Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
DECENTRALISED ASHRAE, NEMA, PNNL RELEASE AI DATA CENTER ENERGY PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK IDEA APPOINTS EMPOWER CEO TO ITS BOARD AS ‘FULL MEMBER’ June+July 2026 US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ ccme.news/digital NEWS AESG inaugurates new Dubai headquarters AHRI, Alliance seek review of EPA Refrigerant Rule CAREL publishes white paper on generative AI use in HVACR Castel acquires Be Fluidica EIA urges UK Govt to urgently adopt a National Cooling Action Plan ENGIE highlights progress in AR technology for chillers, heat pumps Eurovent joins the Indoor Air Quality Society IIR releases new technical brief on dehumidification technologies Leminar signs distribution agreement with Aerolam SODECA highlights benefits of Magnelis-coated steel for ventilation systems PERSPECTIVES Addressing chiller drift from design Dan Mizesko, District Cooling specialist Rethinking the latent load Ajay Sekar, NVIDIA ‘Framework Agreements and public procurement’ Robert Haddad, GRFN Global Q&A Cement and urban heat island effect Ali Said, Holcim UAE and Oman Conference spotlights vital, eclectic building services engineering topics TQuadC 2026 AND SYSTEMS WATERVOL. 21 NO. 06 JUNE+JULY 2026 16 26 10 1006 06 www.ccme.news 3 REGULARS Regional News Global News eDItor'S note Towards a better engineering expression TQuadC 2026 Building services engineering to the fore Sixth Edition of The Client, Consultant, Contractor Conference spotlights decentralised energy and water systems, fortified strategic assets, and financing and regulatory shifts 18 PERSPECTIVES ‘Framework Agreements are a pivotal tool in public procurement’ Robert Haddad, Director – Contracts Management and PMO, GRFN Global, says long- termism supports greater efficiency, improved project outcomes Rethinking the latent load Ajay Sekar, Thermal Engineer at NVIDIA, elaborates on how vapour-selective membranes could transform HVAC in the Middle East LICENCE TO CHILL Addressing chiller drift from design Chiller recommissioning is a proven path to energy savings, reliability and asset life extension, says Dan Mizesko, District Cooling specialist Q&A ‘Carbon reduction and thermal performance are deeply connected’ Ali Said, CEO, Holcim UAE and Oman, on urban heat island effect and on including cement in pre-design discussions to lower a building’s cooling load 04 28 38 2614 5239 NEWS Sarah E Maston, ASHRAE President (2026-2027 Society Year) Irene Esteves, Board of Directors, Johnson Controls June+July 2026 4 A S PRODUCER, I sometimes go through a conference my team and I at CPI Industry are conducting – or certain segments of it, at least – in such a state of blur that some of the points being discussed don’t quite stick to the mind. That’s also because the task of producing is anything but subtly distracting, given the need for orchestrating all the parts that enable a cohesive, day-long narrative. No, really… I am serious! And it’s only when one of my colleagues in the Editorial Team, tasked with writing the post-event report, shares the first draft that the profundity of the discussions hits you. It has me going, “What a tremendous bunch of thinkers we have amidst us in the HVACR and allied sectors!” The 6th Edition of ‘The Client, Consultant, Contractor Conference’, on June 3 in Dubai, was a case-in point (see post-event report). As Producer, I missed quite a few of the nuances and the subtleties, but when I submerged myself in the editing, the depth of insights blew the mind away. Take, for example, the statement by Aakash Dave, Senior MEP Manager at DAMAC Properties, who said, the goal is “not to deliver the energy-efficient building but to run it as an energy-efficient building”. Seemingly simple, but succinct, direct and effective in driving the point home. If there is a contrarian view to the earlier statement – that Dave merely stated the obvious – why then is operating a building in a manner that lowers carbon emissions “more honour'd in the breach than the observance”? A second example would be the words of Markus Lattner, Managing Director of Eurovent Middle East: The larger barrier to better outcomes is not the standards themselves but a lack of awareness, knowledge and qualification among many stakeholders, combined with reluctance across the industry to take on liability for unconventional decisions. A third observation would be the one made by George Berbari, the CEO of DC PRO Engineering, who said the UAE would need around 120 GW of solar energy to reach carbon neutrality based on projected demand growth, and that covering three hours of night-time demand from batteries at that scale would require USD 240 billion investment to cover batteries alone. And a fourth was the point Srinivasan Rangan, the Founder & CEO of Cosmos Energy