water use in both residential and non-residential buildings, ASHRAE added.

“Water efficiency and energy conservation are major considerations in the design and operation of HVAC systems in high performance buildings,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E. “Escalating costs and concerns regarding availability have brought much needed attention to the issue of water use in the built environment. We are pleased to collaborate with IAPMO to provide a balanced resource to the water-energy nexus as the demand for sustainable strategies grow.”

Dan Cole, Senior Director of Technical Services and WE-Stand™ Secretariat, said: “We’re excited to coordinate our development efforts on WE-Stand™ with ASHRAE’s 191P Committee. With the development cycle for 2020 now finalized, we will look forward to ensuring that both standards eliminate any conflicts toward achieving high levels of water efficiency for both mechanical and premise plumbing systems.”

According to ASHRAE, the co-published document will be available upon the conclusion of the 2023 WE-Stand™ development process, which is on a three-year cycle.

Rubber World Industry launches AED 90mn HVAC production unit

DUBAI, UAE, 21 March 2021: Rubber World Industry, which manufactures and supplies HVAC and MEP products and accessories in the UAE, has launched ‘United Air-Conditioning’, a specialised company with an investment of AED 90 million (approximately USD 25 million), which includes a production plant in Al Jurf industrial area, Ajman, to meet what it described as a growing demand for its environmentally friendly products. Rubber World made the announcement through a Press release.

The new manufacturing unit, spanning over 10,000 square metres, is part of the company’s expansion plans backed by the rising demand for the company’s cooling, heating and now coronavirus-related products, Rubber World said through the Press release. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said it saw a sharp increase in health and environment-related products, such as disinfectant chambers, HVAC filters, air cleaners, optimised HVAC products, and configured rubber insulation and ducts to limit the spread of the virus.

Muzammil Shaikhani, Managing Director, Rubber World Industry, while attributing the new milestone to the company’s customers, said: “I am grateful to our local and international buyers, who have put a strong trust in us, which kept our growth not only intact but rising. In addition, during the pandemic, Rubber World thrived rather than survived and launched United Air Conditioning to cater to the increasing needs of its customers. Our R&D quickly responded to the new demand for health-related products that people and businesses need to maintain health [and] safety and [to] contain the spread of coronavirus and its variants, and started manufacturing this line, which helped doubled our growth and created the need for a specialized production line.”

The new entity, United Air Conditioning will complement Rubber World in manufacturing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, cooling, mechanical, electrical and plumbing products, parts and accessories for commercial and residential use in the UAE, Rubber World said. United Air Conditioning will focus on health and environment-related products, modified HVAC and MEP parts, such as rubber insulation and ducting lines, which have become essential in the current environment, Rubber World said. It will help in reducing emissions, improve energy efficiency and contribute to the climate change agenda, it added. Rubber World has two units in the UAE and one in Sri Lanka. The company said it plans to set up six new production facilities in South Asia and the Middle East in the next three years to cater to the needs of its growing customer base.

Rubber World said that United Air-Conditioning has helped it increase its range of products, such as cooler tubes and sheets, which are CFC-free and are designed for exposed pipe area, as commonly seen in supermarkets, hospitals and schools. Another key area of demand for United Air-Conditioning’s products is all types of flexible ducts and ducting accessories with a broad range of adhesive tapes, Rubber World said. Rubber World said it currently serves several customers, including Leminar Air Conditioning Company, Century Mechanical Systems Factory, Gulf-O-Flex AC Spare Parts Trading, Gmark Middle East FZC and Al Emadi Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Equipment.

AHRI releases refrigerant research results

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 18 March 2021: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) released results of a project undertaken in cooperation with UL and the Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) in which refrigerants classified by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) as A2L (lower flammability) were tested and compared with A1 (no flame-spread) refrigerants in real-world situations. The effort, AHRI said, was undertaken to develop training programs for firefighting personnel when responding to fires in occupancies with both new (A2L) and existing (A1) refrigerants.

The project included scenarios designed by fire service professionals to develop training for tactical consideration to demonstrate hazards that may be encountered by the fire service for both A1 and A2L refrigerants, AHRI said. “We are grateful to the UL employees and members of the fire service that committed significant time in the development and execution of this project and in preparing reports to ensure that they are both accurate and helpful to firefighters,” said Helen Walter-Terrinoni, AHRI Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.

Since industry started pursuing a phasedown of higher-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants over 10 years ago, more than USD 7 million has been invested in research to better understand the lower-GWP refrigerants that will replace them, AHRI said.

The FSRI training module, which incorporates videos from the project, AHRI said, will soon be released and available free-of-charge on its website

Digitalisation of cold chain assets

While 2020 will undoubtedly join the pantheon of eminently forgettable years in modern recorded history, it will be remembered as the time when we further strengthened the food sector by making use of opportunities presented by technology and other disciplines. Indeed, it would be accurate to say that the pandemic sent food retailers into a tizzy with consumers relying on e-commerce platforms more than ever.

Now, amidst the melee that ensued on the front end, very few noticed the steady rise of IoT acceleration at the back end or the machinery. With that, the need for digitalisation of refrigeration technical assets started gaining pace with the objective of improved energy efficiency.

Since October 2020, companies such as Eliwell Schneider Electric, Danfoss, Carel, Carrier, Emerson, Bitzer and Daikin vigorously started showcasing their digital solutions through such shows as e-Chillventa. The digital ‘show of strength’ highlighted the importance attached to digital transformation and its vast positive implications on operational efficiency. Based on these developments, CPI Industry, which is organising the Food Chain conference – and in doing do so, stands on the threshold of conducting the 10^th edition of the event – has aptly themed it as, “Digital transformation of cold chain & food machinery technical assets”.

Apart from the topic of food safety, the conference will be a platform for brainstorming on IoT acceleration, which is one of the main pillars of Industry 4.0 in back-end technical assets. Digital transformation is the current business buzz-term in the GCC region, and I do believe there is considerable untapped market potential for this in cold chain verticals.

What is digitalisation? How is it different from digitisation? Is it technological or cultural?

Who are responsible for making it happen? How does it help the cold chain verticals? Whom does it benefit? Why do we need it? To what extent does it play a role in energy and eco efficiency and sustainability? What are the human and technology-related processes? What are the skills required and their availability in the region? Is digital transformation a bane or a boon? Do we indeed need to incorporate digitalisation to progress?

I look forward to answering these and more in the April issue.

The writer is an independent cold chain consultant after having served in the refrigeration sector in the GCC region as part of major MNCs. In May 2021, he will serve as Chairperson of the 10^th edition of the Middle East Cold Chain Food Safety Conference, popularly known as Food Chain. He may be contacted at rasubra7@yahoo.com

The Crux of building performance

Buildings often do not perform in an optimal and efficient way despite significant investment during design and construction. The reasons can be wide and varied, and there is a certain inevitability that issues during construction will arise, and decisions will be made that could ultimately affect the long-term performance of the building. Building Commissioning, when utilised correctly, is a systematic quality assurance process. It increases the likelihood of buildings operating in line with their design intent, by verifying and documenting the fact that building services are designed, installed, tested and are operating in line with the Owners Project Requirements (OPR). This is primarily done with detailed planning, organisation, coordination and control of all commissioning activities.

Conversely, a building that is not operating in line with project requirements can be inefficient from an energy standpoint, financially uneconomical or suffering from poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ), of which indoor air quality (IAQ) is a significant part. This scenario is particularly prominent across the GCC region, where commissioning is largely misunderstood, under-utilised or is carried out to a low standard. A study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), based on a database of 643 buildings across approximately 100 million square feet of floor space, found the main causes of energy inefficiency in commercial buildings to be ductwork leakage, HVAC systems running and lights left on when spaces are unoccupied, ventilation systems incorrectly balanced, dampers not working and incorrect controls set-up, with an estimated 94.6 billion kilowatt hours annually (BkWh/year) wasted across the top 13 of 100 issues identified. Ductwork leakage was responsible for the greatest energy inefficiency, accounting for 28.6 BkWh/year alone, which has been seen to be a common issue across construction projects in the GCC region.

In addition to energy savings, correcting these issues would likely improve the indoor environment, as the identified issues would have an expected impact on heating and cooling, ventilation of spaces, and potential for drafts and noise. Identifying and correcting these commonly found issues should lead to an overall increase in occupant satisfaction. Commissioning is arguably the most cost-effective process for short-term and long-term advantages to building owners, facility managers and building occupants. However, there are many projects in the GCC region, where commissioning is not utilised or is carried out to a low standard. To put this in perspective, the LBNL study found the median cost for commissioning a new building accounted for 0.4% of the total construction cost. The data received demonstrates a significant 13% energy saving in new buildings, should commissioning and management be implemented effectively. On this basis, the client’s ROI would be 4.2 years.

The purpose of commissioning in new buildings is to ensure the performance requirements of the building owners’ objectives are achieved, making sure the building is operating as efficiently as it can at the time of handover. Commissioning in existing buildings is to validate whether the building is operating efficiently and to identify performance gaps, inefficiencies and improvements needed to return it to an efficient operational condition.

There are several names for commissioning in existing buildings, namely Re-Commissioning, Retro Commissioning and Continuous Commissioning. Retro Commissioning is utilised in buildings where no commissioning was previously performed. Re-Commissioning is typically carried out every 5-10 years and completed when the building use has changed, internal fit-outs completed or equipment and components in the systems are upgraded. Continuous Commissioning is based on frequently monitoring the building use, diagnosing improvements and fine-tuning the building performance.

Re-Commissioning and Continuous Commissioning are beneficial, as they allow flexibility for changing the use of internal spaces without affecting the building’s performance. The way a building is used and operated is often different from the condition predicted during design stage, where assumptions are made for occupant density, temperature set-points, control schedules and operation of HVAC systems. A major factor is occupant behaviour, which is difficult to predict and cannot be known at the time of design. The use of the building compared to the predicted design is monitored and changes made to fine-tune the system performance. A study by Wang L, et al (Uncertainties in energy consumption introduced by building operations and weather for a medium-size office building) showed poor practice in building operation can result in an increase in energy use of 49-79%, and good practice can reduce energy consumption by 15-29%.

Commissioning as a process has become more prevalent in the GCC region in recent years, with several high-profile developers, project management companies and consultants specifying this as a requirement. As an example of implementing commissioning in the GCC region, the Dubai Green Building Regulations and Specifications (DGBR) outlines requirements for commissioning in new as well as existing buildings, highlighting the value of commissioning in securing a green future for Dubai.

To take this a step further, the regulations in the GCC region could outline the requirement of commissioning as a process by referencing publications such as CIBSE Commissioning Code M – Commissioning Management, BSRIA Model Commissioning Plan or ASHRAE Standard 202 – Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems, which are useful publications for capturing the commissioning process throughout the lifecycle of a building.

To enhance this, it would be beneficial to specify requirements of who can complete the commissioning and management, and the level of training and experience needed. Commissioning is often completed by an independent company, whose role is to ensure compliance with the OPR; the impartial nature is part of the value of commissioning. Unless regulations specify commissioning must be independent, this allows ‘in-house’ commissioning to be completed, which is not unbiased and, citing from experience, often results in ‘covering up’ issues identified instead of resolving them.

In comparison to the UK Building Regulations, commissioning of building services is a key requirement identified, and for buildings to conform to the energy efficiency requirements, CIBSE and BSRIA methodology are to be followed, and the process should be overseen by someone suitably qualified by relevant training or experience. The regulations cite membership of the Commissioning Specialists Association (CSA), the Commissioning Group of the Building and Engineering Services Association (B&ES) and Lighting Industry Commissioning Scheme as a way of demonstrating this.

The writer is Senior Commissioning Manager, AESG, and Committee Member, Commissioning Specialists Association (GCC). He may be reached at m.williamson@aesg-me.com

‘The cost of ignoring much-needed IAQ upgrades is far greater’

Amid the celebratory news of the roll-out of vaccination programs around the globe, we must all remember one of the biggest lessons that COVID-19 taught the world: Buildings – as they are designed, constructed, and operated and maintained – play a significant role in the health and wellbeing of not only their occupants but also the people and communities around them. These include our private commercial office buildings, residential buildings of all sizes, hospitals, entertainment venues, schools, public buildings and more.

We have also learned that infrastructure inequities in cities, states and countries across the globe – including those in transportation, healthcare, agriculture and housing – matter and have a big role to play when it comes to effectively managing a health crisis. And sadly, we learned that much like climate change, a pandemic will also disproportionately affect those with the least amount of resources.

The successful development of a vaccine for COVID-19 does not mean that we do not need to develop new practices when designing the places, spaces and communities around us. Why? Because vaccines are only one component of how we will recover and move forward. This is not a once-in-a-generation crisis. As a global community of sustainability and health professionals, we must embrace the lessons learned about virus transmission and apply them to ensure a permanent recovery and resiliency plan. History cannot repeat itself; the cost to humanity is too great.

This is a point in time when leadership matters. This is a point in time for deep inflection. And this is a point in time for purposeful and forward-looking action. We now have the opportunity – and a moral obligation – to completely re-think how our buildings and spaces should be designed, constructed, operated and maintained. We must turn our buildings and spaces into places that positively contribute to our health and wellbeing. That means that we have to take a fresh and honest look at the inequities in the communities around us and build back better with an eye toward achieving resiliency and equity. Multiple studies, including one just released by Oxfam, have found that the world’s richest people have made significant financial gains during COVID-19, while the world’s poor have fallen even further behind.

At USGBC and GBCI, we believe that better buildings and communities equal better lives. That’s why we are dedicated to continuing to invest in LEED, the world’s most widely used and trusted green building certification program. The success of LEED around the world is a testament to its effectiveness. As of this writing, we have more than 100,600 registered and certified LEED commercial projects, nearly two million registered and certified LEED residential units, projects in 181 countries and territories and nearly 205,000 LEED APs implementing the rating system around the world. Much like LEED’s commitment to environmental sustainability, human health and wellness strategies have been a foundation of the LEED program since its beginning, with over 70% of the rating system’s credits tying back both directly and indirectly to human health and wellness.

We know that addressing the systemic challenges revealed by COVID-19 won’t happen overnight and without significant planning. And while we know that addressing these systemic needs will not come without significant investment, we also know that healthy people, in healthy places and spaces, equal a healthy and robust global economy – and that the price we will pay for not addressing these needs will be far greater than addressing them now.

We can start by focusing our efforts on one of the primary targets of preventing virus spread: Indoor air quality (IAQ). Public health data has shown that buildings are safer to occupy when their mechanical systems, especially HVAC systems, promote good ventilation, air scrubbing and purification and enhanced outside air exchange. While these enhancements alone cannot eliminate the risk of virus transmission, they are a critical component of a larger mitigation strategy. Upgrades to outdated and inefficient HVAC systems in existing buildings across the world have been delayed for decades owing to cost concerns. However, the cost of ignoring these needed upgrades is far greater, as the pandemic has demonstrated in human lives lost, shuttered economies and schools and overburdened healthcare delivery platforms. Now is the time to invest in a resilient future and build back the trust between people and the buildings around them.

One way that USGBC and GBCI have strived to build back trust between people and the buildings around them is through our LEED Safety First Pilot Credit, related to managing IAQ as a component of our LEED green building rating system. The pilot credit builds on existing IAQ credits in LEED and helps building owners and managers ensure that IAQ systems are operating as designed. It also helps determine temporary adjustments to ventilation that may minimize the spread of COVID-19.

The pandemic has also called attention to the condition of schools. For well over a decade, USGBC has been advocating for a major and long overdue global investment in school buildings. We have already seen some of the adverse effects of schools being shut down and students being forced to learn from home for nearly a year, and the value placed on schools and in-person education is as high as ever. Now is the time to leverage that goodwill and invest in these facilities on a global scale, so that such disruptions never happen again. We need to ensure that every school across the globe has proper ventilation, air purification equipment, carbon dioxide monitors and proper outdoor air exchange in order to reduce the risk of spreading airborne pathogens as a key component in their back-to-school engagement strategy. Every student needs to have a chance to thrive, and a key component of that is a healthy school building.

These investments alone will not create a strong, healthy and resilient planet. We also need to look at cities and their infrastructures. Despite predictions of an exodus of people leaving dense urban population centers for the suburbs, we did not see the global abandonment of cities during the pandemic. Not everyone has the resources to simply pack up and leave, and many rely on the resources that cities provide. And many of those that did leave their cities simply relocated to other cities.

Cities that set themselves apart through substantial investments in sustainability, health and wellness, resiliency and equity will be the leaders of tomorrow. People by their very nature need to feel confident, comfortable and safe with the community around them. That’s why it is critical to provide a framework that communicates the importance of investing in urban infrastructure.

I am proud of the 114 cities and communities across the globe who have certified through the LEED for Cities and Communities rating systems, including the City of Dubai and the King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) project. These rating systems revolutionize the way cities and communities are planned, developed and operated, in order to improve their overall sustainability and quality of life. LEED for Cities and Communities is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and encompasses social, economic and environmental performance indicators and strategies with a clear, data-driven means of benchmarking and communicating progress. The rating system also addresses pandemic-specific challenges with two LEED Safety First Pilot Credits, one addressing the preparedness for pandemic planning and the other ensuring social equity in pandemic planning.

At some point, we will enter a post-pandemic world. However, leaders must not then forget the lessons learned from COVID-19. We must remain focused on letting science, data and the health and wellness of future generations drive each and every decision that we make. Better buildings and communities do lead to better and healthier lives. Let’s make that our collective legacy.

Mahesh Ramanujam is President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). He may be contacted at mr@usgbc.org.

ENGIE Refrigeration bets on sustainable refrigerant

LINDAU ON LAKE CONSTANCE, GERMANY, 23 February 2021: ENGIE Refrigeration has added a new refrigerant to its portfolio. R-515B is now available for QUANTUM chillers as an alternative to R-1234ze, it said. R-515B is eco-friendly, non-toxic and non-combustible and, thus, especially safe, it said. With the introduction of the new refrigerant, the company said it is setting a clear example for more sustainability.

ENGIE said it is one of the first manufacturers in the world to use the refrigerant R-515B. It was developed as an alternative to R-134a and can be used instead of R-1234ze in the form of a drop-in refrigerant, it added. “Refrigerant R-515B combines the positive properties of a 77% lower greenhouse potential than R-134a with a classification as safety level A1 according to EN 378-1,” Daniel Keller, Head of Product Management, ENGIE Refrigeration, said. “This means that unlike R-1234ze (A2L), it is considered a non-combustible safety refrigerant.”

R-515B is an azeotropic mixture, 91.9% R-1234ze and 8.9% R-227ea, ENGIE said. With a GWP value of 293 (IPCC-AR4*) and 299 (IPCC-AR5**), R-515B meets the requirements of the F-Gas Regulation – until at least 2030, the company said. Another important advantage for companies operating existing machines run on R-134a is that because R-515B is classified as A1, no additional safety measures need to be taken for the machine room containing the chiller or heat pump, the company said.

From February 2021, the air-cooled, water-cooled and split models of the QUANTUM series are available with R-515B as an alternative to the previous standard refrigerant, R-1234ze, ENGIE said. “With the new refrigerant, R-515B, the chiller achieves almost the same refrigeration capacity and energy efficiency as with R-1234ze,” Keller said. “This means that R-515B is suitable for customers from all industries that require optimal refrigeration capacity and also wish to switch to an eco-friendly and sustainable refrigerant.

Wilo Middle East acquires PumpsPro

DUBAI, UAE, 17 February 2021: Wilo Middle East (WME), manufacturer of pumps and systems, acquired PumpsPro, a pump solution service provider under Direct Trade House International LLC (DTHI). Making the announcement through a Press release, it said the acquisition entails the creation of a new business unit, which will maintain the name, PumpsPro but will be managed and operated as a Wilo company.

According to WME, the signing of the agreement took place at its office in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) in the presence of Jens Dallendoerfer, Senior Vice President – Sales Region Emerging Markets, Wilo Group; Yasser Nagi, Managing Director, Wilo Middle East & Group Sales Director MENA Region and Bijan Sheibani, Chairman, Direct Trade House International LLC.

Under the terms of the agreement, WME said it will be acquiring PumpsPro, including all its assets, highly skilled service workforce, brand and extensive portfolio of customers. The move is expected to further reinforce WME’s position as a complete solution provider in the UAE and the Middle East region, it added. Nagi said: “We are proud to announce the signing of a strategic acquisition agreement with PumpsPro – a move that is expected to make Wilo a leading solutions provider in the UAE and the rest of the region. It’s a win-win agreement that falls in line with Dubai’s Demand Side Management Strategy 2030 and gives us the opportunity to support the retrofit program of 30,000 buildings by 2030, which aims to make the emirate one of the most sustainable cities in the world.”

According to WME, PumpsPro has been working with it as service partner for its overhauling and repairing business since 2018. The signing of the new agreement, it said, is expected to reinforce Wilo’s capabilities, equipping the company to bring repairing and overhauling activities in-house, especially catering to the large number of building service, water management and industrial customers that require the right servicing that leads to strong reliability and asset uptime. WME said its offshore customers in the region will also benefit from the acquisition, where demand for servicing offshore pumps has seen a big uptake, providing oil and gas customers the just-in-time reliable servicing they require.

Peter Glauner, Senior Vice President – Group Service, Wilo Group, said: “This agreement boosts Wilo Middle East’s competitive advantage over its competitors. We are confident to seeing more benefits, as business synergies are further integrated. Over the years, we have reinforced our position as a global leading premium manufacturer of innovative pumps and pumping systems in the field of building services, water management and industry. We remain steadfast in our efforts to set new standards as a leader of innovation in terms of system efficiency and maximum energy savings.”

According to WME, PumpsPro’s relationship with Wilo Middle East dates back to 2018. WME said PumpsPro has earned a reputation of being a complete solution provider, with its employees cited for their high professionalism and expertise. Sectors that will benefit from the newly signed agreement include facilities management, hotels, leisure destinations, hospitals, schools, water parks, offshore, water management and industry, WME added.

Dallendoerfer said: “We are very confident that this acquisition deal between Wilo Middle East and PumpsPro will help consolidate our efforts to position ourselves as a top candidate in terms of providing complete turnkey value-added solutions to our retrofit customers, who are looking for a one-stop shop capable of providing services in supply, installation, start-up, testing/commissioning and other value-added requirements.”

Eurovent publishes recommendation on air leakages

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 17 February 2021: The Eurovent Product Group, ‘Air Handling Units’ (PG-AHU) published the first edition of Eurovent Recommendation 6/15 – Air Leakages in Air-Handling Units, Eurovent said through a Press release. The Recommendation presents guidelines for improving Indoor Air Quality and correcting the performance of air-handling units due to internal leakages.

Eurovent Recommendation 6/15 is the first comprehensive publication that gives an in-depth overview of the issue of air leakages in Air Handling Units, including:

• Explanation of leakage types
• Reference to related standards and regulations
• Clarification of leakage indicators
• Typical leakage rates for various design options
• Guidance on design, commissioning and maintenance for eliminating or minimising leakages
• Correction of Air-handling unit performance due to internal leakages

Igor Sikonczyk, Secretary of the Eurovent PG-AHU, said: “The fundamental role of mechanical ventilation is to renew polluted indoor air with fresh outdoor air, in order to provide a safe and healthy indoor environment. One of the problems in achieving this objective is air leakage occurring in the duct network and in the air-handling units. Our new Recommendation sets out the principles for good practices to limit air leakages to ultimately improve Indoor Air Quality and reduce energy consumption.”

According to Eurovent, Recommendation 6/15 is addressed to all ventilation and air conditioning professionals, including system planners, installers and manufacturers. The association added that It is available for download free of charge at the Eurovent Document Web Shop.

ASHRAE 2021 Annual Conference to be held virtually

ATLANTA, Georgia, 17 February 2021: ASHRAE said its 2021 Annual Conference,scheduled to be held in Phoenix, will now take place virtually.

Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said the event (2021 ASHRAE Virtual Annual Conference ) is designed to provide the latest insights from industry-leading expert in the built environment. It will provide focused, actionable and innovative content to support HVACR and building systems professionals, it added.

“Our pivot to virtual conferences over the past year has been met with great success,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E Gulledge III. “Engagement from members and industry professionals from around the world in these events is a testament to the quality of our conferences and the importance of staying connected within the ASHRAE community. The 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Annual Conference will be a wonderful forum to share fresh ideas and unique approaches to tackle the challenges of our rapidly changing world. I look to extending our digital connection, and I anticipate an immense level of interest and participation.”

According to ASHRAE, conference attendees can expect:

• Technical sessions from industry experts and thought leaders
• Online networking and social opportunities
• A chance for professionals to come together and connect with collaborators around the world
• A keynote presentation, roundtable decisions and expanded learning opportunities
• Updates and announcements from Society leaders

ASHRAE said additional information on the conference, including committee meetings and registration details, will be made available in the coming weeks. It recommended that those interested in the event could visitashrae.org/2021annual for more information.

RAK Municipality signs MoU with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE, 17 February 2021: Ras Al Khaimah Municipality signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) – a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India – for a strategic collaboration for energy efficiency and clean energy projects. Making the announcement through a Press release, the Municipality added that H.E. Munther Mohammed bin Shekar, its Director General, and Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairperson, EESL Group, were the signatories.

According to the Municipality, the MoU establishes a framework for collaboration across various energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in support of the Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency & Renewables Strategy 2040 (EE&R Strategy).

Commenting on the objectives of the MoU, H.E. bin Shekar said, “The Government of Ras Al Khaimah is committed to the successful implementation of Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040. We welcome the collaboration with EESL, as their unique and vast expertise in energy efficiency can be relevant for us in developing effective projects across many sectors of energy efficiency and renewable energy in Ras Al Khaimah.” Sharing his views on the collaboration, Kumar said: “We are always exploring new avenues for implementing energy efficiency initiatives that are sector- and geography-agnostic. This partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Municipality is a big step towards tapping the immense potential for energy efficiency in the Emirate. Our expertise in handling the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio and Ras Al Khaimah Municipality’s local experience and technical skills will synergise perfectly to create lasting positive impact in the region.”

Under this MoU, EESL, through its presence in the UAE, will support Ras Al Khaimah Municipality in implementing clean energy and energy efficiency projects under its Integrated Energy Efficiency Service (IEES) model, the Municipality said. This model includes integration of EESL’s various programmes, including the consumer-based Efficient Appliances Programme, Industrial Energy Efficiency Programme, Building Energy Efficiency Programme, Utility-scale Solar Programme, Trigeneration, National Motor Replacement Programme and the National E-mobility Programme, the Municipality added.

The Municipality said it will jointly develop and implement the programme framework with EESL. It said that EESL will make investments and develop customised project models relevant to Ras Al Khaimah. The collaboration is expected to develop and drive energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, as part of the Ras Al Khaimah Energy Efficiency and Renewables Strategy 2040, it added. The Strategy, established under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, targets 30% energy savings, 20% water savings, and 20% contribution of electricity from renewable sources by 2040.

Hira Industries launches thermal insulation solution

DUBAI, UAE, 15 February 2021: Hira Industries launched the Aerofoam NBR Lap Seal Tube, which the company described through a Press release as an effective and efficient thermal insulation solution that can be installed in various residential and commercial complexes to provide corrosion protection, whilst improving safety, efficiency and durability of the building.

Launched for the first time in the UAE market, the product is a pre-slit, closed-cell elastomeric thermal insulation tube, which is manufactured with a pre-installed adhesive that helps in reducing the use of additional adhesive by 90%, the company said. The overlap seals are particularly developed for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contractors for a secure sealing and for reinsulating old and damaged pipes.

“At Hira Industries, our aim is to launch several new products and technologies in this year,” said Umesh Unni, General Manager, Hira Industries. “The focus will be to establish good customer relations and deliver cost-effective solutions to them. The launch of the Lap Seal Tubes is a reflection of our vision to expand our product base and cater to the ever-growing requirements of the insulation business.”

The Lap Seal Tube is much easier to install due to the pre-slit feature and the pressure-sensitive adhesive, reducing the installation time by more than 50%, the company claimed. Along with this, the company said, the aim of introducing the Lap Seal Tube is to provide a long-lasting insulation solution at a much lower cost in terms of the time and accessories used to install the product and the maintenance costs, as it does not require frequent maintenance and replacement. This feature of Tube makes it a unique proposition in the industry, setting it apart from existing products, the company asserted.

The fact that the product is manufactured in-house, the company said, facilitates quick bulk delivery and expert support for the HVAC&R industry, the company said. The Lap Seal Tube come with the guarantee of being able to last for more than a decade, as compared to the conventional insulation solutions that require frequent maintenance and replacement, making it the right solution for all insulation requirements at a much lower price, the company claimed. It is the perfect solution for a diverse range of insulation requirements, as the tube’s size can be customised to fit the pipes perfectly, while the pressure-sensitive adhesive overlay helps in an easy and quick adhesion, as compared to the other insulation solutions in the industry, the company said.

Unni said: “The tubes are made of high-grade-quality material and have an integrated structure, yet are economically priced, which makes them an attractive solution for all requirements. That is not all – keeping the environment in mind, we have used fume-free and clean materials to produce the Lap Seal Tubes. As a result, extra precautions are not required after installing the solution, which is extremely efficient in cooling systems, as they do not form condensation. We are committed to helping buildings increase LEED points, and the insulation of Lap Seal Tubes fulfills all LEED requirements to maintain a sustainable and green earth.”

Condair releases whitepaper on healthy buildings

PFÄFFIKON/FREIENBACH, Switzerland, 14 February 2021: Humidity specialist, Condair, which specialises in humidity management solutions in the built-environment, has released a whitepaper, titled Making Buildings Healthier.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Condair said the paper contains information on how building managers can protect occupant health with a holistic approach to controlling their indoor environments.

According to Condair, the pandemic instigated by SARS-CoV-2 has focused public attention on the risks posed by viral transmission in buildings. Contributory factors that have been known about for some time, have now been placed centre stage, emphasising the influence that elements such as fresh air, temperature, minimum relative humidity and even sunlight all have on the spread of viruses.

The aim of the whitepaper is to provide an overview of these factors and promote dialogue amongst facility managers, users, and health and safety officers, enabling the right package of health protection measures to be considered, Condair said. The whitepaper also includes a checklist so that readers can take stock of their building’s current situation, discover the extent to which their premises protects against the spread of infections and identify where improvements could be made, the company added.

Oliver Zimmermann, CEO, Condair Group, said: “The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist on humidity control, and for years, we’ve collaborated with scientists and healthcare experts to understand and promote the importance of optimal humidity for health. Through this research, we appreciate that humidity control is just one, but a decisive, weapon that can be used in the fight against respiratory infections.

“Upgrading our built-environment to better protect human health from the current COVID-19 and future potential pandemics, whilst not sacrificing the important gains we have made in energy efficiency, is the single largest challenge the HVAC industry will face in our lifetime. To achieve this objective, we must act as a sector to educate, cooperate and implement practical solutions as rapidly as possible. This whitepaper presents a clear and concise overview of the steps building operators can and should be taking to enhance occupant health, using a holistic approach, rather than a one-size-fits-all, to indoor environmental management.”

According to Condair, the whitepaper can be downloaded from www.condair.ae/making-buildings-healthier-whitepaper.

ASHRAE recognizes members for “outstanding industry accomplishments”

ATLANTA, Georgia, 14 February 2021: ASHRAE recognized what it evaluated as the outstanding achievements and contributions of members to the Society and to the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry, during the 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Winter Conference, which took place from February 9 to 11.

ASHRAE released the following list of awards and their recipients:

Fellow ASHRAE

Fellow ASHRAE is a membership grade that recognizes members who have attained distinction and made substantial contributions in HVACR and the built-environment, such as education, research, engineering design and consultation, publications, presentations and mentoring. The Society elevated 14 members to the grade of Fellow:

• Cynthia Cogil, P.E., principal, SmithGroup, Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Donald C. Herrmann, BEAP, HBDP, vice president, D.C. Herrmann and Associates, Tampa, Florida, United States
• David Michael Platt, retired, Corning, New York, United States
• Martin Dieryckx, general manager, Daikin Europe, Oostende, Belgium
• Tianzhen Hong, Ph.D., P.E., senior scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, United States
• Rajan Rawal, professor, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
• E. Curtis Eichelberger, Jr., P.E., principal consultant, Eichelberger Acoustics LLC, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
• John M. House, Ph.D., principal, John House Consulting Services, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Steven Tredinnick, P.E., CEM, associate senior project manager, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc., Lisle, Illinois, United States
• Blake E. Ellis, P.E., principal, Burns & McDonnell, Overland Park, Kansas, United States
• Ronald Judkoff, chief architectural engineer emeritus, Center for Building Technologies and Science, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Lakewood, Colorado, United States
• John O. Varley, P.E., HBDP, mechanical discipline manager, AAA Engineering Ltd., Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Donald L. Fenton P.E., Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States
• R. Christopher Mathis, president, MC2 Mathis Consulting Company, Asheville, North Carolina, United States
• Ibrahim Galal Hassan, P.Eng, Ph.D., professor, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Doha, Qatar
• James L. Newman, BEAP, OPMP,  founding member and managing partner, Newman Consulting Group, LLC, Farmington, Michigan, United States.

ASHRAE Hall of Fame

William M. Mackay and Hugh J. Barron, founders of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE). The ASHRAE Hall of Fame honors deceased members of the Society who have made milestone contributions to the growth of ASHRAE-related technology or the development of ASHRAE as a society.

1. Paul Anderson Award

Samir R. Traboulsi, Ph.D., P.Eng., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE received the F. Paul Anderson Award. The award, ASHRAE’s highest honor, for technical achievement, is named in memory of Presidential Member F. Paul Anderson, who was a pioneer in the study of environmental conditions for comfort. Traboulsi is an engineer with Thermotrade SAL, Beirut, Lebanon.

Louise & Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award

Charles C. Copeland, P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE received the Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award. This annual award is given to an ASHRAE Fellow for continuous preeminence in engineering or research work. The honor was initiated in 1979 by Presidential Member Bill Holladay. Copeland is president and CEO, Goldman Copeland Associates, P.C., New York, NY, United States.

Andrew T. Boggs Service Award

Bjarne W. Olesen, Ph.D., Presidential Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, received the Andrew T. Boggs Service Award. The award, named after ASHRAE’s executive vice president emeritus, recognizes an Exceptional Service Award recipient for continuing unselfish, dedicated and distinguished service. Olesen is director, International Center for Indoor Environment and Energy, and professor, Danish Technical University, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.

YEA Inspirational Leader Award 

Vanessa J. Freidberg, P.E. received the YEA Inspirational Leader Award. The award recognizes a Young Engineer in ASHRAE member who has gone above and beyond to make considerable contributions to the industry and community. Freidberg is in business development, Siemens, Austin, Texas, United States.

E.K. Campbell Award of Merit

Chandra Sekhar, Ph.D., Fellow Member ASHRAE, received the E.K. Campbell Award of Merit. The award honors an individual for outstanding service and achievement in teaching and is presented by the Life Members Club. Sekhar is a professor, National University, Singapore.

Lincoln Bouillon Award
Ryan Pinckard, of the Oregon Chapter, received the Lincoln Bouillon Award, which recognizes a member who performs the most outstanding work in increasing membership. The award commemorates Presidential Member Bouillon’s efforts in recruiting new members. Pinckard is business development engineer, CHC Hydro, Vancouver, WA.

William J. Collins, Jr. RP Award

Reed Coggins, P.E., of the Atlanta Chapter, received the William J. Collins Jr. RP Award. The award, named in honor of Presidential Member Collins, recognizes a chapter RP chair who excels in raising funds for ASHRAE’s RP campaign. Coggins is application engineer, Lincoln Associates, Marietta, Georgia, United States.

Homer Addams Award

Gabrielle McMorrow, of the National Capital Chapter, received the Homer Addams Award, which recognizes a graduate student who has been engaged in an ASHRAE research project at a university that has graduate programs in the areas of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and has achieved a high standard of performance in this work. McMorrow is a mechanical engineer (Energy), Architect of the Capitol, Washington, DC, United States.

 

Ralph G. Nevins Physiology & Human Environment Award

Shichao Liu, Ph.D., of the Boston Chapter, received the Ralph G. Nevins Physiology and Human Environment Award, which is given to a researcher under the age of 40 for significant accomplishments in the study of bioenvironmental engineering and its effect on human comfort and health. Liu is assistant professor, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.

 

John F. James International Award

Peter Simmonds, Ph.D., received the John F. James International Award. The award recognizes a member who has done the most to enhance the Society’s international presence. Simmonds works for Building and Systems Analytics, Los Angeles, California, United States, and Hong Kong, China.

 

Standards Achievement Award

Paul A Lindahl, Jr., Life Member ASHRAE, of the Kansas City Chapter, received the Standards Achievement Award, which recognizes exceptional service in the area of standards leadership and technical contribution. Lindahl is a consultant, SPX Cooling Technologies, Overland Park, Kansas, United States.

 

Dan Mills Chapter Programs Award

Beatriz Salazar, of the Toronto Chapter, received the Dan Mills Chapter Programs Award, which recognizes excellence in chapter program endeavors. Salazar is designer – electrical, Smith and Andersen, Toronto, Ontario.

Student Activities Achievement Award

1. Kapilan, Ph.D., of the ASHRAE Bangalore Chapter, received the Student Activities Achievement Award, which recognizes a chapter student activities chair for growth of student activities. Kapilan is professor and head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nagarjuna College of Engineering and Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Lou Flagg Historical Award

Bruce Flaniken, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, of the Houston Chapter, received the Lou Flagg Historical Award, which recognizes an individual for preparing the most outstanding historical presentation related to HVAC&R. The award is named in recognition of Presidential Member Lou Flagg, who promoted an interest in history. Flaniken is manager of facility system design & construction engineering, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States.

Donald Bahnfleth Environmental Health Award

Paul W. Francisco, Fellow Member ASHRAE, of the Central Illinois Chapter, received the Donald Bahnfleth Environmental Health Award, which recognizes excellence in volunteer service focused on environmental health issues. Francisco is associate director for building science, Applied Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, United States.

Youth Outreach Award

Elise Kiland, P.E., of the San Jose Chapter, received the Youth Outreach Award, which recognizes the outstanding effort of a member who actively engages a youth audience in their country, region, or local community through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities. Kiland is a project manager, Critchfield Mechanical, Inc., San Jose, California, United States.

Government Affairs Award

Elizabeth Tomlinson, P.E., of the Minnesota Chapter, received the Government Affairs Award. The award recognizes individuals for outstanding effort and achievement in state, provincial and local government activities in connection with technical issues related to the Society. Tomlinson is senior mechanical engineer, Facilities Sustainability and Resilience Leader, TKDA, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States.

Exceptional Service Award

The Exceptional Service Award recognizes Distinguished Service Award recipients who have continued to serve faithfully and with exemplary effort. Ten members were recognized: 

• George W. (Billy) Austin, BCxP, BEAP, BEMP, CHD, HBDP, HFDP, OPMP, principal, Shultz Engineering Group, PC, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
• Wade H. Conlan, P.E., BCxP, commissioning discipline manager, Hanson Professional Services, Inc., Maitland, Florida, United States
• Mark W. Fly, P.E., Fellow Member ASHRAE, executive director, Norman Asbjornson Innovation Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
• Jeff Gatlin, P.E., central energy plant manager, Aramark Healthcare/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
• Carl C. Hiller, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, is president, Applied Energy Technology, Davis, California, United States
• M. Dennis Knight, P.E., Fellow Member ASHRAE, owner, Whole Building Systems, LLC, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
• Nicolas Lemire, P.Eng., HFDP, Fellow Member ASHRAE, president and CEO, Pageau Morel & Associates, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Kevin L. Marple, president, Benz Air Engineering Co., Inc., Beaverton, Oregon, United States
• Tim McGinn, P.Eng., HBDP, retired, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• R. Lee Millies, Jr., P.E., Fellow Member ASHRAE, president, Millies Engineering Group, Munster, Indiana, United States.

 

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award salutes members of any grade who have served the Society faithfully and with distinction and who have given freely of their time and talent in chapter, regional and Society activities. The following 43 members were recognized: 

• Jason Alphonso, BEAP, OPMP, branch manager, Wood plc, Orlando, Florida, United States
• Kevin Amende, P.E., associate professor, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, United States.
• John S. Andrepont, Life Member ASHRAE, president, The Cool Solutions Company, Lisle, Illinois, United States
• Nathaniel Boyd, associate director, Utilities and Energy Services, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States
• Robin Bryant, project manager, B&I Contractors, Inc., Fort Myers, Florida, United States
• Andrew Cochrane, P.E., vice president, Industrial Air, Inc., Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
• Michael Collarin, BEMP, senior engineer – Mechanical, Gresham Smith, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
• Wade H. Conlan, P.E., BCxP, commissioning discipline manager, Hanson Professional Services, Inc., Maitland, Florida, United States
• John M. Constantinide, P.E., energy manager, U.S. Air Force, Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida, United States
• Michael P. Cooper, P.E., executive vice president, Bernhard, Metairie, Louisiana, United States
• Derek A. Crowe, P.E., senior associate/mechanical team leader, Stantec, Berkley, Michigan, United States
• Keith I. Emerson, Life Member ASHRAE, retired, Denver, Colorado, United States
• Vanessa J. Freidberg, P.E., business development manager, Siemens, Austin, Texas, United States
• Joseph L. Furman, senior sales engineer, Automated Logic, Wallingford, Connecticut, United States
• James T. Hanley, retired, Cary, North Carolina, United States
• Nathan P. Hart, P.E., managing principal, RWB Consulting Engineers, Dallas, Texas, United States
• Kristin Heinemeier, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow Member ASHRAE, principal development engineer, Frontier Energy, Inc., Davis, California, United States
• Carl C. Hiller, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, president, Applied Energy Technology, Davis, California, United States
• Trenton S. Hunt, vice president, Mechanical Products NSW, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
• Mark Jackson, Ph.D., sr. product manager, Indoor Environmental Quality, Daikin North America LLC, Waller, Texas, United States
• Thomas Allen Justice, Life Member ASHRAE, principal, Zene, LLC, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
• Ganeson Kandasamy, product engineer, Trane Technologies, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
• Firouz Keikavousi, Life Member ASHRAE, retired, Orlando, Florida, United States
• Hyojin Kim, Ph.D., associate professor, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, New Jersey, United States
• Lindsey King, energy model analyst, Oglethorpe Power Co, Tucker, Georgia, United States
• M. Dennis Knight, P.E., Fellow Member ASHRAE, owner, Whole Building Systems, LLC, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
• Stephanie Kunkel, P.E., associate, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (JMT), Hunt Valley, Maryland, United States
• Wichai Laksanakorn, P.E., Fellow Life Member, founder and chairman, W. and Associates Consultants, Co. Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand
• Nicolas Lemire, P.Eng., HFDP, Fellow Member ASHRAE, president and CEO, Pageau Morel & Associates, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Xiaobing Liu, Ph.D., R&D staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States
• Brian Lynch, HBDP, owner, Western Mechanical Solutions, Denver, Colorado, United States
• Steven A. Marek, P.E., mechanical engineer, self-employed, Hanahan, South Carolina, United States
• Farhan Mehboob, consultant/director, S. Mehboob & Company, Karachi, Pakistan
• Tim Merrigan, Life Member ASHRAE, consultant, Energy Information Services, Parker, Colorado, United States
• Corey B. Metzger, P.E., principal, Resource Consulting Engineers, LLC, Ames, Iowa, United States
• Ahmed Alaa Eldin Mohamed, Ph.D., chairman, Middle East Gate Holding Group, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Carrie Anne Monplaisir, mechanical EIT, Clark Nexsen, Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
• Michael P. Sheerin, P.E., chairman and CEO, TLC Engineering Solutions, Inc., Orlando, Florida, United States
• Michelle Swanson, mechanical project manager, The RMH Group, Lakewood/Denver, Colorado, United States
• Michael L. Watz, Jr., P.E., engineering manager – Commercial Dampers, Greenheck Fan Corporation, Schofield, Wisconsin, United States
• Ronald L. Westbrook, P.E., Life Member ASHRAE, retired associate director of Physical Plant Utilities, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
• Robert W. Yost, technical director, National Refrigerants, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
• Chariti Young, software product manager, Automated Logic, Kennesaw, Georgia, United States

 

Distinguished 50-Year Member Award

The Distinguished 50-Year Member Award is given to individuals who have been a member for a minimum of 50 years, and are a past Society president, Fellow ASHRAE or Distinguished Service Award recipient or who have performed outstanding service to ASHRAE or its predecessor societies – the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE), the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE), and the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE). Twenty-three members were recognized:

• Stephen A. Becker, P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, senior mechanical engineer, Fellow, Lawrence Engineering Group, Fresno, California, United States
• John B. Bisset, P.Eng., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, founder, Chorley + Bisset Ltd., London, Ontario, Canada
• Richard Burr, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Spring, Texas, United States
• Charles D. Callahan, Life Member ASHRAE, retired general manager of commercial market, Oklahoma Natural Gas Co., Placitas, New Mexico, United States
• Richard E. Cawley, P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, retired, Tyler, Texas, United States
• Douglas Dewerth, Life Member ASHRAE, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
• Francis Ferreira, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States
• Robert H. Fuller, P.E., Life Member ASHRAE, mechanical engineer, Gutridge Mechanical, Dublin, Ohio, United States
• David F. Geary, Life Member ASHRAE, retired, Annapolis, Maryland, United States
• Ralph Goldman, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Dedham, Massachusetts, United States
• Mark P. Hershman, P.E., Life Member ASHRAE, consulting engineer, Mark P. Hershman, PE, Richboro, Pennsylvania, United States
• Ronald H. Howell, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, retired, Meridian, Idaho, United States
• H. Gerhard Kerschbaumer, Ph.D., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, retired, Ludwigshafen, Germany
• John H. Klote, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, owner, SmokeControlExpert.com, Leesburg, Virginia, United States
• Wichai Laksanakorn, P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, founder and chairman, W. and Associates Consultants, Co. Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand
• Valentine Lehr, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Kings Park, New York, United States
• Franklin Y.S. Lum, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, San Antonio, Texas, United States
• Stanley A. Mumma, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, professor emeritus, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
• Ramesh Paranjpey, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Kothrud, Pune, India
• Mirza Mohammed Shah, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, director, Engineering Research Associates, Redding, Connecticut, United States
• Charles Simpson, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Monroe, North Carolina, United States
• Stanley Slabinski, Life Member ASHRAE, Monroe Township, New Jersey, United States
• Frantisek Vaculik, Life Member ASHRAE, Nepean, ON, Canada

Crosby Field Award

Charles S. Barnaby, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE and Peter Simmonds, Ph.D., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, are recipients of the Crosby Field Award for “Development of a Unified Tool for Analysis of Room Loads and Conditions”, which was judged to be the best paper presented before the Society. The Crosby Field Award is named for a former Presidential Member.

Barnaby is an independent consultant, Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Simmonds is president, Building Systems and Analytics, Los Angeles, California, United States.

Willis H. Carrier Award

Emily Ann Oldham received the Willis H. Carrier Award given to a member 32 years of age or younger for presenting an outstanding paper at a Society conference. The award is presented for “Energy Performance of an Occupancy-Based Climate Control Technology in Guest Rooms.” Oldham is designer, DLR Group, Washington, DC, United States.

ASHRAE Technical Paper Award

The following papers received a Technical Paper Award, which recognizes the authors of the best papers presented at Society conferences.

• Di Lu, Dennis L. O’Neal, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, and Peng Yin, Ph.D., receive an award for “A Comparison of the Annual Energy Use of Fixed and Variable Airflow Parallel Fan-Powered Terminal Units in a Small Office Building.” Lu is a graduate research assistant, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States. O’Neal is Dean, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States. Yin is assistant professor of mechanical engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States.
  

• Lisa Meline, P.E., and Stephen Kavanaugh, Ph.D., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, receive an award for “Geothermal Heat Pumps: Simply Efficient.” Meline is owner and principal engineer, Meline Engineering Corporation, Sacramento, California, United States. Kavanaugh is professor emeritus, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States.
  

• Douglas Reynolds, Life Member ASHRAE, and Michael A. Schwob, P.E., receive an award for “The Effect of Length on the Insertion Loss of Fiberglass Lined Sheet Metal Ducts, Part I: Rectangular Duct.” Reynolds is director, Center for Mechanical and Environmental Systems Technology, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Schwob is president, Schwob Acoustics, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.

• Ngoc Dung (Rosine) Rohatgi, Ph.D., receives an award for “Effects of System Materials towards the Breakdown of Lubricants and Low GWP Refrigerants.” Rohatgi is president, Spauschus Associates, Inc., Bethlehem, Georgia, United States.

ASHRAE Journal Paper Award

Gwelen Paliaga, P.E.; Hui Zhang, Ph.D.; Tyler Hoyt; and Edward Arens, Ph.D., Life Member ASHRAE; receive the Journal Paper Award for the article, “Eliminating Overcooling Discomfort While Saving Energy,” judged to be the best article published in ASHRAE Journal. The article was published April 2019.

Paliaga is technical director, TRC, Oakland, California, United States. Zhang is professional researcher, Center for the Built Environment, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States. Hoyt is Staff Engineer, Comfy, Oakland, California, United States. Arens is director, Center for the Built Environment, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States.

 

Science and Technology for the Built Environment Best Paper Award

Mehdi Mehrabi, Ph.D., P.E. and David Yuill, Ph.D., P.E. are recipients of the Science and Technology for the Built Environment Best Paper Award for “Fouling and its Effects on Air-cooled Condensers in Split System Air Conditioners (RP-1705).” The article was published July 2019. The award is for the best paper published in the volume year of the Science and Technology for the Built Environment, the ASHRAE research journal.

Mehrabi is mechanical engineer, Paradigm Consulting Engineers, West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. Yuill is Assistant Professor, Architectural Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Omaha, Nebraska, United States.

Student Design Competition

The 2020 Student Design Project Competition focused on building a new 17,500-square-foot document storage and archive center in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The new facility’s purpose was to store rare documents, books, manuscripts, photos, and audio recordings in a manner that will ensure the preservation of historical items for future generations.

First place in the HVAC System Selection category was awarded to the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. Team members are Ashley Everitt, John Kramer, Jessica Lee and Mitchael Sieh.

First place in the HVAC Design Calculations category was awarded to Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Team members are Eslam Mohamed Ali, Ahmed Mohamed Soltan, Amr Gamal Fawzy, Moustafa Ahmed El-Saeid and Mark Magdy Fouad.

First place in the Integrated Sustainable Building Design category was awarded to Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom. Team members are Alekhya Yalamanchili, Amr Suliman, Jacob George and Mohamad Abdul Gaffoor Seyad. 

Setty Family Foundation Applied Engineering Challenge

The 2020 Setty Family Foundation Applied Engineering Challenge required students to design a system to be used by building occupants to report operational issues to building operators.

First place was awarded to Bandung Institute of Technology – Wetonia, Bandung, Indonesia. Team members are R Muhammad Nadhir Nasrudin Tanujiwa, Alpinus Raditya Dewangga, Kamilita Hening Musono, Reza Dzikri Khusaini, Hilman Prakoso and Selvia Diwanty. 

The ASHRAE Technology Awards

The ASHRAE Technology Awards recognize outstanding achievements by ASHRAE members who have successfully applied innovative building designs. Their designs incorporate ASHRAE standards for effective energy management and indoor air quality and serve to communicate innovative systems design. Winning projects are selected from entries earning regional awards.

First place recipients for the ASHRAE Technology Awards are:

• Kwai Ping Lau and Raymond M. H. Yau, Ph.D., commercial buildings – existing buildings commissioning, Two Pacific Place, Hong Kong, China. The building is owned by Swire Properties Limited.
• Tomoaki Ushio, PE, P.Eng, Harunori Yoshida, Ph.D., and Shigemi Mori, existing commercial buildings category, Kyoto Station in Kyoto, Japan. The building is owned by Kyoto Station Building Development Company Limited.
• Shana Scheiber, PE and Roger W. Lautz, PE new commercial buildings category, American Family Insurance “The Spark,’ Madison, Wisconsin, United States. The building is owned by American Family Insurance.
• Brian K. Rose, PE, existing educational facilities category, Historic Mercy High School Renovation/Cincinnati Public Schools Gamble Montessori project, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. The building is owned by Cincinnati Public Schools.
• Aaron Smith, P.Eng, BEAP, BEMP, Denis A. Morris and Andrew Bartlett, new educational facilities, the Dalhousie IDEA and Design Buildings project, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The building is owned by Dalhousie University.
• Reece Kiriu, PE and Jeff Stein, existing healthcare facilities category, Kaiser Vallejo Medical Offices, Vallejo, California, United States. The building is owned by Kaiser Permanente.

First Place and Award of Engineering Excellence

The Award of Engineering Excellence was created in 1989 to recognize a first-place winner of the Society-level Technology Award competition for an outstanding application of innovative design and effective energy utilization. The recipient of the Award of Engineering Excellence will have demonstrated the best overall compliance with the judging criteria.

First place and recipient of the Award of Engineering Excellence is:

• Ned Greene, P.E., new health care facilities category, OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building, Portland, Oregon, United States. The building is owned by OHSU.

GEA speaks of improving plant efficiency, reducing carbon emissions

DUESSELDORF, Germany, 12 February 2021: Potential energy savings of up to 30% and a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions by as much as 90% or even 100% – that’s what its Sustainable Energy Solutions (SEnS), which integrates processes and utilities (refrigeration and heating) solutions, can help in developing optimisation strategies for customers in diverse industries, GEA said through a Press release. Numerous successfully completed SEnS projects from GEA show that these optimisations reduce the customer’s energy footprint and running costs, without compromising output or the bottom line, GEA added.

According to the United Nations, energy efficiency offers a potential 40% of the emission reductions required to help meet global climate goals, GEA pointed out. Due to a growing number of rules and regulations and its own climate targets, there is an absolute need for the industry to reduce its carbon footprint and become more energy-efficient, overall, it said. With cooling and heating traditionally accounting for anywhere between 50% and 90% of a plant’s entire energy consumption, it’s the ideal starting point for GEA’s SEnS initiative, it added.

GEA said its SEnS offering is a culmination of a broad processing portfolio and years of industry know-how, combined with extensive refrigeration expertise. “SEnS supports customers in the food processing, dairy and beverage industries, helping them achieve their climate goals by making them more sustainable,” said Kai Becker, CEO, Refrigeration Technology Division, GEA. As a global industrial technology provider, GEA said, it will continue to strengthen its SEnS offering in 2021. Using the SEnS approach, GEA said it will promote the increased adoption of sustainable solutions, which drive down energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions while helping customers from diverse industry sectors slash their operational costs.

Ulrich Walk, Chief Service Officer (CSO) – Refrigeration Technologies, said: “GEA has developed a structured holistic and proven approach that begins with analysing the customer’s precise energy requirements, then making process optimizations and including utilities in the equation. By connecting heat pump technology to manufacturing processes, the GEA experts ensure energy is moving circularly, rather than being wasted.”

According to GEA, each SEnS project includes a single point of contact, enabling customers to achieve genuine and proven reductions in energy consumption and their carbon footprint. The SEnS process, the company said, is backed up by a cross-functional engineering team, with experts from dairy, food or beverage processing, as required, as well as team members with refrigeration (heating & cooling) expertise in diverse processing industries. Each project, it added, considers the customer’s business parameters and ambitions, formulated as measurable KPIs, against which the installation must deliver.

Emerson announces SASO registration for psychrometric lab in Dubai

LOUIS, Missouri, 10February 2021:The Emerson Psychrometric lab in Dubai has been registered as the conformity assessment body by SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia vide Registration No: EE LAB 0160, Emerson said through a Press release.

The lab had previously registered with ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology) vide Registration No. R-T-20-00340, Emerson said. Vadivelan Kannan, Director of Technical Services for Commercial and Residential Solutions, Middle East and Africa, said: “This is a significant milestone for our Psychrometric Lab Facility in this region. These registrations of our Psychrometric Lab will further help our customers to test their air-conditioners for performance and ensure compliance with SASO/ESMA standards and regulations.

“The certification awarded by SASO and ESMA reiterates that Emerson test lab meets both technical competence and management system requirements to consistently deliver technically valid test results for the defined scope.”

GEA introduces BOCK HGX24 CO2 T

DUESSELDORF, Germany, 08 February 2021: With the new HGX24 CO₂ T range, GEA BOCK is expanding its semi-hermetic CO₂ compressor range with a specialised focus on transcritical applications in the lower capacity range, the company said through a Press release.

Cooling capacities from 5 to 26 kW and heating capacities from 10 to 48 kW offer flexible stationary and mobile use in applications for supermarkets, commercial and small industrial refrigeration systems as well as for air conditioning and heat pumps in buses and trains, the company said. With their CO₂-specific pressure design of up to 150 bar (HP) and 100 bar (LP) and a frequency range of up to 70 Hz, the gas-cooled compressors achieve the highest EER/COP values within their application spectrum – with up to five per cent higher efficiency in standard medium cooling compared to commercially available compressors in this segment. “The new transcritical compressors have proven themselves in extensive internal testing and in numerous field tests with our customers and will be available from February 2021 – equipped as standard with all the necessary features for use with the natural refrigerant R744,” said Manuel Fröschle, Product Manager Natural Refrigerants, GEA BOCK.

According to GEA, the advantages of the new range for planners, investors and operators include significantly reduced energy and operating costs combined with a long service lifetime with low maintenance requirements, a wide range of applications – from medium- and  low-temperature applications to high-temperature heat pumps – with reliable and flexible part load, as well as excellent low-noise and low-vibration running comfort with a minimal oil  carry over rate. The basis for this, GEA claimed, is a CO₂-optimised driving gear design combined with BOCK compressor technology. This includes, for example, the oil pump for a reliable lubrication system even under demanding conditions, including large permissible inclination angles of the compressors.

“Together with the compact dimensions, the low weight of only 116 kg, maximum, as well as standard market connection dimensions, the HGX24 CO₂ T set new standards for transcritical economic solutions for smaller performance requirements in stationary and mobile applications,” Fröschle said. “In this regard, they support the fulfillment of important energy and environmental protection requirements, such as the European F-Gas Regulation or the global Kigali Agreement, and meet strict requirements of European standards and ASERCOM guidelines.”

According to GEA, the new range is now also integrated as an additional module in the free online planning and design software BOCK VAP (compressor selection program) and BOCK CO₂ Tool (system and compressor selection program).

For special subcritical requirements in low-temperature applications with high operating and standstill pressures, GEA said, the semi-hermetic BOCK CO₂ compressor program will offer the specifically designed low temperature cooling variant HGX24 CO₂ LT (Low Temperature) with two motor versions from June 2021.

Sauermann launches six HVACR measuring instruments

BRUSSELS, Brussels, 07 February 2021: Sauermann’s new range of measuring instruments offers its 40 years of metrological expertise to distributors in the HVACR sector, the company said through a Press release.

Sauermann said it is offering six reliable and precise instruments designed to quickly check the functionality of HVACR systems. The new range of products covers a full spectrum of measurements, including temperature (dual input Si-TT3 and infrared Si-TI3 thermometers), humidity (thermo-hygrometer Si-HH3), pressure (digital differential pressure manometer Si-PM3), and air velocity (hotwire Si-VH3* and vane Si-VV3 thermo-anemometers), it said. Dependable, quick and easy measurements are done with just a few clicks, thanks to the instruments’ long-lasting batteries, it claimed.

The instruments are all equipped with a backlit display and a wireless pairing functionality, to be used with a brand-new mobile application available for iOS and Android devices (Si- HVACR Measurement Mobile App), the company said. Developed in-house at Sauermann, the app offers functionalities, such as the display of additional measurements (calculated parameters), and the recording of measurement campaigns that can be exported as PDF, XML or CSV reports (measurement tables and curves over time), it said. Further, Sauermann said it is offering reliable connected devices, with an integrated magnetic holder for handsfree measurements, with which a wide variety of measurements can be taken with ease and confidence.

ENGIE in “sustainable” server cooling initiative

LINDAU ON LAKE CONSTANCE, Germany 5 February 2021: ENGIE Refrigeration spoke of how it intends to install a thermeco₂ high-temperature heat pump of machine type HHR 130 with a heating capacity of 100 kilowatts at the Ludwigsburg District Office, in Baden-Württemberg, in Germany. The company added that the model is especially eco-friendly, partly because it utilises the natural refrigerant CO₂ and partly because it provides cold and heat simultaneously. ENGIE added that it has also conceptually overhauled the thermeco₂ – the heat pump now contains a filter dryer and more control options.

The administrative campus of the District Office is home to almost all the important specialist departments in the Swabian district. Various services for the citizens of Ludwigsburg are provided there with the aid of digital tools. This requires a powerful IT infrastructure, which is why the District Office maintains an in-house data centre, ENGIE said. Ambient temperature plays an essential role in reliable operation. As the server racks generate a large amount of heat, the refrigeration supply must function smoothly around the clock. In the summer of 2019, it became clear that action was needed here. “The existing R22 refrigeration system was outdated and needed to be fully modernized,” said Frank Glaser, Key Account Manager for Heating Applications at ENGIE Refrigeration. “As the Ludwigsburg District Office attaches great importance to a sustainable refrigeration solution, it chose the thermeco₂ high-temperature heat pump from ENGIE Refrigeration.”

The District Office intends to operate in climate-neutral fashion from 2025, ENGIE said. To achieve this, it wants to use a photovoltaic system and a combined heat and power system to produce and consume its own electricity in future.

ENGIE said it is supporting the District Office on its path towards climate neutrality with sustainable server cooling. “The Ludwigsburg District Office requires heat uncoupling in a challenging temperature range: High outlet temperatures of up to 90 degrees Celsius, and a low inlet temperature of 38 degrees Celsius,” Glaser said. “Our thermeco₂ high-temperature heat pump unfolds its full potential under these conditions, while alternative solutions could only achieve this with a great deal of technical and primary energy expenditure.”

The heat pump will be installed at the District Office in March 2021 and will then provide the baseload refrigeration for year-round server cooling, ENGIE said. Furthermore, the heat pump will cool the administrative building in the winter months and, thanks to its heat recovery function, simultaneously provide heat for heating the building, for heating drinking water and for conditioning the recirculated air in the server rooms, the company added. This makes the refrigeration solution especially sustainable, which is why it is subsidised by the state. Additional chillers and boilers are available for peak loads in hot or cold weather, ENGIE said.

With its machine design, the heat pump adapts easily to local conditions, ENGIE claimed. The heat pump uses the natural refrigerant CO₂ as its refrigerant. It is extremely safe (safety class A1) and, therefore, involves few safety-related requirements for the installation space, the company said. In addition, CO₂ is non-combustible and non-toxic, and it does not contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer or to the greenhouse effect, the company added. In total, the heat pump will save 38.4 tons of CO₂ per year when compared to the existing refrigeration system – fully in line with the sustainability strategy of the District Office, the company further added.

ENGIE said it has subjected the heat pump to fundamental enhancements, which will now take effect for the first time in the machine for the District Office. “As of now, we will be relying on our tried-and-tested QUANTUM electrical components in the thermeco₂ as well,” Glaser said. “In addition, the filter dryer will become the standard. It keeps the refrigerant circuit clean and dry and, thus, counteracts the decay of the chiller oil, corrosion and further contamination. This allows us to keep the performance of the system at a constant high level.” In addition, the company said, the heat pump weighs around 10% less than the previous model, thanks to its optimised design, smaller switch cabinet and soldered connections instead of flange connections.

Shecco to host annual trade show on natural refrigerants

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 05 February 2021: Clean Cooling market accelerator, shecco has opened free registration for its second Virtual Trade Show (ATMO VTS 2021) for natural refrigerant and sustainable cooling technologies, the body said through a Press release. The registration page can be found here, it added.

According to shecco, the event, designed for the global refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry, will take place over a 24-hour period, from 10 am CET (Central European Time) March 30 to 10 am CET March 31. The show is designed to fill the physical trade show void, as the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, shecco added.

shecco said it is expecting 5,000-10,000 registrations and more than 100 exhibitors of natural refrigerant products for ATMO VTS 2021. Premium exhibitors so far include Teko, Zudek, ebmpapst, Carel, Alfa Laval and Dorin, it added.

The inaugural ATMO VTS took place from September 1 to 2, 2020, shecco said, adding that it attracted 77 natural refrigerant companies as exhibitors and more than 4,200 attendees from 1,500+ organisations from around the world.

“ATMO VTS 2021 will give that ‘real’ trade show feeling, which is much needed these days,” said Marc Chasserot, CEO, shecco. “The platform allows us to explore different halls, listen to live presentations, and make valuable connections with customers and suppliers from all over the world.

“In addition to some great exhibitors, with more signing-up each week, we’ve made some big changes, including new Product Innovation Awards and 24 hours of live webinars, including panel discussions, so that everyone, no matter where you are in the world, can listen live to some key discussions from cooling thought leaders.”

The live webinars will include presentations on shecco’s first Annual Report on the natural refrigerants industry, global training, the new EU F-Gas Regulation update and food retail experiences from around the world.

ASHRAE announces nominees for 2021-22 officers, directors

ATLANTA, Georgia, 5 February 2021: The ASHRAE Nominating Committee has made nominations for officers and directors from a list recommended by individual members and from Chapters Regional Conferences, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

According to ASHRAE, the 2021-22 nominees are:

• President-Elect: Farooq Mehboob
• Treasurer: Ginger Scoggins
• Vice Presidents: Don Brandt, Dunstan Macauley, Sarah Maston, Tim McGinn
• Directors and Regional Chairs: Steven Sill (Region I), Ronald Gagnon (Region II), Mark Tome (Region III), Eileen Jensen (Region XI), Richie Mittal (Region-at-Large)
• Directors-at-Large: Dru Crawley, Art Giesler, Kishor Khankari
• Alternate Director-at-Large: Heather Platt Gulledge 
  

According to ASHRAE, its members will vote on the nominees via electronic ballot in May. The Society added that Mick Schwedler will serve as ASHRAE President for 2021-22.

Biden regulatory moves will make ESG the ‘ultimate investment megatrend’

WASHINGTON DC, February 2 2021: US President Joe Biden’s expected regulatory changes will push environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing “to become the ultimate megatrend”, said Nigel Green, CEO and Founder, deVere Group.

The independent financial advisory and fintech firm, which has USD 12 billion under advisement, made the statement, quoting its CEO, against the backdrop of President Biden picking Gary Gensler to head the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. financial regulator.

Green said: “Joe Biden’s administration is going to usher in an era of serious momentum for responsible and sustainable investing. This is not just because of the likely tougher approach to the use of fossil fuels and his campaign’s vow to take swift action to tackle the climate emergency. It is also because of the expected appointment of Gary Gensler to lead the SEC, who is likely to heavily reform and broaden ESG investing and corporate disclosure rules in the U.S. In doing such, we can assume that Gensler would have the major support on the Commission.”

For instance, upon her appointment as Acting SEC Chair, Allison Herren Lee said that during her time as a Commissioner, “I have focused on climate and sustainability, and those issues will continue to be a priority for me.” In The New York Times, she wrote: “Both investors and the broader public need clear information about how businesses are contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, and how they are managing — or not managing — climate risks internally. Realistically, that can happen only through mandatory public disclosure.”

Green said: “Should the SEC push ahead with beefing-up green investment rules, as is expected, it will close the transatlantic gap that has emerged in recent years as the European watchdogs pushed ahead with increased stricter ESG investing and disclosure regulations.

“At the beginning of 2020, I described ESG investing as a ‘megatrend’ of the decade.  And throughout the year inflow doubled and ESG funds outperformed the market. But the tag ‘megatrend’ would now seem somewhat underplayed if the U.S. moves towards ESG-related regulatory reforms and comes into line with Europe. Responsible investing will become the ultimate investment megatrend should this happen.”

According to the firm, in a move to encourage clients to consider the ESG opportunities, it announced in January that it is planning to offer free, independent advice on socially responsible investing, with the aim of positioning USD 1 billion in environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments within five years. The company said:“The likely rule changes in the U.S. on ESG investing and corporate disclosures are not as yet heavily priced-in to markets. Investors should keep a keen eye on this area and move to take advantage of the opportunities.”

GEA Refrigeration Technologies Division gets new CEO

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, 02 February 2021: Kai Becker took over as CEO of GEA’s Refrigeration Technologies Division as of February 1, 2021.

“In Kai Becker, we have an experienced manager who has successfully and continuously served in a wide variety of positions at GEA for more than 15 years,” said Stefan Klebert, CEO, GEA Group AG. “His international experience and technological expertise will be of great value for the continued success of the Refrigeration Technologies Division. Kai builds on a solid foundation, which we have Thies Hachfeld (former CEO of the Division) to thank for.”

According to GEA, Becker joined the company in August 2004 and, most recently, headed the homogenisation business unit within the Separation & Flow Technologies Division. He has held GEA positions in Germany, China and the United Kingdom.

ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force releases updated Building Readiness Guide

ATLANTA, Georgia, 02 February 2021: With the performance of many HVAC systems in buildings still being evaluated, the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has updated its reopening guidance for HVAC systems to help mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

“The Building Readiness Guide includes additional information and clarifications to assist designers and commissioning providers in performing pre- or post-occupancy flush calculations to reduce the time and energy to clear spaces of contaminants between occupancy periods,” said Wade Conlan, Lead, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Building Readiness team. “New information includes the theory behind the use of equivalent outdoor air supply, method for calculating the performance of filters and air cleaners in series, and filter droplet nuclei efficiency that help evaluate the systems’ ability to flush the building.”

According to ASHRAE, major updates to the building readiness guidance include the following:

• Pre- or post-flushing strategy methodology: The strategy has been updated to include the use of filter droplet nuclei efficiency, which is the overall efficiency of filter, based on viable virus particle sizes in the air, to assist in determining the impact of the filter on the recirculated air on the equivalent outdoor air. This allows the filter efficiency as a function of particle size, using ASHRAE Standard 52.2 test results, to be estimated based on the expected size distribution of virus-containing particles in the air. This calculation is currently based on Influenza A data and will be updated as peer-reviewed research becomes available for the distribution of particle sizes that contain a viable SARS-CoV-2 virus. Additionally, a chart has been added to help determine the time to achieve 90%, 95% or 99% contaminant reduction, if the equivalent outdoor air changes per hour is known.

• Flushing time calculator: There is now a link to a view-only Google Sheet that can be downloaded for use, to help determine the available equivalent outdoor air changes and time to perform the flush. This sheet is based on a typical mixed AHU with filters, cooling coil, with potential for in-AHU air cleaner (UVC is noted in the example), and in-room air cleaning devices. Provided efficiencies of MERV-rated filters are based on the performance of over 200 actual filters from MERV 4 through 16, but the tool also allows users to enter custom characteristics for specific filters.

• The sheet also calculates the filter droplet nuclei efficiency, based on the cited research but allows a user to adjust the anticipated distribution of virus, as desired. It also allows specification of the zone (room) air distribution effectiveness from ASHRAE Standard 62.1 to account for the impact of the HVAC system air delivery method on the degree of mixing. Default calculations assume perfect mixing. Finally, the tool allows for the target air changes to be adjusted if an owner wants to achieve a different per cent removal in lieu of the recommended 95%. 

• Heating season guidance: The guide now includes data to consider for heating of outdoor air and the potential impact on pre-heat coils in systems.

• Adjustments to align with Core Recommendations: The Core Recommendations were released in January 2021, and this guidance document needed to be updated to ensure that the information provided aligned with the intent of those recommendations. This included minimum outdoor air supply and filter efficiency requirements and their role in an equivalent outdoor air supply-based risk mitigation strategy.

According to ASHRAE, the guidance still addresses the tactical commissioning and systems analysis needed to develop a Building Readiness Plan, increased filtration, air cleaning strategies, domestic and plumbing water systems, and overall improvements to a system’s ability to mitigate virus transmission.

JCI unveils sustainability commitments

CORK, Ireland, 29 January 2021: Johnson Controls (JCI) announced new environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, science-based targets as well as a net-zero-carbon pledge to support a healthy, more sustainable planet over the next two decades. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said its emissions reduction drive and that of its customers will be powered by its OpenBlue technologies and innovations, which leverage big data and artificial intelligence to optimise buildings sustainability.

“Sustainability is at the heart of our business and fundamental to everything that we do as a company,” said George Oliver, Chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. “Today’s announcement reinforces our continued commitment to developing best-in-class climate solutions, and OpenBlue will empower our customers to streamline building operations and uncover energy efficiencies that will help meet their environmental goals. We continue to make sustainability a top priority for the company, our customers and our suppliers, and have set ambitious goals that will drive significant improvements in carbon emissions.”

The launch of the new commitments, the company said, will enable it to deliver quantifiable efforts to reduce carbon emissions, drive climate-focused innovation and work closely with customers and suppliers to meet sustainability goals as well as measurable impact against its three key OpenBlue healthy building pillars: healthy people, healthy places and a healthy planet. These commitments, it added, are:

Environmental Sustainability Commitments:

• Set science-based targets consistent with the most ambitious 1.5 degrees C Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenario
• Reduce Johnson Controls’ operational emissions by 55% and reduce customers’ emissions by 16% before 2030
• Achieve net-zero-carbon emissions before 2040, in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Race to Zero and Business Ambition for 1.5 degrees C criteria
• Invest 75% of new product development R&D in climate-related innovation to develop sustainable products and services
• Achieve 100% renewable electricity usage globally by 2040

Customer and supply chain commitments:

• Double annual avoided emissions by 2030 through customer use of Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue digitally enabled products and services
• Create a supplier sustainability council with cohorts of suppliers, and their tier-one suppliers, and provide suppliers with training on sustainability best practices and OpenBlue digital tools in order to meet ambitious, public sustainability goals
• Weight sustainability equal to other key metrics in supplier performance evaluations and provide a preference for suppliers with excellent sustainability ratings

Social and Governance Sustainability Commitments:

• Intends to double the representation of women leaders globally and minority leaders in the United States within five years
• Launch an initiative to educate the next generation of diverse sustainable building industry leaders, in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• Include sustainability and diversity goals in senior leaders’ performance assessments, which are linked to executive compensation to drive accountability
• Launch an initiative focused on underserved markets and increase Johnson Controls’ spend with women- and minority-owned businesses

Katie McGinty, Vice President & Chief Sustainability, Government and Regulatory Affairs Officer, JCI, said: “Our commitments reinforce the urgency to make positive changes that will improve the health of our planet, and we believe we are uniquely positioned to help customers and suppliers achieve their sustainability goals, in addition to our own. We are excited to step up the role we play and will continue to innovate and uncover new pathways to meet our goals which will contribute to healthier people, healthier places and a healthier planet.”

Empower signs contract to supply 30,000 RT of district cooling to wasl1 development

DUBAI, UAE, 26 January 2021: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), announced that it has signed an agreement with Dubai-based Wasl Asset Management Group, one of the largest real estate development and management companies in Dubai, to supply its mixed-use development, wasl1, with 30,000 Refrigeration Tons of district cooling.

Currently being carried out in several phases, the project is located in proximity to Dubai’s arterial Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Jafiliya Metro Station, with views of Zabeel Park. wasl1 will eventually feature 13 residential towers, of which the first phase, Park Gate Residences – comprising four towers and consisting of 746 residential units – has been completed and handed over. wasl1 will also include a range of entertainment facilities, children’s play areas, fully equipped gymnasiums, a multi-purpose hall, and a number of retail stores, restaurants and cafes.

In his comments, H.E. Hesham Al Qassim, CEO, Wasl Asset Management Group, said: “We chose Empower based on its tremendous capabilities in providing district cooling services, and we believe that its efficacy will contribute to strengthening the distinctive wasl1 project. The company’s advanced technologies support our mandate to contribute to the sustainable development of the emirate, while also ensuring the provision of the best cooling services to tenants, effectively enhancing the unique characteristics of wasl1 as a luxury residential project.”

According to Empower, providing a project of such magnitude with green district cooling services has prompted the corporation to direct AED 210 million in investments to finance the construction of seven energy transmission and storage stations (ETS), and to connect the project to the new district cooling plant that is currently underway in the Zabeel area. This, Empower said, would require the building of a subway under Sheikh Zayed Road, in addition to the expansion of the district cooling network.

Empower also said that the wasl1 project will be provided with district cooling services in a number of phases. By mid-2021, the first phase is expected to be completed, which would enable it to provide 3,351 RT of cooling and up to the total capacity of 30,000 RT – equivalent to half of the production of the new Zabeel plant, Empower said. Subsequently, the district cooling plant in the Dubai Financial Centre, currently under operation, will be connected to the new Zabeel plant, with a total load of 112,000 RT, Empower added. This comes in the framework of a proactive plan it has established to meet the needs of the existing as well as of the upcoming mega development projects launched in this vital area of Dubai, Empower further added.

Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said: “We are working hard to serve the pioneering real estate projects, and we aim to provide all residential, commercial and entertainment facilities and sectors in the emirate of Dubai with district cooling services of sustainable international standards. This emphasizes the pioneering role Dubai plays with regards to reducing carbon emissions, which comes in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him.”

Bin Shafar pointed out that adding the wasl1 project to Empower’s portfolio reflects the confidence real estate developers and dealers have in the reliable services it provides. He added that the association with the project also enhances its role in providing more quality cooling services with 50% less energy consumption, compared to the currently used traditional refrigeration services.

The pulling power of utility rebates

The truth is, everyone wants to do good, go green and save the planet. However, in my experience, unless there is a compelling money saving incentive, organisations will not move forward with the majority of such projects.

We at US Chiller Services NY were working on an energy-saving proposal for a fairly large chilled water plant in the New York Tri State area. The savings were compelling at over 1,300,000 Kwh per year and a payback of 2.6 years for a project investment of USD 515,000. Just when we were putting everything together, engineering the project and finalising our proposal, one of our energy engineers pointed out that we had not included the Con Ed (utility provider) rebate incentive. When I asked him what the rebate amount was, I was amazed.

The rebate was as follows: For every Kwh saved with a project, the utility company would rebate 0.45 cents per Kwh and pay this up to 75% of the entire project cost. In other words, the utility company would give USD 386,250 as rebate, with the customer having to pay only USD 128,750 and still receiving the full benefit and savings of a USD 515,000 project. I was wonderstruck. Such an arrangement provides companies with a huge incentive to move forward with Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs).

The New York Tri State area project, with the rebate factored in suddenly had an ROI of 149% and a payback of just over eight months. Sheer music to the ears. With such incentives, it’s impossible to not implement the technology and take advantage of the savings. The customer eliminates 1,300,000 Kwh cost per year, and the utility saves the generation of 1,300,000 Kwh per year on its power plants and infrastructure.

This begs the question, why would a utility offer such attractive rebates?

1) To keep existing customers and incentivise customers currently with another utility provider to switch utility companies. This would not be a factor in the GCC region, as utility providers are not in competition with each other. With the tremendous growth in the GCC region and the clear desire to be as energy efficient as possible, implementing utility ECM rebates would surely exponentially speed up the approval process of many, many energy-saving solutions being proposed in buildings and chilled water plants throughout the region.

2) Energy efficiency is much cheaper than building new power plants. This is the main reason, in my opinion, why utility companies provide rebates. Studies have shown that for every USD 1 spent on energy conservation, the utility company saves USD 9 compared to the cost of building a new power plant to generate the amount of energy that the energy efficiency conservation measure offsets. In other words, it’s cheaper to provide rebates for ECMs than to build new power plants.

Of course, measurement and verification (M&V) proof of savings would be required for the utility company to release the rebate money. With that taken care of, we are staring at a win-win for everyone, as it would accelerate the implementation of more ECMs in the region, keep utility companies from having to build new power plants, provide savings for the end-user facilities and provide jobs for the energy specialist companies that are engineering and installing the saving related solutions.

Khalifa Port strengthens UAE food security with new facility

ABU DHABI, UAE, 25 January 2021: Abu Dhabi Ports said it has inked a 50-year land lease agreement with Anchorage Investment, for the development of grain storage and processing plants at Khalifa Port, to be managed by National Feed, one of the largest Agro commodity processors in Abu Dhabi.

Making the announcement through a Press release, it said the new facility is set to be developed on a 100,000-square-metre plot. With an initial design capacity of 300,000 metric tons, the facility will introduce grain storage and processing capabilities to the multi-purpose port for the production of key food and animal feed ingredients, it added.

