Gulf Construction Online - Johnson embarks on green GCC drive

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Johnson embarks on green GCC drive

01 June 2010

JOHNSON Controls, a global leader in energy efficiency and sustainability, has embarked on a drive to introduce greener technologies while helping improve building efficiency and maximise cost savings in the region, both in new-build and existing buildings.

For new buildings, the company says it gets involved right from the design stage to help clients build a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) silver rating-accredited building. It can also help get gold and platinum certifications.
Among its major projects in the region is Saudi Arabia’s Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University, one of the largest universities in the world for women located in Riyadh. The project is said to feature the world’s largest chiller plant using air-cooled radiators, where Johnson Controls is providing centrifugal chillers with coolant.
Elaborating on the project, Farhan Qureshy, regional director, communication, Middle East, building efficiency, says: “Water is not freely available in this part of the world. Had anyone else done this project, it would have required 2,100 gallons of water per minute for the chillers but we have provided them with centrifugal chillers with coolant that have helped them save considerable volumes of water. Also the chillers would have required treated water, so we have also helped save the energy required for treating water.
“What we have done is connected all the chillers to radiators – like the ones cars have to cool down. These radiators are about 20 times bigger than salon car radiators, about 14 by 15 m. So there is no need to introduce additional water as water just circulates. It has made the project very sustainable both in energy efficiency and water savings.”
The company has recently executed a major university project in Qatar that helped the client save 58 per cent in electricity and also helped in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 58 per cent.
Johnson Controls also deployed a sophisticated security management system and low-voltage systems in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Additional high-profile energy efficiency projects in the region include the Bahrain Bay, the Pearl-Qatar, and both the Kingdom Tower and Jebel Al Qala in Saudi Arabia.
With the increasing impetus given to sustainability in the region, the US-headquartered company is now focusing on strengthening its workplace consulting business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Launched recently in the Middle East, Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions has helped companies save $7.1 billion globally since 2000.
A prominent example is the recent retrofit of New York City’s iconic Empire State Building, where its solutions are helped save around 38 per cent in energy costs or around $3.8 million. The improvements, says the company, are helping the building operators save $4.4 million annually.
“We help our corporate clients get the best out of their space by helping them develop strategies to optimise the way they use their space,” says Lewis Beck, workplace-lead consulting EMEA, Global WorkPlace Solutions.
“Most large corporations have a lot of space but derive just a fraction of the benefit they could from the way they use it. It is not just about physical walls but also about how it supports one’s business operations,” says Beck.
“With the help of Visible Living Lab, a new tool using radio frequency identification (RFID) smart tags that tracks people’s journey in the course of the day, we are able to provide intelligent, real-time information on how working environments are used. These RFID tags can be incorporated into the access cards and helps businesses see in real-time whether their workspace is occupied and how it is being used. With this intelligence, companies are able to improve space utilisation and with reduced cost of occupancy, improve efficiency and productivity.
“It ties very well to sustainability as optimising space helps reduce energy bills. While we develop solutions, we try to embed greener technologies into the buildings as well,” he says.
For example, the company’s flagship Metasys building management system intelligently controls mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems with the building. The system provides customers with a set of comprehensive tools to improve building efficiency, maximise cost savings, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“We can help businesses reduce energy and utility consumption and the associated costs by between 15 and 50 per cent. With the help of Johnson Controls’ technology, developers and other organisations can get a clear and accurate picture of their facilities that are running over or under budget – whether it is for a new or an existing building. End-users can identify energy-intensive applications and the amounts being spent on repairs and maintenance, building by building on a real-time basis. They can also see where they have opportunities to reduce costs and be more profitable.”
The integration of the building systems and the information technology infrastructure into one intelligent network is an important part of the company’s strategy for sustainability.
Johnson Controls has addressed most challenges of real-world integration and enterprise connectivity, allowing building owners and managers to control cost and energy consumption. Thus, from a green building and energy management perspective, Johnson Controls’ technology enables a more efficient real estate portfolio management with the benefits of optimum cost savings, process improvements, and improved occupant comfort.
Commenting in the business and company’s plans for this year, Beck says: “We are looking at increasing our pipeline as well as building our team. We see a lot of potential for growth as the region is witnessing a fundamental change in how customers view their space, given the current economic conditions. There is also a lot of focus in the UAE on green buildings, a trend that is picking up in Qatar and Saudi Arabia as well.”
The company has 10 major clients in the region. Most of the deals are part of global contracts with companies such as Ericsson and IBM.
Johnson Controls has also recently launched a new website mygreenprint.org aimed at helping improve efficiency in residential and non-residential facilities. “This project is a culmination of our efforts at furthering the cause of sustainable development,” he concludes.