Intelligence, made: "Our energy system is like a leaking bucket, first what you do is arrest all those energy leaks, reduce your demand, then move in for renewable energy.” Again, his message was simple – that investors and financiers often jump straight to solar as the default sustainability solution rather than first addressing demand-side waste. A conference may seem to be more chaotic than orderly, with rafts of information streaming in at a pace the mind finds hard to process, but when the water becomes still, there is so much by way of clarity of insight and observation that helps carry the narrative forward and enables a better engineering expression. And that’s what makes the effort of conducting one so fulfilling. Krishnan Unni Madathil Auditor, Bin Khadim, Radha & Co. Chartered Accountants, carrying out an analysis of the market, writes on business opportunities for the HVACR industry. Dan Mizesko President, Dalkia US Chiller Services, writes on issues relating to chilled water systems, including operation & maintenance. Nabil Shahin Managing Director, AHRI MENA, writes on HVACR- specific regulation issues. Dr Iyad Al-Attar Independent air filtration consultant, writes on specific science and technology issues relating to Indoor Air Quality, including airborne particles. Angela Fandino Director, Energy Sustainability at Engineering Sustainable Futures, writes on engineering approaches, and business and financial models that enable a green urban ecosystem. Editor Surendar Balakrishnan surendar@cpi-industry.com Associate Editor Karu Suren karu.suren@cpi-industry.com Online & Social Media Abdul Hakeem marketing@cpi-industry.com Editorial Assistant Arushi Menon features@cpi-industry.com Advertising Enquiries Frédéric Paillé +971 50 7147204 fred@cpi-industry.com Judy Wang Our representative in Asia (except India) +852 307 80 826 judywang2000@vip.126.com Deep Karani Our representative in North America +1 365 885-6849 deep.karani@cpimediagroup.com Design Head Ulysses Galgo design@cpi-industry.com Webmaster Chris Lopez chris@cpi-industry.com Database/Subscriptions Manager Purwanti Srirejeki purwanti@cpi-industry.com Published by Founder, CPI Media Group Dominic De Sousa (1959-2015) Co-Founder & Commercial Director Frédéric Paillé fred@cpi-industry.com EMPANELLED COLUMNISTSCo-Founder & Editorial Director Surendar Balakrishnan surendar@cpi-industry.com Head Office PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE Web: www.cpi-industry.com Printed by: Jaguar Printing Press L.L.C © Copyright 2026 CPI Industry. All rights reserved. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein. Visit our website: climatecontrolme.com/digital Also available at DECENTRALISED ASHRAE, NEMA, PNNL RELEASE AI DATA CENTER ENERGY PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK IDEA APPOINTS EMPOWER CEO TO ITS BOARD AS ‘FULL MEMBER’ June+July 2026 PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ ccme.news/digital NEWS AESG inaugurates new Dubai headquarters AHRI, Alliance seek review of EPA Refrigerant Rule CAREL publishes white paper on generative AI use in HVACR Castel acquires Be Fluidica EIA urges UK Govt to urgently adopt a National Cooling Action Plan ENGIE highlights progress in AR technology for chillers, heat pumps Eurovent joins the Indoor Air Quality Society IIR releases new technical brief on dehumidification technologies Leminar signs distribution agreement with Aerolam SODECA highlights benefits of Magnelis-coated steel for ventilation systems PERSPECTIVES Addressing chiller drift from design Dan Mizesko, District Cooling specialist Rethinking the latent load Ajay Sekar, NVIDIA ‘Framework Agreements and public procurement’ Robert Haddad, GRFN Global Q&A Cement and urban heat island effect Ali Said, Holcim UAE and Oman Conference spotlights vital, eclectic building services engineering topics TQuadC 2026 AND SYSTEMS WATER Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle Eastearly! Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACR Towards a better engineering expressionwww.ccme.news 5 Entrepreneur Uwe Ziehl passes away at 79 OBITUARY T HE Ziehl family, the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board and all employees of Ziehl-Abegg are mourning the death of Uwe Ziehl. The entrepreneur and long-serving Chairman of the Supervisory Board died on June 6, 2026 at the age of 79, the company said through a June 8 Press Release. With his passing away, Ziehl-Abegg said, it has lost a key figure who played a decisive role in shaping the company over several decades. As the grandson of founder, Emil Ziehl, he remained deeply committed throughout his life to the company, its employees and the region where it was established, the company said. After completing his engineering studies, Uwe Ziehl founded Ziehl industrie-elektronik GmbH in Schwäbisch Hall in 1967. He went