Providing Abu Dhabi Ports’ customers with direct access to competitive food ingredients, the facility will utilise grain resources to convert wheat into flour for baked goods, corn into starch, and glucose, barley, corn, and wheat by-products into animal feed, it said.

Saif Al Mazrouei, Head of Ports Cluster, Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “It is a great honour and privilege that Khalifa Port has been selected to serve as the future home for National Feed’s grain storage and processing facilities. Furthering the capabilities of our multi-purpose port and bolstering our ongoing activities within the region’s food supply chain, the operation will introduce several key advantages for the benefit of new and existing manufacturing customers. Our clients will be able to source ready-made, competitive products quickly.”

Following the official handover of the plot of land in the first quarter of 2021, the new project will house several grain silos capable of storing grain for an extended period, providing Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE with a long-term storage solution contributing to national food security, it said in the release.

Abu Dhabi Ports, part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies, has witnessed a tremendous increase in demand for food storage solutions across its ports and industrial zones, and has been quick to respond to demand, it said.

As such, it said, it has also developed ultra-modern cold and dry storage installations that provide importers and companies involved in food distribution with robust, efficient and sustainable services, along with local and regional distribution centres for handling food and medical supplies.

Edward Hamod, General Manager, National Feed, said: “We are extremely proud to be part of one of the most important ports in the region and the world. Having direct access to superior logistical capabilities not only enhances our service delivery but also allows us to expand our contribution to the national food security ecosystem.

“A robust logistical offering can play a fundamental role in the accessibility and cost structure of food commodity supply chains. With its deep-water capabilities, a strategic geographical location, and access to an extensive road and future rail network, Khalifa Port will unlock new opportunities for National Feed.” Hamod added that the port will not only increase National Feed’s grain storage and industrial capacities but also enhance the movement of products, which will be instrumental to “the abundance and competitiveness of food and feed strategic commodities in the UAE”.

Following the completion of the new facility, Abu Dhabi Ports said, it will leverage the capabilities of the new food storage and processing plant to extend its food supply chain activities within the region. In addition to expanding Khalifa Port’s role beyond handling food containers and livestock, the new facility, it said, will support the operations of world-leading food production brands that have established themselves in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD).

Danfoss Press Release – Fresh food, with minimum energy

NORDBORG, Denmark, 21, January 2021: Danfoss said it has strengthened its Alsense IoT services with a holistic store-level software suite, moving store maintenance from reactive to proactive. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said the technology enables food retailers to prioritise and reduce their maintenance efforts across stores and critical events. It added that the software solution was originally developed by Honeywell.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Smart Refrigeration Solution and incorporate it into our Alsense cloud-based services,” said Jürgen Fischer, President, Danfoss Cooling Segment. “We are now putting predictive maintenance into action, allowing the food retail industry to prevent unplanned cooling system downtime and inefficiencies in energy consumption.”

Natalie Schnippering, Head, Product Management Digital Services, Danfoss, said: “Combining the Smart Refrigeration Solution with our existing Alsense portfolio accelerates our ambition of meeting food retail customers’ needs for optimizing and proactively maintaining a high store performance. The solution goes beyond the traditional monitoring systems that are primarily providing alarms and data overviews. It identifies operating issues, such as compressor failure or coil icing, and provides hands-on guidance to fix them.”

According to Danfoss, Alsense provides food retail professionals with transparency and executive overviews of refrigeration assets and energy efficiency at chain level. Going forward, the combined Alsense offering will enable managers to easily benchmark and prioritise efforts across stores to save time and optimise the impact of their maintenance spend, Danfoss said. Further, Alsense will provide service technicians with a prioritised action plan, empowering them to immediately address equipment performance and operating concerns upon arrival at a store, Danfoss added.

Chris LaPietra, Vice President and General Manager, Honeywell Stationary Refrigerants, said, “The Smart Refrigeration Solution software was developed based on customer requirements gathered from leading food retailers, who were looking to save money by reducing energy spend and improving performance of their refrigeration system.”

According to Danfoss, the step follows the launch of its Alsense IoT platform in October 2020 and will accelerate its efforts in providing food retail professionals with intuitive software tools and data-driven, expert-enabled insights to optimise operational efficiency, refrigeration asset performance and energy efficiency.

Eltizam offers FM services to Emirates Down Syndrome Association

DUBAI, UAE, 24 January 2021: As part of its ‘Get Wonky’ culture to make an impact on the communities it serves, Eltizam Asset Management Group has partnered with the Emirates Down Syndrome Association (EDSA) in Dubai for a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme aimed at enhancing the environment for learning and development of children of determination with Down Syndrome, while also helping EDSA reduce its carbon footprint.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Eltizam said the initiative seeks to provide a range of facilities management services to EDSA through its subsidiary, Tafawuq Facilities Management, which include providing water-efficient washbasin faucets equipped with sensors; servicing of all air conditioning units; and the cleaning of external glass, play areas and car parking shades. These maintenance services will further help EDSA reduce its carbon footprint based on Tafawuq’s energy-saving tools and equipment. Eltizam said.

Chris Roberts, CEO, Eltizam Asset Management Group, said: “Eltizam continues to support organizations that help promote inclusion through our CSR programs, which is one of the tenets of our Get Wonky culture. We believe that supporting the Emirates Down Syndrome Association in their activities will enhance the growth and development of people with Down Syndrome and contribute to the organization’s goals of improving social equity in the UAE.”

Doctor Manal Jaroor, Chairwoman, EDSA, commented: “The Emirates Down Syndrome Association always welcomes individuals and organizations keen to support the association’s cause to serve people and children with Down Syndrome and give them a fair opportunity to advance in life. We are thankful to Eltizam’s assistance in enhancing our facilities through their high-quality services, which enable everyone who come to our center to safely engage in all activities.”

Ministry of Climate Change and Environment launches policies to boost UAE’s sustainability agenda

ABU DHABI, UAE, 24 January 2021: His Excellency Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, launched new initiatives and policies to boost the UAE’s sustainability agenda, the Ministry said through a Press release.  The launch happened during the annual Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the Ministry added.

The Minister highlighted the importance of driving coordinated action to expedite the energy transition and increase the share of renewables in the countries’ energy mix at the opening ceremony of the 11^th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). He reflected on the UAE’s journey in deploying renewables at home and abroad, leading to a considerable surge in its domestic production capacity, as well as playing an effective and distinct role in reducing the cost of renewable energy worldwide.

At the Ministerial Plenary Meeting on National Energy Planning and Implementation for Fostering Energy Transition, Dr Al Nuaimi presented the UAE’s new climate ambitions, set out in its second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. He noted that the NDC fell under the country’s national economic and energy diversification drive, manifested in its current energy transition.

Moreover, Dr Al Nuaimi delivered the closing remarks at the first joint meeting to prepare for two landmark UN summits that will take place in New York in September 2021 – the Food Systems Summit and the High-level Dialogue on Energy. The participants proposed targets, policies, initiatives, and other outcomes for the summits that have simultaneous food, energy and climate benefits.

At a panel session, titled ‘COP26 – a Crucial Stepping Stone on the Path to a Sustainable Global Recovery’, the Minister stressed that the UN Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26) is a timely opportunity for leaders to resume climate negotiations and work on a shared vision for raising climate ambition in the context of a green recovery.

He pointed out that throughout the tough times posed by COVID-19, the UAE has remained dedicated to accelerating its transition to a green economy, as part of its recovery plans, and has taken great strides along this path, including moving forward with its renewables and nuclear projects.

At the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum, His Excellency Dr Al Nuaimi announced the launch of the UAE Sustainable Finance Framework 2021-2031 in partnership with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Pioneered by the Ministry, the national framework supports the mobilisation of private capital towards low-carbon, environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient investments.

With the aim of ensuring the UAE emerges as a leader in climate knowledge, the Minister launched the UAE Climate Change Research Network that brings together a group of committed scientists and researchers to advance climate data collection and policy-relevant research on climate change impacts and adaptation. The Network presents opportunities for climate scientists in the UAE to engage with one another and with their peers from other countries as well as to facilitate research collaborations.

Dr Al Nuaimi also unveiled the inaugural edition of The UAE State of Climate Report, which provides an overview of the state of knowledge on historical and projected climate changes and their impacts on the UAE and the wider Arabian Gulf region.

On the sidelines of ADSW 2021, the Minister opened the winners’ announcement of the third edition of the Global Innovation Award (GIA), organised by Globally on behalf of MOCCAE. The competition aims to attract innovations from around the world to the UAE to support the country in its quest to become a world leader in sustainable development. This year’s GIA received a record number of applications – more than 1,200 from 65 countries. The winner was Cambrian Innovation, from the United States, with its innovative waste-to-energy solution that purifies wastewater while producing energy from the contaminants.

Valmet to supply a boiler plant for district heat production

ESPOO, Finland, 21 January 2021: Valmet will supply a boiler plant for district heat production to Seinäjoen Energia Oy’s Kapernaum heat plant in Seinäjoki, Finland, the company said through a Press release. The new boiler will enable the plant to increase the use of renewable fuels in its district heat production, it added.

Owned by the city of Seinäjoki, Seinäjoen Energia provides its customers with services in electricity, district heating and water supply, Valmet said. The company has approximately 4,500 district heat customers with an annual heat need of over 500 GWh, Valmet added.

The order is included in Valmet’s orders, received in the fourth quarter 2020, the company said, adding that the boiler plant will be handed over to the customer in autumn 2022.

Vesa Hätilä, Managing Director, Seinäjoen Energia, said: “We are pleased to start this project. It is a significant step forward in producing cleaner district heat. We will be able to ensure reliable and competitively priced heat for our customers in the future, too.”

Added Kai Janhunen, Vice President, Energy Business Unit, Valmet: “This project features notable environmental values and a great significance for the district heat produced in Seinäjoki. Valmet’s delivery combines strong technical knowhow with high-quality and swift project management. We appreciate Seinäjoen Energia’s trust in Valmet.”

Valmet said it will build the new boiler plant from the foundation upwards all the way from the fuel feed silo to the stack. The core of the delivery is Valmet BFB Boiler, which utilises bubbling fluidised bed technology and runs on a wide range of biomasses. Additionally, Valmet’s delivery includes an electrostatic precipitator, a flue gas condensation unit and a Valmet DNA Automation System for the entire plant, among others.

The fuel capacity of the boiler plant, Valmet said, is 49.5 megawatts (MW). Its maximal district heat capacity, it added, is 56.5 MW_th with the flue gas condensation unit.

Empower reveals AED 901 million net profit in 2020

According to Empower, performance in a nutshell

• Total cooling capacity crossed 1,640,000 RT, maintaining the position of the largest district cooling provider in the world
• Over 140,000 customers
• Total energy saving AED 3.4 billion in 2020
• A total of 350.474 kilometres of district cooling networks

DUBAI, UAE, 20 January 2020: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) reported a net profit of AED 901 million, with a total revenue of AED 2.26 billion in 2020. Making the announcement through a Press release, Empower said its revenues grew by three per cent, with a net profit increase of 3.4% year-over-year (YoY). Empower added that the performance has been commendable, given the difficult economic conditions resulting from the global pandemic.

Commenting on Empower’s financial results at the annual press conference, Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, said: “2020 has been another successful year for Empower, with growth in its financial as well as operational performance, which is clearly evident from increase in revenues and net profit, additions in the number of district cooling plants, expansion of district cooling pipeline network, increase in customer base and the number of buildings connected with our district cooling services.”

According to Empower, the number of buildings it provides with its district cooling services exceeded 1,252, and the customer base has reached more than 140,000. The total cooling capacity has reached 1,640,000 Refrigeration Tons (RT) during 2020 that covered various projects, such as Deira Waterfront, Blue Waters, Jumeirah Group, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Business Bay, Dubai Healthcare City, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Palm Jumeirah, Discovery Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Design District and International Media Production Zone, amongst others, the utility said.

“Empower has also saved a total of 1,312 MW of electricity worth AED 3.4 billion, as of the end of 2020,” Bin Shafar said.

On the sidelines of the press conference, Bin Shafar also said: “We are proud of our achievements in terms of increased number of district cooling plants that has reached 84 plants across Dubai, including the world’s first unmanned district cooling plant in Jumeirah Village Circle project, along with having the largest district cooling network.

“Empower is committed towards efficient utilization of energy resources and supporting its customers and real estate developers, by providing high-quality and eco-friendly district cooling services.”

Bin Shafar also stated that Empower had reduced its fuel surcharge rates by approximately 25%, effective December 1, 2020, in line with the initiative of the Dubai’s Supreme Council of Energy. 

He added: “We will continue our endeavors in 2021 to increase the number of district cooling plants and expand our district cooling network across Dubai.”

JCI CEO named Chair of Business Roundtable Energy & Environment Committee

CORK, Ireland, 19 January 2021: Johnson Controls (JCI) announced that George Oliver, its Chairman and CEO, will be serving as Chair of the Energy & Environment Committee of the Business Roundtable.

Making the announcement through a Press release, JCI described the Business Roundtable as an association of chief executive officers of America’s leading companies. Through research and advocacy, Business Roundtable supports policies to spur job creation, improve US competitiveness and strengthen the economy, the company said. Its Energy & Environment Committee is dedicated to advancing policies that encourage innovation and support an environmentally and economically sustainable future, it added.

As the incoming Biden administration prepares to put clean energy at the heart of the US economic recovery, such business-led initiatives will be key in helping the new administration meet its proposed goals, the company said.

“I am honored to be selected as Chair of the Energy & Environment Committee and look forward to working with my fellow CEOs to support policies that preserve our environment and maximize our energy options,” Oliver said. “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the planet today. Business Roundtable believes that businesses are an essential part of the solution and calls for collective action and policies to drive innovation, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global temperature rise.”

Minister of Climate Change and Environment confirms UAE’s new NDC is part of its economic, energy diversification drive

DUBAI, UAE, 19 January, 2021: His Excellency Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, today participated in the Ministerial Plenary Meeting on National Energy Planning and Implementation for Fostering Energy Transition as part of the 11^th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Ministry said through a Press release.

The virtual session provided an opportunity to discuss emerging experience in reinforcing energy planning and implementation at the national level, and aligning it with global climate action and goals through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Ministry said.

Highlighting the new targets set as part of the UAE’s NDC, His Excellency Dr Al Nuaimi said: “With the support of our stakeholders, we were able to increase our ambition to reduce carbon emissions to 23.5% compared to business as usual for the year 2030. This translates into absolute emission reduction of about 70 million tons. Our clean power capacity is on track to reach 14 GW by 2030, from 125 MW in 2015 and 2.4 GW at present. To date, we have invested more than USD 40 billion in clean energy projects locally.

“While the approval and implementation of the NDC is a key milestone, it’s only one step in the right direction. The move falls under our national economic and energy diversification drive, manifested in the country’s current energy transition.”

The Minister reiterated the UAE’s commitment to doing its part to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, and joining forces with the rest of the world to fight climate change.

His Excellency Dr Al Nuaimi also participated in a press briefing organized by IRENA alongside His Excellency Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, and Her Excellency Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Permanent Representative of the UAE to IRENA.

Addressing members of the media, the Minister commended the role of IRENA in facilitating and guiding the decarbonisation efforts of its members around the world, and its significant contribution to the growth of the renewables market. Furthermore, he praised the Agency for providing its expertise to assist countries in revising their NDCs over the past year with a focus on increasing the share of renewables in national pledges.

He added: “The work of IRENA couldn’t be more important. Renewable energy holds the solution to many of the issues the world faces today, such as climate change, air pollution, and economic slowdown. Therefore, its deployment should be a key item on the world’s sustainability agenda, along with leveraging cutting-edge technologies and artificial intelligence to ensure we respond smartly, promptly, and efficiently to the most pressing challenges.”

ASHRAE releases core recommendations for reducing airborne infectious aerosol exposure

ATLANTA, Georgia, 14 January 2021: The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has released new guidance to address control of airborne infectious aerosol exposure and recommendations for communities of faith buildings, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

An infectious aerosol is a suspension in air of fine particles or droplets containing pathogens, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which can cause infections when inhaled, ASHRAE said. They can be produced by breathing, talking, sneezing and other as well as by flushing toilets and by certain medical and dental procedures, it added.

ASHRAE’s Core Recommendations for Reducing Airborne Infectious Aerosol Exposure concisely summarize the main points found in the detailed guidance documents produced by the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force, it said. They are based on the concept that ventilation, filtration and air cleaners can be combined flexibly to achieve exposure reduction goals, subject to constraints that may include comfort, energy use and costs, it added.

“This guidance outlines a clear approach for lessening the risk of infectious aerosol exposure for building occupants that can be applied in a wide range of applications, from homes to offices, to mobile environments, such as vehicles and ships,” said William Bahnfleth, Chair, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force. “ASHRAE’s Core Recommendations are based on an equivalent clean air supply approach that allows the effects of filters, air cleaners, and other removal mechanisms to be added together to achieve an exposure reduction target.”

 According to ASHRAE, specific recommendations include the following:

• Public health guidance
  • Follow all regulatory and statutory requirements and recommendations.
• Ventilation, filtration, air cleaning 
  • Outdoor airflow rates guidance for ventilation, as specified by applicable codes and standards.
  • Recommendations on filters and air cleaners that achieve MERV 13 or better levels of performance.
  • The use of air cleaners.
  • Control options that provide desired exposure reduction while minimizing associated energy penalties.
  • Air distribution.
  • Promote the mixing of space air.
• HVAC system operation
  • Maintain temperature and humidity design set points.
  • Maintain equivalent clean air supply required for design occupancy.
  • Operate systems for a time required to achieve three air changes of equivalent clean air supply.
  • Limit re-entry of contaminated air.
• System commissioning
  • Verify that HVAC systems are functioning as designed.

 According to ASHRAE, the task force’s Communities of Faith Buildings guidance offers recommendations on conducting worship services under epidemic conditions. 

Rick Karg, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force member, said: “The intent of the Communities of Faith guidance is to offer those who operate and care for buildings used for worship a plan for implementing short- and long-term HVAC strategies to reduce the possibilities of transmission of the SARS-CoV2-2 virus. The document also helps communities move toward a new ‘normal’ operation after this public health emergency nears an end.”

According to ASHRAE, recommendations for Communities of Faith include the following:

• Identify HVAC system characteristics. Compile and review operation and maintenance manuals and schedules.
• Verify HVAC systems are well maintained and operating as intended. For maintenance, follow the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 180 – 2018, Standard Practice for the Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial HVAC Systems.
  • Consider PPE when maintaining HVAC systems, including filters, coils and drain pans.
• Operate HVAC systems, if present, with system fan set to run continuously when building is occupied for services or cleaning.
• Operate the system for a time required to achieve three equivalent air changes of outdoor air (effect of outdoor air, filtration and air cleaners) before the first daily occupancy and between occupied periods, if appropriate. Three equivalent air changes can be calculated using ASHRAE’s Building Readiness Guide.

 To view the complete ASHRAE Core Recommendations For Reducing Airborne Infectious Aerosol Exposure and Communities of Faith Building guidance, ASHRAE suggested visiting ashrae.org/COVID-19.

ASHRAE Learning Institute opens registration for Spring online courses

ATLANTA, Georgia, 8 January 2021: ASHRAE Learning Institute announced that registration is open for its 2021 Spring online instructor-led course series. The 16 online offerings, including eight new courses, run from January through June, the Institute said

 A new course, ‘Reopening Commercial Buildings: Evaluating Your HVAC System’s Readiness to Mitigate the Spread of SARS-CoV-2’, taking place on January 27, will expound the online ASHRAE COVID-19 details for reopening buildings and the Building Readiness Plan for HVAC systems, the Institute said. The course will help reiterate mitigation strategies available and understand specific buildings arrangements, the Institute added.

 The course, ‘Health Impacts of Indoor Air Extraction, Ventilation, and Filtration – Same or Different’, scheduled for February 17, the Institute said, will cover the future design of forced air ventilation systems and the most cost-effective HVAC operational changes and system modifications to improve existing indoor environments in reducing the spread of viruses.

 The course, ‘Hospital HVAC – Infection Mitigation, Comfort, Performance’, scheduled for February 23, will address the role of HVAC systems in helping to reduce Hospital Associated Infections (HAI), explaining airborne versus contact transmission, the Institute said. This course will describe the why and how filtration, air patterns, air changes, dilution, temperature, humidity, UV and pressurization in hospital HVAC can either help or hinder efforts to reduce HAI, the Institute added.

 According to the Institute, the following is the full schedule of online instructor-led course offerings:

January 26: COVID-19 and Buildings: Re-occupation after Lockdown

January 27: Reopening Commercial Buildings: Evaluating Your HVAC System’s Readiness to Mitigate the Spread of SARS-CoV-2

February 17: Health Impacts of Indoor Air Extraction, Ventilation, and Filtration – Same or Different?
February 23: Hospital HVAC – Infection Mitigation, Comfort, Performance
February 24: Evaluating Your HVAC System’s Readiness to Mitigate the Spread of SARS-CoV-2
March 2: Latest in High-Performance Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems
March 4: Humidity Control I: Design Tips and Traps
March 25: Save 40% by Complying with Standard 90.1-2019
April 6: Commercial Building Energy Audits – Part I
April 13: Commercial Building Energy Audits – Part II
April 20: Air-to-Air Energy Recovery Fundamentals
April 22: V in HVAC – What, Why, Where, How, and How Much
May 4: An Introduction to ASHRAE Existing Building Commissioning
May 11: Fundamentals of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) for Air and Surface Disinfection
May 20: Introduction to BACnet
June 1: Principles of Building Commissioning: ASHRAE Guideline 0 and Standard 202
June 8: Powering with Renewable Resources: Thermal Energy Storage

UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment underscores commitment to food safety

DUBAI, UAE, 6 January 2021: The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has stressed that the safety of foodstuffs, whether produced locally or imported, is among its highest priorities. In this context, the Ministry has implemented an integrated approach to enhancing food safety and security in the UAE, it announced through a Press release.

His Excellency Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “We aim to boost the UAE’s position as a regional and global trade hub for food products through applying the highest standards of food safety to locally produced and imported foods. In addition to keeping food-borne diseases at bay, our food safety controls and measures boost the competitiveness of food products exported and re-exported by the UAE.”

His Excellency Eng Saif Al Shara, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector and Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector, noted that a key pillar of food safety is the accreditation of slaughterhouses exporting meat and meat products to the UAE. He said: “MOCCAE, in collaboration with its stakeholders, works relentlessly to boost the safety of imported foods, and safeguard consumers from harmful and adulterated foods through a host of regulations and processes covering all stages of the supply chain. These include implementing world-class food safety standards, issuing relevant laws, establishing intel exchange mechanisms with the concerned local and international entities, upgrading food safety control procedures, and raising public awareness about sound food-related practices.”

His Excellency Eng Al Shara explained the accreditation process applicable to slaughterhouses that export meat and meat products to the UAE, aimed at ensuring they uphold the halal criteria for animal slaughter. MOCCAE, he said, has contracted trusted organisations overseas to inspect the meat production process at the facilities and submit technical reports to the National Food Safety Committee, comprising experts from the Ministry and local food control authorities from all emirates. After reviewing the reports, the Committee makes recommendations to MOCCAE regarding the  accreditation of each slaughterhouse.

According to the Press release, in case the reports issued by the overseas entities or by the border inspection team testify to the slaughterhouse’s failure to adhere to the health or halal requirements, the Ministry immediately revokes its accreditation.

His Excellency Eng Al Shara emphasised that given the high demand for meat and meat products in the UAE, their safety for consumption is a priority for MOCCAE. In this context, the Ministry verifies the documents accompanying inbound consignments shipped by accredited slaughterhouses, such as halal certificates, certificates of origin, and health certificates. It also conducts physical and laboratory tests on samples from shipments, and takes action against those who trade in food products that are non-compliant with food safety regulations or shariah rules.

AESG in global expansion drive with 45% growth target for 2021

Dubai, UAE, 06 January 2021: Consultancy, engineering and advisory firm, AESG announced the appointment of global directors for each of its lines of business, as well as the expansion of the role of the company co-founder, Saeed Al Abbar, to group-wide CEO. Making the announcement through a Press release, the firm said the move follows the establishment of offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, and successful delivery of large-scale projects across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. The consolidation of service teams under unified global divisions, AESG said, will enable it to deploy the best skills and resources from all its international offices on projects worldwide.

Outlining how this strategy bolsters the company’s ambitious plans for the upcoming year, Al Abbar said: “2021 is set to be a significant growth year for AESG, as we build on the momentum we have established. While the Middle East will remain a focal market for us, we are also seeing steady growth in our business in the UK and Europe, as well as a surge in opportunities in Asia. Our reorganization perfectly positions us to capitalize on these opportunities, as we draw on the brightest and most qualified talent from each market to drive our success across the vast geography of our operations.”

AESG said that under the direction of its newly appointed global directors it is looking to further grow its teams. The company said it has budgeted for a 45% increase in headcount, with the objective of scaling to 140 professionals through 2021. The company also revealed its intention to replicate in Asia the strategy that has proven highly successful in the Middle East and Europe by establishing a regional headquarters in Singapore. 

AESG said its newly appointed global directors will be tasked with leading teams, driving the growth of their service lines and ensuring best practices are implemented across regions. Two AESG Global Directors have been promoted from within the company, with Phillipa Grant and Nivine Issa now taking on the roles of Global Director of Sustainability and Global Director of Environment, respectively. Grant and Issa have also taken up equity partnership in the firm, demonstrating their long-term commitment to AESG and highlighting the company’s leadership in gender equality in the field.

With its appointment of Peter Downer to the position of Global Director of Fire and Life Safety, AESG said it is also looking to draw from the experience and expertise of a business leader who has worked with large multinational construction consultancy firms. An industry veteran of over 35 years – 15 of which have been in senior leadership positions – Downer has worked extensively on projects across the Middle East, Asia and Australia, AESG said. Prior to joining AESG, he served as the Senior VP at Jensen Hughes, where he led the Asia region, which included offices in China, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau.

Al Abbar said: “AESG has successfully navigated the challenges of 2020, and as developers look to enhance and optimize the efficiency, sustainability, safety and manageability of their investments, our comprehensive portfolio of specialist services is now more relevant than ever. We maintain a highly optimistic outlook with confidence that our commitment to maintaining service excellence through our ongoing expansion will further validate our position as a leading global consultancy firm.”

Kingspan Insulation launches product for external ductwork applications

DUBAI, UAE, 5 January 2021: Kingspan Insulation launched the KDuct, which the company described in a Press release as catering to external ductwork applications.

According to the company, the KDuct incorporates its pre-clad ductwork system, made of thermoset, fibre-free pre-insulated duct board with a heavy-duty outer jacket. The company described the product as ideal for external applications, plantrooms, risers, congested spaces and lightweight specifications. The KDuct, Kingspan claimed, offers high performance, rigid, closed-cell insulation core, manufactured with a blowing agent with zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP). At the same time, it said, the panels are faced on both sides with an embossed aluminium foil. The new product line would provide ultra-strength and rigidness; cost-savings over traditional exterior ductwork; extra-low air leakage, which does not allow conditioned air to escape; and high-compressive strength, among several other benefits, the company said.

Sarmad Fakhri, Managing Director, Kingspan Insulation, said, “KDuct Ductwork system would help our customers to save extra cost and time due to its lightweight and single-fix properties.” Unlike the traditional approach to ductwork construction, which requires sections to be lagged with insulation, once installed, the KDuct panels are pre-insulated with a high-performance insulation core, the company said. This single-fix and lightweight design, the company added, reduces installation time and transfers the cost benefits to the building owners.

Al Salem Johnson Controls offers support to cold stores in Saudi Arabia for holding COVID-19 vaccines

JEDDAH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 03 January 2021: Al Salem Johnson Controls said it is offering its expertise to support the health sector and pharmaceutical companies in equipping industrial cold stores with the latest technologies, through systems that ensure temperatures set by each COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer.

The company made the announcement against the backdrop of countries the world over, including Saudi Arabia, rolling out vaccination drives, and health and logistics sectors and pharmaceutical companies the world over preparing their cold storage solutions across the chain to ensure safe and efficient transportation and storage of the COVID-19 vaccines at very low temperatures, ranging between -20 and -70 degrees Celsius.

Al Salem Johnson Controls quoted one of the vaccine manufacturers, Moderna as stressing that its vaccine must be kept at a freezing temperature of -20 degrees Celsius for long-term storage (up to six months); the vaccine can be stored for 30 days at a temperature ranging between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. The company quoted Pfizer as saying that its BioNTech vaccine requires to be stored at -70 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the preservation and storage temperature of the Russian vaccine, Sputnik V, ranges between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, the company said.

It said that it has a track record of providing integrated solutions in HVACR, fire, safety & security systems and building management systems in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and Yemen, and that it has extensive experience in the field of industrial refrigeration and the implementation of cold store projects, as well as in customising and engineering refrigeration solutions to suit the requirements of each project, depending on the nature and needs of the materials being stored.

The company said it has vast experience in the customisation, design and development of industrial refrigeration projects, and has implemented a number of large projects in several cities across the Kingdom, in various sectors, including logistics centres, refrigeration warehouses, meat and poultry factories, storage facilities for fruits & vegetables, processed food factories, water and beverages factories, and medicine and dairy plants.

It said that among the key industrial refrigeration projects and cold stores it has implemented are Shahini Holding Group in Riyadh, Transmed Distribution Company, Naqel Express, Al Rabie Saudi Foods Company, and three dairy and ice cream factories of the Saudi Dairy and Food Company (SADAFCO).

Industrial refrigeration, the company noted, is not a standard system that can be used for all projects; it requires a thorough study of the project’s facilities, utilisations and nature of work. In manufacturing facilities. It is crucial to determine if the system will be used to cool the facility, the production lines or both, the company said. Therefore, as a first step, its industrial refrigeration engineers visit and study the site from all aspects, then design and develop a system according to its cooling requirements, it added.

Al Salem Johnson Controls stated that its 29 years partnership as a JV with Johnson Controls International enables it to provide its customers with the latest technologies and to transfer the global expertise available to the Kingdom. Recently, Johnson Controls International was part of a team designing, developing and implementing a cold store at the Danish Odense University Hospital, by merging two industrial refrigeration systems that use ammonia and methane, to reach the required cooling of the cold store, spreading across an area of 352 square metres, Al Salem Johnson Controls said. The system, it said, can reach a temperature of -80 degrees Celsius, which is close to the temperature needed to preserve and store COVID-19 vaccines. The system, it added, uses SABROE Chillers, which offers industrial refrigeration solutions, under the umbrella of Johnson Controls International.

Islington and Clapham

As we bid goodbye to 2020 and gingerly step into 2021, the feeling is not of relief, because the virus is still on the prowl. It must be added, though, that we have reached an inflexion point with the early promise being shown by some of the vaccines that have been deployed.

Now, amidst the carnage of 2020, we have been witness to heartwarming instances of human endeavour – of the medical fraternity putting their lives at risk to save others, of boffins hard at work harnessing the power of science and engineering to provide relief to not only healthcare workers but also numerous other sectors.

Away from the COVID scene, there are other instances that have stood out. Like the Bunhill Heat and Power Network project, in central London, which uses waste heat from the London Underground network to supply heat and hot water to nearly 1,500 homes and other facilities in the Borough of Islington, in a bid to lower indirect carbon emissions and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Human ingenuity repurposed the former City Road London Underground station into an underground air extraction system. It draws warm air from the tunnels, still in use by the London Underground’s Northern Line.

Not only will the project reportedly lower indirect emissions but also cut heating costs by 10%, benefitting the residents connected to the network – a case of district energy providing succour to tenants by passing on the savings.

What is even more heartwarming, according to the company that supplied the technology to the project (see story on page XX) is that it can be replicated in underground networks the world over.

As if by coincidence, the subterranean labyrinthine depths of London constitute the theatre for yet another instance of human ingenuity and resourcefulness. Growing Underground is a farming enterprise that is using long-forgotten World War 2 tunnels used as shelter during air raids conducted by the Luftwaffe. About 100 feet beneath London’s Clapham, growers working for the enterprise are busy harvesting micro-greens using hydroponic technology, which uses 70% less water, when compared to traditional farming practices. The produce is pesticide-free and provides an opportunity to Londoners to eat fresh and without the guilt from knowledge that the greens on their plate are the result of burning copious volumes of climate-threatening fossil fuels in transporting them to their doorstep. The project is redefining food supply chains for the better and lowering food wastage by increasing shelf life.

Such examples as the Islington district energy scheme and Growing Underground serve as inspiration for us to consider abandoning some of the hackneyed approaches that are not taking us far in our quest for a better planet. They are about courage and speak of a certain frontier spirit that we ought to consider embracing.

How to kill enveloped viruses in just 30 minutes

Poor ventilation in closed indoor environments is associated with increased transmission of respiratory infections. There have been numerous SARS-CoV-2 transmission events associated with closed spaces, including some from pre-symptomatic cases. The role of ventilation in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission is not well-defined – that is, by preventing dispersal of infectious particles in small waterdrops to minimise the risk of transmission or preventing transfer of an infectious dose to susceptible individuals.

SARS-CoV-2 is thought to be primarily transmitted through large respiratory droplets; however, an increasing number of outbreak reports implicate the role of aerosols in SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. Aerosols consist of small droplets and droplet nuclei, which remain in the air for longer than large droplets. Studies indicate that SARS-CoV-2 particles can remain infectious on various materials, such as air conditioning surfaces in air ducts and air handlers, as well as in aerosols in indoor environments, with the duration of infectivity depending on temperature and humidity.

While HVAC coatings are often the most cost-efficient insurance for the longevity of your air-handling system, there’s much more to them than just increasing your building systems’ lifespan. The rising demand for antimicrobial coatings was triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and tenants worried about their wellbeing from airborne diseases. In the same category, antimicrobial coatings can make a huge difference for indoor air quality and occupant safety. There are a number of HVAC coatings that drive energy savings, primarily desiccant-coatings.

Found on AHU heat exchangers, coils and in duct systems, they enable recovering heat and moisture, which then helps building owners to save on operational cost. Recent studies have uncovered an extreme antimicrobial effect of desiccant coating systems, in high relative humidity, as present in air conditioning systems. It appears the surfactants can break the exterior protein of a virus or bacteria strain. Once the protein is destroyed, the virus cannot attach to cells and transfer or alter human ribonucleic acid (RNA).

In many circumstances, once microbes have begun to proliferate on a painted surface, constant cleaning and disinfecting is required to keep growth under control, which is highly unwanted inside an air conditioning system. Recognising that the ability to clean constantly is unreasonable in most air conditioning systems, the best weapon against corrosion and microbial growth is an antimicrobial paint that prevents growth of, or eliminates, bacteria and viruses. Both the coating and the possible active ingredient should not produce any environmental, safety or health issues during application. Any off-gas from the film is unwanted, because ideally, the coating must be applied to air conditioning systems in operation without any concern of release of poisonous additives.

Antimicrobial efficacy based on silver ions

Generally, an antimicrobial surface contains an additive, like Agion, which inhibits the antimicrobial property that is composed primarily of silver ions, which have been proven in antimicrobial use throughout history. It incorporates silver ions inside a zeolite carrier, providing an area for these ions to exchange with other positively charged ions – often sodium – from the moisture in the environment.

Once exchanged, these now “free” silver ions are attracted to oppositely charged hydrogen ions, commonly found in most bacteria and microbes. The bacteria and microbes’ respiration and growth are now abruptly halted, since the hydrogen ions are no longer available. Silver based antimicrobial coatings contain a pesticide additive that evaporates slowly from the coating surface and raises questions on the durability of discharge. In Europe and North America, these coatings require a registration by the government authorities.

Antimicrobial efficacy based on desiccation

Enveloped viruses, like the H1N1 influenza virus, Corona (COVID-19) and bacteria have membranes of protein and enzymes to protect the infecting contents. The spreading of the viruses and bacteria in closed spaces and air conditioning systems is carried out by smaller aerosols. Alternative antimicrobial functionality is based on desiccation, a physical process to extract the moisture from the virus and bacteria particles. This approach may seem relatively primitive; however, it is extremely effective in slowing down or even preventing microbes from spreading and transmission. This method is similar to other physical treatments, such as UV irradiation, filtering and heating.

Desiccant coatings inactivate a wide variety of microbes that adhere to the surface through their hydrophilic surface properties. The antiviral functionality of the coating has been tested on the Phi6 virus, which is commonly used as surrogate for enveloped Corona viruses.

 

 

 

Studies

A recent study shows that a desiccant coating can have an extremely quick kill-rate of enveloped viruses after just 30 minutes.

Further studies have proven that strong antimicrobial working was additionally confirmed. Surface activity results in full kill-rates of > 99,99%, which were confirmed on the following micro-organism strains:

• Salmonella
• Legionella
• E-Coli
• MRSA
• Klebsiella Pneumoniae

 

An important note should be added to this paper: No claim or assertion should be made that the antimicrobial properties in the coating will improve air quality or eliminate the threat of disease-causing microbes in the air supply system. A healthy indoor air system is highly dependent on a combination of design, maintenance and cleaning measurements that are incorporated in the air conditioning system and facility management procedures.

1. Knibbs LD, Morawska L, Bell SC, Grzybowski P. Room ventilation and the risk of airborne infection transmission in 3 health care settings within a large teaching hospital. Am J Infect Control. 2011 Dec;39(10):866-72.
2. Lu J, Gu J, Li K, Xu C, Su W, Lai Z, et al. COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with Air Conditioning in Restaurant, Guangzhou, China, 2020. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Apr 2;26(7).
3. Rothe C, Schunk M, Sothmann P, Bretzel G, Froeschl G, Wallrauch C, et al. Transmission of 2019-nCoV Infection from an Asymptomatic Contact in Germany. N Engl J Med. 2020 Mar 5;382(10):970-1.
4. World Health Organization (WHO). Natural Ventilation for Infection Control in Health-Care Settings. 2009 [updated 4 May 2020].
5. Ong SWX, Tan YK, Chia PY, Lee TH, Ng OT, Wong MSY, et al. Air, surface environmental, and personal protective equipment contamination by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from a symptomatic patient. Jama. 2020;323(16):1610-2.
6. Bahl P, Doolan C, de Silva C, Chughtai AA, Bourouiba L, MacIntyre CR. Airborne or droplet precautions for health workers treating COVID-19? The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2020.
7. Dietz L, Horve PF, Coil DA, Fretz M, Eisen JA, Van Den Wymelenberg K. 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) Pandemic: Built Environment Considerations To Reduce Transmission. mSystems. 2020 Apr 7;5(2):e00245-20.

8 Evaluation of Phi6 Persistence and Suitability as an Enveloped Virus Surrogate Aquino de Carvalho, Nathalia; Stachler, Elyse N.; Cimabue, Nicole; Bibby, Kyle Environmental Science & Technology (2017), 51 (15), 8692-8700CODEN: ESTHAG; ISSN:0013-936X. (American Chemical Society)

Recent outbreaks involving enveloped viruses, such as Ebola virus and SARS COVID-2, have raised questions regarding the persistence of enveloped viruses in the water environment. Efforts have been made to find enveloped virus surrogates due to

challenges investigating viruses that require biosafety-level 3 or 4 handling. In this study, the enveloped bacteriophage Phi6 was evaluated as a surrogate for enveloped waterborne viruses. The persistence of Phi6 was tested in aq. conditions chosen based on previously published viral persistence studies. Our results demonstrated that the predicted T90 (time for 90% inactivation) of Phi6 under the 12 evaluated conditions varied from 24 minutes to 117 days depending on temperature, biological activity, and aq. media compn. Phi6 persistence was then compared with persistence values from other enveloped viruses reported in the literature. The apparent suitability of Phi6 as an enveloped virus surrogate was dependent on the temperature and compn. of the media tested. Of evaluated viruses, 33%, including all conditions considered, had T90 values greater than the 95% confidence interval for Phi6. Ultimately, these results highlight the variability of enveloped virus persistence in the environment and the value of working with the virus of interest for environmental persistence studies.

• The use of bacteriophages of the family Cystoviridae as surrogates for H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in persistence and inactivation studies

Adcock, Noreen J.; Rice, Eugene W.; Sivaganesan, Mano; Brown, Justin D.; Stallknecht, David E.; Swayne, David E.

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering (2009), 44 (13), 1362-1366CODEN: JATEF9; ISSN:1093-4529. (Taylor & Francis, Inc.)

Two bacteriophages, .vphi.6 and .vphi.8, were investigated as potential surrogates for H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in persistence and chlorine inactivation studies in water. In the persistence studies, .vphi.6 and .vphi.8 remained infectious at least as long as the H5N1 viruses at both 17 and 28 degrees C in fresh water, but results varied in salinated water. The bacteriophage .vphi.6 also exhibited a slightly higher chlorine resistance than that of the H5N1 viruses. Based upon these findings, the bacteriophages may have potential for use as surrogates in persistence and inactivation studies in fresh water.

• Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Persistence and Disinfection of Human Coronaviruses and Their Viral Surrogates in Water and Wastewater, Andrea I. Silverman and Alexandria B. Boehm, April 2020

• Determination of the Antiviral Activity of Water-Based Coating for Air Conditioning Applications against phi6 Bacteriophage using a Method Based on ISO 21702:2019, the laboratories of Industrial Microbiological Services Ltd at Pale Lane Hartley Wintney, Hants, RG27 8DH, UK. December 2020

The writer is with Aqua Aero Coatings and may be contacted at wouter@aquaaero.net

AHRI applauds inclusion of HFC reduction language in Omnibus Bill

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 27 December 2020: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) on December 22 expressed its gratitude to House and Senate negotiators who included language in the just-passed Omnibus bill to bring about a national phasedown of HFC refrigerants. Particular appreciation also is due to Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Tom Carper (D-Del.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) as well as to Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Pete Olson (R-Tex.), and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) for their tireless efforts to see this bipartisan initiative through to completion, AHRI said.

The language included in the bill would bring about a national phase down of HFCs and allow for a market- and consumer-friendly transition to new and better performing refrigerants and related products and equipment, AHRI said.

“We are gratified that negotiators included this bipartisan, jobs-promoting language in the Omnibus bill, and we are grateful to the Senate and House champions who worked so hard to see it accomplished, and to the House and Senate for passing the bill,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI President & CEO. “Our industry has been working toward this goal for more than 10 years, and it is very exciting to see our vision of an HFC phasedown reach the home stretch. We are hopeful that President Trump will quickly sign the bill, so we can pivot toward implementation.”

Quoting a 2018 study by Interindustry Forecasting at the University of Maryland (INFORUM), AHRI said an HFC phasedown will create 33,000 new manufacturing jobs, increase direct manufacturing output by USD 12.5 billion, and increase the US share of the global HVACR export market by 25%.

UPS delivers Pfizer vaccine in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 21 December 2020: UPS said it has successfully delivered the first batches of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia, to support vaccinations of first citizens and expatriates. Making the announcement through a Press release, UPS said Saudi Arabia is the first Arab country to roll out the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, marking a breakthrough milestone in the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rachid Fergati, UPS Managing Director for Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, said: “UPS has proudly delivered the first batches of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to Saudi Arabia, to support vaccinations of first citizens and expatriates in the country.

“Saudi Arabia is the first country in the Middle East that we are serving, and we are in position to continue delivering what matters to help stamp out the pandemic in the region.

“We have spent months developing new products, agile approaches and new capabilities to ensure we are fully prepared to deliver the vaccine at the right time, at the right temperature to communities all over the world, especially here in the region.

We are honored to work with UPS Healthcare partners in other countries to help deliver what matters in these times.”

GEA wins at RAC Cooling Industry Awards

 

DUESSELDORF, Germany, 18 December 2020: GEA won in the ‘Contractor of the Year 2020’ category at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards, on December 9. In addition, GEA received a “highly commended” rating in the ‘Building Energy Project of the Year’ category, during a pandemic-induced virtual ceremony, organised and conducted by the British Refrigeration & Air Conditioning magazine (RAC), the company said through a Press release.

According to GEA, the award recognises companies that have made a special commitment to environmentally friendly and innovative solutions in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. 

GEA bagged the ‘Contractor of the Year’ award for implementing the Quorn Foods project, which the company said involved installing a new compressor to improve performance – in parallel with replacing a faulty refrigeration system during a planned shutdown at the food manufacturer’s plant at its site in North Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom. The customer, as well as the judges of the RAC Cooling Industry Awards, were delighted with the solution it provided, GEA claimed. By investing in a GEA Grasso Conversion Kit (GGCK), Quorn Foods benefited from a larger compressor that replaced ageing equipment and increased cooling capacity by an additional seven per cent, GEA said. This not only improved the site’s efficiency, but also resulted in energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint, GEA claimed. GEA said it also upgraded the existing control system with a new OMNI Retrofit Panel control (GORP). The control and management system ensures optimal operation of the plant, it added.

Throughout the installation, the GEA Refrigeration Technologies team worked under great time pressure, with only 10 days available for all the work, GEA said, adding that it successfully completed the project in just five days and, as a result, Quorn Foods was able to restart production without interrupting the plant’s workflow.

GEA said the RAC Cooling Industry Awards judges praised its strong commitment at the awards. “GEA demonstrated great foresight and found a cost-effective solution for the customer within the given timeframe through its great expertise and decades of experience in refrigeration,” GEA quoted the judges as saying. “Furthermore, GEA also took the opportunity to improve the flexibility of the plant’s operation and realized energy savings.”

GEA said the jury of the Awards also praised its project for the Scottish premium ice cream manufacturer, Mackie’s, offering GEA a “Highly Commended” recognition for executing the project.

The Mackie’s project saw GEA replace the existing freezer at the ice cream maker’s Aberdeenshire plant with a design using an ammonia and CO2 low-carbon, energy-efficient cooling system to work alongside an absorption chiller. It was the first large-scale ice cream production plant in Scotland to combine biomass heat and absorption cooling, GEA said. The solution, it added, helped Mackie’s achieve its plan and ambitious target of CO2 reductions of 90% and energy cost savings of 70-80%

Eurovent to host ecodesign and energy labelling webinar

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 18 December 2020: Eurovent said it will be hosting a webinar on industry recommendation covering ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function, on January 26. The webinar will take place from 2.30pm to 4pm on January 26, the association said, adding that speakers include members of the Eurovent Product Group, ‘Commercial Refrigeration Equipment’.

It said individual webinar topics will be followed by a moderated Q&A session, where participants would be invited to discuss any related issues.

Eurovent Secretary General, Felix Van Eyken would commence the event, to be moderated by the association’s Deputy Secretary General, Francesco Scuderi. According to Eurovent, the speakers include:

Francesco Mastrapasqua, Institutional Affairs Manager, Epta

Ines Muehlhaus, Manager, Systems Cabinets, Carrier

Daniel Antoñanzas, General Manager, EXKAL

According to Eurovent, key learning points of the webinar include:

Ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function and EPREL, including products in the scope of the Regulations

What is a reference/deducted model and how to extrapolate the EEI of a deducted model

How to deal with incomplete deliveries and how to increase the effectiveness of market surveillance

According to Eurovent, interested participants can register via this link.

Buildings-related emissions hit record high: UN

 

NAIROBI, Kenya, 17 December 2020: Emissions from the operation of buildings hit their highest-ever level in 2019, moving the sector further away from fulfilling its huge potential to slow climate change and contribute significantly to the goals of the Paris Agreement, according to a new report released on December 16.

 However, pandemic recovery packages provide an opportunity to push deep building renovation and performance standards for newly constructed buildings, and rapidly cut emissions. The forthcoming updating of climate pledges under the Paris Agreement – known as nationally determined contributions, or NDCs – also offer an opportunity to sharpen existing measures and include new commitments on the buildings and construction sector.

 The 2020 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, from the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), found that while global building energy consumption remained steady, year-on-year, energy-related CO2 emissions increased to 9.95 GtCO₂ in 2019. This increase was due to a shift away from the direct use of coal, oil and traditional biomass towards electricity, which had a higher carbon content due to the high proportion of fossil fuels used in generation.

 When adding emissions from the building construction industry on top of operational emissions, the sector accounted for 38% of total global energy-related CO₂ emissions.

 “Rising emissions in the buildings and construction sector emphasize the urgent need for a triple strategy to aggressively reduce energy demand in the built environment, decarbonize the power sector and implement materials strategies that reduce lifecycle carbon emissions,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). “Green recovery packages can provide the spark that will get us moving rapidly in the right direction. Moving the buildings and construction sector onto a low-carbon pathway will slow climate change and deliver strong economic recovery benefits, so it should be a clear priority for all governments.”

 To get on track to net-zero-carbon building stock by 2050, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that direct building CO₂ emissions need, by 2030, to fall by 50% and indirect building sector emissions by 60%. This equates to building sector emissions falling by around six per cent per year until 2030, close to the seven per cent decrease in 2020 global energy sector CO₂ emissions due to the pandemic.

 Worryingly, the GlobalABC’s new Buildings Climate Tracker – which considers measures, such as incremental energy efficiency investment in buildings and the share of renewable energy in global buildings – finds that the rate of annual improvement is decreasing. It, in fact, halved between 2016 and 2019. To get the buildings sector on track to achieving net-zero-carbon by 2050, all actors across the buildings value chain need to increase decarbonization actions and their impact by a factor of five.

 Even though progress in efficiency efforts has not kept up with an increase in sectoral growth, there are positive signs and opportunities to catch up on climate action, the report finds.

 Green recovery potential

The recent Emissions Gap Report 2020 from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) found that a green pandemic recovery could cut up to 25% off predicted 2030 greenhouse gas emissions and bring the world closer to meeting the 2 degrees C goal of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change; much more needs to be done to get to the 1.5 degrees C goal, though.

 Governments can help achieve these gains by systematically including building decarbonization measures into recovery packages – increasing renovation rates, channelling investment into low-carbon buildings, providing jobs and increasing real estate value.

 While construction activities have dropped by 20-30% in 2020 compared to 2019 as a result of the pandemic and around 10% of overall jobs have been lost or are at risk across the building construction sector, stimulus programmes for the building and construction sector can create jobs, boost economic activity and activate local value chains. Under its Sustainable Recovery Plan, the IEA estimates that up to 30 jobs in manufacturing and construction would be created for every million dollars invested in retrofits or efficiency measures in new builds.

 “Buildings are a strategic sector to simultaneously address various global challenges, such as climate change, the economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, [and the need to] improve living conditions and the resilience of our cities. For Mexico, the implementation of mitigation measures that improve the thermal and energy performance of buildings is a key ingredient for sustainability,” said Sergio Israel Mendoza, General Director of Environmental, Urban and Tourism Promotion, Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).

 NDC updates open window for faster action

Most countries have yet to submit their second NDCs. Buildings remain a major area that lacks specific mitigation policies, despite its importance to global CO₂ emissions. Of those who have submitted an NDC, 136 countries mention buildings, 53 countries mention building energy efficiency, and only 38 specifically call out building energy codes.

 National governments must step up commitments in NDCs, longer-term climate strategies and support for regulation to spur uptake of net-zero-emissions buildings. This means prioritizing performance-based, mandatory building energy codes alongside widespread certification measures and working closely with sub-national governments to facilitate adoption and implementation.

 “We urgently need to address carbon emissions from buildings and construction, which constitute almost 40% of global carbon emissions,” said Nigel Topping, United Kingdom High-Level Climate Champion. “We must give governments visibility of this at COP26 to inspire policies and decisions that result in the significant decarbonisation of this sector. We need to challenge the incumbency of steel and concrete. Whether or not zero carbon steel and concrete become the materials of the future will depend on how fast those industries innovate in the face of new and disruptive technologies. We have some far-reaching commitments under the Science-Based Targets Initiative by leading materials companies, which can serve as examples pushing the industry to go further, together.”

 Energy-efficient building investment rising

In 2019, spending on energy-efficient buildings increased for the first time in three years, with building energy efficiency across global markets increasing to USD 152 billion in 2019, three per cent more than the previous year.

 This is only a small proportion of the USD 5.8 trillion spent in total in the building and construction sector, but there are positive signs across the investment sector that building decarbonization and energy efficiency are taking hold in investment strategies.

 For example, of the 1,005 real estate companies, developers, REITS, and funds representing more than USD 4.1 trillion in assets under management that reported to The Global ESG Benchmark for Real Assets in 2019, 90% aligned their projects with green building rating standards for construction and operations.

 Green buildings represent one of the biggest global investment opportunities of the next decade, estimated by the IFC to be USD 24.7 trillion by 2030.

 Further recommendations

Aside from calling for a green recovery, post-pandemic, and updated NDCs, the report recommends that owners and businesses use science-based targets to guide actions and engage with stakeholders across the building design, construction, operation and users to develop partnerships and build capacity. Investors should reevaluate all real estate investment through an energy-efficiency and carbon reduction lens.

 Other actors across the value chain should adopt circular economy concepts to reduce the demand for construction materials and lower embodied carbon and adopting nature-based solutions that enhance building resilience.

District cooling utility, Empower wins two Golden Bridge Awards

DUBAI, UAE, 17 December 2020: Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has won two Gold Awards in the 12th edition of the Annual Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Awards 2020, the district cooling utility said through a Press release. The winners received their awards during a virtual awards ceremony, on December 10.

Empower said it earned recognition as the Gold Winner for ’Company of the Year’ in the Energy and Utilities category for its impressive achievements in 2019, including the practical innovations in developing the district cooling industry in the world and raising the standards of sustainability in the sector.

Additionally, Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower, received the honour, Gold Winner Award for ‘Executive Achievement of the Year’ in the Energy & Utilities category, in recognition of his pioneering contribution in encouraging the region to adopt district cooling concepts and his prominent role in leading Empower to become the world’s largest district cooling services provider, the district cooling utility said.

Previously, Bin Shafar was named as the ‘2018 IDEA Global Leader’, in recognition of his efforts for the enhancement of district cooling sector and his support towards global strives for a better environment. In 2017, he was also appointed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a special advisor on district cooling for its global ‘District Energy in Cities Initiative’.

On this occasion, Bin Shafar said: “The winning of these two Golden Bridge Awards is an inducement for our work teams to move forward in making a qualitative difference. It is also an international recognition for Empower’s efforts in transforming the space cooling industry, globally, and an encouragement for decision-makers to adopt district cooling solutions and apply integrated green practices.”

Bin Shafar spoke of how Empower is pioneering in the District Cooling sector locally and internationally. The company’s efforts and the leading role in the industry also led to the crowning of Dubai as the ‘Champion City’ for district cooling globally, on the sidelines of the 8th International District Energy Association (IDEA) Annual Conference, held in December 2018. 

Empower said it has bagged many international awards, as a reflection of its determination and leadership and its ability to innovate solutions and technologies in the district cooling industry. The world’s first unmanned and fully automated district cooling plant it established in the JVC Dubai community is an example of innovative practices, the district cooling utility said.

Empower spoke of how it is a partner of UNEP and plays a vital role in UN-led global initiatives, ‘Cool Coalition’ and ‘District Energy in Cities’. Empower said it is also a member of international bodies of district energy and HVAC industries, such as ASHRAE and IDEA (International District Energy Association).

Bin Shafar added that the company’s success in achieving huge savings, in terms of energy, and protection of natural resources, is the fruit of its ongoing commitment to contribute in building a sustainable future based on a diversified economy and zero carbon emissions. Empower said it saved 1,224MW of electricity, worth AED 3.2 billion, as of the end of 2019. The company’s  total district cooling networks, it said, crossed 320 kilometres. It added that it awarded contracts to various companies at a total value of AED1.13 billion in 2019.

DriSteem wins award for its GTS LX Series Humidifier

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, 16 December 2020: DRI-STEEM Corporation (DriSteem), manufacturer of humidification, evaporative cooling and water treatment products, has received the BUILD Construction & Engineering award for the ‘Best in Commercial Humidification Solution Provider of 2020’ for its GTS LX Series Humidifier.

Making the announcement through a Press release, DriSteem said the Best in Commercial Humidification Solution award is selected by the BUILD Construction & Engineering research team. Those selected met merit-oriented criteria, researched via public domain with many factors taken into consideration, the company said. The nominee proved evidence of expertise within its field, dedication to customer service and client satisfaction with an ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation, the company added.

“We are truly thrilled to receive this prestigious award, five years running,” said Mysty Hanson, Product Manager, DriSteem. “It is always an honor when your work is recognized in the industry as being one of the best.”

According to DriSteem, the GTS LX Series Humidifier is the only gas-fired humidifier that combines the highest efficiency on the market with ultra-low NOx in a single design, thermal combustion efficiency, 94% higher heating value of fuel and 103% lower heating value of fuel. All LX Series humidifiers, the company said, feature new touchscreen displays. The new display, it added, has all the industry-leading functionality of its Vapor-logic controller, with intuitive interface animated graphics, and a Set-up Wizard for easier start-ups.

According to DriSteem, additional LX Series highlights include:

• Condensing design for highest efficiency and PVC venting.
• Ultra-low NOx certified to SCAQMD 1146.2 standards.
• Smart drain technology adjusts drain intervals automatically based on water quality.
• Universal water control for use with any water type, including RO/DI water.
• Modulating output with minimum 5:1 turndown for accurate humidity control.
• Outdoor and indoor models for application flexibility.

Daikin India acquires Citizen Industries

GURGAON, India, 16 December 2020: Daikin Airconditioning India acquired India-based AHU manufacturer, Citizen Industries through a share-purchase agreement, signed on December 15, the former said through a Press release.

According to Daikin, the acquisition will provide prominence to its current infrastructure influence and help increase its penetration across various applications.

Citizen Industries has two manufacturing units, a big base of R&D engineers and service technicians that Daikin said would complement its people strength. The integration of the two companies, Daikin added, would result in joint sales velocity; acquiring of ongoing air-side maintenance contracts; expansion into the applied and VRV solution business, including air side; a horizontal collaboration with American Air Filter (AAF); and catalysing economies of scale at Daikin’s Neemrana factory in the western Indian state of Rajasthan and its R&D centre.

Daikin said its acquisition of Citizen Industries mirrors its assertive philosophy of identifying opportunities ahead of time and building value around its offerings, while keeping customer requirements at the forefront to create a sustainable business, faster than the rest.

ASHRAE, CIBSE sign strategic partnership agreement

ATLANTA, Georgia, 15 December 2020: ASHRAE and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) formalizing the organizations’ relationship, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

Charles E Gulledge III, 2020-21 ASHRAE President, and Stuart MacPherson, CIBSE President, signed an SPA during a virtual signing ceremony on December 10. The agreement outlines how ASHRAE and CIBSE will work cooperatively on activities that serve their respective memberships, to promote the advancement of a more sustainable built-environment through HVAC&R technologies and their applications.

According to ASHRAE, areas of collaboration include:

• Joint initiatives aimed at accelerating the progression of digital technologies and research
• Virtual design and construction to improve the resilience of buildings and the health of occupants in an increasingly challenging climate
• Coordinated promotion of joint grassroots meetings and conferences
• Advocacy and work on common public affairs goals and ideologies
• Consistent leadership communication
• Publication development and distribution
• Education and professional development co-development and cross marketing

“Our continued collaboration with CIBSE provides a meaningful opportunity to coordinate efforts on innovative technologies and resources to advance the growth of the built environment,” Gulledge said. “We value this partnership with CIBSE and are excited to leverage this collaboration to move the industry and buildings towards a more sustainable future.”

MacPherson said: “We are delighted to sign this agreement with ASHRAE and strengthen the long-standing relationship between our organisations. The increasing local and global challenges of maintaining safe, healthy and efficient built-environments marks this as a particularly auspicious time to share knowledge and expertise to enhance our offerings for the benefit of both our members and wider society.”

 

Belimo representative joins Board of automated buildings association

DANBURY, Connecticut, United States, 15 December 2020: The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) has appointed Tom Daenzer, Manager of Digital Business Development for Belimo Americas. CABA is an international nonprofit industry association that provides information, education and networking to promote advanced technologies for the automation of homes and buildings, Belimo said, while making the announcement through a Press release.

According to Belimo, Tom Daenzer has been with the company for over 10 years and is the Manager of Digital Business Development for Belimo Americas since 2018. He leads a team responsible for supporting the growth of HVAC valves and actuators that harness smart and/or connected capabilities, Belimo said. One of Daenzer’s primary roles is to guide the development of services and APIs that complement these connected products through relationships with industry peers and technology partners, Belimo said, adding he leads the Belimo Americas IoT Committee and is a member of the global IoT Core and IoT steering committees. Prior to his Digital role, Daenzer was Business Development Manager for Belimo’s Shared Logic line of intelligent actuator solutions. Before working for Belimo, he spent 17 years on the construction side of the building automation industry, with roles ranging from software engineer to project manager, the company said.

A CABA member company since 2018, Belimo recently began a collaboration with several other CABA members on what will be the first-of-its-kind market sizing study of the building automation control systems market, said Ron Zimmer, CABA President & CEO. “As an industry leader in the development of connected products and services, Tom Daenzer will be an outstanding addition to the CABA Board of Directors,” he said. “That extensive background, combined with active involvement in IoT task forces and committees, has given him unique expertise on the industry’s recent evolution, which I know will be an asset to the Board.”

Dubai’s IBC group invests CAD $8 million in Canadian FM software company

DUBAI, UAE, 9 December 2020: IBC group has announced investing approximately CAD $8 million – at a pre-money evaluation of CAD 21 million – into Canadian facilities management software platform, SITEFY. A proptech solution, SITEFY will assist commercial real estate owners and facility managers in streamlining daily building operations and proactively manage their real estate assets, IBC said through a Press release.

According to IBC, the senior management team at SITEFY brings to the table over 35 years of experience and global best practices in real estate management. SITEFY increases transparency and accountability by leveraging real-time data and analysis to help building owners and FMs in proactive management of their real estate portfolios, IBC said.

“The SITEFY software platform is a truly versatile and powerful solution that can generate huge efficiencies in real estate operations,” said Khurram Shroff, Chairman, IBC Group. “The idea is to introduce SITEFY’s technology software to the Dubai market and implement it in all our buildings, as well as to make it available to the regional developer community. We believe that the solution can be a game changer that unlocks significant returns for property owners, and our plan is to take the platform to the GCC, African and Israeli markets, as well.”

According to IBC, the SITEFY software platform gives building owners, facility managers and their workforces access to real-time asset management, vendor management, unit management, sanitisation management and preventative maintenance, in the palm of their hand. As part of its many benefits, the solution automates the generation and assignment of workflows; enables assured compliance with Fire, Life and Safety procedures; and ensures the verifiable and digitally monitored sanitisation of properties, IBC said.

Saleem Moosa, CEO, SITEFY, said: “Data-derived intelligence is transforming the management of real estate assets, globally. The team at the helm of SITEFY understands how property managers and owners juggle multiple deadlines – more so, in the post-pandemic new normal. Therefore, the platform is powered with data management and analytics to maximize property value and operational efficiency, as well as help building owners and managers adhere strictly to mandated guidelines, while managing properties remotely if required.”

 

‘The aim is for the global fan industry to contribute towards combating climate change’

Congratulations on your election as President of AMCA International. Could you discuss what this role means to you?

The main purpose of Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) is to represent the interests of its members, which are manufacturers of air system components, such as fans, louvers and dampers. To date, AMCA has 400 members around the world. In addition to providing a platform for members on important issues, AMCA works towards developing several standards aimed at improving the industry.

Essentially, we aim to promote sustainability and energy efficiency and ensure that the global fan industry positively contributes towards combating climate change through education, certification of products and advocating for the improvement of codes, standards and regulations. We want to support the efforts of manufacturers producing higher quality and higher efficiency products the world over, given its importance to significant issues such as air quality and better building performance.

Could you speak a bit more about your personal background?

I started working with Systemair in 1989, and I have since taken on the responsibilities of a Laboratory Manager, Quality Manager, Technical Manager and Technical Director. I am currently a Senior Technical Director within the organisation.

Throughout my career with Systemair, I have continued to foster strong ties with AMCA. In fact, my very first assignment was to build a laboratory for acoustic and aerodynamic measurements, which became one of the first in Europe to be accredited by AMCA. I have also been a member of both the AMCA International board and AMCA European Steering Committee since 2014.

Parallel to this, I actively work with other notable organisations in different capacities. I initiated and served as a Chairman of the Eurovent Certification Programme for Residential Ventilation Units from 2011 to 2016. I have been a member of the advisory board for the International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy (ICIEE) at the Danish Technical University since 2012 as well as for the Scientific Advisory Committee for the International Conference of Fan Noise, Aerodynamics, Applications and Systems. I have also been an active participant in Swedish Standards Institute (SIS), European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and ISO (International Standards Organization).

Could you give us an overview of the main focus areas during your term?

A core focus under my stewardship is to make AMCA even more international. AMCA has its base in North America, where it is well known. The North American market also currently accounts for a big portion of the certified products. This has been reflected in the new members of the international board, which is composed of eight delegates from North America and two delegates from each region where AMCA has presence, namely Asia, Middle East and Europe.

With this new structure, we could cultivate a more well-rounded and international perspective that will be reflected in our strategies and activities. I can see that there needs to be greater cooperation among the four regions and stronger collaboration among the membership base, which is what I would like to achieve in Europe, for example.

I want to help develop a truly global community to facilitate better discussions surrounding issues related to regulations. I think this is very important, because AMCA has a wealth of information on the markets, and each region has important insights on trends within the industry.

We will also continue to educate our members and the industry through dedicated technical seminars on topics that are truly of interest to the market. AMCA has a lot of educational material that is available online, and we need to support the market by facilitating a knowledge exchange.

Could you talk about the importance of AMCA certification in the context of overarching goals related to better building performance and energy efficiency?

A key focus area for AMCA is the certification of products. When we certify products, we go in as a third-party to guarantee that the published technical data is correct. Certification is an important resource for the market. If we have a customer looking for specific performance in a unit, then it can be difficult for them to judge if the data on air performance, power and acoustics is correct or not.  This is the value that an independent body like AMCA brings. We certify products that fulfil the declaration of the manufacturer, helping customers ensure that they have the right information as they decide whether or not the product is suitable for their specific project.

This would help promote transparency in the market. It is also important that if a fan does not have good performance, it should be reflected correctly in the technical data; everything else would mislead the customer, and manufacturers should not attempt to secure competitive advantages on false grounds. As such, we strongly recommend for customers to look beyond the label and learn more about the certified performance values of a product. That being said, it is our overall aim to push towards improving the quality and efficiency of fans.

At the end of the day, it is important that declared data is the correct data, especially when you talk about energy efficiency. If you don’t know the performance of the product, then it’s almost impossible to choose the right working and operating points in order to have the most efficient system.

To this end, having AMCA Certification also provides manufacturers with strong competitive advantage. However, it is also important to not only promote the integrity of the AMCA certification but also to protect it, because its value lies in the trust and awareness customers have surrounding the label.

In which areas do you believe there is greater scope for improvement?

In North America, the AMCA certification is well established, and in the Middle East there has been growing awareness, which is reflected in the increased demand for AMCA-certified products in some projects. However, there is a need to focus on the Asian markets.

We have as many members in Asia as in North America, but in Asia they are not certifying products as much. They are AMCA members, and while this is a step in the right direction, simply being a member is not a guarantee of the member’s product.

You have to certify the products according to AMCA, and we need to provide better support for the Asian market to be able to do this.

We must make customers aware of the difference between a company that only has AMCA membership and a company that has AMCA-certified products, which ensures the validity of the data.

Do you foresee there will be growth in the number of AMCA-certified laboratories down the line?

The unique thing about AMCA is that we have independent laboratories, we have laboratories with partners, and we provide companies with the opportunity to accredit their own laboratory. At Systemair, for example, we have four AMCA-accredited laboratories across three continents.

I do foresee more laboratories for AMCA certification, especially in Asia. This is in line with our move to develop and strengthen third-party certification in the local markets. This would be beneficial for companies, because it will be economical for them to have their own laboratory to certify products, especially when it comes to certifying a range of different products. Having a laboratory would be more cost-effective than sending a whole product range to AMCA’s laboratory in Chicago, in the United States, or to any of AMCA’s partners. It is also advantageous for companies’ own product development teams to have an accredited laboratory.

Could you talk about the importance of promoting cooperation between Eurovent and AMCA in the European market? What are the benefits of such a collaborative approach to the industry?

There is opportunity for greater synergy between Eurovent and AMCA Europe. This collaboration has already started, and I will continue to push for it further. We can hopefully achieve a win-win situation. The collaboration can also apply to other areas such as the Middle East.

This not only involves jointly working towards more demanding standards and regulations, further pushing evolutions in terms of energy efficiency and product quality but also the issue of certification.

Currently, there is no dedicated certification scheme for fans in Europe, as a large part of the industry is not favouring it. However, if we were to get this point in Europe, such a programme should be as closely aligned with AMCA as possible to avoid unnecessary testing costs while ensuring a global level-playing field.

To ensure this, a close collaboration between AMCA, Eurovent Association and Eurovent Certification is essential. What European manufacturers generally prefer is collaboration over proliferation.

Are there areas of focus you would like to highlight as part of your upcoming strategy?

Another important focus under my term is to cultivate greater gender equality in the international and regional boards. This is a point I have brought up with the nominating committee, and this really requires a greater drive and push from the steering committee, so it can trickle down to the international board.

 

 

#AMCA #AMCAInternational #Eurovent #airmovement #airconditioning #ventilation #HVAC #HVACR #standards #regulations #producttesting #productcertification #ISO #CEN #SIS #ICIEE

Waste heat from London Underground supplies District Heating to Islington

DUESSELDORF, Germany, 8 December 2020: The Bunhill Heat and Power Network project, in central London, uses waste heat from the London Underground network to supply heat and hot water to 1,350 homes, a school and two leisure centres in Islington, as part of Islington Borough Council’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve CO₂ neutrality by 2030.

GEA, in partnership with the main contractor, Colloide Engineering Systems, supplied a purpose-built heat pump solution for the project. The Bunhill 2 Energy Centre, GEA said, represents a real blueprint for the use of waste heat from public facilities, taking advantage of state-of-the-art technology on the site of the former City Road London Underground station, which was decommissioned nearly 100 years ago. The remains of the station, GEA said, have now been converted into a massive underground air extraction system that draws warm air from the tunnels underneath, still used by the London Underground’s Northern Line.

In close cooperation with Islington Council, Transport for London and Colloide, GEA installed a 1000 kW ammonia heat pump, housed within a container at street level. The heat pump, GEA said, extracts the energy from warm exhaust air from the underground tunnels. The slightly cooler air is vented to the ambient, and the rest is harnessed as energy and used to heat-up water through the heat pump, which is then pumped through a 1.5-kilometre network of district heating pipes, which provide heating to various buildings in the neighbourhood.

GEA said the heat pump system it developed and manufactured consists of a combined evaporator/separator, three compressors and four heat exchangers in the heating circuit. The heat exchangers, GEA said, optimise the heating circuit according to criteria based on the return of heating water at 55 degrees Celsius and the supply up to 80 degrees C.

A key challenge in finalising the system design was the extensive testing required to ensure that any dust or dirt sucked into the ventilation air would not clog the heat exchanger coil, GEA said.

“Since the project was located next to a residential building, the installation also included a scrubber technology to filter the ventilation air from the plant room,” said Kenneth Hoffmann, Product Manager for Heat Pumps, GEA Refrigeration Technologies. “In the very unlikely event of a small amount of the natural refrigerant, ammonia escaping into the plant room, the local residents would not be exposed to the ammonia in the air, as it would be absorbed in the scrubber before being vented to ambient. The use of heat pumps is much more environmentally friendly than the use of gas boilers, especially in big cities, as they do not emit nitrogen oxides (NOx). Heat pumps, therefore, lead to cleaner air in cities and pay off financially. Moreover, ammonia is a natural refrigerant that does not contribute to global warming.”

Paddy McGuinness, Managing Director, Colloide Engineering Systems, said: “Colloide has been involved in several renewable energy projects. We partnered with GEA on this project, given their knowledge of ammonia refrigeration and heat pump technology. Based on GEA’s experience, 95% of the industrial refrigeration plants installed over the last 10 years have been ammonia based. Increased pressure to reduce energy bills for end users is driving a lot of  interest in ammonia heat pumps.”

According to GEA, the Bunhill 2 Energy Centre now connects an additional 550 homes and a primary school to the existing Bunhill Heat and Power district heating network, launched by the Islington Council in 2012. The heating costs for residents connected to the network will be cut by 10%, when compared to other existing communal heating systems, which themselves cost around half as much as standalone systems for heating individual homes, GEA said. The new system is a win-win for the environment and for the residents of Islington and aligns with the Council’s aim to end fuel poverty, GEA added.

The heating system is particularly environmentally friendly, as it reuses heat that would otherwise be wasted, GEA said. Supplying the connected households and public facilities with the upgraded waste heat will help to reduce CO₂ emissions in the Islington Borough by around 500 tons per year, GEA said.

“Thanks to the cooperation of all involved, this is a ground-breaking district heating scheme,” said Shaun Hannon, Contracts Manager, Colloide. “The main technology used is the ammonia heat pump, and as a result, this project provides cheaper, greener energy for the local community.”

Iain Eckett, Technical Sales Manager, Refrigeration Technologies, GEA UK, said: “This was a very ambitious task. But, we have shown that GEA has the knowledge, the technology and the ability to successfully implement innovative projects to generate cleaner and cheaper heating. We offer the most efficient solution at an attractive price.”

The principle of heat recovery using heat pumps can be applied in London and in underground networks all around the world, GEA said, adding that London alone has more than 150 ventilation shafts, where waste heat could potentially be recovered.

Project data
Start: 2017
Completion: 2019

Opening: 2020
Gross internal floor area: 617m²
Contract: JCT Design and Build Contract
Architects: Cullinan Studio (design),McGurk Chartered Architects (delivery)
Client and project manager: Islington Borough Council
Key delivery partner: Transport for London
Structural engineer: Ramboll (design), McMahon Associates (delivery)
M&E Consultant: Ramboll
QS: Gleeds
Landscape consultant: J&L Gibbons
CDM Coordinator: AECOM
Approved building inspector: Islington Building Control
Design and build contractor: Colloide Engineering
Artist: Toby Paterson
Heat pump system: GEA (design, manufacture, and installation)
Testing and Commissioning: Topic Plan
Project consultant: Inner Circle Consulting
Rights of light: Right of Light Consulting
CAD software: MicroStation, Revit

#DistrictCooling #DistrictHeating #DistrictEnergy #HVAC #HVACR #airconditioning #carbon #carbonneutrality #Islington #IslingtonBoroughCouncil #heatpump #heatpumps #ammoniaheatpump #ammoniaheatpumps #fuelpoverty

Carrier announces plans to target carbon neutrality by 2030

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, 5 December 2020: Carrier Global Corporation on November 30 announced the company’s first set of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) goals since becoming an independent company in April. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company said it is targeting carbon neutrality across its operations by 2030. The company said it is also aiming to reduce its customers’ carbon footprint by more than one gigaton, supported by a planned investment of more than USD 2 billion over the next 10 years toward the development of healthier, safer and more sustainable building and cold chain solutions.

“At Carrier, we are applying our industry-leading innovation to fight climate change through new energy-efficient product offerings and through lower emissions in our operations,” said Dave Gitlin, President & CEO, Carrier. “Our 2030 goals will drive our company to be a positive catalyst for societal change in our areas of expertise, including healthy buildings and the cold chain, as well as in the communities in which we operate around the world.”

According to Carrier, the 2030 ESG Goals include a transformation of the company’s operations to be carbon-neutral while maintaining world-class safety metrics, and the incorporation of leading sustainable design principles from manufacturing through end-of-life.

Additional goals, the company said, include the following:

• Achieve carbon- and water-neutral operations and deliver zero waste to landfill from its manufacturing locations
• Establish a responsible supply chain program and assess key factory suppliers against program criteria
• Achieve gender parity in senior leadership roles and a diverse workforce that represents the communities in which Carrier’s employees live and work
• Positively impact the communities through enabling access to safe and healthy indoor environments, alleviating hunger and food waste, and volunteering the company’s time and talent
• Invest in STEM education programs that promote diversity and inclusion, and promote sustainability through education, partnerships and climate resiliency programs
• Maintain world-class safety metrics

 

Carrier said its new ESG strategy and goals build on the company’s performance outlined in the 2020 ESG Report, released in July. The report, the company added, details the ESG achievements in 2019 against 2020 goals and serves as a baseline for many of the 2030 ESG Goals.

Eurovent publishes new recommendation for commercial refrigeration equipment

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 06 December 2020: Eurovent has released the first edition of the Eurovent Recommendation 14/6 – Interpretation of Regulation (EU) 2019/2018 and of Regulation (EU) 2019/2024. The Recommendation, Eurovent said through a Press release, provides the European Commission with industry input for the future guidelines accompanying Regulations (EU) 2019/2018 and (EU) 2024/2019.

The aim of this code of good practice, Eurovent said, is to provide the industry interpretation in regard to the Regulation (EU) 2019/2018 and to the Regulation 2019/2024 and to support the European Commission in preparing guidelines accompanying both Regulations. This document was prepared in a joint effort by participants of the Eurovent Product Group, ‘Commercial Refrigeration Equipment’ (PG-RDC), which represents a vast majority of all manufacturers of these products active in the EMEA market, Eurovent said.

Pierluigi Schiesaro, Research & Development Director, Arneg, and Chairman, Eurovent Product Group ‘Commercial Refrigeration Equipment’, said: ‘The Eurovent PG-RDC supported the European Commission since the early stage of the preparatory study. In order to actively contribute to achieving the energy-saving targets proposed, Eurovent and its members deem an unambiguous interpretation of the requirements set out in these Regulations of fundamental importance. That is what we aim to provide with this Recommendation.”

Francesco Scuderi, Eurovent Deputy Secretary General, added: ‘The European industry welcomes these long-awaited Regulations and wants to make their implementation as effective as possible. To assist with this, Eurovent will host a webinar on January 26, 2021, to present the contents of the new Eurovent Recommendation 14/6, and to welcome all the questions coming from manufacturers, distributors, end-user, designers, policy makers, and MSAs’.

According to Eurovent, Recommendation 14/6 is available for download in the Eurovent Document Web Shop at www.eurovent.eu.

 

#Eurovent #refrigeration #commercialrefrigeration #ecodesign #energy #energylabelling

AHRI announces new officers, presents awards

Arlington, Virginia, 6 December 2020: The Board of Directors of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) on December 3 elected the Association’s new officers and congratulated those presented industry awards at last month’s virtual Leadership Forum.

“The dedication of these industry leaders makes it possible for AHRI to continue to be the recognized voice of the industry and a reliable source for information,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI President and CEO. “We are very grateful for their service to AHRI and the HVACR and water heating industry.”

According to AHRI, its new Chairman is Michael Schwartz, CEO, Daikin Applied Americas.

The roster of officers, AHRI said, includes:

Vice Chairman: Ron Duncan, President, Magic Aire

Vice Chairman: Kevin Wheeler, A O Smith
Treasurer: Megan Fellinger, President & CEO, Morrison Products

Past Chairman: John Galyen, President, Danfoss North America

According to AHRI, the directors are:

Kevin Beckett, President, R W Beckett

Gary Bedard, EVP, President, and COO Worldwide Refrigeration, Lennox

Mike Branson, President, Rheem Manufacturing Company

Bruce Carnevale, President and CEO, Bradford White Corp.
Chris Nelson, President, Carrier Residential and Commercial Systems

Joe Oliveri, VP and GM Global Ducted Systems, Johnson Controls
Brent Schroeder, President Air Conditioning Business, Emerson

Donny Simmons, President, Commercial HVACR, Ingersoll Rand
John Swann, President, Weil-McLain

John Thomas, President & CEO, WaterFurnace

Speaking of the awardees, AHRI said the Richard C Schulze Award is given for distinguished service and commitment to AHRI and the industry’s goals and objectives. AHRI congratulated the following for winning the Award:

• Beth Braddy, Trane Technologies
• John Gibbons, Carrier Corporation
• Bruce Heirlmeier, Zero Zone

The Distinguished Service Award, AHRI said, is the highest honor it bestows. The Award, AHRI said, recognizes industry leaders who have made significant contributions throughout their careers. AHRI congratulated the following for winning the Award:

• Roger Richmond-Smith, Smardt
• Robert “Dutch” Uselton, Lennox

ASHRAE opens registration for 2021 Virtual Winter Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 1 December 2020: ASHRAE announced that registration is open for the 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Winter Conference, from February 9 to 11. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said the convenient online format of the conference will allow for global participation with a group of the world’s leading presenters, delivering timely and useful industry content.

