ITP MEDIA GROUP / BUSINESS AUGUST 2021 • VOL. 16, ISSUE 08 EVALUATING THE NEED FOR IMPROVED COLLABORATION, EARLY ENGAGEMENT, AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS ON PROJECTS PEOPLE, CASH FLOW, THE INDUSTRY PROTECTwww.mepmiddleeast.comAugust 2021 | MEP Middle East 3 AUGUST 2021 VOLUME 16 ISSUE 08 CONTENTS 33 TECHNOLOGY IN FOCUS SSH on optimising the design & development of 3D BIM models 05 EDITOR’S LETTER MEP Editor Anup Oommen calls for the industry to stand united 36 PUMP SYSTEMS Wilo Middle East on sustainable manufacturing & energy effi ciency COVER STORY: PROTECT PEOPLE, CASH FLOW, AND THE INDUSTRY! Industry veterans share their expertise on why MEP stakeholders need to leverage collaboration, early engagement, and knowledge of their rights and obligations 2021 MEP CONFERENCE In case you missed it: Here’s a quick look at all the keynote speeches and the in-depth panel discussions at the 2021 MEP Conference held at V Hotel Dubai 10 EXPERT COMMENT AESG shares insights on performance simulation and parametric optimisation 28 PROJECT UPDATE Walking through Tower B and Tower C at DAMAC’s AYKON City Project 26 16 EXPO EXCLUSIVE The Netherlands Pavilion: A truly “Sustainable Structure” at Expo 2020 204 MEP Middle East | August 2021www.mepmiddleeast.com PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London & Mumbai ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Managing Director: Alex Reeve Group Editor: Carla Sertin EDITORIAL Editor: Anup Oommen Tel: +971 4 444 3448 E-mail: anup.oommen@itp.com ADVERTISING Group Sales Manager: Anup Nagpurkar Tel: +971 4 444 3573 E-mail: anup.nagpurkar@itp.com ITP LIVE General Manager: Ahmad Bashour Tel: +971 4 444 3549 E-mail: ahmad.bashour@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Photographers: Efraim Evidor, Adel Rashid Staff Photographers: Aasiya Jagadeesh, Ajith Narendra, Fritz John Asuro PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Group Production & Distribution Director: Kyle Smith Production Manager: Basel Al Kassem Production Coordinator: Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor: Emmalyn Robles CIRCULATION Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai MARKETING Director of Awards & Marketing: Daniel Fewtrell Subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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The most reliable and respected source of MEP news and in-depth analysis in the GCC region To flip through previous editions of the MEP Middle East magazine, visit mepmiddleeast.com/emagazines/ Published by and © 2021 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC.EDITORÊS LETTER August 2021 | MEP Middle East 5 www.constructionweekonline.com STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: UNITED WE STAND … Anup Oommen Editor, MEP Middle East anup.oommen@itp.com I n-person events are back … and the MEP industr y has welcomed it with open arms! Without a shadow of a doubt, the best moment in my professional career as the Editor of ITP Media Group’s MEP Middle East title has been the sheer joy and outpouring of positive responses following the successful completion of the highly informative, house-full, and exceedingly well-organised 2021 MEP Conference. After a year of learning new lessons and overcoming challenges – the likes of which we’ve never faced before – it was fantastic to see the industry showcasing strength in numbers, voicing their concerns, networking and building relationships, while sharing knowledge and making a call for more collaborative efforts to raise standards and improve best practices. Industry veterans spoke at length about how the volatile market and the pandemic has exacerbated issues in the industry, which has been plagued with low margins, high competition, contractual ambiguities, delayed payments, as well as cost- and time-overruns, with some stakeholders even coming down strong on “the race to the bottom” that has negatively impacted the industry “for more than three years”. Yet, these trying times have also brought to the forefront fi rms that have shown extreme fortitude and resilience. The top fi rms in the industry have been openly battling negative practices that have been prevalent in the industry – including fragmented procurement, fractious relationships, unfavourable contract terms, improper implementation of digitised offerings, as well as infl ated labour and material costs, among others. However, it’s not all gloom and doom. There is reason to celebrate given that the industry has moved past the eye of the storm, and looking forward, the missive from the MEP industry is a message of hope. Stakeholders across the supply chain – from clients, and main contractors, to MEP contractors, consultants, and suppliers – have shaken hands in agreement to improve their focus on people, processes, and the adoption of the right technologies. The MEP