Gulf Construction Online - LG facilities Leed the way

Environment Protection

LG Electronics' facilities at Jebel Ali Free Zone

LG facilities Leed the way

LG Electronics’ Jafza facilities, which have been designed to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, boast major savings in power and water consumption, earning it major green accolades.

01 December 2011

LG Electronics has been awarded the prestigious Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold award for its environment-friendly building facilities at Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), making it the first company in the Middle East to receive such an award for multiple buildings like warehouses and offices.

The Leed Gold certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Building Certification Institution (GBCI) was in addition to the special appreciation certificate from EHS, the regulatory arm of Trakhees – Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Government of Dubai.

The LG building has been designed and constructed to be environment-friendly indoors as well as outdoors, providing benefits such as 21.5 per cent energy savings, 31.8 per cent potable water savings, and a 91.7 per cent diversion of construction waste from landfills. The building integrates energy conservation measures through its high-performance building envelope insulation and efficient air-conditioning units, fans, motors, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and LED lighting. It has also used building finishes with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants.

LG's Photovoltaic solar panels

'Beyond producing energy-efficient products, LG is looking to play a leading role in reducing its carbon footprint and act as a corporate model. We believe responsible companies must contribute to sustainable growth by minimising the environmental impact caused by their business activities, and the Leed Gold certification is an acknowledgement of our efforts,' says H S Paik, president of LG Electronics Gulf.

LG Electronics Gulf has incorporated several key green features into the building. It has used its own LED lighting system leading to a reduction in daily power consumption. Occupancy sensors installed in all meeting rooms and corridors will help save energy by automating light switches.

LG’s flagship product – the Multi-V variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditioning system – has been implemented in the project, receiving high commendations from the USGBC and GBCI. The high COP (coefficient of performance) figures of 4.3 and zero ODP (ozone depletion potential) refrigerant R-410A made it easy for LG to earn major points in the energy and atmosphere category, according to Dharmesh Sawant, senior manager – commercial AC at LG Electronics.

Its Multi-V VRF enabled improved energy efficiency by allowing occupants to air condition or heat only the zones in use. The building also includes a 30 kW on-grid solar photovoltaic system.

Sawant comments: 'LG is listed in Estidama as a compliant villa product and is helping many stakeholders meet the Estidama credits for their projects with the help of Multi-V. We have already supplied around 25,000 tons of refrigeration (TR) of Multi-V units in the GCC region.'

The project is a local initiative that fits into LG’s global environment plan to become one of the world leaders in reducing the impact of climate change. The company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 14 tonnes by the end of this year, from 12.9 million tonnes in 2010.

Multi-V ... occupants can air-condition or heat only the zones in use.

Dr Ju Won Kim, general manager of the AC Academy, says: 'LG has a corporate social responsibility of environmental sustainability. Being a strategic partner of the UN’s Champions of the Earth awards since 2009, we have a vision of becoming a corporate leader in environmental issues and inspiring the next generation. We want to inspire the green practice locally by implementing the sustainable ideas in our own building.'

LG has implemented a green educational programme that enhances the educational elements of the LG building and the Leed process.

The company is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people in more than 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of $48.2 billion, LG comprises four business units – home entertainment, mobile communications, home appliance, and air conditioning and energy solutions.

LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air-conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. It has signed a long-term agreement to become both a global partner and a technology partner of Formula One, by which the company will acquire exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event.