on to play a decisive role in developing Ziehl-Abegg into a globally operating technology company specialising in fans, electric motors and control systems, the company said. One of the most important milestones during his career was bringing the family’s shareholdings together under a single holding structure, the company said. This step laid the foundation for Ziehl- Abegg’s continued development as an independent family-owned company and enabled substantial investment in research, development and manufacturing, the company added. From 2005 to 2020, Uwe Ziehl served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. In this role, he continued to guide the company’s strategic direction with strong commitment and technical expertise, the company said. His approach was shaped by long-term thinking, a clear focus on innovation and quality, and a strong appreciation for the people behind the company’s success, it added. For many years, Uwe Ziehl drove the expansion of vertical integration and the strengthening of Ziehl-Abegg’s engineering capabilities, the company said. This included establishing in-house production of plastic components at the Gewerbepark Hohenlohe, as well as further developing the company’s aluminium foundry in Schöntal- Bieringen. Together, these investments created a manufacturing structure that remains one of the company’s key strengths, it added. Joachim Ley, Chief Executive Officer of Ziehl-Abegg, said: “Uwe Ziehl played a decisive role in shaping Ziehl-Abegg. Over decades, he guided the company with clarity, technical expertise and entrepreneurial foresight. Our thoughts are with his family.” Uwe Ziehl was born in Füssen in 1947 as the grandson of company founder Emil Ziehl. He grew up in Künzelsau and developed an early connection to the family business. Throughout his life, he remained closely tied to the region. He is survived by his wife and two children. He prepared the generational transition within the family early on and, in 2021, handed over leadership responsibilities to the next generation. His son, Dennis Ziehl has served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board since January 2021. Ziehl-Abegg mourns the loss of a defining figure in its development June+July 2026 6 PERSPECTIVE When a long-term relationship functions effectively, it often results in greater efficiency and improved project outcomes, says Robert Haddad of GRFN Global F RAMEWORK Agreements (FAs), which originated within EU procurement law, have become a fundamental component of contemporary public procurement policy. These agreements provide a structured mechanism that allows public authorities and private companies to procure goods, services or works over a fixed term without the need to repeat competitive tendering procedures for each individual project. By doing so, FAs streamline the procurement process, reduce administrative burdens and enable more efficient allocation of resources. In addition to improving operational efficiency, they foster long-term relationships between clients and suppliers, enhancing collaboration and trust 1 . The success and widespread adoption of this procurement method have led to the development and publication of standardised forms, such as the Framework Alliance Contract (FAC-1), which serve as practical tools to guide the implementation of effective and legally compliant framework agreements across diverse sectors. FAs face several challenges, the most significant being that they typically do not guarantee a fixed workload to the Contractor or Supplier 2 . to determine the level of obligation that best aligns with their intentions 5 . Critics argue that binding provisions may conflict with the collaborative principles underlying such agreements and may be less adaptable to the inherent uncertainties of construction projects. Consequently, many stakeholders prefer non-binding frameworks 6 . Moreover, FAs can become commercially inefficient when demand is uncertain or highly variable. If anticipated purchasing volumes are not realised, because procuring entities are not obligated to use the framework, suppliers face significant financial risk. This uncertainty often prompts firms to increase prices to safeguard against potential losses, which can reduce or even eliminate the cost savings that are normally achieved through bulk procurement and economies of scale. Thus, there is a need for a clear vision and close collaboration between the parties of a framework agreement, supported by constant communication. However, despite few risks and pitfalls, when clients build lasting partnerships with contractors or However, this issue can be mitigated contractually by stipulating a minimum volume of work 3 or a fixed annual value 4 . Nevertheless, the non-binding nature of some FAs allows the parties REGISTER FOR FREE SCAN QR CODE TO SECURE