“ASHRAE’s Virtual Winter Conference will include three days packed with learning and live discussions from top experts,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E Gulledge III. “This is the perfect platform and opportunity for built- environment professionals to take advantage of the Society’s strong technical content. The conference will provide us the opportunity to amplify ASHRAE’s important research and resources to address the challenges of the times we’re living in.”

ASHRAE said the conference will feature nearly 98 live and on-demand sessions with updates from Society leaders and virtual networking events. Technical sessions will address building performance, COVID-19, energy conservation, refrigerants, ethics, equipment and standards, it added.

Conference registration, ASHRAE said, is open at ashrae.org/2021winter.

During the weeks leading up to the conference, ASHRAE said, it will also conduct virtual business, committee and technical meetings that are typically held during onsite at the Winter Conference.

The cost to attend the virtual conference, ASHRAE said, is USD 249 for ASHRAE members and USD 479 for non-members, which includes an ASHRAE membership for one year. For additional pricing, it urged industry stakeholders to visit ashrae.org/2021winter.

According to ASHRAE, registration includes:

February 9-11 Live Event

• More than 35 technical sessions presented live, including sessions scheduled for live participation from attendees in different time zones across the globe
• Leadership moments providing updates from Society leaders
• Keynote presentation hosted by Women in ASHRAE
• Live 30-minute forum sessions for interactive participation
• Opportunities to interact with fellow attendees in 30-minute roundtable discussions and meet-ups
• Recognition of more than 150 award recipients of ASHRAE’s most prestigious society awards
• Conference proceedings (the technical papers, conference papers and extended abstracts can be downloaded)

Post-Conference

• Twenty-six live Q&A chat sessions for on-demand paper session for the opportunity to chat with speakers scheduled on February 12
• All sessions presented live will be recorded and available on-demand until August 11, 2022
• Over 80 additional on-demand sessions accessible for 18 months

 

The technical program comprises eight tracks, exploring occupant comfort, energy systems use and examining how to improve HVAC efficiency on a global scale, ASHRAE said.

“Engineers and designers are being tasked to take closer looks at buildings and their systems to provide comfort to the occupants while also finding ways to reduce the impact on the environment and energy use,” said Maggie Moninski, Chair, 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Winter Conference. “The 2021 Winter Conference attendees will be given a great opportunity to learn from some of the leaders of the industry with a focus on the foundations of the HVAC&R industry along with specialty topics like International Design and the Future of HVAC Work.”

ASHRAE President Charles E Gulledge III, ASHRAE said, will provide an update on the 2020-21 Society theme, ‘The ASHRAE Digital Lighthouse and Industry 4.0’. Members, ASHRAE added, will be recognized for industry and Society accomplishments. Major contributors to ASHRAE’s Building campaign, RP campaign and scholarship donors will also be recognized, it said.

Professional development hours, ASHRAE said, can be earned for all on-demand sessions and more than 35 live sessions upon successfully completing a short quiz. Registration, it added, includes access to all the technical content on-demand for 18 months.

‘Climate positive policies inadequate for solving emissions crisis’

ARNHEM, The Netherlands, 30 November 2020: Political leaders are making strides in climate change this month, with election commitments from President-Elect Joe Biden in the United States, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson launching a 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and the European Union unveiling plans to increase offshore windfarm capacity 25-fold as part of the Green Deal, but more action is required to get in striking distance of the Paris Agreement, according to DNV GL.

Cross-sector industry support is needed to boost investment, technology and skills to transition at the rate required to meet climate targets, according to a report DNV GL released today.

The final report in DNV GL’s ‘Transition Faster Together’ 2020 series summarises the strategies and solutions needed to speed up the energy transition. DNV GL has put forward five calls to action to help a faster transition to a clean energy future. These include governments increasing policy support along with economic stimulus packages, enabling investment in emerging technologies, re-skilling and a greater focus on cross-sector partnerships.

The series brought together experts and industry leaders to share their views on three areas vital to accelerating the energy transition: renewables, power grids and energy efficiency.

In its recently launched Energy Transition Outlook, DNV GL predicts that by mid-century, 62% of the world’s electricity needs will come from solar and wind, generated by 17,000 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar and wind capacity. But, the predicted growth in renewables is far from enough to meet the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, despite a shifting sentiment from policy makers.

Ditlev Engel, CEO, DNV GL-Energy, said: “With COVID-19, normal life has changed dramatically in 2020; however, as we endure these tough times, the climate emergency persists. We can be encouraged by recent world commitments towards climate positive policies, but that is only one part of the necessary movement needed to shift the emissions dial. While many governments are proficient at putting together strategies for energy programs, it will not be fast enough, according to our forecast.”

The first call to action is greater support to develop and deploy new technologies, DNV GL said. Emerging technologies, such as bifacial solar modules, larger wind turbines, floating solar and floating wind will play an increasing role over the next five years, it said. To accommodate an increase in renewables, power grids will need the ability to integrate new technologies more quickly, it further said. By supporting the development and deployment of new technology for generation and distribution of clean electricity, the move from innovation to established and proven climate change solution will accelerate, it added.

The second is urging governments to increase climate commitments and act quickly to bring in policy and regulatory frameworks, DNV GL said. Although renewable energy technologies are becoming less dependent on government support, decarbonisation projects face continued transition risks related to policy making and slow implementation, it said. Without a higher degree of cross-party cohesion, policy uncertainty and delay will continue, it added.

The third call, DNV GL said, is to focus post-COVID investment to accelerate the energy transition. A global pandemic creates the risk that long-term economic uncertainty will dampen climate initiatives, but it also presents an opportunity to focus enormous economic stimulus packages on long-term sustainable solutions, it said. Governments around the world need to commit to post-pandemic economic stimulus packages that will drive the uptake of low or zero carbon solutions, it added.

According to DNV GL, the final two calls of action are to find ways to foster cross-collaboration within sectors and to encourage workforce skills to join the fast moving and exciting energy industry.

Engel added: “The energy sector needs to recruit and reskill aggressively in the next decade to enable its workforce to keep pace with the energy transition. The workforce needs to be agile, diverse, and technologically and digitally adept to adjust and keep abreast of changes. The technology to enable digital transformation is available, but this technology is only as good as the people who use it.

“Organizations need to invest in practical skills training combined with a mindset shift to ensure their employees have the expertise to add value on top of technology implementation. We need a combination of solutions to set a new path that is sustainable and people-centred. As a global energy industry, we need to join forces and do everything in our power to ensure we transition faster together.”

 

#climatechange #climatecrisis #decarbonisation #emissions #indirectemissions #GreenDeal #ParisAgreement #fossilfuels #renewableenergy #solar #wind

Daikin appoints new Chairman & President for Middle East & Africa

DUBAI, UAE, 30 November 2020: Daikin has announced the appointment of Masaaki Miyatake as the new Daikin MEA Chairman and President.

Miyatake joined the company as a sales engineer in Japan more than 30 years ago, Daikin said, adding that due to his exceptional abilities, he was promoted to Project Sales Manager. From Japan, he was transferred in 2017 to “Daikin Europe” in Belgium, where he worked as the General Manager for the Applied Business. In July 2020, he joined Daikin MEA based in Dubai.

According to Daikin, Miyatake had led an award-winning team that developed an inverter heat-pump modular chiller in Japan. The product won the 2017 ‘Energy Conservation Grand Prize’ and the ‘Energy Conservation Center Chairman’s Award’, the company said.

Miyatake said: “Seeking to expand its footprint in key regional markets, Daikin Middle East and Africa will open new affiliates, sales offices and service centres as well as introduce new products to enable us to reach as many customers as possible. This move will be supported by a stronger business structure and vibrant cooperation with our sales partners and other industry stakeholders. Internally, we will implement continuous career development and relevant skills training programs to strengthen our teams’ competencies, and to align with our mission to ensure best indoor air quality and deliver comfort through an energy-efficient building climate control solution.”

Addressing the Daikin MEA community, he highlighted the power of all teams to effect change, reach ambitious targets and transform the company, in line with Daikin’s strategic Fusion 25 management plan.

 

#Daikin #HVAC #HVACR #airconditioning #airconditioningMiddleEast #HVACMiddleEast #HVACRMiddleEast #energyefficiency #chiller

Mostra Convegno launches MCE Live+Digital 2021

MILAN, Italy, 30 November 2020: Reed Exhibitions, the organisers of Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, have announced the launch of MCE LIVE+DIGITAL, which combines a “live” in-person event with a “virtual” online component. The event is scheduled to take place from April 8 to 9, 2021, at MICO, Fiera Milano Convention Centre, Reed Exhibitions said. The online component will extend till April 16, allowing exhibitors to harvest business contacts for an extended period, Reed Exhibitions added.

The physical experience will be supported by an online platform for new integrated ways of meeting, Reed Exhibitions said, adding that the online component will add value through providing better connections and creating a seamless event experience for visitors and exhibitors.

MCE LIVE+DIGITAL will feature a unique digital platform, which Reed Exhibitions said is intuitive and straightforward, and is based on Al technology that perfectly matches the new needs of the trade fair business and events.

“MCE LIVE+DIGITAL will blur the lines between the digital and the physical,” said Massimiliano Pierini, Managing Director, di Reed Exhibitions Italia. “We have chosen this type of format to continue offering business opportunities to our entire value chain, the manufacturing and distribution industries and, of course, to a variety of qualified professionals who need to meet, confront and interact, even more in this new normality.” He added that the digital component of the hybrid format has a crucial role in integrating and increasing meeting in person, which remains and will always remain irreplaceable. Socialisation, he said, is intrinsic to human nature. Pierini said that digital services will also accompany the event in the future. “For this reason, we have devised an appropriate support model for our exhibitors to explain different ways of communication available, so that they can be well prepared for the show and take advantage of this opportunity, which I hope will give a new impulse to the whole sector,” he added.

According to Reed Exhibitions, the format will present multiple participation options that provide a wide selection to exhibiting companies. These include physical booths, with size options and turnkey set up, or raw spaces or digital visibility opportunities, or only virtual participation, in particular for foreign companies that will be unable to attend.

The virtual suite, MCE LIVE+DIGITAL will feature a vast array of visibility and networking tools, including company profile, photo and video galleries of products, recommendations, matchmaking functionalities, chat forums and lead generation, Reed Exhibitions said.

These features, Reed Exhibitions said, will be extremely effective, thanks to the potential of artificial intelligence, which is capable of analysing behavioural data of exhibitors and visitors and allowing further business meetings. Moreover, Reed Exhibitions said, exhibitors will benefit from real-time data checks, highlighting team activities and return on investment.

Industry professionals will have free access to the event, Reed Exhibitions said, adding that the virtual platform will offer professionals a wide range of services, from meeting companies attending the event to registration to business Webinar, conferences and seminars on-site – organised in collaboration with the leading trade associations that have always been partners of MCE.

MCE LIVE+DIGITAL, Reed Exhibitions said, will link to MCE – MOSTRA CONVEGNO EXPOCOMFORT, rescheduled to take place from March 8 to 11, 2022, with the aim of accelerating business opportunities for all industries in the reference sectors.

 

#HVAC #HVACR #Europe #EuropeHVAC #EuropeHVACR #airconditioning #ventilation #energyefficency #IAQ #IEQ #Mostra #MostraConvengno #digitalexhibitions #AI #artificialintelligence

Eurovent paper highlights need for government-incentivised retrofitting

DUBAI, UAE, 26 November 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) to the health and welfare of building inhabitants, Eurovent Middle East said through a Press release. Insufficient air filtration and ventilation have proven to increase the risk of airborne viral transmission in closed spaces, Eurovent said. While the need to improve IAQ has always been a public health priority, it is now an urgent necessity, with far-reaching economic and employment impacts, it said. To ensure the safe operation of buildings, improvements to ventilation and air filtration systems need to be placed in focus, it added.

The industry association announced it has published a Position Paper in which, on behalf of the HVACR industry, it is calling on governments to initiate retrofitting measures for public buildings and to provide incentives for retrofits in the private sector. The energy savings achieved with better HVAC installations will enable a return on investment within a short period of time, while improvements in ventilation has been proven to have an immediate impact on reducing exposure to airborne pathogens, Eurovent said through the paper.

It highlighted how Germany recently provided funds of EUR 500 million to upgrade ventilation systems in all state-owned buildings, including offices, schools and hospitals, and this measure is expected to lead to significant improvements of IAQ while stimulating the economy by providing jobs and projects to the building and ventilation industry. A similar approach in the Middle East would equally create multiple benefits for governments, the economy and society, Eurovent said.

Tariq Al Ghussein, President, Eurovent Middle East, said: “The events of 2020 have shone a spotlight on IAQ in our built-environment, and this presents us with a clear opportunity for progressive change. Retrofitting in the region has historically gained traction for energy conservation reasons. However, its ability to improve ventilation, and the provision of safe, clean air should now become a key focus. Supported by a framework of incentivisation and acceleration, retrofits could be a key driver for healthier and cleaner built-environments, helping to improve energy efficiency as well as ventilation and filtration in the region.”

 

 

#Eurovent #airfiltration #airfilter #airfilters #filter #filters #airfilters #retrofit #buildingretrofit #buildingperformance #IAQ #IEQ #indoorairquality #indoorenvironmentalquality #COVID #COVID-19 #pandemic #coronavirus #airconditioning #ventilation #energyefficiency #health

EU cooling industry wants more ambitious F-Gas Regulation, study shows

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 17 November 2020: A new market study by shecco has found that the EU’s cooling industry supports a more ambitious F-Gas Regulation, with more sectoral F-Gas bans, an accelerated F-Gas phase down and greater readiness to switch to natural refrigerants.

The study, titled ‘F-Gas Regulation Revision: Industry Wants More Ambition’, is based on a detailed, extensive effort to collect feedback from EU HVAC&R stakeholders to inform the revision of the current European Union (EU) F-Gas Regulation that is now underway.

According to shecco, the study reached out to top-level industry professionals, including engineers, contractors, manufacturers, academic institutions and end user, among others active in the EU HVAC&R sector. shecco said it collected information on the opportunities and challenges related to taking a more ambitious stand in the new F-Gas Regulation revision.

The 12 sub-sectors covered in the study include commercial refrigeration (multipack centralised systems and condensing units), transport refrigeration, industrial refrigeration, single-split air conditioning systems, multi-split/VRF systems, rooftop HVAC systems, chillers (displacement), centrifugal chillers, domestic heat pumps, commercial heat pumps, industrial heat pumps, and mobile air conditioning for buses and/or trains.

According to shecco, the results of the study can be found in this report (https://issuu.com/shecco/docs/fgas_report_2020_201116)

“The findings were overwhelmingly positive, showing a large number of companies are ready to push forward on stricter sectoral bans to make up for the time lost by not being ambitious enough in the previous F-Gas Regulation revision,” said Ilana Koegelenberg, Market Development Manager at shecco and lead author of the report. “We hope that these results will give confidence to the European Commission that the European HVAC&R industry is ambitious and wants further progress in this direction to help play an active role in making Europe climate neutral by 2050.”

According to shecco, the study found that 87% of participants believe that “increasing the ambition of the F-Gas Regulation through further bans, a more ambitious phase down and strong measures to combat illegal trade should be an essential component of the EU’s 2030 climate ambition strategy”.

In addition, shecco said, 77% of respondents were in favour of an accelerated phase-down schedule, given the current state of development of natural-refrigerant alternative technologies.

The study also showed overwhelming support for more ambitious sectoral bans for sub-sectors already mentioned in the F-Gas Regulation, as well as for the introduction of bans for sub-sectors previously not included, shecco said.

The majority of responses indicated readiness of the HVAC&R industry to switch over completely to natural refrigerants, shecco said. In 12 out of the 12 sub-sectors reviewed, the majority of survey respondents indicated support of a full ban on new HFC-based products by 2024, shecco said. Natural refrigerants were also shown to be the refrigerant of choice in 11 of the 12 sub-sectors surveyed, shecco added.

According to shecco, the survey results highlighted how a lack of sectoral bans (or a lack of more ambitious sectoral bans) has had a negative impact on the sector’s ability to develop alternative, climate-friendly solutions. The majority of respondents also said the lack of bans negatively impacted the uptake of these alternative solutions, as well as their price competitiveness, shecco said.

The study includes input from 125 individuals at more than 80 companies active in the EU. It is important to note that the study was open to the entire industry, not just companies working with natural refrigerants, shecco pointed out. Input was collected predominantly from personal correspondence with stakeholders, as well as a comprehensive industry survey that featured more than 160 questions.

This survey, co-funded by shecco and The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), was shared globally through various marketing campaigns and social media outreach activities to ensure equal opportunity to participate. Input was accepted from around the world, with the only limitation being that the company should be actively doing business in the EU, shecco said.

The report dives into the details of the current F-Gas Regulation to highlight how it can be strengthened to close loopholes to the advantage of the industry, the economy and the climate as a whole. To that end, it covers topics such as training, incentive schemes, illegal trade and reclamation.

#EU #cooling #airconditioning #HVAC #HVACR #refrigerants #F-Gas #phasedown ##VRF #splitACs #ACs #chillers #centrifugalchillers #industrialrefrigeration #condensingunits #naturalrefrigerants #climatechange #climatecrisis #climatechangemitigation

TIME nod for Carrier

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, 19 November 2020: Carrier Global Corporation said that its OptiClean Dual-Mode Air Scrubber & Negative Air Machine has been named as one of TIME magazine’s 100 Best Inventions of 2020. The OptiClean, Carrier said through a Press release, was developed through rapid innovation in early 2020 to help support infectious isolation rooms in hospitals. TIME featured OptiClean in the Medical Care category of its prestigious annual list that recognizes 100 ground-breaking inventions that are making the world better and smarter, Carrier said.

“We are honored the OptiClean is being recognized by TIME for a product we developed and brought to market in record time while maintaining strict standards to ensure the highest quality,” said Chris Kmetz, Carrier Senior Vice President, Engineering. “At Carrier, we’re committed to doing our part to develop smart, sustainable and efficient solutions that will address our most critical needs.”

At the onset of the pandemic, Carrier said, it invented the OptiClean as a negative air pressure machine for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients to help hospitals protect caregivers, workers, and patients. OptiClean, Carrier said, can plug into standard wall outlets and has a footprint of less than three square feet. As an air scrubber, Carrier claimed, OptiClean can improve the indoor air quality of classrooms, restaurants, dental offices, commercial buildings and more by pulling in air, scrubbing it using a HEPA filter and then exhausting cleaner air back into the room, reducing contaminants in the air and offering further protection as part of an overall mitigation strategy.

ATLANTA, Georgia, 5 November 2020: ASHRAE has moved to its new global headquarters, located at 180 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, Georgia, the Society said through a Press release. ASHRAE began renovations in January 2020 on an existing 66,700 ft² building, originally built in 1978, on 11 acres of land. Located 10 miles north of its previous headquarters building, ASHRAE joins other innovation and sustainability-focused organizations based in the popular Technology Parkway corridor.

“ASHRAE’s new global headquarters is a prime example of how we are helping to pioneer a movement that many expect will ultimately make net-zero-energy the ‘new norm’ in sustainable design and construction,” said ASHRAE Building Ad Hoc Committee Chair Ginger Scoggins. “Although new construction of net-zero-energy buildings make a lot of headlines, reuse of existing structures is a basic tenet of sustainability – the energy performance of existing buildings must be addressed to substantially impact the 40% of primary energy consumed by buildings.”

Added Technical Advisory Subcommittee Chair Tim McGinn, “ASHRAE’s goal for this project was to renovate a three-story, 1970s-era, cheap-energy-period building into a high-performing net-zero-ready facility in a cost-effective way that can be replicated in the built environment industry.”

The photovoltaic (PV) system design is currently in progress, ASHRAE said. The building will be on its way to fully net-zero-energy by March 2021 upon the completion of the PV system installation, it added.

Focusing on the Society’s 2020-21 theme, ‘The ASHRAE Digital Lighthouse and Industry 4.0’, the headquarters building incorporates several digitally connected solutions, such as remote monitoring and analysis of building performance, with online dashboarding for transparency and advanced Building Automation System (BAS) integration with other systems, such as ASHRAE’s meeting reservations systems, ASHRAE said. Other solutions include a digital twin and Building Information Model (BIM), innovative mechanical systems visible through open ceiling around radiant panel clouds and advanced conferencing systems designed to serve as a “digital lighthouse” teaching resource, ASHRAE added.

“ASHRAE’s first-of-its-kind headquarters building was designed as a living showcase of what’s possible through technology integration to increase efficiency, protect people and property, and enhance the occupant experience,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III. “In addition to supporting ASHRAE’s technical standards, innovative product integrations from our generous donors also provide a scalable and repeatable model for a net-zero energy building design.”

According to ASHRAE, examples of technical features in the building include:

• Radiant ceiling panel system: This is used for heating and cooling and dedicated outdoor air system for outdoor air ventilation with enthalpy heat recovery.
• Overhead fresh air distribution system augmented with reversible ceiling fans in the open office areas and displacement distribution in the learning center.
• Six water source-heat pumps (WSHPs): There are four on basement level and two on upper level atrium that will be used to condition these spaces.
• Demand Control Ventilation (DCV): This will be used for high occupancy spaces in the meeting and learning center. Air distribution is constant volume in office areas and provided by fabric duct, reducing diffuser count and duct branches.
• Modeling Energy Use Intensity of 17 kBtu/sf/yr.
• On-site electric vehicle charging stations available for guests and staff.
• Roof-top and ground mounted photovoltaic solar energy system planned for installation, March 2021.
• 18 new skylights and reconfigured window/wall ratio.
• Useful daylight illuminance (>300 lux) at the work plane Window Wall Ratio (WWR) 79.9% Existing – New WWR east/west 33.5%  –  north/south – 41.9%.

 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, ASHRAE had already planned to provide 30% more outside air to the building than the required minimum ventilation rates from ASHRAE Standard 62.1 – Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality and will implement other applicable guidance that has been developed by the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force (ETF) for commercial office buildings, ASHRAE said.

The building, ASHRAE said, is located in a forest setting, close to hotels, restaurants and walking trails. A large deck overlooking a lake adjacent to meeting rooms can be fully enjoyed on sunny days. ASHRAE’s headquarters is 12 minutes and 6.2 miles from the Doraville MARTA station for easy access to Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport. The Society’s approximately 110-person staff officially moved into the building at the beginning of October.

“This move represents another significant milestone for ASHRAE,” said ASHRAE Executive Vice President Jeff Littleton. “In addition to showing our commitment to building occupant health and comfort, our new headquarters building will enable us to provide industry-leading support and service to our global volunteers, while driving innovation that will push our goal of sustainability in action forward.”

A team of ASHRAE volunteers led a highly successful building campaign to garner support for the renovation project, ASHRAE said. Thirty-one corporate donors committed more than USD 9.7 million in monetary support and gifts of equipment and services, ASHRAE said, thanking the following industry partners for their high-level support of the new global headquarters renovation project: NIBE, Cisco, Arkema, Daikin, Price Industries, Belimo, ClimateMaster, ClimaCool, Bell & Gossett, Big Ass Fans, Victaulic, Uponor, Mitsubishi Electric Trane, NTT and PlaceOS.

Additionally, ASHRAE members have given over USD 500,000 to date, ASHRAE said. In total, ASHRAE has received over USD 10.2 million from generous stakeholders, making a strong statement about their commitment to ASHRAE’s mission and to a shared vision of a healthy and sustainable built-environment for all, it added.

“ASHRAE’s new global headquarters is an example of an effective built-environment that fully considers the importance of effective operations by installing the systems and equipment in a manner that facilitates operation and maintenance,” said 2019-20 ASHRAE Presidential Member and Building Ad Hoc Committee Member Darryl K Boyce. “We are grateful to our donors for their generous support and partnership. It is this support that not only shows our donors’ alignment with ASHRAE’s sustainability goals, but helps us to address the challenges of designing and operate buildings in a technology driven environment.”

Renewable energy continues positive momentum amidst COVID-19, says ITA

DUBAI, UAE, 1 November 2020: The renewable energy sector continues to be a growing market, despite the challenges caused by COVID-19, said Amedeo Scarpa, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE, Oman and Pakistan. “The UAE’s renewable sector has not been dramatically affected by the pandemic and has a target to get 50% of its energy needs from clean sources by 2050,” he said. “To the extent that the supply of Italian components used for desalination and solar power plants to the UAE has steadily increased over the last few years.” Scarpa said this is reinforced by the growth in the number of participating Italian companies in WETEX 2020, which took place from October 26 to 28, 2020, and was named the first 3D exhibition of its kind in the MENA region.

Scarpa said that this showcases the longstanding relationship between Italy and the UAE, pointing out that since 2017, Italy has consistently been one of the UAE’s preferred suppliers for renewable energy sector components, with a 16.47% increase in the first trimester of 2020, compared to 2019. “As long-term supporters of the exhibition, ITA is participating for the 14th year, presenting 31 Italian companies, almost one-third of all foreign companies that are taking part,” he said. “In line with the growth of the sustainable and renewable technology sector in Italy, it is also nearly a 50% increase in the number of Italian companies that attended the exhibition in 2019.”

Scarpa said the selected companies are covering a cross-section of the country’s offerings, including water treatment, recycling, solar energy generation and renewables, air control and environmental protection systems, and green building systems. “These advancements have contributed to Italy’s recent energy savings’ great performance with a reduction of 43 million tonnes carbon emissions last year – one of the best EU and world performances,” he said.  “Last year, 2.6 billion investments in the green sector in Italy have been activated and 14.8 billion will be invested in sustainability.” Scarpa said the sector is also attracting investment from overseas, mainly other member states of the EU, including Portugal and Germany and that Canada and China have been revealed to be the biggest investors for the Italian green power since 2012.

 

 

#HVAC #HVACR #energy #solarenergy #greenbuildings #renewables #renewableenergy #sustainableenergy #sustainable #watertreatment #water #energyefficiency #climatechange #climatecrisis #environment

J2 Innovations joins Eurovent as newest Associate Member

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 3 November 2020: Following a formal approval of the Eurovent Board of Directors, J2 Innovations, provider of control and management software for HVACR equipment, has joined Eurovent (Association for Indoor Climate, Process Cooling and Food Cold Chain Technologies) as its newest Associate Member, the Association said through a Press release.

Established in 2008, J2 Innovations is a provider of control and management software for HVACR equipment. It created the FIN Framework – the next generation software platform for building automation and IoT, Eurovent said. FIN enables its partners to bring new products to the market faster, with the latest technology for competitive advantage.

Chris Irwin, VP Sales EMEA and Global Marketing, J2 Innovations, said: “At J2 Innovations, we are committed to supporting the indoor climate and HVAC industry through our open platform for smart buildings, smart equipment and IoT. We are delighted to be an Associate Member of Eurovent, as we strongly believe in cooperation and collaboration in order to help build a greener and better world. We look forward to working with Eurovent to help shape the future of our industry.”

Felix Van Eyken, Secretary General, Eurovent, said: “We are proud to welcome J2 Innovations to the Eurovent family. It is great to see our association grow with the different stakeholders of the European HVACR industry coming together around their common objectives.”

#Eurovent #HVAC #HVACR #airconditioningEurope #HVACEurope #HVACREurope #controls #IoT

Fresh-Aire UV says its systems inactivate greater than 99.99% of SARS CoV-2 virus

JUPITER, Florida, United States, 1 November 2020: Fresh-Aire UV, which manufactures HVAC ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems, announced that third-party lab tests successfully proved its residential and commercial UVC disinfection equipment for HVAC systems are greater than 99.99% effective in inactivating SARS CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19 disease.

Making the announcement through a Press release, Fresh-Aire UV said the ‘SARS CoV-2 Neutralization by Germicidal UVC Light Systems’, study conducted by independent laboratory, Innovative Bioanalysis, based in Costa Mesa, California, validated a four-log, greater than 99.99% coronavirus inactivation in less than two seconds of exposure to Fresh-Aire UV’s germicidal UVC 254-nanometer light systems. The exposure time is comparable to a moving airstream model within a facility’s HVAC or ventilation system, the company said. The lab used Fresh-Aire UV’s ADS airstream and BlueTube XL coil and airstream disinfection systems designed for healthcare, education, office and other commercial facility applications, the company said. The residential and commercial APCO-X coil and air disinfection system also exhibited the same positive results, the company claimed.

According to Fresh-Aire UV, the study is one of the first successful SARS CoV-2 inactivation tests in the HVAC industry and is available at www.freshaireuv.com.

“Consulting engineers, contractors and facility managers can now confidently specify, install and use our UV equipment, knowing they are being proactive in improving the building’s indoor air quality,” said Aaron Engel, Vice-President–Business Development, Fresh-Aire UV. “Dosage is critical for effectiveness; however, our Blue-Calc, a UVC light design and analysis using state-of-the-art sizing software, can accurately help facility directors, engineers and contractors specify UV equipment for any disinfection application.”

Since the early 2020 onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fresh-Aire UV said it has helped provide recommendations for both residential and commercial UV systems. In the FDA-sponsored test published in the American Journal of Infection Control, it said, its systems were used to show the efficacy of UVC light in disinfecting and extending the life of N95 respirators.

 

#HVAC #HVACR #COVID #COVID-19 #Covid #Covid-19 #SARS-CoV-19 #coronavirus #ducts #ductingsystems #UV #UVC #ultraviolet #coil #airstream #disinfection # SARS CoV-2 virus #pandemic

Building performance body announces additional goals to reduce carbon emissions

WASHINGTON DC, 19 October 2020: The Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Greenprint Center for Building Performance on October 13 declared an additional goal to reduce the operational carbon emissions of its members’ collective buildings to net zero by the year 2050. Eleven ULI Greenprint members have already publicly committed to the target, on top of the 50% carbon reduction goal by 2030 that all ULI Greenprint members have already pledged, ULI said through a Press release.

ULI is a global, multidisciplinary real estate organization, whose work is driven by more than 45,000 members dedicated to providing leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.

ULI said its Greenprint members are dedicated to reducing carbon and increasing energy efficiency in their real estate portfolios as part of their business strategy. To date, members have improved energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas intensity by over 34% and are on track to meet ULI Greenprint’s current goal, it added.

The new net-zero carbon goal is designed to meaningfully reduce the built-environment’s impact on climate change beyond existing efforts, ULI said. It encourages portfolio-wide carbon reductions via deep energy efficiency improvements, on-site renewable energy, green utility power and building electrification, off-site renewables, renewable energy credits and offsets, ULI said. The goal is in line with the Paris Agreement and findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C, ULI said.

“The market has evolved, and so has ULI Greenprint,” said Marta Schantz, Senior Vice President, ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance. “When ULI Greenprint set the original goal back in 2009, it was ambitious and set the industry on the right track to reduce its impact on the environment. Now, we recognize the opportunity for our members to raise the bar with a longer-term net-zero-carbon goal, while continuing to show how these changes can continually add value to their properties.”

ULI said Greenprint will measure members’ progress toward the net-zero-carbon goal by tracking their collective improvements in energy efficiency, purchase of green utility power, and increased investment in on- and off-site renewable energy and offsets. Collective progress will be published in the ULI Greenprint Performance Report each year to publicly showcase advancements towards both goals, it added.

ULI said 11 Greenprint member companies are publicly announcing their alignment with the goal. In total, it added, they represent USD 215 billion in assets under management (AUM), 521 million sq/ft (48.4 million sq/m), and 2,847 properties across 19 countries:

• City Developments Limited (CDL), Singapore;
• CommonWealth Partners, Los Angeles, California, USA;
• Heitman, Chicago, Illinois, USA;
• Hudson Pacific Properties, Los Angeles, California, USA;
• Jamestown LP, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• Kilroy Realty Corporation, Los Angeles, California, USA;
• LaSalle Investment Management, Chicago, Illinois, USA;
• MultiGreen, Henderson, Nevada, USA;
• NEO, Manila, Philippines;
• Nuveen Real Estate, London, UK; and
• The Tower Companies, Rockville, Maryland USA.

GEA reports increasing the top speeds of its compressors

BERLIN, Germany, 14 October 2020: GEA said it has increased the maximum top speeds for several of its reciprocating and screw compressors. The reciprocating compressor models, GEA Grasso V 700, V 1100, V 1400, and V 1800, formerly at maximum speed of 1,200 rpm, can now be operated with NH₃ up to 1,500 rpm, GEA claimed through a Press release. For GEA Grasso LT screw compressor types R, S, and T, the allowable speed for NH₃ will increase from a previous maximum of 3,600 rpm to 4,500 rpm, the company said.

The respective compressor models, like their smaller-sized counterparts, are and have been designed for higher speeds in the first place, the company said. The V 700, V 100, as well as the LT type R are integrated in the company’s Blu chiller series and have been running successfully at 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm respectively for 10 years already, it said. Additionally, intensive, long-term tests of all models have shown that they can be operated at 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm, respectively at the same reliability and without additional engineering or maintenance efforts, the company said. The release of the new maximum speeds, therefore, applies to bare compressors and to packaged compressor unit, too, it added.

The speed increase provides clients with a significant increase in capacity, the company claimed. Owing to the proportional correlation of compressor speed, swept volume and resulting capacity, 25% more capacity can now be gained using the same models with the same financial outlay, it claimed. That returns a significant improvement (reduction) of the relative price, as in Kilowatts per Euro, because the additional investment required is in the single-digit range, it said.

Looking at this from a different angle, users with a specific, fixed capacity requirement can benefit from the higher speeds by allowing them to achieve the capacity demands with smaller compressor equipment, meaning less investment and less service expenses, the company said.

Higher speeds, without more frequent service intervals, the company said, enables its customers the use of smaller compressors and the reduction of total costs of ownership. Screw compressors, in addition, can be regulated better in a wider speed range, returning improved part-load efficiencies, it said.

Higher speeds, GEA said, enables its customers the use of smaller compressors and a reduction of initial investment cost. On multiple stack orders, it said, customers can save up to 20% on footprint, construction, piping and electrical arrangement costs.

 

#GEA #compressors #reciprocatingcompressors #screwcompressors #HVAC #HVACR #totalcostofownership #TCO #energyefficiency #partloadefficiency

ASHRAE announces 2021 AHR Expo has been cancelled

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 15 October 2020: ASHRAE has announced that the 2021 AHR Expo, originally scheduled to be held from January 25 to 27, 2021, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, has been cancelled. ASHRAE said it worked alongside AHRI and Show Management to explore every possibility that could lead to hosting an in-person event, but unfortunately, the pandemic continues to present challenges and unpredictable variables.

The 2021 ASHRAE Winter Virtual Conference, which will include a mixture of live, pre-recorded and on-demand sessions, will take place from February 9 to 11, 2021, ASHRAE said.

“The Board of Directors has carefully considered what course of action would be best for ASHRAE members, the committees that conduct the Society’s business, the industry we serve and the AHR Expo,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E. “The pandemic has affected everyone, requiring that we adapt to existing conditions in our personal and professional endeavors and our decision to cancel the 2021 AHR Expo is a reflection of necessary adjustments.”

ASHRAE committee, council and board meetings will take place virtually in January, ASHRAE said. More information and details will be available in the coming weeks, it added.

“Current health rules regarding social distancing and large gatherings makes it impossible for us to provide the experience that our attendees expect at the AHR Expo,” said ASHRAE Executive Vice President Jeff Littleton. “As leaders in the built-environment, we have a responsibility to protect health and wellbeing of attendees, exhibitors and staff. While we could not find a path forward to host the Expo in 2021, we anticipate an even greater show in 2022 in Las Vegas.”

ASHRAE said additional information about the 2021 ASHRAE Winter Virtual Conference and committee meetings, including registration details, will be made available soon on the ASHRAE website. It urged the industry to continue to check ashrae.org/Chicago. For further questions regarding the AHR Expo 2021 show, ASHRAE urged the industry to visit the show update page.

 

#ASHRAE #AHR #AHRExpo #Chicago #McCormickPlace #ASHRAEWinterConference #pandemic #SARS-CoV-19 #coronavirus #built-environment #health #safety #HVACexhibition #HVACRexhibition #HVACshow #HVACRshow #HVACconference #HVACRconference

ASHRAE announces 2021 AHR Expo has been cancelled

ATLANTA, Georgia, 15 October 2020: ASHRAE has announced that the 2021 AHR Expo, originally scheduled to be held from January 25 to 27, 2021, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, has been cancelled. ASHRAE said it worked alongside AHRI and Show Management to explore every possibility that could lead to hosting an in-person event, but unfortunately, the pandemic continues to present challenges and unpredictable variables.

The 2021 ASHRAE Winter Virtual Conference, which will include a mixture of live, pre-recorded and on-demand sessions, will take place from February 9 to 11, 2021, ASHRAE said.

“The Board of Directors has carefully considered what course of action would be best for ASHRAE members, the committees that conduct the Society’s business, the industry we serve and the AHR Expo,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E. “The pandemic has affected everyone, requiring that we adapt to existing conditions in our personal and professional endeavors and our decision to cancel the 2021 AHR Expo is a reflection of necessary adjustments.”

ASHRAE committee, council and board meetings will take place virtually in January, ASHRAE said. More information and details will be available in the coming weeks, it added.

“Current health rules regarding social distancing and large gatherings makes it impossible for us to provide the experience that our attendees expect at the AHR Expo,” said ASHRAE Executive Vice President Jeff Littleton. “As leaders in the built-environment, we have a responsibility to protect health and wellbeing of attendees, exhibitors and staff. While we could not find a path forward to host the Expo in 2021, we anticipate an even greater show in 2022 in Las Vegas.”

ASHRAE said additional information about the 2021 ASHRAE Winter Virtual Conference and committee meetings, including registration details, will be made available soon on the ASHRAE website. It urged the industry to continue to check ashrae.org/Chicago. For further questions regarding the AHR Expo 2021 show, ASHRAE urged the industry to visit the show update page.

 

 

 

#ASHRAE #AHR #AHRExpo #Chicago #McCormickPlace #ASHRAEWinterConference #pandemic #SARS-CoV-19 #coronavirus #built-environment #health #safety #HVACexhibition #HVACRexhibition #HVACshow #HVACRshow #HVACconference #HVACRconference

‘Energy for Humanity’ theme of World Energy Congress

LONDON, United Kingdom, 12 October 2020: The World Energy Council and the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation on October 9, the closing day of World Energy Week, announced the theme of the 2022 World Energy Congress as ‘Energy for Humanity. The Congress, into its 25^th edition, will take place from October 24 to 27 in St Petersburg, Russia, the World Energy Council said through a Press release.

Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General & CEO, World Energy Council and Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, made the announcement. The Congress, to be hosted by the Russian Federation, is being jointly organised by the World Energy Council and the Roscongress Foundation.

Dr Wilkinson said: “We often forget that essentially, energy is a story about humanity. Human development has always been linked to energy transition; from fire, to hydrocarbons and on to cleaner alternatives, like renewables, it’s always been about peoples’ lives and society’s evolution. Energy has propelled society forward for thousands of years.

“Looking ahead, new models of human and economic development – digital, circular, clean and just – will require more energy, at least in the medium term. If we really want to focus on the future of the human race, we need to balance our approach to managing the energy transition. We need better cooperation between energy and other sectors to deliver more energy and less carbon – clean, affordable, reliable and equitable energy for everyone and the environment.

“Energy for Humanity is the theme of the 25th World Energy Congress in St Petersburg, which will mark the 100th anniversary of our worldwide energy community movement. We will convene the entire energy community – governments, companies, communities and customers – and provide a jewel-in-the crown, action-packed learning experience. We will have serious, down-to-earth conversations about how to humanise energy and accelerate the transformation of energy systems across the world. The Council exists to inspire, inform and impact actions that secure clean, affordable, reliable and equitable energy for all.”

Novak said: “We are proud to host the 25th World Energy Congress in 2022, and we look forward to welcoming the international energy community and global stakeholders in St Petersburg. Over the past decades, World Energy Congress has become one of the most important centers of gravity for the discussion on the global energy sector. Today, the energy sector, as a whole, is facing a number of known long-term challenges that impact the future of our civilization, including the need for environmental protection, providing humanity with affordable access to energy and securing reliable energy generating capacity for future development.

“In Russia, we fully acknowledge the need to develop clean technologies, particularly those centered on carbon sequestration, purification and processing technologies, development of renewable energy sources and hydrogen energy. At the same time, we have to face the substantial global energy inequality. Around two billion people, constituting over a quarter of the world’s population, do not have access to modern energy sources. This is also a serious sustainability issue related to long-term survival and development. With that, traditional energy sources are expected to make up a significant portion of the planet’s energy balance even through 2050.

“Russia, one of the largest global energy suppliers, supports the development vector for clean technology in line with the Paris Agreement and in the framework of OPEC+ member country meetings. At the same time, as a responsible manufacturer and exporter, we are also interested in creating the right conditions to support the market for quality and accessible energy.

“The underlying theme selected for the World Energy Congress unites the global energy sector and all its stakeholders, bringing us closer, instilling confidence in finding appropriate solutions and a long-term balance. I am certain that we will be able to hold meaningful and detailed discussions in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, converge positions of various parties and come to an agreement on a wide range of questions at the Congress in St Petersburg.”

In 2019, the 24^th Congress, in Abu Dhabi, highlighted the shift to a customer-centric energy future and the new power of demand-side, disruptive innovation, the Council said.

The St Petersburg Congress and associated events, the Council said, will focus on examining practical tools and realistic approaches to keeping the future of energy open to new and better possibilities that are crucial to a sustainable future for all.

The Congress, the Council said, is preceded by two years of energised “Road to Congress” virtual events to explore the theme of Energy for Humanity.

 

 

#energy #WorldEnergyCongress #WorldEnergyCouncil #WorldEnergyWeek #StPetersburg #Russia #energytransition #climatechange #climatecrisis #climatechangemitigation #hydrocarbons #digitaleconomy #circulareconomy #ParisAgreement

Tranter delivers AHRI-certified plate heat exchangers for China project

BEIJING, China, 12 October 2020: Tranter said it has provided AHRI-certified customized plate heat exchangers for the Winland Group’s Xiamen Winland IFC Project, in the Fujian Province of China. The project is a major commercial building development with a total construction area of about 500,000 square metres (5,400,000 square feet), Tranter said, adding that the heat exchangers are for ice-storage systems providing cooling to various buildings of the project, such as office buildings, a boutique hotel, retail buildings and serviced apartments. The project will, upon completion, become a new important financial district in the city of Xiamen and an impressive architectural seaside landmark facing the Kinmen Islands, Tranter said. Tranter said the scope of the project covers the plate heat exchangers for the ice storage air conditioning systems that run at night, when the cooling demand is low, to produce an ice pile. Water then circulates through the pile during peak load hours to produce chilled water that would normally be the chiller’s daytime output, it said. This process typically enables energy to be used more efficiently with less emissions, it added. The requirement for high energy efficiency, Tranter said, required it to install as many as 800 heat transfer plates per unit while also ensuring the unit could meet the high pressure rating in the design specification from the main contractor. Tranter added that although the project was executed during the COVID-19 pandemic, its Beijing Factory could manage the complex logistics and project management by means of digitisation and customer commitment and that all the units were shipped out from the factory on time to meet the overall project schedule. “It’s an honor to be part of this type of high-end project and a big plus is that our plate heat exchangers will help the owner save lots of energy throughout the years,” said Allen Fang, Managing Director, Tranter China & South East Asia.

 

#heatexchangers #icestoragesystems #icestoragesystem #chilledwater #CHW HVAC #HVACR #HVACChina #HVACRChina #energyefficiency #climatechange #climatecrisis #climatechangemitigation #digitisation

Eneref Institute validates notable benefits of inverter-driven VRF heat pump

WASHINGTON DC, United States, 12 October 2020: Eneref Institute, which advocates sustainable development, said it has closely examined the results of the installation of variable refrigerant flow HVAC units in a residential high-rise building, in Atlanta, Georgia, and has determined that the outcome warrants increased use of inverter-driven air conditioners to mitigate global warming. Eneref said its team of investigators interviewed numerous building occupants as well as the building’s facility professionals and designers participating in the project, to draw their conclusions.

The result, it said, is a report: https://eneref.org/report-details/inverter-air-conditioner-cuts-energy-use-in-atlanta-highrise/.

According to Eneref, the building in Midtown Atlanta was among the first of its kind to incorporate an innovative technology that could be used to reduce carbon emissions in high-rise buildings throughout the United States. Carbon emissions from air conditioning, it noted, are a major factor in increasing global climate change. The Eneref Institute’s “Cool Room, Cool Earth” campaign (http://eneref.org/impact/coolroom/), it said, has brought together a consortium of organisations, including municipalities, homebuilders and manufacturers to encourage greater use of inverter-driven variable-speed air conditioners and heat pumps.

“Limiting global warming will require rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy use,” said Seth Warren Rose, Founding Director, Eneref Institute. “We need to make unprecedented changes to ensure a sustainable and equitable society. Every extra bit of warming matters.”

 

 

#VRF #VRFs #variablerefrigerantflow #variablerefrigerantflowsystems #heatpump #heatpumps #VRFheatpumps #inverter-drivenVRF #inverter-drivenVRFs #invertersystems #HVAC #HVACR #HVACequipment #Eneref #globalwarming #climatechange #climatechangemitigation #climatecrisis

Eneref Institute validates notable benefits of inverter-driven VRF heat pump

WASHINGTON DC, 12 October 2020: Eneref Institute, which advocates sustainable development, said it has closely examined the results of the installation of variable refrigerant flow HVAC units in an Atlanta residential high-rise building and has determined that the outcome warrants increased use of inverter-driven air conditioners to mitigate global warming. Eneref said its team of investigators interviewed numerous building occupants as well as the building’s facility professionals and designers participating in the project, to draw their conclusions.

The result, it said, is a report: https://eneref.org/report-details/inverter-air-conditioner-cuts-energy-use-in-atlanta-highrise/.

According to Eneref, the building in Midtown Atlanta was among the first of its kind to incorporate an innovative technology that could be used to reduce carbon emissions in high-rise buildings throughout the United States. Carbon emissions from air conditioning, it noted, are a major factor in increasing global climate change. The Eneref Institute’s “Cool Room, Cool Earth” campaign (http://eneref.org/impact/coolroom/), it said, has brought together a consortium of organizations, including municipalities, homebuilders and manufacturers to encourage greater use of inverter-driven variable-speed air conditioners and heat pumps.

“Limiting global warming will require rapid and far-reaching transitions in energy use,” said Seth Warren Rose, Founding Director, Eneref Institute. “We need to make unprecedented changes to ensure a sustainable and equitable society. Every extra bit of warming matters.”

 

#VRF #VRFs #variablerefrigerantflow #variablerefrigerantflowsystems #heatpump #heatpumps #VRFheatpumps #inverter-drivenVRF #inverter-drivenVRFs #invertersystems #HVAC #HVACR #HVACequipment #Eneref #globalwarming #climatechange #climatechangemitigation #climatecrisis

Camfil, CTT Systems partner to incorporate ozone and VOC filtration in humidifiers

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 11 October 2020: Camfil on October 9 announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CTT SYSTEMS, which provides aircraft humidity control system solutions, to enter a partnership that opts to adapt Camfil’s air filtration technology for aircraft and the aviation industry, primarily to be incorporated in CTT’s humidifier products.

The cooperation, Camfil said through a Press release, aims to explore innovative air filter applications that improve air quality in the aircraft cabin, where Camfil expertise and leading-edge, air filtration solutions can be applied in cooperation with CTT’s knowledge and footprint in the aviation industry. Primarily, Camfil said, CTT opts to incorporate air filtration in its humidifier products, to further improve air quality for pilots, crew and passengers. Hereby, CTT can complement existing clean air solutions without adding additional maintenance or overhaul for airlines, Camfil said. The initial objective is to reduce ozone and/or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By integrating filter technology in the pad module that is aligned with the service interval of the pad material, airlines can rip-and-replace the entire pad module, Camfil said. CTT has a large installed population of humidifiers in the flight deck and crew rests, primarily on Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 aircraft. The pad-filters will be completely interchangeable with the current product line of humidifiers/pads, Camfil said.

“We look forward to work with CTT to develop filters that can add additional value to CTT’s customers and further improve air quality in aircraft,” said Mark Simmons, CEO, Camfil. “We will work very closely with CTT to develop tailor-made filters certified for use in aircraft with very specific, high performance filtration and low pressure drop.”

Added Torbjörn Johansson, CEO, CTT Systems: “The premium-air-pad will be developed for our humidifiers in flight deck, crew rest and passenger cabin on Boeing 777X and Airbus A350, as well as for crew rests on the 787, improving air quality without adding extra service or maintenance. Airlines can initially select ozone and VOC reduction.”

Without an efficient humidification system, the cabin air is far more dehydrating than any place on Earth – below 5% RH, Camfil said. Humidifier Onboard flight deck, crew rest or Business class generates a striking humidity increase, restored to comfort and wellbeing level, to approximately 20% RH, Camfil said. Passengers and crew on long-haul flights will benefit from reduced dry air-related problems – such as fatigue, jet-lag, red eyes, dry skin and the spread of virus diseases – and improved wellbeing and sleep, Camfil said. The CTT humidifier, it added, is based on evaporative cooling technology and uses a method that effectively precludes the transfer of bacteria.

 

#Camfil #CTT #CTTSystems #ozone #VOC #VOCs #volatileorganiccompounds #IAQ #indoorairquality #aviationIAQ #aviationindoorairquality #humidity #RelativeHumidity #RH #humiditycontrol #humidifiers #HVAC #HVACR #filter #filters #airfilter #airfilters #airfiltration #pressuredrop #padfilters #Boeing #Airbus #bacteria #health #wellbeing #virus #evaporativecooling

AHRI launches air quality campaign for schools

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 11 October 2020: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has launched an informational digital campaign aimed at helping school systems nationwide improve indoor air quality as a way to make schools safer for teaching and learning, the body said through a Press release.

The campaign, which builds on an AHRI white paper, Anatomy of a Healthy School, is designed to help building engineers maintain and design school buildings for occupancy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it said. AHRI, its 320-member manufacturers, and a host of allied associations will promote the indoor air quality message through social media, paid media in targeted digital publications, and video messaging designed to attract the maximum attention to a timely and very serious issue, it added.

The digital campaign will focus on trade associations and education media sites that target education professionals, teachers, school administrators, as well as federal, state and local education policymakers, AHRI said.

“America’s HVACR and water heating manufacturers, who make the most energy-efficient products available in the world today, are constantly innovating to advance the health, safety, comfort and productivity of the American people,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI President & CEO. “This campaign demonstrates our industry’s continued commitment to our customers, who are also our family, friends and neighbors. We hope that this crucial information is disseminated widely for the benefit of all.”

Information about the campaign, AHRI said, including key background material and digital collateral, is available at ahrinet.org/iaq.

 

#AHRI #healthyschools #IAQ #indoorairquality #HVAC #HVACR #airconditioning #COVID #COVID-19 #pandemic #coronavirus #safeschools

Helsinki Energy Challenge receives proposals from around the world

HELSINKI, Finland, 11 October 2020: The Helsinki Energy Challenge inspired 252 teams from 35 countries from around the world to participate, the organisers said. The application phase of the competition ended on September 30. The participating teams presented their proposals on how Helsinki can stop using coal for heat production as sustainably as possible by 2029 and speed up its journey to becoming carbon-neutral by 2035.

According to the organisers, the competition received a higher number of proposals than expected. Entries, they said, came from different parts of the world, with the majority from Finland, Austria, Sweden, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada. Many of the participating teams, they said, are great examples of cross-disciplinary and international competence – the competition inspired innovators from around the world to join forces.
The proposals entered in the competition involve several different types of solutions and plenty of brand new ideas and concepts, the organisers said. They include solutions in which existing technology is combined or used in new ways, as well as proposals that involve technological or non-technological innovations, they added.

“I’m extremely happy that the Helsinki Energy Challenge that I launched reached this much interest both here in Finland and in other parts of the world,” said Jan Vapaavuori, Mayor of Helsinki. “During the discussions, held in the first phase of the Challenge, it became obvious how extraordinary is the project we have launched and how many positive things it has brought in these otherwise difficult times. With the help of this competition, we wanted not only to find answers to our own energy challenge but also to offer Helsinki as a platform, where new, sustainable and future-proof solutions can be built. It seems we have succeeded in this extremely well, as well as in our goal to give rise to discussion and new kind of thinking on this important topic, both nationally and internationally. Climate change is a global crisis, which we can manage only by clearly raising the level of ambition. I’m glad that many of my colleagues from around the world have expressed their wish to follow our example and are looking forward to the lessons and solutions gained from the Helsinki Energy Challenge.”

Added Laura Uuttu-Deschryvere, Project Director, Helsinki Energy Challenge: “We are extremely positively surprised by the exceptional teams formed through the Helsinki Energy Challenge. These teams surely have the potential to produce creative and critical innovations also in the future, for the needs of other cities, as well. The competition has also created completely new type of collaboration between Finnish and international innovators. Hopefully, this will create new international opportunities for these teams in the future. Helsinki Energy Challenge is not only a challenge competition, but also an innovative public procurement process. This is why we unfortunately cannot publish the content of the solutions yet. However, I dare to say already that the Helsinki Energy Challenge will have many positive effects that we may not have even anticipated.”

According to the organisers, the entries will be evaluated during October, and finalist teams will be selected early November. The evaluation criteria include the proposed solution’s climate impact, impact on natural resources, cost impact, implementation schedule and feasibility, security of supply and capacity, the organisers said. The evaluation process will use the help of experts from various organisations to ensure that the best solutions will move to the next phase of the competition process, they said. A maximum of 15 teams will be selected for the final phase of the Challenge, they added. These teams will be invited to the co-creation phase, during which they will receive support for further developing their solutions, as well as additional information for  tailoring their idea even better for the context of Helsinki, they further added.

The international jury will evaluate the final proposals of the finalist teams in the beginning of 2021, and the winner will be announced in March 2021, the organisers said, adding that the competition’s first prize is one million euros. The City of Helsinki lives up to its global responsibility in the fight against climate change and is committed to sharing the results of the competition openly, in order to allow other cities to benefit from them in their own climate work, the organisers further added.

Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time, and cities have a decisive role in mitigating it, the organisers said. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Helsinki keeps investing heavily in its climate work, they said. The climate crisis has not been cancelled, and the City of Helsinki is working its way towards a carbon-neutral Helsinki by 2035, they said. At the moment, more than half of Helsinki’s direct carbon dioxide emissions originate from heating the city, and this is why finding a sustainable heating solution will have a critical impact on achieving the City’s carbon-neutrality goal, they said. Currently, more than half of Helsinki’s heating energy is produced with coal, the use of which will have to stop by 2029, they said. Helsinki wants to find long-term sustainable solutions, which is why it does not want to replace the use of coal with biomass-fired production, they added.

Helsinki wants to find long-term sustainable solution to heat the city in the future and to act as a platform for new and innovative solutions that other cities around the world can benefit from, as well, the organisers said. The competition, they said, seeks solutions through which the city can be heated sustainably in the coming decades – without coal and with as little biomass as possible.

#HelsinkiEnergyChallenge #HEL2035 #energy #climatechange #climatecrisis #climatechangemitigation #carbonneutral #coal #biomass #innovation #globalwarming

Sustainable energy body gets new Chair

VIENNA, Austria, 11 October 2020: Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) on October 5 announced that Francesco Starace, CEO and General Manager of European utility company, Enel, has been appointed Chair of the SEforALL Administrative Board.

SEforALL is a non-profit international organisation that works closely with the United Nations to accelerate and deliver at scale the solutions needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all – by 2030.

With less than 10 years to meet SDG7, and with increasing urgency for the world to get on track to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals, SEforALL said its role in driving a global clean energy transition has never been more important.

Speaking on the announcement, Elizabeth Cousens, Vice-Chair, SEforALL Administrative Board, and President and CEO, UN Foundation, said: “Francesco is a visionary energy leader with a long track record in  driving business ambition around climate action, sustainability and energy access for hundreds of millions of  people around the world who lack it . He is a natural choice for this important role at such a critical moment. With SEforALL’s unique mandate from the UN to drive SDG7 action, in line with the Paris Agreement, his leadership can help support the organization go even further and faster to achieve our goal of universal energy access.”

As Chair of the Administrative Board – the principal governing body of the organisation – Starace will help shape strategy and operations for the organisation at the highest levels, SEforALL said. Starace currently also serves as a member of the UN Global Compact Board of Directors and the Global Commission to End Energy Poverty, SEforALL said. He previously served as a member of the former SEforALL Advisory Board and President of EurElectric, the European association for the electricity industry, it added.

Starace said: “Energy must be at the heart of the global agenda to lead the world on a more sustainable pathway, focusing multi-stakeholder action especially on renewables and energy efficiency, which are key for delivering on the goals of energy access and climate mitigation. I am very proud to join SEforALL and to support its efforts for the clean energy transition and to work together toward achievement of SDG 7.

“My main objective as Chair of the SEforALL Administrative Board will be to cooperate with leading actors to accelerate the critical shift to a more sustainable, modern and accessible energy for all. I have great confidence in SEforALL leadership and its unique strengths to tackle the complexity of the energy challenges and to support ensuring the fundamental right to electricity for everyone, globally.”

The announcement comes after SEforALL recently released a new three-year business plan to help drive scaled action towards sustainable energy for development and energy transitions. The plan, SEforALL said, recognises the need to strengthen global advocacy while expanding activities that prioritise data-driven decision-making, strategic partnerships and country-specific implementation.

Welcoming his appointment, Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, said: “With ambitious action, we can still achieve SDG7 by 2030, but the next few years are critical to increase energy access – especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. SEforALL’s leadership is pivotal to deliver this vision and why I’m delighted to welcome Francesco Starace as our new Chair of the Administrative Board. Francesco brings incredible experience that can help SEforALL deliver an energy transition that is truly inclusive, equitable and leaves no one behind.”

 

#sustainable #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #energy #UNSDG #UNSDGs #Enel #ParisAgreement #climatechange #climategoals #climatecrisis #energytransition

 

 

CRE industry on course for 2030 target of 50% cut in carbon emissions

WASHINGTON, D.C., 8 October 2020: Members of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Greenprint Center for Building Performance have continued to make significant progress in reducing carbon emissions while increasing asset value, according to its most recent annual report. The Greenprint Center comprises an alliance of the world’s leading real estate owners, investors and financial institutions, committed to improving environmental performance across the global market, ULI said through a Press release.

Volume 11 of the Greenprint Performance Report, which measures and tracks the performance of 10,190 properties owned by Greenprint members finds that over the past year, carbon emissions have dropped by over three per cent, energy consumption by almost three per cent and water consumption by over three per cent, ULI claimed. In 2019, Greenprint members invested over US 50.1 million on sustainability projects spanning from tenant engagement to building envelope upgrades and recommissioning, totaling more than 6,000 individual projects, ULI said.

An economic analysis of Greenprint’s triple-bottom-line impact amounts to value of over USD 687 million (€579 million) since its inception in 2009, ULI said. This includes financial savings from energy and water use reductions, as well as the environmental value of carbon emissions reductions and the social value of air pollution and water, ULI said. In total, this represents a reduction of 1.43 million tons of CO2 emissions from Greenprint members’ properties, ULI said.

“Greenprint represents an essential element in the toolkit for institutional investors to measure progress in reducing the environmental impact of the properties they own,” said Mary Ludgin, Incoming Chair, ULI’s Center for Sustainability and Economic Performance, and Senior Managing Director (Global Investment Research), Heitman. “While COVID-19 has often knocked climate change and climate risk out of the headlines in recent months, Greenprint members have continued to identify best practices that can help us achieve the goal of a net-zero future.”

According to ULI, the report reflects the results of thousands of projects and best practices Greenprint members have undertaken to lead the industry in reducing their environmental impact. Examples include:

• Carbon emissions reductions: EPIC, a Hudson Pacific Properties 13-story Class A Office complex, installed 310 solar panels on both the east and west sides of the building. The panels alone provide 1.5% of the building’s power. Inside the building, Hudson Pacific included lighting controls and energy-efficient plumbing fixtures to ensure the building reduced carbon emissions by lowering energy demand. Through these features, Hudson Pacific estimates an additional 15% energy savings on top of California’s already stringent Title 24 energy codes for new construction.
• Energy efficiency: As part of a strategy to better manage costs and upgrades, AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) pays for heating costs in its Finnish multi-family properties, which minimizes the traditional landlord/resident split incentive. The firm installed temperature sensors and a data and energy tracking system throughout a number of units in each property as a proof of concept and pilot project. The system inputs data on the local weather forecast, real-time energy prices, and apartment heating use based on sensors in each unit to provide holistic management of the heating system. The total heating project has an estimated 10-year internal rate of return of 15.1%. The project not only produces significant energy and financial savings, but it also allows tenants a higher level of thermal comfort.
• Water conservation: Based in Singapore, City Development Limited (CDL) has a strong focus on sustainability, with water conservation being a top priority. As covered in ULI’s report Scorched: Extreme Heat and Real Estate, boosting asset water conservation will be essential to mitigate disruptions that are occurring due to climate change. CDL analyzes and reviews its portfolio annually and installs water-efficient features and fittings, such as flow regulators and self-closing taps, widely across assets. In addition, the company performs annual impact analysis on utility bills to better understand the implications of higher water tariffs. These efforts combine to help the company progress toward its goal of reducing water use intensity by 50% from 2007 levels for office and industrial buildings and nine per cent from base-year levels for retail buildings by 2030.

This year, Greenprint reported a record portfolio size, with the total number of properties increased by 12% over the past year, ULI said. The portfolio now includes 2.37 billion square feet (302 million square meters) of office, multi-family, industrial, retail and hotel properties. The 10,000-plus buildings in the portfolio are located across 32 countries, and Greenprint members hold over USD 1.18 trillion (€1.0 trillion) in assets under management (AUM), which is almost 5 per cent of the value of high-quality commercial properties globally, ULI said.

“Now more than ever, sustainability is a clear value driver in real estate, and the Greenprint Performance Report is continuing to make the business case to the industry for advancing green buildings,” said W Edward Walter, CEO, ULI. “As the report notes, ESG has come front and center as a cause that our Greenprint members are championing. They continue to lead the way to inspire a broader movement within the real estate sector to improve building performance while bolstering the bottom line.”

 

 

 

#HVAC #HVACR #carbon #carbonemissions #buildingperformance #ULI #UrbanLandInstitute #energy #energyefficiency #energyconsumption #water #watersavings #sustainable #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #green #netzeroenergy #triplebottomline ##AXA #CDL #Singapore #CityDevelopmentLimited #IEQ #indoorenvironmentalquality #thermalcomfort #sensors #cooling #heating

CRE industry on course for 2030 target of 50% cut in carbon emissions

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States, 10 October 2020: Members of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Greenprint Center for Building Performance have continued to make significant progress in reducing carbon emissions while increasing asset value, according to its most recent annual report. The Greenprint Center comprises an alliance of the world’s leading real estate owners, investors and financial institutions, committed to improving environmental performance across the global market, ULI said through a Press release.

Volume 11 of the Greenprint Performance Report, which measures and tracks the performance of 10,190 properties owned by Greenprint members finds that over the past year, carbon emissions have dropped by over three per cent, energy consumption by almost three per cent and water consumption by over three per cent, ULI claimed. In 2019, Greenprint members invested over US 50.1 million on sustainability projects spanning from tenant engagement to building envelope upgrades and recommissioning, totaling more than 6,000 individual projects, ULI said.

An economic analysis of Greenprint’s triple-bottom-line impact amounts to value of over USD 687 million (€579 million) since its inception in 2009, ULI said. This includes financial savings from energy and water use reductions, as well as the environmental value of carbon emissions reductions and the social value of air pollution and water, ULI said. In total, this represents a reduction of 1.43 million tons of CO2 emissions from Greenprint members’ properties, ULI said.

“Greenprint represents an essential element in the toolkit for institutional investors to measure progress in reducing the environmental impact of the properties they own,” said Mary Ludgin, Incoming Chair, ULI’s Center for Sustainability and Economic Performance, and Senior Managing Director (Global Investment Research), Heitman. “While COVID-19 has often knocked climate change and climate risk out of the headlines in recent months, Greenprint members have continued to identify best practices that can help us achieve the goal of a net-zero future.”

According to ULI, the report reflects the results of thousands of projects and best practices Greenprint members have undertaken to lead the industry in reducing their environmental impact. Examples include:

• Carbon emissions reductions: EPIC, a Hudson Pacific Properties 13-story Class A Office complex, installed 310 solar panels on both the east and west sides of the building. The panels alone provide 1.5% of the building’s power. Inside the building, Hudson Pacific included lighting controls and energy-efficient plumbing fixtures to ensure the building reduced carbon emissions by lowering energy demand. Through these features, Hudson Pacific estimates an additional 15% energy savings on top of California’s already stringent Title 24 energy codes for new construction.
• Energy efficiency: As part of a strategy to better manage costs and upgrades, AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) pays for heating costs in its Finnish multi-family properties, which minimises the traditional landlord/resident split incentive. The firm installed temperature sensors and a data and energy tracking system throughout a number of units in each property as a proof of concept and pilot project. The system inputs data on the local weather forecast, real-time energy prices, and apartment heating use based on sensors in each unit to provide holistic management of the heating system. The total heating project has an estimated 10-year internal rate of return of 15.1%. The project not only produces significant energy and financial savings, but it also allows tenants a higher level of thermal comfort.
• Water conservation: Based in Singapore, City Development Limited (CDL) has a strong focus on sustainability, with water conservation being a top priority. As covered in ULI’s report Scorched: Extreme Heat and Real Estate, boosting asset water conservation will be essential to mitigate disruptions that are occurring due to climate change. CDL analyses and reviews its portfolio annually and installs water-efficient features and fittings, such as flow regulators and self-closing taps, widely across assets. In addition, the company performs annual impact analysis on utility bills to better understand the implications of higher water tariffs. These efforts combine to help the company progress toward its goal of reducing water use intensity by 50% from 2007 levels for office and industrial buildings and nine per cent from base-year levels for retail buildings by 2030.

This year, Greenprint reported a record portfolio size, with the total number of properties increased by 12% over the past year, ULI said. The portfolio now includes 2.37 billion square feet (302 million square meters) of office, multi-family, industrial, retail and hotel properties. The 10,000-plus buildings in the portfolio are located across 32 countries, and Greenprint members hold over USD 1.18 trillion (€1.0 trillion) in assets under management (AUM), which is almost 5 per cent of the value of high-quality commercial properties globally, ULI said.

“Now more than ever, sustainability is a clear value driver in real estate, and the Greenprint Performance Report is continuing to make the business case to the industry for advancing green buildings,” said W Edward Walter, CEO, ULI. “As the report notes, ESG has come front and center as a cause that our Greenprint members are championing. They continue to lead the way to inspire a broader movement within the real estate sector to improve building performance while bolstering the bottom line.”

#HVAC #HVACR #carbon #carbonemissions #buildingperformance #ULI #UrbanLandInstitute #energy #energyefficiency #energyconsumption #water #watersavings #sustainable #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #green #netzeroenergy #triplebottomline ##AXA #CDL #Singapore #CityDevelopmentLimited #IEQ #indoorenvironmentalquality #thermalcomfort #sensors #cooling #heating

GEA to install absorption chiller at ice cream facility

DUESSELDORF, Germany, 8 October 2020: GEA said it has signed a contract for the supply of a new, environmentally friendly cooling system with the Scottish ice cream manufacturer, Mackie’s. The order is worth around GBP 4.5 million, GEA added.

As part of the project, Mackie’s will replace the existing freezing plant at its Aberdeenshire plant with an ammonia-based, low carbon and energy efficient cooling system with an absorption chiller from GEA. It will be the first large-scale ice cream production plant in Scotland to combine biomass heating and absorption cooling, GEA said. The solution will support Mackie’s in its plans and ambitious goal of achieving CO2 reductions of 90% and energy cost savings of 70-80%, GEA said.

Mackie’s stated aim is to be one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly companies, GEA said. It currently produces over 10 million litres of ice cream per year. The new cooling system will be one of the most advanced in Europe, GEA claimed. Mackie’s green initiative involves replacing the gases used in its refrigeration systems from “partially halogenated” chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which have a high global warming potential, with ammonia, GEA said.

Gerry Stephens, Finance Director, Mackie’s in Scotland, said: “Our corporate vision includes the goal of being the most environmentally friendly company in the UK. Over the years, we have invested locally in renewable energy, including four wind turbines and the largest solar farm in Scotland. As our energy needs grow with us, we are excited about this innovative combination of technology and environmentally friendly refrigeration. It represents the final step in our efforts to become self-sufficient in renewable energy.”

Scott White, Sales Manager, GEA, said: “When we were designing an ammonia system for a site that had no experience with this refrigerant, we assisted Mackie’s with all the process and regulatory issues that needed to be addressed. We have a wealth of experience in designing and installing systems based on and using this technology.”

Eurovent Product Group, ‘Air Filters’ gets new Chairman

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 06 October 2020: The Eurovent Product Group ‘Air Filters’ (PG-FIL), on September 29, elected Dr Marc Schmidt, Vice President, Technologies Europe, AAF International, as its new Chairman, Eurovent said through a Press release. He is joined by Dr Thomas Caesar, Director, Global Filter Engineering, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies, who was re-elected for a second term as PG-FIL Vice-Chairman, Eurovent added.

PG-FIL met in a full-day online session on September 29 with a focus on regulatory updates under Ecodesign and REACH, and the revision of several Eurovent Air Filter recommendations. The group elected Dr Schmidt as its new Chairman for the next two-year term. He will succeed Jan Andersson of Camfil, who served as PG-FIL Chairman for many years. Dr Caesar was unanimously re-elected as the group’s Vice-Chairman, continuing his role for the next two years, Eurovent said.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Schmidt said: “Correct air filtration is more crucial than ever for the health and well-being of building occupants. Under the banner of Eurovent, it is our duty to convey this message to the market, to the policymakers, and to the public, and to raise awareness of the importance of clean and healthy indoor air. I am humbled that the Product Group, ‘Air Filters’, which represents manufacturers from all over Europe, has vested its trust in me to lead the charge on this.”

GEA sells compressor manufacturer Bock to NORD Holding

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, September 22, 2020: As part of its continued focus on strategic core markets – the food, beverages and pharmaceutical industries – Düsseldorf-based technology group, GEA said it is selling the compressor manufacturer, Bock, which is in GEA’s Refrigeration Technologies division, to NORD Holding. The purchase agreement was signed yesterday, GEA said. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction, GEA said. The transaction remains subject to regulatory clearance, GEA said, adding that the closing of the transaction is expected in early 2021. “We are pleased to have found a new owner for Bock in NORD Holding,” said Stefan Klebert, CEO, GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft. “It is our firm conviction that NORD Holding will develop Bock’s business potential as a producer of commercial compressors mainly for use in stationary and transport-related cooling applications in the best possible way. In GEA’s Refrigeration Technologies division, we will concentrate in the future on our industrial compressors business. Our portfolio here includes customized solutions for the optimum use of waste heat, enabling our customers to operate their production facilities ever more sustainably or even become carbon neutral.”

GEA said Bock has a strong market position, is excellently positioned with its products and is commercially successful. Since becoming part of the GEA Group, it said, the business has developed very positively. Bock is a leading manufacturer of open and semi-hermetic piston compressors in the lower and medium refrigeration capacity range, it said. The company, GEA said, employs some 340 people worldwide and generated sales of almost EUR 90 million in the 2019 fiscal year.

#compressor #compressors #HVAC #HVACR #refrigeration #commercialrefrigeration #GEA #industrialcompressors #foodindustry #beverageindustry #pharma #pharmaceuticals #pharmaindustry #pharmaceuticalindustry

Brady offers RFID temperature labels

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, 22 September 2020: Brady Corporation said it is offering new RFID temperature labels that enable wireless temperature reading and monitoring for a wide range of devices, equipment, machines, racks, cables and structures. The flexible, temperature-sensing smart labels can be applied to almost any surface to support informed, proactive decision-making, the company said through a Press release.

According to the company, the labels are a low-cost solution for temperature monitoring. Applications include environmental monitoring, material and equipment monitoring, cold chain monitoring, data center monitoring, maintenance and safety data collection and greenhouse monitoring, the company said. The thin and flexible, RFID-enabled smart labels do not need energy or maintenance, the company said, adding that they are energised wirelessly, in the event of a temperature reading with a UHF-compliant RFID reader. Temperature readings can be automated and are picked up by scanners on an ISO 18000-63/64 and ETSI compliant bandwidth, the company said.

 

The labels have been tested to stay attached and remain legible in heat, cold, dirt, indoors or outdoors, the company said. They are resistant to chemicals, cleaning agents, grease, oil and fuels, the company added. Equipable with a variety of adhesives, they can stay attached to smooth, rough, or powdered surfaces, and to flat or curved surfaces, the company further added.

 

Fujitsu General achieves Superbrand status

DUBAI, UAE, 21 September 2020: Air conditioning brand, Fujitsu General has achieved Superbrand status in the UAE for the fourth consecutive year, the company said through a Press release.

The status is awarded based on a brand’s ability to offer emotional and tangible benefits to customers as well as its strong connection among media, suppliers, investors and employees, the company said. This year, 57 companies received the Superbrand award from the Brand Council members, along with prominent senior directors and managers on an invitation-only basis. The Japan-headquartered cooling manufacturer is the only air conditioning brand in the country to receive the recognition since the launch of the programme in the UAE in 2005, the company said.

“Fujitsu General ACs are synonymous with quality, durability and innovation – and it’s because of the trust that consumers place in the brand that it appears year after year on the Superbrand roster,” said Mike English, Director, Superbrand Middle East. “With regionally specified products, supported by intelligent marketing and reliable customer service, the brand commands authority in a region where AC is considered a life-essential.”

Tariq Al Ghussein, Chairman and CEO, Taqeef, Fujitsu General’s distribution partner in the Middle East, said: “Fujitsu General has been setting the tone for cooling in the Middle East for nearly 50 years. It’s a global brand that invests and innovates in the regions it serves, developing products with unrivalled capacity to meet the demands of unique climates, such as ours. As the originators of desert cooling, Fujitsu General has been challenging expectations and pushing boundaries since 1972. We’re proud to have partnered with them on this journey and look forward to bringing the next generation of cooling technology to today’s and tomorrow’s consumers.”

Honeywell in digital healthcare initiative

DUBAI, UAE, 20 September 2020: Honeywell announced it will be collaborating with Influence Healthcare International (IHI), a healthcare solutions, management, advisory and consulting company. Making the announcement through a Press release, Honeywell said the agreement enables both companies to explore new opportunities to further digital transformation of the Middle East, Russia, Turkey and Africa’s (MERTA) healthcare sector, by providing high-quality healthcare solutions and supporting healthcare sector participants whilst reducing costs, optimising hospital operations, and enhancing the overall patient experience.

According to the release, the collaboration will combine Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions’ (SPS) global expertise in automation, mobile communication, productivity products and solutions, and cloud-enabled predictive analytics with IHI’s industry-leading healthcare transformation capabilities to create ultra-safe healthcare solutions.

 

Under the collaboration, Honeywell said, IHI will be able to leverage its technology expertise for healthcare environments, including nurse call systems, RFID solutions, remote patient monitoring and mobile barcode scanners, among others. IHI will provide its advisory services, operation transformation solutions and training, coaching and leadership consultancy, Honeywell said.

 

Honeywell said the combination of its cutting-edge technologies, IHI’s application of the Japanese Toyota Production System (TPS) – also the foundation for the Honeywell Operating System (HOS) –  and the companies’ deep sector expertise, enables them to design and implement ultra-safe, cost-effective and tailored hospital transformation solutions and next-generation integrated care communication platforms for the healthcare industry.

 

“We are committed to connecting people, assets and processes to allow customers in the healthcare sector to make timely informed decisions based on real-time data, improving their performance and patient experience,” said Miroslav Kafedzhiev, Vice President and General Manager for Honeywell SPS, High-Growth Regions. “Our collaboration with IHI offers unparalleled domain expertise in healthcare technology, and acts as an enabler for the next generation of patient care solutions in the MERTA region. Through our work, we can create an ultra-safe, robust and flexible system of operations and management, based on the continuous success of better, faster, safer and lower cost systems.

 

Dr Mohammad Shanti, Chairman and CEO, IHI, added: “At IHI, we understand the complex, challenging, and highly regulated world of healthcare. Our healthcare systems and transformation capabilities, together with Honeywell’s products and solutions, will advance the adoption of digitalization in the healthcare sector, while significantly increasing the throughput as well as quality of products and services. We look forward to bringing the industry even greater heights together.”

 

With the healthcare industry already in change, further accelerated by the global coronavirus pandemic, healthcare stakeholders in the Middle East understand the need to fast-track digital transformations to deliver optimal care, while remaining competitive, Honeywell said, adding that the Honeywell-IHI collaboration is the first-of-its-kind in the MERTA region, providing a mix of insight, knowledge transfer, expertise and talent to deliver long-term successful transformation of healthcare providers.

 

Magenta to distribute Zehnder ventilation, extract fans in the Middle East

DUBAI, UAE, 5 September 2020: Zehnder Group Deutschland has appointed Magenta FZCO as its distributor for its ventilation and extract fans range of products in the Middle East, including in the GCC region, the company said through a Press release.

Magenta is a leading energy management consultancy and an Indoor Air Quality solutions (IAQ) company serving the UAE and the GCC region, Zehnder said in the release, adding that the UAE-based company brings extensive experience in energy management and IAQ management by deploying IAQ monitoring systems to identify pollutants and provide clean air solutions, through this partnership with Zehnder, in hospitality, healthcare, education, commercial and residential sectors.

Sunil N Kanal, Director & CTO, Magenta, said: “Our partnership with Zehnder greatly increases our penetration into the important clean air solutions. We are now able to offer our customers best ventilation and extract fans solution, which will produce substantial energy savings. The quality of the products is assured and backed with a two-year warranty period. The Zehnder ventilation and clean air fans will now be available in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Yemen.

 

Poor IAQ, low humidity catalysts of COVID-19 spikes

Air quality engineers warn that COVID-19 cases may spike again in the Northeast this winter due to modern HVAC systems.

“COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, and we need to get serious about indoor air quality (IAQ) to stop its spread,” says Jeremy McDonald, a professional engineer with New York-based Guth DeConzo Consulting Engineers. “The challenge with getting people to pay more attention to indoor air quality is that you can’t see the problem – it’s invisible, so I think people have a hard time understanding it.  And that’s dangerous, especially in a pandemic fueled by airborne droplets.”

Unless we take incredible steps toward herd immunity or a mass vaccination, it is inevitable that the virus will propagate again, once the heating season starts in the Northeast, McDonald says, because we will be in the same indoor air conditions that existed last February through April, when the virus ravaged New York and New Jersey.

Right now, wearing masks, maintaining social distance and disinfecting surfaces are the most prominent tools in the fight against coronavirus. But McDonald believes it will be crucial this winter that our virus-halting strategies focus on indoor relative humidity and quality air circulation.

“What the South is experiencing right now with soaring case numbers, the Northeast will experience this winter,” McDonald says. “As soon as the windows are buttoned up and the heating systems turn back on, we’ll be right back in trouble.”

When we turn on our heating systems, McDonald explains, relative humidity within our building drops significantly, typically below 10%. Like most viruses, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 needs very low or high relative humidity to propagate.

The problem, he says, compounds in winter, because we also limit the amount of fresh air entering buildings by shutting our windows. This reduces our outdoor dilution air, which allows the virus to propagate in a stale air environment.  Lastly, we spend more time in these indoor conditions during the winter, because it’s cold outside.

In high occupancy buildings, like nursing homes, prisons and multi-family complexes, the virus will explode under conditions that are optimal for virus transmission, he says.

Seasonal weather factors into the COVID-19 crisis, when it forces people inside, but it is the indoor climate that effects the virus, McDonald says. In the South, people spend their summers inside to avoid the oppressive heat, whereas Northerners keep indoors to avoid the winter cold. Regardless of region or season, most indoor HVAC systems are creating conditions in which COVID-19 spreads, especially when there are more people sharing the space, he says.

“Wearing masks and social distancing are immediate steps you can take during a health crisis, and they have an immediate result, but they are not long-term solutions,” McDonald says. “We have to recognize the major role that indoor air environments play in this crisis and do everything we can to make our indoor spaces as safe as possible, because that is where the vast majority of cases propagate.”

