AHRI MENA Newsletter
June 13, 2024
AHRI MENA Managing Director Participates in CEBC Energy Efficiency Working Group Meeting
On June 5, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin participated in the Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC) MENA Energy Efficiency Working Group meeting, which focused on exploring key strategies to enhance energy efficiency across various sectors. Participants discussed several options for developing a mission and vision for advanced energy efficiency projects, including short- and long-term goals to support these efforts and identifying international policies that could be adapted to drive growth in local markets. The meeting was led by Mustapha Aanzi, IBECE Energy CCO, and hosted by Wael Badawy, Siemens Executive Vice President of Energy. Dr. Omer Ahmed Qureshi from Dubai Electricity & Water Authority - DEWA also attended as a guest observer. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI Seeks Participants for a New STC
The AHRI MENA team is forming a new Standards Technical Committee (STC), the MENA Evaporative Cooling STC, which intends to develop a standard for methods for testing direct, indirect, and hybrid evaporative cooling units under laboratory conditions, following the test methods of ASHRAE 133, Method of Testing Direct Evaporative Air Coolers, and ASHRAE 143, Method of Testing Direct Evaporative Air Coolers.
Out of scope for this STC are units covered under AHRI Standard 340/360 (I-P), Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment; AHRI Standard 430 (I-P), Performance Rating of Central Station Air-Handling Unit Supply Fans; and AHRI Standard 1350 (I-P), Mechanical Performance Rating of Central Station Air-Handling Unit Casings.
Anyone is welcome to join this STC in accordance with the current AHRI Policy & Procedures for the Development of Standards. Contact: Dalip Singh.
AHRI MENA SSC Approves New Working Group
The AHRI MENA Standards Subcommittee approved the establishment of the HVAC Refrigerant Working Group, which will bring together AHRI members from international and regional manufacturers to evaluate and test new, more environmentally friendly refrigerants for use in the GCC region.
The working group plans to collaborate with regulatory bodies and government ministries in the region to facilitate the refrigerant transition by addressing a range of performance, safety, buildings, transportation, and warehousing standards and codes, as well as refrigerant transition training programs.
AHRI thanks the members of the working group and its appointed chair, Murad Abu Salimah from Danfoss, for their efforts to advance the HVAC industry in the region. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Managing Director to Moderate Discussion During MEP Middle East Conference
AHRI MENA Managing Director, Nabil Shahin, will moderate a session on regulatory compliance and standards June 26 during the MEP Middle East Conference. The session will feature expert panelists, including representatives from regulatory agencies, code councils, and certification bodies. More information about the conference is available here. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI Hosts Meeting with SASO Engineers and ASTM
Last week, AHRI hosted a meeting with engineers from the Saudi Standards Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and ASTM International at its headquarters in Arlington, VA. AHRI staff met with Eng. Rakan Alharthi and Eng. Mshari Al-Salah, from SASO, and Craig Updyke, from ASTM, to discuss recent developments on HVACR standards, certification programs, and testing. The group also covered updates on refrigerants, research, and energy efficiency before reviewing ongoing projects between SASO and AHRI and discussing future project opportunities in standards development. During the meeting, participants stressed the importance of international partnerships in advancing industry sustainability in Saudi Arabia and the entire MENA region. Contact: Nabil Shahin.
AHRI MENA to Host Webinar on Indoor Air Quality
AHRI’s MENA office will be hosting a webinar titled, “Air Quality & Filtration Technologies for Sustainable Buildings: an HVAC Perspective,” on May 22 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. GST. It will focus on crucial factors that affect indoor air quality and how it can be improved. From understanding pollutants, to exploring solutions for healthier environments and offering new options to improve the energy efficiency of HVAC equipment, this webinar will provide important information for HVAC professionals and homeowners. Attendees will hear from two regional experts, Dr. Iyad Al-Attar, Visiting Fellow at the school of aerospace, transport, and manufacturing at Cranfield University; and Eng. Iyad Al Jurdy, Founder and Managing Director at Petrichor IAQ. Click here to register. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Managing Director Featured in Gulf Construction Magazine
AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin was featured in Gulf Construction’s April edition in an article titled, “Energy-efficiency Need of the Hour: AHRI.” In it, Shahin addressed key trends in the HVACR industry in the Middle East, the crucial role of energy-efficient technology in curbing emissions, and the ambitious climate goals set by Cooling Pledge signed during COP28. Read more about Shahin’s insights into the HVACR industry in the region here. Contact: Hassan Kal
AHRI MENA Managing Director Appears on Tech Panel
On April 12, AHRI MENA Managing Director, Nabil Shahin, participated in a panel discussion hosted by Thermal Control Business Update titled, “Energy-efficient HVACR Technologies 2024.” During the discussion, Shahin highlighted the importance of AHRI’s certification and standards in ensuring equipment is both reliable and energy efficient. Contact: Hassan Kal
AHRI MENA Director Participates on Dubai Sustainability Panel
On March 7, AHRI MENA Managing Director Nabil Shahin participated in a panel discussion titled, "Sustainable Data Centre Design and Construction" during the Middle East Datacenter 360 Conference in Dubai, UAE. In his remarks, Shahin emphasized the importance of adopting higher efficiency equipment and implementing sustainable construction practices. He encouraged the industry to take proactive measures to drive positive environmental impact, specifically noting the agreements made during COP28. Contact: Hassan Kal.
UAE Sustainable Built Environment Blueprint Report Released
On March 5, the AHRI MENA team participated in the Cities in Action Forum 2024 in Dubai, where the United Nations High-Level Champion COP 28 office unveiled the complete UAE Sustainable Built Environment Report. Over the past six months, AHRI has played in important role in contributing expertise and insights to the report, which stresses the importance of industry cooperation in addressing climate change challenges. It specifically calls for collaboration among key stakeholders regarding equipment efficiency and regulations.
AHRI will continue its work with UN High-Level Champion COP28 office and the Emirates Green Building Council to provide further expertise and feedback as the report’s recommendations are presented to the various regulatory bodies. Contact: Nabil Shahin.
AHRI MENA Participates in Innovation and Sustainability Workshop
On February 21, the AHRI MENA team participated in a workshop hosted by Dubai Municipality and the International Code Council titled, “Driving Innovation and Sustainability in Construction.” Participants discussed innovations within the building envelope and construction technology that will make future buildings more efficient and allow for net-zero construction. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA Participates in GSO Meeting
On February 8, members of the AHRI MENA team participated in the GCC Standards Organization Technical Committee Meeting. Managing Director Nabil Shanin and Technical Analyst Dalip Singh presented draft standards for large and small air conditioning equipment, as well as shared comments from regional manufacturers.
The presentation was part of the committee’s goal to develop harmonized standards and establish region-specific MEPS for these products across the GCC region. AHRI’s MENA team is playing an active role in that process by representing both regional and international manufacturers in the discussions. Contact: Hassan Kal.
AHRI MENA to Attend ACREX India
AHRI’s MENA team will be attending ACREX India trade show from February 15-17 at the Indian Expo Centre in Greater Noida. It’s the largest HVAC trade show in the South Pacific, and this year’s theme is “Powering Global HVAC Supply Chain.” Visitors and exhibitors from more than 40 countries are expected to be in attendance.
AHRI staff will be at booth A25 in Hall 9 to answer questions about certification, standards, and membership. Contact: Hassan Kal.