YOUR FREE BADGE From foundation to future Built for every scale 30 August - 2 September 2026 Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center 1,000+ Exhibiting Companies 50+ Exhibiting Countries 10 International Pavilions 40+ Speakers 35,000+ Visitors across co-located events Co-located with: June+July 2026 8 PERSPECTIVE build trust and strengthen working relationships. While challenges such as demand uncertainty and potential inefficiency exist, these can often be mitigated through contractual measures like minimum volumes or fixed annual values. Well-designed frameworks enhance outcomes by promoting continuity, early contractor involvement and knowledge transfer, while supporting policy objectives such as fair payment practices, sustainability initiatives and SME participation. When implemented effectively, FAs not only improve efficiency and reduce costs but also encourage collaboration, innovation and mutual accountability, making them a robust strategy for achieving economic as well as relational benefits in public sector construction and procurement. consultants through properly managed Framework Agreements, they gain consistent commitment and a stronger sense of alignment with their project objectives. In return, suppliers benefit from steady, reliable work and the opportunity to plan resources more efficiently over time 7 . It is an efficient method for contracting authorities to benefit from economies of scale and achieve greater value for money. Unlike single-project tendering, this approach reduces the need for extensive administrative work and repeated negotiations, as much of the groundwork is already laid out through pre-agreed terms and established relationships 8 . When a long-term relationship functions effectively, it often results in greater efficiency and improved project outcomes 9 . Moreover, early contractor involvement becomes possible, allowing valuable expertise and practical insights to be integrated into the project from its initial stages 10 . In single-project tendering, personnel from different organisations often have limited familiarity with one another, which can lead to weaker collaboration and a lower level of trust throughout the project chain 11 . Individual projects provide only limited opportunities for gradual improvements in efficiency or overall effectiveness, as lessons learnt are less likely to be transferred or applied across separate commissions 12 . Conversely, when an ongoing contractual relationship provides a sense of security, the parties may even be willing to invest in product development or process innovation, provided the collaboration has reached a sufficient level of mutual trust 13 . In 2012, a cross-industry working group gathered evidence from UK Government departments and the broader public sector, identifying a variety of benefits associated with the use of well-designed and effectively managed framework agreements 14 . These benefits included sustainable efficiency savings, lower consultancy and construction costs, and enhanced project delivery in terms of both time and budget. FAs also contributed to fewer disputes, increased client satisfaction, and greater participation of SMEs, local labour and subcontractors in projects 15 . They can also help optimise performance in procurement that is urgent, straightforward or of relatively low value, ensuring efficiency and timely delivery even in less complex projects 16 . Additionally, they supported government initiatives such as fair payment practices and apprenticeships, improved waste diversion from landfills, and enhanced health and safety performance, and promoted greater integration across the supply chain. Compared to single- project tendering, frameworks were associated with a 9.5% reduction in final project costs 17 . When operating under a framework, both parties are commercially motivated to maintain the relationship, understanding that long-term collaboration provides greater mutual benefits than early termination or short-term gains 18 . Moreover, a party’s reputation can act as a strong deterrent against opportunistic behaviour once a contract is in place, encouraging ethical conduct and consistent performance throughout the collaboration 19 . The long-term nature of framework arrangements facilitates stronger mutual understanding and encourages suppliers to be more responsive to clients’ needs and expectations 20 . Empirical evidence supports the use of frameworks by public sector policymakers as a key construction strategy, helping to enhance project outcomes in terms of time, cost, quality and sustainability, while also fostering closer and more collaborative relationships throughout the project lifecycle 21 . In conclusion, FAs are a pivotal tool in public procurement, offering efficiency, cost savings and improved project delivery. By reducing