QUARANTINE FATIGUE AND MAKING GOOD DECISIONS
McDonald notes that masks and social distancing only work as long as people are willing to take those steps.

“A big fear of mine is quarantine fatigue, when people say: ‘I’m done with masks, I’m done with social distancing. I can’t do this anymore’,” McDonald says. “If we have a better understanding of humidity and air flow, then people can make better decisions about when it’s okay to relax a little on mask wearing and social distancing, and when to be more vigilant – when it’s safer and when it’s riskier.”

STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE COVID-19
In a white paper published online in August, titled “Mitigating COVID-19: A Better Path Forward; Addressing Indoor Air Quality Issues to Reduce the Impact of the Pandemic”, McDonald calls attention to widespread HVAC problems and introduces strategies to address them.

AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL
Low air circulation is a problem indoors in many modern buildings. Like a stagnant pond, a room with no airflow will allow pathogens and toxins to build up, ultimately creating a toxic environment for its inhabitants. Good air circulation, on the other hand, will whisk away toxins from a room like a running stream of water.

“Opening windows is the simplest way to improve air circulation, but it’s not always an option, depending on the weather outside or the design of the building, and obviously comfort and heating costs have to be factored in,” McDonald says. “You can’t even open a window in most modern buildings, because they were designed to be tight for energy conservation. Although, that’s not meant as an argument for loose building envelopes.”

Most office buildings are ventilated to have up to two air changes per hour, so that fresh air from outside purges the indoor air every 30 minutes, maximum, he says. The more fresh air purges per hour the better from an infection control perspective, since this will reduce the concentration of the virus, he adds.

The problem, McDonald notes, is that a lot of buildings suffer from a lack of routine maintenance or aged equipment and don’t achieve the recommended air exchanges. This, he says, can lead to little to no air dilution, which may allow the virus to propagate.

McDonald is concerned that many of our buildings are not even maintaining the minimal airflows, which were included in the design of the building by building code. Without proper management of IAQ, he says, the actual air flow to a building may be far less than it’s designed to have, which allows the virus to increase in concentration.

“I often wonder when I read about large COVID-19 outbreaks in particular buildings or restaurants, is anyone looking at the amount of fresh air truly provided to the space,” McDonald says. “Without very good maintenance, you may be getting little to no fresh air. It’s like a cesspool.”

Outside, on the other hand, there may be 10,000 air changes or more per hour on a mildy breezy day. McDonald believes this is a critical reason why the preponderance of COVID-19 cases have been indoors, and further believes that this is the type of information the public needs to make informed decisions.

THE ROLE OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY
Scientists long ago established that viruses, bacteria and other toxins propagate either with low or high relative humidity. Viruses typically struggle to propagate when relative humidity is moderate, between 40% and 60% relative humidity.

As relative humidity is lowered in buildings, people’s noses, throat, and lungs become drier. In addition to being an irritant, this drying effect of our bronchial system – which McDonald calls “the human HVAC system” – results in less resistance to viruses and bacteria.

As air is warmed, its ability to retain water is increased – lowering the relative humidity of the air. This is why viruses are their most deadly over the long winter months in the Northeast, as we spend more time in the warm and dry confines of our homes and buildings, he says.

“The ideal humidity for human health is between 40% and 60%,” McDonald says. “For an office building, it’s really hard to get to 40% humidity on a bone dry, 5 degree winter day. But even getting to 30% humidity would help a lot in reducing the intensity of the virus.”

EMPOWERING CONSUMERS
In the future, as awareness of these issues increases, McDonald thinks the public will demand better indoor air quality. In particular, he sees a growing need for better information and education, so that people know what the relative humidity and CO2 levels are in a room before they spend an extended amount of time there. We may even see a rise in personal tools for measuring indoor air quality, he says.

“Since we can’t ‘see’ air, it is really hard to know if you are in a good IAQ environment or not,” McDonald says. “If people have a way of telling that an indoor space has good airflow and moderate relative humidity, then they would probably be more comfortable spending time in that place.”

Increasingly, businesses are investing money in upgrading their IAQ, which McDonald sees as a positive step. “As businesses demonstrate improved IAQ, my hunch is they will want to market that and inform their clients of their efforts,” he says. “As awareness of air quality increases, the demand for good IAQ will increase with it.”

BUILDING TRACING
As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, data shows that the virus has been most contagious in dense urban areas, with a particular concentration in high density spaces, such as nursing homes, multi-family buildings, prisons, bars and restaurants. However, at least anecdotally, there are some buildings which had a large number of cases, and others who had little to none. McDonald speculates that in addition to communal spread, the IAQ of particular buildings may be a large contributing factor. If true, this presents an opportunity to reduce spread in the future by evaluating and reviewing the HVAC of individual buildings. In addition to contact tracing, McDonald wants to see a “building tracing” program, to identify specific buildings that suffer from low IAQ.  “Everyone wants to see this problem solved. If IAQ is a large part of the problem, then we need to know where the problem is before we can fix it.”

PUBLIC RELATIONS MORE PERSUASIVE THAN CODES
All communities have building codes that address air quality and HVAC systems, McDonald notes, but the issue needs more public awareness and education before we can expect enforcement.

“It’s kind of like the 1970s Clean Water Act, when industries were allowed to dump the most toxic chemicals into the water,” McDonald says of today’s indoor air quality problems. “It’s not like virus-laden air is sooty and black. But that’s the level of PR campaign we need to get the greater public, especially decision makers, to act on addressing this problem.”

Just as hard-to-see fleas were later discovered to have spread the bubonic plague of medieval times, McDonald thinks modern HVAC systems that were “hiding in plain sight” will be recognized as the “super spreader” of the COVID-19 plague.

“Air conditioning, HVAC systems,” he says, “may be to COVID-19 crisis what fleas were to the bubonic plague.”

 

 

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One month left to enter Helsinki’s sustainable urban heating competition

HELSINKI, Finland, 01 September 2020: Entries to the Helsinki Energy Challenge, a global one-million-euro challenge competition to find a carbon-neutral solution for urban heating, will close at 4pm EET on September 30, the organisers said through a Press release. To date, the Challenge has attracted entries from over 13 countries, including Canada, Austria and Portugal, in addition to Finland, with entrants from over 50 countries expressing interest, the organisers said, adding that interested stakeholders may apply by visiting www.applychallenge.hel.fi.

The climate crisis is the most crucial challenge of our time, and cities have a key role in driving the shift to a low-carbon economy. Helsinki is one of the leading cities in the transition towards a sustainable future, with the goal of becoming free of coal by 2029, and carbon-neutral by 2035, the organisers said.

Urban heating leaves a huge carbon footprint, the organisers said. Currently, more than half of Helsinki’s heat is produced with coal, they said. In order to achieve carbon-neutrality, Helsinki needs radically new solutions to meet demand for heating homes in the famously variable Nordic climate, they said. And Helsinki is not alone: to fight climate change, sustainable heating solutions are needed in cities all over the world – heating not just beyond coal, but also beyond burning biomass, they added.

Helsinki’s approach to regulation and open data, known as the “City as a testbed” policy, coupled with its lively ecosystem of innovative businesses and industry, makes it one of the best places to work on solutions to climate change, the organisers said. Helsinki is recognised as one of the most innovative cities globally and has recently been selected for urban trials by Wing, Alphabet’s drone delivery service, as well as a driverless microbus service, developed by Muji and Sensible 4, the organisers said.

“Climate change is a global crisis that will not be solved through quick fixes,” said Jan Vapaavuori, Mayor of Helsinki. “With the Helsinki Energy Challenge, we are seeking new innovative solutions, even if it would mean significant changes to our existing system.

“COVID-19 hasn’t cancelled climate change. Our priority must be to stick to global climate goals and, if anything, to be even more ambitious in our actions. Instead of agreements or statements, we need systemic changes and actions with real impact. We invite innovators from all around the world to use Helsinki as a testbed for truly sustainable solutions for urban heating. Taking this next step might lead to a revolutionary breakthrough in our fight for a more sustainable city life.”

Finalists in the challenge will be announced on November 6, the organisers said. The successful teams will receive €10,000 to continue elaborating their solution in greater detail, and they will be invited to Helsinki or attend a virtual co-creation boot camp, where they will receive more information and insights, coaching, mentoring and networking to further develop their ideas and solutions, the organisers said. Travel expenses to Helsinki for the boot camp will be covered for a maximum of three team members per team, they added.

Final submissions, the organisers said, will be made on January 22 and, following intensive evaluation by an international panel of experts, the winner of the €1 million prize will be announced at a ceremony in Helsinki in March 2021, they added.

While that ceremony will mark the end of the competition, the organisers said, it is just the start of the challenge to show the world that the future of heating is not in the past. The winning entry will be considered for further co-development in partnership with the City of Helsinki, making the ultimate value of winning the Challenge potentially far greater than the prize money, the organisers said. The Challenge, they added, also provides the participants a unique opportunity to gain visibility and the potential to scale the ideas as solutions beyond Helsinki, too.

Making polling places safer

ATLANTA, Georgia, 24 August 2020: As election season continues throughout the nation during the pandemic, the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force is offering HVAC and water supply system guidance for polling places.

ASHRAE’s Building Readiness guidance provides practical information and checklists to help minimize the chance of spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

“Protecting our voters and poll workers from increasing the spread of COVID-19 at polling places is essential to protecting the health, welfare and safety of the entire population,” said Dennis Knight, Vice Chair, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force. “Many different HVAC system types are used in polling places, so adaptation of these guidelines to specific cases is necessary.”

ASHRAE presented the following general recommendations related to HVAC and water supply systems for polling places:

• Space Selection: Select a space with larger area for people to spread out and, if possible, a high ceiling to provide more volume for dilution. Consider space with operable windows, if there are potential ventilation issues.
• Inspection and Maintenance: Consider assessing the condition of systems and making necessary repairs. All building owners and service professionals should follow ASHRAE Standard 180-2018 “Standard Practice for the Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial HVAC Systems”.
• HVAC Operation: The HVAC and toilet exhaust systems should be running when the space is occupied. If the HVAC system cycles on/off with the thermostat, consider running the fan constantly during occupied hours. If toilet exhaust is controlled by manual switches, leave the fan running for 20 minutes after use, or consider setting the switch to “on” and use signage that directs not to change the setting.
• Ventilation: A good supply of outside air, in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2019, to dilute indoor contaminants is a first line of defense against aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Pre- and post-occupancy purge cycles are recommended to flush the building with clean air. If the polling place is not ventilated or poorly ventilated and filter efficiency is not good, consider opening doors and windows, and consider re-locating all voting to the outdoors.
• Air Distribution: Air flow distribution should not cascade air from the face of a person onto others, so take care in using personal fans.
• Filtration: Use of at least MERV-13-rated filters is recommended, if it does not adversely impact system operation. If MERV-13 filters cannot be used, including when there is no mechanical ventilation of a space, portable HEPA air cleaners in occupied spaces may be considered.  Also, consider portable air cleaners in locations with more vulnerable staff.
• Air Cleaning: Air cleaners such as germicidal ultraviolet air disinfection, may also be considered to supplement ventilation and filtration. Technologies and specific equipment should be evaluated to ensure they will effectively clean indoor air without generating additional contaminants or negatively impacting space air distribution by creating strong air currents.
• Temperature and Humidity: It is desirable to set the thermostat at the higher end of the comfort zone, 75-78ºF and maintain relative humidity between 40% and 60%.
• Energy Use Considerations: In selecting mitigation strategies, consideration should be given to energy use, as there may be multiple ways to achieve performance goals that have greatly different energy use impact. Control changes and use of energy recovery to limit or offset the effect of changes in outdoor air ventilation rate and filter efficiency may reduce or offset energy and operating cost penalties.

• Water System Precautions: Buildings that have been unoccupied could have stagnant water, and so, water systems should be flushed to remove potential contaminants. Utilizing ASHRAE Standard 188 and Guideline 12 can help minimize the risk of water-borne pathogens, such as legionella.

“The task force’s approach to protecting indoor air quality in polling place is practical, and can help safeguard voters, poll workers and other building occupants, as most sites are shared locations that serve many different purposes,” said Luke Leung, Commercial/Retail Team Lead, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force.

ASHRAE said its Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance and building readiness information for different operating conditions and several building types, including commercial, residential, educational and healthcare facilities. It encouraged HVAC industry professionals to visit ashrae.org/COVID-19 to view complete guidance on HVAC and water supply systems in polling places, along with other COVID-19 resources.

Making polling places safer

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 24 August 2020: As election season continues throughout the United States during the pandemic, the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force is offering HVAC and water supply system guidance for polling places.

ASHRAE’s Building Readiness guidance provides practical information and checklists to help minimise the chance of spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

“Protecting our voters and poll workers from increasing the spread of COVID-19 at polling places is essential to protecting the health, welfare and safety of the entire population,” said Dennis Knight, Vice Chair, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force. “Many different HVAC system types are used in polling places, so adaptation of these guidelines to specific cases is necessary.”

ASHRAE presented the following general recommendations related to HVAC and water supply systems for polling places:

• Space Selection: Select a space with larger area for people to spread out and, if possible, a high ceiling to provide more volume for dilution. Consider space with operable windows, if there are potential ventilation issues.
• Inspection and Maintenance: Consider assessing the condition of systems and making necessary repairs. All building owners and service professionals should follow ASHRAE Standard 180-2018 “Standard Practice for the Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial HVAC Systems”.
• HVAC Operation: The HVAC and toilet exhaust systems should be running when the space is occupied. If the HVAC system cycles on/off with the thermostat, consider running the fan constantly during occupied hours. If toilet exhaust is controlled by manual switches, leave the fan running for 20 minutes after use, or consider setting the switch to “on” and use signage that directs not to change the setting.
• Ventilation: A good supply of outside air, in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2019, to dilute indoor contaminants is a first line of defence against aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Pre- and post-occupancy purge cycles are recommended to flush the building with clean air. If the polling place is not ventilated or poorly ventilated and filter efficiency is not good, consider opening doors and windows, and consider re-locating all voting to the outdoors.
• Air Distribution: Air flow distribution should not cascade air from the face of a person onto others, so take care in using personal fans.
• Filtration: Use of at least MERV-13-rated filters is recommended, if it does not adversely impact system operation. If MERV-13 filters cannot be used, including when there is no mechanical ventilation of a space, portable HEPA air cleaners in occupied spaces may be considered.  Also, consider portable air cleaners in locations with more vulnerable staff.
• Air Cleaning: Air cleaners, such as germicidal ultraviolet air disinfection, may also be considered to supplement ventilation and filtration. Technologies and specific equipment should be evaluated to ensure they will effectively clean indoor air without generating additional contaminants or negatively impacting space air distribution by creating strong air currents.
• Temperature and Humidity: It is desirable to set the thermostat at the higher end of the comfort zone, 75-78ºF and maintain relative humidity between 40% and 60%.
• Energy Use Considerations: In selecting mitigation strategies, consideration should be given to energy use, as there may be multiple ways to achieve performance goals that have greatly different energy use impact. Control changes and use of energy recovery to limit or offset the effect of changes in outdoor air ventilation rate and filter efficiency may reduce or offset energy and operating cost penalties.

• Water System Precautions: Buildings that have been unoccupied could have stagnant water, and so, water systems should be flushed to remove potential contaminants. Utilising ASHRAE Standard 188 and Guideline 12 can help minimise the risk of water-borne pathogens, such as legionella.

“The task force’s approach to protecting indoor air quality in polling place is practical, and can help safeguard voters, poll workers and other building occupants, as most sites are shared locations that serve many different purposes,” said Luke Leung, Commercial/Retail Team Lead, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force.

ASHRAE said its Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance and building readiness information for different operating conditions and several building types, including commercial, residential, educational and healthcare facilities. It encouraged HVAC industry professionals to visit ashrae.org/COVID-19 to view complete guidance on HVAC and water supply systems in polling places, along with other COVID-19 resources.

 

R-32, R-125 and R-143a from China to the US out of antidumping duty scope

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 20 August 2020: The Department of Commerce on August 19 issued its final determination “not to include hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) components, R-32 (difluoromethane), R-125 (pentafluoroethane) and R-143a (1,1,1,-trifluoroethane), imported from the People’s Republic of China (China), within the scope of the antidumping duty (AD) order on HFC blends from China”, AHRI said through a Press release.

US Customs and Border Protection will be directed to discontinue its suspension of liquidation and to refund all cash deposits for antidumping duties, AHRI said,

AHRI said it previously informed its members of the Department of Commerce’s preliminary determination in an International Alert, dated April 10. The preliminary determination, it said, was that imports of HFC components, R-32, R-125 and R-143a from China were circumventing the Order. This, it added, has been overturned with the final determination.

R-32, R-125 and R-143a from China to the US out of antidumping duty scope

ARLINGTON, Virginia, United States, 20 August 2020: The US Department of Commerce on August 19 issued its final determination “not to include hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) components, R-32 (difluoromethane), R-125 (pentafluoroethane) and R-143a (1,1,1,-trifluoroethane), imported from the People’s Republic of China (China), within the scope of the antidumping duty (AD) order on HFC blends from China”, AHRI said through a Press release.

US Customs and Border Protection will be directed to discontinue its suspension of liquidation and to refund all cash deposits for antidumping duties, AHRI said,

AHRI said it previously informed its members of the Department of Commerce’s preliminary determination in an International Alert, dated April 10. The preliminary determination, it said, was that imports of HFC components, R-32, R-125 and R-143a from China were circumventing the Order. This, it added, has been overturned with the final determination.

Rheem launches HVAC Innovation Centre in Dubai

Dubai, UAE, August 24, 2020: Leminar Air Conditioning Company, a member of Al Shirawi Group, has launched the Rheem Innovation Centre, which the company described as a state-of-the-art experiential and learning arena, at Dubai Silicon Oasis. Brian Hempenstall, Managing Director – Rheem (MEA); Pramodh Idicheria, COO – Leminar Global) and senior members of the Leminar and Rheem teams participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, on July 28, to officially inaugurate the facility, spanning an area of 367 square metres, Leminar said through a Press release, dated August 24.

Further describing the facility as “digitally forward” and as a revolutionary step towards skill development, Leminar said the centre seeks to positively impact the contracting community by creating a repository of knowledge and by providing training to bring out best-in-class skills among HVAC contractors in the UAE. Through the facility, Rheem will continue to upgrade the level of training offered to its strong network of contractors and provide technology updates to its customers, Leminar said, adding that while Rheem has six such high-tech, hands-on innovation learning centres across the United States, it is with the able support and partnership of Leminar that it has been able to launch the first-ever such centre in the UAE.

Speaking at the launch, Hempenstall said: “Rheem is proud to have a successful collaboration with Leminar and pave the way for its exponential growth in the UAE market. We value this partnership, and together we will make sure this platform proves to be one of the best to harness knowledge and help skill enhancement.”

Added Idicheria: “The Rheem Innovation Centre will bring forth our efforts towards CER (Corporate Environmental Responsibility) and showcase our range of sustainable and technologically advanced products. Leminar’s robust network of customers will benefit from the several live demonstrations and working models installed at the centre, as it will help them get hands-on experience and understand the detailed mechanism behind the products.”

According to Leminar, the Rheem Innovation Centre will…

• Facilitate the detailed showcasing of VRF systems – their working principles and methods
• Include a live demonstration lab to enable clients/customers to experience sound/noise levels
• Include a live working demo of Tecnair Close Control Units
• Include a performance test rig of Frese PICVs
• Display all kinds of thermostats and their features
• Provide a site example of Mexico – specifically, a rotary fixture of an air-handling unit, highlighting Rheem’s skills of placing the unit in four different ways, as per requirement
• Give a live demonstration of all available air conditioning models
• Provide a detailed explanation of the working principle of a compressor, where the equipment can be broken down and reassembled
• Include a dedicated product showroom to showcase Rheem’s cutting-edge offerings that promise a new degree of comfort

Kartik J Raval, GM – Leminar Global, said: “As we move towards a more interactive business model with time, customer experience is key to every business’ growth story. The Rheem Innovation Centre will prove to be the cynosure of experience, education and efficiency for the industry in times to come.”

 

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EIA calls for support of updated refrigerants safety standards proposal

LONDON/WASHINGTON DC, 20 August 2020: A new safety standard proposed by an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) working group is vital to maximising emission reductions from a global phase-down of super pollutant hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol’s Kigali Amendment, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) said through a Press release.

If approved by a vote of IEC member countries, the proposal is on course to be adopted in the international standard for air-conditioning, IEC 60335-2-40, allowing greater use of climate-friendly and energy-efficient refrigerants in room air conditioning systems around the world, EIA said.

Clare Perry, EIA UK Climate Campaign Leader, said, “The adoption of a revised safety standard to allow flammable refrigerants in room air-conditioning is vital for meeting climate targets and implementing agreements to phase down HFCs, such as the Kigali Amendment under the Montreal Protocol.”

Most common air-conditioners sold today contain refrigerants with a global warming potential (GWP) thousands of times that of CO2, while this standard would allow greater use of flammable refrigerants, such as propane with GWPs close to zero, EIA said, adding that member countries represented on the IEC’s sub-committee 61D will have from now until October 30 to vote on the proposal.

Christina Starr, Senior Climate Policy Analyst, EIA US, said: “Climate-friendly hydrocarbon refrigerants have been safely used in billions of household refrigerators around the world for decades, but have been largely blocked in air conditioning by outdated standards. It is incredibly important for countries to support this proposal to unlock the full climate benefits of reducing HFCs and increasing energy efficiency in cooling.” Starr is also a member of the US standards technical panel for air conditioners, UL 60335-2-40.

According to EIA, the number of room air conditioners is set to triple to over 4.5 billion globally by 2050. A new report commissioned for EIA found that a shift away from HFCs in domestic split AC systems supported by updated product standards could avoid emissions of over two gigatonnes CO2-equivalent by 2030 and 5.6 gigatonnes CO2e by 2050.

“Many countries, particularly in the Global South that are A5 Parties to the Montreal Protocol, are in the process of phasing out ozone-depleting refrigerants, hydrochlorofluorocarbons,” Starr said. “An updated standard that allows safe use of climate-friendly refrigerants will enable early action by these countries to ‘leapfrog’ super-pollutant HFCs and transition directly to better substitutes for air conditioning.”

EIA said it is urges Montreal Protocol stakeholders to take note of the current voting period for this proposal and ensure support for its rapid advancement and finalisation. Once adopted into the revised IEC 60553-2-40 standard for air-conditioning, EIA said, various regional and national standards bodies will need to adopt it to take full effect in some markets globally.

ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force releases updated Building Readiness Guide

ATLANTA, Georgia, 18 August 2020: The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has updated its reopening “Building Readiness” guidance for HVAC systems to help mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, against the backdrop of many buildings preparing to reopen during the pandemic, the Society said through a Press release.

 

“The Building Readiness Guide includes additional information and clarifications, so that owners can avoid operating their HVAC systems 24/7,” said Wade Conlan, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Building Readiness Team lead. “By rolling out this updated guidance, we are providing a more robust structure for building owners to complete the objectives of their Building Readiness Plan and anticipate the needs of building occupants.”

 

According to ASHRAE, specific updated recommendations to the building readiness guidance include the following:

 

• Pre- and Post-Occupancy with Outdoor Air: The intent of this strategy is to ensure that infectious aerosol in the building at the end of occupancy is removed prior to the next occupied period. The building is flushed for a duration sufficient to reduce concentration of airborne infectious particles by 95%. For a well-mixed space, this would require three air changes (three times the building volume) of outdoor air (or three equivalent air changes, including the effect of filtration and air cleaners), as detailed in the calculation methodology. There is also guidance on methods to increase the quantity of outdoor air introduced by systems.
• Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) Systems Operation: Guidance is provided to assist in determining if an energy recovery system using an energy wheel is well designed and maintained and whether it should remain in operation. Based on the assessment of ERV conditions, it may be possible to fix problems and return it to service.
• Building Readiness Modes of Operation for the Building: These should include the following:
  • Epidemic Operating Conditions in Place (ECiP)

• Occupied- at pre-epidemic capacity
• Occupied- at reduced capacity or Unoccupied temporarily
• Operation during building closure for indefinite periods
• Post-Epidemic Conditions in Place (P-ECiP)
• Prior to Occupying
• Operational Considerations once Occupied

 

The guidance, ASHRAE said, still addresses the tactical commissioning and systems analysis to develop a Building Readiness Plan, increased filtration, air cleaning strategies, domestic and plumbing water systems, and overall improvements to a systems ability to mitigate virus transmission.

ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force releases updated Building Readiness Guide

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 18 August 2020: The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has updated its reopening “Building Readiness” guidance for HVAC systems to help mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, against the backdrop of many buildings preparing to reopen during the pandemic, the Society said through a Press release.

 

“The Building Readiness Guide includes additional information and clarifications, so that owners can avoid operating their HVAC systems 24/7,” said Wade Conlan, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Building Readiness Team lead. “By rolling out this updated guidance, we are providing a more robust structure for building owners to complete the objectives of their Building Readiness Plan and anticipate the needs of building occupants.”

 

According to ASHRAE, specific updated recommendations to the building readiness guidance include the following:

 

• Pre- and Post-Occupancy with Outdoor Air: The intent of this strategy is to ensure that infectious aerosol in the building at the end of occupancy is removed prior to the next occupied period. The building is flushed for a duration sufficient to reduce concentration of airborne infectious particles by 95%. For a well-mixed space, this would require three air changes (three times the building volume) of outdoor air (or three equivalent air changes, including the effect of filtration and air cleaners), as detailed in the calculation methodology. There is also guidance on methods to increase the quantity of outdoor air introduced by systems.
• Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) Systems Operation: Guidance is provided to assist in determining if an energy recovery system using an energy wheel is well designed and maintained and whether it should remain in operation. Based on the assessment of ERV conditions, it may be possible to fix problems and return it to service.
• Building Readiness Modes of Operation for the Building: These should include the following:
  • Epidemic Operating Conditions in Place (ECiP)

• Occupied- at pre-epidemic capacity
• Occupied- at reduced capacity or Unoccupied temporarily
• Operation during building closure for indefinite periods
• Post-Epidemic Conditions in Place (P-ECiP)
• Prior to Occupying
• Operational Considerations once Occupied

 

The guidance, ASHRAE said, still addresses the tactical commissioning and systems analysis to develop a Building Readiness Plan, increased filtration, air cleaning strategies, domestic and plumbing water systems, and overall improvements to a systems ability to mitigate virus transmission.

 

#HVAC #HVACR #ASHRAE #airconditioning #buildingperformance #COVID #COVID19 #pandemic #SARS-CoV-19 #novelcoronavirus #commissioning #buildingcommissioning #airfilters #airfiltration #filtration #energyrecovery #IAQ #IEQ #airquality #indoorairquality #airconditioning #ventilation #airconditioningusa #airconditioningmiddleeast #airconditioningasia #airconditioningindia #airconditioningUAE #airconditioningeurope #airconditioningafrica #airconditioningjapan #airconditioningsouthkorea #airconditioningchina

Smardt Chiller Group in global growth push

MONTREAL, 19 August 2020: Smardt Chiller Group, manufacturer of oil-free centrifugal chillers, on August 18 announced a major expansion of its worldwide leadership team.

Vince Canino, COO since 2014, has become President and CEO, effective immediately, the company said. Canino’s career in the HVACR and power industries includes senior VP roles with Trane, the chief executive role at the DG Energy cogeneration group and many years with GE Power Systems, the company said.

Ashraf Abdalla, formerly VP & General Manager, Global HVAC Applied Commercial Business, Johnson Controls, has joined Smardt as COO, initially focused on North American opportunities, the company said.

Roger Richmond-Smith, the founder of Smardt and, prior to that, the founder of Turbocor founder, has retired as CEO but remains Chairman of the Board of Directors, with project responsibilities for Europe, new product development and strategic marketing, the company said.

Richmond-Smith said: “I am delighted to pass the baton today to this new team of global industry veterans. Vince and Ash are both major talents, and together with CFO, Lucie Roy, they make a formidable team. This is vital if Smardt is to exploit post-pandemic opportunities for its lifetime oil-free efficiencies in the planet’s fight against climate change. And to all the key contributors to this disruptive little global group since its audacious formation in 2005, a very big thank you from me.”

China-headquartered TICA, in 2018, took a major stake in Smardt. Its Chairman, Jiang Li, added: “The TICA-Smardt group faces very major opportunities across the globe. Smardt’s global leadership in oil-free centrifugals combines well with TICA’s China leadership in high-end air handling, with an array of new products to follow. Key to TICA-Smardt’s success is the recruitment of major global talent. Today’s announcement is a strong start to some exciting post-pandemic growth.”

 

Belimo donates to ASHRAE global headquarters renovation project

DANBURY, Connecticut, 18 August 2020: Belimo is one of the 18 major donors to the ASHRAE Global Headquarters Renovation Project, the company said through a Press release. Belimo said it donated some of its most technologically advanced HVAC field devices, including more than 100 valves. The products were chosen for their high performance and BACnet communication, for their data-sharing capabilities and seamless controller integration, the company said.

 

Listing out its technologies, Belimo described them as such…

 

• Belimo Energy Valves: The IoT pressure-independent valve utilizes advanced cloud-based analytics to leverage system data to provide energy savings and the most efficient system operation.
• Belimo Clear Edge: An analytic data device, it automatically discovers, captures and analyzes system data from multiple Energy Valves in the building through BACnet.
• Pressure Independent Valves: These maximize available energy savings of variable flow pumping systems and address unique control challenges.
• 6-way Pressure Independent Valves: These have the functionality of up to four two-way control valves and two balancing valves, saving material and installation time.
• Belimo’s 100th million actuator assembled on the advanced Butterfly Valve: This consumes up to 80% less power than conventional designs and is equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) and BACnet communications capabilities
• Globe Valves: This comes with a soft seat design to provide ANSI Class VI leakage rating; and improved rangeability of 100:1 offers greater flow control.

 

Belimo said its innovative solutions provide comfort, energy efficiency, safety, ease of installation, and less maintenance for buildings and long-term reliability.

“Belimo is excited to be supporting ASHRAE’s Global Headquarters Renovation Project and is pleased to see a wide variety of our products helping the project meet its goal of net-zero energy,” said James Furlong, President, Belimo Americas.

The renovation project is expected to be completed by late summer, with a move in October 2020.

Belimo donates to ASHRAE global headquarters renovation project

DANBURY, Connecticut, United States, 18 August 2020: Belimo is one of the 18 major donors to the ASHRAE Global Headquarters Renovation Project, the company said through a Press release. Belimo said it donated some of its most technologically advanced HVAC field devices, including more than 100 valves. The products were chosen for their high performance and BACnet communication, for their data-sharing capabilities and seamless controller integration, the company said.

 

Listing out its technologies, Belimo described them as such…

 

• Belimo Energy Valves: The IoT pressure-independent valve utilises advanced cloud-based analytics to leverage system data to provide energy savings and the most efficient system operation.
• Belimo Clear Edge: An analytic data device, it automatically discovers, captures and analyses system data from multiple Energy Valves in the building through BACnet.
• Pressure Independent Valves: These maximise available energy savings of variable flow pumping systems and address unique control challenges.
• 6-way Pressure Independent Valves: These have the functionality of up to four two-way control valves and two balancing valves, saving material and installation time.
• Belimo’s 100th million actuator assembled on the advanced Butterfly Valve: This consumes up to 80% less power than conventional designs and is equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) and BACnet communications capabilities
• Globe Valves: This comes with a soft seat design to provide ANSI Class VI leakage rating; and improved rangeability of 100:1 offers greater flow control.

 

Belimo said its innovative solutions provide comfort, energy efficiency, safety, ease of installation, and less maintenance for buildings and long-term reliability.

 

“Belimo is excited to be supporting ASHRAE’s Global Headquarters Renovation Project and is pleased to see a wide variety of our products helping the project meet its goal of net-zero energy,” said James Furlong, President, Belimo Americas.

 

The renovation project is expected to be completed by late summer, with a move in October 2020.

VDE Verlag offers English edition of natural refrigerants guide

 BRUSSELS, Belgium, 3 August 2020: Germany-based publishing house, VDE VERLAG’s Natürliche Kältemittel – Anwendungen und Praxiserfahrungen, which offers a comprehensive practical guide to working with natural refrigerants, including CO₂, ammonia, hydrocarbons and water, will soon see an English version. The English edition will be titled Natural Refrigerants: Applications and Practical Guidelines, and is being adapted for a global audience, in particular with reference to standards, the publishing house said through a Press release.

“VDE VERLAG is very happy to team up with shecco,” said Bernd Hansemann, Product Manager for HVAC&R textbooks, VDE VERLAG. “VDE VERLAG’s excellent authors and content, combined with shecco’s expertise in international marketing of natural refrigerant subjects, is the perfect base to spread the knowledge into the market.” shecco is a market accelerator that has been active in helping to bring climate-friendly technologies faster to the marketplace, the publishing house said.

The book was the brainchild of Professor Michael Kauffeld of the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, in Karlsruhe, Germany, the publishing house said, adding that he wrote the chapters on thermophysical properties, ice slurry and N₂O as refrigerant for applications below -50 degrees C (-58 degrees F) focusing on air-cycle technology. He is one of the textbook’s three editors, the publishing house further said. The other editors are Michael Eckert, Co-Owner and Chief Engineer at the ammonia refrigeration company, Kälte Eckert; and Volker Siegismund, Professor at Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University in Mosbach, the publishing house added.

Each chapter is written by an expert in the specific area. Professor Armin Hafner of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology wrote the chapter on CO₂, the publishing house said. Eckert contributed the ammonia chapter. Joachim Schadt, Managing Director and Owner of Secon, a company that builds hydrocarbon chillers, and his former colleague Irmgard Bauer, wrote about hydrocarbons. Juergen Suess, former CTO of Efficient Energy, the company that developed the water-only eChiller, together with his colleague Florian Hanslik, covered water as refrigerant, the publishing house said.

“When talking to people in the refrigeration industry about how to use natural working fluids, the lack of information and training is always mentioned as the number one obstacle,” Kauffeld said. “This book can help spread knowledge about the safe and energy efficient use of natural refrigerants for the benefit of the environment – and often also for the economy.”

Ilana Koegelenberg, Market Development Manager, shecco, added: “Time and time again, the lack of suitable training material in the natural refrigerant space has been cited as an ‘excuse’ for slowed progress towards more sustainable HVAC&R solutions. When we first came across the German textbook, we immediately saw an opportunity to also bring this expert knowledge to the global stage and really offer a technology-neutral answer to the training challenge.”

The 300-plus-page textbook is aimed at an audience of planners, plant designers and operators of refrigeration and air conditioning systems, builders, architects, apprentices and students in the field of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumping technology, the publishing house said. It presents the experiences and techniques of industrial refrigeration and transfers them to commercial refrigeration applications. It also covers general conditions and legal requirements for the use of natural refrigerants, the economic efficiency of the refrigeration systems, and additional knowledge on handling these systems, the publishing house said. Tables, pictures and plant diagrams, it further said, are used to show examples of practical implementations.

“shecco is very excited about what this textbook could do for raising the bar for natural refrigeration installations around the world – not only from a safety point of view but also in terms of efficiency,” Koegelenberg said. “We firmly believe that by making this knowledge accessible to all, we can greatly accelerate the adoption of natural, clean cooling technologies around the world.”
According to the publishing house, print and online editions of the English translation will be available beginning in October/November 2020 at the VDE online shop.

Berner introduces air curtains “that deactivate viruses”

New Castle, Pennsylvania, 11 August 2020: Berner has developed the PureAir Package, an air purification system for air curtains to help buildings combat the COVID-19 pandemic while supporting sustainability goals, the company said through a Press release. The Berner PureAir Package complements the built-environment’s indoor air quality (IAQ) and disinfection efforts by deactivating viruses, killing bacteria, and neutralising a space’s airborne volatile organic compounds (VOC), as well as allergens and other biological contaminants such as mold spores, the company said. This is the industry’s first air curtain to include needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) technology, enabling users to safely disinfect and purify the air in the space, beginning at the doorway, the company claimed.

 

The PureAir Package is currently available on Berner’s Architectural High Performance 10 (AHD10) air curtain, designed for separating environments at main entrances in retail, restaurants, hospitality, healthcare, education and other commercial and industrial applications, the company said. The PureAir Package includes the NPBI module; a washable one-inch-thick (25-mm) aluminum mesh MERV-8 particulate filter; a 10-speed 1/2-hp electronically commutated (EC) motor; and a factory-installed Intelliswitch with Pure Mode operation, the company said.

 

During periods when the door is open, the air curtain operates as both an air curtain and an air purifier.  When the door closes for longer than 60 seconds, the air curtain automatically transitions to Pure Mode for continuous NPBI ion distributio­­­n throughout the space with one of its lowest, quietest speeds, the company said. The Pure Mode setting distributes a minimum­­­ ion density of 787 ­­­ions/inch² (2,000 ions/cm²) within a minute for reliable pathogen disinfection of the space, the company added. On Pure Night mode, to provide optimum ion density, the air curtain runs at a powerful high speed, de-stratifying the air in the room and purifying it prior to occupancy periods, the company further added.

 

NPBI has been third-party surface-tested by Cypress, California-based Innovative Bioanalysis, to neutralize airborne viruses, including the source of COVID-19 disease, SARS CoV-2, at a 99.4% success rate during 30-minute exposures, the company claimed. NPBI also disinfects mold, mildew, allergens, bacteria and other biological contaminants using an ionization process that’s Environmental Claim Validated through UL-2998 for zero ozone emission and byproducts free, the company further claimed.

 

The ionization process creates positively and negatively charged ions that are distributed by the air curtain, the company said. These ions attach to microscopic airborne particulates. The positive and negative ions break down gases such as VOCs and odors and also pull hydrogen out of viruses, bacteria and mold that deactivates or kills them, the company said. The polarized particles’ electrical attraction and subsequent agglomeration facilitates their entrapment in the air curtain’s intake air MERV 8 filter, the company said. Together, the combination of the NPBI technology and MERV 8 filter approaches HEPA performance and improves the IAQ, the company said.

 

The Intelliswitch, a programmable digital controller, which has a time clock, time delay, built-in thermostat, 10-speed fan control, and other integrated customizable features, can also be operated wirelessly through the Berner AIR, an advanced control technology communications platform for air curtains, the company said. The platform uses a wireless controller, encrypted at the processor level, to connect the Intelliswitch to the Berner App for smartphones, which also allows Berner factory technicians to help local contractors troubleshoot service, the company said.

 

Air curtain technology is ideal for NPBI, because air curtains are used right where customers, patients and employees, to name three, enter and exit a building, the company said. The air curtain, the company said, distributes ions from inside the space, starting right at the entrance, for an immediate effect, and it tirelessly replenishes the supply, as old ions reach their minutes-long lifecycle.

Berner introduces air curtains “that deactivate viruses”

New Castle, Pennsylvania, 11 August 2020: Berner has developed the PureAir Package, an air purification system for air curtains to help buildings combat the COVID-19 pandemic while supporting sustainability goals, the company said through a Press release. The Berner PureAir Package complements the built-environment’s indoor air quality (IAQ) and disinfection efforts by deactivating viruses, killing bacteria, and neutralising a space’s airborne volatile organic compounds (VOC), as well as allergens and other biological contaminants such as mould spores, the company said. This is the industry’s first air curtain to include needlepoint bipolar ionisation (NPBI) technology, enabling users to safely disinfect and purify the air in the space, beginning at the doorway, the company claimed.

 

The PureAir Package is currently available on Berner’s Architectural High Performance 10 (AHD10) air curtain, designed for separating environments at main entrances in retail, restaurants, hospitality, healthcare, education and other commercial and industrial applications, the company said. The PureAir Package includes the NPBI module; a washable one-inch-thick (25-mm) aluminum mesh MERV-8 particulate filter; a 10-speed 1/2-hp electronically commutated (EC) motor; and a factory-installed Intelliswitch with Pure Mode operation, the company said.

 

During periods when the door is open, the air curtain operates as both an air curtain and an air purifier.  When the door closes for longer than 60 seconds, the air curtain automatically transitions to Pure Mode for continuous NPBI ion distributio­­­n throughout the space with one of its lowest, quietest speeds, the company said. The Pure Mode setting distributes a minimum­­­ ion density of 787 ­­­ions/inch² (2,000 ions/cm²) within a minute for reliable pathogen disinfection of the space, the company added. On Pure Night mode, to provide optimum ion density, the air curtain runs at a powerful high speed, de-stratifying the air in the room and purifying it prior to occupancy periods, the company further added.

 

NPBI has been third-party surface-tested by Cypress, California-based Innovative Bioanalysis, to neutralize airborne viruses, including the source of COVID-19 disease, SARS CoV-2, at a 99.4% success rate during 30-minute exposures, the company claimed. NPBI also disinfects mould, mildew, allergens, bacteria and other biological contaminants using an ionisation process that’s Environmental Claim Validated through UL-2998 for zero ozone emission and byproducts free, the company further claimed.

 

The ionisation process creates positively and negatively charged ions that are distributed by the air curtain, the company said. These ions attach to microscopic airborne particulates. The positive and negative ions break down gases such as VOCs and odors and also pull hydrogen out of viruses, bacteria and mould that deactivates or kills them, the company said. The polarised particles’ electrical attraction and subsequent agglomeration facilitates their entrapment in the air curtain’s intake air MERV 8 filter, the company said. Together, the combination of the NPBI technology and MERV 8 filter approaches HEPA performance and improves the IAQ, the company said.

 

The Intelliswitch, a programmable digital controller, which has a time clock, time delay, built-in thermostat, 10-speed fan control, and other integrated customisable features, can also be operated wirelessly through the Berner AIR, an advanced control technology communications platform for air curtains, the company said. The platform uses a wireless controller, encrypted at the processor level, to connect the Intelliswitch to the Berner App for smartphones, which also allows Berner factory technicians to help local contractors troubleshoot service, the company said.

 

Air curtain technology is ideal for NPBI, because air curtains are used right where customers, patients and employees, to name three, enter and exit a building, the company said. The air curtain, the company said, distributes ions from inside the space, starting right at the entrance, for an immediate effect, and it tirelessly replenishes the supply, as old ions reach their minutes-long lifecycle.

ASHRAE announces new dates for IAQ 2020 conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 10 August 2020: ASHRAE has announced that the IAQ 2020 conference, scheduled to take place from September 14 to 16, 2020 in Athens, Greece, has been postponed – it will now take place from September 13 to 15, 2021. In line with that, the Society has issued a new call for papers. The deadline for submitting abstracts is December 21, 2020. It made the announcement through a Press release.

Organized by ASHRAE and the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (AIVC), the theme of the conference, “Indoor Environmental Quality Performance Approaches”, focuses on the metrics, systems, sensors and norms necessary to implement performance approaches, ASHRAE said in the release.

 

“Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has been the core of ASHRAE’S IAQ series of conferences for the past 30 years,” said Max Sherman, Co-Chair, IAQ 2020. “This conference has expanded from only covering indoor air quality concerns to exploring indoor environmental quality, which includes indoor air pollution, thermal conditions, acoustics and illumination and their interactions. The COVID-19 crisis has required us to hold IAQ2020 one year later but allowed us to expand the scope further to include IAQ in a post-COVID world.”

 

In addition to the original conference topics, the conference steering committee is seeking papers related to the scientific challenges the world faces following the COVID-19 pandemic, which include:

• Role of ventilation and building airtightness in epidemic preparedness
• Filtration and disinfectant options to control COVID-19
• Face-covering impacts on indoor air quality
• HVAC and IEQ in a post-COVID world

 

According to the release, authors have the option of submitting either a conference paper or an extended abstract and to state their preference for either an oral or poster presentation. Submissions are due December 21, 2020. If accepted, ASHRAE said, complete manuscript submissions are due April 19, 2021.

ASHRAE announces new dates for IAQ 2020 conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 10 August 2020: ASHRAE has announced that the IAQ 2020 conference, scheduled to take place from September 14 to 16, 2020 in Athens, Greece, has been postponed – it will now take place from September 13 to 15, 2021. In line with that, the Society has issued a new call for papers. The deadline for submitting abstracts is December 21, 2020. It made the announcement through a Press release.Organised by ASHRAE and the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (AIVC), the theme of the conference, “Indoor Environmental Quality Performance Approaches”, focuses on the metrics, systems, sensors and norms necessary to implement performance approaches, ASHRAE said in the release.

“Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has been the core of ASHRAE’S IAQ series of conferences for the past 30 years,” said Max Sherman, Co-Chair, IAQ 2020. “This conference has expanded from only covering indoor air quality concerns to exploring indoor environmental quality, which includes indoor air pollution, thermal conditions, acoustics and illumination and their interactions. The COVID-19 crisis has required us to hold IAQ2020 one year later but allowed us to expand the scope further to include IAQ in a post-COVID world.”

In addition to the original conference topics, the conference steering committee is seeking papers related to the scientific challenges the world faces following the COVID-19 pandemic, which include:

• Role of ventilation and building airtightness in epidemic preparedness
• Filtration and disinfectant options to control COVID-19
• Face-covering impacts on indoor air quality
• HVAC and IEQ in a post-COVID world

According to the release, authors have the option of submitting either a conference paper or an extended abstract and to state their preference for either an oral or poster presentation. Submissions are due December 21, 2020. If accepted, ASHRAE said, complete manuscript submissions are due April 19, 2021.

AHRI opens Dubai office

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 22 July 2020: The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has opened an office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to further the interests of its members and certification program participants by enhancing relationships with manufacturers and with governmental and non-governmental organizations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the organization said through a Press release. “Our Dubai office further expands AHRI’s global reach and provides us with a unique opportunity to develop and nurture relationships with manufacturers, regulators, and other stakeholders in the region,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI President and CEO.

Headed by François Boueri, a strategic management expert with extensive experience in HVACR and energy efficiency, the office will be staffed with professionals familiar with important local and regional issues, and who speak the language of this very important region to our industry, AHRI said through the release. “I look forward  to engaging our stakeholders, as we work to ensure the applicability of AHRI technical solutions, standards, and certification to regional needs and regulations,” Boueri said. “Given the respect for AHRI’s offerings by engineers, specifiers, building owners, and many others across the globe, this is an opportune time for our industry to come together to deploy time-tested solutions to the region’s challenges.” A founding partner of Sustainable Environmental Engineering Solutions and a former President and Director of Daikin McQuay Middle East, Boueri will serve as Vice President of AHRI’s Dubai office, the organization said.

Khalil Issa, a well-known energy and construction professional in the Gulf region, who also is a founding partner and former managing director of ECOFAST Construction, previous Managing Director of ADC Energy Systems and CEO of Energy Central Company, will be the office’s General Manager, the organization said. “Initiatives underway by most countries in the region signal a clear commitment to improving the environment and increasing energy efficiency,” Issa said. “The AHRI MENA team looks forward to shaping the best paths forward for implementing minimum energy performance standards that are critical in the current regulatory environment.”

The establishment of the AHRI Dubai office, the organization said, follows the successful introduction of operations in China, which began in 2012, and in Canada, which were put in place in 2018, and is in keeping with its focus on establishing AHRI as the source of globally relevant standards, certification programs, and technical information in key markets. The new office will help the industry address increasing regulatory requirements and demand for AHRI standards and certification programs in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and other Levant and North African countries, the organization said. It will also allow AHRI to better monitor activities and identify opportunities to serve adjacent markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, it added.

The Dubai office opening, the organization said, is a notable accomplishment for AHRI, as it works to ensure global adaptation and use of its standards and certification programs – sought by industry and governments – to prevent costly duplicative testing and certification requirements for its 330-plus member companies.

 

 

ASHRAE introduces updated reopening guide for schools and universities

ATLANTA, Georgia, 22 July 2020: The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on the operation of HVAC systems to help mitigate the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, as schools prepare to reopen for the fall academic year, the Society announced through a Press release.

The 41-page Presentation, ASHRAE said, includes convenient checklists to prepare educational buildings to resume occupancy, such as starting up HVAC systems as well as checks and verifications to maintain during the academic school year. The guidance is meant to provide practical information to school districts and university campus environmental health managers, facility managers, administrators, technicians and service providers, ASHRAE added.

“As schools prepare to reopen for the fall academic semester, it’s important to keep children and school staff safe,” said Charles E Gulledge III, 2020-21 ASHRAE President. “ASHRAE’s school reopening guide will serve as a resource to school leaders as they work in lockstep with health experts to finalize plans to keep everyone safe.”

According to ASHRAE, the guide includes the following topics:

• Determining Building Readiness
• Equipment & System Specific Checks & Verifications During the Academic Year
• New/Modified Facility Design Recommendations
• Filtration Upgrades
• Operations of Occupied Facilities
• Controlling Infection Outbreak in School Facilities
• Higher Education Facilities Recommendations

Also included is guidance formulated to help designers retrofit and plan for the improvement of indoor air quality and to slow the transmission of viruses through the HVAC systems as well as new guidance on student health facilities, laboratories, athletic facilities, residence halls, large assemblies, lectures and theaters.

“School and university officials are challenged with making very difficult decisions on how to best protect both students and staff as education facilities reopen, said Corey Metzger, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Schools Team lead. “This guidance offers a solid framework on ventilation control, filtration and maintenance that can be applied to different climate zones, building types and HVAC systems.”

For the complete ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force school reopening guide and other COVID-19 resources, visit ashrae.org/COVID-19.

ASHRAE introduces updated reopening guide for schools and universities

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 22 July 2020: The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on the operation of HVAC systems to help mitigate the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, as schools prepare to reopen for the fall academic year, the Society announced through a Press release.

The 41-page Presentation, ASHRAE said, includes convenient checklists to prepare educational buildings to resume occupancy, such as starting up HVAC systems as well as checks and verifications to maintain during the academic school year. The guidance is meant to provide practical information to school districts and university campus environmental health managers, facility managers, administrators, technicians and service providers, ASHRAE added.

“As schools prepare to reopen for the fall academic semester, it’s important to keep children and school staff safe,” said Charles E Gulledge III, 2020-21 ASHRAE President. “ASHRAE’s school reopening guide will serve as a resource to school leaders as they work in lockstep with health experts to finalize plans to keep everyone safe.”

According to ASHRAE, the guide includes the following topics:

• Determining Building Readiness
• Equipment & System Specific Checks & Verifications During the Academic Year
• New/Modified Facility Design Recommendations
• Filtration Upgrades
• Operations of Occupied Facilities
• Controlling Infection Outbreak in School Facilities
• Higher Education Facilities Recommendations

Also included is guidance formulated to help designers retrofit and plan for the improvement of indoor air quality and to slow the transmission of viruses through the HVAC systems as well as new guidance on student health facilities, laboratories, athletic facilities, residence halls, large assemblies, lectures and theatres.

“School and university officials are challenged with making very difficult decisions on how to best protect both students and staff as education facilities reopen, said Corey Metzger, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force Schools Team lead. “This guidance offers a solid framework on ventilation control, filtration and maintenance that can be applied to different climate zones, building types and HVAC systems.”

 

For the complete ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force school reopening guide and other COVID-19 resources, visit ashrae.org/COVID-19.

Carrier launches Healthy Buildings Webinar Series

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, 20 July 2020: As building owners and managers around the world work to safely reopen schools, businesses, restaurants, retail spaces and more, Carrier has teamed up with Dr Joseph Allen, Director, Healthy Buildings Program, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health and Carrier’s scientific advisor, to launch a healthy buildings webinar series, titled ‘A Healthier Future Starts Indoors’, the company said through a Press release.

The educational series kicks off this week, beginning with a foundational session on the importance of healthy indoor environments, followed by sessions dedicated to specific verticals with actionable recommendations to help ensure a safe reopening, the company said.

“COVID-19 has elevated the recognition of the importance of indoor environments on our health,” Dr Allen said. “As businesses, schools and healthcare institutions work to reopen and stay open, with occupant health and safety top of mind, healthy buildings are the new minimum. But, healthy buildings are not just a short-term need. Buildings are a tool for long-term health promotion, and improvements now will prepare us to manage through COVID and beyond.”

The webinar series begins on July 21, followed by specialized sessions focused on K-12, Higher Education, Commercial Buildings, Hospitality, Healthcare, Retail and Marine.

“Customers all over the world are turning to Carrier solutions to operate their HVAC, fire and security systems optimally for a healthier and safer environment,” said Rajan Goel, Senior Vice President and leader of Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program, as the head of Carrier’s Building Solutions Group. “From retrofits and system upgrades to enhanced operations and analytics services, Carrier has the expertise to evaluate each building’s requirements and make recommendations for a healthier, safer future.”

COVID-19 dampens long-term energy demand

HØVIK, Norway, 1 July 2020: The economic and behavioural ramifications of COVID-19 will significantly reduce global long-term energy demand, according to new research by the authors of DNV GL’s Energy Transition Outlook through a Press release. COVID-19 has also hastened the decline in carbon dioxide emissions – with 2019 set to be the year of peak CO₂ emissions – yet the overall impact on our carbon budget is minimal, the release said.

Compared to DNV GL’s pre-pandemic forecast, the release said, the amount of energy required by humanity in 2050 will be eight per cent lower. Energy efficiency, the release said, remains the key driver to reducing the world’s energy needs, although lower economic output, following the COVID-19 pandemic, is putting a further brake on demand, the release said. Lasting behavioural changes to travel, commuting and working habits will also decrease energy usage and lessen demand for fossil fuels from the transport sector as well as from iron and steel production, the release added.

”We are still at a critical junction,” said Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO of DNV GL. “We basically have the technologies to deliver on the Paris ambition, but we need smarter policies to scale these technologies much faster. COVID-19 has caused enormous human suffering, but has at the same time shown us that measures can be implemented fast at scale. This is an opportunity that cannot go to waste. Governments and international regulatory institutions must take this opportunity to make a lasting impact on decarbonization.”

Energy demand from the transport sector will never reach pre-pandemic levels due to the downturn in the aviation sector and because of altered commuting habits, as people work from home more, the release said. In turn, the energy-intensive process of iron and steel production will be hit by a reduced demand for office space, the release added.

With the earlier-than-anticipated plateauing of oil and the continued rapid decline of coal use, DNV GL’s forecast shows that CO₂ emissions most likely have already peaked (in 2019), the release said. However, even with peak emissions behind us, and flat energy demand through to 2050, the energy transition is still nowhere near fast enough to deliver on the Paris ambition of keeping global warming well below two degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels. To reach the 1.5-degree target, we would need to repeat the decline in emissions we’re experiencing in 2020 every year from now on, the release said.

To put this in perspective, the COVID-19 impact on energy demand only buys humanity another year of ‘allowable’ emissions before the 1.5°C target is exhausted (in 2029) and a couple of years before the two degrees centigrade warming carbon budget is exhausted (in the year 2050), the release said.

“The depth of the climate crisis is immense, but we have all the tools to prevent unsustainable global warming,” Eriksen said. “Companies and governments must act now. Now more than ever, we need technology and the scaling of technology to accelerate the uptake of renewables, energy-efficiency measures as well as the deployment of industrial-scale carbon capture and storage, and the use of alternative fuels.”

The full Energy Transition Outlook will be published on September 9 2020.

New UNIDO study presents different energy-efficiency refrigeration design options

ATLANTA, Georgia, 13 July 2020: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched its latest guidance document supporting domestic and commercial refrigeration manufacturers seeking to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ASHRAE said through a Press release. The project is funded by the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP) and supported by International Copper Association (ICA), ASHRAE added.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, ASHRAE said, the study will be launched through a webinar, which will present the outcomes of the project and provide insight into how to use the guidance document, analyze changes in manufacturing, evaluate technical and financial options for energy-efficient refrigeration equipment and calculate associated emission reductions. ASHRAE will host the webinar towards an inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

The new study, ASHRAE said, sets out a methodology and tools for manufacturers to understand cost and net benefits for different energy-efficient refrigeration design options and the required manufacturing line upgrades.

The COVID-19 outbreak, AHSRAE said, has disrupted cold value chains, which are critical for the distribution of foods and vaccines. The refrigeration and air conditioning sector is currently responsible for around 17% of global electricity consumption and, in some developing countries, even exceeds 40% of the national electricity demand, ASHRAE noted. In order to reduce the impact on health and the environment, it is vital to improve the energy efficiency of the refrigeration systems and to adopt refrigerants that have zero- or low-climate impact, ASHRAE said.

As an implementing agency of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, UNIDO is supporting its Member States which phase-out the use of ozone-depleting and global-warming substances in the cooling sector, ASHRAE said in the release. The amendment to the Montreal Protocol, in 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, has led to the creation of the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program, which aims to help increase energy efficiency (EE) of cooling in developing countries, ASHRAE said. This unique K-CEP-funded project, “Assessment of incremental capital and operating costs for improved EE in domestic, commercial and retail refrigeration”, looked at manufacturers in five countries and characterized them using a Manufacturer Development Index (MDI), which takes into account: Manufacturer development capacity; Manufacturer production volume; Manufacturer proximity to, and relationship with, component’s original equipment manufacturers (OEM); Market maturity; and Country’s energy-efficiency score.

Manufacturers are now able to ascertain which changes to their offerings can be taken cost effectively, ASHRAE noted. The simulation software, named Commercial Refrigeration Analysis (CERA)[1], gives visual modelling of the changes in components, the benefit in energy efficiency and the cost involved in promoting green design and, thus, keeping the product competitive in the long term, ASHRAE said. A record of the changes made, enable scenarios and costings to be formed into a “board room ready” style presentation (see www.unido.org/cera) ASHRAE said.

“Many companies in Article 5 countries are missing suitable guidance and opportunities for knowledge transfer when trying to meet global climate goals,” said IINO Fukuya, Department of Environment, UNIDO, in Vienna, Austria. “This guidance document introduces practical ways to calculate and cost the changes needed for their product and factory footprint to comply with both international agreements and national legislation.”

Lead author and presenter, Omar Abdelaziz, Member, ASHRAE and Assistant Professor of Thermofluids, Zewail City of Science and Technology, said: “The outcomes of the project provide insight into how to analyze changes in manufacturing, evaluate technical and financial options for energy-efficient products and calculate associated emission reductions. We hope manufacturers and service providers that need help to change their products and factories in today’s competitive marketplace can rely on the project guidance document and consultants familiar with the work to improve products’ energy efficiency and reduce emissions.”

According to ASHRAE, the following are the Webinar details:

Webinar date and time: 22 July 2020, 15:00-16:30 CEST

Click here, free of charge, to register: https://www.ashrae.org/2020onlinejuly22

Recordings will be available on ASHRAE Global Training Centre website following the webinar.

[1] CERA is originally developed by the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory of the United States Department of Energy (DOE).

New UNIDO study presents different energy-efficiency refrigeration design options

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 13 July 2020: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched its latest guidance document supporting domestic and commercial refrigeration manufacturers seeking to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ASHRAE said through a Press release. The project is funded by the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP) and supported by International Copper Association (ICA), ASHRAE added.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, ASHRAE said, the study will be launched through a webinar, which will present the outcomes of the project and provide insight into how to use the guidance document, analyse changes in manufacturing, evaluate technical and financial options for energy-efficient refrigeration equipment and calculate associated emission reductions. ASHRAE will host the webinar towards an inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

The new study, ASHRAE said, sets out a methodology and tools for manufacturers to understand cost and net benefits for different energy-efficient refrigeration design options and the required manufacturing line upgrades.

The COVID-19 outbreak, AHSRAE said, has disrupted cold value chains, which are critical for the distribution of foods and vaccines. The refrigeration and air conditioning sector is currently responsible for around 17% of global electricity consumption and, in some developing countries, even exceeds 40% of the national electricity demand, ASHRAE noted. In order to reduce the impact on health and the environment, it is vital to improve the energy efficiency of the refrigeration systems and to adopt refrigerants that have zero- or low-climate impact, ASHRAE said.

As an implementing agency of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, UNIDO is supporting its Member States which phase-out the use of ozone-depleting and global-warming substances in the cooling sector, ASHRAE said in the release. The amendment to the Montreal Protocol, in 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, has led to the creation of the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program, which aims to help increase energy efficiency (EE) of cooling in developing countries, ASHRAE said. This unique K-CEP-funded project, “Assessment of incremental capital and operating costs for improved EE in domestic, commercial and retail refrigeration”, looked at manufacturers in five countries and characterized them using a Manufacturer Development Index (MDI), which takes into account: Manufacturer development capacity; Manufacturer production volume; Manufacturer proximity to, and relationship with, component’s original equipment manufacturers (OEM); Market maturity; and Country’s energy-efficiency score.

Manufacturers are now able to ascertain which changes to their offerings can be taken cost effectively, ASHRAE noted. The simulation software, named Commercial Refrigeration Analysis (CERA)[1], gives visual modelling of the changes in components, the benefit in energy efficiency and the cost involved in promoting green design and, thus, keeping the product competitive in the long term, ASHRAE said. A record of the changes made, enable scenarios and costings to be formed into a “board room ready” style presentation (see www.unido.org/cera) ASHRAE said.

“Many companies in Article 5 countries are missing suitable guidance and opportunities for knowledge transfer when trying to meet global climate goals,” said IINO Fukuya, Department of Environment, UNIDO, in Vienna, Austria. “This guidance document introduces practical ways to calculate and cost the changes needed for their product and factory footprint to comply with both international agreements and national legislation.”

Lead author and presenter, Omar Abdelaziz, Member, ASHRAE and Assistant Professor of Thermofluids, Zewail City of Science and Technology, said: “The outcomes of the project provide insight into how to analyze changes in manufacturing, evaluate technical and financial options for energy-efficient products and calculate associated emission reductions. We hope manufacturers and service providers that need help to change their products and factories in today’s competitive marketplace can rely on the project guidance document and consultants familiar with the work to improve products’ energy efficiency and reduce emissions.”

According to ASHRAE, the following are the Webinar details:

Webinar date and time: 22 July 2020, 15:00-16:30 CEST

Click here, free of charge, to register: https://www.ashrae.org/2020onlinejuly22

Recordings will be available on ASHRAE Global Training Centre website following the webinar.

^[1] CERA is originally developed by the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory of the United States Department of Energy (DOE).

Parties to the Montreal Protocol to discuss replenishment of the Multilateral Fund

NAIROBI, Kenya, 13 July 2020: Parties and other stakeholders to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone will convene for online technical sessions from July 14 to 16 to discuss one key item on the agenda of the 42^nd Open-ended Working Group (OEWG42) meeting, the Multilateral Fund said through a Press release. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 travel and meeting restrictions, the parties will convene virtually for the first time in history, the Fund added.

 

According to the release, the parties will discuss the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for 2021–2023, focusing on the report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel. The parties have been providing comments on the report through an online forum established for reviewing documents.

 

According to the release, the Multilateral Fund provides support to developing economies to enable them to meet their obligations under the Protocol to phase out ozone-depleting substances. The Fund is financed by contributions from developed countries and is replenished every three years. The parties will review and discuss a report developed by the Technology and Scientific Assessment Panel (TEAP) that estimates the level of funding required by the Article 5 parties (developing countries) for 2021-2023, and also provide indicative amounts for the two further triennia.

 

According to the release, another issue selected out of the agenda for the OEWG42 to make progress before the 32^nd Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, is the review of critical-use nominations for methyl bromide. Through the online forum, parties have been able to review and submit comments on the report of the TEAP on their evaluation and recommendations on the nominations submitted by a small number of countries that still use methyl bromide for critical uses. Bilateral meetings are expected to take place between the nominating countries and the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee, and a final report will be prepared for further consideration by the parties.

Previous to the OEWG42, the 64^th meeting of the Implementation Committee took place online from July 7 to 9. The Committee discussed and made recommendations on issues related to non-compliance under the Montreal Protocol.

ASHRAE signs MoU with NYSERDA

ATLANTA, Georgia, 10 July 2020: ASHRAE and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizing the organizations’ strategic partnership, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

Charles E Gulledge III, 2020-21 ASHRAE President and Doreen M Harris, NYSERDA Acting President and CEO, signed the MoU on July 9. The agreement defines parameters on how the two organizations will develop and provide  safe building occupancy guidelines following the spread of COVID-19, including building readiness and reopening guidance, sustainable development practices and associated training, ASHRAE said through the release.

NYSERDA and ASHRAE will work cooperatively to improve the design and application of efficient and low-carbon heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technologies and their application in New York State, ASHRAE said.

“ASHRAE has taken a leadership role in providing technical resources to help protect the health and safety of building occupants, as we start the transition into a post-COVID-19 environment,” Gulledge said. “Our partnership with NYSERDA will leverage the collective strength of both organizations, as we implement innovative energy management and indoor air quality practices to address today’s building challenges.”

Harris said: “New York is building back better under Governor Cuomo’s unwavering leadership by advancing a framework to address some of society’s most pressing health and climate issues. Through this groundbreaking partnership with ASHRAE, we will advance statewide change with cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions while reducing the overall carbon footprint of New York’s building stock and prioritizing human health and safe indoor air quality.”

 

According to ASHRAE, the MoU includes, but is not limited to, the following goals:

• The development and/or utilization of existing research, resources, guidance manuals, training and best practices on minimizing airborne pathogen exposure through improved indoor air quality, ventilation and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for buildings to enable safe reopening and operation.

 

• The development of job/task specific-contractor and building safety guidelines to minimize airborne pathogen exposure.

 

• The development of guidance documents on carbon neutral buildings, building electrification, carbon emission load calculations and clean geothermal district systems.

 

• The development and/or delivery of new or existing ASHRAE professional training on the application of codes, standards, guidance documents, manuals and tools.

 

ASHRAE signs MoU with NYSERDA

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 10 July 2020: ASHRAE and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising the organisations’ strategic partnership, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

Charles E Gulledge III, 2020-21 ASHRAE President and Doreen M Harris, NYSERDA Acting President and CEO, signed the MoU on July 9. The agreement defines parameters on how the two organizations will develop and provide  safe building occupancy guidelines following the spread of COVID-19, including building readiness and reopening guidance, sustainable development practices and associated training, ASHRAE said through the release.

NYSERDA and ASHRAE will work cooperatively to improve the design and application of efficient and low-carbon heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technologies and their application in New York State, ASHRAE said.

“ASHRAE has taken a leadership role in providing technical resources to help protect the health and safety of building occupants, as we start the transition into a post-COVID-19 environment,” Gulledge said. “Our partnership with NYSERDA will leverage the collective strength of both organizations, as we implement innovative energy management and indoor air quality practices to address today’s building challenges.”

Harris said: “New York is building back better under Governor Cuomo’s unwavering leadership by advancing a framework to address some of society’s most pressing health and climate issues. Through this groundbreaking partnership with ASHRAE, we will advance statewide change with cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions while reducing the overall carbon footprint of New York’s building stock and prioritizing human health and safe indoor air quality.”

According to ASHRAE, the MoU includes, but is not limited to, the following goals:

• The development and/or utilisation of existing research, resources, guidance manuals, training and best practices on minimising airborne pathogen exposure through improved indoor air quality, ventilation and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for buildings to enable safe reopening and operation.
• The development of job/task specific-contractor and building safety guidelines to minimise airborne pathogen exposure.
• The development of guidance documents on carbon neutral buildings, building electrification, carbon emission load calculations and clean geothermal district systems.

The development and/or delivery of new or existing ASHRAE professional training on the application of codes, standards, guidance documents, manuals and tools.

Carrier launches Healthy Buildings Program

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, 23 June 2020: Carrier in early June launched the Healthy Buildings Program, which the company described as an expanded suite of advanced solutions to help deliver healthy, safe, efficient and productive indoor environments across key verticals, including commercial buildings, healthcare, hospitality, education, retail and marine.

Carrier said it launched the program to help customers consult with Carrier’s engineers to take advantage of the broad range of the company’s healthy building technologies.

“COVID-19 has reinforced the important role that buildings play in ensuring and protecting public health,” said Dave Gitlin, President & CEO, Carrier. “As people return to work, hotels greet guests, schools welcome back students and stores reopen, indoor air quality and safe buildings are of paramount importance. For the economy to successfully recover, people need to have trust in the safety of the buildings they are entering. New technologies, like microscopic filtration systems and touchless building controls have gone from nice-to-have conveniences to must-have protections. The Carrier Healthy Buildings Program can help enable healthier and safer indoor environments as we get back to our new normal.”

Rajan Goel, who leads Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program as the head of Carrier’s Building Solutions Group, added, “Through the Healthy Buildings Program, Carrier’s experts will work closely with customers to not only design but operate, maintain and upgrade buildings that protect what’s most important – the health of those inside.”

Carrier said its Healthy Buildings Program will draw from a comprehensive suite of solutions and services designed to help improve indoor air quality (IAQ), increase outside air ventilation and enable touchless interactions.

 

Camfil wins Grand Indoor Climate Prize

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 18 June 2020: Camfil said it won the ‘Grand Indoor Climate Prize’ in Sweden for the Megalam EnerGuard HEPA filtration for cleanrooms.

The filter has three times longer life span than other HEPA filters with membrane media and can generate energy savings of 30-50% compared to traditional fibreglass filters in the industry, Camfil claimed through a Press release. The media also provides safer handling, with minimal risk of damage during transport and installation, Camfil said.

According to Camfil, the main drivers that motivated the jury to select Camfil were innovation, high filter efficiency, and a combination of best features of traditional fibreglass and membrane filters. The filter technology in the Megalam EnerGuard, Camfil claimed, efficiently separates particles from ventilation air, maintains a lower pressure drop and contributes to better energy savings than traditional fibreglass filters. The filter design, Camfil further claimed, is durable that significantly reduces the risk of damage to the filter during transport and installation.

Torbjörn Bäck, President, Camfil Northern Europe, who received the Award, said: “We at Camfil are elated and proud to be nominated in the first place, and now with this victory, our success reflects the focus towards sustainability in several dimensions. Our R&D team is dedicated to developing filters that meet future demands for efficiency, reduce energy consumption and produce less waste through a longer filter lifetime. Thanks to the commitment and efforts of our colleagues in the industry and the industry associations, together we keep driving the indoor air quality technology development forward.”

Dyson investigates the effect of lockdown on air pollution

MALMESBURY, United Kingdom, 16 June 2020: Participants in 14 cities globally are using Dyson’s air quality backpack to collect air quality data, to generate snapshots of their personal exposure to air pollution during and after lockdown, the company said through a Press release.

Dyson’s air quality backpack, which was developed for a research study with Kings College London and the Greater London Authority, has on-board sensors, a battery pack and GPS, allowing data to be collected on the go, the company said. Re-working existing sensing technology used in Dyson air purifiers, engineers designed the portable air monitoring device, engineering it to be smaller, lighter, and more portable, whilst still accurately capturing PM2.5, PM10 and VOC and NO₂ exposure, the company added.

According to the release, the global project spans three continents and 14 cities, including Dubai, London, Milan, New Delhi and New York City. The collected data will be compared with local city air quality sensor data and indoor air quality data from Dyson’s connected purifiers, to develop a picture of the changes in air quality in cities globally throughout this period, the company said

Phase one involved participants wearing the backpack to collect air quality data during lockdown. In line with local government guidelines, participants wore the backpacks during permitted lockdown travel, such as visits to the grocery store, daily exercise routines or a key worker’s commute, Dyson said. This data will give us a snapshot of the air quality the participant was exposed to on a typical day in lockdown, it added.

With lockdown restrictions in cities now being lifted, phase two will commence, the company noted in the release. Participants will then travel with the backpack on the same route they took during lockdown, to build a second snapshop of air pollution exposure outside of the lockdown period. Dyson engineers will compare these two data sets, to better understand the effect of lockdown on the day-to-day air quality exposure of individuals living in cities, it said.

Alex Knox, Vice President of Environmental Care, Dyson, said: “While it has been widely reported that air quality in some cities has improved during the lockdown period, initial data insights from Dyson’s connected purifiers indicate a small but consistent increase in indoor NO₂ and VOC levels in cities during lockdown. It will be interesting to monitor these changes as cities emerge from lockdown status, to further understand the factors that impact both indoor and outdoor air quality.”

The combined data sets will help to give an indication of the effect of lockdown on indoor and outdoor air pollution in cities globally, bolstered by findings from the pre-existing static outdoor air quality sensor network, the company said, adding that available outdoor air quality data from these sources indicate a reduction in NO₂ levels in major cities under lockdown, possibly due to the decline in diesel vehicles on the roads as a result of the lockdown restrictions.

 

Dyson investigates the effect of lockdown on air pollution

MALMESBURY, United Kingdom, 16 June 2020: Participants in 14 cities globally are using Dyson’s air quality backpack to collect air quality data, to generate snapshots of their personal exposure to air pollution during and after lockdown, the company said through a Press release.

Dyson’s air quality backpack, which was developed for a research study with Kings College London and the Greater London Authority, has on-board sensors, a battery pack and GPS, allowing data to be collected on the go, the company said. Re-working existing sensing technology used in Dyson air purifiers, engineers designed the portable air monitoring device, engineering it to be smaller, lighter, and more portable, whilst still accurately capturing PM2.5, PM10 and VOC and NO₂ exposure, the company added.

According to the release, the global project spans three continents and 14 cities, including Dubai, London, Milan, New Delhi and New York City. The collected data will be compared with local city air quality sensor data and indoor air quality data from Dyson’s connected purifiers, to develop a picture of the changes in air quality in cities globally throughout this period, the company said

Phase one involved participants wearing the backpack to collect air quality data during lockdown. In line with local government guidelines, participants wore the backpacks during permitted lockdown travel, such as visits to the grocery store, daily exercise routines or a key worker’s commute, Dyson said. This data will give us a snapshot of the air quality the participant was exposed to on a typical day in lockdown, it added.

With lockdown restrictions in cities now being lifted, phase two will commence, the company noted in the release. Participants will then travel with the backpack on the same route they took during lockdown, to build a second snapshop of air pollution exposure outside of the lockdown period. Dyson engineers will compare these two data sets, to better understand the effect of lockdown on the day-to-day air quality exposure of individuals living in cities, it said.

Alex Knox, Vice President of Environmental Care, Dyson, said: “While it has been widely reported that air quality in some cities has improved during the lockdown period, initial data insights from Dyson’s connected purifiers indicate a small but consistent increase in indoor NO₂ and VOC levels in cities during lockdown. It will be interesting to monitor these changes as cities emerge from lockdown status, to further understand the factors that impact both indoor and outdoor air quality.”

The combined data sets will help to give an indication of the effect of lockdown on indoor and outdoor air pollution in cities globally, bolstered by findings from the pre-existing static outdoor air quality sensor network, the company said, adding that available outdoor air quality data from these sources indicate a reduction in NO₂ levels in major cities under lockdown, possibly due to the decline in diesel vehicles on the roads as a result of the lockdown restrictions.

ASHRAE to offer webinars on reopening of buildings

ATLANTA, Georgia, 15 June 2020: ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) will offer three free webinars, plus a detailed course targeted to the Europe and Middle East regions, focused on mitigating potential health risks during reopening of buildings closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As buildings begin to reopen after the COVID-19 closures, it’s important to make sure that building-readiness plans are in place for the safe and efficient operation of HVAC systems,” said 2019-20 ASHRAE President Darryl K. Boyce, P.Eng. “These free online training opportunities will provide strategies to ensure a safe and healthy indoor environment for building occupants.”

“Re-Opening Our Schools: Activities and Recommendations”, taking place on June 16, focuses on confronting how to become conscious of the required transformations for their buildings, ASHRAE said. This webinar will explore expert positions indicating that ventilation and filtration provided by HVAC systems can reduce the airborne concentration of COVID-19, and thus the risk of transmission through the air, ASHRAE added.

The webinar, “Managing Your HVAC Systems to Help Mitigate the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Buildings”, on June 29, will help provide verbal guidance to the written materials posted on the ASHRAE COVID-19 website for re-opening buildings and the Building Readiness Plan for HVAC systems, ASHRAE said. The webinar will discuss how HVAC systems of building owners and tenants might be designed to respond to an infectious virus, like SARS-CoV-2 that creates the COVID-19 disease, in addition to alterations to incorporate mitigation strategies, it added.

The webinar, “Analysis of Airflow Patterns and Flow Path of Airborne Contaminants”, on July 21, will demonstrate how the supply air flow paths, induced air flow paths and exhaust grille placement can work collaboratively to establish protective and effective contaminant control, ASHRAE said. The webinar will provide valuable insight to healthcare design engineers, facility managers and owners in designing the HVAC systems for patient rooms, it added.

Drawing upon guidance from an international team of indoor environment and building system experts, COVID-19 and Buildings: Re-Occupation after Lockdown, on July 8, will identify the equipment and procedures that are essential in protecting occupant health, bringing attendees up to date on the environmental conditions that are recommended to prevent the spread of the disease, ASHRAE said.

Participants can access online instructor-led training from anywhere with an Internet connection and earn continuing education units/professional development hours for each course completed, ASHRAE said, adding that those interested can register and view other course opportunities by visiting ashrae.org/onlinecourses.

Honeywell, SAP partner in a bid to improve building performance

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 16 June 2020: Honeywell and SAP SE have teamed up to create a joint cloud-based solution, based on Honeywell Forge, the company’s enterprise performance management offering, and SAP Cloud Platform that will streamline and combine operational and business data to support better decision-making and drive greater efficiencies, Honeywell said through a Press release.

The companies’ first area of focus will be the real estate industry, where building owners often need to pull data from disparate sources that are not normalized, Honeywell said. This makes it extremely difficult to determine the true efficiency and utilisation of their portfolios, it added.

Drawing on the power of the Honeywell Forge autonomous buildings solution and the SAP Cloud for Real Estate solution, the new offering will enable facility managers and building owners to reposition their portfolios through cost savings and newly identified efficiencies, while also helping to improve tenant experience, the company claimed. Honeywell Forge powers a new AI-driven autonomous control capability that makes automatic adjustments to maintenance, comfort and sustainability, it added.

As buildings come back online in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, owners are expected to focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to enhanced occupant safety and reduced carbon footprint, along with energy savings, the company said. By providing real-time access to these KPIs, the joint offering will help building owners optimise their operations to meet aggressive energy savings targets and substantially reduce maintenance hours, the company said. For example, in the HVAC operation alone, which is known to account for 35% of total energy consumption in commercial buildings, an AI-automated system, such as Honeywell Forge can save up to 23 percent in energy costs.

“Building owners today often struggle to get the real-time data they need to determine the true efficiency and utilization of their portfolios,” said Darius Adamczyk, Chairman and CEO, Honeywell. “Honeywell and SAP together will provide insights from the boiler room to the boardroom that make it easier for our customers to get a true picture of how to optimize building performance, lower carbon emissions to meet sustainability goals, reduce energy costs and help enhance occupant experience. Having this information readily accessible will allow our customers to generate tremendous business value while becoming more sustainable, and it will greatly enhance the appeal of their buildings to renters and tenants.”

Added Christian Klein, CEO, SAP: “Our partnership will significantly change the game in digital and intelligent real estate management. Customers will greatly benefit from the single holistic view provided by our offering dashboard. With the addition of Qualtrics, companies can also collect employee sentiment data to provide a complete 360-degree experience measurement while optimizing occupant productivity, building performance and their entire real estate portfolio. With embedded artificial intelligence and data analysis, our solution will enable managers to determine their optimal office use and adjust their portfolios to reflect varying economic, environmental and regulatory conditions.”

BNL Gruppo BMP Paribas sets up “positive loan” for LU-VE Group

ROME, Italy, 16 June 2020: BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas has set up a “positive loan” of 40 million euros for LU-VE Group, which produces static and ventilated heat exchangers for the refrigeration, air conditioning and industrial process cooling markets. LU-VE Group made this announcement through a Press release.

LU-VE said it has 3,200 qualified employees, 16 production facilities in Europe, Russia, China, India and the United States, and exports 83% of its production to 100 countries, worldwide. The “positive loan” from BNL has conditions, which become even better for the company when it achieves specific sustainability objectives, LU-VE said. In particular, in the context of environmental sustainability, LU-VE said it is increasing its use of natural refrigerant fluids, such as carbon dioxide, ammonia and propane, with zero or very low ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) and GWP (Global Warming Potential) in its heat exchangers, replacing the hydrocarbons (HFCs), thus meeting the green requirements of customers.

Awal Gulf launches PEARL air purification unit

MANAMA, Bahrain, 14 June, 2020: Bahrain-headquartered Awal Gulf Manufacturing, which produces commercial and residential air conditioning and refrigeration units, has launched PEARL air purification unit. Making the announcement through a Press release, the company described the unit as using state-of-the-art design technology to deliver fresh air through an efficient filtration system.

