Expo Centre Sharjah to adopt highly efficient energy and water concepts

lBS is an Arab-German enterprise located in Sharjah that offers state-of-the-art German technology in co-operation with leading German technology institutes, including Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. The Chairman of IBS is Mr Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, who is also the Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The contract was signed today by Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah, and Mr. Fritz Becker, Partner and Managing Director of lBS.

The contract has been awarded under the patronage of His Highness Dr.Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and is seen as a result of the strong economic relations between Sharjah and Germany following the visit of Dr.Sheikh Sultan to Germany in February 2008.

During his visit Dr. Sheikh Sultan had visited Fraunhofer Institute and acquainted himself with research conducted there, especially power generation and the use of solar energy for the production of electricity and cooling power.

Dr. Sheikh Sultan had then hinted at the promising prospects of co-operation between Sharjah and Germany in areas of science and technology.

The project is in line with the initiative of the Sharjah Government to promote advanced technologies for sustainable buildings, especially to reduce energy and water consumption in existing buildings. It will also help combine indoor and outdoor environments to create a healthy climate and working atmosphere in the offices and exhibition halls.

The retrofit of the existing buildings will also contribute to a higher attractiveness of the Expo Centre Sharjah for exhibitors as well as visitors.

Recently, IBS signed a contract with Sharjah Municipality for introducing similar technology at its new headquarters. The civic body became the first government building to implement sustainable solutions with regard to environment protection.

Mr Saif Mohammad Al Midfa said the project has also to been seen as part of the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority`s initiative "Let us work together... as partners" to conserve electricity and reduce water consumption.

"It will also create awareness that natural resources represent a valuable wealth that we need to preserve. In this respect, saving energy and water has a high priority for the operation of the Expo Centre," Mr. Midfa said.

IBS bagged the contract based on its strengths in advanced engineering concepts and its expertise and experience in computerised simulations with regard to energy demand and supply, airflow and ventilation, lighting and acoustics.

The contract will cover building optimization (insulation, glazing, shading devices and air tightness), technical systems to reduce energy demand, to optimize the energy supply and to operate efficient water treatment systems.

Water conservation will be based on the "triple R" principle of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and will also cover landscaping and irrigation.

Mr. Fritz Becker thanked Expo Centre Sharjah for engaging lBS in the project. "Innovative technical solutions not only increase the sustainability and the value of buildings but also address financial issues with regard to investment, operational cost and life cycle.
That's why cost-benefit calculations are an integrated part of IBS'
business principles," Mr Becker said.

"The introduction of sustainable solutions in government buildings shall pave the way for an environment-friendly future of Sharjah," Mr.
Becker added.