repeated tendering, fostering long-term partnerships and establishing pre- agreed terms, FAs enable authorities and suppliers to collaborate, CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this article, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here. The writer is Director – Contracts Management and PMO at GRFN Global. He may be contacted at <robert.haddad@grfn.global>. Bibliography 1 Julian Bailey, Construction Law (4th edn, LPP 2024) 2 Example JCT FA, 2007 3 Kelly Pipelines Ltd v British Gas plc (1989) 4 Bailey, Supra, N1 5 Ditto 6 Jeremy Glover, Framework Agreements: Practice and Pitfalls (Fenwick Elliott, 22 May 2008) 7 Ditto 8 Cabinet Office, The Construction Playbook (2023) 9 Glover, Supra, N6 10 David Mosey, Collaborative Construction Procurement and Improved Value (Wiley-Blackwell 2019) 11 NEDC, Partnering: Contracting without Conflict (HMSO 1991) 12 John Egan, Rethinking Construction: Report of the Construction Task Force (Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions 1998) 13 Glover, Supra, N6 14 Procurement/Lean Client Task Group, Government Construction Strategy: Final Report to Government (2012) 15 KCL, Verifying the Gold Standard of Construction Procurement (King’s College London, 2023) 16 Gian Luigi Albano and Caroline Nicholas, The Law and Economics of Framework Agreements (CUP 2016) 17 Procurement/Lean Client Task Group, Government Construction Strategy: Final Report to Government (2012) 18 Douglas Campbell and David Harris, ‘Flexibility in Long-Term Contractual Relationships: The Role of Cooperation’ (2005) 2 Lean Construction Journal 5 19 Paul Milgrom and John Roberts, Economics, Organisation and Management (Prentice-Hall 1992) 20 Terence Y M Lam and Keith S Gale, Construction Frameworks in the Public Sector. (Property Research Trust 2021) 21 Terence Y M Lam and Keith S Gale, ‘A Performance- Driving Model for Public-Sector Construction Framework Procurement in England’ (2023) 13(6) Built Environment Project and Asset Management 781Join Saudi Arabia's premier and most comprehensive HVACR-dedicated built environment gathering, where policymakers, master developers, developers, consultants, contractors, utilities, technology innovators, supply chain firms, and O&M and FM firms explore the latest advances in VRF technologies, Indirect Direct Evaporative Cooling (IDEC) and District Cooling, and at the same time, place emphasis on easing business and financial pathways for clients, and specialised consultants and contractors. Discover strategies and solutions for high-ambient performance, IEQ, energy efficiency, water optimisation, AI-driven operations, resilient infrastructure and next-generation buildings that support Saudi Vision 2030. CPI Industry conferences also support Saudisation and an ecosystem of gender equality. ENGINEERING THE FUTURE OF SAUDI COOLING & SMART BUILT ENVIRONMENTS Five events (also see Page 13) – including long-standing conferences – bringing together the Kingdom's leaders in VRF, IDEC, District Cooling and broad HVACR approaches, plus highlighting the business-enabling factors for clients, consultants and contractors to accelerate sustainable, AI-enabled and Vision 2030-ready built-environments and strategic assets (data centres, etc.) THE 10 TH ANNUAL MIDDLE EAST 3RD EDITION 13 TH EDITION PRODUCED BY OFFICIAL BROADCAST TV CHANNEL OFFICIAL PUBLICATION ccme.news/digital THEME: “VRF 2030: High-ambient performance, regulatory readiness, AI-enabled efficiency and resilient supply chains for Saudi Arabia’s next wave of buildings” THE 10 TH ANNUAL MIDDLE EAST OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OFFICIAL BROADCAST TV CHANNEL ccme.news/digital 12 October 2026 I Riyadh, Saudi Arabia PRESENTS THE 10TH ANNUAL MIDDLE EAST 3RD EDITION 13 TH EDITION PRESENTS THE 10TH ANNUAL MIDDLE EAST 3RD EDITION 13 TH EDITION THEME: “Decoding IDEC in the present-day context, integrating IDEC in modern HVAC design, understanding the scope for maximising benefits in the Kingdom” OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OFFICIAL BROADCAST TV CHANNEL ccme.news/digital 12 October 2026 I Riyadh, Saudi Arabia THEME: “District Cooling as national infrastructure: Water, energy, digital intelligence and net-zero in the Saudi economy” OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OFFICIAL BROADCAST TV CHANNEL ccme.news/digital 13 TH EDITION 13 OCTOBER 2026 RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA PRESENTS THE 10TH ANNUAL MIDDLE EAST 3RD EDITION 13 TH EDITION THEME: Engineering resilient, energy-efficient, water-conscious and AI-ready built environments that are aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OFFICIAL BROADCAST TV CHANNEL ccme.news/digital PRESENTS 13 October 2026 I Riyadh, Saudi Arabia THE 10TH ANNUAL MIDDLE EAST 3RD EDITION 13 TH EDITION DAY 01 12 OCTOBER DAY 02 13 OCTOBERNext >