The PEARL air purifier, the company said, is powered by portable multi-layered, high-efficiency HEPA filters, designed to remove viruses and bacteria from the air, thus providing enhanced level of respiratory protection. The air purifier, the company claimed, also uses the latest UV-C technology that decontaminates the indoor air by killing up to 99.999% of airborne viruses and infections.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Ghassan Freiwat, Deputy CEO, Awal Gulf Manufacturing, said: “The world is currently passing through an unprecedented time, and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has never been so critical to the health and safety of the people. Clean air is specifically vital in hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities to protect patients, staff and visitors from airborne diseases and infections. We at Awal Gulf Manufacturing believe that as leaders and experts in the HVACR industry for almost 50 years we have got a role to play in creating a safer, cleaner and efficient environment. We are pleased to launch our all-new PEARL air purifier, with a filtration efficiency of 99.999% down to 0.3 micron particles, H14 as per EN1822. The unit is now available to order through a select dealers network across Europe, Middle East & Africa.”

The unit, the company said, is a simple plug-and-play system with no integration into the existing mechanical systems. The system, the company added, draws in contaminated air and removes all bacteria and viruses through a series of integral filters and then delivers clean air back into the built-environment.

The unit can be placed in common areas, hospitals and ancillary healthcare facilities. including research labs and pharmaceutical plants, the company said, adding that its application is not limited only to the healthcare vertical but can also be used in educational institutes, and residential and other commercial applications.

Arcadia finalises major investment in ultraviolet technology

DUBAI, UAE, 11 June 2020: Dubai-headquartered Arcadia School awarded a major contract of ultraviolet technology to Sanuvox, which manufactures ultraviolet air purification products. Making the announcement through a Press release, Arcadia said that under the contract, Sanuvox, through its local distributor, Oasis Coils and Coatings, will install ultraviolet technology to continuously clean its cooling coils and the air molecules coming through the air conditioning systems in both its primary and secondary school campuses.

Ultraviolet technology is recommended by the ASHRAE, the global organisation that sets benchmarks in the field of air conditioning, to help eliminate the transmission of airborne infectious diseases, Arcadia said. In light of COVID-19, sales of UV technology have risen exponentially across sectors, Arcadia added.

“This move is the first in a series of investments we will be making to protect our students when they return to our campuses,” Navin Valrani, CEO, Arcadia School, said. “This is by far one of the most effective methods in eliminating bacteria and mold in our air conditioning units as well as cleaning the air molecules that comes through our ducts by breaking down their DNA.” Valrani said it was his promise to leave no stone unturned to protect the Arcadia community, as and when schools open in Dubai.

Added Jocelyn Dame, President, Sanuvox: “This shows the true commitment of Arcadia’s school towards teachers and student health.  As everyone knows a healthy body in a healthy environment is all we want for our kids to learn, succeed and further contribute to society.”

Arcadia School is part of Arcadia Education, a K-12 British school operator, headquartered in Dubai.

 

ELIPS completes 10 years of operation in manufacturing of pre-insulated pipes

Dubai, UAE, 10 June 2020: UAE-Danish joint venture, ELIPS, which manufactures pre-insulated pipes and provides innovative solutions in fittings, has completed 10 years of operation in manufacturing pre-insulated pipes, the company said through a Press release.

 

ELIPS, which is a 100% fully owned subsidiary of Empower and Logstor, has produced over 500 kilometres of pre-insulated pipes, generated over AED 812 million in sales since its inception and served more than 150 projects in the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the company said.

 

Headquartered in the Jebel Ali industrial area of Dubai, on an area of ​​about 100 million square feet, ELIPS said it has the UAE’s largest plant that leverages the latest robotics-driven manufacturing technologies in the production of thermal insulation materials that meet the highest energy-efficiency standards. The company’s products are in great demand by oil, gas, solar and marine sectors and other industrial projects, it added.

 

“ELIPS is commencing its second decade with bigger ambitions and more valuable goals, and is determined to become the first and largest supplier for the region’s district cooling companies and firms operating in the oil and gas fields,” said Ahmad bin Shafar, Chairman, ELIPS. “Our partnership with Logstor yielded outstanding environmental gains and economic successes, as it is the only company in the Middle East that uses zero-emission materials in its manufacturing processes, which qualified it to receive international certification in OH&S management systems, and conforming to specifications and standards of the European International Network for District Cooling, as well as several certificates from ISO. Therefore, Empower has adopted ELIPS’ products in its operations in Dubai to contribute to environmental protection, achieve the highest levels of sustainability and energy efficiency in providing services to its customers.”

Honeywell in vaccine fast-track automation initiative

HOUSTON, Texas, 11 June 2020: Honeywell on June 10 announced Fast Track Automation, a combination of proprietary technology innovations for the life sciences industry that enables vital vaccines, treatments and therapies to move from regulatory approval to full production in as little as two months, depending on process requirements. The solution incorporates process automation elements that can be configured in a virtual environment, then implemented rapidly, once a therapy is approved and ready to be produced for public distribution, the company said through a Press release.

Fast Track Automation is a response to the global COVID-19 outbreak, which has highlighted the need to accelerate delivery of medical solutions and devices to patients by focusing on ensuring more efficient production and testing capabilities along with facilitating strengthened supply chain, Honeywell said. Life sciences manufacturers are leading the race against time to overcome the pandemic through innovative science, Honeywell said. At the point in time when clinical trials are nearing completion, the ability to rapidly pivot and scale up to meet production demand will severely test existing technology infrastructures, Honeywell added.

The most efficient way to ramp up the production of potential therapies is to facilitate development of commercial-scale manufacturing earlier, while treatments and prevention therapies are still in clinical trials, Honeywell said. Fast Track Automation has been designed to be used in development applications in as little as two months, and then to help manufacturers scale up to full production immediately after the appropriate regulatory approvals are granted, Honeywell added.

“Honeywell has provided the life sciences industry with consistently innovative advancements in automation technologies, systems and services for over 30 years, and Fast Track Automation is one of our most valuable offerings to date,” said Cynthia Pussinen, Vice President and General Manager, Life Sciences, Honeywell Process Solutions. “Our solution allows for end-to-end manufacturing process and data visualization, providing real-time visibility and predictive insights while offering benefits like enhanced audit-readiness and data integrity, minimized regulatory risk, increased operational efficiencies and reduced rejects and waste.”

Fast Track Automation, the company said, leverages the power of the cloud, virtualization, batch software running in the controller, flexible assignment of computing power, remote asset management from a data center, and efficient, fast-track lean project implementation.

The technology, Honeywell said, prepares manufacturing automation designs in parallel with clinical trials to ensure production is ready to go once a medical therapy is approved. Manufacturers can even use the system to digitize manual steps during clinical trials to better consolidate and analyze data and more seamlessly prepare electronic submissions for regulatory body review and approval, Honeywell said. Manufacturers can then use that data to prepare the final production automation design, it said. Additionally, it said, the system can be quickly scaled up or down depending on needed changes and demand.

 

Webinar to discuss key changes to ASHRAE 90.1-2019

WASHINGTON, DC, 8 June 2020: The CxEnergy 2020 Virtual webinar series, on June 11, will examine the overhauled ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019, which provides minimum requirements for energy-efficient designs for buildings, the organizers of the event said through a Press release. The event, to be presented by Reid Hart, of the Pacific NW National Labs, will include an examination of the commissioning requirements for the new edition as well as comparisons to the current International Energy Efficiency Code, the release said.

Many states apply ASHRAE 90.1 to buildings being constructed or under renovation, and most apply it – or comparable standards – for all commercial buildings, the release said. ASHRAE Standard 90.1 – Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings – was recently overhauled to clarify commissioning requirements for the 2019 edition, the release said. An important expansion of typical commissioning work is a review of the design for compliance with 90.1 requirements, the release said. The webinar will explain the boundaries between a full commissioning project and items required in 90.1, the release said. In addition, the webinar will make comparisons to the current version of the International Energy Efficiency Code, the release said.

According to the release, the learning objectives of the webinar are:

1. Describe the commissioning requirements in ASHRAE Standard 90.1.
2. List additional Cx items required by 90.1, not typically included in the Cx process.
3. Note the differences between standard 90.1 and the IECC relative to Commissioning required by energy codes.
4. Describe the difference between normative requirements and informative information in energy codes.

CxEnergy Virtual is presented by the Energy Management Association (EMA), along with its affiliates: the Associated Air Balance Council (AABC) and AABC Commissioning Group (ACG). ACG’s Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA) Certification comprises the world’s largest group of independent, certified commissioning professionals.

The webinar, approved for 1 AIA LU, will start at 2pm Eastern, the organizers said, adding that those interested in attending can Register here.

 

 

Honeywell to open gas detector factory in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 2 June 2020: Honeywell said it will open a new facility for the production of gas-detection devices in Saudi Arabia. The factory underscores Honeywell’s commitment to the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) programme, the company added.

Established to accelerate Saudisation, IKTVA’s aim is to achieve 70% localisation of production and jobs by 2021 and act as a key enabler of Saudi Vision 2030. The new “Made in the Kingdom” Honeywell factory will support IKTVA’s localisation objectives by creating production jobs for Saudi nationals that enhance workforce skills and capabilities, the company said.

Through the new factory, Honeywell said, it becomes the first international company producing gas detectors in the Kingdom, enabling local availability of the equipment, shorter lead times, and on-the-ground customer support. The devices will provide a reliable and cost-effective way to ensure the safety, compliance and productivity of workers who are operating in hazardous environments in Saudi Arabia, the company said.

“Our advanced gas-detection systems help keep workers safe and enable them to rapidly respond to gas leaks and site incidents,” said John Waldron, President and CEO, Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions (SPS). “We’re proud to bring new manufacturing capabilities to Saudi Arabia to help industrial customers maximize safety, improve operational performance and better mitigate emissions.”

Located at the extension of Dhahran Techno Valley, the facility will produce 10,000 portable gas detectors and 800 fixed gas detectors annually, when it reaches full production in 2022, the company said. The production line includes the multi-gas Honeywell BW series, in addition to fixed detectors, including Searchpoint Optima Plus Point Infrared Gas Detector and XNX Universal Transmitter, the company said.

Norm Gilsdorf, President, Honeywell, High Growth Regions, Middle East, Russia, Turkey, Central Asia & Customs Union, said: “Honeywell remains committed to supporting the national Saudization drive and helping the country meet its Saudi Vision 2030 objectives. Over the course of our six-decade history in the Kingdom, we have continued to further the transformation of the country’s future through the establishment of localization initiatives and deployment of advanced solutions. This new facility marks another milestone in our Saudi Arabian history, providing new employment opportunities and expediting an increased drive for locally manufactured goods.”

ASHRAE online technical program now available

ATLANTA, Georgia, 2 June 2020: The technical program is now available for the 2020 ASHRAE Virtual Conference, with sessions starting June 22 and continuing through July 2, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

The technical program includes eight tracks, with 300 speakers, and offers an in-depth learning experience, providing solutions, technology demonstrations and industry insights, ASHRAE said.

“ASHRAE is excited to re-imagine our annual conference and has proactively created a dynamic, interactive and virtual conference experience, with an affordable registration fee that makes it accessible to more industry professionals,” said Darryl K Boyce, 2019-2020 ASHRAE President, said.

The virtual conference will include 97 technical sessions, updates from Society leaders and virtual networking events, ASHRAE said. Live sessions addressing the latest information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic will take place daily starting June 29, ASHRAE added.

“Our robust technical program explores how building and energy systems interact, while examining how buildings are becoming integrated, flexible and resilient systems to respond to climate change challenges,” said Bing Liu, Conference Chair.

According to ASHRAE, the conference tracks are:

• Fundamentals and Applications
• HVAC&R Systems and Equipment
• Research Summit
• Professional Development
• Grid-Interactive Efficient Built Environment
• Multifamily and Residential Buildings
• Zero Energy Buildings and Communities
• Resilient Buildings and Communities

According to ASHRAE, featured live sessions include:

• COVID-19: Opportunities for Sustainable Development
• Impact of COVID-19 on Buildings
• SARS, MERS, Ebola, COVID-19: How to Prepare for the Next Epidemic
• The Benefits of Off-Site Construction
• Technical Consultants aren’t ‘Designers of Record’, so No E&O Insurance is Needed
• It’s Not a Hot Potato! Engineering Cannot Delegate Design as They See Fit
• Crafting an O&M Plan for a Net Zero/Passive House: An Interactive Workshop
• Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings: Introduction and Demonstration Projects
• Off-Site Construction for Resilient Buildings: Getting Details Right
• ASHRAE’s Latest Guides for Zero Energy Design

According to ASHRAE, the cost to attend the virtual conference is USD 99 for ASHRAE members and USD 329 for non-members, which includes an annual ASHRAE membership. It offers:

• Twelve live technical sessions with live Q&A with presenters
• An on-demand technical program of more than 90 sessions
• Scheduled live video chat sessions with speakers from on-demand sessions
• Downloadable copies of all conference papers
• ASHRAE Leadership Moments each day from Society leaders
• Virtual networking happy hours

According to ASHRAE, the technical program will be accepted for many jurisdictions’ continuing education requirements, and most sessions are approved for LEED AP credits and AIA learning units.

 

Professional development hours, ASHRAE said, can be earned for all on-demand sessions and 12 live sessions, upon successfully completing a short quiz. Registration, ASHRAE said, includes access to all the technical content on-demand for 18 months, adding that company packages are also available.

 

The Big 5 Dubai postponed to September 2021

DUBAI, UAE, 1 June 2020: dmg events said its annual trade show, The Big 5, will next be held from September 12 to 15, 2021, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Making the announcement through a Press release, dmg added that the new dates also apply to the specialised events that are staged alongside The Big 5 – The Big 5 Heavy, Middle East Concrete, HVAC R Expo, Middle East Stone, The Big 5 Solar, and the Urban Design & Landscape Expo.

The decision to postpone the event, originally scheduled to take place from November 23 to 26, 2020 in Dubai, comes after a thorough consultation with key stakeholder groups in the wake of the effect of the coronavirus pandemic, dmg said through the release.

The new dates are the closest possible, enabling the global construction industry to come together for a successful trade event, and take into consideration a wide set of factors – most importantly the health, safety and convenience of all participants; the ease of travel; and the global events calendar for the industry, dmg said.

Ben Greenish, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said: “It was not an easy decision to take, but we believe it is the best for the construction players we proudly connect and have served since 1979.

“Over the past weeks, we made it our priority to listen to our exhibitors, visitors, and other key stakeholders. We understand how crucial a successful trade event is for their businesses, and how challenging planning ahead can be in such uncertain times. We have, therefore, decided to postpone this year’s event to offer an edition of the scale and nature expected of The Big 5 in 2021, which will boost the construction sector’s recovery efforts in the post-COVID-19 era.”

According to dmg, the early announcement of new dates will enable industry players to plan ahead and join an event that will bring benefit to the whole construction value chain. The new dateline will also be a significant distance away from the current restrictions and will allow both exhibitors and visitors to re-engage with old and new customers in a pleasant and highly productive environment, dmg said.

With Dubai moving the 2020 World Expo to October 2021, the next edition of The Big 5 will come at a time during which Dubai is expected to enter an exciting new growth phase, as it prepares to present an amazing showcase and 21st century city to the world, dmg said.

Meanwhile, The Big 5 will continue pursuing its mission to connect and empower construction players across the globe, dmg said, adding that it will do so in innovative ways, including the launch of a new Digital Festival of Construction, taking place in November 2020, with the aim of assist the industry and boost its resilience through the current challenging times.

DriSteem to host webinar on humidification

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, 27 May 2020: DriSteem on June 9 will be hosting a free webinar to address the importance of humidification systems in print shops, the company said through a Press release. The webinar, which will last an hour, will be presented by David Baird, Senior Applications Engineer, DriSteem, the company added.

The webinar will focus on why controlling humidity is important for print providers, as proper humidification levels alleviate a variety of issues in the press room, while contributing to a healthy work environment and improving printer function, the company said. Well-balanced humidity in print facilities will help improve quality and reduce waste from static-related ink smear and paper issues, while extending the life of cylinders and plates, the company said. Even better, proper humidification helps protect the health of your staff and mitigate the risk of lost time from the flu, COVID, and other viruses, the company added.

Baird, the company said, will include topics that address:

• Why humidification is important in print facilities
• The role of humidity in addressing common problems, such as electrostatic discharge, paper moisture control, inefficient printer function and unhealthy work environment
• Practical considerations for providing 40-60% RH in print shops

Attendees will receive a 0.5-hour Professional Development Credit with a Certificate of Completion for all that attend the full presentation, the company said.

The webinar will start at 11.30am (EDT) and requires registration, the company said, adding that those interested my register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3621552015378516491.

“We are excited to offer this free webinar and educate people on all the benefits of humidification,” Jennifer Montville, Director of Marketing, DriSteem, said. “Most people do not put much thought into humidification until it is too late.”

DriSteem to host webinar on humidification

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, United States, 27 May 2020: DriSteem on June 9 will be hosting a free webinar to address the importance of humidification systems in print shops, the company said through a Press release. The webinar, which will last an hour, will be presented by David Baird, Senior Applications Engineer, DriSteem, the company added.

The webinar will focus on why controlling humidity is important for print providers, as proper humidification levels alleviate a variety of issues in the press room, while contributing to a healthy work environment and improving printer function, the company said. Well-balanced humidity in print facilities will help improve quality and reduce waste from static-related ink smear and paper issues, while extending the life of cylinders and plates, the company said. Even better, proper humidification helps protect the health of your staff and mitigate the risk of lost time from the flu, COVID, and other viruses, the company added.

Baird, the company said, will include topics that address:

• Why humidification is important in print facilities
• The role of humidity in addressing common problems, such as electrostatic discharge, paper moisture control, inefficient printer function and unhealthy work environment
• Practical considerations for providing 40-60% RH in print shops

Attendees will receive a 0.5-hour Professional Development Credit with a Certificate of Completion for all that attend the full presentation, the company said.

The webinar will start at 11.30am (EDT) and requires registration, the company said, adding that those interested my register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3621552015378516491.

“We are excited to offer this free webinar and educate people on all the benefits of humidification,” Jennifer Montville, Director of Marketing, DriSteem, said. “Most people do not put much thought into humidification until it is too late.”

Facilio launches Rebuild

DUBAI, UAE, 27 May 2020: AI-driven property operations and maintenance platform, Facilio launched REbuild, which the firm described through a Press release as a remote operations toolkit that helps real estate owners drive efficiency, boost productivity and improve operating margin. The program is in line with Facilio’s mission to provide robust tech solutions to address the dynamic challenges faced by commercial real estate owners, operators and property managers, the release said. REbuild is aimed at revitalising the CRE industry, empowering it to survive and thrive in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the release said. The comprehensive set of new solutions and the virtual knowledge-sharing series provides a powerful launchpad for the industry to generate quick wins by remotely controlling building operations, automating maintenance processes and restoring tenant confidence, while facilitating the exchange of practical insights with the global community, the release said.

“We created REbuild with a mandate to enable the real estate industry to safely restart property operations with confidence,” said Prabhu Ramachandran, Founder and CEO, Facilio. “Real estate owners and operators face a diverse set of challenges that are largely unprecedented in the industry, from deploying remote working arrangement to operating with leaner onsite teams, [and from] mitigating economic pressure to providing a safe and hygienic environment. Our collaboration with these real estate leaders and experts allowed Facilio to quickly develop a program that will equip the industry with comprehensive tools to adapt to the changing state of affairs in property operations and be better agile to operate efficiently and cost-effectively.”

REbuild, the release said, helps real estate owners streamline the logistics of restarting property operations across a portfolio and manage cost and workforce, while putting occupant and visitor health first. According to the release, the details are as follows…

 

• Hygiene management – Rebuild allows property teams to quickly automate tailor-made disinfection and deep cleaning routines across a portfolio, manage essential inventory, and share live hygiene and health updates with tenants.
• Visitor management – it streamlines visitor entry with QR-code-based touchless entry, helps guests pre-register to get vital information on travel history and wellness and traces the journey corresponding to the space and assets in the path of visitation.
• Portfolio analytics and compliance – it allows stakeholders to gain portfolio-wide visibility of adherence to new HVAC guidelines and indoor air quality data, identifies areas to act on immediately and provides live dashboards to tenants on HVAC compliance.
• Portfolio automation – it equips operators deploy changes to multi-vendor building automation systems across properties based on altering HVAC guidelines and dynamic tenant requests, such as bulk changes to schedules and overrides, automating trigger-based sequence and audit logs.
• Touch-less occupant controls – it promotes tenants safely with touchless app-based access to spaces and comfort control. It provides occupants with intuitive apps to control high-touch points, like lighting, HVAC parameters or elevator calls.
• Operational command centre – it is a single hub of operational data to get a 360-degree view of property operations readiness, take data-driven decisions and holistically benchmark against COVID-19 guidelines for hygiene, maintenance, BAS operations and tenant management. The command centre allows owners to customise and extend the solution based on unique needs, existing systems and tools and to automate response workflows – all from one place.

Sumith Sukumaran, Operations Head, UAE-based Quality Group, speaking about Rebuild, said: “Facilio has been immensely supportive in overcoming operational struggles in these tough times. Their REbuild toolkit provided granular visibility into our portfolio performance, allowing us to control expenses and scale efficiently during this hour. The transition was unbelievably smooth, and we could effectively deploy proactive measures, in adherence to the new operating guidelines.”

Ramachandran said he believes REbuild will evolve further in response to the industry’s needs, as the stakeholders navigate varied operational challenges in the post-pandemic world. “We started Facilio with a mission to bring technology-driven efficiencies to a conventional CRE industry that hadn’t adopted cloud, mobility or prediction in a meaningful way,” he said. “The global pandemic situation has now fast-tracked the need for building owners and operators to rethink portfolio operations in a data-driven fashion. Facilio will continue to work closely with system integration partners and other prop-tech providers to quickly roll out solutions for the safe and staged re-opening of properties and accelerated efficiency gains in the long-term.”

Kelvion launches heat exchange solution for the dairy industry

BOCHUM, Germany, 20 May 2020: Kelvion said its new NL100M is ideal for a wide range of dairy products. A challenge in those applications is that the product needs very careful handling, with minimum stress to achieve the desired smooth texture and viscosity, Kelvion said by way of highlighting the NL100M’s capability.

The answer to the challenge, the company elaborated, is a heat exchange solution that combines low velocity with low pressure. With conventional plates, low velocity reduces the performance, leading to a build-up of deposits on the surface, but the plate heat exchanger with NL100M plates, and with the OptiWave plate design, offers an outstanding inter­action of the plate profile and corrugation depth, the company claimed. It ensures high heat transfer rates by means of uniform distribution of the product over the entire width of the plate, the company said. The large gap of 4.15mm keeps the original product’s viscosity at a high level, the company said, adding that furthermore, the NL100M is suitable for oil and steam and glycol applications, where low pressure drop is the limiting factor.

The new NL100M plate, big brother to the NL80M plate, is available in titanium, as well, for ultra-purity and cleanliness, the company said. And, it’s already making its mark, with large orders coming in from contractors in the food and beverage industries, the company added.

The NL100M plate offers the ideal compromise between flexibility and efficiency, the company claimed, adding that it is suitable for operating pressures of 16 bar, provides connections with a nominal diam­eter of 100mm and has a heat exchange surface area of 0.47m² per plate. With a gap width of approximately 4.15mm, the company said, it provides enough space to allow media containing particles to pass through and also provides improved heat transfer, compared to plates with even bigger gap width or wide gap patterns.

The advantages of reducing the gap width to approximately 4.15mm are a significant improvement in heat transfer in the double digit percentage range and lower energy consumption, the company said. Customers benefit from a good heat transfer rate, less build-up of fouling and extended production times, the company added.

The product’s PosLoc assembly system and EcoLoc gasket system ensure easy assembly of the heat exchanger during installation and maintenance, the company said. The PosLoc design makes sure that the plates of gasketed plate heat exchangers align automatically during assembly and seal tight, the company said. The EcoLoc gaskets can be at­tached easily without special tools or adhesives, the company said. When the device is closed, the company said, the correct fit is established automatically, which results in reliable gaskets that can be replaced, if necessary, quickly and easily.

Belimo releases new pressure-independent piping packages

DANBURY, Connecticut, 19 May 2020: Belimo launched new pressure-independent piping packages with the following new valve assemblies: Energy Valves, ePIVs, and PIQCVs, the company said through a May 18 Press release. Belimo piping packages, the company said, incorporate valve assemblies with standard piping components to simplify the contractor’s job by eliminating numerous piping connections, saving both time and money with less opportunity for error.

With the new variety of valve assemblies, SelectPro makes it easy to configure your piping packages accurately, the company said. SelectPro is a sizing and selection tool for accurately selecting valves, actuators, sensors and replacement solutions, the company claimed. All piping packages are shipped as a complete unit, providing single-point ordering for fast delivery and installation, the company said, adding that they are 100% tested and backed with a five-year warranty on all EV, ePIV, CCV, QCV and PIQCV packages.

“These customizable assemblies dramatically simplify the contractor’s job by reducing connections to as few as four with less opportunity for errors,” said Aaron Nobel, Product Specialist, Belimo. “With these new assemblies along with the existing pressure-dependent assemblies, we can provide solutions for a wide range of hydronic applications, easily configured using SelectPro.”

 

GEA claims new milestone in compressor efficiency

DUESSELDORF, Germany, 19 May 2020: Future-proof, reliable, and cost- and energy-efficient – these were the words GEA used in a Press release to describe its new generation of subcritical compressors, GEA Bock HGX44e CO_2. The use of the natural refrigerant, carbon dioxide (R744) sets a milestone, especially for industrial low-temperature applications in cold stores and in the food industry, the company added.

 

The main advantage for the user, the company said, is a minimum six per cent higher CO₂ compressor efficiency compared to customary compressors on the market. “This allows operating costs to be significantly reduced,” said Manuel Fröschle, Product Manager Natural Refrigerants, GEA Bock GmbH, in Frickenhausen. “Our new series, which has been successfully launched on the market, scores points with customers, above all, through improved process efficiency with minimized energy costs, while at the same time expanding the range of applications and uses. And all this with the highest reliability, thanks to our proven GEA Bock CO₂ compressor design.” The world premiere with simultaneous market launch of the subcritical CO₂ compressors took place at GEA Bock’s trade fair appearance at EuroShop 2020, in February in Düsseldorf, the company said.

 

In addition to the significantly higher compressor efficiency, the new HGX44e CO₂ series, with its four model variants, sets further standards for subcritical CO₂ compressors, the company claimed. These include extended operating conditions – for example, optimised hot gas defrosting and an extended frequency and temperature range with evaporating temperatures from -50 to -15 °C and condensing temperatures up to +15 °C, adapted maximum permissible operating pressure (LP/HP 30/55 bar) and a performance spectrum with swept volumes from 27.7 to 49.2 m³/h (50 Hz) and corresponding refrigerating capacity from 51 to 90 kW, the company said. In addition, the refrigeration and air-conditioning specialists from Frickenhausen, the company claimed, have optimised the running characteristics of the new compressors. Minimised noise, vibrations and pulsations, the company said, ensure a high level of user comfort as well as a high level of system safety and reliability with minimised maintenance requirements.

 

“Our HGX44e compressors for the natural refrigerant CO₂ offer planners, investors and operators clever solutions for industrial low-temperature applications, where functionality, cost-effectiveness and climate protection go hand in hand,” Fröschle said. “We call this The °Clever Art of Cooling.”

 

ASHRAE, UNEP invite Lower GWP Innovation Award entries

ATLANTA/PARIS, 14 May 2020: ASHRAE said it is accepting entries for the 2020 ASHRAE and OzonAction of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Lower GWP Innovation Awards. The award promotes innovative design, research and practice by recognizing people who have developed or implemented innovative technological concepts applied in developing countries to minimize global warming potential (GWP) through refrigeration and air conditioning applications, ASHRAE said through a Press release. The award, offered for the second year, is part of ASHRAE-UNEP OzonAction joint workplan for 2019-2020, under the global cooperation agreement, established by both parties in 2007, ASHRAE said.

“With the phase out and phase down of many refrigerants currently used in developing countries, it is critical that the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry promote a rapid transition to energy-efficient solutions that lessen the impact of ozone depletion and lowering global warming potential,” said ASHRAE President, Darryl K. Boyce. “By identifying innovation, ASHRAE and UNEP believe the awards will hasten adoption of lower GWP technologies in developing countries.”

 

According to the release, the award’s selection criteria include:

• Description of innovation in field of lower-GWP refrigerants
• Confirmation project has been implemented in a developing country
• Extent of need
• Environmental impact achieved, including specific reference to the GWP chemicals’ contribution
• Description of further application in developing countries from both the technology and economic perspectives, including how the innovation is financially feasible to be replicated

“We are living at a watershed moment under the Montreal Protocol, when developing countries must find long-term solutions to replace HCFC refrigerants while simultaneously minimizing climate impacts,” said James S Curlin, Acting Head/Network and Policy Manager for OzonAction. “It is vital to empower the research community to identify new approaches and alternative refrigerants that work for those countries. UNEP OzonAction is proud to join with ASHRAE to select projects that are proposing innovative approaches that address the ozone, climate and energy dimensions.”

The entry period ends September 1, 2020, ASHRAE said. Information about the award and the online submission form can be found at www.ashrae.org/lowerGWP, ASHRAE said, adding that entries will be judged by an international jury of experts in the field of refrigerant research and management selected by ASHRAE and UNEP.

According to the release, the individuals who worked on projects selected for the 2020 awards will be announced at Montreal Protocol-related events. ASHRAE and UNEP will also team to disseminate information to specialists and government officials in developing countries about the projects selected, to raise awareness of successful technology applications.

In 2019, ASHRAE and UNEP identified five projects – two Residential Applications and three Commercial/Industrial Applications for awards…

• Low Charge Ammonia Vapor Compression Refrigeration System, implemented in India
• HFC-161 Application for High Cooling Capacity Household Air Conditioners, implemented in China
• Packaged Chillers with Integrated Air Handling Units Using HFC-32 and HC-290, implemented in Saudi Arabia
• CO2 Transcritical Refrigeration System for a Hot-and-Humid Region, implemented in Thailand
• Low Charge Propane Chiller for a Supermarket Refrigeration System, implemented in Brazil

Scientists call on WHO to review link between humidity and respiratory health

Vermont, 14 May 2020: A new petition has called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to take swift and decisive action to establish global guidance on indoor air quality, with a clear recommendation on the minimum lower limit of air humidity in public buildings, 40to60RH.com, the body behind the petition, said through a Press release. The move would reduce the spread of airborne bacteria and viruses in buildings and protect public health, the release said.

Supported by leading members of the global scientific and medical community, the petition is designed to not only increase global awareness among the public on the crucial role indoor environmental quality plays in physical health but also to call emphatically on the WHO to drive meaningful policy change – a critical necessity during and after the Covid-19 crisis, the release said.

As COVID-19 continues to put pressure on health systems and the economy globally, the group calls on the WHO to review the extensive research that shows an indoor humidity level of between 40% and 60% relative humidity (RH), is the optimum threshold for inhibiting the spread of respiratory viruses, such as influenza, the release said, adding that this is a threshold that many public buildings drop below every winter.

Professor Dr Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, The Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Immunobiology and Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at Yale, and an investigator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, said: “Ninety percent of our lives in the developed world are spent indoors in close proximity to each other. When cold outdoor air with little moisture is heated indoors, the air’s relative humidity drops to about 20%. This dry air provides a clear pathway for airborne viruses, such as COVID-19. That’s why I recommend humidifiers during the winter, and why I feel the world would be a healthier place if all our public buildings kept their indoor air at 40 to 60% RH.”

According to the release, evidence shows the important role indoor humidity levels play in preventing virus transmission and improving immune system response. The release said there are three key notable findings suggesting why indoor air should be maintained at 40-60% RH in public buildings, such as hospitals, care homes, schools and offices throughout the year:

• Breathing dry air impairs our respiratory immune system’s ability to efficiently capture, remove and fight airborne viruses and germs, rendering us more vulnerable to respiratory infections.
• When the RH is lower than 40%, airborne droplets containing viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, shrink through evaporation making them lighter. This enables the particles to float for longer in the air, increasing the likelihood of infection.
• The vast majority of respiratory viruses suspended in dry atmospheres survive and remain infectious for much longer than those floating in air with an optimum humidity of 40-60% RH.

Dr Stephanie Taylor, MD, Infection Control Consultant at Harvard Medical School, ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer & Member of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Group, said: “In light of the COVID-19 crisis, it is now more important than ever to listen to the evidence that shows optimum humidity can improve our indoor air quality and respiratory health. It is time for regulators to place management of the built-environment at the very center of disease control. Introducing WHO guidelines on minimum lower limits of relative humidity for public buildings has the potential to set a new standard for indoor air and improve the lives and health of millions of people.”

Dr Walter Hugentobler, MD, General Physician, former lecturer, Institute of Primary Care at University of Zürich, commenting on the role humidity can play in combatting these dry indoor environments, said: “Raising air humidity by humidification reduces the risk of virus spread in hospitals and other buildings at low-cost and without causing negative effects. It can also be easily implemented in public buildings, both in private and workplace environments with relative ease. Humidification gives people a simple means of actively combatting seasonal respiratory infections.”

The petition, the release said, specifically and directly targets the WHO, due to the pivotal role the organization plays in setting global guidelines for indoor air quality. Today, there are no recommendations from WHO on the minimum lower limit of humidity in public buildings, the release said, adding that if the WHO publishes much needed guidance on minimum lower limits of humidity, building standards regulators around the world would be encouraged to act urgently.

 

If these steps were implemented, the release said, there is optimism that the following effects could benefit global health systems and the world economy:

 

• Respiratory infections from seasonal respiratory viruses, such as flu, being significantly reduced
• Thousands of lives saved every year from the reduction in seasonal illness
• Global healthcare services being less burdened every winter
• The world’s economies massively benefiting from less absenteeism through illness
• A healthier indoor environment and improved health for millions of people

Global guidance on the minimum lower limit of relative humidity for public buildings, the release said, could be a swift, effective and straightforward way for regional governments and organizations to safeguard public health.

ASHRAE offers COVID-19 building readiness guidance

ATLANTA, Georgia, 7 May 2020: The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has developed guidance on mitigating potential health risks during reopening of buildings closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

“We have reached a time where planning for a safe return to normal activities has become a priority,” said 2019-20 ASHRAE President Darryl K. Boyce. “Safe operation of HVAC and building water management systems are critical components of building readiness and reopening, and ASHRAE’s resources provide a framework for developing plans in a variety of building types.”

ASHRAE said its recommendations for reopening buildings are outlined in the frequently asked questions section of its COVID-19 Resources webpage. It said that recommendations for building readiness and reopening include the following:

• Create a strategic plan prior to opening a building. The plan should include measures to make occupants feel safer, ensuring supply chain for critical items, such as filters and communication plans for building support and safety measures for occupants.
• If the building opening takes place when Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements are still in place, ASHRAE’s Occupancy Guides can be referenced to deal with functioning buildings during the epidemic.
• Review HVAC programming to provide flushing two hours before and post occupancies. This includes operating the exhaust fans as well as opening the outside air dampers. For buildings without the capacity to treat large quantities of outside air and when outside air conditions are moderate, open all windows for a minimum of two hours before reoccupation.
• Ensure that custodial scope includes proper cleaning procedures built from EPA and CDC guidance on approved products and methods:
  • Disinfect high-touch areas of HVAC and other building service systems (e.g. on/off switches, thermostats)
  • Disinfect the interior of refrigerated devices, e.g. refrigerators, where the virus can potentially survive for long periods of time.
• Run the system on minimum outside air when unoccupied.
• Garage exhaust, if any, should run two hours before occupancy.

Bill Bahnfleth, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force chair, ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee voting member and 2013-14 ASHRAE Presidential Member, said: “Key elements of a strategy to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus are to perform needed heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system maintenance, including filter changes, and to run HVAC equipment, prior to re-occupancy.”

 

According to the release, a decrease in water usage in buildings closed or with limited access during the pandemic can increase the risk of bacteria growth in building plumbing and associated equipment. Facility managers and building owners, ASHRAE said, can help mitigate the risk of waterborne pathogens, such as Legionella bacteria, the cause of Legionnaire’s disease, by developing a water management plan. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems establishes minimum legionellosis risk management requirements for building water systems, ASHRAE added.

Wade Conlan, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force chair of Building Readiness guidance, said, “ASHRAE’s building readiness guidance empowers building owners with resources and practical guidance for safer operation of HVAC systems, as we cautiously transition into a post-COVID-19 world.”

The task force also recommends guidance released in the newly updated ASHRAE Position Document “Infectious Aerosols” as well as the Emerging Issues Brief, ASHRAE said, adding that the public could visit ashrae.org/COVID19 for extensive resources and strategies on safe building reopening.

COVID-19 drives demand for UV disinfection

JUPITER, Florida, 29 April 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on humanity, but it has also illustrated the adage, “chaos breeds innovation”, said Fresh-Aire UV through a Press release.

Hospitals, overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients amidst a personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage, have developed their own innovations to disinfect and reuse employee N95 masks and other medical protection, the company said. “Doctors and healthcare managers are ordering UV (ultraviolet) lamp systems to convert hospital refrigerators, cabinets and other containers into makeshift disinfection chambers for the renewed interest in reusing PPE due to shortages,” said Aaron Engel, Vice-President, Business/Development, Fresh-Aire UV. “Since the chambers are a variety of volumetric sizes, we take their dimensions and provide the most effective UV output using our proprietary BlueCalc modeling software.”

Puzzled how doctors were making the connection of UV-C’s virus inactivation capabilities with PPE disinfection, Fresh-Aire UV said its executives soon discovered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had issued its guideline document, ‘Crisis Standards of Care Decontamination Recommendations’, on April 9. One recommended alternative cited a 2018 American Journal of Infection Control article, ‘Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation of Influenza-Contaminated N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFR)’ to disinfect PPE for reuse. The 2018 article’s researchers custom-built a deactivation chamber using Fresh-Aire UV’s high-output UV-C lamp system, the company said. The conclusion stated that one- to five-minute (depending on chamber size) UV-C exposures were effective in disinfecting N95 respirators for reuse during pandemic shortages, the company added.

 

Consequently, UV equipment sales have been strong throughout the pandemic, Fresh-Aire UV said, as it, along with its distributors and contractors battle to keep pace with the increasing demand for commercial and residential systems.

Besides lamp systems, the company said, the most popular requests during the crisis have been UV-C surface disinfection for offices, exam spaces and patient rooms; commercial UV systems for disinfecting the airflow and interior surfaces of air handlers and ductwork; and single lamps and combination UV/activated carbon media systems for residential HVAC equipment.

Consequently, the company said, many HVAC contractors are on a record pace to sell and install residential UV systems. Distributors have also seen an unprecedented interest in UV, the company said. “Our UV sales are up 1,000% due to COVID-19 and inquiries are continually increasing,” the company quoted Ronald Zajack, President, Coastal Cooling Inc., a Fort Myers, Florida-based HVAC contractor, as saying.

Owing to its sudden emergence, there’s no published data of UV-C’s effectiveness or dosage for inactivating COVID-19, the company said. However, the 2004 study, ‘Inactivation of the Coronavirus that Induces Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, SARS-COV’, published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), has proven UV-C’s success with other coronaviruses, such as SARS https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15350737, the company said. Consequently, experts suspect COVID-19 dosages are probably similar to SARS for inactivation, the company added.

 

Furthermore, Fresh-Aire UV said its third-party testing also included viruses. One study, the company said, simulated airstream microbe inactivation in an ASTM/AHAM-style environmental test chamber, simulating a typical building’s indoor environment and HVAC air handler arrangement. Performed in an ASHRAE Standard 52.2 test duct system, the test’s UV-C light single-pass results demonstrated a 99.03% inactivation of the virus (MS2 coliphage), the company claimed.

 

The chaos of Covid-19, the company said, has bred innovation at hospitals but also at Fresh-Aire UV. The company said it is now developing UV-C lamp chambers to disinfect medical equipment that will help relieve the pressure on N95 mask manufacturers to maintain the PPE supply chain throughout the ensuing months of the COVID-19 crisis.

COVID-19 drives demand for UV disinfection

JUPITER, Florida, United States, 29 April 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on humanity, but it has also illustrated the adage, “chaos breeds innovation”, said Fresh-Aire UV through a Press release.

Hospitals, overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients amidst a personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage, have developed their own innovations to disinfect and reuse employee N95 masks and other medical protection, the company said. “Doctors and healthcare managers are ordering UV (ultraviolet) lamp systems to convert hospital refrigerators, cabinets and other containers into makeshift disinfection chambers for the renewed interest in reusing PPE due to shortages,” said Aaron Engel, Vice-President, Business/Development, Fresh-Aire UV. “Since the chambers are a variety of volumetric sizes, we take their dimensions and provide the most effective UV output using our proprietary BlueCalc modeling software.”

Puzzled how doctors were making the connection of UV-C’s virus inactivation capabilities with PPE disinfection, Fresh-Aire UV said its executives soon discovered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had issued its guideline document, ‘Crisis Standards of Care Decontamination Recommendations’, on April 9. One recommended alternative cited a 2018 American Journal of Infection Control article, ‘Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation of Influenza-Contaminated N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFR)’ to disinfect PPE for reuse. The 2018 article’s researchers custom-built a deactivation chamber using Fresh-Aire UV’s high-output UV-C lamp system, the company said. The conclusion stated that one- to five-minute (depending on chamber size) UV-C exposures were effective in disinfecting N95 respirators for reuse during pandemic shortages, the company added.

Consequently, UV equipment sales have been strong throughout the pandemic, Fresh-Aire UV said, as it, along with its distributors and contractors battle to keep pace with the increasing demand for commercial and residential systems.

Besides lamp systems, the company said, the most popular requests during the crisis have been UV-C surface disinfection for offices, exam spaces and patient rooms; commercial UV systems for disinfecting the airflow and interior surfaces of air handlers and ductwork; and single lamps and combination UV/activated carbon media systems for residential HVAC equipment.

Consequently, the company said, many HVAC contractors are on a record pace to sell and install residential UV systems. Distributors have also seen an unprecedented interest in UV, the company said. “Our UV sales are up 1,000% due to COVID-19 and inquiries are continually increasing,” the company quoted Ronald Zajack, President, Coastal Cooling Inc., a Fort Myers, Florida-based HVAC contractor, as saying.

Owing to its sudden emergence, there’s no published data of UV-C’s effectiveness or dosage for inactivating COVID-19, the company said. However, the 2004 study, ‘Inactivation of the Coronavirus that Induces Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, SARS-COV’, published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), has proven UV-C’s success with other coronaviruses, such as SARS https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15350737, the company said. Consequently, experts suspect COVID-19 dosages are probably similar to SARS for inactivation, the company added.

Furthermore, Fresh-Aire UV said its third-party testing also included viruses. One study, the company said, simulated airstream microbe inactivation in an ASTM/AHAM-style environmental test chamber, simulating a typical building’s indoor environment and HVAC air handler arrangement. Performed in an ASHRAE Standard 52.2 test duct system, the test’s UV-C light single-pass results demonstrated a 99.03% inactivation of the virus (MS2 coliphage), the company claimed.

The chaos of Covid-19, the company said, has bred innovation at hospitals but also at Fresh-Aire UV. The company said it is now developing UV-C lamp chambers to disinfect medical equipment that will help relieve the pressure on N95 mask manufacturers to maintain the PPE supply chain throughout the ensuing months of the COVID-19 crisis.

DriSteem expands its team

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, 27 April 2020: DRI-STEEM Corporation, which manufactures humidification, evaporative cooling and water treatment products, has appointed Duncan Curd as Global Business Development Leader to its expanding team, the company said through a Press release. In this role, Curd will focus his efforts on international market evaluation, development and implementation of strategic plans to provide long-term global growth, the company added.

 

According to the release, prior to joining DriSteem, Curd filled a variety of sales, marketing and business development roles with global companies, including Siemens, Carlo Gavazzi, Nortec (Condair) and GRIP Idle Management Systems. His customer-facing leadership, DriSteem said, is focused on growth through new products and technologies with application in a broad range of market sectors.

 

 

“I am thrilled to be working with DriSteem, as global business development leader,” Curd said. “I will continue to build up the DriSteem brand and showcase its products, so that the word humidification becomes synonymous with the name DriSteem.”

DriSteem expands its team

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, United States, 27 April 2020: DRI-STEEM Corporation, which manufactures humidification, evaporative cooling and water treatment products, has appointed Duncan Curd as Global Business Development Leader to its expanding team, the company said through a Press release. In this role, Curd will focus his efforts on international market evaluation, development and implementation of strategic plans to provide long-term global growth, the company added.

 

According to the release, prior to joining DriSteem, Curd filled a variety of sales, marketing and business development roles with global companies, including Siemens, Carlo Gavazzi, Nortec (Condair) and GRIP Idle Management Systems. His customer-facing leadership, DriSteem said, is focused on growth through new products and technologies with application in a broad range of market sectors.

 

 

“I am thrilled to be working with DriSteem, as global business development leader,” Curd said. “I will continue to build up the DriSteem brand and showcase its products, so that the word humidification becomes synonymous with the name DriSteem.”

Belimo releases Clear Edge platform

DANBURY, Connecticut, 23 April 2020: Belimo on April 1 released the Belimo Clear Edge™, which the company described as an analytical device that leverages the data from all installed energy valves in a BACnet Building Automation System (BAS).

Belimo said through a Press release that the device automatically analyzes the Belimo Energy Valve data to optimize, manage, and monitor key performance indicators of water coil performance and hydronic energy consumption. According to the company, the Clear Edge offers trending capability with automated Delta T setpoint adjustment to increase system efficiency and energy savings strategies.

“The Belimo Clear Edge provides a simplified view of the rich Energy Valve data on the BACnet network, allowing Facility Managers to improve building performance quickly,” said Scott Reed, Product Manager, Energy Valve and Water Performance Devices, Belimo.

According to the company, software licenses are pre-loaded based on the number of Energy Valves in a building. The Clear Edge technology, the company said, is also available as a plug-in for SkySpark from Stackhub.

UV industry associations discourage the use of UV light on the human body

CHEVY CHASE, Maryland, 26 April 2020: The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) and Radtech North America have come out with a statement in response to recent reports suggesting that ultraviolet (UV) light can be used on the human body to disinfect against the coronavirus. IUVA and RadTech North America are educational and advocacy organizations, consisting of UV equipment vendors, scientists, engineers, consultants and members of the medical profession.

In a written statement aimed at informing the public, the two organizations said that there are no protocols to advise or to permit the safe use of UV light directly on the human body at the wavelengths and exposures proven to efficiently kill viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. UV light under the conditions known to kill such viruses are also known to cause severe skin burns, skin cancer and eye damage, the two organizations said. They said that they strongly recommend that anyone using UV light to disinfect medical equipment, surfaces or air in the context of COVID-19 – applications that are supported by sound scientific evidence – follow all recommended health and safety precautions and avoid direct exposure of the body to the UV light.

The ultraviolet spectrum is a band of electromagnetic radiation at higher energies than visible light, split into four major categories: UV-A (400-315 nm), UV-B (315-280 nm), UV-C (280-200 nm), and vacuum-UV (VUV, 100-200 nm), the two organizations said. UV-A and UV-B are present in sunlight at the earth’s surface; these parts of the ultraviolet spectrum are common causes of sunburn and, with longer-term exposure, melanoma, they said. The risks of human exposure to UV-A and UV-B are well known, they said, adding that Solar UV may be used for disinfection purposes; exposures in the order of several hours to days might be effective at treating surfaces and water. Artificial sources of UV-A and UV-B are not commonly used for disinfection, they said, adding that UV-C has been used for disinfection for over a century, with applications in water treatment, air systems, and surfaces.

The use of UV-C as a disinfectant is supported by decades of scientific research, the two organizations said. UV-C radiation is absorbed by DNA and RNA (the genetic code for all lifeforms), changing its structure, they said. This damage inhibits the ability of the affected cells to reproduce, meaning that they cannot infect and are no longer dangerous, they said. Whereas the UV exposure required to inactivate different microorganisms varies, there are no known microorganisms that are immune to this treatment and it is regularly used against bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, they said. In the same way that UV-C can inactivate bacteria and viruses, it can be damaging to human cells, too, since our cells also contain DNA, they cautioned. This exposure can cause skin irritation, damage to the cornea and cell mutations leading to cancer, they said. Exposure to UV-C radiation is regulated globally, with a common agreement on the risk to human health and safe exposure levels, they said. These regulations and standards, they added, set limits on allowable exposure, though in all cases it is recommended to avoid UV exposure where possible.

In summary (as per the two organizations):

• UV-C irradiation of the skin, eyes or any body part should be avoided wherever possible.
• Always wear appropriate PPE when handling un-shielded UV-C radiation sources (e.g. long-sleeved clothing, gloves and a UV-opaque face shield).
• Always use UV-C devices in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating instructions to ensure safe operation, and within appropriate enclosures. where light leakage has been controlled, and where the risks have been properly managed.

 

UV industry associations discourage the use of UV light on the human body

CHEVY CHASE, Maryland, United States, 26 April 2020: The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) and Radtech North America have come out with a statement in response to recent reports suggesting that ultraviolet (UV) light can be used on the human body to disinfect against the coronavirus. IUVA and RadTech North America are educational and advocacy organisations, consisting of UV equipment vendors, scientists, engineers, consultants and members of the medical profession.

In a written statement aimed at informing the public, the two organisations said that there are no protocols to advise or to permit the safe use of UV light directly on the human body at the wavelengths and exposures proven to efficiently kill viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. UV light under the conditions known to kill such viruses are also known to cause severe skin burns, skin cancer and eye damage, the two organisations said. They said that they strongly recommend that anyone using UV light to disinfect medical equipment, surfaces or air in the context of COVID-19 – applications that are supported by sound scientific evidence – follow all recommended health and safety precautions and avoid direct exposure of the body to the UV light.

The ultraviolet spectrum is a band of electromagnetic radiation at higher energies than visible light, split into four major categories: UV-A (400-315 nm), UV-B (315-280 nm), UV-C (280-200 nm), and vacuum-UV (VUV, 100-200 nm), the two organisations said. UV-A and UV-B are present in sunlight at the earth’s surface; these parts of the ultraviolet spectrum are common causes of sunburn and, with longer-term exposure, melanoma, they said. The risks of human exposure to UV-A and UV-B are well known, they said, adding that Solar UV may be used for disinfection purposes; exposures in the order of several hours to days might be effective at treating surfaces and water. Artificial sources of UV-A and UV-B are not commonly used for disinfection, they said, adding that UV-C has been used for disinfection for over a century, with applications in water treatment, air systems, and surfaces.

The use of UV-C as a disinfectant is supported by decades of scientific research, the two organisations said. UV-C radiation is absorbed by DNA and RNA (the genetic code for all lifeforms), changing its structure, they said. This damage inhibits the ability of the affected cells to reproduce, meaning that they cannot infect and are no longer dangerous, they said. Whereas the UV exposure required to inactivate different microorganisms varies, there are no known microorganisms that are immune to this treatment and it is regularly used against bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, they said. In the same way that UV-C can inactivate bacteria and viruses, it can be damaging to human cells, too, since our cells also contain DNA, they cautioned. This exposure can cause skin irritation, damage to the cornea and cell mutations leading to cancer, they said. Exposure to UV-C radiation is regulated globally, with a common agreement on the risk to human health and safe exposure levels, they said. These regulations and standards, they added, set limits on allowable exposure, though in all cases it is recommended to avoid UV exposure where possible.

In summary (as per the two organisations):

• UV-C irradiation of the skin, eyes or any body part should be avoided wherever possible.
• Always wear appropriate PPE when handling un-shielded UV-C radiation sources (e.g. long-sleeved clothing, gloves and a UV-opaque face shield).
• Always use UV-C devices in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating instructions to ensure safe operation, and within appropriate enclosures. where light leakage has been controlled, and where the risks have been properly managed.

 

Operation of HVAC systems can reduce airborne exposures, says ASHRAE

ATLANTA, Georgia, 20 April 2020: ASHRAE has published two statements to define guidance on managing the spread of SARS–CoV–2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease (Coronavirus) with respect to the operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems in buildings.

“In light of the current global pandemic, it’s critically important that ASHRAE responds with guidance on mitigating the transmission of the virus, as well as ventilation and filtration recommendations,” said Darryl K Boyce, 2019-20 ASHRAE President. “ASHRAE has a significant role to play in ensuring safe and healthy building environments, and these statements offer the expert strategies needed at this time.”

ASHRAE said it developed the statements in response to widening false statements surrounding HVAC systems. ASHRAE said it officially opposes the advice not to run residential or commercial HVAC systems and asserts that keeping air conditioners on during this time can help control the spread of the virus.

 

ASHRAE’s statements are as follows…

• Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air is sufficiently likely, and airborne exposure to the virus should be controlled. Changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, can reduce airborne exposures.
• Ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems can reduce the airborne concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and, thus, the risk of transmission through the air. Unconditioned spaces can cause thermal stress to people that may be directly life- threatening, and that may also lower resistance to infection. In general, disabling of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems is not a recommended measure to reduce the transmission of the virus.

 

HVAC filters, along with other strategies, help to reduce virus transmission while removing other air contaminants that may have health effects, ASHRAE said.

ASHRAE’s Environmental Health Committee also developed an Emerging Issues Brief to support the two above statements. The Committee’s Position Document Committee also updated a Position Document on Infectious Aerosols.

There is great concern about the real possibility of transmission through the air of various pathogens, especially SARS-CoV-2, among staff and administration in healthcare facilities, office workers, retail workers and patrons, manufacturing workers, and residents in private and public facilities and the general public in outdoor settings and in public transportation, ASHRAE said, adding that it has created an Epidemic Task Force (ETF), comprising leading experts to address the relationship between the spread of disease and HVAC in buildings during of the current pandemic and future epidemics.

Bill Bahnfleth, Chair of the Task Force, said, “ASHRAE, working with its industry partners, is uniquely qualified to provide guidance on the design, operation, and maintenance of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to prepare for future epidemics.” Bahnfleth is also ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee voting member and 2013-14 ASHRAE Presidential Member.

ASHRAE recommended visiting ashrae.org/COVID19 for additional details. It added that the website contains frequently asked questions and the latest information on the ETF’s guidance for healthcare facilities, residential buildings and other issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Carrier launches OptiClean Negative Air Machine

In the words of Carrier:

• Device cleans contaminated air and prevents it from spreading to different sections of a hospital
• Potential future uses include homes, businesses, and assisted living facilities

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, 18 April 2020: Carrier Global Corporation on April 16 launched the OptiClean portable negative air machine, which the company described in a Press release as a device that can help hospitals treating patients with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The device, the company said, cleans and removes air potentially contaminated by the virus. In a closed room, the company said, the machine uses high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, an air management system to significantly reduce the presence of coronavirus and other contaminants in the air, and flexible ducting to exhaust the filtered air.

According to Carrier, the machine creates negative pressure, so that when the hospital room door is opened, air is pulled into the room from outside instead of letting potentially contaminated air out from the room. If negative pressure is not required, Carrier said, such as in an open-air, temporary hospital, the machine can be used as an air “scrubber,” pulling air in, removing many contaminants, and discharging cleaner air back into the room.

“During this global pandemic, it is essential that companies like Carrier do what we can to help stem the spread of the disease and protect caregivers, hospital workers and patients,” said Dave Gitlin, President & CEO, Carrier. “Carrier’s strength lies in the expertise, creativity and passion of our employees to solve some of society’s most challenging problems. I am so proud of our team for identifying a need and quickly developing an innovative solution that will have an immediate impact for hospitals throughout the country.”

While hospitals generally have air filtration systems that reduce the spread of infectious diseases, those systems might only be available in certain sections of the hospital, Carrier said, adding that the rate at which COVID-19 spreads has put inordinate strain on hospitals in the most affected cities, where there are more COVID-19 patients than there are infectious isolation rooms. As a result, the company said, hospitals have had to convert rooms that were not intended for patients with infectious diseases, and new field hospitals have been established that are not equipped with hospital-level air filtration.

“The Carrier negative air machine fills a significant need in these critical situations, when it is necessary to create a negative offset in temporary facilities,” said Mark Schwartz, Director of Facilities, University of Rochester Medical Center, which trialed the machine. “As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow, facilities must expand their capacity to treat patients in spaces that typically do not have the same air-handling capabilities as hospital rooms, which are specifically designed for treating airborne infectious diseases. Solutions from Carrier like the OptiClean are necessary to effectively remove contaminants from the air, create negative pressure within the patient-care space while protecting the adjacent areas, and slowing the spread of the disease.”

Carrier said it began developing the OptiClean in late March 2020. After quickly and successfully testing prototypes in Carrier facilities, the company began field trials in hospitals across the country and expects to begin shipping units shortly, it said. The machines, Carrier added, are portable, plug into a normal wall outlet, and sit on wheels that enable hospitals to move them to rooms as needed.

“Using existing Carrier fan-coil technology and working with suppliers to quickly secure additional raw materials, we’ve thrown away the playbook to ramp up testing and production to get machines deployed as fast as possible,” said Chris Kmetz, Vice President of Engineering, Carrier. “Going forward, with professional installation, OptiClean could be used in homes, businesses, assisted-living facilities and elsewhere to provide cleaner air and protect vulnerable populations and communities.”

Belimo releases new airflow measurement and control actuators

DANBURY, Connecticut, 8 April 2020: Belimo released new standalone airflow measurement and control actuators, the company said through an April 7 Press release. The devices come with digital communications for rotary, linear and induct applications, the company said. Select actuators have pressure-independent control characteristics combined with an integrated differential pressure sensor to calculate and deliver designed flow, regardless of pressure fluctuations in the system, Belimo added.

According to Belimo, the actuators communicate directly with the Building Automation System (BAS), using BACnet, Modbus or MP-Bus. Select models, Belimo said, offer Near Field Communication (NFC) for quick programming, commissioning and troubleshooting, leading to optimal system performance. Belimo said the actuators, with industry-standard digital communications, represent the perfect solution for integration in constant or variable air volume systems, or open-loop applications.

“NFC and the Belimo Assistant App make it quick and easy for contractors and facility managers to commission, diagnose and troubleshoot this series of damper actuators,” said Howard Smith, Belimo Product Manager. “Once VAV box parameters are known or measured, the system can be set up and calibrated simply by holding a phone up to the actuator.”

 

Belimo releases new airflow measurement and control actuators

DANBURY, Connecticut, United States, 8 April 2020: Belimo released new standalone airflow measurement and control actuators, the company said through an April 7 Press release. The devices come with digital communications for rotary, linear and induct applications, the company said. Select actuators have pressure-independent control characteristics combined with an integrated differential pressure sensor to calculate and deliver designed flow, regardless of pressure fluctuations in the system, Belimo added.

According to Belimo, the actuators communicate directly with the Building Automation System (BAS), using BACnet, Modbus or MP-Bus. Select models, Belimo said, offer Near Field Communication (NFC) for quick programming, commissioning and troubleshooting, leading to optimal system performance. Belimo said the actuators, with industry-standard digital communications, represent the perfect solution for integration in constant or variable air volume systems, or open-loop applications.

“NFC and the Belimo Assistant App make it quick and easy for contractors and facility managers to commission, diagnose and troubleshoot this series of damper actuators,” said Howard Smith, Belimo Product Manager. “Once VAV box parameters are known or measured, the system can be set up and calibrated simply by holding a phone up to the actuator.”

AHRI stresses job creation and phase down aspects of HFC Bill

 

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 8 April 2020: In a written testimony to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the head of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) stressed that when Congress, through S. 2754, the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, establishes a national structure to phase down the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the result will be job creation and trade benefits while ensuring the continued availability of the chemicals for those industries and applications for which no viable alternative is currently available.

Representing the more than 320 manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, and water heating equipment, AHRI President & CEO Stephen Yurek provided the testimony as part of a “paper hearing” before the bill’s committee of jurisdiction.

Yurek stressed that the phase down structure created by the bill would not affect equipment currently installed in homes and businesses nor HFC availability for current or future necessary applications. “Importantly, the AIM Act does not prohibit the use of existing equipment, which consumers and business owners remain free to use through the equipment’s lifetime, nor does it mandate the purchase of new equipment,” Yurek stated. “HFCs also will remain available for servicing and maintenance for decades, due to the 15% tail at the end of the phase down period and from the provisions in the AIM Act that enhance the recovery, recycling and reclaim of used HFCs.”

Yurek noted that his industry has invested “several billion dollars in R&D” for next-generation refrigerants and seeks “an orderly transition” from HFCs to next-generation refrigerants to create “certainty, stability and predictability” for manufacturers as they create “… 33,000 new jobs… USD 12.5 billion in direct manufacturing output, [a] positive swing in the balance of trade, and [a] 25% boost in exports.”

Yurek testified that “fears of higher costs accompanied past transitions from CFC and HCFC refrigerants, but in fact refrigerant and equipment prices did not increase over the course of those transitions”, noting that in a typical home air conditioning system, “the refrigerant is less than once per cent of the cost of the overall system.”

Finally, Yurek downplayed concerns about the legislation not pre-empting states from enacting more stringent regulations, stating that most companies will completely transition from HFCs
by mid-decade, because “it is cheaper, easier and more profitable to transition in one fell swoop”. So, he stressed, “Once a company has transitioned from HFCs, states cannot impose a more stringent standard. There is nothing left for a state to regulate.”

In conclusion, alluding to the national pandemic with which the entire nation is grappling, Yurek said: “The enactment of the AIM Act would settle the regulatory landscape for HFCs and provide American manufacturers in our sector with greater confidence and greater clarity, as they seek to navigate these difficult times and plan for a fast and aggressive rebound. In every sense of the word, the AIM Act would serve as a potent form of economic stimulus for the US HVACR industry – and it would do so without the need to appropriate any new federal funds. The benefits that would follow would be shared broadly by American manufacturers, workers and consumers.”

ASHRAE to repeat course on role of HVAC systems in infection control

ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, 8 April 2020: ASHRAE will offer the archived course on the role of HVAC systems in infection control in hospitals, with a live Q&A session to cater to Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia regions. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said the course, “Designing and Operating High-Performing Healthcare HVAC Systems”, will take place again on April 14.

The Q&A instructor, Frank Mills, C.Eng, Member ASHRAE, will address questions and concerns relevant to the course. “Infection control is a primary purpose of HVAC systems in hospitals,” said course instructor, Dan Koenigshofer P.E., MS Public Health, HFDP, SASHE.

According to the release, the three-hour course will focus on the design and operation of HVAC systems in healthcare facilities. The course will detail the relationship of infection control and HVAC design, including application of ASHRAE’s HVAC Design Manual for Hospitals and Clinics (Second Edition), and ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2017 Ventilation of Health Care Facilities, ASHRAE said. Key elements to be covered in the course include: Infection control, comfort, reliability, safety, maintenance, energy and flexibility, ASHRAE added.

 

According to the release, course topics include:

• Discussion of costs of Hospital-Associated Infections (HAI)
• Controversial issues regarding HVAC and infection control, such as air change rates and levels of filtration
• Engineering methods to maintain proper temperature and humidity
• How/why to pressurise to move air from clean to less clean areas
• The equation for the probability of getting an infection
• Reasons why the air velocity is limited – deposition and thermal plume
• The design of airborne infectious isolation rooms, protective isolation rooms, operating rooms, emergency departments, sterile processing departments and infection control risk assessments.

 

According to the release, the course will highlight the design, operation, and methods of filtration, UV lighting, monitoring of pressure, temperature and humidity in HVAC systems for healthcare facilities, and movement and concentration of aerosols. Participants, ASHRAE said, can access this instructor-led course from anywhere with an Internet connection and earn continuing education units/professional development hours for each course completed.

ASHRAE to repeat course on role of HVAC systems in infection control

ATLANTA, Georgia, 8 April 2020: ASHRAE will offer the archived course on the role of HVAC systems in infection control in hospitals, with a live Q&A session to cater to Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia regions. Making the announcement through a Press release, ASHRAE said the course, “Designing and Operating High-Performing Healthcare HVAC Systems”, will take place again on April 14.

The Q&A instructor, Frank Mills, C.Eng, Member ASHRAE, will address questions and concerns relevant to the course. “Infection control is a primary purpose of HVAC systems in hospitals,” said course instructor, Dan Koenigshofer P.E., MS Public Health, HFDP, SASHE.

According to the release, the three-hour course will focus on the design and operation of HVAC systems in healthcare facilities. The course will detail the relationship of infection control and HVAC design, including application of ASHRAE’s HVAC Design Manual for Hospitals and Clinics (Second Edition), and ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2017 Ventilation of Health Care Facilities, ASHRAE said. Key elements to be covered in the course include: Infection control, comfort, reliability, safety, maintenance, energy and flexibility, ASHRAE added.

According to the release, course topics include:

• Discussion of costs of Hospital-Associated Infections (HAI)
• Controversial issues regarding HVAC and infection control, such as air change rates and levels of filtration
• Engineering methods to maintain proper temperature and humidity
• How/why to pressurize to move air from clean to less clean areas
• The equation for the probability of getting an infection
• Reasons why the air velocity is limited – deposition and thermal plume
• The design of airborne infectious isolation rooms, protective isolation rooms, operating rooms, emergency departments, sterile processing departments and infection control risk assessments.

According to the release, the course will highlight the design, operation, and methods of filtration, UV lighting, monitoring of pressure, temperature and humidity in HVAC systems for healthcare facilities, and movement and concentration of aerosols. Participants, ASHRAE said, can access this instructor-led course from anywhere with an Internet connection and earn continuing education units/professional development hours for each course completed.

 

 

AHRI creates COVID-19 Mexico Advocacy Package for members

ARLINGTON, Virginia, United States, 3 April 2020: As Mexican federal, state and local authorities consider new COVID-19 response policies, AHRI said it is working to ensure its members and the HVACR and water heating industry be deemed “essential” to prevent negative effects on the industry’s operations. AHRI said through a Press release that its staff has created a Mexico Advocacy Package, which members can forward to their suppliers as needed.

The Package, AHRI said, begins with a guide, which lists steps companies can follow to contact government authorities in Mexico. It also contains five documents, including template letters for members or their suppliers to personalise as appropriate. It is very important that letters or other communications from the industry be directed to the specific state and/or local jurisdictions in which members or their suppliers have operations, AHRI said.

On March 31, Mexico published its emergency health decree (Spanish; English Google translation) in the Official Gazette, which AHRI informed members of in an International Alert the same day. AHRI said it is working with its partner organisations and with US government officials to determine if the March 31 decree supersedes the Mexican state actions mentioned in AHRI’s March 31 International Alert, linked above. AHRI said it will inform members if it receives definitive news on this point and has urged members to continue state/local advocacy efforts in the interim.

Also, on March 31, AHRI co-signed a letter to the Mexican President with four other HVACR and water heating associations to advocate that the HVACR and water heating industry be deemed “essential.”

AHRI creates COVID-19 Mexico Advocacy Package for members

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 3 April 2020: As Mexican federal, state and local authorities consider new COVID-19 response policies, AHRI said it is working to ensure its members and the HVACR and water heating industry be deemed “essential” to prevent negative effects on the industry’s operations. AHRI said through a Press release that its staff has created a Mexico Advocacy Package, which members can forward to their suppliers as needed.

The Package, AHRI said, begins with a guide, which lists steps companies can follow to contact government authorities in Mexico. It also contains five documents, including template letters for members or their suppliers to personalize as appropriate. It is very important that letters or other communications from the industry be directed to the specific state and/or local jurisdictions in which members or their suppliers have operations, AHRI said.

On March 31, Mexico published its emergency health decree (Spanish; English Google translation) in the Official Gazette, which AHRI informed members of in an International Alert the same day. AHRI said it is working with its partner organizations and with US government officials to determine if the March 31 decree supersedes the Mexican state actions mentioned in AHRI’s March 31 International Alert, linked above. AHRI said it will inform members if it receives definitive news on this point and has urged members to continue state/local advocacy efforts in the interim.

Also, on March 31, AHRI co-signed a letter to the Mexican President with four other HVACR and water heating associations to advocate that the HVACR and water heating industry be deemed “essential.”

Carrier becomes independent, publicly traded company

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, 5 April 2020: Carrier Global Corporation on April 3 debuted as an independent, publicly traded company after successfully completing its separation from United Technologies, the company announced through a Press release. Shares of Carrier, which provides building and refrigeration solutions, began “regular-way” trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at market open on April 3, under the symbol “CARR”, the company added.

According to the release, Carrier, which provides products and services related to heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, and fire & security technologies, has an extensive global footprint with approximately 53,000 employees, offering solutions in more than 160 countries. Carrier said through the release that it has leading positions in critical segments, including North American residential HVAC, commercial HVAC equipment in major markets, global fire detection and suppression, global access controls for security systems, and refrigerated equipment for the North American and European truck trailer and container businesses.

“Against the backdrop of unprecedented global uncertainty, Carrier and its employees remain focused and continue to solve critical challenges – from improving indoor air quality, protecting the world’s food and pharmaceutical supply and keeping people safe and secure,” said Carrier President & CEO, Dave Gitlin. “I am honored to lead this fantastic company, and now, more than ever, I am incredibly proud of the perseverance and resiliency of our talented workforce. For more than a century, Carrier has been a symbol of excellence, and today, as a standalone company, we have defined our own strategy, vision, culture and priorities. We have an unmatched legacy and look forward to delivering sustainable long-term growth to our shareowners and other stakeholders.”

According to the release, as an independent company, Carrier will have greater focus and enhanced agility based on its own distinct operating priorities and strategies for long-term growth and profitability, including strengthening and growing its core businesses, extending its product range and geographical coverage, and expanding service and digital offerings. The company said it is well-positioned with strong megatrends driving sustained industry growth, leading positions with significant installed base, a disciplined operating system, and an unwavering commitment to innovation.

According to the release, Carrier will continue to contribute meaningfully to communities around the world through employee volunteerism and environmentally responsible operations, products and services. Carrier said its recent USD 3 million, three-year donation to The Nature Conservancy  will help cities better prepare for climate change and support the development of online STEM education for children around the world, and is a testament to Carrier’s commitment to environmental leadership.

“We are a world leader in providing energy-efficient solutions for buildings around the world,” Gitlin said. “We are deeply committed to driving a leadership position in sustainable solutions for the planet and for future generations. Strengthening our global community makes us a stronger company, creating shared value for our business and society. As a standalone company, we have the ability to leverage our legacy of industry leadership and sustainability to address the challenges of today and tomorrow while executing our vision and growth strategy.”

 

ASHRAE establishes Epidemic Task Force

ATLANTA, Georgia, 2 April 2020: ASHRAE on March 31 announced a Society-wide effort to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide guidance on how to ensure that buildings are prepared for future epidemics.

ASHRAE said in a Press release that the task force has been established to help deploy ASHRAE’s technical resources to address the challenges of the current pandemic and future epidemics, as it relates to the effects of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems on disease transmission in healthcare facilities, the workplace, home, public and recreational environments. The task force, ASHRAE said, will also provide recommendations for setting up temporary field hospitals in convention centers, arenas and indoor stadia to deal with surges.

The primary role of the task force, ASHRAE said, is to maintain communication with members, industry partners, building owners, facility operators, government agencies and the general public.

According to the release, specific responsibilities of the task force include:

• Serving as a clearinghouse to review all technical questions and requests for technical guidance submitted to ASHRAE
• Coordinating activities of ASHRAE’s internal resources
• Partnering with and monitoring the activities of external organizations, including the more than 60 members of the ASHRAE Associate Society Alliance (AASA) of organizations related to the HVAC&R industry around the world
• Reviewing, organizing, consolidating and publishing clear and concise summaries with citations of the most relevant information available to the built-environment

According to the release, 2013-14 ASHRAE Presidential Member William Bahnfleth, will chair the task force. “We have assembled an outstanding group of experts to serve on the task force,” Bahnfleth said. “They are high-level building professionals with collective experience in design, construction, operations and research, who are well qualified to offer guidance on how to protect building occupants and support healthcare facility needs during the uncertainty of an epidemic.”

 

According to the release, leading experts in medicine and public health will serve as consultants to the task force. Members of the task force are as follows:

Voting Members:

William Bahnfleth, Ph.D., P.E., Chair, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force

Max Sherman, Ph.D., ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee

Luke Leung, P.E., ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee

Stephanie Taylor, M.D., ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee

Jason DeGraw, Ph.D., ASHRAE Technical Committee 2.10, Resilience and Security

Traci Hanegan, P.E., ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.6, Healthcare Facilities

Steve Martin, Ph.D., P.E., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Richard Hermans, P.E., ASHRAE Standing Standard Project Committee 170, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities

James Ridenhour, P.E., Consultant

 

Corresponding/Nonvoting Members

Walid Chakroun, Ph.D., ASHRAE Government Affairs Committee

Wade Conlan, P.E., ASHRAE Environmental Health Committee

Dennis Knight, P.E., ASHRAE Board of Directors

Jay Kohler, P.E., chair, ASHRAE Technical Activities Committee

Wayne Stoppelmoor, CEM, chair, ASHRAE Standards Committee

 

Bahnfleth said: “ASHRAE is a global, grassroots organization of more than 57,000 members in 130 countries, so we have boots on the ground around the world. Our members and chapters take the initiative to help wherever they are and are already addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. That is also true of our technical and standards committees. When called upon by circumstances to assist in situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, they act within their spheres of competence to do whatever they can to help.”

According to the release, members of ASHRAE’s Healthcare Facilities technical committee (TC 9.6) and ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2017 — Ventilation of Health Care Facilities committee have been working with members of the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) to produce guidance that can be implemented immediately to help hospitals and clinics cope with the increasing volume of COVID-19 cases. Standard 170, ASHRAE said through the release, already has had a beneficial impact by providing guidance for the design of existing infection isolation, intensive care and critical-care rooms in countries that have been most severely affected by this virus. An extensive presentation has been prepared and is being presented to various groups and organizations, including ASHRAE chapters. The presentation includes guidance on how to create additional observation/segregation rooms for a small-scale admission surge as well as the establishment of wards/suites for a large-scale surge.

ASHRAE said questions and requests for technical guidance and interpretations should be submitted to the following email address: COVID-19@ashrae.org. For more information on the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force, including resources and updates, ASHRAE has recommended visiting the ASHRAE COVID-19 Preparedness Resources webpage at ashrae.org/COVID19.

 

AHRI lauds state recognition of “Essential” Status for HVACR and Water Heating industry

Arlington, Virginia, 29 March 2020: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) on March 27 expressed its appreciation to the 23 states and the District of Columbia* that, thus far, have heeded the industry’s call for “essential business” status during this health crisis. “These governors deserve the thanks of the manufacturers, distributors, contractors, engineers and technicians that are committed to continuing to keep the American people productive, healthy, and comfortable in these trying times,” said AHRI President & CEO, Stephen Yurek. “Our industry is working overtime to ensure that lifesaving equipment remains available to all who need it.”

Last week, AHRI joined with nine other organizations, representing the HVACR and water heating equipment manufacturers, contractors, technicians, engineers, plumbers, and sheet metal contractors in issuing a statement to governmental organizations grappling with travel and personal interaction restrictions designed to prevent the spread of infection. Those trade associations and membership societies representing North America’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and water heating industry had requested that federal, state, and local authorities grant “essential business” status to the HVACR and water heating industry.

Organizations signing the statement included AHRI; the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA); the Heating, Airconditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI); the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA); North American Technician Excellence (NATE); the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC), the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA); the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI); ASHRAE; and the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA).

In addition to the District of Columbia, the states that have accorded the industry “essential business” status are Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Carel halts production till April 3

BRUGINE, Padova, Italy, 26 March 2020: Carel Group on March 22 said in a Press release that it will stop production activities in its plants in Italy, starting from March 26 to April 3, 2020. Carel said it is taking the measure, “in accordance with the latest Decree by the Italian Prime Minister’s Office, signed on March 22, which aims at stemming the spread in Italy of the emergency linked to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)”. The Decree, Carel said, has introduced stricter measures related to industrial and commercial production activities and the mobility of people. The aforementioned plants, Carel said, began carrying out preparation activities for the halt in production and for warehousing- and shipping-related aspects, immediately after the Prime Minister’s Office issued the Decree.

With the aim of mitigating, as far as possible, the negative impact from the halt in production activity in Italy, the presence of the Group’s plants in almost all continents is particularly important at this time, Carel noted in the release. The company said it can count on a significant production flexibility, guaranteed by five factories abroad, some of which have been expanded recently. The plants of the Group are located in Croatia, Germany, Brazil, China and the United States, all currently fully operating, at the time of issuing the Press release.

According to the release, the initiatives already taken in relation to white-collar workers in Italy remain valid, enabling smart-working for a percentage close to 100%. Carel said it is focusing on the management of the emergency and that it will put in place all the necessary measures in order to better protect the health of its employees in Italy and elsewhere.

ASHRAE releases HVAC Design and Operations training schedule

ATLANTA, Georgia, 23 February 2020: ASHRAE Learning Institute, which provides training backed by real-world applications, announced the 2020 HVAC Design and Operations training schedule through a Press release.

“ASHRAE has the most advanced professional development program in the industry, offering practical training that incorporates solutions to improve today’s building performance issues,” said 2019-20 ASHRAE President Darryl K Boyce. “ASHRAE’s HVAC Design training is a mainstay within the industry that further represents our commitment to providing avenues of development to the professionals who impact the built environment.”

According to the release, the courses include:

HVAC Design: Level I – Essentials provides intensive, practical training, ideal for recent technical or engineering school graduates and engineers new to the HVAC field. Developed by industry-leading professionals selected by ASHRAE, the training provides attendees with the fundamentals and technical aspects of HVAC design, installing and maintaining HVAC systems, that can be put to immediate use.

HVAC Design Level II – Applications provides instruction in HVAC system design for experienced HVAC engineers and those who have completed the HVAC Design: Level I – Essentials. The training covers the technical aspects of design and methods to increase energy savings through innovation in HVAC design.

According to the release, in addition to record attendance at recent sessions held in Atlanta and Las Vegas, ASHRAE will offer nine training sessions through June, including a session at ASHRAE’s Global Training Center in Dubai.

According to the release, the schedule is as follows:

City	Level I	Level II	Instructors
Miami, FL	March 9–11, 2020	March 12–13, 2020	Julia Keen, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, HBDP, BEAP; Joel Primeau, Eng., ASHRAE Member, HBDP, LEED® AP
Dubai (MENA)	March 15-17, 2020	March 18-19, 2020	Samir Traboulsi, Ph.D., P.Eng., Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE; Hassan Younes, Member ASHRAE, BEAP, BEMP, HBDP, CPMP, OPMP
Austin, TX	March 23–25, 2020	March 26–27, 2020	Donald Brandt, Life Member ASHRAE BEAP, CEM; Dennis Wessel, P.E., Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, LEED® AP
Atlanta, GA	April 13–15, 2020	April 16–17, 2020	Donald Brandt, Life Member ASHRAE BEAP, CEM; Dennis Wessel, P.E., Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, LEED® AP
Hartford, CT	April 27–29, 2020	April 30–May 1, 2020	Charlie Henck, P.E., Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, CEM, LEED® AP; Dennis Wessel, P.E., Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, LEED® AP
Denver, CO	May 11–13, 2020	May 14–15, 2020	Donald Brandt, Life Member ASHRAE BEAP, CEM; Dennis Wessel, P.E., Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, LEED® AP
Toronto, ON	May 18–20, 2020	May 21–22, 2020	Julia Keen, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, HBDP, BEAP; Joel Primeau, Eng., ASHRAE Member, HBDP, LEED® AP
Vancouver, BC	June 1–3, 2020	June 4–5, 2020	Julia Keen, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, HBDP, BEAP; Joel Primeau, Eng., ASHRAE Member, HBDP, LEED® AP
Washington, DC	June 15–17, 2020	June 18–19, 2020	Julia Keen, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, HBDP, BEAP; Dennis Wessel, P.E., Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, LEED® AP

ClimateMaster introduces new line of Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, 19 February 2020: ClimateMaster, which manufactures geothermal- and water-source heating and cooling, debuted the addition of a complete line of dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) in capacities ranging from six to 40 tons at the 2020 edition of AHR Expo, from February 3 to 5 in Orlando, Florida. The systems are responsible for bringing outdoor air into buildings, which is not only mandated by ASHRAE Standard 62 but also creates improved air quality for building occupants. DOAS units are the preferred solution, owing to their ability to dehumidify outdoor air and supply dry/neutral air to buildings, ClimateMaster said.

