Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology to speak at 1st Middle East Variable Refrigerant Flow Conference

The conference, also known as VAR Fair, will highlight the technology and business of VRF systems. VRF is widely believed as an energy-efficient option to cooling residential and commercial buildings.

VRF systems are relatively new in the Middle East, and stakeholders are seeking clarity on the regulation structures in place. In the case of manufacturers of VRF systems, equally there is a need for clarity on approvals procedures. In view of that, ESMA's participation will go a long way in addressing the related issues.

Besides ESMA, the conference has, to date, attracted participation from the Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS) and the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW), Kuwait. The conference will, thus, be an opportunity to hear on regulation efforts in not only the UAE but also in other GCC countries.

In addition to the discussion on regulations and approvals procedures, the conference will see discussion on issues, such as the coefficient of performance (COP) yield of VRF systems in high-ambient conditions, lifecycle costs, diversity of applications, installation, and operations and maintenance. A key feature will be the presentation of case studies of VRF projects in the region and elsewhere.

"Variable refrigerant flow systems have come to be viewed as offering flexibility and cost-effectiveness in a market still besieged by uncertainty about occupancy and initial cost concerns," said B Surendar, Editorial Director and Associate Publisher of CPI Industry. "In addition, VRFs are considered to have high full- and part-load energy-efficiency levels. While district cooling is an option and widely considered as the answer to reducing the region's power demand in a large scale, it has to first address questions related to a feasible financial model to execute piping networks and other capital-intensive MEP and civil works. VRFs have presented themselves as the need-of-the-hour systems."

The conference is expected to attract different government agencies across the region, developers, contractors, consultants and manufacturers. It will be the first of its kind to give dedicated attention to what is being viewed as an exciting new development in a regional context.