industry has also accepted its role and responsibility in ensuring the growth of a circular economy. “The will to collaborate, the will to consult with each other, the will to reach out and improve our collective position is something that we’re all holding onto in order for the industry to take a positive step in the right direction,” a leading MEP consultant said at the 2021 MEP Conference. The very fact that people from across the supply chain could meet under a single roof and come to a consensus, acknowledging the weaknesses that need to be addressed within the industry, while agreeing on solutions with regard to a way to move forward is commendable. “To solve a problem, everyone should agree there is a problem,” said a leading panellist at the 2021 MEP Conference. “This is a good starting point.” The industry now has strength in numbers – strength in collaborative and coordinated peer-group efforts to lift the industry out of the doldrums. The memo to the MEP industr y is clear – United we Stand … Divided we Fall!www.mepmiddleeast.com CONSTRUCTION PROJECT The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has completed 84.52% construction on the 829 megawatts (MW) Phase 4 of the H-Station power plant in Al Aweer with investments totalling $299.5mn (AED1.1bn). Phase 4 will increase the station’s total capacity to 2,825MW under climate conditions of up to 50 degrees Celsius. The project is expected to be operational by Q2 of 2022. The project is being implemented by a consortium comprising Siemens Energy and Elsewedy Power. It includes supplying, installing, testing, and commissioning three Siemens gas turbines with a total capacity of 829MW. The project also includes installing sub devices and equipment from major international companies such as natural gas compressors from Germany’s MAN. It also includes a natural gas treatment station from Dutch company Petrogas. Other local and regional companies are also contributing to this project. This is one of DEWA’s key projects to meet the reserve margin criterion set for peak electricity demand in Dubai. It will add to DEWA’s current installed capacity of 12,900MW of electricity. The executive vice president of Generation at DEWA, Nasser Lootah, said that the station is equipped with the latest systems and technologies to reduce emissions to the minimum. The turbines will be completely fuelled with natural gas. Nasser Lootah noted that the project’s work progress is fast paced, while maintaining the highest levels of health, safety, quality, and effi ciency. Commenting ont the project, the managing director and chief executive offi cer of DEWA, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, said: “We work in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide a strong infrastructure that keeps pace with rapid changes in Dubai and the growing demand for electricity and water in the Emirate. “This is according to the highest standards of quality, effi ciency, reliability and availability, to contribute to sustainable social, economic and environmental development.” DEWA completes 84.52% construction on Phase 4 of H-Station in Al Aweer APPOINTMENTS Losberger De Boer, a leading provider of integrated temporary and semi-permanent space solutions, has appointed Francis Scholten as its managing director for Rental Projects Division, one of the four divisions within the Losberger De Boer Group. After starting as Account Manager International Projects in 1999, Francis gained extensive experience in the event rental business with international projects such as the Asian Games, Olympic Games, Volvo Ocean Race, and UEFA Championships. In 2018, Francis was appointed MD of the company’s international projects in those countries where no permanent Losberger De Boer organization was present. In 2019, the Middle East region, with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, was added to her responsibilities. Despite the major impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Francis successfully managed a broad variety of projects for Losberger De Boer that had to be carried out under complex conditions. Notable examples are the construction of Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia and the many projects that were realized to support healthcare institutions with additional capacity such as temporary hospitals, testing and vaccination centres. Losberger De Boer CEO, Arnout de Hair, said: “We are proud to have Francis within our team. We are pleased that we have been able to appoint someone from our own organization, having a strong background and a vast network in the international rental project business.” 