ClimateMaster said its new DOAS line offers a flexible design platform that supports numerous applications, including air-cooled heating, air-cooled heat pumping, water-source heat pumping and geothermal heat pumping. The specialized systems, ClimateMaster said, deliver superior efficiency, proven reliability, lower utility costs, and reduced service and maintenance costs.

According to ClimateMaster, key features include:

• High-efficiency scroll compressors, optimized heat transfer, and variable speed condenser fans with EC motors and modulating control that exceed ASHRAE 90.1 standards
• Energy-saving, two-inch, double-wall cabinet containing R-13 insulation with a thermal break to minimize heat transfer and provide an effective moisture barrier throughout
• Fully integrated DDC controls provide an open protocol for BACnet, LonWorks, Modbus, and N2
• Innovative and simple design with friction hinges and quarter-turn handles for entry into generously sized control and access compartments
• Slide-out double-sloped stainless steel drain pan provides easy access to the energy-recovery wheel

“Expanding into the growing DOAS market not only provides ClimateMaster with an opportunity to capitalize on our 60-year legacy of water-source heat pumps but [also] allows us to create a greater synergy between building engineers and architects, who need the most energy-efficient technologies to meet tightening regulations on energy use,” said Todd Graff, ClimateMaster’s Chief Executive Officer. “Delivering 100% outside air solutions that are both flexible and affordable elevates our position with key industry partners.”

ASHRAE Winter Conference attracts 2,800 stakeholders

ATLANTA, Georgia, 10 February 2020: ASHRAE declared its Winter Conference and AHR Expo, held from February 1 to 5 in Orlando, Florida a success. The Conference, ASHRAE said through a Press release, attracted nearly 2,800 buildings-related engineers, architects, contractors, students and other industry professionals.

According to the release, ASHRAE celebrated its 125^th anniversary with paper sessions chronicling the progress of key industries and the evolution of energy modeling. An updated edition of the Society book, Proclaiming the Truth, was released at the Conference, in addition to a composite video highlighting ASHRAE’s history which debuted at the plenary session, the release said.

The Winter Conference technical program featured more than 300 presentations, with interest surrounding this year’s new track, Big Data and Smart Controls, where session topics included smart sensor technologies, occupant behavior in buildings and cost-based control of supply air temperature, the release said.

According to the release, the AHR Expo offered more than 1,900 exhibitors, with 300 companies exhibiting for the first time. The three-day show, occupying 506,000 net square feet of exhibit space, attracted attendees from more than 160 countries.

2019-20 ASHRAE President Darryl K. Boyce, provided Society updates and initiatives related to his presidential theme, “Building for People and Performance. Achieving Operational Excellence”. He focused on how building professionals can ensure operational performance for the people that live, work and interact in buildings. Speaking on the Society’s new Global Headquarters building, he said, “With the opportunity to create a new ASHRAE Global Headquarters building, we are living the real-world challenge of designing and building a great environment for our staff, volunteers and industry visitors from around the world, that will operate effectively and not waste energy.”

The plenary session, the release said, drew more than 1,000 people and provided a forum for the presentation of awards to experienced and emerging leaders in the industry. Keynote speaker Ed Hochuli, retired Head Referee in the National Football League, closed the session with an empowering presentation on being successful at any job.

According to the release, the ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) offered four full-day seminars and 17 half-day courses. New courses included: Guideline 36: Best in Class HVAC Control Sequences, Save 40% by Complying with Standard 90.1-2019, Best Practices for Installing DDC Systems, IgCC and ASHRAE Standard 189.1 Technical Provisions, Principles of Building Commissioning: ASHRAE Guideline 0 and Standard 202, Designing for Cold Climates and V in HVAC – What, Why, Where, How, and How Much. The new Certified HVAC Designer (CHD) certification exam was also administered during the conference, the release said.

According to the release, the 2020 ASHRAE Annual Conference will take place from June 27 to July 1 in Austin, Texas. The 2021 Winter Conference, the release added, will take place from January 23 to 27, and the AHR Expo from January 25 to 27, in Chicago.

 

Eurovent Middle East holds annual meeting

DUBAI, UAE, 9 February 2020: Eurovent Middle East held its annual meeting, during which members elected Brian Suggit as President for the third consecutive term. Suggit is Managing Director, Systemair UAE.

Suggit’s theme for the tenure is “Making a difference by driving a change”. By way of summarising the core issues that shall deserve attention during his term to bring a renewed momentum to the Middle East’s HVACR sector, Suggit enumerated the following:
1) Energy efficiency through choice of product and technology
2) Indoor Air Quality through enforcement of ISO 16890 and maintenance standards
3) Retrofitting to enhance building efficiencies and personal wellbeing
4) Improving cold chain security and efficiency

Suggitt highlighted issues that deserve change across relevant product areas, including fans and motors, cooling systems, air curtains and air-handling units. Speaking of fans and motors, he said: “Belt-driven fans and FEG fan measurements should be a thing of the past once and for all. IE3 should be the minimum requirement for all motors.”

Speaking of cooling systems, he said: “We should continue to drive fraudulent products out of the market. Seasonal efficiency calculations should finally be introduced in legislation, and everyone must work towards utilising the correct gases, taking example of the EU F-Gas Regulation.”

Chillventa AWARD to honour flagship projects for energy efficiency

NÜRNBERG, Germany, 3 February 2020: NürnbergMesse will present the Chillventa AWARD for the third time in partnership with Bauverlag, the publisher of the HVAC&R trade journals, KKA Kälte Klima Aktuell and tab – Das Fachmedium der TGA-Branche, NürnbergMesse said through a Press release. The Chillventa AWARD will be presented during Chillventa, from October 13 to 15 in Nürnberg. The award recognises completed projects that in an era of climate change can be considered outstanding examples of energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigeration, AC or heat pump technology, the release said.

In keeping with the motto, “Chillventa Connecting Experts”, the jury’s evaluation has previously focused on the effective teamwork between the project stakeholders and their collaborative design and planning process, the release stated. Although this aspect will still be included in the jury’s evaluation in 2020, the main criterion will now be the energy efficiency of the technology, which also needs to impress in respect of its functionality and technical innovations, the release added. The expert panel will also assess the exemplary use of modern digital tools and methods for the design and operation of the system, the release further added.

According to the release, teams of experts – system engineers, planners, designers and operators – are eligible to participate in the four categories: Commercial refrigeration, industrial refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps.

Although exhibitors at Chillventa are not eligible to take part directly, they are invited to encourage system engineers, planners, designers and operators who have realised their best reference projects to enter the competition, and are welcome to actively help them put together the application documents, the release said, adding that the AWARD offers an excellent opportunity to present products exhibited at the event to a wider professional audience.

 

SimScale closes €27 million in Series C Financing

MUNICH, Germany, 2 February 2020: SimScale, which provides production-ready SaaS application for engineering simulation, announced through a Press release that it has closed €27 million in Series C funding. Global venture capital and private equity firm, Insight Partners led the round, with participation from existing investors: Earlybird, Union Square Ventures, June Fund, Vito Ventures, Bayern Kapital, and High-Tech Gründerfonds, the company said. SimScale’s latest funding round follows a prior round in 2017 led by June Fund.

SimScale said it will use the investment to accelerate the expansion of its cloud-based computer-aided engineering (CAE) platform for customers and to grow global operations.

According to the release, SimScale provides computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) simulation via the cloud, eliminating the hurdles that often accompany traditional, on-premises simulation tools. By leveraging the power of the cloud, SimScale said, it has helped customers cut the cost of expensive hardware and software maintenance fees. Also, SimScale said it offers parallel processing of multiple designs, allowing customers to quickly identify those that are best-performing. Engineers seeking to make their design processes more iterative can simulate their designs using only a standard web browser, SimScale said.

“SimScale’s platform has minimized the barriers that prevented many engineering firms from using or scaling simulation,” said Joshua Fredberg, CAE software veteran and Operating Partner, Insight Partners, who joined SimScale’s board of directors. “Simulating designs is now possible for engineers who previously believed such capabilities were out of reach. We believe SimScale is well positioned to transform not only who uses simulation but how it is used across several engineering disciplines.”

David Heiny, CEO, SimScale, said: “SimScale is proud to have brought cloud-based simulation to engineering teams worldwide. We’re thrilled to welcome the team from Insight Partners to SimScale’s journey. This investment marks the next phase of SimScale’s growth, as we empower more customers to produce better designs faster.”

Leminar inks exclusive distribution deal with Zurn

DUBAI, UAE, 2 February 2020: Leminar Air Conditioning Company, a member of Dubai-headquartered Al Shirawi Group of Companies, has entered into an agreement with US-headquartered Zurn Industries to be the UAE distributor for the latter’s range of plumbing-speciality valves, the company said through a Press release.

As per the agreement, Leminar said, it will be the sole UAE distributor for Zurn’s complete range of plumbing-speciality valves, such as pressure reducing, automatic control, backflow preventers, dual check and float valves. With a wide range of available sizes, differential pressure and flow rates, Zurn offers the flexibility to tailor valves based on the requirements of the project, Leminar said. This will help design, deliver and maintain a plumbing system that will minimize performance gaps, as well as equip the same to be energy- and cost-efficient for a lifetime, Leminar added.

Speaking on the occasion of the signing of the agreement, Pramodh Idicheria, COO, Leminar Global, said: “Sustainable water management requires a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach. Zurn emphasises water conservation to take the edge off the global strain, ease utility costs and expedite regulation compliance. By joining hands with Zurn, we look forward to offering innovative water solutions across the country and help build a sustainable future.”

Sven Erlandsen, General Manager, Zurn Industries, said: “With a continued commitment towards providing best-in-class customer service across the world, expanding our horizon in the UAE was one of our long-term aspirations. Leminar’s strong network within the region will help us realise our vision of providing smart water building solutions while creating innovative products for the future that delivers superior value.”

Kartik Raval, General Manager, Leminar Global, said: “As a leader in HVAC and plumbing solutions, we continually assess our business, as well as keep pace with the industry and our customer base in the region. With Zurn’s efficient range of plumbing-speciality valves, we can now offer a complete portfolio of these products across the UAE. We are thrilled to be the exclusive distributor of Zurn valves and look forward to offering customised plumbing solutions to the region.”

 

ASHRAE releases Smart Grid Application Guide

ATLANTA, Georgia, 2 February 2020: ASHRAE has released its Smart Grid Application Guide: Integrating Facilities with the Electric Grid, the Society announced through a Press release.

Created as part of 2018-19 ASHRAE President Sheila J Hayter’s presidential initiative, the Smart Grid Application Guide provides building owners, managers and designers with guidance on the smart grid, applicable smart grid standards and regulations, as well as the design and operation of systems in this emerging industry, ASHRAE said.

“Harnessing the opportunities smart grid systems provide for creating more flexible and dynamic building systems is an integral part of our new energy future,” Hayter said. “This guide was specifically designed to help building professionals navigate the steps needed to prepare a building for the smart grid.”

According to the release, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) and the OpenADR Alliance were heavily involved in working with ASHRAE on the development of the guide.

“The transformation to a smart grid has already begun,” said Steven Bushby, Fellow ASHRAE, Chair of the Guide’s ad hoc committee and leader of the Mechanical Systems and Controls Group of the Energy and Environment Division of NIST’s Engineering Laboratory. “The Smart Grid Application Guide is a resource to help building professionals understand what is happening during this transformation and the opportunities they can take advantage of now and in the future.”

According to the release, the guide details the concrete steps needed to prepare a building – whether new construction or renovation – for integration with the smart grid. It covers a wide variety of topics, including:

• Navigating regulatory environments that affect deployment of the smart grid
• Strategies to accrue benefits
• Utility bill savings and potential revenue streams
• Behind-the-meter distributed energy resources
• Demand-side management
• Customer aggregation for demand response
• Considerations for single- and multiple-facility design and operations
• Microgrids
• Meeting building needs during interruptions to grid services
• Constraints on deployment options

 

Eurovent to host expert seminar at EuroShop 2020

BRUSSELS, Belgium, 2 February 2020: Eurovent will host a seminar at EuroShop 2020, titled ‘European Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations for Commercial Refrigeration Equipment’ on 17 February in a meeting room at the CCD/Ost entrance, with the participation of the European Commission, Eurovent said through a Press release. The seminar will offer an introduction to the new Ecodesign and Energy Labelling requirements, which enter into force next year, Eurovent added.

Among the topics on the agenda are the actual product requirements entailed in the new regulations, as well as the standardised testing methods, the EPREL database, prospects for market surveillance and the next steps for the commercial refrigeration sector, Eurovent said. The seminar is intended not just for manufacturers but also retailers and consultants, to help the sector understand the expected impact of the new regulations and what criteria to consider in the development of new projects, Eurovent added.

The expert seminar will include the participation of Veerle Beelaerts, Policy Officer at the European Commission, and Pierluigi Schiesaro, Research & Development Director at Arneg and Chairman of the Eurovent Product Group ‘Commercial Refrigeration Equipment’. Eurovent’s Secretary General, Felix Van Eyken and Francesco Scuderi, Eurovent’s Deputy Secretary General and European commercial refrigeration expert, will moderate the discussion.

Scuderi, by way of stressing the importance of the subject, said: “The new Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations, which were adopted last year, are game-changers for the commercial refrigeration sector. They are expected to result in a phaseout of certain products on the European market and increase the demand for the best market-available technologies. We look forward to welcoming our members and other interested parties at this seminar to explore the way forward for retailers and manufacturers in this new landscape.”

Grundfos to display its Hydro MPC HVAC at AHR Expo

BJERRINGBRO, Denmark, 2 February 2020: Grundfos will be displaying its Hydro MPC HVAC at the AHR Expo, from February 3 to 5 in Orlando, Florida, the company said through a Press release. The Hydro MPC HVAC is an integrated packaged pumping system, designed with advanced controls for optimized pumping, simplified installation and unrivaled efficiency, the company said.

Grundfos described the system as “being ready when you are” and that it does not need to be built by the user. Intelligent controls and demand-responsive performance increase efficiency and decrease system wear from day one, the company said. The system’s built-in sensor technology allows for easy basic data collection without the need for additional sensors, the company added, advising the user to choose a redundant primary sensor for extra peace of mind, or use additional sensors for optimized HVAC zone control.

According to the release, the Hydro MPC can be customized to include the Control HVAC controller for more robust HVAC specific controls. The system, the company said, has the ability to control up to 26 zones and includes chiller bypass control.

Grundfos will also be displaying its Alpha1, Alpha2, Alpha2 26-99, Magna3 and TPE3 systems at the show.

 

Phillips & Temro to exhibit Truflo Hybrid fans at AHR Expo

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota, 2 February 2020: Phillips & Temro Industries (PTI) will be exhibiting its Truflo hybrid fans for HVAC industries during AHR Expo 2020, PTI said through a Press release. Co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI, AHR Expo 2020 is from February 3 to 5 in Orlando.

According to the release, Truflo’s hybrid fans are engineered using PTI’s proprietary, patent-pending angle adaptors that allow for complete configurability of blade angles in one-degree increments. The fans can meet customer specific requirements regarding noise, airflow and energy efficiency, PTI said.

As with all Truflo fans, the hybrid fans are performance-analyzed in the Truflo test laboratories, which includes the largest wind tunnel in Europe built to ISO 5801 (AMCA 210) standards, PTI said. In verifying fan performance in the Truflo laboratories, PTI said it delivers the required accurate results for demanding real-world applications.

The Truflo hybrid fans can be found in booth 7955 at AHR Expo.

DriSteem installs gas-to-steam humidifiers at Trek HQ

Eden Prairie, Minnesota, 2 February 2020: DRI-STEEM Corporation (DriSteem), which manufactures humidification, evaporative cooling and water-treatment products, announced the success of the installation of humidifiers at Trek Headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin. The installation of the gas-to-steam humidifiers, DriStreem said through a Press release, was necessary to create a safer working environment for employees and Trek’s extensive data servers.

According to the release, Trek’s state-of-the-art complex has a unique and exclusive finishing room, where each of the company’s products is hand-finished by sanding off a layer of carbon fiber composite. This allows for every feather-light frame to be free of defects and perfectly clean for maximum bonding when painted, DriStreem said. The resin dust can be flammable, as it hangs in the air until airflow draws them into each finishing station’s filtration system, DriStreem added.

According to the release, Trek’s data servers house millions of transactions from customers in more than a hundred countries. This, coupled with the fact that the data servers and finishing room are together in one location, was the driving force for a preventative solution, DriStreem said.

According to the release, Trek contracted H&H Industries, from Madison, Wisconsin, who teamed up with local DriSteem representative, Masters Building Solutions, and the recommendation was for the installation of steam humidifiers using reverse osmosis (RO) fill water. According to the release, H&H Industries installed two DriSteem humidifiers to minimize the likelihood of static sparks in Trek’s finish room and data center.

Mysty Hanson, Assistant Product Manager, DriSteem, said: “It is truly a pleasure when you can help a company like Trek make a safer work environment for its employees. DriSteem is proud to be protecting a trusted product component of this world-class operation.”

According to the release, DriSteem’s gas-fired humidifiers burn either natural or propane gas to heat fill water into steam for humidification. This system, DriSteem said, offers significant operating cost savings over other energy sources because of its comparatively high overall efficiency and its low-cost fuel.

BACnet launches Interoperability Acceleration Program

DORTMUND, Germany, 22 January 2020: The BACnet Interest Europe (BIG-EU) has launched the ‘BACnet Secure Connect Interoperability Acceleration Program’, which will be managed by BACnet International, the organization said through a Press release.

According to the release, BACnet Secure Connect is an addendum to the BACnet protocol, recently released by the ASHRAE BACnet Committee. It is a secure, encrypted data link layer that is specifically designed to meet the requirements, policies and constraints of specialized as well as smaller, less specialized, managed IP infrastructures, the release said. The need for using standardized and often already present IP network infrastructures for BACnet communication is increasing, and this security is a critical piece in the networking of building technologies (Building Internet of Things – BIoT, the release said.

According to the release, building automation system providers will derive the following benefits from the Program:

• Fast track to developing in-house technical knowledge of BACnet/SC and how to deploy it through education and experience sharing
• Access to a reference implementation for in-house interoperability testing
• Access to multi-vendor BACnet/SC testing to assure device interoperability
• Early license to use reference implementation or create derivatives for use in products

“We realize most BAS manufacturers will have a steep learning curve with BACnet/SC and will face pressure from the industry to adopt it,” Andy McMillan, President and Managing Director, BACnet International, said. “This program follows BACnet International’s core purpose of supporting the adoption of the BACnet protocol and assisting the community through education and testing services to make that process easier. We’re excited to see the impact BACnet/SC will have on the industry and how it will accelerate the recognition of BACnet as a secure platform for Building IoT (BIoT).”

ENGIE launches redesigned air-cooled PENSUM AIR series

LINDAU, Germany, 21 January 2020: ENGIE Refrigeration on January 20 launched the redesigned air-cooled PENSUM AIR series for the international market, the company said through a Press release. The chiller offers especially high efficiency in medium performance ranges and is ideally suited for use in mid-sized office buildings and public institutions, the company claimed, adding that the equipment is a future-proof investment, as it meets the future requirements of the F-gas Regulation 2030 and the Tier 2 Ecodesign Directive.

According to the release, the overhauled series has a performance range between 50 and 400 kilowatts. This range is because the redesigned series uses the refrigerant R-454B, which has a low GWP value of 466, which falls below the average GWP of < 500, the value that the F-gas Regulation stipulates from 2030. Due to its good consumption values, the company said, the PENSUM AIR also already meets the requirements of the Ecodesign Directive for Tier 2, which will come into force on 1 January 2021. In addition, the company said, the chiller has an innovative design and a revised configuration. The PENSUM AIR, the company claimed, now has a new compressor, for example, which makes the chiller even more efficient than its predecessor; its efficiency is particularly high under partial loads.

Bacharach shares refrigerant management software

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, United States, 21 January 2020: Gas detection and analysis instrumentation company, Bacharach announced through a Press release that its Parasense Refrigerant Tracking and Compliance Software is available for free with full-feature capabilities and unlimited users, sites, and refrigeration assets. The cloud-based software, the company said, is ideal for any organisation looking to reduce refrigerant emissions and support regulatory tracking and reporting needs while eliminating reliance on spreadsheets or other less sophisticated methods.

The software is an enterprise-scale system to track refrigerant usage, leak inspections and leak events, as well as provide compliance reporting for EPA 608, CARB, F-Gas and GreenChill, the company said.

According to the release, notable software features include:

• Compliance Calendar, which automatically schedules and reminds about compliance activities
• Regulation Workflow, which maps regulations into specific tasks to maintain compliance
• Compliance Score, which gives a visual indicator to the state of compliance across the enterprise, regions, sites or assets
• Automatic Leak Rate Calculator, which provides a rolling 12-month view of refrigerant usage as a percent of system charge
• Enterprise-level to single-site filters and data summaries

According to the release, Parasense Refrigerant Tracking software is designed for facility managers and compliance officers who support multi-site organisations, like supermarkets, food processing plants, cold storage warehouses, hospitals, universities or K-12 schools. The software is also valuable for smaller organisations, as well as for mechanical and refrigeration contractors that want to offer refrigerant management as part of their service, the company said.

According to the release, the software is also supported by professional services from the Parasense Information Center (PIC) team. The PIC team provides fee-based, value-added services such as data importing, pro-active data review and recommendations, periodic report preparation and contractor coordination for timely completion of inspections, repairs, testing and record-keeping. The combination of the software and the PIC team services, the company said, provides a complete solution for enterprise-grade refrigerant tracking and compliance.

Belimo sets 100 million milestone

DANBURY, Connecticut, 20 January 2020: Belimo delivered its 100 millionth actuator – a PR actuator – in the beginning of the year and, in doing so, reached another milestone in its history, the Swiss company said through a Press release. The company, which manufactures field devices for controlling and regulating HVAC systems, said it confirms its growth course by reaching the milestone as well as the demand for innovative products that sustainably increase comfort, energy efficiency and safety in buildings.

Lars van der Haegen, CEO, Belimo, emphasized that not only are the best products and world-class logistics needed to sell this high a number of actuators but also a dedicated team of employees, who continuously aim to offer customers more value than they expect. Belimo, he said, always manages to increase energy efficiency and comfort. “It’s about technical innovations and their impact on sustainability,” he said. “Buildings are responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions. With proper building controls systems, energy savings of up to 50% can be achieved compared to buildings without.”

Referring to the PR actuator, which earned the company the gong, van der Haegen said the device is part of a motorized butterfly valve that is used in water applications. Thanks to a power consumption of only 20 watts, he said, it reduces energy consumption by over 80% compared to competitive products. “We are proud to look back on 100 million actuators,” he said. “Our customers’ great trust in us and partnerships have made this possible, and we want to thank them for this joint success.”

 

Honeywell, Etisalat Misr, ACUD in Egypt smart city initiative

DUBAI, UAE, 20 January 2020: Honeywell and Etisalat Misr have announced a partnership to deliver city management services for citizens in Egypt’s new Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD), Honeywell said through a Press release.

The agreement, signed in the presence of executives from both sides during an official ceremony on January 19 at Intersec 2020, will see Honeywell deploy advanced Internet of Things (IoT) software and hardware solutions for the new City Operations Centre (COC), as part of Phase 1 of the project, the company said through the release. Honeywell further said it will provide the IoT platform underpinning the central COC platform that will enable data analytics, a city-wide management dashboard, smart city services citizen engagement portal and mobile application capabilities. This will support administrative functions and deliver smart city services for citizens, as well as public- and private-sector entities in the new capital, the company said.

“Leading Egypt’s most ambitious development project to date, ACUD is committed to leveraging innovation as well as services to deliver a smart city based on the principles of safety, security, productivity and sustainability. We are glad to be building on our existing relationship with Honeywell through this collaboration and are confident this takes us one step closer to achieving our vision,” said His Excellency General Eng. Ahmed Zaki Abdeen, Chairman, ACUD.

Added George Bou Mitri, Vice President and General Manager, Honeywell Building Technologies (Middle East, Turkey and Africa): “At Honeywell, we are proud to be at the forefront of developing smart city infrastructures around the world, and Egypt’s New Administrative Capital is an example of global excellence in action. This project will redefine smart living in line with the national economic development objectives outlined by Egypt Vision 2030. The partnership with Etisalat will deliver innovative, connected technologies to improve the safety, security, and energy efficiency for the new capital, unlocking long-term benefits to its populations.”

According to the release, Honeywell technology will also power advanced management systems for smart parking and smart utility services for electricity, water and gas. This will include street lighting, smart metering, smart grid monitoring services and integration with smart digital signage management, billing and financials systems. In addition, the technology deployed will include Honeywell’s latest cyber-proof services, the company said.

According to the release, Egypt’s new capital, one of the world’s largest smart city projects, is being built in three phases 45 kilometres east of Cairo and will expand to cover more than 700 square kilometres once complete.

According to the release, the partnership with Etisalat is an extension of Honeywell’s scope in the New Administrative Capital. In February 2019, Honeywell in collaboration with MTI, announced it will deliver city-wide security and surveillance systems for ACUD. This effort will integrate security systems across the capital into a single point of control, known as an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).

Hazem Metwally, CEO, Etisalat Misr, said: “We are proud of this collaboration, as it demonstrates Etisalat’s leadership in the Egyptian market and our ability to support strategic national projects. It represents a path towards the overall development of the Egyptian economy and is in line with our strategy to provide integrated solutions and services across the telecommunications sector.”

Green Link joins HARDI

KALAMAZOO, Michigan, 12 January 2020: Green Link Engineering, which develops and produces polymeric architectural products, has become a member of Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) –  a professional organization that is the single voice of wholesale distribution to the HVACR industry, the company said through a Press release.

Green Link designs and manufactures the KnuckleHead rooftop support system for installation of a range of HVAC equipment, including heat pumps, splits, VRFs, AC units, piping systems, conduits and ductwork. The KnuckleHead system features a unique design that can be configured for various types of roof installations and may be loosely laid or mechanically attached in geographical areas prone to high winds or seismic events, the company said.

“We joined HARDI, because we want the industry to better understand the benefits of the KnuckleHead rooftop support system,” said Dan Olinger, President, Green Link. “We hope to learn more about the needs of professional mechanical contractors and, in return, we hope they will learn more about how the KnuckleHead system can improve installations. KnuckleHeads outperform wood support sleepers that can deteriorate over time, and ballast blocks that add weight to roof when used to secure equipment.”

According to the release, HARDI members market, distribute and support heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, parts and supplies. HARDI members, the release said, serve installation and service contractors in residential and commercial markets, as well as commercial/industrial and institutional maintenance staff, the release said. HARDI, the release added, represents more than 480 distributor members representing more than 5,000 branch locations, and close to 500 manufacturers, manufacturer representatives and service vendors.

Carrier AquaEdge wins fifth major award in past year

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, 2 January 2019: Carrier received its fifth major award for the Carrier AquaEdge 19DV water-cooled centrifugal chiller in just over a year, at the 2019 Climate Control Awards on November 26 in Dubai, UAE, the company said through a Press release. Carrier won the accolade for the 19DV in the ‘Innovative Chiller Manufacturer/Supplier of the Year’, during the awards ceremony, produced and hosted by CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Middle East magazine. The 19DV utilizes an environmentally sustainable refrigerant with the highest possible safety rating and an ultra-low global warming potential of ~1, the company claimed through the release.

“Carrier is focused on inventing solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, and the AquaEdge 19DV has received recognition around the globe as an innovative product that meets customer demands for smarter and more efficient systems,” said Chris Nelson, President, HVAC-Commercial, Carrier. “The 19DV chiller is a testament to Carrier’s commitment to leading the next phase of sustainable innovation to achieve higher efficiencies and lower emissions.”

According to the release, the AquaEdge 19DV was designed to minimize environmental impact while also providing industry-leading efficiency. The 19DV’s unique EquiDrive two-stage back-to-back compression, the company said, allows for effective heat recovery, which enables its excellent cooling efficiency at standard conditions to flex up to 120 degrees F (48.9 degrees C) for energy-saving hot water production. The 19DV, the company said, also provides free cooling, a strategy for leveraging natural air temperatures, which can result in thousands of dollars in energy savings per year while reducing maintenance costs and mechanical room space. Additional features include a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) that protects the chiller against abnormalities in the power quality being delivered to a system and Carrier SMART Service, wireless technology, which allows for remote diagnostics, long-term performance trending, benchmarking, decision analytics, and advanced notifications, the company said through the release. By leveraging insights, Carrier SMART Service provides intelligent analytics for maintenance staff that can proactively help improve equipment reliability and reduce energy usage, maintenance expenses and resource consumption, the company said.

The AquaEdge 19DV first launched in Asia in 2016 and was subsequently introduced to other regions, earning a reputation for reliability and efficiency, the company said. The chiller added to its long list of accolades when it was recently named the ‘Green Product of the Year’ in the ‘Energy Management category’ at the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Green Building Awards, on October 16, 2019 in Dubai, the company said.

In the fall of 2019, the company said it proudly accepted the RAC Cooling Industry Award for ‘Air Conditioning Product of the Year’ in the ‘System/Standalone category’ for the AquaEdge 19DV in London. The water-cooled centrifugal chiller also notably won Gold in the US-based Consulting-Specifying Engineer Product of the Year Awards in the ‘Boilers & Chillers category’ in 2019.

RenewAire’s new HVAC manufacturing facility earns LEED Gold

WAUNAKEE, Wisconsin, 23 December 2019: RenewAire’s energy-recovery and indoor air quality (IAQ) equipment has helped numerous commercial building owners reach sustainability recognition, the company said through a Press release, adding that now that same equipment, namely energy recovery ventilators (ERV) and dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS), has helped the HVAC firm’s new 111,000-square-foot manufacturing plant achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification in November.

While the majority of LEED certifications go to high-performing office buildings, educational institutions and government facilities, any LEED level, let alone Gold, is a rare achievement for industrial buildings, which account for less than five per cent of all levels of LEED certifications globally, according to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the company said. Industrial building owners typically concentrate more on price-per-square-foot costs than sustainability, according to the RenewAire project’s consulting engineer, Eric T Truelove, Principal, Green Building Resources (GBR), based in Madison, Wisconsin.

Chuck Gates, CEO, RenewAire, said, “This new facility supports our mission of fostering sustainability, helping the planet by reducing energy use and, at the same time, improving human health and wellbeing.”

According to the company, the LEED Gold is added to RenewAire’s three Green Globes certification from the Green Building Initiative, making this one of only a handful of commercial buildings to achieve dual-certification through two independent rating systems. RenewAire is not a newcomer to sustainability, because it received two Green Globes and a LEED Silver certification for its former headquarters, a 32,000-square-foot Madison-based indoor soccer stadium it retrofitted in 2005 for its manufacturing headquarters, the company said. When its expanding business demanded a near quadrupling of space, RenewAire gutted a vacant Waunakee-based industrial building in 2017 for its current headquarters.

RenewAire’s stepped up LEED efforts racked up 60 of a possible 110 points, 14 of which came from the “Optimize Energy Performance” category, the company said. RenewAire’s seven energy-recovery ventilators (ERV) and dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units accounted for nearly 25% of the 14 points, the company said. The ERVs and DOAS processes also reduce cooling/heating loads and resulted in smaller chillers and boilers, and less refrigerants, which helped earn two points in the refrigerant management category, the company said. Other energy-performance credits came from LED lighting that cut lighting costs by half versus conventional industrial/office space lighting, the company further said. Truelove, a 30-year-veteran of the construction and energy industries, who founded Green Building Resources in 2007, also assisted with a design that included split-system cooling systems with energy-efficiency ratios (EER) that surpass the Wisconsin State Building Code by 30% and condensing boilers that surpass the code minimum by 10% for heating, the company added. The category also included enhanced commissioning and green power purchases that make this facility carbon-neutral, the company further added.

AHR Expo donates USD 26,300 to the Central Florida Police Athletic League

WESTPORT, Connecticut, 18 December 2019: AHR Expo, to be held from February 3 to 5 in Orlando, is giving back to the Orlando community with a donation of USD 26,300 from its Innovation Awards program, the organizers of the show said through a Press release. The Central Florida Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) has been selected as the recipient for 2020, the organizers said. This year’s donation marks the largest donation to date, a result of the Innovation Awards program receiving its most ever entries, the organizers said.

According to the release, each year, 100% of the entry fees collected from the Innovation Awards competition is donated by the AHR Expo to a charitable organization within the region where the Show is being held. In 2019, the AHR Expo worked with the Atlanta area P.A.L. organization with great success, the organizers said. The Central Florida Police Athletic League serves the Orlando/Apopka area and is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing affordable after-school, summer and athletic opportunities to more than 500 Central Florida youth. P.A.L. partners with organizations to provide a safe, healthy environment for its community children and teens. P.A.L..’s partnership with the police department provides mentorship as well as safety and crime prevention programs. In addition, P.A.L. partners with a number of community organizations to provide athletic, educational and recreational development. While P.A.L. serves many youths, typically from low- to moderate-income households headed by a single parent, all children are welcome and encouraged to participate in their programs.

“The AHR Expo continues to be humbled by the warm welcome from the surrounding communities where the Show is held,” said Mark Stevens, Show Manager, AHR Expo. “We are thrilled that we are able to work closely with these cities to support local initiatives while we are in the area. The growth and success of our Innovation Award program shows a dedication to our growing HVACR industry – and supporting the growth of strong local programs, such as P.A.L. that are serving their community’s youth, is another way to support the future of our industry and many others. We look forward to seeing P.A.L. embark on their growth initiative with an HVAC system supported in part by this donation, as well as following along as they continue to provide invaluable services to so many.”

For additional information on the 2020 AHR Expo, visit www.ahrexpo.com. According to the release, contractors, HVACR engineers, technicians, public utility workers, students of the trade and other professionals working in the HVACR industry, who are looking to network and see what’s new in the field, can register for free on the website until January 23, 2020.

Eurovent endorses the European Green Deal

BRUSSEL, Belgium, 16 December 2019: The European Commission on December 11 presented the European Green Deal, an ambitious package of policy measures geared towards making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, Eurovent said through a Press release. With bold investments in green technologies, boosts to innovation and support for climate-friendly industries, the policy package offers new growth perspectives for businesses in the European HVACR sector, and the potential to bolster the position of our industry as global leaders in clean and sustainable products, Eurovent said, adding that it fully endorses the Deal.

One of the pillars of the Deal is a commitment to clean energy, which includes shifting to renewables and prioritising energy efficiency. To this end, Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has mandated a review of the Energy Efficiency Directive and Renewable Energy Directive, and the drafting of a new ambitious Ecodesign working plan and circular economy action plan, Eurovent said. The Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulatory framework will receive increased attention and integrate circular economy and lifecycle assessment aspects, Eurovent added.

According to the release, forty per cent of the energy consumption in the EU is attributable to buildings, making the building sector one of the most important targets of the new Commission’s decarbonisation strategies. The EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive), last reviewed in 2018, will most likely again be subject to review under Von der Leyen’s mandate, as will the Construction Products Regulation, Eurovent said. The Deal aims to double or even triple building renovation rates and speed up building digitisation, to ensure the EU’s building stock is on track to decarbonise by 2050, Eurovent said.

The new Commission has also committed itself to bold air quality standards, in line with the WHO guidelines, Eurovent said. Clean air is of fundamental importance for good health but remains undervalued. Eurovent said it will continue to stress the importance of clean air indoors, where people spend most of their time, and push for EU policies, which properly value not just clean ambient air but Indoor Air Quality, as well.

Naci Sahin, President, Eurovent, said: “Eurovent strongly supports the initiatives of the European Green Deal. They promise to make the building engineering sector even more sustainable, to encourage the uptake of the best market-available technologies and most efficient products, and to stimulate further innovation and investment in R&D activities. Already today, the most energy-efficient heating, cooling and ventilation equipment is marketed in the EU. The European Green Deal promises to ensure that the European HVACR industry strengthens its role to play in the built-environment of tomorrow, as well.”

Eurovent said it looks forward to working closely together with the European Commission to accompany the development of the Deal and match its bold leadership to achieve its shared climate-neutrality goals.

ASHRAE releases revised version of Data Center Standard

ATLANTA, Georgia, 11 December 11, 2019: ASHRAE has released a revised version of its energy standard for data centers, the Society said through a Press release.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.4-2019, Energy Standard for Data Centers, establishes the minimum energy-efficiency requirements for the design and operation of data centers, with special consideration to their unique load requirements compared to other buildings, the Society said. Standard 90.4 applies to data centers with a conditioned floor area greater than 20 W/ft² and IT equipment loads greater than 10 kW and contains specific requirements for mechanical and electrical systems installed in new data centers or in data center additions/alterations that require new mechanical or electrical systems, the Society added.

“Standard 90.4 was developed under the guiding principle that data centers are mission-critical facilities that demand careful attention to the potential impact of requirements,” said Richard Zbin, Chair, Standard 90.4 Committee. “The updated standard enables operators and designers to use the latest and most effective equipment and techniques to achieve energy efficiency in data centers, while avoiding potential reliability issues.”

According to the release, updates of the Standard ensure…\

• Renumbered sections and revised wording align more closely with that of Standard 90.1.
• Mechanical efficiency requirements are based entirely on yearly energy calculations and no longer include a power calculation option. Included table values are also aligned with the newest ASHRAE Climate Zones.
• Significant improvements are made to uninterruptible power supply (UPS) technology. Mechanical and electrical infrastructure elements are addressed. Updated UPS segment tables reflect available hardware, and average outputs are also included.

According to the release, Standard 90.4 has been in a continuous state of development as a code-intended companion to Standard 90.1 since 2013. The standard requires compliance with Standard 90.1 for building envelope, service water heating, lighting and other equipment.

HVACR industry reports strong economy heading into 2020 AHR Expo

WESTPORT, Connecticut, 11 December 2019: Members of the HVACR community reported a continued positive business outlook heading into 2020, in the latest AHR Expo and ASHRAE Journal Annual Economic Outlook Survey. The survey was distributed to past and prospective attendees, as well as industry manufacturers, to gauge the market leading into the new year, the organizers of AHR Expo said through a Press release. Additionally, for the first time, the 2020 report includes input on trends, issues and opportunities, as outlined by representatives from industry associations regarding their respective areas of expertise, the release said.

The full report can be downloaded on the AHR Expo website.

According to the report, 79% of respondents indicated good or excellent predicted sales prospects as we cross into 2020, the release said. While there continues to be shifts in the market, overall, the industry remains in a positive economic position, the release said. For example, heading in to 2019, the ‘retrofit and renovation’ segment was ranked as having the highest business growth potential, the release quoted the report findings, adding that this year, it fell to second place, falling behind maintenance and replacement job.

“Manufacturers and our attendee shareholders alike are reporting a strong economy,” said Mark Stevens, Manager, AHR Expo. “Our recent report reveals that members of the HVACR community expect the successes of 2019 to hold in the new year. This will be evident on the Show floor, as our exhibitors continue to introduce new and innovative products that meet the rising demand for smarter and more efficient solutions.”

Each year, the AHR Expo kicks off business Q1 with the industry’s first chance to see what’s new in HVACR, the release quoted AHR Expo as saying. Exhibitors use the opportunity to launch products at the Show and discuss new opportunities ahead, the release said. As a precursor to the Show, the survey, conducted at the end of Q4, provides the opportunity to gauge what’s expected in the year ahead, the release added.

“The HVACR industry remains in a season of change, with innovation and advancement happening in all sectors,” Stevens said. “Considerations, such as the global market, changing customer demands and new innovation demands, are shaping product designs and the way we approach the built-environment. Across the board, whether entirely new concepts or improvements upon existing product lines, our exhibitors are thinking smarter and delivering impressive solutions.”

When asked about 2019 sales, 34% of respondents reported an increase of 10% or more, and 70% indicated sales growth of at least 10%, the release said. Additionally, respondents reported expected growth in nearly all areas of the industry, with light-commercial, health and residential markets identified as having the highest potential in 2020 at 72%, 67% and 64%, respectively, the release added.

As in previous years, reliability holds steady as the most important consideration factor for consumers when making purchasing decisions, the release said. Both exhibitors and attendees alike ranked it as the most important, coming in at 81% for exhibitors and slightly more than 98% for attendees, the release said. For the second year in a row, both energy efficiency and indoor air quality secured a top spot in relation to consumer importance among exhibitors, at 67% and 64%, respectively, the release revealed. Attendees, however, placed initial costs second at right under 98%, and comfort considerations third at 96%, the release said.

According to the release, areas of concern include rising tariffs and the need to recruit and retain a strong skilled workforce. Additionally, changing DOE regulations and R-22 refrigerant phase-out remains high on respondent radars, the release said. Areas of opportunity include automation and self-diagnostic controls and continued growth in the IoT/IIoT space, the release said, adding that on the horizon for potential impacts to the industry include the forthcoming 2020 Presidential election, growth of big-box retailers and the viability of new technologies in the market.

Belimo designs new ‘smart zone valve’

Danbury, Connecticut, 8 December 2019: Belimo Americas has designed a new smart zone valve in partnership with Automated Logic Corporation (ALC), the company said through a Press release. The intelligent valve, OptiPoint, is a customized Belimo ZoneTight valve with enhanced MP-Bus communication, the company said. Automated Logic required their next-generation Bus-connected valve assemblies provide superior performance with little effort to commission and operate in the field. Belimo said it was chosen for its commitment and dedication to innovate. The new smart valve offers seamless connectivity, reliability and communication to Automated Logic WebCTRL building automation system providing operators with access to valve performance data from anywhere at any time, the company said. The field-adjustable flow capacity setting helps technicians ensure the design requirements are met, the company added.

“Our entire range of solutions are constantly evolving and becoming smarter and more data rich,” said Daniel Caldwell, Belimo Key Account Manager. “Communicating and presenting these valuable digital assets is in high demand. By partnering with ALC, we worked together to create a technological bridge to their WebCTRL building automation system.”

According to the release, the OptiPoint valves – Belimo customized ZoneTight valves are available for both pressure-dependent and pressure-independent applications featuring a compact design for easy installation in tight spaces. The valve actuator provides fail open, fail close or fail in position to meet design requirements, the company said. Up to two valves can be connected, minimizing wiring and eliminating the need to use the controller’s physical I/O to manage the valve, the company said, adding that the actuators snap directly to the valve body allowing quick installation without the use of tools further reducing labor costs.

Condair expands dehumidifier range

PFÄFFIKON/FREIENBACH, Switzerland, 4 December 2019: Humidity control manufacturer, Condair, has extended its dehumidifier range to include more desiccant models, wall- and ceiling-mounted systems, units that control temperature as well as humidity, and swimming pool units, the company said through a Press release.

Urs Hefti, Head, Condair Global Sales, said: “Having successfully launched Condair dehumidifiers to the Middle East market, just a few years ago, it is very exciting to be able to further strengthen our portfolio of dehumidification systems. Condair now boasts one of the most extensive ranges of dehumidifiers available from a single supplier, as well as offering fully customised solutions for unusual projects or extreme control. Whatever application, capacity or humidity level is needed, Condair has the dehumidifier to perfectly meet the requirement.”

According to the release, the new Condair DA desiccant dehumidifier range now includes capacities from 0.6 to 182 litres per hour (@20°C/60% RH) from its standard models, with customised units being able to meet any larger drying requirement. Features include the ability to operate down to -30°C and consistently maintain an air humidity as low 1% RH, the company said through the release. Units can incorporate on-board touch screen controllers and BMS connectivity, with Modbus as standard, the company said. AC or EC fans are available and are positioned in a push configuration prior to the desiccant rotor on the regeneration airflow, the company added. This avoids contact between the fan and the hot humid exhaust air, prolonging the life of the fan, the company further added.

According to the release, Condair’s new wall-mounted condensing dehumidifier range offers attractive in-room units with a sleek, minimalistic design. Alternatively, wall-mounted systems can be remotely located in a room adjacent to the area being dehumidified, the company said. Humid air is circulated to the dehumidifier and dry air fed back to the room via ducting through the wall, the company said. New ceiling-mounted models enable installers to either integrate the unit in a suspended ceiling system or simply fix it overhead to avoid taking up floor space, the company added. All of these new fixed condensing systems are available in standard capacities from 49 to 190 L/D (@30°C/80%RH), the company further added.

According to the release, for applications that need very tight control over temperature as well as humidity, the Condair DC-N dehumidifier will deliver dry process air as well as cooling to an area or duct. It incorporates a remotely located compressor unit to dissipate heat generated during the dehumidification process, similar to a split air conditioning system, the company said. Dehumidifying capacities range from 263 to 940 L/D (@30°C/80%RH) and cooling outputs from 13 to 43kW, the company added.

To complete Condair’s range of dehumidifiers, the company said, swimming pool models are now available that incorporate a range of features specifically for pool areas. Heat exchangers recover thermal energy from the supply air and the dehumidification process, which can either be introduced to the dry air being returned to the pool area or used to heat the pool water, the company said. Condair’s swimming pool dehumidification systems can also introduce outside fresh air to help improve the internal atmosphere, the company added. Units are offered in free-standing, wall-mounted, ceiling mounted, in-room or in-duct and in capacities up to 940L/D (@30°C/80% RH), the company added.

AHRI announces new officers

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 15 November 2019: The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) held its inaugural Leadership Forum from November 10 to 12 in Puerto Rico, during which it elected its new officers and presented awards to industry leaders, the body announced through a Press release.

“The dedication of these industry leaders makes it possible for AHRI to continue to be the recognized voice of the industry and a reliable source for information,” said AHRI President and CEO, Stephen Yurek. “We are very grateful for their service to AHRI and the HVACR and water heating industry.”

According to the release, AHRI’s new Chairman is John Galyen, President (North America), Danfoss.

The officers and Executive Committee are…
Vice Chairman: Mike Schwartz, CEO, Daikin Applied
Vice Chairman: Ron Duncan, President, Magic Aire
Treasurer: Megan Fellinger, President & CEO, Morrison Products
Past Chairman: Bill Steel, President & CEO, Bard Manufacturing

The Board of Directors are…
Kevin Beckett, President, R W Beckett
Gary Bedard, EVP, President and COO Worldwide Refrigeration, Lennox
Mike Branson, President, Rheem Manufacturing Co.
Bruce Carnevale, President and CEO, Bradford White Corp.
Elizabeth Haggerty, VP and GM Global Ducted Systems, Johnson Controls
Chris Nelson, President, Carrier Residential and Commercial Systems
Brent Schroeder, President Air Conditioning Business, Emerson
Donny Simmons, President, Commercial HVACR, Ingersoll Rand
John Swann, President, Weil-McLain
Kevin Wheeler, President (NA, Europe and India), A.O. Smith

The event was an occasion for recognizing notable work towards the cause of the industry. AHRI gave away the Richard C. Schulze Award for distinguished service and commitment to AHRI and the industry’s goals and objectives. According to the release, the winners of the Award were…

• Henry “Skip” Ernst, Daikin Applied
• Joe Sanchez, Bitzer US
• Rusty Tharp, Goodman Manufacturing
• Robert Whitwell, Carrier

AHRI presented the Public Service Award to Byron Horak of Intertek.

According to the release, the Distinguished Service Award is AHRI’s highest honor; it recognizes industry leaders who have made significant contributions throughout their careers. AHRI honored Mike Woodford, retiring this year from AHRI after 42 years of service.

BAC introduces Vertex Evaporative Condenser

BALTIMORE, Maryland, 21 November 2019: Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) has introduced the Vertex Evaporative Condenser, which the company described as “peak reliability meets easy maintenance”. The condenser offers maximum uptime with easy and safe accessibility, the company said through a Press release. It also has the lowest total cost of ownership with the lowest installation, maintenance, and operating costs, the company said.

“At BAC, we begin our innovation process by seeking to understand what our customers really need and want from us,” said Dave Klee, BAC Director of Sales and Marketing for North America. “In the case of the Vertex Evaporative Condenser, it was clear that there were many things they liked about our existing VCA product, but that there were opportunities to make it even better. So, the Vertex Condenser combines what customers like most about the VCA with compelling new innovations for the future. And of course, the Vertex Condenser uses evaporative cooling, so it’s an inherently sustainable solution for industrial refrigeration and other industrial process applications.”

Added Phil Hollander, Business Manager of Refrigeration for North America: “Our customers asked for easy maintenance and access, and the Vertex Condenser delivers. It has the largest access door, which easily accommodates a 6.5-foot-tall person with a sturdy step and safety handle. Technicians’ feet also stay dry while safely inspecting the low-volume basin from the internal walkway. Inspection of all nozzles is also fast and easy with the optional pre-assembled platforms at an ergonomic working height. The Vertex Condenser alleviates confined space limitations, and customers have already reacted very positively to the overall design.”

According to the release, the Vertex Evaporative Condenser reduces installation costs by 30%, in part by aligning the upper section to the lower section in less than 15 minutes per cell, due to the industrial-grade rigidity of the unit. Water volume is reduced by up to 30%, saving on water and chemical costs, the company said through the release. This helps reduce the operating weight by an average of 16%, the company added. The Vertex Condenser, the company further added, uses a direct-drive EC Fan System, which maximizes reliability and uptime, and reduces operating costs, while requiring no regular maintenance.

UAE’s Federal Electricity and Water Authority signs MoU with the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai

DUBAI, UAE, 6 November 2019: UAE’s Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai, FEWA said through a Press release. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) seeks to promote further cooperation in clean energy, the environment and sustainable resources, FEWA said. It was signed by H.E. Mohammad Mohammad Saleh, FEWA’s Director General, and H.E. Jens Martin Alsbirk, Consul General of Denmark in Dubai, with several FEWA officials and consulate staff in attendance, FEWA added.

The leading objective of the agreement is to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable water management between Denmark and the UAE, FEWA said through the release. The two entities have also agreed to establish a basis for knowledge sharing and cooperation in these sectors, in an effort to promote the use of scientific research to drive both countries’ plans to increase reliance on clean energy, FEWA added.

The two parties have identified activities of common interest in two different areas: optimisation and efficiency of water projects, and photovoltaic (solar energy) connection to the grid, FEWA said. According to the release, FEWA will collaborate with the Danish Water Efficiency Alliance MENA on water projects. The Alliance is a group of Danish water services and technology suppliers. It is set to offer support in water master planning and infrastructure, energy optimisation of pumping stations, and energy production from wastewater.

As for photovoltaic (PV) connection to the grid, the support of Danish companies will enhance solar energy efficiency at the 500 MW solar power plant in Umm Al Quwain, FEWA said. On a related note, the MoU calls for exchanging technical expertise and training, FEWA revealed. With that in mind, FEWA said, a group of Danish technical advisors from public water utilities, in addition to independent Danish research and technology organisations specialising in optimising operations, will share their knowledge and expertise during a number of yearly short-term stays in the UAE.

“We look forward to establishing strong partnerships and cooperation with our counterparts from around the world, in our effort to serve the UAE’s strategic objectives, ensure energy security, diversify energy sources, and increase reliance on alternative and renewable ones,” said H.E. Saleh. “Signing this MoU with the Royal Danish Consulate General in Dubai is part of a broader vision that seeks to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the electricity and water sector in the UAE, and shed light on the available investment opportunities to investors from all around the world.”

H.E. Alsbirk added: “I believe that by working together and sharing experiences we can accelerate the global green transition. This Memorandum of Understanding is a step on the way towards new and sustainable solutions for water and electricity services.

“By strengthening the bilateral cooperation in the field of energy, environment, and sustainable water management between Denmark and the UAE, it is my hope that we can develop the sustainable agenda, and lower energy and water consumption. We all face the same global challenges, and only by working together can we make a difference. This MoU shows a great commitment from FEWA and the Royal Danish Consulate to make a difference and do our best to find new sustainable solutions for our utility services.”

The Federal Electricity and Water Authority’s mission is to excel in providing electricity and water services, improve living conditions and standards, achieve sustainable growth, develop the infrastructure at electricity and water facilities to meet growing demand in the areas under its jurisdiction, and rationalise the consumption of electricity and water.

Posifa introduces new air velocity sensors

SAN JOSE, California, 4 November 2019: Posifa Technologies on October 31 introduced the PAV3000 series of what it described as economical, high-performance air velocity sensors with digital I2C output and a surface-mount footprint for thermal management and filter monitoring in even the most space-constrained locations. Unlike thermistor-based solutions, the company claimed through a Press release, PAV3000 has a MEMS sensor core that is minimally affected by ambient temperature changes and which provides instant real-time feedback on proper air flow at critical locations.

According to the company, the air velocity data from the sensors perfectly complements temperature information to provide the best insight into thermal efficiency. Since the PAV3000 helps identify areas that require unusually high air flow to maintain stable temperatures, layouts for rack enclosures with air cooling — such as those found in data centers — can be modified to reduce cooling demands for increased energy savings, the company said through the release. In applications such as HVAC systems, air velocity measurements can be used to determine when filters need to be replaced. This ensures hardware is adequately protected during heavy use, and it allows customers with light usage requirements to benefit from extended change intervals, the company said.

PAV3000 series devices feature Posifa’s third-generation thermal flow die, which uses a pair of thermopiles to detect changes in temperature gradient caused by mass flow, the company claimed. The result is excellent repeatability of 1% FS and accuracy of 5% FS. The solid-state thermal isolation structure on the sensor die eliminates the need for a surface cavity or the fragile membrane used in competing technologies, making the sensor resistant to clogging and pressure shock, the release said.

Measuring air velocity at 7 m/s (PAV3005V) and 15 m/s (PAV3015V), the PAV3000 series devices offer extremely fast response times of 125 ms typical in a compact, robust package, the company said, adding that the air velocity sensors feature a 12-bit digital output, 3.3 V supply voltage, and supply current of 13 mA.

 

ACWA Power signs PPA with Egypt

CAIRO, Egypt, 4 November 2019: Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power on October 30 signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Government of Egypt to develop, finance, construct and operate the Kom Ombo photovoltaic plant, which will yield a capacity of 200 MW, the company said through a Press release. The signing took place under the patronage of H.E. Dr Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt; H.E. Osama Naqli, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Egypt; and Dr Mohamed Shaker, Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the release said.

According to the release, the PPA was signed by Rajit Nanda, Chief Investment Officer, ACWA Power, and Eng. Sabah Mashaly, Chairman, Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company, in the presence of senior executives from ACWA Power and delegates from the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy.

Construction is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2021, the release said. Once operational, the release added, the plant will cater to the power needs of 130 thousand households, in addition to offsetting 280 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

“The signing of today’s project is a crucial building block that contributes to the Egyptian government’s vision – which aims to upscale sustainable energy security by moulding a balanced energy mix,” said Dr Shaker. “In reflection of H.H. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the overall government’s ambitious vision, we are keen to leverage renewable energy sources through transparent competitive procurement, which will cater to the country’s current clean energy needs while simultaneously safeguarding our future.

“The lowest tariff contracted to date for a solar energy in North Africa is not only a reflection of continuing improvement in technology and the entrepreneurship of the developer, ACWA Power, but also of the attractiveness of Egypt as an investment destination and the trade and commercial environment of Egypt to enable facilities of this nature to be financed, constructed and operated efficiently.”

Added Paddy Padmanathan, Chief Executive Officer, ACWA Power: “The Egyptian government has long recognised renewable energy as a safe and secure source of power to reliably provide electricity to its citizens while advancing their efforts in reducing carbon emissions. The Kom Ombo project that we are embarking upon today is a very strong testament to ACWA Power’s commitment to contribute to this mission.

“ACWA Power works alongside its partners to deploy the most up-to-date technologies and leverage sound investment opportunities to continue reducing the cost of generating renewable energy, which is one of the key pillars in driving sustainable economic development of a country. As a Saudi company, we are particularly proud of this partnership with our brothers and neighbours that will accelerate the deployment of clean energy, and contribute to the social and economic development of the Arab Republic of Egypt. This investment will not only generate 200 megawatts of solar energy, but will also power the creation of jobs by propagating a green economy and nurturing a vibrant society.”

Added Nanda: “We commenced our operations in Egypt through the launch of the Benban PV IPP project, and we are currently in discussions with the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity to finalise agreements for the 2,250 MW Dairut CCGT, with an investment value of 2.3 billion US dollars. Today, through the deployment of the Kom Ombo Plant, we are further branching our commendable trail in Egypt. Moreover, this clean energy project embodies the extension of our investments in the renewable sector in the continent, particularly in the North African region, which is witnessing a rapid growth in renewable energy projects.

According to the release, the construction and development of new PV plants in Egypt bolsters the efforts of the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy to increase the overall capacity of renewable energy to 20% by the year 2020.

GEA Bock wins Busworld Innovation Label Award 2019

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, 4 November 2019: GEA Bock’s StarCO₂mpressor, the new generation of mobile CO₂ compressors for electric bus and railway air conditioning and heating, in end-October received the Busworld Innovation Label Award 2019 at the world’s largest bus trade fair in Brussels, the company said through a Press release. The international jury of experts honoured the StarCO₂mpressor concept with innovative “star” drive gear design, which opens up new possibilities for economically and ecologically sustainable mobile electric bus and railway air conditioning, the company said.

“We are delighted that our new StarCO₂mpressor has received the Innovation Label Award,” said Ulrich Frey, Product Manager, Mobile Applications, GEA Bock. “It confirms the leading position of GEA Bock compressors in the refrigeration and air-conditioning technology sector and shows that functionality, economy and climate protection can go hand in hand even with mobile compressors for natural refrigerants.” According to the release, the StarCO₂mpressor was presented to an international trade audience for the first time at Busworld Brussels 2019, which took place from October 18 to 23.

According to the release, at the core of the StarCO₂mpressor is a radial piston technology, which is specially designed for trans-critical use with the natural refrigerant CO₂ (R-744) and enables a very compact system design with numerous technical and constructive innovations. “This makes the new mobile CO₂ compressor perfectly suited for space-saving roof installation in electric buses and railways,” Frey said. “This includes the lowest overall height in the industry of only 220 mm and the light weight of only 83 kg, which is at least 25% below the standard compressor in this performance class.”

According to the release, the compressor enables energy-saving heat generation even at low outside temperatures, down to -20 °C without power-consuming electric or environmentally harmful fuel-operated auxiliary heaters. This increases the range of an electric bus by up to 40%, the release said. “The innovative technology of the StarCO₂mpressor has already successfully proven its practical suitability in extensive field tests with renowned manufacturers,” Frey said. With the new StarCO₂mpressor, the release said, GEA Bock is expanding its portfolio of compressors for natural refrigerants with an ecologically and economically efficient technology for the future electromobility market.

ASHRAE releases expanded, revised version of Standard 90.1

ATLANTA, Georgia, 4 November 2019: ASHRAE has released an expanded, revised version of Standard 90.1. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019, Energy Efficiency Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, contains more than 100 changes from the 2016 version, including numerous energy-saving measures, the organization said through a Press release.

 

“The goal of the 2019 version of 90.1 was to provide clearer guidance for exceeding efficiency goals,” said Drake Erbe, Chair, Standard 90.1 committee. “This new version focuses on energy-saving measures, which we hope will reward designs for achieving energy cost levels above the standard minimum and result in more efficient buildings and more innovative solutions.”

According to the release, some significant changes include:

Administration and Enforcement: Commissioning requirements were added to the standard for the first time. Section 4.2.5, “Verification, Testing, and Commissioning,” was greatly expanded and requirements were outlined for commissioning, in accordance with ASHRAE/IES Standard 202.

 

Building Envelope: For vertical fenestration, the categories of “nonmetal framed” and “metal framed” products were combined. Minimum criteria for SHGC and U-factor were upgraded across all climate zones. The air leakage section was revised to clarify compliance. Changes to the vestibule section refined the exceptions and added a new option and associated criteria for using air curtains.

 

Lighting: Lighting power allowances for the Space-by-Space Method and the Building Area Method were modified. The model is more representative of real-world conditions with the inclusion of updated IES recommendations. A new simplified method for lighting (new Section 9.2) was added. Lighting control requirements for parking garages were updated. Daylight-responsive requirements and side-lighting requirements were updated.

Mechanical: New requirements were defined to allow designers the option to use ASHRAE Standard 90.4 instead of ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 requirements in computer rooms that have an IT equipment load larger than 10 kW. Pump definitions, requirements and efficiency tables are included in the standard for the first time.

 

Energy Cost Budget Method: Numerous changes were made to ensure continuity. The baseline was set for on-site electricity generation systems.

 

Performance Rating Method: Appendix G rules and the corresponding baseline efficiency requirement were clarified. Explicit heating and cooling COPs were provided without fan for the baseline packaged cooling equipment. Rules were added for modeling the impact of automatic receptacle controls. More specific baseline rules were set for infiltration modeling. Clarification was added for how plant and coil sizing should be performed. Building performance factors in Section 4 were updated.

 

Both Compliance Paths: Clearer and more specific rules were added related to how renewables are treated. Extensive updates were added to the rules for lighting modeling.

 

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

 

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

US, China reach partial trade agreement

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 17 October 2019: The United States and China on October 11 reached a partial trade agreement in the ongoing trade conflict between the two nations. China agreed to purchase as much as USD 50 billion of US agricultural products, while the United States agreed to postpone a tariff increase for Rounds 1-3 from 25% to 30%, which was set for October 15. The postponed tariff increase had been formalized in a September 3 Federal Register notice, and would affect approximately USD 250 billion of Chinese imports, AHRI noted through a Press release.

The postponement of the tariff rate increase affects many AHRI member products, as analyzed by AHRI here. Members are encouraged to review all tariff lists to ensure a complete analysis. For a full list of AHRI products and components affected by Section 301 tariffs, consult AHRI’s Tariff Tracker.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will likely publish a notice in the Federal Register soon to formalize the tariff increase postponement, AHRI said through the release, adding that it will notify members through a separate alert. President Donald Trump has referred to the agreement as a “very substantial phase one deal”, AHRI said. It is currently an informal agreement between Trump and Liu He, China’s Vice Premier, AHRI quoted Press reports as saying, adding that a formal written agreement will be drafted in the coming weeks.

AHR Expo announces 2020 Innovation Award winners

WESTPORT, Connecticut, 17 October 2019: AHR Expo Show Management on October 10 released the names of winners of the 2020 AHR Expo Innovation Awards competition. Hosted annually by the AHR Expo, products in 10 industry categories are recognized for their innovative contribution to HVACR, the organizers of AHR Expo said through a Press release. The winning products, technologies and systems from each award  category will be formally recognized during the 2020 AHR Expo, from February 3 to 5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, one of the category winners will be recognized as the most inventive and original product and will receive the 2020 Product of the Year Award, the release said. The ceremony is open to all Show attendees and will take place on February 4 at 1pm EST.

According to the release, winners are carefully reviewed and selected by a panel of third-party ASHRAE member judges, who evaluate award entries based on their innovative design, creativity, application, value and potential market impact.

“We had more entries submitted for the 2020 Innovation Awards than we’ve ever had,” said Mark Stevens, AHR Expo Show Manager. “This speaks volumes to the advancement and outstanding innovation happening within the HVACR industry at the moment. As in previous years, the technologies vying for a category award more than exceeded our expectations. We would like to congratulate each of our winners, finalists and all entrants for their leadership in advancing the future of our industry. We look forward to seeing these inventive solutions in action on the Show floor in Orlando and to honor our winners in a special ceremony.”

According to the release, the 2020 AHR Expo Innovation Award Winners and finalists selected within the categories of building automation, cooling, green building, heating, indoor air quality, plumbing, refrigeration, software, tools and instruments and ventilation are:

 

BUILDING AUTOMATION

Winner: Delta Controls Inc. (Booth 1161) – O3 Sensor Hub 2.0

Innovation: The O3 Sensor Hub 2.0 combines seven different sensors to provide the most accurate view of an interior space available on the market. IoT-enabled to function as a standalone room controller, the O3 Sensor Hub 2.0 combines temperature sensing, occupancy detection, humidity and wireless integration into one. This innovation uses Sensor Fusion to enhance the occupant experience with heightened room control and to reduce false occupancy detections. The O3 is ceiling-mounted to maximize functionality from the best vantage point of the room, enabling it to accurately detect occupancy with simple reads from body heat, keyboard noise or other motion. It also quickly detects when occupants leave the room, resulting in cost savings valuable to facilities management. With the O3 Sensor Hub 2.0, Delta Controls Inc. aims to change how the controls industry looks at occupant satisfaction.

Shane Murphy, Marketing Manager, Delta Controls, said: “I am incredibly proud of the Delta Controls team and of the product they developed. The O3 Sensor Hub allows users to experience the best room control on the market, and we are grateful to be recognized by AHR Expo and the ASHRAE committee for this product. At the 2020 Show, we are excited for the opportunity to show off the O3, and how Delta Controls is re-envisioning occupant experience.”

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

 

 

COOLING

Winner: Danfoss (Booth 1501) – Danfoss Interlaced Micro Channel Heat Exchanger (iMCHE)

Innovation: The Danfoss Interlaced Micro Channel Heat Exchanger (iMCHE) integrates multiple circuits into a single coil. It works using a shared air heat transfer area and controlling each one independently by a multi-circuits system. The iMCHE uses a whole air side heat transfer when operating under partial-load conditions to maximize efficiency. Based on the results of a recent case study, the IEER increased 18% when using the iMCHE solution. The iMCHE provides a compact and cost-effective solution for dual-circuit rooftop units. While public concern for climate change continues to increase and higher energy standards are predicted, the iMCHE allows equipment to easily meet new standards with low cost impact.

“Our iMCHE Interlaced Microchannel Heat Exchanger is the newest addition in the already expansive Danfoss MCHE portfolio and supports our efforts to provide quality MCHE for condenser, evaporator, heat pump, radiator and reheat applications,” said Jeff Tucker, Business Development, Danfoss. “The iMCHE was developed specifically for two-circuit refrigerant systems and targets the global Roof Top product as well as an array of two-circuit designs. Using iMCHE affords system developers the opportunity to improve overall system efficiency by more than 20%.  This is significant as new efficiency standards requiring approximately 15% efficiency increases will take effect starting in 2023.”

Finalists in this category include: Baltimore Aircoil Company (Booth 2321) – Nexus Modular Hybrid Cooler; Smardt Chiller Group Inc. (Booth 6643) – Smardt G-class 515B Low GWP Chiller; and Vertiv (Booth 2411) – Liebert VRC Rack Cooling System.

 

 

GREEN BUILDING

Winner: Danfoss (Booth 1501) – Danfoss Turbocor TG490 Compressor

Innovation: The Danfoss Turbocor TG490 Compressor is designed for air- or water-cooled chiller applications. The oil-free, variable-speed, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor is optimized for use with HFO-1234ze, which has a GWP of less than 1, and can also be used with low-GWP refrigerant R-515B. The Danfoss Turbocor TG490 is the first-of-its-kind oil-free, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor that offers industry-leading efficiency, reduced maintenance requirements and simplified design through the elimination of a traditional oil management system. It is also the industry’s first oil-free compressor technology with the flexibility to be used with low-GWP R-515B, which has a rating as low as 299 as well as A1 safety classification.

“We are thrilled to have been recognized once again by ASHRAE and the 2020 AHR Expo for our commitment to develop new technologies to help slow and ultimately reverse the process of global warming,” said Jose Alvares, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Danfoss Turbocor Compressors.  “With the new Danfoss Turbocor TG490 compressor, the world’s first oil-free, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor that can be used with R-515B, customers can now be compliant with applicable refrigerant regulations and safety codes due to its low GWP rating of 299 and ASHRAE A1 safety classification.”

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

 

 

HEATING

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

Innovation: The York LX Series TL9E Ultra-Low NOx Gas Furnace is an environmentally responsible gas furnace that meets even the most stringent standards for air quality while reducing greenhouse and smog-producing gases by up to 65% compared to standard low-NOx furnaces. The furnace is ENERGY STAR-rated and reduces fuel costs by as much as 20% when connected to select YORK home comfort systems.

“We are honored to receive this award, which recognizes our commitment to taking residential comfort beyond temperature control to meet the most stringent standards for efficiency and air quality,” said Justin Patrick, Vice President and General Manager, Residential Products, Ducted Systems, Johnson Controls. “The YORK Ultra-Low NOx furnace delivers exceptional reliability and durability to meet the needs of today’s homeowners.”

Finalists in this category include: AERCO, a Watts brand (Booth 1301) – AERCO Benchmark Platinum Boiler with Edge Controller; Emerson (Booth 2100) – Universal Single Stage Furnace Control for ECMx Blower Motors (Model 50X57-843); and Rheem Manufacturing Company (Booth 2743) – Rheem Ultra Low NOx Gas Furnace.

 

 

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

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

Innovation: The Purity Low Profile LED 1” Polarized Filter/LED Disinfection System (PLP-LED) by Fresh-Aire UV is the first 3-stage 1” polarized HVAC filtration system to incorporate Mini-LED technology. The PLP-LED offers high-efficiency filtration that captures 97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size. The system also uses antimicrobial UV reactive media with an advanced photocatalytic coating for odor and VOC reduction. Fresh-Aire UV’s filter mitigates many IAQ issues as well as many other challenges faced by occupants and contractors through delivery of a cleaner, safer filter to handle and service.

“We couldn’t be more proud and more excited to be recognized with the 2020 AHR Innovation Award for IAQ,” said Aaron Engel, Vice President, Business Development, Fresh-Aire UV. “The award represents the HVACR industry’s most innovative products, systems, and technologies, and we believe this perfectly represents the PLP-LED. Available in the most common filter sizes, the 3-stage 1” polarized HVAC filtration system delivers the effectiveness of an ultra-high-efficiency filter in a low-static pressure 1″ design. With advanced antimicrobial UV reactive media and disinfecting LED array, the PLP-LED represents the very best in filtration, providing maximum particulate removal and surface disinfection while reducing airborne odors and VOCs.”

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

 

 

PLUMBING

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

Innovation: LG Electronics USA, Inc. has developed the LG Hydro Kit, an indoor heat exchanger for LG Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems capable of transferring heat or cooling energy expelled from the air conditioning process to water, offering further efficiency of LG heat recovery and heat pump systems. Available in 42,000 and 96,000 Btu/h capacity, the LG Hydro Kits utilize waste energy generated during the conditioning process and enhance the energy efficiencies of LG VRF systems. This allows the hot or chilled water generated to then be distributed out to a number of different applications with integrated controls that set the temperature of the leaving water, hot water tank temperature or the temperature of the conditioned space.

“LG has exhibited at the AHR Expo for more than 15 years, and we always enjoy getting to connect with our key partners and customers, as well as having the chance to build new relationships at our booth during the show and at our events throughout the week,” said Lorie Quillin-Bell, Director of Marketing for LG Air Conditioning Technologies. “LG continues to challenge the industry to deliver exceptional innovation and value to our customers, so it’s a tremendous honor to receive an AHR Expo 2020 Innovation Award in the Plumbing Category for the LG Hydro Kit. This is a testament to the many benefits of our award-winning residential and commercial product offerings, and another example of LG’s commitment to providing innovative technologies that bring smarter, sustainable solutions to market.”

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

 

 

REFRIGERATION

Winner: Danfoss (Booth 1501) – Danfoss CO₂ Adaptive Liquid Management Solution

Innovation: The Danfoss CO₂ Adaptive Liquid Management (CALM) solution combines Danfoss’ liquid ejector and adaptive liquid control case controller algorithm to fully utilize the evaporator surface in display cases and cold rooms. This technology provides, without equipment change, up to 10% greater energy efficiency in addition to the energy-saving inherent of CO₂ refrigeration. The CALM solution works by pulling liquid refrigerant from the suction side and injects it into the evaporator of display cases and cold rooms. Danfoss’ CALM solution aims to assist customers in making the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants while saving energy, maintaining system reliability and ensuring food safety.

“CO2 Adaptive Liquid Management is the next generation in energy-saving technology that provides up to a 10% energy savings, in any climate, and all year round,” said James K Knudsen, North America Food Retail Segment Leader at Danfoss.

Added John Galyen, President, Danfoss North America: “Danfoss is committed to bringing innovation and next generation solutions to the market to help our customers and industry improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and meet climate regulations. Winning three awards this year is a testament to our investments, and we look forward to working with our industry partners to deploy these solutions in the HVACR market.”

Finalists in this category include: Emerson (Booth 2101) – Copeland End-to-End Solution for Micro-Distributed Architectures; Fresh-Aire UV (Booth 5853) – Ice UV-LED Disinfection System for Ice-Machines; and Sporlan Division – Parker Hannifan (Booth 2525) – SCS-PB Superheat Control System for Pulse Width Valve with Bluetooth feature.

 

SOFTWARE

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

Innovation: The Interplay Learning SkillMill Skilled Trades Course Catalog is an online, on-demand training course catalog designed for HVAC professionals to gain worksite skills accessible via mobile phone, computer, tablet or in virtual reality (VR). HVACR professionals can sign-on to view expert-led video courses designed to first drive understanding, then move on to the interactive, 3D-based HVAC troubleshooting simulations delivered via field-like training. The training platform aims to provide scalable training that is robust enough to keep up with the growing skills gap as well as prepare HVAC techs quickly for every situation or scenario they might encounter in the real world. The use of state-of-the-art 3D simulations creates a unique, immersive learning environment for users.

“We’re incredibly honored and humbled to receive this Innovation Award,” said Doug Donovan, CEO, Interplay Learning. “Our team is excited about AHR 2020 and being able to showcase our software, which is already making a huge impact in the HVAC community. Our software is the first-of-its-kind, an online training that technicians will actually use, because the simulations mimic on-the-job training. As a company, we’ve helped more than 75,000 people build key technical skills, so we’re confident in our ability to change the way the HVAC industry trains its professionals.”

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

 

TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS

 Winner: Matelex (Booth 2551) – DNI (détecteur de niveau intelligent/smart level detector)

Innovation: Matelex has developed a détecteur de niveau intelligent/smart level detector (DNI) system that measures pressure, temperature and refrigerant levels every 2-3 seconds, as well as conducts a complete leak-detection cycle every hour. The system is designed to trigger an alarm using algorithmic learning in the event of a detected leak. The smart refrigerant leak detection system is also coupled with a remote surveillance web interface (Sentinelle) to issue email alerts when a leak occurs. It is suitable for all refrigerants and tanks – vertical, horizontal, inclined horizontal – and connects to the IoT via WIFI, cable ethernet or 3G-4G modules. When tested in the food retail sector, the system has saved 79% of refrigerant compared to traditional methods due to real-time data alerts and increased responsiveness to system maintenance requirements.

“The Matelex team is delighted with this award and honored to have the opportunity to share its successes and future challenges with the stakeholders of the 2020 AHR Expo,” said Luc Dehon, CEO of Matelex. “We believe in the power of data to improve the performance of refrigeration installations, but also to reduce their environmental impact and guarantee a better future for future generations. Internet Of Refrigeration is on!”

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

 

 

VENTILATION

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

Innovation: The Infinitum Electric HVAC motor is significantly smaller, smarter and quieter than traditional electric motors. These benefits equate to an ultra-high-efficiency motor that results in up to 25% lower costs for customers. The motor uses a circuit board stator resulting in up to 60% less weight, superior durability, improved performance and enhanced IoT connectivity. Infinitum Electric aims to change the industry standard for motor size and weight.

“The fundamental design of the electric motor has evolved very little since it was developed over a century ago, and we’re honored that AHR has recognized our breakthrough motor technology,” said Ben Schuler, CEO, Infinitum Electric. “With our patented technology, we’ve been able to replace the iron laminated core and copper wire windings found in all motors with our patented Printed Circuit Board (PCB) stator. When applied to HVAC fans, compressors or pumps, this innovation results in lower costs, lighter weight and higher efficiency.”

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

 

 

 

ATLANTA, Georgia, 16 October 2019: ASHRAE on October 15 announced the incorporation of the Indoor Environmental Quality Global Alliance (IEQ-GA) as a legal entity. The announcement of IEQ-GA’s incorporation took place at a ceremony during the 40^th AIVC conference, on October 15 in Ghent, Belgium, the Society said through a Press release.

According to the release, the mission of the IEQ-GA is to promote and advocate for acceptable indoor environmental quality (thermal environment, indoor air quality, lighting and acoustics) for building occupants globally, while ensuring the knowledge from IEQ research is implemented in practice.

At the ceremony, the release said, the founding members celebrated with short speeches about the establishment of the alliance and presented its vision for achieving a healthy indoor environment in the building industry.

 

The Founding members of the corporation are the Italian Association of Air Conditioning; Ventilation and Refrigeration (AiCARR); the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA); the Air Filtration and Ventilation Center (AIVC); the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE); the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (REHVA) and ASHRAE.

“We are inspired by the forward-thinking approach IEQ-GA has in the building industry,” said 2019-20 ASHRAE President Darryl K Boyce. “It is critically important that we advocate for the well-being of the people who occupy our buildings. Through the collaborative efforts and resources of IEA-GA’s member organizations, we will continue to provide safe buildings for generations to come.”

According to the release, the creation of the IEQ-GA was the result of a presidential initiative of Bill Bahnfleth, 2013-14 ASHRAE Presidential Member and current IEQ-GA Vice President, based on the report of a presidential ad hoc committee, chaired by Bjarne Olesen, 2017-18 ASHRAE Presidential Member and current ASHRAE IEQ-GA Alternate Director. The committee was tasked with exploring ways in which industry groups could work together to address all aspects of indoor environmental quality and health, the release said.

 

According to the release, a memorandum of understanding was established between the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA), the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), AIHA, AIVC, REHVA and ASHRAE to form IEQ-GA. AiCARR and ISHRAE later became members of the alliance, the release added.

 

Olesen said: “An important attribute of IEQ-GA is that it is a non-industrial alliance among societies representing members that promote IEQ. The intent of IEQ-GA is to work with all partners of the value chain for indoor environmental quality, including building research, comfort and health research, building design, installation, commissioning, operation and occupant behavior. Furthermore, IEQ-GA will work with industry organizations to help their members to provide products and services that promote IEQ.”

 

According to the release, the founding members represent professionals from various disciplines linked to indoor environment and are committed to work together and promote education, research and knowledge exchange at a global scale; to develop standards, codes, guidelines; and to encourage advocacy among the general public in indoor environments around the world.

The IEQ-GA, the release said, is currently seeking new members from all the involved sectors and disciplines to join forces. Sectors include architects, engineers, environmental professionals, industrial/occupational hygienists and health section specialists, among others.

Belgium, Greece and the UAE set to participate in The Big 5 Construct Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya, 8 October 2019: The Big 5 Construct Kenya – the official exhibition of Kenya’s National Construction Week, organised by the National Construction Authority (NCA) – will showcase top local and international construction brands and offer free access to education sessions, providing a platform where visitors can network, do business and keep updated on investment opportunities in the country, dmg events, the organisers of the show, said through a Press release. The show will take place from November 5 to 7 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), in Nairobi. It will be held under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works.

Muhammed Kazi, Portfolio Director, dmg events, said: “We are excited to bring back The Big 5 Construct Kenya 2019. Following a 70% growth of the exhibition in 2018, we are delighted to announce that the event continues to grow this year with all new country pavilions. We look forward to contributing to Kenya’s National Vision 2030 and Big Four Agenda.”

International exhibitors from Belgium, Greece, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE have confirmed participation, the release said. The show will feature new Egypt and Kuwait country pavilions, which highlight an increased interest in Kenya’s investment opportunities, the release said.

Hammad AlZubi, Manager, Promotion and Export Opportunities Department, Public Authority of Industry (Kuwait), said: “Kenya is gaining importance as a logistic center for all those who want to enter the African market and the landlocked countries in Central Africa through the ports of Kenya.”

Ensuring that the entire building cycle is represented at the event, exhibitors will display the latest building innovations and solutions across five product sectors: Building Interiors, Building Materials & Tools, Building Services, HVAC-R, and Concrete & PMV, the release said.

More than just an exhibition, The Big 5 Construct Kenya will bring together industry pioneers to host over 40 free-to-attend and CPD (continuing professional development) certified education sessions, the release said.

Jacklyne Betty, Analytics Consultant, KPMG (East Africa), and speaker at the event, said: “Information sharing is essential, and most industries are grappling with the repercussions of simply not being in the know. To have free education at The Big 5 Construct Kenya will greatly benefit the industry.”

