Middle East industry experts gather in Dubai for ‘Innovations in HVAC’ conference
Professionals propose tech disruption for massive energy conservation and path to sustainability at the conference
Organised by Belimo, Grundfos, Kingspan and Reflex, Middle East’s HVAC industry professionals gathered in Dubai on September 3rd, to discuss and innovate on the HVAC industry’s path to sustainability and how technological disruption can aid this venture.
Titled ‘Shaping the Future of the HVAC Industry’, conference partners spoke about water and energy conservation, fire and life safety guidelines, smart technology and how to ensure sustainability in the region where 80 per cent of the energy is consumed by buildings, and almost a third of this is due to HVAC systems.
Hassan Younes, president ASHRAE Falcon Chapter and director and partner at Griffin Consultants, who moderated the event said that the industry is ready to innovate and take up a role in assisting the region’s drive towards sustainability with energy savings and improved efficiency to deliver better buildings to live and work in.
Speaking to MECN exclusively about how the event was conceptualised, Colin Bridges, business development director at Belimo ME said: “We have relied on each-others services in our own way and tried to make it a successful event. This is the result of a seven-month journey, and we were sure from the beginning that we are not here to sell but educate and inform.”
He further added that they have tried to bring together a common theme with the organisations involved and its about different units of HVAC complementing each other in a positive way.
Meanwhile, Paul Barnard, head of HVAC for Kingspan ME was of the opinion that it is crucial HVAC contractors and consultants need to stay educated and updated on new specifications and systems in the region.
Moustapha Fahmy, regional sales director (IMEA) at Reflex, commented that the four organisers are not organising the conference as brands, but are looking for innovative energy saving solutions, which brings the contractor, consultant and utilities manager to visit them and profit from them.
“Today, we are looking at what more can be done from conventional solutions, we are targeting dynamic solutions. Conventional solutions have worked in the past, but these solutions are no longer up-to-date, and we need new ones.”
In a statement issued by the organisers, Ronak Monga, segment development manager for building services at Grundfos Gulf, Levant & Pakistan said: “It is vital that we move the market towards the adoption of innovative and energy saving water solutions in HVAC. Digitalisation is opening new opportunities to optimise systems and integrate different components, allowing them to operate in better synergy,”
The think tank partners had also organised live digitalised demo stations and innovative solutions were on display for attendees to interact and engage with.
To summarise with, Fahmy said that all HVAC system components should be considered when trying to maximise operational efficiency while Belimo’s representative felt that conferences such as this can add value and raise awareness in the market. He concluded that this can be the first of many such conferences in the region where industry leaders collaborate to tackle energy and water challenges.