6 MEP Middle East | August 2021 www.mepmiddleeast.com NEWS Losberger De Boer appoints Francis Scholten to Rental Projects DivisionNEWS August 2021 | MEP Middle East 7 www.mepmiddleeast.com APPOINTMENTS The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) – which is a leader in the integrated coordination of planning, purchasing, and supplying of water and electricity across the UAE – has announced the appointment of Andy Biffen as the new Director of Capacity Procurement. Biffen joins EWEC from Reach Solar Energy, where he served as the Director and Co-founder based in Australia. Taking over from John Hurst, Biffen will be responsible for managing the development of the technical and multi-discipline aspects of EWEC’s projects going forward. Commenting on the appointment, the chief executive offi cer of EWEC, Othman Al Ali, said: “I would like to thank John for the substantial contributions that he has made to our company and the sector, having successfully led numerous world-class projects for EWEC. “At the same time, we are very excited to welcome Andy Biffen to the EWEC family. His wealth of knowledge and experience in the energy sector will be invaluable to EWEC.” Over the course of his career, Biffen has held numerous leadership roles within the energy sector in the Middle East region. This includes his prior roles as the chief executive offi cer of Shamal Azzour North in Kuwait; the executive managing director at HPC in Bahrain, and the executive advisor at the Sumitomo Corporation in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi. EWEC appoints Andy Biffen as the Director of Capacity Procurement PROJECT UPDATE Dubai-headquartered multi-disciplinary architecture and interior design fi rm, Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) – which is known for its award-winning architecture, MEP, specialist lighting, and interior design practice across the Middle East and North Africa region – has revealed construction updates on the International Schools Group’s (ISG) new school campus in Saudi Arabia’s up-and-coming area of Aziziyah. Appointed by Rashed Al Rashed for International Schools Group (ISG), Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ) has revealed that actual progress on the construction of the new school campus has crossed the 95% milestone. The new school campus, which is located within the Canary Vista residential compound to the west of central Khobar, will accommodate both the ISG British School Dhahran and the ISG American School Dhahran within an interconnected series of buildings and shared facilities that cater to a total of approximately 2,500 students. The fi nishing works comprise painting, fl ooring material installation, joinery work, acoustic ceilings, lighting fi xtures, sanitary wares, elevators, and completion of the MEP works. The relevant inspections are being undertaken by the construction supervision company and the site is being prepared for the snag list items, which is part of the completion phase of the work. In terms of the external work, the swimming pool specialist company will undertake the relevant testing and commissioning of the pool equipment including the pumps, fi lters, and heat exchange system. The artifi cial sports fi eld and external play courts are all installed, with the specialist company undertaking the line markings of these sports areas. The running track, which includes the long-jump pit, will be installed in July 2021. Currently, the contractor working through the testing and commissioning phase of all the MEP equipment and work. Once the construction work is substantially complete, ISG will undertake the fi t-out of the school campus in terms of all the furnishings, equipment, and more. The contractor is installing the specialist rubber fl ooring in the playground area in the Early Years playground which is a shared space between the schools. MEP, HVAC works on ISG schools in Saudi’s Aziziyah on scheduleNEWS 8 MEP Middle East | August 2021 www.mepmiddleeast.com PRODUCT LAUNCH Grundfos has confi rmed Wednesday, August 25, 2021, as the offi cial launch date for its new energy-effi cient pressure boosting unit, the Grundfos Hydro Multi-E. The versatile and easy-to-use booster will be the fi rst unit ever to incorporate the company’s latest breakthrough in self- controlling pump technology. The latest in a line of pioneering developments driven by the company’s passion for sustainability and innovation, the new self-controlling pump technology brings together, for the fi rst time, the four key components of the current pre-packaged system – pump, motor, variable frequency drive and controls, into a single pump unit. Fully engineered, designed, and produced by Grundfos for ultimate reliability and effi ciency, the new Grundfos Hydro Multi-E can be applied for pressure boosting and water transfer applications within apartments, hospitals, schools, hotels and other buildings, as well as for irrigation and wash and clean applications. It combines between two and four of the new frequency-controlled pumps, parallel connected in a single integrated unit with the highest quality