Barack Obama to speak at 2019 Greenbuild Conference & Expo

Washington, D.C., 7 October 2019: Former US President Barack Obama will be one of the keynote speakers at the 2019 Greenbuild Conference & Expo, scheduled to take place from November 19 to 22 at the Georgia World Congress Center, in Atlanta, Georgia, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) said through a Press release.

According to the release, Greenbuild Atlanta will bring together more than 20,000 of the world’s business, environmental and social leaders to motivate, inform and inspire the activities that accelerate the USGBC’s mission.

The USGBC launched the Living Standard Campaign at Greenbuild Chicago in 2019, solidifying its commitment to creating a higher living standard and a better quality of life for everyone, the release said, adding that this year, with Greenbuild Atlanta’s theme, A New Living Standard, the USGBC is taking that commitment to the next level, showcasing Greenbuild as the platform to celebrate the people who are working to challenge the status quo and raise the standard of living for every person on the planet.

The former US President’s participation is one of the highlights of the event. “President Obama knows a lot about challenging the status quo and fighting for change,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President & CEO, USGBC. “In times of great challenge and cultural change, President Obama lead the country towards a stronger economy, a more equal society, and a nation more secure at home and more respected around the world. During his two terms, President Obama worked tirelessly to redefine the American narrative so that people could see America the way he always has – as the only place on Earth where so many of our stories could even be possible.

“The future of the human race is interlaced with the future of the planet, and the sustainable practices we celebrate and advance at Greenbuild remind us that our success as sustainability advocates, practitioners and professionals is more than a movement, it is a responsibility.”

CAREL Group reports strong growth in H1 2019

PADOVA, Italy, 7 October 2019: CAREL achieved consolidated revenues of €166.9 million in H1 2019, the Group said through a Press release. The figure represents a growth of 20.3% compared to the first six months of 2018, the release added.

In a nutshell:                        

• Consolidated revenues of € 166.9 million, growth of 20.3% compared to the first six months of 2018 (+19.3% based on constant exchange rates). Based on the same scope of consolidation, growth reached 7.3%, with revenues of € 148.9 million.
• Consolidated EBITDA of € 33.7 million (20.2% of revenues for the period), +39.4% compared to the first six months of 2018;
• Consolidated net income of € 19.0 million, +21.7% over the net income in the first six months of 2018);
• Negative consolidated net financial position of € 76.1 million

 

Francesco Nalini, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “The revenues registered in the first six months of 2019 mark a 20.3% increase over the same period in 2018 with an acceleration compared to the first quarter of this year, which reported a 19.5% growth. All geographic areas and the expansion in the scope of consolidation through the two companies acquired last December (Hygromatik and Recuperator) contributed to these performances. Profitability also improved compared to the first quarter of this year: the Ebitda margin went from 19.6% as at 31 March 2019 to 20.2% in the half, mainly thanks to the effect of operating leverage. The results obtained are particularly important, given the presence of an unfavourable global economic scenario, and they demonstrate the resilience and solid balance of the Group’s business portfolio.”

Revenues amounted to € 166.9 million, compared to € 138.8 million, as at 30 June 2018, marking an increase of +20.3%, the release said. This performance, an acceleration with respect to that recorded in the first quarter of the year, benefitted from a favourable trend in all geographic areas (EMEA, Asia Pacific, North America and South America) and in all segments (HVAC and Refrigeration), thanks to the combination of cross-selling and up-selling initiatives with customers already acquired, based on the continuous technological progress of the solutions offered by the Group and thanks to the activities of the sales force in searching for new business opportunities, the release said. This was augmented by the contribution of Hygromatik and Recuperator, the two companies acquired in December 2018, amounting to roughly € 18.1 million, the release added. The positive exchange effect was limited to around € 1.4 million, the release further added.

The geographical area which registered the biggest increase in percentage terms was North America, which, by contrast, in the first quarter had been hampered by logistics problems linked to the saturation of the plant located in Pennsylvania, the release said. These inconveniences were resolved with the completion of a productive logistics expansion project, which enabled a recovery in the significant backlog and, therefore, led to growth in revenues of close to 30%, the release said. Also, the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa) reported double-digit growth, thanks to the contribution of the newly acquired companies, mentioned earlier, and the continuous technological innovation and sales strengthening activities, the release said. Significant performances were recorded in APAC (Asia Pacific), with growth approaching 10%, despite greater volatility, mainly as a result of the introduction of duties on trade between the United States and China, the release said. It is important to note the completion of the new Chinese plant in the city of Suzhou, which trebles the dimensions of the previous one, which was unveiled on July 16, the release said. Lastly, the release said, the results in the South America region also improved, despite a major critical political and economic situation, which is affecting the continent.

 

Mexichem becomes Orbia

MEXICO, 7 October 2019: As you may know, Mexichem Fluor, part of a community of companies under the umbrella of a larger company, called Mexichem, has launched new names, with Mexichem henceforth to be called Orbia and Mexichem Fluor to be called Koura, the company said through a Press release.

“Orbia” is a combination of the Latin word for spherical globe (Orb) and Bia, the personification of force in Greek mythology, the company said through the release, adding that putting the two together gave the word the meaning, ‘a force for the world’.

Koura, the company said, has its origins in the word, ‘courage’, sometimes spelled as ‘kouraj’. The company said it is excited to adopt a new name that reflects its identity as a company that takes a courageous approach to the safety and health of its people and the environments and communities it operates in, to innovation and to advancing life around the world.

Elaborating on what the new brand names mean for Mexichem Fluor customers, the company said no contracts, purchase agreements or existing arrangements need to be amended, because the legal entity names will remain the same. The company said through the release that it simply wanted to make its customers aware of the new brands, because they would begin to see the Orbia and Koura logos on communications, products and signage.

Hisense launches ducted split range with top-discharge condensers

DUBAI, UAE, 3 October 2019: Hisense on September 30 launched a new range of ducted split 1:1 with top-discharge condenser units for T3 conditions for the UAE market. The launch happened during the 3rd edition of The Client Consultant Contractor Conference, organised by CPI Industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Moan Abraham, Vice President & GM (Middle East & Africa), Hisense Middle East, said the condenser units feature high-efficiency scroll compressors, which run on R-410a. In addition, he said, the units feature high-performance heat exchangers and score high on reliability, with the ability to operate in temperatures up to 55 degrees C.

Abraham said that Hisense’s residential ducted splits are designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of homes, offices, hotels and residential apartments. The ducted splits with the top-discharge condensing units, he added, are available in four different models, starting from 2.5 tonnes of refrigeration (TR) to 5 TR at nominal AHRI condition, which make them ideally suited in terms of a small footprint, overall space saving and a pleasant exterior appearance.

The ducted splits, Abraham said, are designed and rated in accordance with ESMA, ESTIDAMA and MEW regulations. The units, he added, are suitable for operating in a wide range of ambient temperatures in cooling mode, starting from 55 degrees F (13 degrees C) up to a maximum of 131 degrees F (55 degrees C).

The condensing units, Abraham said, are provided with fully hermetic scroll-type compressors, designed for high efficiency and provided with advanced controls and safety devices. All compressors, Abraham said, are provided with crankcase heaters, which warm the oil and protect against the possibility of migration of refrigerant into the compressor during off cycle. HP and LP controls are provided for the safe operation of the compressor, Abraham said, adding that the specific design of the condensing unit is suitable for high-rise building installation, with a vertical lift of up to 35 metres.

President Trump announces delay for increased Section 301 tariffs on China

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 3 October 2019: US President Donald Trump tweeted on September 11 that he will delay by two weeks – to October 15 – the 5 per cent (from 25-30%) increase in Section 301 tariffs on USD 250 billion worth of goods, “at the request of the Vice Premier of China, Liu He, and due to the fact that the People’s Republic of China will be celebrating their 70th anniversary… as a gesture of goodwill”, AHRI said through a Press release.

On September 3, the release said, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) formalized the increase in tariffs on the first three rounds (approximately $250 billion) of Section 301 tariffs, as described in AHRI’s September 3 International Affairs Alert. AHRI will notify members once the USTR formalizes via a Federal Register notice the afore-mentioned two-week delay, the release said.

According to the release, the tariff rate increases affect many AHRI member products, as previously analyzed by AHRI here. Members are encouraged to review China’s tariff lists to ensure a complete analysis, the release said. For a full list of AHRI products and components affected by Section 301 tariffs, the release quoted AHRI as asking members to consult its Tariff Tracker.

UL, Underwriters Laboratories announce leadership succession

NORTHBROOK, Illinois, United States, 24 September 2019: UL and parent company, Underwriters Laboratories on September 23 announced through a Press release that Keith Williams has decided to retire as President and CEO, after 15 years of service. Williams will continue to support each organization through an interim period to ensure a smooth transition, the release added.

According to the release, the UL Board of Directors has appointed Jennifer Scanlon as President and CEO of UL and as a member of the UL Board of Directors, effective September 30, 2019. Scanlon most recently served as President, CEO and a Director of USG Corporation, a 116-year-old innovative building products manufacturer and one of UL’s oldest clients. Over her 16-year career at USG, Scanlon led the company through some of its most significant strategic moves, including establishing the global joint venture, USG Boral Building Products, and divesting L&W Supply, the release said. In 2018, she negotiated the sale of USG to Knauf for USD 7 billion, which represented a 76% premium to the company’s stock price compared to when Scanlon was named CEO, the release added. The transaction closed April 24, 2019. She is the first woman to serve as president and CEO of UL.

 

James Shannon, Chair of the UL Board of Directors and of the Underwriters Laboratories Board of Trustees, said: “Jenny brings exceptional integrity, experience, talent and technology expertise to UL. A Chicago-area native, Jenny also has a global perspective that is certain to benefit UL, having previously led USG’s 8,000 employees around the world. Given her dedication to safety and innovation and her demonstrated success in growing a global business, we are confident she is the right leader for UL at this time.”

 

Speaking in response to the appointment, Scanlon said: “It is an honor to be joining UL, as technological advances continue to drive dramatic changes in UL’s clients’ operations. As a mission-driven organization with a record of innovation, UL is in a unique position to assist our clients in enabling the safe adoption of their products. I look forward to working with UL’s 14,000 talented associates around the world to advance our capabilities and build on UL’s 125-year legacy of safety and trust.”

 

Underwriters Laboratories also announced through the release that its board of trustees has appointed Terrence Brady, currently President of Underwriters Laboratories, as President and CEO of Underwriters Laboratories, effective January 1, 2020, upon Williams’ retirement from that role. Brady will continue to lead the transformation of the 125-year-old non-profit organization to become the world’s leading safety science research and standards development institution, the release said.

 

Shannon said: “Given Terry’s strong track record at our organization, we know that he will continue to be a significant asset as the new President and CEO of Underwriters Laboratories. At Underwriters Laboratories, Terry has excelled in all of his leadership positions, helping to develop our strategy and drive its execution. Terry’s first-hand knowledge of Underwriters Laboratories, its history, mission and opportunities will serve Underwriters Laboratories and its stakeholders well.”

Brady said: “For 125 years, Underwriters Laboratories has strived to instill trust through the science of safety. I am excited to build on this heritage as President and CEO to further the trust in our organization, which will remain key to our success. Ground-breaking safety research, standards development and outreach all continue to be priorities as we look to collaborate with our stakeholders to make the world a safer place.”

 

Speaking about Williams’ tenure at, and retirement from, UL and Underwriters Laboratories, Shannon said, “In his 15 years with our organization, Keith has made significant, long-lasting contributions that have enabled us to successfully extend our safety mission around the world. Today, UL and Underwriters Laboratories each benefit from a strong operating foundation to support their respective growth and leadership well into the future. We wish Keith the best in his retirement and also offer our deep gratitude for his dedication and service to UL and Underwriters Laboratories.”

 

Williams said, “I am proud of all that we have accomplished over the past years and thank the outstanding associates across UL and Underwriters Laboratories who have joined me in transforming – and strengthening – our organization. I pass the baton to the next generation of leadership knowing that we are better positioned than ever to help advance innovation and solve the critical safety, quality, security and sustainability challenges around the world.”

JCI launches YORK YZ magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller in the Middle East

DUBAI, UAE, 19 September 2019: Johnson Controls has launched the YORK YZ magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller to its Middle East customers, the company said through a Press release. The YORK YZ delivers up to 35% annual energy savings, reduced maintenance costs and is optimized for ultimate performance with a low-GWP refrigerant, the release quoted the company as saying. The cooling capacity for the Middle East units ranges from 165 to 1,350 tonnes of refrigeration (580 to 4747 kW), the release said.

“With the launch of the YORK YZ chiller, we are proud to be delivering another industry-leading chiller to meet the demands of our customers in the Middle East,” said Claude Allain, VP and GM – Building, Technologies and Solutions, Middle East & Africa, Johnson Controls. “The extreme dry climate of the region presents a variety of cooling challenges. Coupled with the success of magnetic bearings in the region, the operating range map of chillers for the Middle East makes the YORK YZ an ideal choice for a variety of application needs in the Middle East.”

According to the release, since its initial launch, in 2018, the YORK YZ has made a significant global impact, capturing top honors in North America, China, Europe and Australia. The YZ chiller, the release said, was named 2019 AHR Innovation Award winner in the Cooling category. The success of the chiller, the release added, has already been seen in the Middle East, as the first YORK YZ project has been sold in the region. Globally, the release further added, this is the second largest YZ project sold to date and will be installed later this year.

According to the release, the YORK YZ is the first chiller fully optimized for ultimate performance with a next-generation low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant – R-1233zd(E). Chosen for its efficiency, safety, availability, low environmental impact and cost, the non-flammable refrigerant has an ultra-low GWP of 1 and is readily available from refrigerant manufacturers, the release quoted the company as claiming.

The YZ chiller, the release said, can deliver significant energy savings and lower operating costs by taking advantage of the off-design conditions, where chillers operate 99% of the time. The YZ chiller, the release said, operates with entering condenser water temperature as low as 40°F (4.5°C), providing enhanced performance in every operating condition and the widest operating envelope in the industry. The YORK YZ, the release added, uses an optimized single-stage design to provide industry-leading, real-world energy efficiency.

 

Systemair acquires distributor in Morocco

SKINNSKATTEBERG, Sweden, 2 September 2019: Systemair has acquired Systemair Maroc in Morocco, the company said through a Press release.

Systemair Maroc sells Systemair’s products in Morocco and West Africa, the release said. According to the release, the company had sales of approximately SEK 70 million in 2018 and has 27 employees. The sales company, with office and warehouse in Casablanca, had so far had a license agreement to act under the name Systemair. The acquisition, the release said, represents 60% of the total shares in the company, with an option to acquire the remaining shares within three years.

Roland Kasper, CEO, Systemair, said, “Morocco is a growth market, and we continue to see good opportunities for Systemair products both in Morocco and in West Africa, in general.”

ASHRAE announces 2019-20 Society scholarship recipients

ATLANTA, Georgia, 1 September 2019: ASHRAE, in a Press release, announced the recipients of 33 Society scholarships, totaling USD 166,000, for the 2019-2020 academic year.

“We are proud of the hard work and incredible determination of our 2019-20 scholarship recipients, as they strive to achieve their academic goals,” said Samir Traboulsi, Chair, ASHRAE scholarship trustees. “One of the objectives of the ASHRAE Scholarship Program is to inspire the next generation of engineering professionals to work towards solving some of the world’s greatest HVAC&R challenges. We are pleased that this program is making such an impactful contribution to the future success of our industry.”

The following awards provide a USD 10,000 scholarship:

Willis H Carrier Scholarships
Phillip Preuss, Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University and Nathan German, Architectural Engineering, University of Nebraska Lincoln at Omaha, are the recipients of a Willis H Carrier Scholarship established by the Carrier Corp. in memory of its founder, who installed the world’s first scientifically designed air-conditioning system.

Reuben Trane Scholarships
Issac Golumbia, Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria; Megan Bush, Architectural Engineering, North Carolina A&T State University and Ethan Engle, Architectural Engineering, Kansas State University are the recipients of a Reuben Trane Scholarship, which is to be awarded over two years and was established by the Trane Co. in memory of its founder, an innovative engineer, inventor and business executive, who held 28 patents.

The following awards provide one-year USD 5,000 scholarships:

Frank M Coda Scholarship
Mikaela Myrin, Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, is the recipient of the Frank M Coda Scholarship, created in memory of ASHRAE’s former executive vice president, who served from 1981-2004.

Gordon V R Holness Engineering Scholarship
Erica Acton, Architectural Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, is the recipient of the Gordon V R Holness Engineering Scholarship, named in honor of ASHRAE Presidential Member Gordon V R Holness, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, who served as the Society’s president in 2009-10.

Gordon V R Holness Engineering Technology Scholarship
Thomas Guilfoil, Mechanical Engineering Technology, State University of New York College of Technology, is the recipient of the Gordon V R Holness Engineering Technology Scholarship.

Lynn G Bellenger Engineering Scholarship
Sydney Bellows, Architectural Engineering, Kansas State University, is the recipient of the Lynn G Bellenger Engineering Scholarship, which recognizes female undergraduate engineering students and is named in memory of the Society’s first female president, who served as the Society’s president in 2010-11.

Lynn G Bellenger Engineering Technology Scholarship
Samantha Daniels, Architectural Engineering Technology, Vermont Technical College, is the recipient of the Lynn G Bellenger Engineering Technology Scholarship, which recognizes female undergraduate engineering technology students.

Alwin B Newton Scholarship
Cheuk Fung Lam, Building Services Engineering, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, is the recipient of the Alwin B Newton Scholarship, named for an industry pioneer and ASHRAE Fellow who was granted 219 patents.

David C J Peters Scholarship
Rachel Coyle, Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, is the recipient of the David C J Peters Scholarship, created by Southland Industries to honor Peters, an advocate of recruiting quality.

Duane Hanson Scholarship
Alexander Rodrigues, Architectural Engineering, University of Cincinnati, is the recipient of the Duane Hanson Scholarship, established by Gayner Engineers and is named for the company’s former president.

Legacy Scholarship
Esteban Garcia Ponte, Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, is the recipient of the Legacy Scholarship.

ASHRAE Region IV Benny Bootle Scholarship
Lauren Johnson, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, is the recipient of the ASHRAE Region IV Benny Bootle Scholarship, named for a former Region IV chair and regional director on the ASHRAE Board of Directors.

James R Bullock Jr Scholarship
Josh Blalock, Engineering – Mechanical Option, East Carolina University, is the recipient of the James R Bullock, Jr Scholarship, named in memory of the late Bullock Jr, PE, Life Member of ASHRAE, who served as president of Environmental Air Systems Inc.

General Scholarship
Jon Henry Cowart, Electrical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, is the recipient of the General Scholarship.

Engineering Technology Scholarships
Landon Fisher, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology; Andrew Scott, Architectural Engineering Technology, Vermont Technical College and Nicholas Schramski, HVAC Engineering Technology, Ferris State University, are the recipients of an Engineering Technology Scholarship.

Freshman Engineering Scholarship
Owen Lutz, Architectural Engineering, Kansas State University, is the recipient of the Freshman Engineering Scholarship.

The following awards provide one-year USD 3,000 scholarships:

Henry Adams Scholarship
Charleson Asibor, Architectural Engineering, University of Lagos, is the recipient of the Henry Adams Scholarship, established by Henry Adams, Inc. in memory of its founder, a charter member and sixth president of ASHRAE’S predecessor society, ASHVE, established in 1899.

ASHRAE Region I Setty Family Foundation Scholarship
Jake Pforr, Facilities Engineering, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, is the recipient of the ASHRAE Region I Setty Family Foundation Scholarship, named in honor of Boggarm Setty, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member.

ASHRAE Region III Setty Family Foundation Scholarship
Maggie Smith, Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, is the recipient of the ASHRAE Region III Setty Family Foundation Scholarship.

ASHRAE Minnesota Chapter Peter Potvin Scholarship
Andrew Kivi, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, is the recipient of the ASHRAE Minnesota Chapter Peter Potvin Scholarship, named in memory of a former president of the Minnesota Chapter.

ASHRAE New Jersey Chapter Scholarship
Veronica DeStefano, Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is the recipient of the ASHRAE New Jersey Chapter Scholarship.

ASHRAE Central New York Chapter King-Traugott Scholarship
Garrett Fields, Mechanical Engineering Technology, State University of New York at Canton, is the recipient of the ASHRAE Central New York Chapter King-Traugott Scholarship, named in memory of ASHRAE Life Members Fritz Traugott, PhD, Fellow ASHRAE, and Harry King.

ASHRAE Ottawa Valley Chapter Scholarship
Matthew Woods, Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, Carleton University, is the recipient of the ASHRAE Ottawa Valley Chapter Scholarship.

Donald E Nichols Scholarship
Austin Estes, Mechanical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, is the recipient of the Donald Nichols Scholarship, named for a former ASHRAE vice president and graduate of Tennessee Technological University.

High School Senior Scholarships
Peter Bennett, HVAC Technology, Pennsylvania College of Technology; Joshua Adair, Architectural Engineering, Lawrence Technological University; Isabella Gayoso, mechanical engineering, Pennsylvania State University; and Gregory Melone, Mechanical Engineering, Clarkson University, are the recipients of a High School Senior Scholarship.

Over the course of 30 years, ASHRAE has awarded over USD 2.25 million to over 460 students. Applications are now being accepted for the 2020-2021 undergraduate engineering, technology, regional/chapter, and university-specific scholarships. The application deadline is December 1, 2019.

President Trump raises tariff rates on Chinese imports

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 27 August 2019: President Donald Trump on August 23 announced that the United States would raise Section 301 tariff rates on products imported from China, after China’s announcement earlier the same day that it would impose tariffs on USD 75 billion worth of US goods, AHRI said through a Press release.

The United States will raise tariff rates according to the following schedule:

• Round 1 (USD 34 bn) will increase from 25% to 30% on October 1
• Round 2 (USD 16 bn) will increase from 25% to 30% on October 1
• Round 3 (USD 200 bn) will increase from 25% to 30% on October 1
• Round 4 List A (~USD 110 bn) will increase from 10% to 15% on September 1
• Round 4 List B (~USD 160 bn) will increase from 10% to 15% on December 15

According to the release, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will publish a notice in the Federal Register in the coming days to formalize these announced tariff increases. AHRI said through the release that it will notify members via a separate alert.

CAREL launches E2V-CW

BRUGINE, Padova, Italy, 27 August 2019: CAREL, which specialises in control solutions for the air conditioning, refrigeration and air humidification sectors, has introduced E2V-CW, its new electronic expansion valve with copper fittings designed for transcritical CO₂ applications.

Announcing the launch of the valve through a Press release, the company said the goal of reducing the environmental impact of refrigerant gases and the consequent interest in CO₂, combined with the desire to reduce the costs associated with this technology, drove the development of a new generation of high-performance components. The new E2V-CW family, featuring copper fittings, has been developed as the evolution of the previous series of high pressure valves, the release said.

E2V-CW is installed by simply braze-welding the special copper fittings, rather than the more complex and expensive welding techniques required for stainless steel, the release said. This installation simplicity further lowers the barriers to the use of CO₂, and allows OEMs of Hecu and Heos condensing units to optimise their line assembly processes using K65 copper pipes, the release said

According to the release, the E2V-CW uses modulating equipercentile control, guaranteeing the utmost accuracy and a rapid response in the control of refrigeration systems. This feature is common across the entire range of CAREL ExV valves, and ensures extreme precision at low-cooling capacities and a fast response to sudden variations in load at high capacities, the release said. It is the only efficient solution for circuits with an extended range of modulation, the release added.

The E2V-CW has a stainless steel filter supplied as standard, the release said. Furthermore, a wide range of hermetic stators is available, suitable for any type of installation, the release added. Together, the release further added, these guarantee the highest reliability for any application, even in extreme conditions.

#hvac #refrigeration

 

California company advocates switch to ozone for disinfecting cooling towers

IRVINE, California, 27 August 2019: Plant engineers who’ve switched, or who are thinking about the switch, to ozone (O₃) disinfection of water for high-temperature evaporative cooling towers will find that its reagent-less OZ80 Ozone Analyzer provides a green-friendly design that helps them optimize treatment while at the same time reducing cost, simplifying maintenance and avoiding complex environmental issues, Electro-Chemical Devices (ECD) said through a Press release.

The OZ80 helps ensure effective ozone treatment of cooling tower water to prevent bacterial growth, scaling and corrosion, the release said. Ozone as a disinfectant replaces the need for chlorine and other harsh biocides and inhibitor chemicals that are considered toxic hazards, and require special wastewater treatment and effluent monitoring, the release said.

In comparison to reagent-type analyzers that come with multiple components, which first must be installed and then require field calibration, the OZ80 Analyzer is factory-assembled and factory-calibrated, prior to arrival, the release said. All the technician needs to do is mount the panel and connect the drain lines, plug in the power cord and select the outputs on the display as 0 to 2.0 ppm for water disinfection or 0-20.00 pm for oxidation and bleaching operations, the release added.

According to the release, dual-range measurement of both ozone parameters also is available with the OZ80 Analyzer. O₃ is a colorless to pale blue gas that, in low concentrations, gives off an irritating acidic odor. It is a strong oxidizer, stronger than either chlorine (Cl) or chlorine dioxide (ClO₂), the release said. O₃ reacts quickly and disintegrates into oxygen gas without the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts (DPBs) common to chlorine disinfectants that require additional costly treatment, the release said. It also increases the amount of oxygen in the water, the release said.

According to the release, O₃ is gaining ground as a disinfectant and bleaching agent in multiple industrial processes. It has been used for years in municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, the release pointed out. It is useful at several points in the drinking water treatment process as an oxidizer for removing metals from well water as well as organics, odors and color from surface water, too, the release said.

The OZ80 Analyzer features powerful amperometric sensors to detect and monitor O₃ levels, the release said, adding that the sensors are manufactured with a gold cathode, a silver anode and a rugged microporous membrane. Unlike many other analyzers, there are no reagents required with the OZ80 Analyzer, the release said. Its O₃ sensor technology and pH measurement are reagent-less designs, the release said. These sensors, the release added, keep the cost of ownership low by not requiring expensive reagents.

According to the release, the O₃ sensors are smart sensors, with their identity and calibration information stored internally. Communication between the OZ80 Analyzer’s T80 Transmitter and the O₃ sensor is via MODBUS, the release said. The sensors are flow-sensitive requiring a minimum flow rate of 0.5 ft/sec; above this flow rate, the reading is virtually independent of the flow rate, the release said.

According to the release, the OZ80 Analyzer’s constant head flow control device (CFD) maintains the optimum flow rate moving past the sensor for sampling purposes. The CFD’s automatic flow control capability, the release said, eliminates the need for pressure regulators and rotameters, which are required by many other H₂O₂ analyzers to reduce system maintenance and lifecycle operating costs.  The minimum flow rate required by the CFD, the release said, is 10 gal/hr, and the maximum flow rate is 80 gal/hr, with the sample draining at atmospheric pressure.

#hvac #refrigeration

 

Danfoss set to conduct Refrigerant Week

Nordborg, Denmark, 26 August 2019: Danfoss will conduct the third cycle of its annual Refrigerant Week event from September 16 and 20, the company said through a Press release. The focus of the third cycle will be on equipping installers involved in changing refrigerants and presenting solutions that are ready and available, the release added.

According to the release, the global event will prepare installers – alongside resellers, wholesalers, operators and OEM engineers – to handle the accelerating pace of refrigerant transition, through a packed programme of webinars, podcasts and local training events.

All webinars, the release said, will be scheduled to give as many installers as possible, in a wide variety of time zones, the opportunity to tune in live, for subjects including:

• Handling flammable refrigerants
• New developments in CO₂ technology
• Moving on from R404A and R22
• Global refrigerant trends that impact your business
• Digital tools to help conversion

According to the release, sessions will cover industrial, commercial and food refrigeration, as well as air conditioning. There will be content in many different languages, to ensure global coverage, the release said.

Torben Funder-Kristensen, Head of Public and Industry Affairs, Danfoss Cooling, said: “Refrigerant transition is an issue that affects installers all round the world, and the global nature of our Refrigerant Week reflects that. We want to help professionals everywhere to stay abreast of the latest issues and trends but, more importantly, to contribute to the conversation and give their view.

“We based the program on frequently asked questions from HVAC-R professionals, so whether you want to know more about transitioning from R404A and Handling A2L and A3 refrigerants, or you simply want the latest practical information on leading-edge CO₂ technologies, we’re confident there’s something for everyone.

“2019 is a particularly important milestone in HVAC-R. We celebrate 32 years since the Montreal Protocol came into force. And the results are remarkable, the world has moved away from CFCs to help stop ozone depletion, and we’re now even seeing a recovery of the ozone layer.

“But, as we enter a new phase of environmental concern with skyrocketing CO₂ emissions, it’s never been more important to discuss and debate refrigeration on a supranational scale – including the new amendments to the Montreal Protocol. We’re proud of how Danfoss Refrigeration Week facilitates these conversations, and we’re delighted how much it has grown in three years.”

To access the webinars, visit refrigerants.danfoss.com.

 

#webinars #refrigerants #hvac #refrigeration

With brand new LNG terminal and a Gas Mega Hub, Equatorial Guinea drives the African game

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 26 August 2019: Equatorial Guinea made yet another step closer to becoming a gas hub for Africa on August 20, as it inaugurated the first LNG storage and regasification plant to be built on the western African coast, the African Energy Chamber said through a Press release. While western Africa is a major global exporter of gas from Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, no import infrastructure had been installed until now to encourage the import and use of African gas within Africa itself, the release said.

The new plant, the release said, is being built at the Port of Akonikien, on Equatorial Guinea’s mainland, by local contractor Elite Construcciones. With a storage capacity of 14,000 cubic metres in 12 bullet tanks, it is the first of its kind and allows LNG to be distributed on the mainland, the release said. Along with the storage and regasification infrastructure, Elite is also installing a truck loading station and 12 kilometres of gas and diesel pipelines, the release said.

Making the announcement during a visit in Kogo, at the border with Gabon, H.E. Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, the country’s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, said the terminal is the first of many upcoming projects under the LNG2AFRICA initiative, the release said. “LNG2AFRICA has a clear objective of developing small-scale LNG projects to supply gas to countries and regions with limited infrastructure,” the release quoted Lima as saying. “At a time when Africa’s large-scale LNG projects are making headlines, let’s remind ourselves that smaller-scale projects addressing the needs of energy-deficient regions provide opportunities to monetise our gas for our economies, and to mobilise our local companies around key infrastructure projects for the region.”

The Akonikien project is an example of a cost-efficient and clean energy solution to the energy needs of mainland Equatorial Guinea, the release said. Once stored and regasified, gas will be transported by trucks and pipelines to various industries, such as power and cement, the release said. The project demonstrates the expertise that Equatorial Guinea has gained over decades in LNG and Natural Gas, which can now be used to not only benefit its mainland but also neighbouring western and central African countries seeking to increase their use of Natural Gas for electricity and industries, the release said.

“We congratulate the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons and Elite Construcciones on this remarkable achievement,” said Nj Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber and CEO, Centurion Law Group, who advised on the project. “This is a beautiful example of local content development and world-class cooperation between a local company and international technical and technology partners.”

According to the release, the project’s infrastructure notably includes the world’s largest factory-built cryogenic bullet tanks, built by US company Corban Energy Group. “Each tank alone will take about 12h to move the thousand metres from the port to the new plant,” explained Marisol Ovono Nchama, CEO of Elite Construcciones, main contractor on the project. “Elite Construcciones has worked closely with German companies, Noordtec and ESC on the design and construction of the plant, and we are all very proud to be part of this achievement and look forward to more LNG2AFRICA projects.”

US government shows appetite to develop industrial dialogue with Africa on LNG

LONDON, United Kingdom, 25 August 2019: With record-breaking US gas production this year, and the promotion of gas as a “cleaner, cheaper” energy source, a continued priority for the current White House, the US Department of Energy is now looking towards Africa to develop opportunities in the exploration, production and monetization of LNG, the organizers of Africa Oil Week said through a Press release. In the words of US Energy Secretary, Rick Perry, “Increased amounts of US LNG on the world market benefit the American economy, American workers and consumers and help make the air cleaner around the globe.”

According to the release, appetite for imported gas is growing steadily across the African continent. Just recently, the release said, South Africa announced plans to open its first LNG import terminal in 2024. Meanwhile, US gas production is skyrocketing, the release said. Currently at six billion cubic feet (bcf) per day, production is forecast to grow to 10 bcf by the end of 2020, the release revealed. This confluence of circumstance makes Africa a common-sense partner for the US, as it sets out to cement its position as an energy superpower, the release said.

As part of this mission, US Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Steven Winberg, will join 22 Pan-African ministers at the Africa Oil Week summit in Cape Town this November, the release said. He will use the event to share US energy policy points with the continent and outline a vision for deeper US commitment to Africa in the oil, gas and power sectors, the release said. This vision looks set to encompass increased two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa, with the United States making potential capital available on joint-ventures and to part-finance LNG infrastructure for energy-lacking African countries, the release said.

The announcement of Secretary Winberg’s attendance to the summit comes alongside several major US private-sector investments into the African energy sector, the release said. ExxonMobil is making progress in Mozambique with its Rovuma LNG project in deepwater Area 4 block, which contains more than 85 trillion cubic feet of Natural Gas, the release said. Particularly notable, though, the release said, is Anadarko’s recent announcement of its Final Investment Decision (FID) to construct a USD 20 billion gas liquefaction and export terminal in Mozambique, the largest single LNG project approved in Africa.

Bacharach Announces Fall 2019 Combustion Promotion

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, 25 August 2019: Bacharach, which provides HVAC-R gas instrumentation, combustion analysis and energy management solutions, on August 16 announced its fall promotion campaign through a Press release. Bacharach’s 2019 fall heating season campaign offers customers a free multi-year subscription to Bacharach’s B-Smart pre-calibrated sensor exchange program or a free combustible gas leak detector, the release said.

During the 2019 fall promotion, with the purchase of either a Monoxor Plus or InTech Combustion Analyzer, customers will receive a free two-year subscription to the B-Smart Sensor Exchange Program for the CO Sensor, valued at USD 199, the release said. As part of a B-Smart subscription, Bacharach ensures replacement sensors are pre-calibrated and sent to subscribers at pre-determined intervals, the release said. This keeps the cost of equipment maintenance and the cost of ownership low, the release added.

Also offered during the 2019 fall promotion is a complimentary Leakator Jr, with the purchase of an Insight Plus, the release said. With a purchase of a PCA 400 combustion analyzer, customers will receive a complimentary Leakator 10, the release added. Both Leakator products are multi-purpose combustible gas leak detectors, certified for use in hazardous locations, the release further added.

According to the release, Bacharach’s lineup of combustion analyzers covers a range of applications from residential to commercial and industrial facilities. Made in the USA, the PCA 400, Insight Plus, InTech and Monoxor Plus combustion analyzers set the standard for quality, intuitive operation and rugged construction, the release quoted the company as claiming. The new Bacharach combustion app is compatible with all analyzer models and allows the user to generate and send customizable reports from their IOS and/or Android devices, the release said.

According to the release, the offer is valid for purchases from August 15, 2019 to December 31, 2019 at all Bacharach authorized distributors with properly completed rebate information being accepted through January 31, 2019.

Alfa Laval introduces OptiLobe

KOLDING, Denmark, 22 August 2019: Alfa Laval has introduced the OptiLobe rotary lobe pumps, which the company described through a Press release as being cost-effective, reliable and versatile alternatives for general applications requiring gentle product treatment and easy serviceability.

To meet the requirements of lower flow rates and higher production capacities, the release said, the addition of the Alfa Laval OptiLobe 10 and OptiLobe 50 adds four new pump sizes to the product range. The new pumps, the release said, will also provide the possibility of having heating/cooling front covers for processes, where products tend to harden at low temperatures.

According to the release, the OptiLobe’s high-precision rotors and low-shear operation ensure gentle handling of delicate products. With full cleanability, the OptiLobe also complies with the world’s leading hygienic standards, the release quoted the company as saying.

According to the release, seal faces in the OptiLobe have direct contact with high-velocity product media. This ensures a fast and secure Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) process, reducing both cleaning time and contamination risk, the release said. Engineered for use within the food, dairy, beverage and home-personal care industries, these positive displacement pumps conform to CE directives and EHEDG, 3-A and FDA hygienic standards, the release said.

The OptiLobe pumps, the release said, are engineered with a wide performance envelope, due to an advanced rotor shape design and a rotor case that incorporates cusps. In addition to maximising pump efficiency, the designs feature reduced pulsation and noise emissions, the release said. The OptiLobe pumps, the release said, also reduce the possibility of product damage by internal product recirculation.

 

USTR publishes final list of products affected by the fourth round of Section 301 tariffs

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 22 August 2019: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a Federal Register notice on August 20 announcing the final list of products affected by the fourth round of Section 301 tariffs, AHRI said through a Press release. The USTR split the fourth list into Annex A and Annex C, formerly referred to as “List 4A” and “List 4B”. On August 15, the Chinese Ministry of Finance stated in a formal statement (Chinese) that it “will have to adopt necessary countermeasures” in retaliation to the US action, the release said.

According to the release, Annex A contains products that will be subject to a 10% tariff, starting September 1, 2019. AHRI identified the following member products as affected:

• 8403.10.00 — Central heating boilers (other than those of heading 8402)
• 8403.90.00 — Parts of central heating boilers (other than those of heading 8402)
• 8415.90.40 — Chassis, chassis bases, and other outer cabinets for air conditioning machines
• 8415.90.80 — Parts for air conditioning machines, not elsewhere specified or indicated
• 8416.10.00 — Furnace burners for liquid fuel
• 8416.20.00 — Furnace burners for pulverized solid fuel or gas, including combination burners
• 8516.10.00 — Electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters

According to the release, Annex C contains products that will be subject to a 10% tariff, starting December 15, 2019. AHRI identified the following member products as affected:

• 2903.39.20 – Fluorinated, brominated or iodinated derivatives of acyclic hydrocarbons, NESOI (not elsewhere specified or indicated)
• 2903.77.00 – Other acyclic hydrocarbon derivatives, perhalogenated only with fluorine and chlorine

Members are encouraged to review the USTR’s full fourth round tariff list (Annex A, Annex C) to ensure a complete analysis, the release said.

Unlike other rounds of Section 301 tariffs, the release said, the notice does not waive tariffs on products already in transit when the tariffs go into effect. The USTR confirmed, however, that there will be a tariff exclusion process, details for which will be released via a separate Federal Register notice. AHRI said through the release that it would alert members, once it is published.

 

 

Rees Scholarship Foundation Awards USD 62,000 to aid aspiring HVACR technicians

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 18 August 2019: The Clifford H “Ted” Rees, Jr Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), on August 17 announced scholarship awards totaling USD 62,000 to 36 students, including five military veterans, studying to become technicians in the HVACR and water heating industry, AHRI said through a Press release.

“We are pleased to award scholarships to these qualified and dedicated students and veterans, and we look forward to welcoming them into the industry,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI President and CEO. “Each year, the Foundation provides aid to these aspiring technicians, helping to promote careers in the industry and fill good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced.”

“Supporting workforce development and employee retention programs are ACCA’s highest priorities, and we’re pleased to work with the Rees Scholarship Foundation and AHRI to help contractors recruit and retain skilled workers,” said Barton James, ACCA President and CEO. “These scholarship awards also support ACCA’s work with President Trump and his pledge to America’s workers, which is focused on providing educational opportunities to develop a strong workforce. Congratulations to these very deserving young men and women, we look forward to you advancing in our industry and becoming tomorrow’s leaders.”

The HVACR and Water Heating Technician Program recipients are:
Adam Tarnowski, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA
Aiden Chestnut, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA
Anthony Mahar, Vista College, Fort Smith, AR
Austin Reynolds, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA
Bart Clement, Bevill State Community College, Jasper, AL
Charles Sweet, Front Range Community College, Fort Collins, CO
Christopher Biringer, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
Christopher Joseph, Milliken, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA
Colby Buntin, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, MN
Collin Engler, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, Bowling Green, KY
Emily Gavrilenko, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Henry Grills, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, Harlan, KY
Jamie Lee, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA
Jonnell Bailey, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Clarkston, GA
Jorge Kanlilar, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
Joshua Yadon, Moore Norman Technology Center, Norman, OK
Joshua Kelsey, Monroe Community College – Applied Technologies Center, Rochester, NY
Justin Vazquez, Johnston Community College, Smithfield, NC
Lisa Gragg, Front Range Community College, Fort Collins, CO
Luke Brambley, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA
Matthew Mase, Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham, WA
Maurice Sears, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
Meghan Bence, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee, OK
Peter Bennett, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA
Philip Blaylock, Bevill State Community College, Jasper, AL
Rickey Gunby Jr., Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Clarkston, GA
Robert Gardner, Sheridan Technical College, Hollywood, FL
Ruben Carreon, Tyler Junior College, Tyler, TX
Sean Fitzpatrick, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA
Tyler Fabish, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL
Tyler Andersen, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA

The Veterans Program Recipients are:
Alejandro Lopez, San Joaquin Valley College, Temecula, CA
Eric Larson, InterCoast College, Fairfield, CA
Rene Avendano, South Texas College, McAllen, TX
Steven Layer, Fortis College, Centerville, OH
Tommy Juarez, Brownson Technical School, Anaheim, CA

Since the time of its founding, in 2003, the release said, the Rees Scholarship Foundation has awarded more than USD 850,000 in scholarships to more than 500 deserving students and instructors.

ASHRAE issues Call for Abstracts

ATLANTA, Georgia, 15 August 2019: ASHRAE issued a call for abstracts for the 2020 Building Performance Analysis Conference and SimBuild, to be held from August 12 to 14, 2020, at the Westin River North in Chicago.

Co-organized by ASHRAE and IBPSA-USA, the theme of the conference, ‘Integrated Building Design and Analysis to Achieve Zero Carbon’, focuses on improving the decision-making process through the application of simulation and modeling over the entire lifecycle of a building, ASHRAE said through a Press release.

“This conference brings together the building energy analysis and performance simulation community for three days of discussions, seminars and short courses to address the practices of energy modeling and building performance simulation using existing simulation tools, software development and future simulation research and applications,” said Carrie Brown, Conference Chair.

The conference steering committee is seeking abstracts on topics involving the use of innovative approaches for integration of modeling tools for better building design, performance and operation to meet aggressive targets for compliance, energy reduction, decarbonization, and resiliency.

Suggested paper topics include:

• Early Design Modeling and Analysis
• Component and Systems Modeling and Load Analysis
• Codes, Standards, and Compliance Modeling
• Modeling Carbon
• Lighting and Daylighting
• Occupant Behavior, Comfort / Health, Wellbeing
• Urban Scale Modeling
• Data Exchange and Interoperability
• Big Data Applications for Large Scale Simulations
• Modeling Advances (new techniques, automation, scripting, etc.)
• Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings and Resiliency
• Education
• Intelligent Building Operations

According to ASHRAE, abstracts, 250 or less words in length, are due September 6, 2019. If accepted, ASHRAE said, papers will be due mid December 2019. To submit abstracts, visit https://www.conftool.org/bpacs2020/.

USTR delays Section 301 tariffs on certain products until December 15

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 14 August 2019: The office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on August 13 announced its plans for splitting the draft fourth list (USD 300 bn) into two groups, AHRI said through a Press release. A 10% tariff will be effective on a list “4A” tariff on September 1, 2019, while a list “4B” tariff will be delayed until December 15, 2019, the release said.

The USTR will publish the final list 4A as a notice in the Federal Register in the coming days, and AHRI said it will notify its members through a separate alert.

AHRI previously identified the following member products on the draft list four; the below products are still included in list 4A:

• 8403.10.00 – Central heating boilers (other than those of heading 8402)
• 8403.90.00 – Parts of central heating boilers (other than those of heading 8402)
• 8415.90.40 – Chassis, chassis bases, and other outer cabinets for air conditioning machines
• 8415.90.80 – Parts for air conditioning machines, not elsewhere specified or indicated
• 8416.10.00 – Furnace burners for liquid fuel
• 8416.20.00 – Furnace burners for pulverized solid fuel or gas, including combination burners
• 8516.10.00 – Electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters

According to the release, the USTR intends to create an exclusion process for products on list 4A. Members, the release, quoting AHRI, said, are encouraged to review lists 4A and 4B to ensure a complete analysis.

Nortek: ServerCool CDUs cool 10% of world’s 100 most powerful supercomputers

ST LOUIS, Missouri, 11 August 2019: Nortek 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 center 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 (d) x 35 (w)-inch (1,475 x 900-mm) footprint, the release said. It also supplies an industry-first 1.2-MW of cooling capacity in a density of 14.6-ft² (1.3-m²) that helps data centers maximize 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.”

ASHRAE says its resources can help reduce the risk of Legionella

ATLANTA, Georgia, 8 July 2019: ASHRAE 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’ 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 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.

7-Eleven, Honeywell collaborate to reduce carbon footprint

MORRIS PLAINS, NJ; IRVING, Texas, 7 August 2019: Honeywell and convenience retailer, 7-Eleven, Inc. in end July announced the adoption of Honeywell Solstice N40 (R-448A) refrigerant as 7-Eleven’s standard for remote condensers supporting their refrigeration cases installed across the United States and Canada, the refrigerant manufacturer said through a Press release.

According to the release, 7-Eleven also selected Honeywell’s lower global warming potential (GWP) alternative for retail refrigeration in Japan, last year, becoming the first leading retail chain in the country to adopt the refrigerant. Solstice N40 is the most widely accepted, lowest-GWP, nonflammable replacement for R-404A in stores, globally, the release quoted the company as claiming.

According to the release, 7-Eleven, Inc., set measurable corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals in 2016 to reduce its environmental footprint. The company’s CSR mission has three focus areas – planet, products and people, the release said. Using 2015 as a baseline, 7-Eleven committed to continuing to reduce its carbon footprint and increase community engagement in the United States and Canada by concentrating on energy, packaging and philanthropy, the release said.

“In the past few years, we’ve implemented several innovative measures, such as LED lighting, energy management systems, wind energy in select stores and high-efficiency HVAC units to reduce our CO₂ emissions,” said Ann Scott, Director of Energy, Engineering and Store Planning, 7-Eleven. “The use of Solstice N40 is an environmentally preferable alternative for 7-Eleven. Joining forces with Honeywell, which also embraces a mindset and goal to serve as environmental stewards, was a natural fit.”

7-Eleven, which aims to reduce its energy footprint in stores by 20% by 2027, has already invested in several energy and sustainability programs to increase efficiency, reduce waste and resource consumption, the release said.

Sanjeev Rastogi, Vice President, Honeywell Fluorine Products, said: “7-Eleven has responsibly elected to adopt Solstice N40 to help lower their carbon footprint, save energy and meet regulatory requirements without undertaking massive changes to their systems.”

According to the release, based on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology, Solstice N40 offers GWP that is approximately 60% lower than legacy HFC refrigerants like R-404A. In addition, the release said, Solstice N40 consumes less energy. In the United States and European supermarket trials, in comparison to R-404A, the release said, Solstice N40 demonstrated an average of five per cent lower energy consumption in low-temperature applications and between five and 15% lower energy consumption in medium-temperature applications.

ASHRAE opens registration for its 2020 Winter Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 7 August 2019: ASHRAE 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 program 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 program 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 Modeling, Healthcare Facility Design, High-Performance Building Design, and HVAC Design, a new program, the release said.

 

Perspective: Individual to the fore

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

P = H_i x η_b x η_m x η_c x 0.7457         (IP)

P = H_i x η_b x η_m x η_c                          (SI)

where:

P = Electrical-power input (kW)

H_i = Fan-shaft input power (HP for IP, kW for SI)

η_b = transmission efficiency (%)

η_m = motor efficiency (%)

η_c = speed-controller efficiency (%)

0.7457 = conversion of horsepower to kilowatts

FIGURE 1: Components of a conventional fan system

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

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

ANSI/AMCA Standard 207 covers most conventional fan systems, starting with the familiar fan total or static efficiency and fan-shaft input power, based on fan airflow performance, tested in accordance with:

• ANSI/AMCA Standard 210, Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating;
• ANSI/AMCA Standard 230, Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification;
• ANSI/AMCA Standard 260, Laboratory Methods of Testing Induced Flow Fans for Rating;

[or]

• ISO 5801, Industrial Fans – Performance Testing Using Standardized Airways, and rated in accordance with AMCA Publication 211, Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Fan Air Performance

Transmission-efficiency equations are provided for V-belts, synchronous belts and flexible couplings. Direct-drive connections are considered to be 100% efficient. ANSI/AMCA Standard 207 assumes belts and pulleys are properly aligned and tensioned.

Motor-efficiency calculations apply only to three-phase induction motors within the scope of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) in North America – that is, three-phase NEMA MG 1 Premium Efficiency general-purpose motors – and motors regulated under European and Chinese standards. This includes open-drip-proof and totally enclosed, fan-cooled (TEFC) motors from 1 to 500 HP. Other types of motors are explicitly excluded. Single-phase, 575-V and permanent-magnet motors are out of scope.

Speed controllers must be typical pulse-width-modulated variable-frequency drives (VFDs), programed to maintain a fixed ratio of voltage to frequency at or below synchronous speed. VFDs programed for constant torque control operate in a very different manner. Other characteristics defining VFD efficiency, such as carrier frequency and lead length, are assumed to be within typical operating parameters. Of course, if a system does not have a VFD, speed-controller efficiency is not part of the equation.

One of the greatest benefits of ANSI/AMCA Standard 207 is that much of what was previously “known” about part-load motor-system efficiency has been debunked. Consider:

Myth: VFD losses are 100% parasitic and constant over a motor’s output-power range, leading to huge inefficiencies at low load

Fact: The efficiency curve of a motor operating in conjunction with a VFD with a constant ratio of voltage to frequency is very different than that of the same motor operating direct on line (DOL) at a constant 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

Varying voltage with frequency maintains a constant flux and, therefore, a very flat efficiency curve for the motor itself. Further, VFD losses do not remain constant as load decreases.

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

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

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

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

TABLE 1: VFD power consumption with four-pole, EISA-compliant TEFC motors of different sizes, each with a 7 HP (3.2 kW) design load

Designers would benefit through requesting AMCA 207 calculations from manufacturers

Until now, designers have had no easy way to compare the electricity consumption of different fan systems and, instead, have been reliant on general assumptions that do not always hold true. For example, contrary to popular belief, a high-efficiency, permanent-magnet motor does not guarantee lower power consumption. In the vast majority of fan systems, fan-impeller efficiency overshadows differences in motor/drive efficiency. In a typical system, the impeller accounts for 75% or more of wire-to-air power losses. A super-high-efficiency motor/drive system gains a few points of wire-to-shaft efficiency over a conventional system, but if its impeller is even only slightly less efficient at the intended duty, then all of the gains will be lost.

Designers should ask manufacturers for electrical-input-power calculations, as per ANSI/AMCA Standard 207 for fans with induction motors. This will allow a straightforward duty-point-specific comparison with fan packages that are rated based on electrical-input-power measurements.

Adoption of AMCA 207

 ANSI/AMCA Standard 207 will rapidly become part of everyday life in the fan world. It will be used by fan manufacturers to calculate fan energy index (FEI) (read Meet the new Fan Energy Index, https://www.hpac.com/industry-perspectives/meet-new-fan-energy-index). Not only will use of FEI be required starting with the 2019 version of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, the California Energy Commission has proposed a requirement that all fans sold in California meet minimum FEI requirements. Additionally, the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is in the process of changing AHRI Standard 430, Performance Rating of Central Station Air-handling Unit Supply Fans, to require the reporting of electrical power input instead of shaft power input, with an option to provide a calculation, as per ANSI/AMCA Standard 207.

John Bade is an energy-efficiency consultant. Armin Hauer is Manager, Regulatory and Government Affairs, ebm-papst Inc.

Cauz takes charge of CAREL EEMEA

BRUGINE, Padua, Italy, 22 July 2019: CAREL on July 16 appointed Mirco Cauz, formerly Managing Director of CAREL Central and Southern Europe, to the role of Regional CEO for the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa Region (EEMEA), the company said through a Press release. He will report directly to Francesco Nalini, CEO, CAREL.

Cauz’s appointment, the release said, is part of the Group’s constant international expansion and with the aim of strengthening its regional structures.

In the new regional organisation, the Managing Directors of CAREL Russia, CAREL Middle East, Alfaco Poland, CAREL Ukraine, CAREL South Africa and CAREL Central and Southern Europe subsidiaries will all report to Cauz.

“It is an honour for me to be appointed to this prestigious position in a growing group, such as CAREL,” Cauz said. “Our colleagues in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region stand out for their experience and professionalism. It will be a privilege to work with them and, together, find the best synergies for organising the team and consolidating our presence on the market, by anticipating our customers’ requirements.”

Concurrently, the position of Managing Director of CAREL Central and Southern Europe has been assigned to Marco Galluppi, formerly part of the team as Business Development Manager for Turkey & West Asia.

 

Istanbul gears up to host ISK-SODEX in October

ISTANBUL, Turkey, 21 July 2019: ISK-SODEX, scheduled to take place from October 2 to 5 at the İstanbul TÜYAP Fair and Exhibition Centre, will see manufacturers of HVACR equipment further their efforts in attracting new markets with an export goal of USD 5.5 billion, the organisers of the show said through a Press release.

Turkey will be a key area of focus, with investors keen on investing in the country, said Alexander Kühnel, General Manager, Hannover Messe Sodeks, a subsidiary of Deutsche Messe.

“The air conditioning sector is a significant export area in Turkish industry and continues to set new records every year with its growth figures,” Kühnel said. “The sector’s shift towards state-of-the-art products with a focus on R&D activities in recent years, provides a competitive advantage, particularly in international markets, and draws the attention of foreign investors. The number of foreign investors wishing to establish commercial cooperation with the Turkish air-conditioning sector has increased significantly. Aiming at raising its exports goal by utilizing this increased interest, the sector especially focuses on farther markets with low exports volume. It is of great significance that the sector comes together with target markets at international exhibitions and demonstrates its said potential.”

Noting that the event will be bringing the air conditioning sector and the target country markets together, Kühnel said: “The Turkish air conditioning sector has started to extend its presence to strategic markets, such as Australia, Argentine and Chile. We are aware that Africa continent is also one of the new targets of the sector. We will be increasing the number of foreign buyers from existing countries on one hand, mainly from Germany, UK, Italy, France and Spain, which are parallel to the top five export countries of Turkey’s HVAC&R industry, and on the other hand we will be providing a great opportunity for Turkish manufacturers to meet important procurement delegations from the said markets that are the new export targets of the sector, in İstanbul. We will also be hosting sector professionals from many strategic markets, including, in particular the USA, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Northern and Western Africa, Russia and Poland, within the scope of the “International Buyers’ Delegation” programme. During the fair, we will also be conducting supportive programs focusing on the advantages of the sector, and providing new opportunities to the exhibitors and visitors for networking, establishing business connections, and exchanging information and experience.”

According to the release, the event will be hosting exhibitors from Germany, China, India, Japan, UAE, South Korea, Lebanon, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Greece, USA and Turkey. National and international companies will have the opportunity of promoting a wide range of new products and services related to heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, insulation, pumps, valves, fittings, water treatment, fire prevention and solar energy systems, the release said. According to the release, the event will be held in cooperation with ISKAV (Heating, Cooling, Air-Conditioning Research and Education Association), DOSIDER (Natural Gas Appliances Industrialists and Businessmen Association), İSKİD (Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Manufacturers’ Association), İZODER (Heat, Water, Sound and Fire Insulators Association),  TTMD (Turkish Society of HVAC and Sanitary Engineers), POMSAD (Turkish Pump and Valve Manufacturers Association), SOSİAD (Association of Refrigeration Industry and Businessmen), ESSİAD (Aegean Region Refrigeration Industry and Businessmen Association), MTMD (Mechanical Contractors’ Association) and KBSB  (Boiler and Pressure Vessel Manufacturer’s Association).

Bacharach introduces VRF leak detection solution

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 21 July 2019: Bacharach, 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 MVR-300 refrigerant monitors to provide real-time status of refrigerant leaks throughout a facility.

According to the release, the MVR-SC include has a centralized 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.

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 color, 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, the release said, which includes the MVR-300 and MVR-SC, improves occupant safety in the case of a VRF system leak.

Schneider Electric signs an MoU with Nigerian energy firm

DUBAI, UAE, 15 July, 2019: Schneider Electric on July 14 signed an MoU with Nigerian sustainable energy engineering firm, EM-ONE Energy Solutions towards developing an African mini-grid industry, involving decentralised electricity generation and distribution networks based on renewable energy, the company said through a Press communiqué.

With a population of more than 200 million, Nigeria comprises 36 states, only one of which has an electricity network, the communiqué said. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), West Africa’s energy consumption could quadruple by 2030 to reach 219 TWh a year, less than half of the 478 TWh already consumed in France in 2018. Part of the solution will come from mini-grids, which are decentralised networks powered by photovoltaic energy, the communiqué said. Demand is high – an estimated 200,000 mini-grids are required to power the continent of Africa and reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (“Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”), the communiqué said.

Schneider Electric, which produces mini-grids at its factory in Kenya, has decided to take its efforts to the next level, the communiqué said. “Rather than importing mini-grids produced in Europe, Asia or North America, we want to create an African mini-grid industry with operators, integrators, investors and local jobs,” the communiqué quoted Paul-François Cattier, Schneider Electric’s Vice President Business Development Africa & Middle East, as saying. In the past 10 years, the company has already installed 700 mini-grids in Africa, mainly for rural electrification, through its Access to Energy programme, the communiqué said. This has largely been achieved with donations to NGOs and equipment often produced in Europe, the communiqué added.

For 18 months, led by its sustainability department, the company has been working to set up an industry based on mini-grids, built or operated by local stakeholders, the communiqué said. This has led to the MoU with EM-ONE Energy Solutions. “EM-ONE Energy Solutions has already won a contract for 30 mini-grids in Nigeria to power hospitals in Kaduna State and is also targeting the university and rural electrification market,” Cattier said. “The MoU concerns Schneider’s support with optimizing the architecture of these projects and developing an industrial platform to integrate these mini-grids into containers in Nigeria and manufacture Schneider Electric mini-grid solutions under license.” With 12 sales representatives spread out over 12 countries, including Chad, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania, Schneider Electric is seeking engineering procurement construction (EPC) companies to locally produce its solutions, the communiqué said. Villaya Community, a mini-grid designed for rural electrification, and providing 7-63 kW of power, is an example, the communiqué said. Schneider will provide the EPC companies with advice on setting up an industrial plant and testing, the communiqué said. Schneider is also working with public- and private-funding bodies, the communiqué  said, adding that the company intends to cover the full range of needs with capacities up to 500 kW – enough to power a city of 10,000 inhabitants in Africa – through its standardised solutions, and from 500 kW to 20 MW through specific architectures for cities of several hundred thousand inhabitants that are without an electricity grid.

“Africa today is comparable to China, 40 years ago,” Cattier said. “In 2050, it will account for 30% of the global population, according to the United Nations, and could be one of the world’s top five economic powers by 2050.” The potential for electrification is enormous, the communiqué  said, not only in rural areas but also for companies who would like their own reliable electricity grid, including banks and their network of agencies and cash dispensers, food and beverage manufacturers, data centres and even electricity providers that currently use power generators and need to switch to hybrid energy production with mini-grids.

ENGIE launches redesigned air-cooled chiller

Lindau, Germany, 8 July 2019: ENGIE Refrigeration on June 24 launched a redesigned air-cooled Quantum series air chiller, the company announced through a Press communiqué. In total, 28 versions of the QUANTUM Air series are available, the communiqué said, adding that 14 of the models use the refrigerant R-1234ze, and the remaining 14 use either R-134a or R-513A.

“We put the concentrated expertise of our team into the redesigned QUANTUM Air models, along with our wealth of experience from 16 years of refrigeration solutions with our previous QUANTUM chillers,” said Jochen Hornung, CEO, ENGIE Refrigeration. “On this basis, our QUANTUM Air is the ideal way for us to help our customers meet the most stringent economic and ecological requirements in an increasingly complex market environment – today and in the future.”

According to the communiqué, the new air-cooled QUANTUM scores above all in terms of its efficiency, performance, control system and serviceability. First, the new models considerably exceed even the levels of efficiency of the previous series, something Lindau has achieved through intelligent connections between the different components, the communiqué quoted the company as saying. Second, the QUANTUM Air makes more efficient use of operating fluids, as the refrigerant fill level has been reduced significantly – regardless of whether R-1234ze, R-134a or R-513A is chosen, the communiqué said. This twofold increase in efficiency during operation and in the use of operating fluids leads to a smaller ecological footprint, the communiqué further said. In addition, a novel structural design allows for a reduction in the size of the chiller without affecting its performance, the communiqué added.

According to the communiqué, the new QUANTUM Air achieves a refrigeration capacity of between 250 kilowatts and two megawatts for the first time. This means the chiller outperforms not only its predecessor model but all air-cooled chillers with magnetic-bearing compressor technology that are currently available on the market, the communiqué quoted the company as claiming. Its design concept, the communiqué said, ensures the same refrigeration capacity as its predecessor while being not only smaller but also significantly lighter. This considerably reduces roof loads – a significant advantage if the machine is set up outdoors on top of buildings, the communiqué said.

Another feature of the QUANTUM Air is its modified control system, the communiqué  said, which facilitates improved control and regulation options that are optimised in terms of energy efficiency. Furthermore, it enables even better adaptation to customer-specific cooling requirements at every operating point and at different ambient temperatures, the communiqué said. In addition, ENGIE Refrigeration has chosen new components for the QUANTUM Air and recombined the individual machine components according to a sophisticated modular principle, the communiqué said. This, the communiqué added, reduces delivery times and makes the machine easier to service, as it will be easier for the service technician to enter the interior of the machine during maintenance in future.

ACG to Conduct CxA Workshop & Exam

Washington, D.C., 8 July 2019: The AABC Commissioning Group (ACG) will conduct an educational workshop on September 23 in Dallas, Texas, followed by an administration of the exam for the Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA) credential for approved candidates, the organizers of the Critical Facilities Summit said through a Press communiqué.

The CxA event is being held in conjunction with the Critical Facilities Summit, from September 24 to 26 in Dallas, of which ACG is a Supporting Organization, the communiqué said. The Summit is geared toward senior-level professionals, responsible for the design, construction, management and operations of mission-critical facilities, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, the accelerated one-day workshop covers all aspects of commissioning, ranging from design reviews and OPRs, to functional testing and commissioning documentation, and addresses both new and existing building commissioning. The CxA Workshop is approved by the AIA for 5 LU/HSW continuing education units, the communiqué said. The CxA exam is a four-hour, closed-book exam that tests approved candidates on their knowledge of the commissioning process, as well as a general understanding of building systems and how commissioning fits in with the rest of the construction process, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, the CxA program achieved ANSI accreditation in 2017, and the credential is also a recognized certification by the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines program, ensuring that the CxA is considered an approved commissioning credential for all federally funded projects.

The CxA certification, the communiqué said, is the premier credential for independent commissioning providers. It demonstrates you are an experienced commissioning provider with a complete understanding of the commissioning process and with the ability to ensure that the intent of the building owner is achieved.

Nidec completes acquisition of Embraco

KYOTO, Japan, 8 July 2019: Nidec Corporation on July 1 completed the acquisition of Embraco, the compressor business of Whirlpool Corporation, following the European Commission’s approval, granted on June 26, 2019, Nidec said through a Press communiqué. The acquisition was performed in line with the acquisition plan, announced on April 24, 2018, the communiqué said.

As a result of the acquisition, the communiqué said, Embraco and its subsidiaries became Nidec’s subsidiaries. In addition, certain customary post-closing filings and registrations related to the acquisition of the two subsidiaries in China of Embraco are expected to be completed by September 30, 2019.

According to the communiqué, Nidec has been actively developing a new growth platform, with a particular focus on appliance, commercial and industrial businesses. As part of the strategy, the Company is pursuing strategic acquisitions in the appliance industry, the communiqué said. For this purpose, Nidec has created a new division, called Nidec Global Appliance Division, which mainly consists of Nidec Sole Motor Corporation, acquired in January 2010 and the appliance business of Nidec Motor Corporation, acquired in September 2010. In July 2017, Nidec acquired Secom Group (currently Nidec Global Appliance Compressors GmbH), which enabled the Company to enter into the household and commercial refrigeration compressor market, the communiqué said. Combining with Embraco’s business, Nidec aimed to expand further its refrigeration compressor business, the communiqué revealed.

However, Nidec, through two of Nidec’s subsidiaries will sell its compressor business, Secom, as condition for the European Commission’s approval of Nidec’s acquisition of Embraco, the communiqué said. Although Nidec will sell Secom, the Company believes the acquisition of Embraco will allow Nidec to expand further into the global refrigeration compressor market, the communiqué said. Embraco’s strength lies in industry-leading compressors for household and commercial refrigerators, the communiqué said. Nidec has confidence in further strengthening its refrigeration compressor business through expanding its product portfolio and sales areas, the communiqué said. In addition, ever stricter environmental regulations in major regions like Europe, the Americas and China are stimulating customer demand for eco-conscious and space-saving refrigeration compressors, the communiqué said, adding that Embraco’s advanced compressors meet such customer requirements. Nidec also believes its brushless DC motor technology will complement Embraco’s compressors, the communiqué said. Furthermore, since motors and compressors have similarities in terms of the nature of components used, Embraco expects to reduce procurement costs by taking advantage of synergies of the Nidec group’s purchase capabilities, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, the Company believes that this acquisition will bring the Nidec Group closer to its FY2020 sales target of two trillion yen, as both parties’ technological capabilities, brands and customer base come to blend well together.

BSRIA paints a rosy picture of French AC market

PARIS, France, 8 July 2019: A BSRIA report, quoting a French Heat Pump Association’s report that air-air AC/heat pump units had outsold condensing boilers, said that the French AC market is on an upward trajectory. The projection, BSRIA said, is in line with its 2018 estimate that the market for ducted and non-ducted single splits, multi-splits and VRFs had increased to 589,000 units, as opposed to condensing boilers, of which 532,000 units were sold.

This is a very important milestone for the air conditioning industry, which is fast being seen as the provider of a key building service, BSRIA said. Furthermore, the air conditioning sector is expecting a further sharp upturn in growth, with sales of air-air splits soaring to a record 700,000 units, BSRIA added.

With this objective in sight, BSRIA said, manufacturers need to expand their supply capacities, and distributors need to monitor and plan their stock levels to avoid repeating the mistakes of 2018, when stocks held by wholesalers were depleted, as the market experienced a period of high demand.

According to BSRIA, this rate of growth is having an impact on the level of HFC refrigerants in the market. BSRIA estimates that in 2018, about 880 tonnes of HFC R-410a were sold with splits and VRF systems. This includes the factory charge as well as the refrigerant charge in pipes, as part of the installation of each product, BSRIA said. This compares with 257 tonnes of HFC R-32, which is taking over in products, such as single and multi-splits, BSRIA said. For the moment, R-32 is used in France only in units below 5 HP, corresponding to about 14 kW of cooling capacity, BSRIA added.

Should sales of R-32 continue to grow at the expense of R-410a in 2019, BSRIA said, this would limit the impact that the growth in sales of air conditioning products could otherwise have on global warming.

ENGIE’s renewable energy capacity exceeds 1.5 GW in India

LA DEFENSE‎, Courbevoie, France, 4 July 2019: ENGIE’s total renewable capacity in India now exceeds 1.5 GW, following a series of project awards, the company said through a Press communiqué.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) recently awarded ENGIE a 200 MW onshore wind project in the north-western Indian state of Gujarat, the communiqué said. ENGIE will sign a 25-year power-purchase agreement (PPA) with SECI, the communiqué added.

According to the communiqué, the success follows an earlier award to the Group by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL), which is a state power distribution company, for a 280 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Gujarat, as part of the Raghanesda Solar Park, currently under development. Under the scope of the project, ENGIE will sign a 25-year PPA with GUVNL, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, ENGIE also finalised commissioning one week ahead of schedule of 80% of the 338 MWp Kadapa solar PV project, in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, followed by commercial operation in early June.

Paulo Almirante, ENGIE’s Executive Vice President and Group COO, said: “These successes demonstrate ENGIE’s capability to accelerate the development of its renewable energy portfolio and meet the ambitious target of adding 9 GW of additional renewable capacities over the next three years.”

ENGIE has been present and active in India for over 40 years, the communiqué said, adding that the Group employs approximately 1,000 people in the country in power generation, engineering and energy services.

Chigo conducts VRF training programme

FOSHAN, Guangdong, China, 4 July 2019: Chigo on June 26 conducted a training programme for its dealers in Qatar, the company said through a Press communiqué. The Chigo HVAC Middle East sales team led the discussions, the communiqué added.

According to the communiqué, the training content included an introduction of Chigo HVAC, its R&D system, VRF product line and of the application of VRF products. It also included practical training. Besides receiving insights and knowledge, the delegates, comprising engineering personnel of the dealer companies, also were able to exchange plans relating to business cooperation, the communiqué said.

Chigo said through the communiqué that its global focus includes further increase in investment in R&D and in-depth cooperation and dialogue with its agents or dealers, through which it will provide comprehensive product knowledge training and create a professional brand image to become a professional central air conditioning equipment supplier.

ASHRAE releases 2019-2024 Strategic Plan

ATLANTA, Georgia, 2 July 2019: ASHRAE on July 1 released a new strategic plan to guide the society’s work over the next five years, it said through a Press communiqué. The ASHRAE 2019-2024 Strategic Plan describes the society’s core values, mission and vision for future success, while also identifying areas where ASHRAE will direct its attention and resources over the next several years, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, the previous plan, released in 2014, resulted in several significant accomplishments, including the extension of ASHRAE’s global presence, a greater role in the residential sector and higher levels of volunteer involvement. The new plan’s initiatives, the communiqué said, reflect the society’s longstanding commitment to the HVAC&R industry, while leveraging the opportunities and addressing the challenges that are taking place in the fast-evolving built-environment.

The new strategic plan outlines two initiative areas:

• Built-environment of the future
  • Resilient buildings and communities
  • Indoor environmental quality (IEQ)

• Future of ASHRAE
  • Organizational streamlining
  • Improve Chapter engagement, capacity and support

“In developing our new strategic plan, we closely considered the changing landscape of our industry as well as the diversity of our membership,” said Darryl K Boyce, 2019-20 ASHRAE President. “We sought wide-ranging involvement from ASHRAE members and key industry organizations on how to best position ASHRAE to meet our internal and external challenges, and the result is a concise, straight-forward plan based on the values that have motivated the members of our society for close to 125 years.”

Some key action items outlined in the plan include:

• Promote best practices that enable adaptability, resilience and recovery of buildings and communities related to the challenges of the design and construction process.
• Accelerate thought-leadership and understanding of IEQ and its implications for occupants’ health and wellness.
• Streamline the organization’s internal governance to adapt to regional differences and allocate valued time and resources to the most impactful pursuits.
• Evaluate and improve methods to better engage chapters, regions and the members they serve in an integrated way.

 

Summit calls on global leaders to discuss future of manufacturing sector

DUBAI, UAE, 30 June 2019: The UAE Ministry of Energy and Industry and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) called on global leaders from government, industry and academia to participate in the second edition of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS), scheduled to take place from July 9 to 11 in Yekaterinburg, Russia, to address key topics that are emerging, as Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies continue to drive the transformation of the global manufacturing sector, the organisers said through a Press communiqué.

A joint initiative of the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, GMIS is the world’s first cross-industry and cross-functional platform that unites manufacturers, governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), technologists, and investors to build a roadmap towards investing in capabilities, fostering innovation and developing the skills needed to position the manufacturing sector at the forefront of global economic growth and as a key driver to advance the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, the communiqué said.

GMIS 2019 will gather thought-leaders from the global manufacturing community to engage in debates across over 40 sessions focusing on critical topics, including sustainability in manufacturing, circular economy, food security, future-cities, cybersecurity, the evolution of 3D printing, the future of work, and industrial policy and their role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the communiqué said. Driving a dialogue around the role that manufacturers must play to support and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is top of the Summit’s agenda, with special sessions dedicated to exploring ways in which industrial development can help tackle issues, such as world poverty and hunger, while safeguarding the environment and ensuring social inclusion, the communiqué said.

H.E. Eng. Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Industry, said: “The UAE is fully committed to transforming the future of manufacturing in line with the SDGs and ensuring it plays a crucial role in helping to build the global economy. This drive is enabling us to shape a strong manufacturing sector and to lead global efforts to modernise it with Fourth Industrial Revolution technology. We invite policymakers from across the world to take part in driving this dialogue forward by placing 4IR technologies at the centre of their national agendas. We are proud to host the second edition of GMIS in Russia’s manufacturing hub, Yekaterinburg, from 9 to 11 July 2019.”

LI Yong, Director General, UNIDO, said: “The Fourth Industrial Revolution offers boundless possibilities for achieving the SDGs. However, many questions remain to be answered on associated challenges, especially the future of work. GMIS 2019 will offer a vision on the future of manufacturing through convening global partners in policymaking, business, research and civil society, working towards a consensus on how to achieve an inclusive and sustainable Fourth Industrial Revolution. Multi-stakeholder fora such as GMIS can provide added value, by constructing robust partnerships and offering the thought leadership necessary to drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution towards the achievement of the SDGs. In its capacity as Co-Chair of GMIS, UNIDO will mobilize its expertise, experience and network for the creation of shared prosperity leveraging the Fourth Industrial Revolution, through collaboration with all relevant partners in industrial development.”

Under the theme of Nature-Inspired Technology and the Future of Manufacturing, GMIS will highlight some of the greatest innovations in biomimicry through dedicated sessions that explore the many ways manufacturing can draw inspiration from existing systems in the natural world to solve complex human problems, the communiqué said.

With a dedicated theme for each day – global, local and future context – the Summit will ensure that all discussions are put into perspective for manufacturers and governments alike, to enable them to create clear roadmaps towards achieving tangible outcomes, the communiqué said. The Summit will also hold five Global Panorama Sessions covering developments in key regions, including Eurasia, Africa, Latin America, South and East Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the communiqué said.

Badr Al-Olama, Head, Organising Committee for GMIS, said: “Building on the great success of GMIS 2017 in Abu Dhabi, GMIS 2019 in Russia will once again unite the global manufacturing community and reinforce the importance of embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution to promote economic and social development. Nature has already proven to be a powerful source of inspiration to both scientists and technologists, and GMIS 2019 aims to highlight its greater role in supporting the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

ASHRAE wraps up 2019 Annual Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia, 30 June 2019: Sustainable energy, building performance and refrigeration technologies were just some of the topics of great interest as HVAC&R professionals from around the world exchanged knowledge at the 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference, from June 22 to 26, in Kansas City, Missouri, ASHRAE said through a Press communiqué. More than 1,600 individuals attended the conference, the communiqué added.

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

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

“ASHRAE’s leadership will be crucial as we employ new strategies for obtaining optimal operational and performance in buildings,” Boyce said. “Meetings, like our Annual Conference, are the ideal place to develop better methodologies from our lessons learned, share best practices and transfer great designs into effective building operations.”

According to the communiqué, the plenary session featured a presentation of awards and honors, recognizing the outstanding achievements and contributions of members to the Society and the industry. During her State of the Society address, outgoing 2018-19 ASHRAE President Sheila J Hayter spoke on the Society’s expanding partnerships through eight recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key organizations, the communiqué said. Additionally, the conference provided an opportunity to give updates on ASHRAE’s new global headquarters design project.

According to the communiqué, the conference’s technical program addressed trends in integrated building design, big data and the process for achieving zero-energy office buildings, among other topics. A seminar highlighting ASHRAE’s 2019 Strategic Plan offered a look into the background, implementation and monitoring of initiatives, as the Society prepares for the plan’s upcoming release, the communiqué said.

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

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

EMA Sets Partnership with NFMT Orlando

Washington, D.C., 30 June 2019: The Energy Management Association (EMA) announced an expanded partnership with National Facilities Management and Technology to include the November 13-14, 2019 NFMT Orlando event, EMA said through a Press communiqué.

Elements of the partnership include EMA’s hosting of an “EMA Energy Pavilion” in the event’s Expo Hall, providing an energy management track (with CEUs) on the technical program and conducting an Energy Management Professional (EMP) Seminar and Exam certification session on November 12 and 13, the communiqué said.

“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to partner with NFMT Orlando and share the expertise of EMA’s membership with the building owners and facilities managers and engineers who attend,” said Robert Knoedler, PE, CxA, EMP, Hanson Professional Services Inc., and President, Energy Management Association. “It’s a perfect fit for both EMA and NFMT Orlando. The premier facilities management conference in the Southeast joins forces with the Association, whose members are setting the gold standard in energy management.”

Added Amy Brown, Director of Education and Conferencing, NFMT: “Energy efficiency has always been a critical issue and top priority among facilities managers across the United States. FMs are continually tasked with balancing both energy usage and cost. We are excited to partner with the Energy Management Association and bring their knowledge and education to the facilities professionals who will be attending NFMT Orlando in November.”

According to the communiqué, NFMT was launched in 2001 by the publishers of Building Operating Management and Facility Maintenance Decisions magazines. In 2015, the publishers launched NFMT Orlando, to be a companion event to serve the Southeastern region of the United States. The goal was to bring free education, networking and product discovery to facilities professionals in that region, the communiqué said. Today, NFMT Orlando is the premier facilities management conference in the Southeast supplying broad-based education for facilities professionals from every type of organization: government, education, commercial office healthcare, retail, hospitality and industrial, the communiqué added.

EMA is a trade association dedicated to providing education, training and certification in the field of building and facility energy efficiency, the communiqué said. Its Energy Management Professional Certification (EMP) has achieved accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is a recognized certification by the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings® Workforce Guidelines program, the communiqué said. In addition, the EMP meets the definition of “Qualified Energy Auditor” in the ASHRAE 211P Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits, the communiqué added.

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

MORRIS PLAINS, New Jersey, 30 June 2019: Honeywell 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 minimizing flammability risk. Early results also indicate this non-flammable, reduced global warming alternative to R-410A will eliminate the need for specialized 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 program in R&D and new capacity based on Honeywell’s hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology.

Eurovent Certita launches operations in India

NEW DELHI, INDIA, 26 June 2019: The technological advancement and steady growth of the HVACR Industry for space cooling requirements in residential, commercial and industrial buildings in India has prompted Eurovent Certita Certification (ECC) to launch operations in India, the organisation said through a Press communiqué on June 25. ECC is an ISO 17065-accredited, third-party certification body related to HVACR solutions.

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

According to the communiqué, third-party certification is a proven pathway to increase confidence for investors, contractors and designers by creating level-playing fields and assess conformity to regulations. ECC runs nearly 42 certification programmes, which cover technologies dedicated to indoor climate, ventilation & air quality, process cooling and cold chain, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, the ECC team in India will comprise four office-bearers: Rajagopal Sivakumar, Vanshaj Kaul, P K Goel and Eric Foucherot. Based in Chennai, Sivakumar is a cold chain expert and international consultant, the communiqué said. He is the initiator of ECC operations in India and shall be leading the team. Based in New Delhi, Kaul was involved with the Ministry of Agriculture, the communiqué said. At ECC, he will serve as India Representative, tasked with the responsibility of building long-term relationships and level up ECC’s services in India. Based In New Delhi, Goel has 35 years of international experience in the HVACR industry, the communiqué said. With a commitment to knowledge transfer, Goel will serve as industry and technical advisor to build a strong partnership with the HVACR industry in India. Based in Paris, Foucherot is International Affairs Manager at ECC. He takes care of ECC objectives and contributions and establishes links with international stakeholders. In India, his role will be to support the contributions of the team.

ASHRAE Introduces 2019-2020 President, Officers and Directors

ATLANTA, Georgia, 25 June 2019: ASHRAE on June 24 installed its 2019-2020 President, executive committee officers and directors during its 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference, from June 22 to 26, in Kansas City, Missouri.

ASHRAE’s 2019-20 president is Darryl K Boyce, P Eng., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE. During his inaugural presidential address, Boyce announced the new Society theme as, “Building for People & Performance. Achieving Operational Excellence”. The theme focuses on overcoming the challenges associated with the efficient operation and performance of buildings. He shared insights into leveraging the latest strategies and innovative technologies to ensure operational success for the people living and working within buildings.

