Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC), an independent forum aimed at conserving the environment by strengthening and promoting green building practices in the UAE, put the spotlight on air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and their energy consumption patterns at its recent monthly networking event. Held at Media Rotana International, the session featured Cas Khoo, President of Articmaster Inc, USA, as guest speaker. The discussion on 'Energy Efficient Solutions for Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Systems' highlighted the different technologies that are currently available to address the massive energy consumption accounted for by the two systems. Adnan Sharafi, Chairman of EmiratesGBC, said: "It is estimated that air-conditioning and refrigeration systems contribute up to 70 per cent of the total energy load of buildings. Additionally, their operations also contribute to greenhouse gases that cause environmental degradation. Adapting energy-efficient solutions for air-conditioning and refrigeration thus have the twin benefits of saving on energy costs and also helping develop environmentally sustainable built environments." He added: "EmiratesGBC is committed to introduce topics that are of great importance to the entire construction sector supply chain. Our networking events have now evolved as dynamic discussion forums that encourage our members as well as other industry stakeholders to take an active role in promoting environmental sustainability in line with the green vision of the UAE." In a brief on his topic of discussion, Mr. Khoo said that new patented energy efficiency solutions help to address new as well as installed air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment with retrofits that help to reduce energy consumption. Equipment manufacturers are today using improved technology of compressors, microprocessor controls and BMS to address energy efficiency. One such energy efficient technology is Dynamic Condenser Control, which improves the efficiency of the condenser and optimizes the refrigerant and can be effectively used for all capacities of air-conditioners and chillers. They help reduce energy consumption by up to 20 per cent, and provides short payback period with long life of the equipment. Overall, such savings will contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. The EmiratesGBC networking event was sponsored by GERAB Energy and open to both members and non-members of the Council. EmiratesGBC regularly hosts and participating in multinational events, conferences and forums. The EmiratesGBC has also developed a suite of activities, inclusive of networking events, technical workshops, focus days and facilitated training based around specific issues related to the built-environment that meet the needs of its members, of the UAE community, and the wider Middle East. Press Release