hygiene-approved manifolds and mechanical accessories. The new self- controlling technology enables individual pumps to communicate continuously with each other to ensure optimal operation across the most effi cient part of the pump curve, providing continuous, uninterrupted water supply and signifi cant reduction in energy usage. A stop function on the booster also helps to save energy during frequent very low fl ow conditions, further improving effi ciency. Unlike traditional constant pressure pumps, the new pumps feature proportional pressure control, which helps to compensate for frictional losses in the system, cutting energy usage and water consumption by up to 33% and providing more stable and reliable pressure for the end-users. Key to the effi ciency of the new Hydro Multi-E is a new IE5 effi ciency pump motor – the highest possible motor effi ciency grade available, featuring permanent magnet construction for very low noise and heat dissipation. The unit also features soft pressure build- up to reduce water hammering and pipe bursting, one of the most common problems in traditional pressure boosting systems. Grundfos’ Hydro Multi-E booster takes pumps to the next level Easy to operate, with standard confi gurations to make selecting the appropriate unit for any application straightforward, the new Hydro Multi-E is simple and quick to start-up and commission, thanks to its ‘plug and pump’ design. It can be used with the Grundfos GO mobile app, to provide fl exibility to end users and operators to easily control and monitor their pump system. The high quality, high performance system is fully approved for hygiene and drinking water/ potable water use and certifi ed by all leading certifi cation bodies, including WRAS, ACS and NSF. Commenting on the unit’s launch, Grundfos’ area sales director for the Gulf region, Shiney Jacob, said: “This is a very signifi cant launch not only for Grundfos, but for the market, coming at a time when sustainability concerns are top of mind for customers, designers and developers. “Sustainability is in our DNA. These latest developments are yet another indication of our commitment to continuous innovation to deliver the improvements in energy effi ciency and reductions in water usage that are so crucial for the future of our people and our environment.” Shiney Jacob Area Sales Director - Gulf Region, GrundfosNEWS August 2021 | MEP Middle East 9 www.mepmiddleeast.com Miral’s $112mn Warner Bros Abu Dhabi Hotel to open in 2021 PROJECT UPDATE Abu-Dhabi based real estate development, management, and investment fi rm, Miral, which is responsible for the development and management of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi – in collaboration with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment – has revealed that construction on the $112mn Warner Bros Abu Dhabi hotel is progressing on schedule for a 2021 opening. The world’s fi rst Warner Bros. themed hotel, operated and managed by Hilton under its upper-upscale Curio Collection by Hilton brand, is now 90% complete. To date, the fi rst guestroom fl oors, branding, and theming, as well as the ballroom, core spaces, and the building façade within Miral’s newest hospitality development, have been substantially completed. With a design and concept inspired by the world-famous Warner Bros. brand and located next door to the award-winning Warner Bros World theme park, The WB Abu Dhabi will feature 257 rooms over eight levels, with modern décor that celebrates Warner Bros’ extensive fi lm and television library. The property’s contemporary design will also include signature WB themed restaurants, a premier spa and fi tness club, and a shaded rooftop pool where guests can take in Yas Island’s distinctive skyline. The hotel will provide families with a range of leisure amenities, including a child-friendly pool as well as indoor and outdoor Kid’s Club options. The WB Abu Dhabi will incorporate a broad range of facilities for business and leisure guests alike, including a large ballroom, a range of high quality and adaptable meeting rooms, and a fully equipped eforea spa and health club. The WB Abu Dhabi is within walking distance from Yas Waterworld and are in close proximity to Yas Island’s other attraction and experiences, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, CLYMB Abu Dhabi, and numerous world-class F&B outlets on the Island. The CEO of Miral, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, said: “We are proud of our long- term partnership with Warner Bros. that has resulted in two world-fi rsts here on Yas Island. The WB Abu Dhabi represents a great addition to Yas Island’s hospitality offerings and attractions, strengthening our commitment to position the Island as a top global destination for leisure, entertainment, and business.We look forward to celebrating the hotel’s opening later this year.”Next >