“People must succeed within the buildings we create,” said Boyce. “ASHRAE is committed to preparing building professionals through learning opportunities, engagement and adopting better practices. These are the steps needed to achieve effective operational performance and operator experience.”

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

Elected officers, who will serve one-year terms, are as follows:

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

ASHRAE introduced its newest Directors and Regional Chairs, who will serve three-year terms from 2019-22:

• Region IV Director and Regional Chair: Steven (Steve) A Marek, PE, Member ASHRAE, Design Engineer, Steve Marek, PE, Hanahan, South Carolina
• Region V Director and Regional Chair: Douglas (Doug) F Zentz, Member ASHRAE, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan
• Region VI Director and Regional Chair: Richard (Rick) D Hermans, PE, HFDP, Life Member, retired, Director of Training and Advanced Applications, McQuay International, Lino Lakes, Minnesota
• Region XII Director and Regional Chair: Robin E Bryant, Member ASHRAE, Project Manager, B&I Contractors, Inc, Fort Myers, Florida
• Region XIII Director and Regional Chair: Apichit Lumlertpongpana, PhD, PE, Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, Managing Director, ITC Company, Ltd, Saphansoong, Bangkok, Thailand

ASHRAE also introduced its newest Directors-at-Large (DALs):

• Kelley P Cramm, PE, Member ASHRAE, Senior Technical Leader, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, Kansas
• Jaap Hogeling, P Eng., MSc, ME, Fellow ASHRAE, Manager, ISSO, Lienden, Netherlands
• Ashish Rakheja, Member ASHRAE, Director/Chief Operating Officer, Aeon, Noida, India

Johnson Controls unveils Metasys 10.0

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, 25 June 2019: Johnson Controls on June 14 announced the release of Metasys 10.0, which the company described through a Press communiqué as designed to deliver more unified building management. The latest Metasys provides facility personnel with smarter building automation, faster responses to critical alarms and new integrations with fire detection, security and lighting systems – all with visibility from a single common interface, the communiqué said.

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

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

“Metasys has always delivered a strong integrations platform, but we’re really excited about how easy we’re making it for customers to integrate both HVAC and non-HVAC systems into Metasys 10.0,” said Chris Eichmann, Vice President and General Manager, Global Controls Products, Johnson Controls. “Providing our customers with access to critical system data from a single, intuitively designed interface makes it faster and easier for them to do their jobs. We’re seeing some great early successes at sites like Georgia-Pacific in Atlanta.”

 

According to the communiqué, Metasys 10.0 features several new hardware devices, including:

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

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

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

For more than a quarter century, Metasys building automation has delivered consistent results to meet even the most complex building management needs, the communiqué said. The new major release, the communiqué said, keeps today’s buildings on top of change, with all the Metasys benefits you expect, including:

• Operational savings through extended building management capabilities and enhanced productivity
• Energy savings through coordinated control, precise data and peak equipment performance
• IT and platform security through best-practice processes
• Faster troubleshooting and response through advanced diagnostics
• Greater occupant comfort, security and satisfaction

EPA overturns Obama-era climate rule for clean power plants

ARLINGTON, Virginia, 25 June 2019: The EPA on June 19 overturned the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, AHRI said through a Press communiqué. The Plan is being replaced by the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, which establishes emissions guidelines for states to use when developing plans to limit carbon dioxide (CO₂) at their coal-fired power plants, the communiqué said. Specifically, ACE identifies heat rate improvements as the system of emission reduction for CO₂ from coal-fired power plants, and these improvements can be made at individual facilities, the communiqué said.

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

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

18th European Conference draws over 300 representatives from HVACR industry

MILAN, Italy, 24 June 2019: The Polytechnic University of Milan hosted more than 300 HVACR representatives from all over for the 18^th edition of the European Conference on June 6 and 7.

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

Widely acknowledged as the reference point for Europe’s HVACR sector, the event welcomed leading global experts from UNEP, UNIDO, FAO, the European Commission and Parliament, AREA, ATF, EPEE, EVIA, ASERCOM, AFF, AHRI, ASHRAE and JSRAE.

In the concluding remarks of the conference, the key participants acknowledged that such synergy and harmonious collaboration among all the relevant actors is fundamental to recognise the 2030 Agenda as an achievable target. Such objectives, they pointed out, have been established by the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include affordable and clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure and climate action. They expressed confidence that manufacturers, producers, contractors and all other major players will follow and adapt to the needs of meeting the goals.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘And the award goes to…’

ATLANTA, Georgia, 24 June 2019: ASHRAE recognized the outstanding achievements and contributions of members to the Society and the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry at the 2019 ASHRAE Annual Conference, which took place from June 22 to 26, in Kansas City, Missouri.

The following is a list of awards and recipients:

Lincoln Bouillon Award

Carlos E Arguijo, PE, of the El Paso Chapter, received the Lincoln Bouillon Award, which recognizes a member who performs the most outstanding work in increasing membership. The award com­memorates Presidential Member Bouil­lon’s efforts in recruiting new members. Arguijo is a mechanical engineer at Huitt-Zollars, Inc, in El Paso, Texas.

 Chapter Program Star Award

Joe Chow of the Hong Kong Chapter received the Chapter Program Star Award, which recognizes excellence in chapter program endeavors. Chow is a manager at Hong Kong District Company Limited, in Hong Kong, China.

 William J Collins, Jr RP Award

Daniel Redmond, P Eng, of the Ottawa Valley Chapter, received the William J Collins Jr RP Award. The award, named in honor of Presidential Member Collins, recognizes a chapter RP chair who excels in raising funds for ASHRAE’s RP campaign. Redmond is director of operations and maintenance services, Facilities Management and Planning at Carleton University, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Donald Bahnfleth Environmental Health Award

William P Bahnfleth, PhD, PE, Presidential Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, received the Donald Bahnfleth Environ­mental Health Award. The award, named in honor of Presidential Member Donald Bahnfleth, recognizes excellence in volunteer service focused on environmental health issues. Bahnfleth is a professor, Department of Architectural Engineering, Penn. State University, Uni­versity Park, in Pennsylvania.

 Homer Addams Award

Omer Sarfraz received the Homer Ad­dams Award. The award, named after Homer Addams, founder and past president of ASHVE, which is a predecessor to ASHRAE, recognizes a gradu­ate student who has been engaged in an ASHRAE research project at a university that has graduate programs in the areas of heating, ventilation and air condition­ing, and has achieved a high standard of performance in this work. Sarfraz is a student at Oklahoma State University, in Still­water, Oklahoma.

 Government Affairs Award
Meghan K McNulty, PE, of the Atlanta Chapter, received the Government Affairs Award. The award recognizes individuals for outstanding effort and achievement in state, provincial and local government ac­tivities in connection with technical issues related to the Society. McNulty is project engineer at Servidyne, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Lou Flagg Historical Award

Randy C Schrecengost, PE, of the Austin Chapter, received the Lou Flagg Historical Award, which recognizes an individual for preparing the most out­standing historical presentation related to HVAC&R. The award is named in recogni­tion of Presidential Member Lou Flagg, who promoted an interest in history. Schrecengost is senior project manager and principal mechanical engineer at Stan­ley Consultants, Inc, in Austin, Texas.

Standards Achievement Award

Richard L Hall, PE, Life Member ASHRAE, received the Standards Achievement Award, which recognizes exceptional service in the area of standards leadership and techni­cal contribution. Hall is president at Hall Consultants, in Worthington, Ohio.

Ralph G Nevins Physiology & Human Environment Award

Bin Cao, PhD, received the Ralph G Nevins Physi­ology and Human Environment Award. The award, named in honor of Ralph Nevins and his contributions to research, is given to a researcher under the age of 40 for significant ac­complishments in the study of bio-environmental en­gineering and its effect on human comfort and health. Cao is an assistant professor, Department of Building Science at the School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, in Beijing, China.

 Student Activities Achievement Award

Michel D Hayek received the Student Activities Achievement Award, which rec­ognizes a chapter student activities chair for growth of student activities. Hayek is profes­sor, mechanical engineering, at Notre Dame University-Louaize, in Zouk-Mosbeh, Lebanon.

Youth Outreach Award

Cinthya Cecilia Carrillo Mendez, PE, received the Youth Outreach Award, which recognizes the outstanding effort of a mem­ber who actively engages a youth audience in their country, region, or local communi­ty through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities. Carrillo Mendez is an HVAC project engineer at West­ern Allied Mechanical, in Menlo Park, California.

ASHRAE Journal Paper Award

Daniel Koenigshofer, PE, and John W Rob­erts, PE, Life Member ASHRAE, received the Journal Paper Award for the article, “Do OA Economizers Make ‘Cents’ in Hospitals?” judged to be the best article published in ASHRAE Journal. Koenigshofer is vice president of healthcare engineering and Roberts is senior me­chanical engineer at Dewberry Engineering, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Science and Technology for the Built Environment Best Paper Award

Burak Gunay, PhD; Weiming Shen, and Chun­sheng Yang, received the 2018 Science and Technology for the Built Environment Best Paper Award for “Blackbox Modeling of Central Heating and Cooling Plant Equipment Performance”. The article was published in November 2017. Gunay is an assistant professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton Uni­versity, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Shen is principal research officer and Yang is senior research officer at the National Research Council Canada, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Crosby Field Award

Amy Van Asselt, PhD; Douglas T Reindl, PhD, PE, Fellow ASHRAE and Gregory F Nellis, Fellow ASHRAE, received the 2018 Crosby Field Award for the paper, “Strategies to Increase Deployment of Renewables Using Cool Thermal Energy Storage”, which was judged to be the best paper presented before the Society. The Crosby Field Award is named for a former Presidential Member. Van Asselt is assistant professor at Lafayette College, in Easton, Pennsylvania. Reindl is a professor and Nellis is Ouwe­neel-Bascom professor and associate chair, Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Wisconsin, in Madison, Wisconsin.

ASHRAE Technical Paper Award

The following papers received a Technical Paper Award, which recognizes the authors of the best papers presented at Society conferences:

• Peng Yin, PhD; Carl Lewis Reid and Dennis L O’Neal, PhD, PE, received an award for “Modeling Variable-Airflow Series Fan-Powered Terminal Units with a Mass and Energy Balance Approach”. Yin is assistant professor at the University of Louisiana, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Reid is systems specialist at Environmental Systems Corporation, in Austin, Texas. O’Neal is dean, School of Engineering and Computer Science at Baylor University, in Waco, Texas.
• Peng Yin, PhD, Dennis L O’Neal, PhD, PE, and Di Lu received an award for “Annual Energy Performance Evaluation of Series and Parallel Fixed-Airflow Fan-Powered Terminal Units”. Yin is assistant professor at University of Louisiana, in Lafayette, Louisiana. O’Neal is dean, School of Engineering and Computer Science at Baylor University, in Waco, Texas. Lu is a PhD candidate, Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A & M University, in College Station, Texas.
• Peng Yin, PhD, Dennis L O’Neal, PhD, PE, re­ceived an award for “Modeling Variable-Airflow Parallel Fan-Powered Terminal Units with a Mass and Energy Balance Approach”. Yin is assistant professor at the Univer­sity of Louisiana, in Lafayette, Louisiana. O’Neal is dean, School of Engineering and Computer Science at Baylor Univer­sity, in Waco, Texas.
• Shima Sadat Shahahmadi and Li Song received an award for “Valve Flowmeter Enhancement through Computing Valve Dynamic Behaviors”. Shahahmadi is systems engineer at ClimateMaster, Inc, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Song is associate professor at University of Oklahoma, in Norman, Oklahoma.

Willis H Carrier Award

Peng Yin, PhD, and Carl Lewis Reid received the Willis H Carrier Award, which is given to a member 32 years of age or younger for presenting an out­standing paper at a Society conference. The award is presented for “Modeling Variable-Airflow Series Fan-Powered Terminal Units with a Mass and Energy Bal­ance Approach”. Yin is assistant professor at the University of Louisiana, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Reid is systems specialist at Environmental Systems Corporation, in Austin, Texas.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award salutes members of any grade who have served the Society faithfully and with distinction and who have given freely of their time and talent in chapter, regional and Society activities. The following members were recognized:

• Gerardo Alfonso, Eng, senior con­sultant, Ingeal, SA, Bogota, Colombia
• Charlene Warres Bayer, PhD, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, chairman and chief science officer, Hygieia Sciences LLC, Marietta, Georgia
• Niels Bidstrup, PhD, chief engi­neer, Grundfos Holdings A/S, Bjerringbro, Denmark
• Alonzo AB Blalock, PE, commis­sioning manager, Jacobs Engineering Group, Fort Worth, Texas
• Nohad I Boudani, P Eng, director of technical and R&D department, SODICOM SAL, Beirut, Lebanon
• Clive Broadbent, P Eng, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, consulting engineer, Clive Broadbent & Associates Pty Ltd, Canberra, Australia
• Robert B Burkhead, president, Blue Haven Technologies, Louisville, Kentucky
• Dimitris A Charalampopoulos, owner, D A Charalampopoulos & Associ­ates Engineering Consultants, Paleon Phaliron, Greece
• Rupal A Choksi, assistant vice president, quality and product selection services, Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), Arlington, Virginia
• Jon J Cohen, technical staff consul­tant, ChemTreat, Glen Allen, Virginia
• James G Crawford, Fellow Life Mem­ber ASHRAE, retired, Trane/Inger­soll-Rand, Tyler, Texas
• Lorenzo Cremaschi, PhD, associ­ate professor, mechanical engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
• Den Low Han Guan, PE, director, EMS Design & Consultation, Kuala Lum­pur, Malaysia
• Pam Duffy, PE, owner, Spark One Solutions, LLC, Dallas, Texas
• Philip W Fairey, deputy director, Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, Florida
• Gus Faris, Life Member ASHRAE, vice president, engineering, Nailor In­dustries, Inc, Houston, Texas
• Bruce L Flaniken, PE, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, design & construction manager of engineering, Houston Meth­odist Hospital, Houston, Texas
• Brian Hafendorfer, PE, systems development engineer, Trane, Lexington, Kentucky
• William M Healy, PhD, group leader, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland
• Mark A. Hertel, PE, Life Member ASHRAE, executive vice president, Inter-Island Solar Supply, Honolulu, Ha­waii and senior engineer, SunEarth, Inc, Fontana, California
• Jaap Hogeling, Fellow/Life Member ASHRAE, director, EPB Center and Manager International Standards, ISSO, Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Jonathan Humble, regional director, Construction Codes & Standards, Ameri­can Iron and Steel Institute, West Hart­ford, Connecticut
• Ronald Judkoff, Life Member ASHRAE, chief architectural engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, Colorado
• Esher Kweller, PE, Life Member ASHRAE, retired, research program man­ager, US Department of Energy Office of Building Technology, Washington, DC
• Walter W Law, Jr, PE, senior mechani­cal engineer/project manager, I C Thomas­son Associates, Inc, Knoxville, Tennessee
• Marilyn A Listvan, PhD, consultant and chief executive officer, Listvan Con­sulting, Edina, Minnesota
• R Christopher Mathis, president, MC2 – Mathis Consulting Company, Ashe­ville, North Carolina
• Dustin Meredith, PE, systems devel­opment engineer, Trane, Lexington, Kentucky
• Richie Mittal, managing director, Overdrive Engineering Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, India
• John S Molnar, PEng, chief execu­tive officer and director of engineering, CoEng Advisors Inc, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
• Matthew J Nelson, PE, managing principal, ECO Commissions, Cleveland, Ohio
• Zheng O’Neill, PhD, PE, associ­ate professor, Department of Mechani­cal Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Kathleen Owen, Fellow ASHRAE, consulting engineer/owner, Owen Air Filtration Consulting, Cary, North Carolina
• Gary Phetteplace, PhD, PE, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, president, GWA Research, LLC, Lyme, New Hampshire
• Donald Prather, technical services manager, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), Arlington, Virginia
• Keith Reihl, PE, owner, Reihl Engi­neering, LLC, Cypress, Texas
• Rachel L Romero, PE, energy engi­neer, National Renewable Energy Labora­tory (NREL), Golden, Colorado
• Heather Schopplein, PE, pre-con­struction manager, University Mechani­cal & Engineering Contractors, El Cajon, California
• Robert E Simmons, PE, chief ex­ecutive officer, Petra Seismic Design, and Seismic Source International, Houston, Texas
• Eric Sturm, applications engineer, Trane, La Crosse, Wisconsin
• Wei Sun, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, presi­dent and chief executive officer, Engsysco, Inc, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Jonathan I Symko, Life Member ASHRAE, president, QSC Consultants, LLC, Sugar Land, Texas
• Marija S Todorovic, PhD, PE, Fel­low ASHRAE, chief executive officer, VEA-INVI Ltd (Virtual Engineering & Art-Investment Vision) and guest profes­sor, Southeast University, School of Energy and Environment, Nanjing, China, WAAS (World Academy of Art & Sciences), and AESS (Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia), Belgrade Serbia.
• Richard E Vehlow, PE, professional engineer, Technical Services Group, New York State Office of General Services Real Estate Center, Albany, New York
• John L Wright, PhD, P Eng, professor emeritus, department of me­chanical and mechatronics engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
• Keith A Yelton, Life Member ASHRAE, retired owner, ACI Mechanical Sales, Gresham, Oregon
• Forrest S Yount, associate director, commercial digi­tal business systems, Carrier, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Richard A Zbin, Life Member ASHRAE, facilities director, Silver Spring Data Control, Kaiser Permanente, Silver Spring, Maryland

Exceptional Service Award

The Exceptional Service Award recognizes Distinguished Service Award recipients who have continued to serve faithfully and with exemplary effort. The following members were recognized:

• M Kent Anderson, Life Member ASHRAE, resides in Traverse City, Michigan
• Walid Chakroun, PhD, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, professor, college of engineer­ing and petroleum, Kuwait City, Kuwait University
• Kelley Cramm, PE, mechanical technical leader, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, Kansas
• David Scott Fisher, Life Member ASHRAE, retired consulting engineer, State Farm Mutual Automobile Company, Bloomington, Illinois
• Arthur L Giesler, director of sales, PermAlert, Perma-Pipe Inc., Niles, Illinois
• William Klock, PE, vice president, EEA Consulting Engineers, Austin, Texas
• Lawrence C Markel, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, technical staff consultant, energy and environmental directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
• R Christopher Mathis, president, MC2-Mathis Consulting Company, Ashe­ville, North Carolina
• John H Nix II, energy engineer, John Nix Consulting, LLC, Gainesville, Florida
• Jeffrey D Spitler, PhD, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, regents professor, school of mechanical and aerospace engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
• Wei Sun, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, presi­dent and chief executive officer, Engsysco, Inc, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Edward Ka Cheung Tsui, managing director, Intelligent Technologies, Ltd, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China
• William F Walter, retired, Carrier Corporation, Syracuse, New York
• Richard D Watson, president, SSHC, Inc, Old Saybrook, Connecticut
• David P Yuill, PhD, PE, assistant professor of architectural engineering, Uni­versity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Omaha, Nebraska

 Distinguished 50-Year Member Award

The Distinguished 50-Year Member Award is given to individuals who have been a member for a minimum of 50 years, and are either a past Society president, Fellow ASHRAE or Distinguished Service Award recipient or who have performed outstanding service to ASHRAE or its predecessor societies – the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE), the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE), and the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE). The following members received this award:

• Ainul Abedin, PE, Fellow Life Mem­ber ASHRAE, principal, Ainul Abedin Consulting Engineers, Karachi, Pakistan
• Paul Ross Conrad, P Eng, Life Member ASHRAE, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
• Charles C. Copeland, P.E., Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, president and chief executive officer, Goldman Copeland As­sociates, New York, New York
• Daniel J Driscoll, PE, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, resides in New Hyde Park, New York
• Walter T Grondzik, PE, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, professor, Depart­ment of Architecture, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana
• Hng Hung Chenh, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, partner, PCR Consulting Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
• Richard D Miller, PE, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, president, Richard D Miller, PE Construction-Engineering Consultant, Henderson, Nevada
• Yasunobu Nishi, Dr Eng, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, chairman emeritus, Board of Trustees, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Japan
• Avraham Shitzer, PhD, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, professor emeritus, department of mechanical engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
• Edward F Sowell, PhD, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, president, Ayres Sow­ell Associates, Inc., Placentia, California
• Alan Thompson, C Eng, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, Auckland, New Zealand
• Samuel G Toub, PE, Fellow Life Mem­ber ASHRAE, resides in Dallas, Texas
• Cedric S Trueman, P Eng, Life Mem­ber ASHRAE, resides in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
• Alfred W Woody, PE, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, resides in Norton Shores, Michigan
• Robert A Zagar, PE, Life Member ASHRAE, commissioning specialist, Jacobs Engineering, Saint Louis, Missouri

Andrew T Boggs Service Award

Ross D Montgomery, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, received the Andrew T Boggs Service Award. The award, named after ASHRAE’s executive vice president emeritus, recognizes an Exceptional Service Award recipient for continuing unself­ish, dedicated and distinguished service. Montgomery is president at Quality Systems & Technology Inc, in Tampa, Florida.

Louise & Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award

Predrag Pega Hrnjak, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, received the Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fel­low Award. This annual award is given to an ASHRAE Fellow for continuous preeminence in engineering or research work. The honor was initiated in 1979 by Presi­dential Member Bill Holladay. Hrnjak is Stoecker Faculty Fellow, Distinguished Research Professor, Director, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center at the University of Il­linois, in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, and president at Creative Thermal Solutions, Inc, in Urbana, Illinois.

AHRI attends global energy efficiency forum

WASHINGTON DC, USA, 18 June 2019: AHRI attended the 12^th Annual Energy Efficiency (EE) Global Forum, which took place on June 11 and 12 in Washington, D.C., during which international public and private sector leaders highlighted the critical need for energy efficiency policy to meet global energy and climate goals, and celebrated the launch of the EE Global Alliance.

The EE Global Alliance comprises government, corporate and NGO leaders working to raise the profile of energy efficiency in international energy and climate discussions. According to an AHRI Press communiqué, AHRI members, Johnson Controls and Danfoss received special mention in the announcement as Steering Committee members for the new initiative.

Climate Change Summit Africa to take place in October

ACCRA, Ghana, 18 June 2019: The Climate Chance Association and the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) will be conducting the Climate Change Summit Africa from October 16 to 18 in Accra.

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

Speakers scheduled to participate in the Summit include:

• Senator Ronan Dantec, President, The Climate Chance Association and UCLG Spokesperson on Climate
• Honorable Collins Augustine Ntim, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Local Governments and Rural Development of Ghana
• Honorable Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La, Mayor of Tema, President of NALAG, Ghana
• Kyekyeku Yaw Oppong-Boadi, UNFCCC Focal point for Ghana
• Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General, UCLG-A

Kenneth Amoateng, Abibiman Foundation, Ghana

Siemens Gamesa launches electrothermal energy storage system

Hamburg, Germany, 18 June 2019: In what it described as a world first, Spain-headquartered Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) on June 12 began operation of its electric thermal energy storage system (ETES), the company said through a Press communiqué. During the opening ceremony, Andreas Feicht, State Secretary, German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy; Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg; Markus Tacke, CEO, Gamesa; and project partners Hamburg Energie GmbH and Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) welcomed the achievement of the milestone. The innovative storage technology, the communiqué said, makes it possible to cost-effectively store large quantities of energy and, thus, decouple electricity generation and use.

According to the communiqué, the heat storage facility, which was ceremonially opened today in Hamburg-Altenwerder, contains around 1,000 tonnes of volcanic rock as an energy storage medium. It is fed with electrical energy, converted into hot air by means of a resistance heater and a blower that heats the rock to 750°C, the communiqué said. When demand peaks, ETES uses a steam turbine for the re-electrification of the stored energy, the communiqué said. The ETES pilot plant can, thus, store up to 130 MWh of thermal energy for a week, the communiqué added. In addition, the storage capacity of the system remains constant throughout the charging cycles, the communiqué further added.

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

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

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

According to the communiqué, the Institute for Engineering Thermodynamics at Hamburg University of Technology and the local utility company, Hamburg Energie are partners in the innovative Future Energy Solutions project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy within the “6. Energieforschungsprogramm” research programme. TU Hamburg carries out research into the thermodynamic fundamentals of the solid bulk technology used, the communiqué said.

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

Whoosh!

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

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

Depending on its shape, height and location, a building can have a positive or negative impact on wind direction, wind speed, radiation, air pollution and more. Increased wind speeds, for example, is a common phenomenon that appears at the pedestrian level around a high-rise or buildings characterised by a complex shape.

 

A famous example is the Flatiron Building, in New York City, between East 22nd and East 23rd streets. The building splits Broadway and Fifth Avenue and sits at the end of an open passageway created by Madison Square Park, in the north. Due to the geography of its location, the wind currents around the building can be treacherous. The layout of the area, combined with the shape of the building, can create unpredictable gusts of wind, which are uncomfortable for pedestrians. This is actually one of the reasons the building has become so famous since its construction in 1902. The building had raised fears that the structural system would not be able to endure the wind loads, but this has not been the case. The engineers designed it to endure winds four times stronger than are generated on site. Owing to the building’s shape, wind currents from the leading edge of the building move in a vortex pattern in both up and down directions. Nevertheless, pedestrian wind comfort does remain an issue for the iconic building and is a lesson for all new construction projects.

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

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

 

In complying with these standards and ensuring pedestrian safety and comfort, engineering solutions are indispensable. Wind tunnel testing and numerical simulation with CFD are the tools used to investigate wind flow around a building configuration or a built-environment.

Wind effects to consider in urban planning

The most important considerations and wind effects in assessing pedestrian wind comfort are corner acceleration, Venturi or channeling effect, downwash effect and passages.

The corners of buildings are the regions that can create the highest discomfort in a built-environment, especially if high-rise buildings are present. The phenomenon of corner acceleration is caused by sharp building shapes, which can cause accelerations around the corners even for oblique winds. Further effects, like the side vortices, can be created from the difference in pressure between the front (with high pressure) and the sides (with low pressure) of the building. In these regions, wind engineering experts recommend not placing any gardens or public spaces, to ensure wind comfort and safety.

 

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

 

 

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

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

 

This article presents a comparison between a CFD simulation study, created by online simulation provider SimScale and experimental results taken from the Guidebook for Practical Applications of CFD to Pedestrian Wind Environment around Buildings, published by the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) in 2008. The guidebook sets the standards for cross-comparison between the results of CFD predictions, wind tunnel tests and field measurements, and is helpful in determining the accuracy of CFD codes for pedestrian wind comfort assessments.

 

Conclusion 

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

Wind engineering is integrated into a multidisciplinary approach to building design and construction projects. In this set-up, CFD simulation and wind tunnel studies are key solutions in ensuring pedestrian wind comfort and safety. With the emergence of cloud-based simulation software, this technology is becoming more accessible than ever before. Right on time for a new era in urban planning – the future is now.

The writer is Team Manager, Application Engineering, SimScale.

C40 Africa Forum issues call for urgent action to protect planet

Johannesburg, South Africa, 18 June 2019: C40’s (www.C40.org) annual event, the C40 Cities’ Financing Sustainable African Cities Forum, which took place on June 12 in South Africa, gathered city officials and investors to address the most pressing climate challenges of our time, according to an official C40 communiqué. African mayors stated that inspiring citizens to live sustainably is a good start, but systemic infrastructure development, enabled by public and private investment, is critical to sustainable city transformation, the communiqué said.

Showcasing recent innovations in African cities, experts at the Forum urged the investment community to recognise the potential of these leading cities and promote inclusive financing models, the communiqué said. Our shared climate mission must transcend national and industry borders, the communiqué quoted the experts as collectively saying. ‘The transformational potential of African cities’, ‘a need for inclusive financing models’ and ‘our collective responsibility in the global fight for sustainability’ were key themes of the Forum, supported by Citi Foundation.

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

Herman Mashaba, Executive Mayor, City of Johannesburg, took to the stage to emphasise the global scope of the shared fight for sustainability and the vital role of African city investment in progressing this fight. “Some leaders argue that the effects of climate change are the result of years of neglect by developed countries,” he said. “But, we need to focus on what every single nation can do right now to improve our shared future. Let us not delude ourselves – a lack of development does not exempt us from taking responsibility for our collective destiny. Rather than dwelling upon who brought us to this point, we must focus on putting sustainable development front and centre in all of our work”.

James Alexander, Director, City Finance Programme, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, said: “In recent years, the world has started waking up to the potential of cities to save us from climate disaster. Cities are where the action is happening, and the global leadership is being shown. However, securing the financing to unlock the potential, impact and innovation of cities is still a key issue, and that’s why it’s so important to bring together city, government and investment leaders through the C40 Financing Sustainable Cities Initiative. By developing financing solutions between city mayors and officials, and the investors who can unlock critical sustainability solutions, we’re building a sustainable urban future for generations to come”. 

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

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

ASHRAE announces call for papers for IAQ 2020

Atlanta, Georgia, 13 June 2019: ASHRAE has announced a call for papers for the IAQ 2020 conference, scheduled to take place from September 14 to 16, 2020, in Athens, Greece, the Society said through a Press communiqué. Organized by ASHRAE and the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (AIVC), the theme of the conference, ‘Indoor Environmental Quality Performance Approaches’, focuses on the metrics, systems, sensors and norms necessary to implement performance approaches.

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

The conference steering committee is seeking papers that demonstrate topics focused on IEQ performance approaches. Suggested paper topics include:

• Health and Wellbeing: Appropriate technical and operational definitions
• Performance Metrics: For all aspects of IEQ
• Interactions: Interactions between IEQ parameters
• Occupant Behavior: How behavior impacts IEQ and how IEQ impacts behavior – psychological dimensions of IEQ
• Smart Sensors and Big Data: Sensor properties, data management, cybersecurity, applications
• Smart Controls: Equipment properties, commissioning, equivalence
• Resilience and IEQ: Responding to climate change and disasters
• Ventilation: Mechanical, passive, natural and hybrid systems
• Air Tightness: Trends, methods and impacts
• Thermal Comfort: Dynamic approaches, health impacts and trends
• Policy and Standards: Trends, impacts, implications

According to the communiqué, authors have the option to submit either a conference paper or an extended abstract and to state their preference for either an oral or poster presentation. Submissions are due October 7, 2019. If accepted, complete manuscript submissions are due February 17, 2020. For more information, visit ashrae.org/IAQ2020. 

Kelvion to participate in Zellcheming Expo

Bochum, Germany, 13 June 2019: Kelvion will be showcasing its energy-saving and waste-recovery solutions for the paper industry at the Zellcheming Expo, from June 25 to 27 in Frankfurt, the company said through a Press communiqué.

Maximum energy efficiency and heat recovery, with minimum waste heat are key goals in the paper and pulp industry, and the company said its effective and flexible solutions for paper production and wastewater cooling can help companies achieve them. Sustainable energy efficiency and process reliability underpin the Kelvion range of plate heat exchangers, air dryers, radiators and cooling towers, the communiqué said.

The company’s gasketed plate heat exchangers of the NF series offer a free flow for all media, the communiqué said. Unlike traditional models with herringbone corrugation, which have tapered flow channels, the channel cross-section of the NF series is always consistent, the communiqué further said. This allows particles to pass through more easily, the communiqué added. The free-flow plate heat exchangers have a regular plate gap of up to 10 mm and a coarsely corrugated plate profile, ensuring a blockage-free operation with fibrous and solid media at high heat transfer performance, the communiqué further added.

According to the communiqué, Kelvion’s brazed plate heat exchangers are used in the paper and pulp production process, for example, for highly efficient heat pumps. They are characterised by their compact design and low investment and operating costs, the communiqué said. Newly shaped flow cells ensure higher turbulence and improved heat transfer, the communiqué added.

According to the communiqué, flow-optimised elliptical-finned tubes as steam-driven air heaters – with optional round-finned tubes – are used to heat the process air. The energy contained in the hood exhaust air is recovered in the exhaust air flow via air/air or air/water stainless steel economisers and fed directly back into the production process, such as for white water heating, the communiqué said. In this way, Kelvion heat exchangers contribute to optimum energy efficiency and sustainability in the production process, the communiqué added.

Additionally, the communiqué  said, through using state-of-the-art design software for thermodynamic and mechanical calculations, Kelvion’s experts design compact radiators and dry coolers, according to customer-specific requirements. Many different sizes and widths, the communiqué said, as well as a large selection of accessories guarantee a tailormade solution for cooling the process water down to the target temperature.

When it comes to cooling towers, the communiqué  said, whether as an open version with axial fan or as a closed version with radial fan, the company’s modular products, with up to 120 m², support efficient and stable cooling performance in the pulp and paper industry. The wastewater inlet temperature can be maintained by means of an appropriate wastewater packing, the communiqué  said, or in conjunction with a plate or free-flow heat exchanger. Corrosion-resistant materials ensure sustainability and a long life cycle, the communiqué added.

According to the communiqué, Kelvion heat exchangers are used along the entire process chain: from oil and water cooling and air preheating for the dryer section, to heat recovery from the dryer hood exhaust air and conditioning of process streams containing particles and fibres. A 360° service package, the communiqué said, rounds off the range.

Baltimore Aircoil Company introduces HXV Hybrid Cooler

Baltimore, Maryland, 9 June, 2019: Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) has introduced the HXV Hybrid Cooler, which the company described in a Press communiqué as offering the best of both evaporative and dry cooling, thus providing a water-saving and energy-efficient solution. The HXV, the communiqué said, is ideal for maintaining peak performance for a variety of applications, where water is scarce, water costs are high, uptime is critical or plume is a concern. It is perfect for the most demanding of projects, including data centers, industrial, manufacturing and HVAC, the communiqué said.

The HXV delivers energy-efficient cooling while maximizing water savings, the communiqué said, adding that owing to the power of evaporative cooling, the HXV is up to 60% more energy efficient than air-cooled systems. BAC’s innovative combined-flow technology, which combines parallel air and water paths, ensures peak system energy efficiency, the communiqué said. The HXV also offers up to 70% water savings compared to traditional fluid coolers with the ability to run with reduced water during the majority of the year, the communiqué added. Even on a design day, 25% water savings can be achieved, the communiqué further added.

The HXV also offers 25% maintenance savings compared to traditional fluid coolers, the communiqué said. Maintenance is easy with immediate access to the cold water basin, prime surface coil, and the fan-drive system, the communiqué added. Operators can even inspect the spray distribution system while the unit is in operation, the communiqué said. Maintenance costs are further reduced by virtue of 70% chemical savings, the communiqué added.

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

ASHRAE signs MoU agreement with IDEA

Atlanta, Georgia, 26 May 2019: ASHRAE and the International District Energy Association (IDEA) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the organizations’ relationship. ASHRAE said through a Press communiqué.

The MoU was signed by 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J Hayter and IDEA President and CEO Robert Thornton on May 22, the communiqué said. The agreement defines parameters on how the two organizations will collaborate more closely to continue to advance and promote the mutual interests of their respective members, the communiqué added.

Both organizations seek to collaborate on the following:

• Identifying and advancing industry best practices
• Enhancing opportunities for education and awareness
• Shaping and advocating policies to achieve a more sustainable future
• Cultivating a global community of leaders, who are better prepared to address the economic, environmental and climate challenges facing society

 

“IDEA is committed to optimizing the integration of buildings with both thermal and electrical district energy systems, which aligns well with ASHRAE’s priorities,” Hayter said. “This dedication makes IDEA a natural fit as an ASHRAE strategic partner and will strengthen both societies’ members to continue striving toward a healthier built-environment and a more sustainable world. I am pleased to sign this MoU on ASHRAE’s behalf and look forward to working with IDEA.”

 

According to the communiqué, areas of potential collaboration include, but are not limited to: General advocacy, publishing, education and training programs, coordination of technical activities, and research.

 

Thornton said: “For over a century, ASHRAE members have contributed to advancing research, expertise and awareness on how best to shape our built-environment for energy efficiency and economic productivity. As energy professionals, we face increasing urgency to solve the complex challenges of climate change, especially in our cities, communities and campuses, where energy density enables solutions like district energy to maximize energy recovery, strengthen resiliency, reduce emissions and optimize integration of electricity and thermal energy. This partnership will strengthen collaboration on designing and building the energy solutions we will need for the future that we seek.”

 

ASHRAE Signs MoU with US Department of Energy

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, May 23, 2019: ASHRAE and the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the organizations’ relationship, ASHRAE said through a Press communiqué.

The MoU was signed by 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J Hayter, PE and DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Daniel R Simmons, on May 22. The agreement defines parameters on how ASHRAE and the DOE will collaborate more closely to continue to advance and promote mutual interests, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, ASHRAE and DOE seek to work cooperatively to improve the efficient use of energy, to improve building resiliency and to improve building performance, including for occupants.

“This MoU agreement represents a valuable coordination of resources between ASHRAE and the Department of Energy, which establishes a solid framework to facilitate advances within the built-environment,” Hayter said. “We look forward to working with DOE on innovative approaches toward the attainment of sustainable development in all communities.”

The MoU includes, but is not limited to, the following goals:

• Encouraging the continued development of voluntary consensus-based standards related to energy efficiency.
• Encouraging the adoption of technologically feasible and economically justified energy-efficiency measures in each succeeding version of Standard 90.1 (Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings) by states to ensure energy and cost savings.
• Encouraging the use of advanced energy design concepts.
• Collaboration in the development and implementation of the safe use of next-generation refrigerants and, concurrently, improve equipment energy efficiency.
• Cooperation to provide and encourage the use of clear and consistent information to the building industry about building energy rating and labeling.
• Work within the building community and related professions to encourage the interoperability of building-related software and integrated solutions.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with ASHRAE,” Simmons said. “We value the expertise of our stakeholders, including ASHRAE, and look forward to our continued collaboration together.”

 

 

Belarusian engineers introduce AirZen

Minsk, Belarus, 14 May 2019: A team of Belarusian engineers have introduced AirZen, a 5-in-1 personal humidifier, purifier, ioniser, aroma diffuser and air quality controller station.

According to the team of engineers, AirZen is a new multifunctional personal airspace controller with the widest variety of different features, including a humidifier, air purifier, ioniser, aroma diffuser and air-quality station, all of which can be controlled using a companion smartphone application, supported by both iOS and Android devices.

Describing the gadget as being compact, the team of engineers said that it allows users to create their own microclimate around their workspace or home directly from their smartphone! “Whether you’re in the office or at home, AirZen combines the latest technology, including advanced HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Absorber) air filtration, to reduce air pollutants around you,” a spokesperson for the team said. “It is perfect for hot summer days, as AirZen’s cooling mode lowers the temperature.”

According to the team of engineers, AirZen is designed to become a personal source of fresh air. “In crowded workspaces, the high-performance and energy-efficient AirZen helps you to breathe more healthily and work more efficiently,” the spokesperson said. “With an advanced HEPA air filter in place, AirZen destroys allergens and helps those affected by asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), viruses, toxic gases or simply bad odours. The innovative air-purifying technology allows you to get rid of headaches and forget about pollution. Set the desired temperature and humidity level, and the device will deliver a stream of fresh air around you. AirZen can also be used at night for easier breathing and better sleep with the help of various aromatic oils.”

European associations launch “HVACR Week”

Brussels, Belgium; Milan, Italy, 13 May 2019: AREA, the Associazione Tecnici del Freddo, EPEE and EVIA are joining efforts to emphasise the importance of the Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration sector during the first ever “HVACR Week”, which will take place from June 6 to 12. The associations will be hosting two showpiece events, namely the 18th European Conference in Milan on June 6 and 7, and EUREKA 2019 in Bruges on June 11 and 12. “We want the HVACR Week to be a highlight of our sector’s calendar for years to come,” said Marco Buoni, President, AREA. “Six months after the entry into force of the Kigali Amendment, two weeks following the European elections, and at a time when climate change is a major concern for worldwide citizens, this will be the perfect time for our sector to gather, stop and think about how it can help make the world a better place.” The European Conference, which is held biennially in cooperation with the Centro Studi Galileo (CSG), UN Environment (UNEP), and the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIF-IIR), will be held at the Polytechnic University of Milan under the aegis of the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea Protection.

Participants will have the chance to hear updates about the latest technology available on the market through a set of scientific presentations by the Presidents of major global associations and various industry representatives. The debate will focus on climate change and technologies developed to counter its effects.

A few days after the European Conference, EPEE and EVIA will host the third edition of EUREKA which is all about the crucial role of cooling and ventilation for health, productivity, and well-being. “Cooling and ventilation are not a luxury but a necessity,” said Andrea Voigt, Director General, EPEE. “Our sector contributes significantly to a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but is far from getting the attention it deserves. Technologies and solutions are readily available but still not sufficiently deployed. This is even more worrying, as current trends such as urbanisation, an ageing population and a warming climate will fuel market growth as well as energy demand.”

That’s why, EPEE added, this year’s EUREKA will focus on the role of cooling and ventilation in view of the SDGs. The event will explore opportunities for sustainable cooling and ventilation technologies and their role as part of the transition towards smart and sustainable cities and regions, as well as the wider challenges the sector is facing such as skills, employment and gender participation.

Posifa introduces new air velocity sensors

San Jose, California, 14 May 2019: Posifa Technologies on May 9 introduced its new PAV1000 series of air velocity sensors for data center thermal management and HVAC applications, such as filter monitoring. Announcing this through a Press communiqué, the company said the devices, which measure air velocity at 7 m/s (PAV1005V) and 15 m/s (PAV1015V), offer extremely fast response times of 125 ms, typical in a compact, robust package.

According to the communiqué, the PAV1000 series was designed as an economical, high-performance air velocity sensor for thermal management and filter monitoring in even the most space-constrained locations, such as rack enclosures with air cooling in data centers. Unlike thermistor-based solutions, the Posifa MEMS sensor core is minimally affected by ambient temperature changes and provides instant real-time feedback on proper air flow at critical locations.

According to the communiqué, air velocity data perfectly complements temperature information to provide the best insight into thermal efficiency. By identifying areas that require unusually high air flow to maintain stable temperatures, the communiqué said, layouts can be modified to reduce cooling demands for increased energy savings. In HVAC applications, the communiqué added, air velocity measurements can be used to determine when filters need to be replaced. This, the communiqué further added, ensures hardware is adequately protected during heavy use, while allowing customers with light usage requirements to benefit from extended change intervals.

According to the communiqué, the devices feature Posifa’s third-generation thermal flow die, which uses a pair of thermopiles to detect changes in temperature gradient caused by mass flow. The result is excellent repeatability of one per cent FS and accuracy of five per cent FS, the communiqué said. The solid-state thermal isolation structure on the sensor die eliminates the need for a surface cavity or fragile membrane used in competing technologies, making the sensor resistant to clogging and pressure shock, the communiqué added. 

According to the communiqué, the PAV1000 series offers an output voltage range from 0 VDC to 4.5 VDC, supply voltage from 5 VDC to 5.5 VDC, and supply current of 20 mA. The devices, the communiqué said, operate over a -25 °C to +85 °C temperature range.

Bacharach expands refrigerant gases on MGS-400 Gas Detectors

New Kensington, Pennsylvania, United States, 13 May 2019: Bacharach, which provides HVACR gas instrumentation, has added 22 halogen refrigerants for its MGS-400 gas detectors in commercial and industrial gas leak monitoring applications, the company said through a Press communiqué.

The newly added halogen refrigerants include R-1234yf, R-1234ze, R-134a, R-22, R-32, R-404a, R-407a, R-407C, R-407f, R-410a, R-422, R-422d, R-427a, R-434a, R-448a, R-449a, R-450a, R-452a, R-454a, R-454c, R-507a and R-513A. Support for additional gases are in development and will be released over the next few months, the company said through the communiqué.  

The MGS-400 series product family uses three different sensor types, depending on the measurement range, temperature and gas types when detecting for hazardous refrigerant leaks, the communiqué said. The variety of sensor types within the product line offers significant user benefits, including flexibility with refrigerant leak detection and providing peace of mind when helping to protect personnel and achieve compliance with safety standards like ASHRAE 15, CSA-B52 and EN 378 inside of machinery rooms, mechanical equipment rooms, chiller plants, cold storage facilities and walk-in freezers, the communiqué said.

Other user benefits, the communiqué said, include a mobile app interface for easy commissioning and maintenance without special tools and an added sensor life of 5-7 years with plug-and-play pre-calibrated sensor modules for quick, simple sensor replacement. According to the communiqué, generating calibration certificates from the mobile app makes calibration documentation easy to create and send by email or store in the cloud. A Modbus RTU interface, the communiqué said, and analogue and relay outputs enable easy safety alarming and automation control.

UL delivers training to KSA customs officials to fight counterfeiting

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 13 May 2019:  Safety science company, UL in end-April conducted a training programme for customs officials in Saudi Arabia to help the Kingdom implement an array of anti-counterfeiting solutions towards safeguarding customers from counterfeit products.

UL’s Global Security and Brand Protection team hosted the training sessions for customs officials from King Abdulaziz Airport and Jeddah Islamic Sea Port, who were briefed on the registered Marks owned by UL. During the training programme, the officials also saw counterfeit products seized in the region. UL’s team, which included Ahmad Chok, Country Manager for Saudi Arabia, and Natalie Wong, Regional Investigations Manager, advised officials on how to spot counterfeit equipment and the importance of brand protection. They explained the importance of developing and implementing solutions that halt the flow of these illegal and potentially dangerous goods.

Wong said: “UL’s Global Security and Brand Protection team works with law enforcement across the world to remove products bearing counterfeit UL Marks from the marketplace. We work closely with the authorities to identify those responsible for manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit products, and our program continues to grow and adapt to combat counterfeiting activities.” UL said its customers benefit from access to a wealth of support, knowledge and assistance, including investigation support in partnership with global law enforcement authorities and e-learning development resources to utilise in the creation of custom courses delivered through the IP Crime College (iipcic.org).

Hamid Syed, Vice President and General Manager, UL Middle East, said: “The recent anti-counterfeit training programme was an opportunity for UL’s team of highly trained experts to meet with KSA customs officers in Jeddah. Counterfeiting is a direct threat to customers, brands and the brands bottom line. We leverage our global partnerships, expertise and experience to help protect consumers, products and brand reputation.”

my-PV launches AC-THOR 9s power controller

Neuzeug, Austria, 13 May 2019: The new power controller, AC-THOR 9s can control electrical room heating as well as water heaters up to 9 kilowatts of power linearly, Austria-based my-PV said through a Press communiqué. It controls three-phase heating elements or up to three electrical heat sources and can even supply several heating circuits and regulate them independently of each other, the company said through the communiqué. 

Since it communicates with inverters, battery systems and smart home controls, the intelligent power controller always knows exactly how much excess solar power is available, the communiqué said. In energy-optimised buildings, the device replaces the entire fluid-based heating technology, the communiqué further said. Alternatively, the solar power manager can also be integrated in conventional buffer storage tanks, the communiqué added. The new power controller is no larger than its “little brother”, AC-THOR, which my-PV launched in 2017 for detached and multi-family homes, the communiqué further added.

According to the communiqué, AC-THOR 9s opens up numerous new areas of application due to its high performance. For example, residential buildings with larger solar power systems can further increase their self-consumption by storing more heat. In addition, the communiqué said, the new power controller is ideal for use in agriculture, hotels and commercial buildings, where, for example, high-performance PV systems require a lot of heat for cleaning, manufacturing or wellness.

ZAbluefin certified for AMCA’s new Fan Energy Index (FEI)

Kuenzelsau, Germany, 30 April 2019: Zeihl-Abegg is the first company worldwide to certify a product range, ZAbluefin, for AMCA’s new Fan Energy Index (FEI), the German manufacturer of fans said through a Press communiqué. FEI is a wire-to-air, design-point metric, emphasising compliant fan selections based on operating points. In 2018, the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International introduced FEI to save energy, reduce operating costs and accelerate decarbonisation.

FEI is an energy-efficiency metric for fans, inclusive of motors and drives. The calculation method for the new metric is defined in ANSI/AMCA Standard 208, Calculation of the Fan Energy Index. The metric provides a standardised and consistent basis for comparing fan energy performance across fan types and sizes at a given fan duty point. FEI also considers the effects of motors and drives, when included in fan-rating tests. FEI has several uses, Zeihl-Abegg said through the communiqué. Fan specifiers can use it to understand and communicate fan-efficiency design intent, while legislative and regulatory bodies can use it to define energy-efficiency requirements of fans. The standard has been written to support the fan industry’s entrance into energy and construction codes and standards and to support utility rebate programmes.

FEI is a replacement for fan efficiency grade (FEG), a metric currently referenced in model energy codes and standards, such as ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings; ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IEC 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings; and the International Energy Conservation Code and in federal regulations in several Asian countries. FEI will replace FEG in energy codes, standards and regulations as it is adopted through change proposals as part of routine revision cycles.

According to the communiqué, 27 ZAbluefin centrifugal fans with GR modules in several combinations, using different motors, are certified, as are the former product range, Cpro and C. Ziehl-Abegg has operated the world’s largest combined measurement and test chamber for fans in Künzelsau since 2008, the communiqué said. Ziehl-Abegg, the communiqué said, believes that state-of-the-art, high-precision measuring instruments and regular training for employees, combined with routine inspections by external organisations, such as AMCA and TÜV, are essential to continuing to inspire customers’ total confidence in its products.

Photo courtesy: Ziehl-Abegg

African Energy Chamber, oil industry investors welcome South Sudan investment drive in South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa, 22 April 2019: South African and African private-sector participants have a significant opportunity to invest in South Sudan and realise large commercial gains. With this view in mind, the African Energy Chamber is set to join Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Hon. Salvatore Garang Mabiordit, South Sudan’s Minister of Finance and Planning, among others, for a meeting on April 24 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The two cabinet ministers prior travelled to Washington DC, New York City and Dubai on a global investment drive, as part of a high-level delegation.Others in the South Sudan delegation include Hon. Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Hon. Gabriel Thokuj Deng, Minister of Mining; Dr Abraham Maliet Mamer, Secretary-General, South Sudan Investment Authority; Dr Chol Thon Abel, Managing Director, Nilepet and Ceasar Marko, Chairman, South Sudan Petroleum Commission.The Chamber commended Afrexim Bank for providing a USD 500 million financing facility to fund power transmission, infrastructure and agricultural projects. It also commended South Africa President, Cyril Ramaphosa and Hon Jeff Radebe, South Africa Energy Minister for committing USD 1 billion in oil & gas and infrastructure projects in South Sudan.

The bankable deals should be closed quickly, as it would create opportunities for both the South African and South Sudanese people, the Chamber said.The Chamber said it believes South Sudan’s leadership also has an obligation to creating an enabling environment for investors to put more money into the country. To achieve the benefits, South Sudan needs to safely open up new oil blocks to exploration, especially to African investors, the Chamber said. It’s time to build and set up refineries; pipelines and urea, ammonia and fertiliser plants; power plants; large agricultural fields and technology hubs, the Chamber said.The Chamber said it believes that securing investments is not the problem. Investors need an enabling environment, it said, and we are spending a lot of money to help South Sudan achieve that. It is business that creates jobs and hope. Economic revival and business are the solution, not aid. Our leaders in government need to understand this. We cannot afford smallness in our drive for peace, investment and stability when what South Sudan and most of Africa really need are big pragmatic commonsense solutions.

ABB joins Eurovent Middle East

Dubai, UAE, 21 April 2019: ABB has joined Eurovent Middle East, a move the latter described as sending a strong message to the industry to support cooperation and coordination by the region’s HVACR industry association. ABB, which has become the 45th member of the industry association, has four customer-focused businesses, namely Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion and Robotics & Discrete Automation.

Frank Taaning Grundholm, Vice President, Global HVACR Sales, ABB Drives, said: “We see huge energy savings potential in the Middle East, and we believe the industry needs to take responsibility of achieving ambitious energy-efficiency goals. Eurovent Middle East has proven to be an excellent platform for cooperation and coordination, taking initiative in so many different aspects. We are happy to support this approach and look forward to being part of the discussion.”

Markus Lattner, Managing Director, Eurovent Middle East, added: “We greatly appreciate the endorsement and support from ABB. Seeing the association grow and gain more and more support underlines that the demand for joint action is huge, as are the opportunities for our industry if we join forces. Our vision two years ago, when we started, has been very ambitious. We are extremely grateful to see that these ambitions haven’t been lost.”

According to Eurovent, the ever-growing construction industry, sustained focus on investment in infrastructure development and the growth in hotel, tourism and healthcare sectors in the UAE will drive the demand for reliable and efficient HVACR in both commercial and residential segments.Ahmed Radwan, ABB’s UAE Local Business Manager, said: “It is extremely important that HVACR solutions provide environmental-friendly operations that fit the government’s blueprint for a greener future. With ABB’s energy-efficient motors and variable-speed drive solutions – easily integrated with ABB Ability digital monitoring services – we are ready to meet industry needs today and in the future.”

ASHRAE publishes new guideline for Historic Buildings

Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 21 April 2019: ASHRAE has published a new guideline for increasing energy efficiency in historic buildings while minimising the disturbance of the building’s historic character and materials. ASHRAE Guideline 34-2019, ‘Energy Guideline for Historic Buildings’, provides comprehensive and detailed descriptions of the processes and procedures for the retrofitting of historic buildings to achieve greater measured efficiency, ASHRAE said through a Press communiqué. The guideline is particularly aimed at providing guidance for ‘listed’ historic buildings – that is those formally designated or eligible to be designated as historically significant by a governing body, the communiqué announced. 

Guideline 34, the communiqué said, provides a step-by-step procedure for sensitive energy upgrading, beginning with forming the project team and gathering building and energy use histories, to instituting energy-efficiency measures (EEM). Building envelope improvements, environmental control strategies, energy system analysis, HVAC selection and lighting design considerations are all addressed in the guideline. All recommendations are made in consideration of preserving the integrity of the historically valuable building character, materials and associated artifacts.

“The committee members writing this guideline are exceptionally knowledgeable about the special issues related to historic buildings and the care needed to preserve them,” said 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J. Hayter, P.E., who also served as chair of the international guideline committee. “The committee’s intent was to provide guidance for worldwide communities and specifically for entire project teams – not just engineers.”

Many historic buildings were constructed without insulation and designed without active air conditioning systems – especially for mechanical cooling. Retrofitting such buildings requires specialised techniques during construction and operation, as well as sensitivity to respecting and preserving historical significance. With nearly two-thirds of existing buildings estimated to still be in service by 2050, project teams retrofitting any historic building for energy efficiency can benefit from the content of the guideline.

Baltimore Aircoil introduces Nexus Modular Hybrid Cooler

Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 21 April 2019: Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) has introduced the Nexus Modular Hybrid Cooler, which it claimed in a Press communiqué as being the world’s first intelligent, plug-and-play, modular, hybrid fluid cooling system. The Nexus, BAC said, is engineered to simplify system design and optimise water and energy savings, while providing the lowest installation, operating and maintenance costs.

According to the communiqué, the Nexus simplifies both the design and installation of fluid cooling systems. The units are up to eight feet shorter in height, have a 40% smaller footprint and are 35% lighter than traditional fluid coolers, the communiqué said. Modules are designed to be moved with a pallet jack and fit in a freight elevator – eliminating the need for special rigging equipment, the communiqué said. Structural steel requirements can be reduced by up to 50%, and permanent ladders or elevated platforms can be eliminated, the communiqué added. All fans, pumps, accessories and controls are factory-installed, and wired, for true single-point wiring, the communiqué further added.

According to the communiqué, BAC’s patented hCore Heat Transfer Technology delivers exceptional heat transfer performance, durability and longevity in a compact, corrosion-resistant package that has 65% less internal fluid volume and requires no passivation. The Nexus’ new, patent-pending DiamondClear design uses 60% less spray water volume than traditional systems, has turbulent spray water flow, and the spray water basin can be inspected while in operation, BAC claimed through the communiqué. BAC’s iPilot Control System, with patent-pending, embedded intelligence minimises operating cost by effectively balancing water and energy savings based on customer needs and preferences, the communiqué said. The EC Fan System, BAC claimed through the communiqué, provides superior efficiency as well as high external static capability, with a direct-drive radial fan and a variable-speed electrically commutated (EC) motor. It completely eliminates maintenance associated with traditional fan drive systems and delivers superior reliability, the communiqué said. 

The Nexus has the highest uptime and reliability, the communiqué said. As standard, it is a passivation-free unit with premium non-corrosive materials to keep customers up-and-running with their projects at the most critical times, the communiqué said. Code compliance is also very important for our customers, so a non-combustible option that meets the most stringent fire codes will now be available, the communiqué quoted BAC as saying. 

“This product highlights our leadership position in innovation,” said Don Fetzer, BAC President, “as we have created the world’s first truly smart hybrid cooling solution, with the ability to switch between evaporative and dry cooling in a modular compact footprint.”

Criminal trade in climate-harming HFC refrigerants flourishes in EU

LONDON, UK, 14 April 2019: A key initiative in Europe’s strategy to fight climate change is being undermined by an escalating criminal trade in climate-harming refrigerant gases.

The European Union revised its F-gas Regulation in 2014 to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a family of synthetic chemicals hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide and commonly used in refrigeration, air-conditioning, fire protection, aerosols and foams.

But as supplies shrink and prices rise under the EU’s HFC quotas, illegal trade has flourished to meet demand, with non-quota HFCs entering the EU directly from China or via Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Albania.

Key EU entry points and hotspots for illegal trade are thought to be Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Malta.

Releasing the new Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) report, titled Doors Wide Open: Europe’s flourishing illegal trade in hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) today, Climate Campaigns Leader, Clare Perry, warned: “Cutting HFC use is one of the most effective tools to help prevent runaway climate change – but its impact could be significantly undermined by illegal trade.”

The report is the most comprehensive research of its kind into the criminal HFC trade and documents how, as early as 2016 and despite huge stockpiling of HFCs in 2014, reports of illegal HFCs in European markets began to emerge.

EIA campaigners have since seen an escalation in reported illegal HFC trade, with 2018 witnessing a deluge of illegal HFC use and trade throughout the EU.

A detailed analysis of customs data for 2018 suggests as much as 16.3 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent (16.3 MtCO2e) bulk HFCs were illegally placed on the market, equivalent to more than 16% of the quota. A large number of EU countries recorded significantly increased HFC imports in 2018, despite the major HFC supply cut of 37%.

EIA also compared 2017 customs data to figures reported under the F-gas Regulation. The customs data indicates an additional 14.8 MtCO2e of HFCs placed on the European market compared to reported data, equivalent to 8.7% of the 2017 quota. Significant discrepancies also exist between Chinese export figures and Europe’s import data, which could indicate fraudulent import declarations.

Sophie Geoghegan, EIA Climate Campaigner, said: “There are multiple and large discrepancies between reported and customs data. The 2018 customs data suggests HFC use exceeded the quota by more than 16% – that’s greenhouse gases equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions from more than four coal-fired power plants – and we call on the European Commission and Member States to examine this as a matter of urgency.”

In late 2018, EIA conducted two surveys, one to gauge efforts by EU Member States to comply with the F-gas Regulation and the second to get information on the illegal trade directly from key industry stakeholders.

More than 80% of the companies surveyed were aware of or suspected illegal HFC trade, and 72% had seen or been offered refrigerants in illegal disposable cylinders.

Perry added: “The EU’s doors are wide open to large-scale illegal HFC trade, driven by quick profits and low risk of punitive measures and the absence of a system allowing customs officials to determine if an HFC import is actually legal or not. A functioning licensing system is urgently needed, and Member States need to significantly and demonstrably strengthen enforcement.”

Doors Wide Open’s recommendations include:

• Implementing a fully functional licencing system, which allows customs officials to determine the legality of HFC shipments,
• Improving reporting and monitoring of HFC trade with exporting countries,
• Revising the ban on non-refillable cylinders to prohibit the use of all disposable cylinders,
• Improving transparency of the quota system by publishing names of new entrants and quota values, and
• Setting up a system to compare reported data under the F-gas Regulation with customs data and looking into discrepancies.

IRENA report charts pathways to further accelerate energy transformation

Berlin, Germany, 14 April 2019 – As the urgency to take bold climate action grows, new analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) finds that scaling up renewable energy, combined with electrification, could deliver more than three quarters of the energy-related emission reductions needed to meet global climate goals. According to the latest edition of IRENA’s Global Energy Transformation: A Roadmap to 2050, launched earlier in the month at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, pathways to meet 86% of global power demand with renewable energy exist. Electricity would cover half of the global final energy mix. Global power supply would more than double over this period, with the bulk of it generated from renewable energy, mostly solar PV and wind.

“The race to secure a climate safe future has entered a decisive phase,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “Renewable energy is the most effective and readily available solution for reversing the trend of rising CO₂ emissions. A combination of renewable energy with a deeper electrification can achieve 75% of the energy-related emission reduction needed.”

According to the report, an accelerated energy transition in line with the Roadmap 2050 would also save the global economy up to USD 160 trillion, cumulatively over the next 30 years in avoided health costs, energy subsidies and climate damages. Every dollar spent on energy transition would pay off up to seven times, the report said. The global economy would grow by 2.5 per cent in 2050. However, climate damages can lead to significant socioeconomic losses, the report added.

“The shift towards renewables makes economic sense,” La Camera said. “By mid-century, the global economy would be larger, and jobs created in the energy sector would boost global employment by 0.2 per cent. Policies to promote a just, fair and inclusive transition could maximise the benefits for different countries, regions and communities. This would also accelerate the achievement of affordable and universal energy access. The global energy transformation goes beyond a transformation of the energy sector. It is a transformation of our economies and societies.”

But action is lagging, the report said. While energy-related CO₂ emissions continued to grow by over one per cent annually on average in the last five years, emissions would need to decline by 70% below their current level by 2050 to meet global climate goals. This calls for a significant increase in national ambition and more aggressive renewable energy and climate targets.

IRENA’s roadmap recommends that national policy should focus on zero-carbon, long-term strategies. It also highlights the need to boost and harness systemic innovation. This includes fostering smarter energy systems through digitalisation as well as the coupling of end-use sectors, particularly heating and cooling and transport, via greater electrification, promoting decentralisation and designing flexible power grids.

“The energy transformation is gaining momentum, but it must accelerate even faster,” La Camera said. “The UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the review of national climate pledges under the Paris Agreement are milestones for raising the level of ambition. Urgent action on the ground at all levels is vital, in particular unlocking the investments needed to further strengthen the momentum of this energy transformation. Speed and forward-looking leadership will be critical – the world in 2050 depends on the energy decisions we take today.”

ENGIE announces new version of the Quantum Air

Lindau, Germany, 14 April 2019: ENGIE Refrigeration is redesigning its entire air-cooled Quantum series, the company said through a Press communiqué. The new Quantum air models will be available worldwide from June 24, the company added through the communiqué.

“The requirements for the refrigeration industry have changed in recent years,” said Jochen Hornung, CEO, ENGIE Refrigeration. “Our customers are placing increasing value on greater efficiency and performance in their chillers, for example. We are accommodating these changing conditions by redesigning our air-cooled QUANTUM series.”

On the launch date, ENGIE Refrigeration will offer 28 basic models of the Quantum Air. Fourteen of these models use the refrigerant R-1234ze, and 14 models use the refrigerants R-134a and R-513A; all of them require lower quantities of refrigerant, the communiqué said. Like its predecessor model, the revised chiller is ideal for use in a variety of industries – from automotive manufacturers and suppliers to the chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry, industrial production and data centres, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, customers will benefit from additional important advantages in the future – ENGIE Refrigeration has combined the individual machine components in a new way, so that the Quantum Air surpasses even the exceedingly high efficiency of the current series. The chiller is also suitable for applications from 250 kilowatts to two megawatts, the communiqué quoted the company as saying, adding that with this refrigeration capacity, the Quantum Air outperforms not only its predecessor but also all air-cooled chillers from other manufacturers that are currently on the market.

Highview Power, TSK enter JV to develop cryogenic energy storage projects

LONDON and MADRID, 14 April 2019: Highview Power, which provides long-duration energy storage solutions, and TSK, a global engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company headquartered in Spain, have entered into an agreement to co-develop gigawatt-hour scale, long-duration energy storage systems using Highview Power’s proprietary cryogenic energy storage solution, Highview said through a Press communiqué.

The new joint-venture company, named Highview TSK, will commit to the development of multiple projects in Spain, the Middle East and South Africa, the communiqué announced. An initial number of projects have been identified for several GWh of clean energy storage to be developed from 2019 through 2022, the communiqué said.
“We are thrilled to be working with a global EPC company of TSK’s caliber,” said Javier Cavada, CEO, Highview Power. “They have an impressive track record of deploying large-scale energy projects around the world, and we are excited to work with them to deploy our cryogenic technology. This partnership with TSK will help Highview Power accelerate momentum for our cryogenic energy storage systems in global markets and is ideal for applications like renewable energy shifting, enabling wind and solar for baseload generation, and hybridising cryogenic storage plants with traditional thermal generation systems.”

Joaquín García Rico, CEO, TSK, said: “After looking at a number of storage technologies, we have come to the conclusion that Highview’s cryogenic energy storage is the ideal solution to deliver long-duration, large-scale storage services to our customers. The technology is not only cost effective, it is also scalable, clean, has a long lifespan and can be deployed now. As a result of the joint capabilities of Highview Power and TSK, we expect to progressively grow our footprint and sales to reach target revenues of over 1 billion euro by 2021.”

According to the communiqué, Highview’s cryogenic systems are the only long-duration energy storage solution available today that are locatable and offer multiple gigawatt-hours of storage. That represents weeks’ worth of storage, not just hours or days. Grid operators are turning to long-duration energy storage to help improve power generation economics, balance the grid and increase reliability. At giga-scale, energy storage resources paired with renewables are equivalent in performance to – and could replace – thermal and nuclear baseload in addition to supporting the electricity transmission and distribution systems while providing additional security of supply.

TSK, the communiqué said, has constructed more than 20 GW of generation projects across 35 countries and brings extensive experience in both traditional energy generation and renewable projects, such as solar, wind and biomass, including more than 10 energy storage projects. According to the communiqué, Highview Power has developed the ideal long-duration energy storage technology for large-scale applications with its cryogenic energy storage technology and brings a skilled team that has developed over $13 billion in energy and infrastructure projects. Combined, the Highview TSK team will have over 1,000 skilled engineers and project managers to execute long-duration energy storage projects in its target markets, from their offices in Gijón, Madrid, Cologne, London and New York, the communiqué said.

Highview Power, the communiqué said, has already built and connected two cryogenic energy storage plants to the UK grid. The first plant was commissioned in 2014 in Slough, Greater London, with a capacity of 2.5 MWh, while in 2018, the world’s largest liquid air energy storage plant was inaugurated in Bury, Greater Manchester, with a capacity of 15 MWh, the communiqué said. The Bury plant shows in real time how cryogenic energy storage provides all possible balancing services, including Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) and supports the grid during winter peaks, the communiqué said. Highview is currently developing several large projects that will be hundreds of MWhs in scale across the United States and Europe, the company claimed through the communiqué.
Besides being the most suitable solution to balance renewables and enable reliable renewable baseload power, cryogenic energy storage plants support and accelerate the energy transition when combined with traditional thermal power plants, the communiqué said. The plants can optimise operations utilising waste heat and cold into their process, which enables even more affordable and sustainable power production, the communiqué said.
As markets around the world focus on drastically reducing carbon dioxide emissions, there is an accelerated shutdown of traditional coal-fired power stations and massive deployment of intermittent renewable energy plants (mostly solar PV and wind), the communiqué said. This is causing grid reliability issues that are dependent on weather conditions, which drives demand of long-duration energy storage in all major geographic markets in order to ensure a stable and reliable grid. When shutting down and dismantling old power stations, the existing infrastructure and connections left behind become the perfect location to install cryogenic energy storage plants, solving the challenge of integrating massive amounts of renewables while retiring traditional assets.

‘Clear-cut instructions needed to address cold chain breaches in the healthcare industry’

What do you consider to be the main issue plaguing the modern medical cold chain, with regard to avoiding temperature excursions that could potentially degrade the potency of medication and vaccines?

The main issue is the lack of international or uniform guidelines to instruct health providers/ consumers about “what to do in case of a cold chain breach”? We do know very well how those drugs should be kept, but we do not know how to manage if a cold chain breach (CCB) occurs. There is a clear lack of guidelines for these possible incidences. These incidences are not just limited to developing countries, but they could happen anywhere at any time; an example is a power outage due to maintenance/upgrade or even natural disasters that cannot be anticipated.

Does it vary from developed and developing countries as the level of investment among them must vastly differ? Do you see lack of innovation in equipment as a problem or is the problem mostly adoption and investment in more reliable equipment? Similarly, is there a gap in further training and awareness in the ‘last mile’?

Developed countries usually have a more reliable infrastructure and power supply, as compared to developing countries. But when you think of the level of investment in these countries, often developed countries rely on their reliable infrastructure and may not see the need to invest further on this. Evidence of this is our recent research that showed the lack of guidelines and concerns about awareness and planning in Australia, which is a developed country. Whereas developing countries are aware of their infrastructure limitations but may have difficulty in investing.

Certainly, there is an evident gap in training and awareness. I believe developing user-friendly guidelines that are evidence-based, accurate and easy to understand, would significantly help. For example, imagine if an expensive biological drug that is worth about USD 1,000 and is stored in a pharmacy or a hospital fridge is exposed to a higher temperature, due to a temporary power outage for certain number of hours. Although the temperature records are available, there is no reliable instruction to healthcare providers whether the drug is usable anymore or not? So individuals need to use their judgement whether to expose the drugs (that could be quite costly) or to continue supplying it to their patients (that could bear a risk). Developing guidelines can provide clear-cut instructions on how to deal with those situations. Data from a small local study indicate millions of dollars worth of medicines could be saved each year if additional data regarding the stability of medicines were available to the relevant parties

Could you briefly comment on the impact these power outages could have on the integrity of the vaccines and medicines?

To explain the impact of power outage and CCB, we can look at the global burden, as identified by the WHO. The WHO estimates that up to 50% of vaccines may be wasted globally every year because of temperature control, logistics and shipment-related issues. We found the gap in the knowledge, as we did not find any comprehensive international study that assessed the impact of CCB on non-vaccine medicines (those that need to be refrigerated). In our small local study we found that power outages could lead to significant financial loss, either to the healthcare providers that store the drugs or to the insurance companies, with regard to vaccination. The worst thing that could happen is that if healthcare providers or suppliers overlook a potential CCB and the medicine reaches the consumer, usually there is no way to assure the integrity of the medicines by the consumers or even by the healthcare providers. That may result in under-vaccination, without knowing about the potential CCB, and subsequently could predispose people to communicable diseases.

Are the government guidelines enough, in terms of securing a stringent cold chain? Where do you think are the most prominent gaps and what are your recommendations?

No. Government guidelines are often quite broad and do not provide practical solutions once CCB has occurred. For example, the WHO has developed a set of guidelines for governments in a bid to minimise exposure to high temperatures, if a power outage happens. But these guidelines don’t have any specific instructions on how healthcare facilities and pharmacies should implement backup systems. They also don’t provide a list of standardised equipment to prevent and deal with power outages. This would be helpful in both developed and developing country scenarios.

The most prominent gap is the lack of uniform evidence-based guidelines about transportation and storage or vaccines and medicines. Given that most pharmaceutical companies these days are international, similar or identical medicines are being marketed in different countries, so if manufacturers conduct comprehensive stability testing and transparently provide the information to the public, by collaboration between independent scientists and manufacturers, we can develop these guidelines.

Should energy insecure countries be more vigilant?

Yes, where power supply is not reliable, there is an increased incidence of power outage that can affect the integrity of medications. An interesting example is, when there was an Ebola outbreak in 2014 and or after the Nepal earthquake in 2015, there was not a reliable power source, due to being in remote locations and the natural disaster that affected the infrastructure, respectively. A vaccine storage device was developed and trialled that was called Arktek. It is a super-insulated device that maintains the integrity of vaccines by keeping them in ice, in its inner chamber. It can keep vaccines at a temperature between zero degrees C and eight degrees C for 30 to 60 days, depending on outside temperatures and humidity. Although this might have worked well in those outbreaks in remote areas, however, it may not be possible to use these devices in all settings.

You mentioned that actual cost of vaccine and pharmaceutical loss is poorly studied and requires further research. Could you comment on what are the key areas that you believe should be given more attention?

The key areas include vaccines that are extremely important to the public health and biological drugs that are quite costly for the consumers/health insurance/public healthcare systems.

Manufacturers can invest on developing heat-stable drugs so that drugs can be stored outside the cold chain for a longer time. This will significantly contribute to preventing wastage in medications and saving in logistics. But we should acknowledge that, this may not be so simple.

How can manufacturers help address the issue?

Manufacturers could conduct more vigorous stability testing, share their data transparently with independent scientists and invest in developing guidelines to deal with power outages for their own products. This is the least you can expect from manufacturers, especially for biological drugs, where usually each supply of the drug that lasts for a month is worth at least USD 1,000 or even more. So the investment is well justified.

 

Energy targets reshaping the built-environment

Sustainable cooling vital for smart cities, says MIT professor

Dubai, UAE, 24 March 2019: Although cities occupy only two per cent of the world’s surface, they host up to 50% of the world’s population and are responsible for 75% of global energy consumption and 80% of CO₂ emissions, said Carlo Ratti, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Founding Partner, Carlo Ratti Associati, during his keynote address for the ‘Design and the City of the Future’ event on March 19, at the American University in Dubai (AUD). During a comprehensive discussion on how IoT is shaping the built-environment, Ratti underscored the important role that sustainable cooling must play in cities of the future. “Fixing energy usage and occupancy is vital,” he said, “when you think about how much energy you spend cooling your homes.”

Ratti said trends in modern architecture are steadily placing greater emphasis on the importance of designing better ways to control temperature with minimum use of energy. This, he said, is especially the case in office spaces, which continue to evolve based on digital connectivity and individual requirements. Providing an example, Ratti pointed to the redesign of the Agnelli Foundation headquarters, in Turin, Italy, where Carlo Ratti Associati developed a customised environmental bubble that provides personalised heating, cooling and lighting systems to occupants throughout the building. By leveraging IoT technologies, Ratti said the building was able to optimise space and energy usage. While the company was deeply involved in the overall architecture of the historic structure, Ratti said the implementation of key technologies related to heating and cooling was done by Siemens Italy, which equipped the building with sensors for different data sets, including the location of the building’s occupants, temperature, CO₂ concentration and the availability of meeting rooms.

Ratti said that he believes such an approach is scalable for other projects. “I really see it happening in high-end buildings,” he said. “Monitoring occupancy in a very fine way to create a climate around ourselves.” This, he said, is a best way to harness energy otherwise wasted from cooling in an inefficient manner.

Kingdom’s entertainment industry to drive HVACR projects, says VTS Clima

Dubai, UAE, 24 March 2019: Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry is going to play an important role in upcoming HVACR projects, said Faizal Babu Pallathody, Managing Director, VTS Clima. Pallathody said there are especially strong growth opportunities in cinemas, given that Vox Cinemas will invest SAR 2 billion, approximately USD 533 million, to open 600 theatres in the next five years, starting with Riyadh Park Mall.

Pallathody added that construction companies expect Dubai-based developer Majid al-Futtaim to tender the estimated USD 1.5-2 billion contract to build the Mall of Saudi development by the end of October. “The retail centre in Riyadh will be one of the largest in Saudi Arabia when completed,” he said. “It involves the construction of a mall on an 866,500-square-metre site that will include a 26,000-square-metre indoor snow park and 300,000 square metres of shops, restaurants and entertainment areas.”

Pallathody said that the above developments are only a few from the wide range of projects in the country, adding that the sector has also seen a growing number of construction projects related to expansion and redevelopment of existing structures.

Biomimicry profiling reduces CO2 consumption

Kuenzelsau, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, 21 March 2019: Ziehl-Abegg said through a Press communiqué that it is further utilising biomimicry in a bid to bolster its efforts towards mitigating climate change. To further reduce CO2 consumption, the company said through the communiqué, the humpback whale served as the model for the latest composite material fan development, which also incorporates biomimicry features of owls and trees. This improves the carbon footprint equally in two ways – through a significant reduction in the material used as well lower energy consumption, when operating in climate control equipment and industrial ventilation systems.

Ziehl-Abegg, the communiqué said, is already at more than 70% peak efficiency with its centrifugal fans, so every opportunity for the optimisation of performance must be utilised. The new centrifugal impeller possesses features of three completely different approaches to Biomimicry: from both aerodynamics (ornithology) and hydrodynamics (marine biology) and biomechanics (trees), the communiqué said. Savings in material content and improved aerodynamics halve CO2 emissions associated with manufacturing, whilst maintaining the same ventilation performance, the communiqué added. Modern injection-moulding tools, each costing more than half a million euros, enable the company to implement the geometries, which have been optimised through the application of Biomimicry, the communiqué further added.

According to the communiqué, the trailing edges of the fan blades are modelled on the owl wing. “As the quietest bird of prey, the owl has already been used as a role model for several designs,” said Peter Fenkl, CEO. Serrated trailing edges of fans are now seen as a trademark of Ziehl-Abegg. In the new fan however, the design of the serrations was a little smoother, the communiqué said.

Evolution has optimised the flow efficiency of the humpback whale overall in such a way that, despite its body size, it is considered a very good and agile swimmer. If this had not been the case, it would also have been unable to make its long journeys through the world’s oceans without having to feed. The latest generation of centrifugal fans at Ziehl-Abegg is now benefitting from this knowledge of biomimicry, the communiqué said.

The developers at Ziehl-Abegg, the communiqué said, also drew inspiration from Professor Claus Mattheck. The “tree whisperer” or “tree pope”, “as the media call him, creates a bridge between nature and technology. The professor is, after all, a pioneer of the science of biomechanics. Trees are a prime example of optimum strength with minimum use of materials. The five blades of the centrifugal ZAbluefin fan, the communiqué said, merge into both the cover and back plate in exactly the same way as trees grow upwards – at a slight radius to the ground. This is scarcely visible with the naked eye, because the curves, which mimic a tree, are minimal. Nevertheless, these bionic approaches in the blade transition provide the same strength as heavy wings –  enabling the use of materials to be significantly reduced. Less material consumption in production also means a lower carbon footprint, the communiqué said.

According to the communiqué, the air flow in centrifugal fans hits the fan blades at different angles, depending on the volume flow. The whale has to overcome similar challenges when swimming in the sea – the movement of the fins causes their angular position to constantly change. If its pectoral fins were to be positioned at too steep an angle to the opposing current, strong turbulence would result in the water separating from the fins. “High flow losses and noise are characteristic features of strong turbulence,” said Dr Walter Angelis, Technical Director, Ziehl-Abegg. The design of the fins on a humpback whale has been optimised over millions of years. That’s why the leading edges of the whale fins contain golf ball-sized nodules (technical term: tubercle). This allows an animal weighing 25 to 30 tonnes to swim very quickly and nimbly using its long pectoral fins. “We recreated this aspect at the leading edge of the fan blades and implemented it in the form of a rippled surface,” Angelis said.

The flow engineers also took a closer look at the whale’s tail fin, the “fluke”, the communiqué said. The V-shaped contour of the tail fin section, the communiqué said, delays any potential flow separation ­– which enables the fan to be used for numerous pressure ranges. The latest generation of centrifugal fans at Ziehl-Abegg, the communiqué said, is now benefitting from this knowledge of biomimicry.

 

Food cold chain driving India’s refrigeration sector

Pune, India, 28 March 2019: The overall trend and future of the market of the Indian HVACR industry is very positive, said Arvind Surange, CMD, ACR Project Consultants, adding that the food cold chain has been the major driving force for the refrigeration industry and cold chain sector. “This is due to the fact that India is a major producer of perishable foods,” he said, sharing that India ranks No. 1 in milk production, No. 2 in fruits and vegetables production and is again one of top-ranking countries for meat, poultry and fisheries products. “The overall perishable food production in India is over 400 million metric tonnes (MMT),” he added.

Surange shared that current demand estimates show that the potential for growth in the cold storage capacity is about 10%. “However, in the food processing segment, there is a vast potential for the growth of the industry, as the current food processing capacity is less than six per cent of the production,” he said. Surange added that other applications of refrigeration showing great potential for growth include pharmaceutical and bulk drugs industry, beverages industry and the entertainment sector.