The first part of the programme targeted technical engineers working within the manufacturer’s business partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East territories. With two operational Airedale precision air conditioning units available during the session, delegates were able to rehearse a typical commissioning process in a risk-free environment. The 17kW direct expansion (DX) mechanical cooling unit from the manufacturer’s EasiCool range and 35kW DX SmartCool system, incorporating the latest energy-saving components such as tandem compressors, EC (electronically commutated) fans and electronic expansion valves (EEVs), allowed the engineers to simulate alarms and so fine tune their skills in optimising units for maximum performance, fault-finding and problem resolution.
Following the successful launch of its Middle East training programme in 2014, Airedale International, has extended its 2015 schedule to five days which were hosted in Dubai at the end of November.
The first part of the programme targeted technical engineers working within the manufacturer’s business partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East territories. With two operational Airedale precision air conditioning units available during the session, delegates were able to rehearse a typical commissioning process in a risk-free environment. The 17kW direct expansion (DX) mechanical cooling unit from the manufacturer’s EasiCool range and 35kW DX SmartCool system, incorporating the latest energy-saving components such as tandem compressors, EC (electronically commutated) fans and electronic expansion valves (EEVs), allowed the engineers to simulate alarms and so fine tune their skills in optimising units for maximum performance, fault-finding and problem resolution.
A separate commercial section of the programme provided a platform for sharing knowledge, with the mix of tutorial and ‘open floor’ sessions keeping the programme lively and inclusive.
Believed to be one of around 800 initiatives hosted by federal and local government and private bodies in the Emirates to celebrate ‘UAE Innovation Week’ (22-28 November 2015) the session concluded with a series of presentations held under the banner of ‘Innovation in Data Centre Cooling’.
A case study presentation on the 12-month computer room air conditioning (CRAC) upgrade programme at BAE Systems Military Air & Information (MAI), Warton, UK illustrated how energy savings of up to 70-80% can be achieved by implementing an innovative approach to retrofitting legacy installations. A second paper, which set out to dispel the myth that free-cooling technologies are difficult to achieve in the Middle East, was also presented. By simulating the environmental conditions typical of Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Riyadh (KSA), Airedale demonstrated that the potential to reduce energy consumption by applying leading-edge cooling technologies is significant, even under extremes of temperature and humidity, with payback periods of fewer than five years achievable.
A further highlight on the agenda was the launch of Airedale’s annual business partner awards programme.
More than 45 data centre professionals from organisations such as Ooredoo, DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority) and some of the major UAE banks attended, together with global planning, design, engineering, project and construction management businesses including WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff and Oger International.
General manager of Airedale’s Saudi-based business partner, Saudi Temco, Sameer Qazaqui, said: “This was an excellent event from which our technical and commercial staff will undoubtedly benefit hugely in the short and long-term. High quality training to complement Airedale’s high quality products are key reasons why we have worked with Airedale for so many years.”
Pictured from left to right are: Jawed Ahmed, senior hvac engineer, Ooredoo; Sathish Kumar Kannappan, sales engineer and Nivrutti Kadam, sales manager, both from Jersey Engineering & Trading (Qatar).